Flying E Event Information, Rules & Policies

These rules apply to events held or produced by Flying E Performance Horses, LLC unless an event-specific section, published flyer, entry form, or posted update states otherwise.

By entering, participating in, attending, or bringing a horse onto Flying E property, participants agree to follow all posted rules, instructions from event staff, and applicable event-specific policies.

Flying E officials reserve the right to make reasonable decisions necessary for safety, fairness, animal welfare, arena conditions, weather, scheduling, and event operations. Decisions of Flying E officials regarding rule enforcement are final.

ENTRY METHODS, DEADLINES & PAYMENT

Entry methods and deadlines may vary by event and will be listed on the event flyer, entry form, or event page.

Pre-entries are not considered complete until all required information and payment have been received.

Contestants are responsible for verifying that their entry was received and that the posted draw is accurate.

Unless otherwise posted, walk-up entries may be accepted through the final contestant of the class or round.

Accepted onsite payment methods may include cash and electronic/card payments. Checks are not accepted.

Event-specific office fees, processing fees, late fees, refund policies, and entry deadlines will be listed with that event.

DRAW ORDER

Draw order is randomized unless otherwise stated.

Contestants are expected to compete in their assigned draw position.

A three-call rule may be used. Contestants who are not present or making their way toward the alley after being called may be considered a turn-out.

Reasonable accommodations may be made at the discretion of Flying E staff for contestants riding multiple horses close together in the draw or for other legitimate scheduling conflicts.

SITE RULES

Dogs: Dogs must remain on a leash while on the grounds.

Trash: Flying E is also our home. Please use provided trash containers and leave the property as you found it. Excessive mess, intentional damage, or disregard for facility rules may result in penalties, removal from the property, withholding of prizes/winnings where permitted, or disqualification.

Vendors & Advertising: Vendors must receive prior authorization from Flying E. Only approved vendors and sponsors may sell products, distribute promotional materials, advertise, or conduct commercial activity on the grounds.

Restricted Areas: Contestants, spectators, children, and guests must remain outside staff-only, equipment, tractor, arena-maintenance, horse-holding, and other restricted areas unless authorized.

Children: Parents and guardians are responsible for supervising their children at all times.

Horses: Owners and riders are responsible for the control, care, safety, and conduct of their horses while on the property.

Alcohol: Outside alcohol is prohibited when posted or when concessions/alcohol service is being provided onsite.

EXHIBITIONS

Unless otherwise stated for a specific event:

• Exhibitions are sold onsite only and are first come, first served.
• Exhibitions are not refundable.
• Exhibition sales and running times end at the posted cutoff so the arena can be prepared for competition.
• Contestants must be courteous and keep exhibitions moving.
• Excessive training, intentionally prolonged exhibitions, or misuse of exhibition time may require the purchase of an additional exhibition or removal from the arena.
• Arena maintenance and drag schedules may be adjusted by Flying E according to conditions and event needs.

GENERAL COMPETITION RULES

Contestants may not enter the competition arena during a drag unless directed by staff.

No excessive circling, schooling, or training around barrels is permitted during a competition run.

If a contestant breaks the pattern, the rider may safely complete or exit the pattern but must leave the arena promptly.

A No Time May Be Given If:

• The contestant circles the horse after entering the competition arena.
• The contestant breaks or misses the barrel pattern.
• A barrel is knocked over.
• The rider falls off after entering the competition arena or the horse/rider falls in a manner that breaks the pattern.
• The horse moves backward during the barrel pattern.
• The contestant otherwise fails to complete the required pattern.

Touching a barrel in an attempt to prevent it from falling is permitted.

Unsafe conduct, abuse of a horse, intentional interference with another contestant, entering restricted areas, or refusal to follow event staff instructions may result in penalties or disqualification.

TIMER OR ARENA MALFUNCTION

If an official timer malfunction occurs, the affected contestant may be offered a rerun or refund as determined by Flying E.

If barrels or the official pattern are improperly set through no fault of the contestant, the affected contestant may be offered a rerun or refund.

Flying E may stop, delay, postpone, modify, or reschedule competition when required by weather, unsafe footing, equipment failure, emergency conditions, or other circumstances affecting safe and fair competition.

