Image

Rules

2025

  1. The First Race will be 100 Miles.
  2. The Perch Fee is $25 per bird.
  3. Any bird completing the 100 Mile Race will then be required to pay the “Activation Fee”.
  4. The Activation Fee is $375 per bird. $267 of the $375 goes to prizes, $108 goes to the Cotton Classic for expenses.
  5. Failure to pay the “Activation Fee” will result in the sale of unpaid birds.
  6. Any bird sold for the activation fee will then become property of the buyer and breeder relinquishes all rights to the bird and any prize money.
  7. All birds on the team must be activated. It is an “All or Nothing” activation.
  8. Breeders are responsible for making the Activation Payment within 10 days after the 100 Mile Race.
  9. Email updates and website updates will be posted after the 100 Mile Race with payment information including ways to pay and deadline.
  10. Race Series will consist of 5 races, 100 Miles, 150Miles, 200 Miles, 275 mile and 350 miles.
  11. The 350 Mile Race will be the Final Race and can be shortened or lengthened dependent upon weather conditions by the race Managers (JIMMY PETERS and AL GIBBONS)
  12. Cotton Classic is not responsible for any loss of birds due to illness, injury, or failure to return from training or races.
  13. Arrival of the first pigeons together will be considered a drop and paid equally.
  14. If a pigeon does not trap that arrived with the first drop this pigeon will be considered on the drop until another pigeon lands on the board.
  15. All other prizes will be paid by clocking order.
  16. The 100 Mile, 150 Mile, 200 Mile, 275 Mile Races will be clocking order.
  17. The 350 Mile Race is first drop then clocking order
  18. There is no dead time during races, clock will keep running until race is finished.
  19. Race Time is 1 hour after sunset on the 2nd day from release. Any remaining prizes to be paid out will be divided equally among the returned birds.
  20. If bird does not clock for any reason and COTTON CLASSIC verifies the bird was in the drop it will be placed last in the drop order.
  21. Any unforeseen circumstances will be settled by JIMMY PETERS and AL GIBBONS.
  22. In case of a Natural Disaster or Catastrophic Event, before activation requiring the cancellation of the race or race’s birds will be shipped back to the breeder at the breeder’s expense and will receive a FREE perch for the following year.
  23. IF RACES HAVE HAPPENED, Prize Money would be divided equally for the remaining races among pigeons still competing.
  24. Ace pigeons will be verified by the clock, computed on total distance/total time.
  25. Average Speed will determine the Ace Pigeon’s and will be BASED the 100, 150, 200, 275 and 350 Mile Races.
  26. Breeders winning $600 or over in prizes are required to provide a completed W-9.
  27. Breeders winning $600 or over in prizes from outside the United States will be required to fill out the appropriate paperwork according to the country they reside (Ex: Canada W8-BEN).
  28. Any Prizes Not Claimed by December 20th 2025 will be forfeited
  29. Any and All birds being returned after the races to breeder will be required to have shipping expenses paid by the breeder/fancier.
  30. Shipping expenses will be a Flat Rate Based on Number of Birds Shipped due to recent increases in shipping fees within the United States Postal Service.
  31. Cotton Classic WILL NOT HOLD CHECKS for payments of perch fees or activation.
  32. Any Check returned NSF will be charged a $35.00 NSF Fee.
  33. Cotton Classic is not responsible for processing fees for the use of PayPal or Credit Card. The use of PayPal and Credit Cards are a convenience set up by Cotton Classic for those that choose to use them. Processing Fees are Non-Refundable.
  34. Cotton Classic will not make changes to loft names after JUNE 1st. NO EXCEPTIONS.
  35. When signing up for a team or syndicate, only one person must be designated as the contact person
  36. The payout is Based on 1,500 birds being activated, any less the payout will be adjusted by the number of birds activated.
logo