RULES & NEWSLETTER
2026 Evanston Rodeo Series
Newsletter + Rules
THIS YEAR we will have three rodeo weekends in Evanston. The dates are:
June 12th & 13th - June 26th & 27th - July 10th & 11th
THE EVANSTON RODEO SERIES is governed by rules and regulations. We ask you as contestants to please read this 2026 Newsletter and understand that by signing the release form, you are agreeing to abide by the rules set forth in the newsletter
Important Reminder for the 2026 Season:
ENTRIES - will once again take place via Saddlebook. You MUST have a Saddlebook account to enter. If you don’t have an account yet, you can create one for free at https://saddlebook.com. There will be NO phone entries taken.
Entries will open one week before each rodeo. You can only enter for one weekend at a time. Entry Dates:
June 12th & 13th: Entries open June 2nd at 8:00 am and close June 9th at 8:00 pm.
June 26th & 27th: Entries open June 16th at 8:00 am and close June 23rd at 8:00 pm.
July 10th & 11th: Entries open June 30th at 8:00 am and close July 7th at 8:00 pm.
ADDED MONEY CHANGES - As the country is celebrating the 250th anniversary of The United States Of America, the Evanston Rodeo Series wants to give back to the people of the community. The Evanston Rodeo Series will show their patriotism by rewarding our contestants. We will be increasing the added money in ALL OF OUR EVENTS. For three of our rough stock events; Bareback, Saddle Bronc, and Bull Riding, we will increase the added money to $1,776.00 in representation of the signing of The Declaration of Independence. For the Steer Wrestling, Tie Down Roping, Ladies Breakaway, Open Barrels, and Stock Saddle Bronc, the added money will increase to $1,000.00. In the Team Roping, the #10 and the Open, the added money will increase to $1,500.00. In the Jr Events; Steer Riding, Jr. Barrel Racing, and Jr. Breakaway, the added money will be doubled to $300.00.
We will continue to have an 80% payback in ALL of our events.
The Evanston Rodeo Series will once again be a qualifier for the American Rodeo. The Open Team Roping division will be the only Team Roping that may qualify for the American Qualifier.
For more details visit our website:www.evanstonrodeoseries.org
(https:/www.evanstonrodeoseries.org)
Diamond H Rodeo will be the stock contractor for all three weekends.
1. ELIGIBILITY - The Evanston Rodeo Series will have a walk-up replacement policy on all rough stock events. The team roping will consist of a #10 and an Open division. The ERS will require that all people behind the bucking chutes and within a restricted area, including the arena, must sign a release form, and be dressed in full western attire. Western attire includes: long sleeve shirts, western hats, pants, and western boots. This includes warming up in the arena one hour before the start of the performance. Each paid contestant will be eligible to receive 1 companion pass. The companion pass can be used for chute help or admission to the rodeo for that performance only
2. REGISTRATION AND RELEASE FORM - we are asking each contestant to fill out a release form. With his form we will be able to update our records and protect the ERS in the event someone gets hurt. If the participant is a minor, under 18 years of age, there is a place on the release form for parental consent and notary. It is the contestants responsibility to have this form notarized. If the registration form is not notarized it will be returned for you to complete. This completed form is essential to allow participants in the restricted areas.
3. ORDER OF EVENTS - The order of events in the rodeo will be as follows: Jr. Steer Riding, Tie Down Roping, Bareback, Ladies Breakaway, Jr. Breakaway, Steer Wrestling, 1st section Bull Riding, #10 Team Roping, Saddle Bronc, Open Barrel Racing, Jr. Barrel Racing, Open Team Roping, 2nd section Bull Riding. The order is subject to change according to the number of entries and the activities during the performance.
4. SLACK - Friday night slack will start at approximately 9:30 pm. Entry fees for Friday night slack must be paid 30 minutes prior to the start of the event and no later than 10:00 pm. No one will be allowed to participate without first paying fees. The order of slack is as follows: Open Barrel Racing, Jr. Barrel Racing, Ladies Breakaway, Jr. Breakaway, Tie Down Roping, and Steer Wrestling which will be determined by the number of entries, then followed by the #10 and Open Team Roping. (There will be no rough stock slack). We will also have Saturday afternoon slack starting at 3:00 pm. The order of events in Saturday slack will be the same as the Friday night slack. 5. PENALTIES & TURN OUTS - Please be ready to participate when your name is announced. There will only be (3) three calls to perform. If a contestant does not acknowledge the third call, he or she will be disqualified. You will not be allowed to take your run later. No exceptions! If a contestant in the timed event has a dispute with a judge’s decision, that dispute needs to be brought to the attention of the judge immediately. Immediately is interpreted to mean before the end of the performance of which the infraction occurred. This dispute has to be brought to the judge by the contestant that has the dispute. If the dispute has not been addressed by the end of the event in that performance, then the judge’s decision is final. Fouls in the rough stock have to be declared immediately. If you enter an event and do not draw out at least 24 hours before the Friday night performance, you forfeit your entry fee. Doctor’s releases and veterinary releases will be honored if received by the Evanston Rodeo Series office 24 hours before the Friday night performance.