RESULTS, WINNINGS & PRIZES

Flying E will make reasonable efforts to post complete results and payouts promptly following an event.

Contestants are not required to remain onsite to receive winnings unless specifically stated otherwise.

Electronic payout methods may be used. Contestants are responsible for providing accurate payment information.

Unclaimed winnings and prizes will be held for 30 days unless otherwise announced. Contestants are responsible for contacting Flying E regarding unclaimed winnings or prizes. Shipping of physical prizes is at Flying E’s discretion.

2026 MOCK NFR & WATCH PARTY

December 3–12, 2026

The following rules apply specifically to the 2026 Flying E Mock NFR & Watch Party and supersede conflicting general rules above.

PRE-ENTRY

Pre-entries open October 1, 2026.

Online pre-entry closes:

Monday, November 30, 2026 at [INSERT CUTOFF TIME].

After online pre-entry closes, entries may still be accepted onsite according to the nightly-entry policy.

A pre-entry is not valid until the required payment has been successfully completed.

Contestants should retain their confirmation and contact Flying E immediately if they believe an entry or payment was not received correctly.

ENTRY OPTIONS

Contestants may purchase a 10-Day Package, enter individual nights, or do both.

$400 10-Day Package

Each package includes:

• One Open entry in every round of the 2026 Mock NFR
• One-time processing fee
• One Average nomination
• One 2026 Mock NFR merchandise item
• One meal ticket

Each package purchased receives one of each benefit listed above.

Example: A contestant purchasing three packages receives three Open entries per round, three Average nominations/package benefits, three merchandise items, and three meal tickets.

Contestants purchasing packages may also purchase additional individual/nightly entries for additional horses.

Individual / Nightly Entries

Open entry fees are based on that night’s added money:

• $250 Added — $30 Open Entry
• $500 Added — $40 Open Entry
• $1,000 Added — $45 Open Entry

Contestants who do not purchase a 10-Day Package are charged a one-time $20 processing fee.

Junior entry fee is $25 per entry.

PAYBACK

The Open will pay back 75% of entry fees unless otherwise posted.

Added money and payout structure may vary by round as published on the official schedule.

MOCK NFR AVERAGE

Average nomination is $50 for contestants not receiving it through a 10-Day Package.

The $50 Average nomination consists of:

• $30 toward the Average payout
• $20 toward Average awards/buckles

Contestants must compete in at least five rounds to qualify for the Average.

A contestant’s fastest five qualifying runs will determine their Average.

The Average follows the contestant, not a specific horse. A contestant may ride different horses throughout the ten rounds.

Each contestant receives one Average entry per nomination/package.

When a contestant has multiple runs in the same round associated with a single Average nomination, only the contestant’s first designated/eligible run for that round will count toward that Average.

Flying E staff will determine and record Average eligibility based on submitted entries and the event’s official draw/results records.

JUNIOR CLASS

Junior contestants must be 15 years old or younger as of January 1, 2026.

Junior entries run within the regular draw and will not be separated into a stand-alone Junior draw unless otherwise announced.

Junior Carryover

A Junior contestant who is also entered in the Open may:

• Run once in Junior and carry that time into the Open, or
• Make a separate Junior run and Open run.

Carryover selection is made per horse, per round.

A contestant riding multiple horses may make a different carryover selection for each horse.

Example:

Horse A — Open + Junior — Carryover YES
Horse B — Junior Only
Horse C — Open + Junior — Carryover NO

When Junior time is carried into the Open, the contestant makes one run and that time is used for both eligible classes.

DRESS CODE

During Mock NFR competition, contestants must wear either:

• Official Mock NFR merchandise, or
• A western-style button-down shirt and western hat.

Protective riding helmets are always permitted and welcomed.

MOCK NFR EXHIBITIONS

Mock NFR exhibitions are sold onsite only.

Pricing:

$5 each or 3 for $10

Exhibitions are first come, first served.

Unused exhibitions are nonrefundable.

REFUNDS, SCRATCHES & NO-SHOWS

For Mock NFR pre-entries:

Before December 3, 2026: Refunds may be issued less a 20% office/processing fee.

Beginning December 3, 2026: Eligible refunds are limited to 50% of the applicable entry amount.

