Dept 1 – Draft Horses & Ponies

Print This Page

Draft Horse Show
Horse & Pony Pulling Contest

The Sullivan County Fair is requiring that all horses coming on the grounds during the Fair for exhibition or otherwise be vaccinated with an approved Rabies vaccine. A certificate of vaccination showing name of vaccine, identification of animal, and signature of an accredited veterinarian must be presented upon entry to the grounds.

Skip To: One Day Horse Show | Horse Pulling | Miniature Horse Pulling | Pony Pulling

Section 1- One Day Horse Show

No Pulling Shoes For Classes 1-5

1. Each exhibitor is limited to two entries in classes 1 thru 10.
2. Drivers and assistant drivers must wear suits and ties. Ladies may wear formal dress, slack suit, or long skirt and blouse. No jeans allowed in any of the classes below except classes 11 & 12.
3. Scoring for Hitch Classes as follows:
   – 60% Manners and Performance
   – 20% Conformation
   – 20% Appointments (harness and cart)
4. Youth age is determined by participants who have not reached their 19th birthday by the time of the show.
5. Age of horse is determined by January 1.
6. All youth drivers must be accompanied by an adult.
7. Attendants for hitch classes will be allowed in the ring only at the area in front of the gate for emergencies only.
8. No Stallions allowed in Youth Showmanship.
9. No Scotch Collars or Patent leather show harnesses will be allowed in Farm Class.
10. Two-wheel cart to be used in one-horse cart classes.
11. Entry fee is $2.00 per horse.

Breeds and Classes

100 – Percheron
200 – Belgian
300 – Others (List the Breed)

Skip To: One Day Horse Show | Horse Pulling | Miniature Horse Pulling | Pony Pulling

Section 2- Horse Pulling Rules

Chairman Richard Bahr (570) 928-9586

1. All horses shall be weighed for respective classes. Medium weight team-under 3400 lbs. Open class team-over 3400 lbs.
2. A full distance pull shall be 16 1/2 feet and any movement of the boat by a team after the driver has given the command for the team to go shall be called a pull and each team shall be allowed three (3) tries to make a full 16 1/2 ft. pull. If after three (3) tries the team has not pulled the 16 1/2 ft., they shall not go on to the next weight.
3. The track shall be 12 feet wide and shall so be marked. If a team steps on or crosses the line, on either side, that pull shall be disqualified and have to take his next pull in order.
4. The team shall not be changed or replaced during a pull, or the driver. If done, that team shall not be allowed to continue the contest. Driver may, however, change sides with his horses, time permitting.
5. Any slapping of any kind to the horse shall disqualify that pull.
6. Behavior of all horseman (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.
7. The driver and no more than four (4) helpers will be allowed to any one team– with absolutely no heading!
8. Each team has three attempts to qualify each load. You must make an attempt to make a pull and get a distance on your 1st or 2nd pull, if you do not you automatically forfeit your 3rd pull. (At judges discretion.)
9. There will be a time limit of three (3) minutes from the time the announcer calls for that team to start to pull. If the team fails to start to pull in three (3) minutes, they will be disqualified and pull the next pull in order. If disqualified in the third pull, the team is out of the contest.
10. From the time the distance is measured and the stake is moved up, one minute will be allowed between first and second pull, otherwise contestant forfeits second pull, (teams may unhook within the time limit.)
11. On final pull– team must hook on either end if room for full pull or boat will be spotted in center of track.
12. In case contestant is late, he must start pulling at present weight being pulled.
13. Judges decision shall be final!
14. No pony will be eligible to pull in horse pulling contest.
15. Teams pulling in the heavy contest must have at least one fresh horse (one horse that HAS NOT pulled in the previous contest). In the event, there aren’t enough teams to fill the prize money, any NON-WINNER can return.
16. No horses or ponies showing evidence of any contagious or infectious disease will be permitted entry to the fair. All horses to be exhibited at Pennsylvania fairs that are receiving State funds must be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection prepared within 30 days of the opening date of the fair by an accredited Veterinarian. The Health Certificate shall include the negative date of the Coggins test which has been conducted within twelve months of an opening date of the fair at which the horse is to be exhibited. The Sullivan County Fair is requiring that all horses coming on the grounds during the fair exhibition otherwise be vaccinated with an approved Rabies vaccine. A certificate of vaccination showing name of vaccine, identification of animal, and signature of an accredited veterinarian must be presented upon entry to the grounds.
17. Driver and one (1) helper admitted with entry.
18. Entry fee for teams $10.00.
19. Premium checks will be mailed.
20. Drivers & Helpers will wear wristbands and are the only people allowed in pulling arena. No one else will be allowed in pulling arena. All spectators must be in the grandstand and be behind the railing. No abusive language will be tolerated from spectators and those offending will be escorted from the fairgrounds. No consumption of alcoholic beverages will be tolerated.
21. The Fair reserves the right to have a veterinarian on the grounds and to have horses blood tested.

Skip To: One Day Horse Show | Horse Pulling | Miniature Horse Pulling | Pony Pulling

Section 3 – Miniature Horse Pulling

1. All health rules set by the PA Department of Agriculture (page 10 in the book) will be enforced. All health rules listed in Section 2 & 3 will be enforced.
2. Distance for a full pull will be 10 feet, 6 inches.
3. Driver and one (1) helper admitted with entry.
4. Entry fee $5.00.
5. All rules in Department 2 under horse and pony pulling will be enforced also for the mini horse pulling contest.

Skip To: One Day Horse Show | Horse Pulling | Miniature Horse Pulling | Pony Pulling

Section 4 – Pony Pulling

1. All ponies will be weighed for their respective classes.
2. A full distance pull shall be 13 feet, 6 inches and any movement of the boat by a team after the driver has given the command for the team to go shall be called a pull and each team shall be allowed three (3) tries to make a full 13 feet, 6 inch pull. If after three (3) tries the team has not pulled the 13 feet, 6 inches they shall not go on to the next weight.
3. The track shall be 12 feet wide and shall so be marked. If a team steps on or crosses the line, either pony on either side, that pull shall be disqualified and take his next pull in order.
4. The team shall not be changed or replaced during a pull, or the driver. If done, that team shall not be allowed to continue the contest.
5. Slapping of any kind to the ponies shall disqualify that pull.
6. Behavior of the horseman (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.
7. The driver and no more than two (2) helpers will be allowed to any one team with absolutely no heading.
8. When the name of a team has been announced to pull, that team shall have two (2) minutes to start to pull before being disqualified for that pull. In the event that the team is disqualified on the 3rd pull that team will be out of the contest.
9. If a team fails to pull the required distance on a first pull, and the driver wants to take his second pull, he must do so before he un- hooks from the boat. If he unhooks from the boat, he must take his second pull in order.
10. On third and final pull, the boat will be pulled to the middle and can be hooked on either end.
11. In event contestant is late, he must start pulling in pony pulling contest at weight posted.
12. No horse will be eligible to pull in pony pulling contest.
13. See Rule NO. 16 horse pulling.
14. Driver and one (1) helper admitted with entry.
15. Entry fee $5.00.
16. Premium checks will be mailed.
17. Drivers and helpers will wear wristbands and are the only people allowed in pulling arena. No one else will be allowed in pulling arena. All spectators must be in the grandstand and be behind the railing. No abusive language will be tolerated from spectators and those offending will be escorted from the fair grounds. No consumption of alcoholic beverages will be tolerated.
18. The Fair reserves the right to have a veterinarian on the grounds and to have ponies blood tested.