Event rules & information

World Finals qualifications

1. A rider must attend 5 sanctioned shows from June 15, 2025 through June 1, 2026.
2. A rider must ride 5 times in any class or classes for it to count as 1 show.
3. To ride for the added Cinch Bonus Money, a contestant must have 100 rides on the season. Cinch Bonus Money is paid to the top 3 qualified teams (unless noted otherwise). If only one team member qualifies, that member receives the Cinch Bonus Money won by the team. If neither member qualifies, the added money goes to the next team until 3 places are paid.
4. All first-year members are qualified to compete in the World Finals but must make 100 rides to be eligible for the Cinch Bonus Money.

Classes and ride limits

Classes have a 5-ride limit (pick 4/draw 1, or draw up to 5), except:

1. #14 RH: pick 8/draw 1 or draw all 9 (4 sort picks and 4 gate picks).
2. State Extravaganza and Challenge of the Champions: see their rules below.
3. Pro and Non Pro Futurity: pick 5 (no draw).
4. Lucky Duck: 32-team limit.
5. Entries for the day’s first classes close at 5:00 PM the night before.

Gold Shootout classes

All members (new members included) must be Platinum or Gold members and have 5 shows to enter the Gold Shootout classes.

1. Cinch #13 and Professional’s Choice #9 Gold Shootouts: 6-ride limit; pick 5/draw 1 or draw up to 6.
2. Priefert Open: 3-ride limit; pick or draw up to 3.
3. US Rider #5 Gold Shootout: 3-ride limit; pick 2/draw 1 or draw up to 3.
4. To compete for World Finals Gold Shootout added money, all contestants must qualify with 100 rides. Added money is paid to the entire pot.

National points race divisions

The top 20 contestants from their home state in each rating division enter the World Finals with 40 to 2 points, respectively (20 to 1 for the Masters, Youth and Western Heritage divisions). Points are then added from the following classes to decide the Top 10 World Champions in each rating category. The Top 20 from each division in each state are eligible for year-end awards.

1. If a member’s rating moves up one number during the season (June 15, 2025–June 13, 2026), the rider finishes the season in his or her original division. A member moved up two ratings competes in the division for the rating below the new one. A member moved down may compete in the new division. This applies to all rating changes made after the annual season-end rating reviews.
2. For classes not completed before Finals Night on Saturday, points are applied on the rider standings going into the final round. Saturday night’s results are not used to determine prizes.
3. Youth points are applied after the Youth #8 class is complete. Western Heritage year-end division awards are presented at the completion of each WH class, and points applied after each class.

Challenge of the Champions

1. The back-tag ceremony banquet is Saturday, June 6, at 7:00 PM.
2. The top 5 money-earners in each division this season face off with the other division qualifiers in a Round Robin. The contender in each division with the most cows sorted in the least time at the end of the Round Robin is crowned the division “Champion of Champions” and wins $1,000. Each of the top 5 qualifiers receives a Cinch shirt, a felt back tag and a Challenge of the Champions qualifier award.
3. Back tags are numbered 1 through 20; number 1 goes to the overall highest money-earner in the contest.
4. The season began after the 2025 World Finals and concludes May 25, 2026.

Lucky Duck bracket sort

1. Limited to 32 teams. Teams that were 1 hole out of the money have the first option to enter; the rest are drawn from contestants nominated for good deeds or bad luck.
2. Five rounds: 32 teams, then 16, 8, 4 and the final 2. Rounds 4 and 5 run during Finals Night on Saturday.
3. A #18 Handicap. Two teams start behind the line. The announcer says “Cattle are ready, cattle number …”, and time starts when the number is called. The team with the higher score when time expires for both advances. If a team gets a no-time, time stops and the other team advances.
4. If a re-ride is needed, both teams re-ride immediately.
5. A head-to-head race, not an average: winners advance until two teams remain. Prizes for the top 2 teams; 100% payback, 2 places.

Futurities

1. 5-ride limit per rider. No futurity horse can be ridden twice in the same futurity.
2. Contestants must be qualified to ride in the Futurity (5 shows).
3. Added money is paid to the entire pot. Contestants must have 100 rides to be eligible for the Cinch Bonus Money.
4. All paperwork and entries are due at the entry office by 9:00 AM Sunday. A horse entered after 9:00 AM is charged a $50 late fee, no exceptions; the office may refuse entries after 9:00 AM on Sunday.
5. Pro Futurity Calcutta: for the fastest team in the final round. Payback is 80/20, with 20% going to the added money for the #18 Rated Youth class; the remaining 80% is split 80 buyer / 20 rider. Pays 1 spot.

Ranch sorting practice pen

1. Sign up in advance (required) online under Event Reservations on RSNC.us. Reservations open May 15, 2026.
2. Time slots are 30-minute blocks, $500 each.
3. Friday, June 5, 2:00–4:00 PM, John Justin Arena.
4. Visit the show office to schedule more practice pen time, pending availability.

Cinch RSNC dress code

1. Every contestant at a Cinch RSNC sanctioned show wears Western attire: a Western hat is optional, but a collared Western button-down shirt and boots are required. Tank tops, T-shirts, polo shirts and ball caps are not allowed.
2. The first dress code violation is a warning. Each violation after that is a no-time for that ride.

Membership

1. A current Cinch RSNC membership is required to ride at RSNC events and must be bought before the class. Memberships are non-refundable and non-transferable. The season runs July 1 through June 30.
2. Silver memberships for members 70 and older are free. Memberships can be bought on site, online or by calling the office. Cinch RSNC rules and ratings apply; all rules and releases are at RSNC.us.