Contestants who fail to notify Flying E of a scratch and simply no-show or turn out are not entitled to a refund.

Merchandise, meals, processing fees, awards expenses, or other package benefits already provided, reserved, ordered, or incurred may affect the refundable amount of a package.

Any event cancellation, postponement, weather-related change, or exceptional circumstance will be handled by Flying E based on the circumstances at the time.

GATE ADMISSION & WATCH PARTY

Mock NFR contestants receive free admission. 

Each contestant may bring one guest free of charge. 

Children under 10 years old are free.

Additional spectators are subject to the published gate admission fee.

Advance spectator/watch-party admission may be offered online through Ticket Tailor.

Ticket link: [ADD TICKET TAILOR LINK]

Gate admission does not include food, beverages, contestant entry fees, merchandise, or other separately priced items unless specifically stated.

STALLS, PASTURE & HOOKUPS

Stall, pasture, and hookup reservations are handled separately from contestant pre-entry.

Reservations open November 1, 2026.

Availability is limited and reservations are not guaranteed until confirmed by Flying E via text or email. 

Specific pricing, care options, hookup rules, cancellation terms, and arrival/departure instructions will be provided with the reservation process.

LIABILITY, ASSUMPTION OF RISK & EMERGENCY CARE

Equine activities involve inherent risks, including serious bodily injury, death, property damage, and injury to animals.

Participants voluntarily assume the inherent risks associated with horses, livestock, riding, competition, spectators, arena activity, vehicles, trailers, equipment, weather, footing, and attendance at an equine event.

Participants are responsible for their own safety and the safety, supervision, control, and care of their minor children, horses, guests, vehicles, trailers, equipment, and personal property.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, participants agree that Flying E Performance Horses, LLC, its owners, employees, contractors, volunteers, officials, affiliates, sponsors, and representatives are not responsible for theft, loss, injury, death, or property damage resulting from the inherent risks of equine activity.

If a participant or minor child requires emergency medical attention, Flying E may contact EMS and may provide or arrange reasonable emergency assistance when necessary.

If a participant’s horse requires immediate veterinary attention and the owner or responsible party cannot be reached, Flying E may arrange reasonable emergency veterinary care. The horse owner remains financially responsible for veterinary services and related expenses.

Anyone signing on behalf of a minor certifies that they are the minor’s parent, legal guardian, or otherwise have legal authority to provide consent.

SOUTH CAROLINA EQUINE ACTIVITY WARNING

WARNING: Under South Carolina law, an equine activity sponsor or equine professional is not liable for an injury to or the death of a participant in an equine activity resulting from an inherent risk of equine activity, pursuant to Article 7, Chapter 9 of Title 47, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976.

MEDIA & CONTENT RELEASE

Flying E events may be photographed, filmed, livestreamed, audio-recorded, or otherwise documented.

By agreeing to the Media & Content Release during registration, the participant grants Flying E Performance Horses, LLC and its designated photographers, videographers, content creators, contractors, and marketing partners permission to photograph, film, and audio-record the participant, their minor child or children, their horse or horses, and their participation at Flying E events.

For the 2026 Mock NFR & Watch Party, Flying E’s designated content creator includes:

Keyanna Farken / Key Kreativ Concepts LLC

Approved media may be edited, reproduced, published, distributed, and used without additional compensation for purposes including:

• Event coverage
• Social media
• Websites
• Advertising
• Promotions
• Sponsor and partner content
• Printed materials
• Event recaps
• Flying E archives

Participants waive the right to inspect or approve the final edited content prior to publication.

A parent or legal guardian agreeing on behalf of a minor certifies that they have authority to grant this permission.

2027 FLYING E MEMBERSHIP PRE-PURCHASE

Memberships purchased during the 2026 Mock NFR for the upcoming season are 2027 memberships and are effective January 1 through Flying E 2027 Finals held in January, 2028.

Annual membership is $100.

Member benefits include eligibility for Flying E Year End Awards and designated member benefits published for the season.

The registering rider is the primary member.

Up to four eligible family members under age 16 may be nominated for Year End Awards for an additional $20 each.

Year End points begin according to Flying E’s published membership and nomination rules.