Section 4: Players & Officials
Contestants
Contestants compete as PRCA members. Under the Bylaws (B1.2.4), members acknowledge that rodeo is inherently dangerous and assume the associated risks. Team roping uses a header and a heeler. Header championship points go to the contestant who entered as header and heeler points to the one who entered as heeler (R10.8.1). Steer wrestlers furnish one hazer, who must be an Active PRCA Member (R10.7.4).
Officials and arena personnel
- Judges (R9.1.3): judges in the riding events submit their markings to the Arena Secretary immediately after each performance. These become the official markings once posted or verified and cannot be changed once submitted.
- Timers and flag judges (R10.3.19): there are at least two timers, a barrier judge and a field flag judge, and time is determined between two flags.
- Barrier judge (R10.2): changes the barrier string when it may have weakened, records and adjusts the barrier neck rope length, and inspects barrier equipment before each timed event.
- Field/flag judge (R10.2.6): positioned for the event: at the end of the arena for tie-down roping, and on the right-hand side of the box when facing the chutes for steer wrestling and team roping.
- Labor crew (R10.4.1): stock contractors must provide a labor crew of at least five people for the timed events.
- Pickup men: assist riders after the ride. A bareback rider unable to free their hand after a qualified ride is fined $100 (R9.4.9).