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 107 Years of Pulling at the Hopkinton State Fair.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2024

11:00 AM Horse 3,100 & under, 12 foot pull
3:00 PM Horse 3,300 & under, 12 foot pull
7:00 PM Horse Free for All, 12 foot pull

SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2024

8:00 AM 4-H Working Steer Distance pull
11:00 AM Horse 3,200 & under, 12 foot pull
3:00 PM Horse 3,400 & under, 12 foot pull
7:00 PM Oxen 600 to 1,200, 6 foot pull 1,600 & under, 6 foot pull (Driver 15 and under)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2024

10:00 AM Oxen 2,500 & under, 6 foot pull
1:00 PM Oxen 2,900 & under, 6 foot pull
4:00 PM Oxen 3,300 & under, 6 foot pull
7:00 PM Oxen Free For All, 6 foot pull

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2024

10:00 AM Oxen 2100 & under 6 foot pull
1:00 PM Ponies 1,850 & Under, 6 foot pull
4:00 PM Ponies 2,250 & Under ,6 foot pull

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. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. No collections or solicitations shall be made at the contest other than those, which are functions of the Fair.
  6. Weighing: Official weighing begins at 8:00 AM daily. Due to the increased weight limits there is no allowance at the scales for ponies and oxen. There will be a 20# allowance for horses.  Horses – weights on Friday will be held for Saturday if the horse remain on Fair Grounds.  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.
  7. 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, State House Annex, Concord, NH 03301
  8. Only three (3) teams per class, per owner will be allowed in all classes.
  9. The Hopkinton State Fair reserves the right to limit the number of individuals in the pulling ring and holding area during any class.
  10. Entering a team in any of these contests is your commitment to accept and abide by the above rules.

CLASS REFERENCE :

  • Class 600 TO 12OO Pounds: Driver and helper must not have reached their 16th birthday. Cattle must be owned and entered by either the driver or the helper.
  • Class 1600 Pounds And Under: Driver and helper must not have reached their 16th birthday. Cattle must be owned and entered by either the driver or the helper.

Note: For class 600 TO 12OO Pounds  starting load will be 350 pounds and for  Class 1600 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.

PULLING HORSES

CLASS 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH 5TH 6TH 7TH 8TH
3100 POUNDS AND UNDER $210 $185 $165 $150 $140 $120 $110 $100
3200 POUNDS AND UNDER $210 $185 $165 $150 $140 $120 $110 $100
3300 POUNDS AND UNDER $210 $185 $165 $150 $140 $120 $110 $100
3400 POUNDS AND UNDER $210 $185 $165 $150 $140 $120 $110 $100
FREE FOR ALL $300 $250 $225 $200 $175 $150 $130 $125

PULLING PONIES

CLASS 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH 5TH 6TH 7TH 8TH
1850 POUNDS AND UNDER $150 $125 $100 $80 $70 $60 $50 $40
2250 POUNDS AND UNDER $175 $150 $125 $100 $90 $80 $70 $60

PULLING OXEN

The following awards will be given in the 1200# and 1600# Steer lots which have been made and donated by Robert Boynton, Jr., Dunbarton, NH

1200# CLASS

  • 1st Place — Steer Yoke and Bows
  • 2nd Place — Whip
  • 3rd Place — Goad Stick

1600# CLASS

  • 1st Place — Steer Yoke and Bows
  • 2nd Place — Pair of Halters
CLASS 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH 5TH 6TH 7TH 8TH
600 TO 12OO POUNDS $65 $55 $50 $45 $40 $35 $30 $25
1600 POUNDS AND UNDER $95 $85 $75 $65 $55 $45 $40 $35
2100 POUNDS AND UNDER $150 $130 $120 $110 $100 $90 $80 $70
2500 POUNDS AND UNDER $150 $130 $120 $110 $100 $90 $80 $70
2900 POUNDS AND UNDER $175 $150 $135 $125 $110 $100 $90 $80
3300 POUNDS AND UNDER $175 $150 $135 $125 $110 $100 $90 $80
FREE FOR ALL $300 $250 $225 $200 $175 $150 $130 $125

SHIRLEY SANBORN AWARD

2900 LB OXEN

SHIRLEY B. SANBORN MEMORIAL PLAQUE

Started in 1986 by the Sanborn Family in memory of Shirley B. Sanborn, this plaque is a revolving plaque and is awarded to the winner of the 2900-pound Ox Class each year. In order to gain permanent possession of the plaque, the same individual must own and drive the winning team in the 2900-pound class for 3 consecutive years. The team of oxen does not have to be the same team each year.