2026 Iowa NBHA State Finals

Draws 2026 Iowa NBHA State Finals August 14 - 16, 2026 Pre-Entry July 27 - Aug 10, 2026

Entries Through SaddleBook

Pre-entries open Monday, June 30th @ 5:00 pm

Pre-entries close Friday, July 25th @ 5:00 pm

All entries are final and no refunds will be issued. You can buy and sell spots.

Late entries will be available after the pre-entry period closes for $20 per horse & rider combination.

Entries will be submitted via SaddleBook. You will have the option to pay with a credit card, check, or payment plan.

Returned checks will incur a $50 fee that must be paid in CASH at the Show Office prior to competing.

If you have a certificate or sponsor credit, submit your entry then send an email to nbhaiowa@gmail.com with the subject ENTRY CREDIT and include your information. We will respond to your email once your account has been credited.

You must have competed in three (3) shows in your NBHA district to qualify to run at the State Finals. Please check the State Show Log to ensure you have met this requirement prior to entering.

Classes

Peewee: 9 and under as of August 1, 2025 (if you have been a Peewee all season in your district, you will still be a Peewee in the State Finals - please see the Peewee tab for more information)

Youth: 18 and under as of January 1, 2025

Adult: 19-49 as of January 1, 2025

Senior: 50 and over as of August 1, 2025

Entry Fees / Other Fees

For the Open 5D, the entry fee is $110. This includes payouts in 2 go rounds and the finals if qualified (approximately $35 per round). Short-go awards will go to the top 5 in each division.

For the Youth 4D, the entry fee is $60. This includes payouts in 2 go rounds and the finals if qualified ($20 per round). Short-go awards will go to the top 4 in each division.

For the Senior 4D, the entry fee is $60. This includes payouts in 2 go rounds and the finals if qualified ($20 per round). Short-go awards will go to the top 3 in each division.

For the Adult 4D the entry fee is $60. This includes payouts in 2 go rounds and average awards to the top 3 in each division.

For the Open 3D Average Side Pot the entry fee is $50. Winners are based on the 1st and 2nd Go times, with awards to the top 3 in each division.

For the Futurity and Derby Side Pots, the entry fee is $40. This includes payouts in 2 go rounds and average awards to the champions in each division.

For the 5D Redemption Round, the entry fee is $25 if you pre-enter. You can also enter on-site for $35. See the rules on the Competition page for this class.

For the 3D Peewee class, the entry fee is $25. This includes 2 go rounds and all peewees will receive awards, plus the champion in each division will win a buckle.

A processing fee of $15 per rider (with the exception of Peewees) will be charged.

Half-hour sessions are $10 each and only a limited number will be for sale at the time of entry.

Exhibitions are $5 each and can be purchased when you enter.

Stalls are $75 each and the fee includes 2 bags of shavings. All horses on the grounds MUST stall.

If stalls sell out, tie-outs will be allowed in designated areas and a $25 per trailer tie-out fee will be assessed.

A jump-out fee of $15 per rider will be assessed to anyone not staying on the grounds

Electric spots are $75 for the event ($25 per night) and reservations can be requested with your online entries. Electric spots are limited, so be prepared to make alternate plans if you do not get a site.

An awards fee is assessed to those who have not obtained any sponsors or participated in the candy bar fundraiser. The fee is $40 for each individual (except Peewees) and a max of $80 per family.

All entries will be double-checked for fees. If fees are missing, these will be added and must be paid by Friday before the office closes. You will be notified via email regarding any discrepancies in your entries.

Iowa Equestrian Center

Electric spots will be handled with your entry through SaddleBook. A limited number of electric spots are available in various sizes. Electric spots will be awarded based on the timestamp of your entry submission.

Stalls are mandatory. No jump-outs, portable pens, or tie-outs to trailers overnight unless all stalls are sold out.

No stall requests are being taken. Groups wanting to be stalled together should reserve under one individual.

