Queens County Fair Horse Pull Competition Classes and Rules

General Rules of the Horse Pull

1. All horses entered in the pulling event to be weighed without harness, on the day of the event where possible. Horses should be shod at this time and horse teams will be disqualified if an animal is blemished or in poor condition. The judge and fair committee’s decision is final.
2. Teams must have their halters remain on throughout the pull, teams must be tied securely by their halter when not being pulled, for the duration of the competition. Any teamster leaving his horses unattended during the pull shall be disqualifies.
3. Only one teamster per team. Helpers allowed for hooking and/or breakage/accident. Hookers must stay behind th front of the drag at all times, once the team has been hooked. Only the teamster to be allowed at the heads of the horses to adjust equipment and must be back behind the evener, with the rains in hand, before the team can start. If the team starts before the teamster is in place, the start will be lost. Exception will be made to this rule only in the case that the teamster is not able to maintain proper control of his team and needs assistance at the head or otherwise from the hooker or helper.
4. Rails will be 15 feet apart straight down for pulls, with the exception of three horse pulls. When possible the rails should be marked with lime to prevent tripping. Horses must stay between rails at all times. Going over or stepping on the rails, your lose your start and the drag is reset. *** 6 Foot pulls will be pulled one continuous motion with 2 starts. *** 12, 15, or 20 foot pulls, the drag is to be pulled the distance in 2 starts but the team has the option to remain hooked on between starts.
5. You have 3 minutes to haul each load once the team crosses in front of the drag. Each team shall have 3 passes per hook that shall be considered “attempts” to hook. A pass shall be considered crossing in front of the Drag and circling out around to reattempt to hook. After 3 “attempts” to hook that start shall be lost.
6. In case of breakage you will continue at the end of the round or have 15 minutes to repair if your are at the end of a round.
7. To be constituted a start, the drag must move from the pin or judges stick and each movement will constitute a start at the judge’s discretion.
8. Drag not to be pulled past 20 feet in a 6 foot pull. This distance is to be clearly marked.
9. Weight classes to read as follows: Light class 2400 - 2899 lbs, Medium class 2900 - 3299 lbs, Heavy class 3300 lbs and over.
10. drag loads to begin at the following weights for each class: Light class 4000 lbs, Medium class 5000 lbs Heavy class 6000 lbs. These are suggested loads and is dependant on that ground conditions are favorable to this. Drag loads will be at the discretion of the event organizers.
11. All placings to be heaviest load per class. All complete pulls to be measured and you will receive your best distance. Exception to this will be made for special pulls.
12. All teams to pull in the same direction and drag to be reset with each movement. *** With exception of pulling events that choose to pull the full length of an arena in this case the drag is to be reset after each movement for the last three remaining teams in each class. *** In the case of a 12, 15 or 20 foot pull, the drag is to be pulled in one direction only and can be reset when there is not enough room at the end of the rails. *** This will be at the discretion of the individual pulling event.
13. The judges decision is Final. No teamster will be allowed to abuse the judge at any time. Any teamster placing their hands physically on a judge shall face a penalty. For the 1st offence, the teamster will be disqualified from the next three New Brunswick Pulls and the 2nd offence, the teamster will be banned from the pulling ring for 1 year.
14. Any teamster deemed to be intoxicated by drugs or alcohol will not be allowed to pull. This is to be at the judge or committee member’s discretion. If any teamster is deemed in violation of this rule, the committee may take appropriate disciplinary action.
15. No use of reins, whips, profane language or cruelty to be tolerated at any pulling event. Loose rein shall not be tolerated while driving a team from the drag or while at or near the boards. The judge’s decision if final. *** One year grace period for the year for the use of reins, whereas the teamster will have one warning before he is disqualified for the use of reins.
16. Each pulling event to set own times and class orders for contest.
17. All teams must be in compliance, if the request is made by the pulling event, to random drug testing. ***Disciplinary action will be taken by Exhibitions belonging to the New Brunswick Association of Fairs and Exhibitions, that if any team tests positive for a drug during this random testing, the teamster will be banned for 2 years and his team banned for 1 year from any of these competitions.
18. Any team deemed out of control will be disqualified at the judge’s discretion. Teams must be walking when approaching and leaving the drag. Any team that is not walking by the 20ft mark (clearly marked) will be given warning, then will be disqualified. The judge’s decision is final.
19. All teamsters with exception to those from provinces outside of New Brunswick must be a member of the Horse Pullers Association of New Brunswick when requested by the competition. This will be mandatory for all Fairs and Exhibitions belonging to the New Brunswick Association of Fairs and Exhibitors, your membership cards will be requested by the Event.
* Any situation that arises that is not covered will be at the discretion of the judge and or pulling committee.

SECTION 8 - HAULING MATCH
Friday, Sept. 16th, 1:30 p.m.,
Light Horse Pull Prizes: 1st $120.00 2nd - $110.00 3rd - $100.00 4th - $90.00 5th - $80.00 6th - $70.00 7th - $60.00. Forty-Five dollars ($45.00) will be paid to all entries below 7th place, but team must haul the first load in order to qualify. Placing determined by the inch.

Saturday, Sept. 17th, 1:30 p.m.

Medium and Heavy Horse Pull Prize money and placings for medium and heavy pulls same as light pull. Teams who qualify below 7th place will receive ($45.00). Placing determined by the inch.

Special Prizes: $25.00 Best teamster in light, medium & heavy classes $20.00 Best dressed team in light, medium & heavy classes $15.00 Best hooker of the day $15.00 Best sportsman of the day.