GREAT LAKES TEAM PENNING ASSOCIATION GUIDELINES & GENERAL RULES ASSOCIATION The Great lakes Team Penning Association (GLTPA) is registered with the State of Michigan. Consisting of a President, Rating Committee, and Members. MISSION The purpose of the GLTPA is to promote team penning and sorting. The GLTPA will sanction team penning, sorting events and speed events. Promoters will be able to advertise their events as sanctioned. Contestants will know the rules, and rider ratings will remain the same for each of the sanctioned shows. GLTPA monies earned from sanctioned shows will be tracked, this money will sponsor the GLTPA Finals awards and added money.  Exhibitors points will be tracked throughout the year.  The top riders with the most cumulative points will earn year end awards and free entry at each finals. MEMBERSHIP Membership will consist of one calendar year. Renewal is annually. Membership dues consist of $15.00 per person or $25.00 per family.  Members will receive a membership card with their rating and the GLTPA newsletter. Membership in GLTPA is not required to participate at sanctioned events. GLTPA ratings will apply with or without membership. FEES There will be a $2.00 fee per team for three (3) man teams or $1.00 per team for two (2) man or speed events. Fees will be collected by promoters and sent to GLTPA along with their show reports. These monies will be used for year end awards and towards funding the finals. FINALS Contestants that attend two (2) GLTPA sanctioned events per year, as a member will be eligible to compete at any finals event held in the fall of each year. Added money, free entry to top riders, and awards will be given away at each finals. RULES With the exception of the GLTPA ratings, and pen size, Team penning events will be following Team Pen America (TPA) rules. With the exception of the GLTPA ratings, and pen size, sorting events will follow Sort America rules. RATINGS IF YOU ARE A CURRENT MEMBER OF GLTPA AND WOULD LIKE TO DISAGREE WITH ANY RATING EXCEPT YOUR OWN PLEASE FILL OUT A CARD WITH YOUR NAME AND THE PERSON YOU DISAGREE WITH AND THEIR RATING YOU THINK THEY SHOULD BE. IF YOUR NAME IS NOT ON THE CARD THAT VOTE WILL NOT COUNT. ALL CARDS WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL. MAJORITY VOTE WILL MOVE THAT PERSON UP OR DOWN. I’M DOING AWAY WITH THE RATING COMMITTEE. YOU AS MEMBERS ARE GOING TO BE THE DECIDING FACTOR. I NEED ALL OF YOU TO SEND ME INPUT. DEADLINE WILL BE FEBRUARY 19, 2008. YOU MAY ALSO E-MAIL ME AT: rrondy@midmich.net . THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING, KEEP GIVING ME SUGGESTIONS, WE WILL KEEP TRYING. THANK YOU, WE LOOK FORWARD TO ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR JIM, ROCHELLE & JEROME RONDY   Ratings will be from one (1) to five (5) (Some exception to these guidelines are necessary) #1 Rider novice rider, learning to pen and sort #2 Rider above novice rider that understands how to pen and sort, not real aggressive #3 Rider a few years of experience, aggressive rider, understands very well with a good horse #4 Rider wins consistently at State Level, travels out of state, above average horse & experience #5 Rider wins consistently at National level, rated a PRO or OPEN rider at National Associations