If you have a horse who is naughty, please email nbhaiowa@gmail.com with the subject STALL REQUEST and justification for your stall request.

All dogs must be on a leash at all times.

When entering this event, you agree to the following:

DISCLOSURE: Rider agrees to become familiar with and abide by the rules of this event. Rider understands that Iowa NBHA (producers of this event) along with the staff and associates of NBHA are not responsible for accident, injury, theft, or death to themselves or property while attending, competing, camping, or spectating at this event. Rider understands that Iowa NBHA reserves the right to refuse entry for any reason.

WARNING: Under Iowa law, a domesticated animal professional is not liable for damages suffered by, and injury to, or the death of a participant resulting from the inherent risks of domesticated animal activities, pursuant of Iowa Code Chapter 673. You are assuming inherent risks of participating in this domesticated animal activity.

ALL NATIONAL NBHA RULES WILL APPLY TO THE IOWA NBHA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW. ALL DECISIONS MADE BY THE IOWA NBHA STATE SHOW COMMITTEE ARE FINAL.

Carry-Overs & Running Order

The running order will be drawn after all pre-entries are received. The draw will be printed and posted at the time of check in.

Carry-overs are allowed in the 1st and 2nd Go Rounds and can be designated on your entries.

All carry-overs or changes to carry-overs must be declared by Thursday at 6 pm. Your decision to carry-over or run will remain the same for both Go Rounds.

Carry-overs are ALLOWED in Sunday’s Short-Go Round and must be designated by Saturday night at 6 pm.

It is the contestant’s job to ensure the draw is correct based on carry-overs. Please verify your draw number after the office closes Thursday in the aged classes as carry-overs/draws may have changed.

Running out of order will result in disqualification in that Go Round. If you are running more than one horse, you must run the horse in its drawn position.

The 2nd Go Round running order will be reversed from the 1st Go Round.

Late entries will run at the end of the draw in the 1st Go Round and will be first in the 2nd Go Round.

Dress Code

The NBHA Dress Code, as stipulated in the NBHA Rule Book, will be strictly enforced.

Section 9 states: To enhance the image of our sport, the NBHA encourages and promotes appropriate western attire. This includes a long-sleeved, western-themed shirt with a collar, jeans, a cowboy hat, and cowboy boots (no heels down or like type shoes are permitted). Shirt sleeves must be rolled down and buttoned or snapped. Shirttails must be tucked in.

Helmets may be worn instead of cowboy hats.

Anyone making a run and found to be in violation of the dress code will be fined $50. A second violation will result in a disqualification.

A $10 hat fine is assessed if your hat comes off after breaking the timeline. This fine MUST be paid to the barrel setter before getting your hat back.

Arena Preparation

The ground will be tractor-dragged after every 5 runs. Big Drags will take place every 50 runs in a class, regardless of number of entries. The drags will take place on this schedule regardless of scratches.

Competition Rules

The State Show Committee will determine how the warm-up area and gate into the alleyway will be set up. All contestants will be required to enter the alleyway as designated by the State Show Committee. Failure to comply will result in disqualification for that go-round.

Two full go-rounds and a short-go will be run

Contestants must check in with the gate official and be in the holding pen prior to the start of their assigned drag. Failure to do so may result in a forfeit of your run.

Only 5 contestants will be allowed in the holding pen at a time. Contestants who are not within the drag will not be allowed in the holding pen.

Youth parents must be near the gate when their children are competing and exiting the arena. You must make sure they have complete control of their horse.

Failure to start your run within THREE MINUTES of being called to run may result in disqualification.

Contestants may elect not to run in a go-round. You will be called 3 times to run. If you are not there, your run will be scratched. If you decide to forfeit your run, please notify the show office prior to that run.

All runs will be made with a closed gate.

A contestant will receive a “no time” for knocking over a barrel.

Pulling up your horse will be grounds for immediate disqualification in that Go Round.

