Classifications of WSTR members are powered by TRIAD which means your assigned TRIAD classification will be your handicap. The WSTR classification liaison will work with the TRIAD office to process your first handicap, appeals and double numbers. Changes in your TRIAD handicap during the roping season will affect your WSTR handicap. If you are a member exclusively of WSTR, do not hold a membership with USTRC, or as it concerns Canadian qualifiers, do not hold a membership with CTRA, all classifications, appeals and double numbers will be initiated by the WSTR classifications liaison as they have during the past two seasons.
In situations where WSTR strongly disagrees with a TRIAD classification, and a resolution cannot be reached, WSTR reserves the right to reclassify and identify the roper as an exemption. Any exemption will be publicly noted on the home page of the WSTR website, and will rope at WSTR events on the classification assigned by WSTR. However, every possible effort will be made to avoid exemptions.
CLASSIFICATION APPEALS - The WSTR membership card will show your official WSTR handicap. If you are exclusively a WSTR member and disagree with your handicap, the very first thing you should do is to call classifications to discuss it (575-359-2441). If you provide additional information that leads to a successful appeal of the handicap, you will be issued a new membership card with a change of classification. If you do not get the reaction you would like at classifications, your next alternative will be to APPEAL your handicap IN WRITING (email, fax or regular mail). Send your appeal in email form to denny@wstroping.com. Regular mail will come to our office in Albuquerque.
DOUBLE NUMBERS - Double numbers will issued at no cost to members as long as they are requested at the time of membership application. If after the initial card has been issued and a double number request is made which requires a secondary phone review, the double number will cost an additional $10.00.
ROPERS WITH DUAL MEMBERSHIPS IN WSTR and USTRC
If you possess a membership in both the WSTR and USTRC, all inquiries concerning your classification shall be directed to the TRIAD Classification office. However, at your pleasure appeals and double numbers may be directed to either entity. Changes in your USTRC handicap during the roping season will automatically change your WSTR handicap.
ROPING UNDER A USTRC MEMBERSHIP
If you are roping under a USTRC membership all inquiries concerning your classification, potential appeal and double number will be directed to the USTRC Classification office. Under no circumstances will we discuss handicaps with ropers entering WSTR ropings under a USTRC membership.
CLOSELY DEFINING DIVISIONS
There has been much discussion over the decades concerning classifications and leveling the playing field. World Series of Team Roping employs a philosophy that makes classifications only a parcel of the closely defined divisions. In order to achieve easier ropings WSTR employs a quadruple leverage on each division.
1. Limiting the WSTR contestant age to ropers who are 21 years and older, eliminates over 90% of the handicap questions within the entire roping world.
2. WSTR further defines divisions with classification caps in three divisions. The #9 division is capped at a #5Elite heeler; #10 division is capped at a #6 heeler and the #11 division is capped at a 6 Elite heeler.
3. WSTR uses limited entry. Qualification ropings allow only two entries per division and only one entry per division at the Finales in Vegas. Limited entry further levels the playing field.
4. Finally WSTR uses a number classification system to set the division parameters.
