EASTERN DRAFT HORSE ASSOCIATION
 

Objectives:

            A.  To insure the proper treatment of animals.

            B.  To raise the standards of horse drawing

            C.  To stimulate interest in horse drawing among the general public.

            D.  To create adequate rules for the efficient staging of horse 
                  drawing contests.

            E. To provide an equal basis for judging contests.

Policies:

            A. This association shall not seek to direct the administrative activities
                 of any fair association.

            B. This association shall seek to secure and maintain harmony with all
                 fair associations.

            C. This association shall provide equal rights and privileges to all of its
                 members

MEMBERSHIP & DUES:

            A: Any person interested in the objectives of the Eastern Draft Horse
                 Association and willing to uphold its policies and subscribe to its
                 bylaws may become a member upon payment of dues as herein after
                 provided.

            B: The annual dues shall be $10 per person.

RULES TO GOVERN HORSE PULLING:

1.  No horse shall be allowed to enter any pulling contest that is not in good physical condition - meaning properly fed and watered . If deemed not fit to pull you will leave the grounds. All  decisions left to the discretion of the superintendent of pull, plus 2 or more people .

2. All horses to compete in contests other than free for all shall be weighed in at least 3 hours and not more than 4 hours before the first class of the day is to start. Check weighing will be permitted before that period only . Horses must have halters on while on scale. All horses will be weighed in the presence of a delegate appointed by the fair ,or person who is conducting the contest. The delegate shall present a weigh bill to the teamster, a copy of which is to be kept by said delegate ,certifying the horses name and description, also the exact time of weighing . The scale shall be balanced with a man standing on same ,this man will hold all horses where possible. The man holding horses shall be appointed by the delegate if he is unable to do this himself. The weighing certificate must be signed by the delegate .

3. Switching horses- Once a team has been weighed in , there will be no switching of horses . Split owner teams will be allowed to compete.

4.The length of a qualified pull shall b e determined by the superintendent of the pull.

5.Starting load- Maximum load of approximately  4,000 lbs for all weight classes and 5,000 lbs for free for all classes. Added loads in each class at the discretion of the judges depending on type of pit .At no time after weight has been decreased may it be increased.

6. Pulling positions to be determined by the drawing of numbers just before starting of each class.

7.All teamsters to compete in contest shall have their teams ready at the published time .All classes will close at the completion of the first heat in each class.

8. Open bridles -Open bridles may be used ,but they must be bridle , not halters with bits attached.

9.Time limit- Three (3) hitches with a time limit of five (5 ) minutes. Time will be taken out while the boat is positioned for the next hitch . The time will be kept by the announcer or appointed time keeper.

10. Heading -There will be no heading of horses whatsoever .Teams to be driven by one teamster only .

11.Use of reins - The light use of reins on entry to the pit and while team is making its draw ,will be limited to that area from the root of the tail to the bottom of the round , IN A SIDE ARM MOTION ONLY .Hands must be in sight at all times. The use of reins after the boat has stopped or any place on the ground is prohibited.

Interpretation of #11 : The use of reins as a whip is prohibited . The light use of reins may be used to encourage a horse to pull , however any whipping will result in disqualification.

12. Evener Men - Will not go ahead of the evener and will remain silent . No waving of arms.

13.What constitutes a hitch -1 inch or more.

14.Breakdown -An actual separation ,breaking or bending of equipment shall constitute a breakdown . Chains ,straps  or eveners not properly secured are not considered a breakdown . I n event a teamster and/or owner wish credit for the distance boat moved before breakage ,it will constitute a hitch .

15. Over the rail- If a horses foot strikes dirt outside the rail it constitutes a hitch with no credit for the distance pulled .Teams must remain within the rails while hitched to the boat.

16.Any team deliberately driven over the rail will be disqualified from the contest.

17.Unhitching after each hitch -Each team shall be disconnected from the boat and will leave the pit before entering for the next hitch .

18.Measuring- Starting point of boat shall be properly marked to indicate same starting point for all loads. All teams will be allowed 3 hitches to qualify the load.

19.All teams shall remain in the ring ,at all time , until they are dismissed by the superintendent.

20. In case of tie on longest distance, the second longest distance already pulled will take the top placing .

21.Changing teamsters-no teamster may be changed after pulling the first load in any class except in emergency . Then only when permitted by the judges , with consent of a majority of the other teamsters in that class.

22. Any owner and/or teamster ,who has been convicted ,or found in violation ,of any state statute relating to the use of drugs or stimulants shall be barred from participating in any contest ,in any state ,for the period prescribed by that state.

23.Appearance -All participants will be properly dressed.

24.Language-All effort shall be made to use proper language in and around the ring.

25. Drinking - Any participant under the influence of liquor will be disqualified from the contest . The drinking of intoxicating beverages in and around the ring is prohibited.

26. Authorized persons in the ring - The pit  personnel  and the owners, or his agent  only .Only one (1) teamster and two (2) helpers allowed in front of the runaway bar ,except in case of breakdown or injury.

27.Interference of evener men - no assistance other than hitching .

28.Changing of classes -Classes shall be as publicized ,only.

29. New York State Horse Pullers Association rules to govern contests conducted on a dynamometer. Except N.Y. rule 3 will not apply.

30.Any situations that may arise and are not covered by these rules ,the decision will be left to the discretion of the judges.

31. Any variation of these rules shall be in the spirit of aforesaid rules and at the discretion of the judges.

32.Pit care- The pit will be covered the day before the draw ,where it is possible.

33.Behavior of all horsemen (drivers and helpers alike) to be above reproach at all times OR DISCIPLINARY ACTION BY THE JUDGES WILL BE TAKEN .ANYONE DISPUTING THE DECISION OF THE JUDGES WILL BE IMMEDIATELY DISQUALIFIED.

34. FURTHER DISCIPLINARY ACTION MAY BE TAKEN BY THE EASTERN DRAFT HORSE ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS . THIS MAY BE BY SUSPENSION FROM FURTHER CONTESTS FOR A GIVEN PERIOD OF TIME OR BY ENFORCING A FINE  (OR BOTH)

35. Any and all judges for the EDHA contests must follow the exact rules as written in the Eastern Draft Horse Association.

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