The 2nd go-round will be run on a clean slate. No times or penalties from the 1st Go Round will be considered.

A $10 hat fine will be assessed if your hat comes off after breaking the timeline. This fine MUST be paid to the barrel setter before getting your hat back!

Even if your horse goes off pattern during a run, you may only circle a barrel once. If your horse goes off pattern, you may return to the barrel where you went off pattern and then complete the pattern and exit the arena. Violation of this will result in a $100 fine.

Reruns will be granted if the timer fails to work properly or if the barrels are not placed properly on their markers. No prior penalty will apply to the rerun, but any penalties that occur during the rerun will apply. The rider will be given the option of taking their rerun immediately after the current drag or making the run at the end of the class. Reruns will be run on a fresh drag. If the primary timer fails, then the backup timer will be used. If both timers fail, then the rider will be given a rerun.

Contestants are required to keep their horses under control at all times. The State Show Committee reserves the right to disqualify a horse and/or rider who, in the opinion of the State Show Committee, is a threat to the safety of its rider or other horses and riders.

Iowa NBHA has a zero-tolerance policy for abusing horses; the State Director may handle any events of this at their discretion.

FUTURITY / DERBY RULES
This event will be held in conjunction with the 2025 Iowa NBHA State finals. The futurity is open to ANY horse 5 and under that has not competed in barrel racing prior to November 15, 2024. The Derby is open to ANY horse 7 and under that has completed its futurity season.

All Futurity/Derby horses must be entered in the Iowa NBHA State Finals Open 5D to enter the Futurity or Derby Incentive. All entries in the Futurity or Derby must include an

ORIGINAL COPY OF YOUR HORSE’S REGISTRATION PAPERS (FRONT AND BACK). Any un-registered horse MUST HAVE A SIGNED AFFIDAVIT FROM A VET VERIFYING THE HORSE’S AGE.

The Derby will be a $40 entry fee, 2 go-round, 2D format.

The Futurity will be a $40 entry fee, 2 go-round, 2D format.

Late entries will be accepted for the Futurity and Derby. Open 5D late fee rules apply.

All Futurity/Derby horses must be inspected for age verification prior to the start of the Open 5D. Inspection and check-in for Futurity/Derby horses will be at the designated time and location (see the Schedule). You are required to bring your horse and your ORIGINAL registration papers or a signed vet affidavit with you to check-in. Late entries will also be required to go through check-in. Any horse not checked in for the Futurity/Derby class will forfeit its entry for the class.

A downed barrel will result in a “no time” for that go-round.

Your time from both go-rounds will be used to determine the average time. Payouts will be based on an average and determined as follows:

1D overall fastest average time of the Futurity/Derby horse runs

2D fastest average time of the Futurity/Derby horse runs + 2 seconds

To enter the Derby/Futurity, you must meet all of the Iowa NBHA State Finals requirements.

Qualifying for the Short Go Round

State Championship Show format is Open 5D (½-second, 1 second, 1-½ seconds, 2 seconds splits), Youth 4D (½-second, 1 second, 2 seconds splits), and Senior 4D (½-second, 1 second, 2 seconds splits).

The number of short-go qualifiers will be based on the number of entries:

0-60 entries = 4 to short-go from each division

61-80 entries = 5 to short-go from each division

81-100 entries = 6 to short-go from each division

101-120 entries = 7 to short-go from each division

121-140 entries = 8 to short-go from each division

141-160 entries = 9 to short-go from each division

161-180 entries = 10 to short-go from each division

181-200 entries = 11 to short-go from each division

201-300 entries = 12 to short-go from each division

300+ entries = 15 to short-go from each division

The short-go draw will be posted no later than 11:59 pm Saturday, August 2nd.

A horse/rider combination may qualify only once for the short-go. In the case of the same competitor qualifying twice for the short-go on the same horse, additional contestants will qualify for the short-go by adding the next non-qualified positions from the 2nd go-round only.

