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Rules For Horse Ploughing
1. PLOUGHS
• Extraneous attachments that manipulate the furrows or scratches are not allowed.
2. TIME ALLOWED
• a. General Purpose Ploughing – 5 hours to complete the plot.
• b. Oat Seed Furrow – 6 hours to plough the plot.
• c. 15 minutes extra time for any cast-off done after ploughing has commenced.
• d. Penalty for failure to finish the plot at finishing signal – 10 points per minute or part minute.
3. OPENING
• There is no opening in horse ploughing.
4. START
• a. Start consists of 8 furrows.
• b. Competitors to cast towards the next highest numbered plot.
5. FINISH
• a. Finish to consist of last 8 furrows.
• b. Last furrow to be ploughing towards competitor's own start.
6. DEPTH
• High Cut and General-Purpose Ploughing – minimum depth 13 cm.
7. HIGH CUT PLOUGHING ONLY
• Boats, presses and other attachments may be used in horse ploughing.
8. PLOUGHING
• a. Competitors can use one or two horses at the finish.
• b. Leading of horses by one assistant is permitted.
• c. Horses must not be left unattended on the headland at any time.
9. GENERAL
• a. The first and second runs next to the neighbours' plot will be allowed as straightening furrows and will not be judged.
• b. Three sighting poles only (one can be placed on the headland) – assistance to set and remove is allowed. No other assistance allowed including no assistance by signal, radio contact, mobile phone or any other method.
• c. Scratches may be handled but not removed.
• d. Only the competitor allowed to clean the plot of straw, stones, etc. Clearing stubble is not allowed and will be penalised.
• e. The use of laser beams or any other electronic or computerised measuring devices are not allowed.
• f. Any abuse or dispute by a competitor with an official or fellow competitor is not acceptable. Penalty – 20 points.
10. SAFETY
• Society of Ploughmen Safety Policy to be adhered to at all times.
11. Final Decision
Any questions arising and not provided for in these rules shall be decided by the chief steward, whose decision shall be final and binding.
Judges Method of Scoring – Horse Ploughs
START (11 or 12 furrows) ............................................. 20
Uniform and level
SEED BED .............................................................................. 20
Weed control and soil made available
FIRMNESS ............................................................. 20
Firm, well packed furrows, no holes
UNIFORMITY ........................................................................20
Clearly defined uniform furrows and no pairing of furrows
FINISH .................................................................................... 20
Uniform and shallow
INS AND OUTS .................................................................... 20
Neat, accurate and regular
STRAIGHTNESS .................................................................. 20
Straightness of the whole plot
GENERAL APPEARANCE ................................................ 20
Workmanship and general appearance of the whole plot
Maximum score: 160 points
Fixed Penalty Deductions
Finish wrong way - 20 points penalty
Depth infringement - 20 points per cm less than specified depth
Failure to finish plot by finishing signal - 10 points per minute or part minute over time
Abuse of officials or fellow competitors - 20 points penalty
Any other penalty deduction will be decided by the chief steward.