6. ROPING ARENA RULES - All roping event contestants will enter through the back of the roping boxes. There will be no curling of your horse in the arena before you rope. Follow cattle to the bottom of the arena and exit on the East end of the arena. No contestant will be allowed to stay in the arena while other contestants rope. The only horse allowed to be brought back are those needed for additional runs in which prior arrangements need to be made with the judges. These rules may seem trivial to some, but the Evanston Rodeo Series has found that with a little cooperation the performances and especially the slack will run smoother and faster. The cattle for the roping events will be chute run. Because the cattle are chute run, there will be NO switching places or rolling. We will follow the order of the day sheet. If you miss your run you will not be allowed to go at the end. NOTICE TO ALL ROPERS including Breakaway ropers, your hat must be on when entering the arena. The roping box is considered the arena, no tipping hats off in the roping box.
7. TEAM ROPERS - This year we will be offering two divisions: The #10 and the Open. Each contestant will have the opportunity to enter either division that they qualify for. Each contestant may enter a total of four times. You can rope with the same partner twice in the same division if you switch “ends”. We will be going by the USTRC numbering system. If you do not have a current USTRC number we will assign you a number. If you have a warbler number, we will add two numbers to it. When entering the team roping make sure you have a USTRC number for everyone that enters. In the past years, we have had significant problems with team roping entries. Names have been given in error and partners have tried to make changes at the rodeo. Please make sure that your entries are correct when you enter on Saddlebook. Remember all participants must enter individually on Saddlebook. There will be absolutely NO Changing entries once entries have closed. There will be NO Changing of partners at the rodeo. You are responsible for mistakes made in entries. We are again going to offer two team roping slacks - Friday night after the rodeo at 9:30 pm and Saturday before the rodeo at 3:00 pm. NOTICE TO ALL TEAM ROPERS, you must present your roping number to the rodeo secretary when paying your entry fees. We will hold checks until Monday morning when we can verify all Team Roping Numbers.
8. 18 & UNDER TIE DOWN ROPING - The Evanston Rodeo Series will be offering a special division for Tie Down Ropers that are 18 years of age and younger. (Age 18 by January 1, 2026). A Jr. Roper will enter the regular roping event. The Evanston Rodeo Series will pay TWO ADDITIONAL PLACES after the regular payoff for the top two Jr. Ropers who do not place in the regular payoff. The payoff for the two additional Jr. places will be $100.00 and $90.00. It will be the responsibility of the Jr. Roper to notify the Rodeo Secretary, before you rope, that they are eligible for the Jr. Roping division.
9. OPEN BARREL RACING - We are asking for your cooperation with some of our rules. Upon entering the arena there will be NO circling your horse. The contestant must enter the arena with a forward motion to the first barrel. Also we are asking each contestant to be responsible to keep their hat on during the entire barrel run (including Jr. Barrel Racers). Every contestant must have their hat on when entering the arena; if not, or if the contestant purposely knocks off their own hat any time during the run, they will be flagged out. This is the judges call and we will support their decision. If these infractions continue we will be forced to implement fines. In the Open and Jr. Barrel Racing, we will be raking after every 5 competitors, regardless of any changes to the day sheet. Under normal conditions, we will be using a combination of hand raking and using a tractor. If the weather has made the arena muddy, the tractor may not be used. This decision will be made by the committee at the time of the event. Also in the Open and Jr. Barrel Racing, there will be one rider per horse; one horse cannot be ridden by two riders regardless of division. Only one entry per contestant. Payoffs will include $180.00 to be paid down two more places. For example, if we had between 26 and 40 entries, we normally pay 5 places. We will pay 6th and 7th place with $95.00 for 6th place, and $85.00 for 7th place.
10. LADIES AND JR. BREAKAWAY - The Evanston Rodeo Series will allow two loops if two ropes are carried. Each rope will be tied to the saddle horn with a string. The time will start when the barrier drops. The contestant will ride after the calf throwing a loop over its head. The catch needs to be a bell collar catch. As the rider pulls up their horse, the running calf breaks the string and the rope falls free from the saddle horn. A flag must be attached to the rope at the saddle horn so the judge can tell when the rope breaks free. Time is called when the judge drops their flag. Ropes must be released. The Jr. Breakaway Roping will be using a barrier.
11. JR EVENTS - The Jr. events are open to both boys and girls in all 3 Jr. events. The Jr. participants may compete in their respective event if they are the age of participation by January 1, 2026. The age limits for Jr. events are as follows: Jr. Barrels - ages 14 & under, Jr. Breakaway - ages 14 & under, Jr. Steer Riding - ages 8-14. (See attached schedule for entry fees and added money).
