2019 Calgary Stampede Heavy Horse Pull

2019 Calgary Stampede Heavy Horse Pull Competition Rules

1. Special attention is called to the following Calgary Stampede rules and regulations for all equine competitions:
   1. Calgary Stampede Agriculture General Rules
   2. Health Regulations: http://ag.calgarystampede.com/exhibitor-info/health
   3. IAFE Code of Ethics: http://ag.calgarystampede.com/exhibitor-info/ethics
   4. Animal Care Codes of Practice: http://ag.calgarystampede.com/exhibitor-info/animal-care-codes
   5. Calgary Stampede Equine Therapeutic Medication Rules
2. The team must make one (1) complete pull to qualify for prize money and/or awards.
3. Teams will be vet checked upon arrival at the barns.
4. Weighing: Teams will be weighed between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., Thursday, July 11. *Scheduled Weigh Times subject to check-in times at move-in
   1. Horses will be weighed individually once, with a halter and loose shank.
   2. From the time the horses enter the barn, they are to have ad libitum (as much or as often as necessary or desired) access to feed and water (nothing is to be added to the water or container). This will be closely monitored by officials appointed by The Calgary Stampede and Heavy Horse Pull Sub-Committee. Any entry that does not comply with access to feed and water requirements will be disqualified from the competition and required to leave the grounds.
   3. Horses must be in the barn with ad libitum access to feed and water a minimum of 3 hours prior to weighing.
   4. If a horse in any team is not in good physical condition, including: not properly fed and watered (in accordance with the Requirements outlined in the CODE OF PRACTISE, FOR THE CARE AND HANDLING OF EQUINES 2013), appears blemished, ill or lame, the Horse Pull Sub-Committee, Vet and/or judge have the right to excuse the team from the competition. If deemed not fit to pull, the team will be required to immediately leave the grounds.
5. Substitution will not be permitted once teams have been weighed.
6. Teams will be divided by weight into three divisions:
   1. Light weight division – Less than 3560 lbs.;
   2. Middle weight division - 3561 lbs. to 3880 lbs.;
   3. Heavy weight division - 3881 lbs. and over.
      1. Please note: the weight break is subject to change at the discretion of the Heavy Horse Pull Sub-Committee to accommodate equal entries in each weight division.
7. Starting weight for all teams is as follows (weight of sled included):
   1. Light weight division - 4500 lbs. /or at the discretion of the Heavy Horse Pull Sub-Committee;
   2. Middle weight division - 5000 lbs. /or at the discretion of the Heavy Horse Pull Sub-Committee;
   3. Heavy weight division - 6000 lbs. /or at the discretion of the Heavy Horse Pull  Sub-Committee;
   4. Each additional weight will be 500 lbs. or 1000 lbs. at the discretion of the Ringmaster.
   5. Competition to be decided by straight pull-out in each division.
8. The Heavy Horse Pull Sub-Committee will determine the order of go via a draw of names to occur at the teamster meeting.
9. Only demonstration pulls organized by the Heavy Horse Pull Sub-Committee are permitted.
10. Teams must be under control at all times. Any team deemed to be out of control by the judge may be excused from the show arena and their last qualified pull will stand as their final result.
11. All teamsters are responsible to ensure their equipment is properly fitted and in good working order. The Heavy Horse Pull Sub-Committee reserves the right to inspect equipment prior to competition.
12. Any abuse of horses by teamster or helpers before, during or after the show shall immediately disqualify the teamster and any awards and/or prize money won shall be forfeited. Abuse such as, and not limited to, slapping, slashing or swinging the lines at the horses will not be tolerated.
13. The Heavy Horse Pull Sub-Committee reserves the right to conduct blood and/or urine tests to determine the presence or absence of performance enhancing substances on each horse in the pulling team. A positive test on any horse will result in the Teamster forfeiting any awards and/or prize money won in each event in which he/she is entered, and further, the Teamster may be banned from future horse pull competitions at the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede for a period of time at the discretion of Calgary Stampede Management.  Please note the Calgary Stampede Equine Therapeutic Medication Rules.
14. The teamster that will drive each team registered must be identified at the weigh-in and no substitutions are allowed without a signed doctor's note or at the discretion of the Heavy Horse Pull Sub-Committee.
15. Exhibitors, hookers and helpers must be properly attired in western wear, including a sleeved shirt with collar, appropriate foot wear and a cowboy hat.  Horses must also be properly presented. The Heavy Horse Pull Sub-Committee may, at its discretion, bar any entry or person from entering the show arena if not suitably presented to appear before an audience.
16. Warm-up arena – only people required for team handling and exercising are allowed in the warm-up arena.
17. Only authorized people are allowed in the show arena during competition. Interviews conducted in the show arena will be at the Heavy Horse Pull Sub-Committee’s discretion.
