PULLING

NOTE: MANDATORY INSURANCE IS REQUIRED

Entry Fee for these events is gate admission for everyone!

Pulling events have been a popular tradition at the Fair for most of its existence. Whether it is Horse, Ox or Pony Pulling, it is a family event. It might be your own family or the “family” that develops from the camaraderie of pulling. We hope you will join “our family” as we celebrate 108 Years of Pulling at the Hopkinton State Fair.

These starting times are approximate Drinking alcohol in or around the ring or competing while under the influence shall be grounds for disqualification and loss of premiums.

HORSE, OX AND PONY PULLING

General Rules for Pulling Events:

1. Eastern Draft Horse Rules, or New England Draft Pony Rules or New England Ox Teamsters Rules shall govern their respective events.
2. Weighing: Official weighing begins at 8:00 AM daily. Weighing will close 1/2 hour prior to all classes. Due to the increased weight limits there is NO ALLOWANCE at the scales for horses, ponies and oxen.   Horses’ weights on Friday will be held for Saturday. Once a team has been weighed and entered, it must remain on the grounds unless excused by the Superintendent of Pulling.  Animals, which are on grounds, can check weight for the next day’s events for a half hour following last class of the day. Late arrival official weighing will be after any class already in progress. No weighing of teams during a class of pulling.
3. Registration for each class will close 1/2 hour before each class. Owners are responsible for getting all their paperwork to the superintendent at that time. This includes the statement of ownership and insurance certificate. Only three (3) teams per class, per owner will be allowed in all classes.
4. Insurance is mandatory. See tab above for specific requirements.
5. Health Papers
   1. Horses and Ponies: All competitors must have proof of negative Coggins Test within six months for out-of-state animals and one year for New Hampshire animals.
   2. Steers and Oxen: Out-of-state cattle must have evidence from their state Veterinarian of a negative TB test within one (1) year, and a permit from the Division of Animal Industry, 1 Granite Place South Suite 211, Concord, NH 03301
6. Weigh slips must be requested by the owner on their first day of pulling. Weigh slips must be picked up by the owner from the Superintendent.
7. Fair management reserves the right:
   1. To open or close any class at any time.
   2. To accept or reject any entry.
   3. To make the final decision on matters not covered herein.
   4. To disqualify animals and/or personnel for violations of the rules of this contest, or if the conditions of any animal warrants it.
8. Medicating animals to increase their pulling ability is against the law in New Hampshire. The Hopkinton State Fair Board of Directors has adopted a testing policy in cooperation with the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture. Any animals entered in any pulling contest may be subjected to a drug test, in accordance with New Hampshire law. If requested, the owner or handler MUST assist the person responsible for conducting this test. Refusal to assist will result in forfeiture of any premiums earned and disqualification from any further pulling events during the Fair.
9. The Hopkinton State Fair reserves the right to limit the number of individuals in the pulling ring and holding area during any class. Individuals will be essential personnel only. No one under twelve (12) years of age shall be in the pulling ring and holding area except for the Youth Oxen Class.
10. Spectators consider the awarding of ribbons as part of the contest. Any team not coming forward to receive its ribbons shall be subject to withholding of premiums.
11. No collections or solicitations shall be made at the contest other than those, which are functions of the Fair.
12. Entering a team in any of these contests is your commitment to accept and abide by the above rules.

CLASS REFERENCE :

• Class 600 TO 1300 Pounds: Driver and helper must not have reached their 17^th birthday. Cattle must be owned and entered by either the driver or the helper.
• Class 1700 Pounds And Under: Driver and helper must not have reached their 17^th birthday. Cattle must be owned and entered by either the driver or the helper.

Note: For class 600 TO 1300 Pounds  starting load will be 350 pounds and for  Class 1700 Pounds And Under starting load will be 1,050 pounds. These two classes will be pulled together. Please have all teams in the Arena at the start of the first class.