LINCOLN -- The 2018 Lincoln Rodeo is sanctioned jointly by the American Cowboys Rodeo Association (ACRA) and the International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA).

Tracy Carter represents the ACRA for Contract Personnel and said the organization has enjoyed a long-term relationship with Lincoln Riding Club. She serves as rodeo secetary for the Lincoln Rodeo with her husband, Allen Carter, working the event as a judge.

"It's a great community to work with, they have pretty awesome folks over there," Tracy Carter said in a telephone interview last Wednesday. "

This year's rodeo dates were changed from May to Aug. 9-11 due to weather. Tracy Carter said while such changes affect the stock contractor, the ACRA works with local rodeos to transition when dates are changed.

"We're happy to accommodate what the community wants to do," Tracy Carter said.

Sanctioning

To receive ACRA sanctioning the association reviews the rodeo prize list, stock contractor and rodeo secretary qualifications. This information is submitted to the ACRA office at Tahlequah, Okla., pending approval by the Board of Directors.

Once sanction is approved directions on how to get to the rodeo must accompany sanction to be published in the ACRA official publication. All rodeos approved for sanctioning must be listed in the ACRA newsletter. Opening and closing times and entry date must be listed. Stock contractors are required to notify the ACRA if they opt not to use an electric eye for timed events. ACRA sanctioned rodeos must have at least six of the eight standard events: bareback, saddle bronc, bull riding, tie down (calf) roping, team roping, steer wrestling, and cowgirls barrel racing. The ACRA defines standard events as the original events offered at the inception of the association. Ladies breakaway roping was included as a standard event starting in the 2015 season.

Extra Events

According to the rulebook an ACRA sanctioned rodeo may also hold "sanctioned events," which are extra events recognized by the Association with points kept and offered at the ACRA Finals, but do not fall under the same guidelines as the eight standard events. The only current sanctioned event is steer roping.

The rulebook stipulates all ACRA first sanctioned rodeos will have a minimum of $200 added money per event except during winter months, which are classified as between Oct. 1 through May 1 at indoor arenas.

The rules do not permit an ACRA rodeo to be held at the same location within 14 days of the last performance of any other rodeo. Any special circumstances must be approved by a majority vote of the ACRA board of directors at the monthly meeting.

Co-Sanctioning

According to its rulebook, ACRA prefers first sanction status or an ACRA-only sanction. The association retains an option to co-sanction rough stock events. In these cases, points will count in individual events but not for the ACRA All-Around standings. No rough stock event will be approved during the months of June, July, and August unless otherwise approved by the ACRA board of directors.

Triple Sanctioning

The ACRA also retains an option to participate in winter rodeos sanctioned by three associations with approving associations under guidelines specifying its participation. A six percent sanction fee will be divided between all three associations at two percent each. A finals fund amount of the first approving association will be collected for all three associations. This is included in entry fees. All other rules of the first approving association (which has to be the ACRA under its rules) will be followed according to the current rulebook.

When established ACRA rodeos change sanction from ACRA first approval to another association sanction, the ACRA board of directors review the change before approval.

Validation

Sanctioning by professional rodeo associations is important because attaching the ACRA and IPRA labels to the Lincoln Rodeo validates the event and draws competitors seeking to earn paychecks that count in the standings. Professional associations generally require each sanctioned rodeo to have ambulance and emergency medical technician personnel on-site to provide medical attention to any injured rodeo participant during the entire event. Associations may also require each sanctioned rodeo to retain a veterinarian on-site to assist any injuries to production livestock and contestant livestock in case of animal injury. Each sanctioned rodeo must secure general liability insurance of a specified minimum amount showing the sanctioning organization as additional insured.

Top Notch Competitors

In return professional rodeo associations help promote the rodeo by listing it among sanctioned scheduled events. Sanctioning also helps increase spectator attendance and revenues for rodeos by making the event more attractive for sponsorships.

According to Tracy Carter, top notch cowboys and cowgirls are expected to compete during the 65th annual Lincoln Rodeo. Fans will see some of the best. In past years competitors from as far away as Belgium and Australia have shown up at Lincoln.

"There's going to be lots of ACRA champions there," Tracy Carter said. "There will be a lot of world champions there."