18. There will be no unauthorized signage allowed on the teams in the warm-up or show arena.
19. Teamsters and hookers may be subject to a breathalyzer test prior to each pull. Any person testing over the legal limit will be disqualified along with their team(s). The decision of the Heavy Horse Pull Sub-Committee will be final with no appeal and all entry fees, any awards and/or prize money won will be forfeited.
20. Teamsters are allowed to use neck yokes or offset eveners.
21. Only the teamster and two (2) helpers are allowed in the show arena with each team.  All teamsters and helpers shall stay clear of the pulling lanes and concrete blocks when the other teams are pulling.
22. No foreign objects are to be brought into the show arena for competitions (example: chairs, coolers, blankets, ropes, etc.).
23. No header is allowed except during a harness break. Helpers are not allowed to talk to the horses. Failure to comply with this rule will result in disqualification.
24. Once a team has entered the show arena, no change in harness will be allowed unless due to breakage; this does not include adjustments.
25. The teamster or hooker may, but is not required to, ride the sled during the pull.
26. A teamster will be allowed three (3) minutes from the time he/she is called or signaled to hook up to the sled or be eliminated.
27. If a team refuses to pull, a teamster will be allowed three (3) minutes rest and one (1) minute to try the load again. If the team refuses again, the team is disqualified and the distance pulled to that point is recorded. The timekeeper is to track the time.
28. The pull is to be made hitched to the sled over a distance of fourteen (14) feet.
    1. Sidelines are sixteen (16) feet apart;
    2. A marker will be placed on each sideline twenty-five (25) feet from the end of each sideline. If any part of the sled reaches this marker, the pull will change direction;
    3. There will be two (2) tries to pull the load fourteen (14) feet;
    4. Each time the sled is intentionally moved is counted as a try;
    5. If the judge should call an infraction where the pin is to be reset and the teamster is required to re-hook to the load, the load the infraction is called on will be counted as one of the two (2) attempts;
    6. An extra pin will be set behind the sled each time it is moved;
    7. The team must not be intentionally unhooked during these tries.  If a team becomes accidentally unhooked, the Teamster must back up to the sled and re-hook, staying within the sidelines.
29. While hooked to the sled, the team must stay within the sidelines. Once during the competition, if a horse steps on/over the line while hooked on the initial try, it will be counted as a try but disallowed as a good pull. The pin will be reset and the team will be will be allowed one try to achieve a full pull, if the team does not achieve a full pull, they will be credited with the last completed pull. If the team steps on or over the lines, it will be disqualified and credited with the last completed pull. If the teamster feels the sled is too close to a line, he/she may ask the judge to waive the line closest to the sled. If the judge agrees the line will be waived.
30. Once the team starts the load, the teamster must stay behind the eveners except during a harness break or during the three (3) minute rest period allowed after a refusal. At these times, the teamster may move to the head of his/her team. Hookers are not allowed ahead of the eveners at any time except in a potential emergency. Failure to comply will result in disqualification. Behind the eveners is defined as the center point at which the eveners attach to the sled. The swing of the evener forward or back will not be used to determine position of the teamster.
31. Deliberately jerking the load is prohibited. Failure to comply will result in a warning (YELLOW CARD) from the judge; a second warning will result in disqualification (RED CARD). The teamster must make a reasonable effort to drive the team into the load.
32. If a break in harness or equipment occurs, there will be a time limit of five (5) minutes to fix the break and be hitched back to the load. If a teamster forfeits the pull at which a breakage occurs, he/she must pull the next weight the full distance or weight goes back to the previous completed pull.
33. The pin and rope laid out flat must measure fourteen (14) feet. The pin must be pulled completely out to qualify as a completed pull.
34. There will be a ringmaster, timekeeper, two linesmen and a pin man to assist the judge. These individuals have the authority to advise the judge of any infractions, and the judge must act upon their information.  All warnings will be announced.
35. The judge's decision is final.
36. Any animal may be removed from competition at any time, if deemed by the Calgary Stampede veterinarians that the animal is not fit to compete. 
37. Teamsters are not to argue with or harass the judge or Heavy Horse Pull Sub-Committee members; to do so will result in instant disqualification and forfeiture of any awards and/or prize money won.
38. An exhibitor lodging a protest must submit it in writing to the Agriculture Administration Department before 10:00 am the day following the cause of protest. A protest must state plainly the cause of the complaint or appeal and must be accompanied by a deposit of $500, which shall be forfeited to the Stampede, if the said protest is not sustained. The Agriculture Administration Management shall have the power to decide all protests and take appropriate action.
39. Teamsters are encouraged to participate in all studies conducted during the Calgary Stampede for the purpose of enhancing animal safety and/or research purposes. 
40. The Heavy Horse Pull Sub-Committee reserves the right to decide any point not covered by the rules and conditions.