Riders may only qualify 2 horses per division for the short-go round. In the event of a contestant qualifying more than 2 horses for the short-go round in the same division, the contestant must declare which horses they will run in the short-go prior to the short-go draw being posted.

Contestants may be paid go-round money on more than one horse in the same division.

Qualifier example:
Betty Barrelracer qualifies on Lightning for the Short-Go in the 1st Go in the 1D. She runs in the 2nd Go and qualifies for the Short Go in the 2D. She will still receive money for her 2D placing, but does not receive an additional Short Go qualifier. The next non-qualified rider/horse combination in the 2nd Go 2D will advance to the Short Go.

5D Redemption Round

Open to all Open 5D competitors

Entries must be declared in the Redemption Round before Saturday, August 3rd before the awards begin at the conclusion of the Senior class.

Entry must be the same horse/rider combination entered in the Open 5D race.

Entries for the State Finals Short Go will be scratched from the Redemption Round and will forfeit the entry fee. 75% of forfeited fees will remain in the event purse.

Remaining entries will be randomly drawn into a race. This race will be a 5D format with half-second splits with the number of payout positions determined by total entries in the race.

Division winners in the Redemption Round will proceed to the Iowa NBHA State Finals Short-Go at a random draw holding spot.

In the event that a division winner does not wish to proceed to the short-go, that holding spot in the short-go draw will be declared a scratch.

This race will be run on Saturday, approximately 30 minutes after conclusion of the Awards

Dress code does not apply to this class, but we do ask that you wear a family-friendly top, appropriate long pants, and boots with a heel.

Competing in the Short-Go

The short-go is a “clean slate” barrel race. No times from the qualifying go-rounds are considered.

Winners will be determined by the fastest time in the short-go, not an average.

The same horse must be ridden in both long rounds and the short-go. No substitutions!

The running order of the short-go will be a random draw.

Competition rules (see above) will be the same for the short-go.

Carryovers will be allowed for the aged classes.

Thursday, July 31st

8:00 am - Iowa Equestrian Center opens for arrival - NO EARLY ARRIVALS ($100 fine)

10:00 am - 6:00 pm - Show Office open

12:00 pm - 3:00 pm - Training Sessions - 12 horses maximum per session - $10 per horse

3:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Timed exhibitions - $5 per run - 60-second time limit

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Futurity/Derby horse check-in at the bottom of the ramp - Please bring a copy of your horse's papers!

6:00 pm - Late entries/changes close for all classes!

Friday, August 1st

8:00 am: Show Office opens

9:00 am: Opening Ceremony

9:15 am - Peewee Class

10:00 am: 1st Go Open 5D Class

1st Go Youth 4D Class - immediately after conclusion of the Open class

1st Go Senior 4D Class - immediately after conclusion of the Youth class

Saturday, August 2nd

8:00 am - Show Office opens

8:30 am - Opening Ceremony

8:45 am - Peewee Class

9:30 am - 2nd Go Open 5D Class

2nd Go Youth 4D Class - immediately after conclusion of the Open class

2nd Go Senior 4D Class - immediately after conclusion of the Youth class

Awards for 2025 Peewee, Adult, Average, Futurity, Derby, and Hall of Fame 30 minutes after conclusion of the Senior class

5D Redemption Round - approximately 30 minutes after conclusion of the Awards

Sunday, August 3rd

7:30 am - Cowboy Church with Pastor Jerry Jordan

8:45 am - Opening Ceremony

9:00 am - Short Go Open 5D Class

Short Go Youth 4D Class - immediately after conclusion of the Open class

Short Go Senior 4D Class - immediately after conclusion of the Youth class

Presentation of 2025 Open, Youth, and Senior awards will be 30 minutes after conclusion of Senior class

Must be present to receive awards - they will NOT be shipped

For more information, please visit: https://sites.google.com/view/2025-ia-nbha-state-finals-info/home