Switching Division - If a Jr. participant chooses to move out of the Jr. division, they will not be allowed to return to the Jr. events. For 2026 we will once again have the Terminator Steer for the Jr. Steer Riding. The high score in the Jr. Steer Riding each night will have the opportunity to come back later in the rodeo to attempt to ride The Terminator Steer for $100.00 bounty, Sponsored by Westar Printing LLC. The Jr. Steer Riders are not allowed to take a wrap either in the performance or The Terminator Steer.
12. CONTESTANT FEES & ADDED MONEY -
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ EVENTS ENTRY FEES ADDED MONEY
Bull Riding $105.00 $1,776.00
Bareback $85.00 $1,776.00
Saddle Bronc $85.00 $1,776.00
Stock Saddle Bronc $85.00 $1,000.00
Tie Down Roping. $85.00 $1,000.00
Ladies Breakaway $80.00 $1,000.00
Steer Wrestling $85.00 $1,000.00
Open Barrel Racing. $80.00 $1,000.00
Open Team Roping $85.00 $1,500.00
#10 Team Roping $75.00 $1,500.00
Jr. Steer Riding $30.00 $300.00
Jr. Breakaway $30.00 $300.00
Jr. Barrel Racing $30.00 $300.00
We will be using $180.00 from the added money in the Tie Down Roping, Ladies Breakaway, and Open Barrel Racing events to pay two more places. For example, if there are 26-40 contestants we normally pay five places. We will then pay 6th place at $95.00 and 7th place at $85.00.
13. PRIZE CHECKS - Any contestant eligible to receive a check is required to complete an ERS W-9 form. You can do so at the office or go to the website and fill one out and e-mail it to evanstonrodeoseries54@gmail.com. Please make sure we have your current address. NOTICE TO ALL CONTESTANTS: Checks will be held until Monday. If we have NOT received a W-9 from you, we will hold your check until one is received by a committee member. ALL CHECKS ARE TO BE CASHED BY CONTESTANTS WITHIN 90 DAYS OF ISSUANCE DATE. AFTER 90 DAYS SAID CHECKS WILL BECOME NULL AND VOID AND WILL BE RETURNED TO THE EVANSTON RODEO SERIES GENERAL FUND. IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED YOUR CHECK, IT IS THE CONTESTANTS RESPONSIBILITY TO CONTACT THE EVANSTON RODEO SERIES.
14. EVANSTON RODEO SERIES SCHOLARSHIP - The Evanston Rodeo Series will offer scholarships for the 2026 rodeo season to participants of the ERS. Information applications are available on our website (evanstonrodeoseries.org) or by request from the ERS. Applications must be filled out and returned to an ERS committee member by June 27th, 2026. We will no longer be conducting a raffle to secure funds for the scholarship. Please consider contributing a donation to support the ERS Scholarship program.
15. PAYOUTS -
1- 3 contestants. 1 payout 100%
4 - 7 contestants. 2 payout 60%. 40%
8 - 12 contestants. 3 payout 43% 33% 24%
13 - 25 contestants. 4 payout 40%. 30% 20% 10%
26 - 40 contestants. 5 payout 33% 27% 20% 13% 7%
41 - 60 contestants. 6 payout 28%. 24% 19% 14% 9% 6%
61 - 90 contestants 8 payout 23% 19% 17% 14% 11% 7% 5% 4%
91 & over 10 payout 20% 18% 15%. 12.5% 10% 8% 6% 4% 3.5% 3%
The payout will include the entry fees, plus the added money, to the contestants. For example, if there are 16 bull riders for the weekend, we would pay 4 places 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%. If there are less than 4 qualified rides we will pay the places according to the number of qualified rides. If it ends up being two qualified rides then pay off will be for places 60% and 40%. We will no longer pay ground money in the rough stock events unless there are no qualified rides in that event. If there are no qualified rides, we will split the entry fees only (less the secretary/stock charge) among all participants in the event.
Every year we have had a few complaints or suggestions and we do our best as a committee to deal with these issues as they arise. Unfortunately, some of these issues have escalated into confrontational situations which we, as a committee, cannot tolerate. If you have a problem or suggestion during the course of the year, please submit it in written form to a committee member and we will review it at our earliest convenience and take whatever action we deem necessary. We will also review reports of harassment or inappropriate behavior by any participant and deal with them accordingly.
The Wyoming Legislature has passed a law concerning ANIMAL CRUELTY. Because of the high visibility of the rodeo arena to animal rights activists etc. The Evanston Rodeo Series will not tolerate any amount of animal abuse that occurs in the rodeo or surrounding areas. If we abuse our animals we are putting the future of rodeo in jeopardy, so we all need to be very aware of our actions towards our animals.
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