The Crazy World of Competitive Ploughing!
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Although competitive ploughing may not be an olympic discipline it is still seen as one of the highlights of the rural year. Not only does it encourage competitors to better their skills and compete to win but it also acts as a great social occasion for anyone and everyone in the countryside.
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Ploughing matches in Hertfordshire are predominantly organised on a district level with the winners of each class able to go further to compete at county level. The county matches are organised by the Hertfordshire Agricultural Competitions Association.
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The Rules
PLOUGHING RULES FOR COMPETITORSAll plough person’s must observe safe working practices
General Purpose and Semi-Diggers
Maximum length of mould boards – furrow width up to 25cm-90cm mould board; furrow
Width over 25cm any length of mould boards.
3 hours to complete the work after openings have been judged. Competitors exceeding the
Time limit will be penalised by a deduction of marks.
No assistance may be accepted except for setting up sighting poles. Competitors, judges and
Stewards only are allowed on the land.
Rolling of opening furrows is not permitted.
All land must be ploughed.
After setting the ridge: 2 furrow ploughs will gather 3 rounds and then throw out.
Multi and 3 furrow ploughs gather 2 rounds and then throw out.
Ploughing depth – to be announced on the field.
On no account must any plough body be removed, or lifted out of its work.
All plough bodies must be ploughing full depth at point of headland furrow.
Mould furrow may be turned either way.
One Ways Ploughs
3 hours to complete the work after openings have been judged. Competitors exceeding the time
Limit will be penalised by a deduction of marks.
No assistance may be accepted except for setting up sighting poles. Competitors, judges and
Stewards only are allowed on the land.
An opening split shall be made at the start. A single furrow shall be turned in the opposite
Direction and all the land must be ploughed as directed by the steward.
Ploughing depth – to be announced on the field.
All plough bodies must be ploughing full depth at point of headland furro
On no account must any plough body be removed before work is completed.
General
Any competitor accepting assistance (unless duly authorised by the Judges or Stewards in
Special circumstances) will be disqualified.
All competitors must line up in the field by 9.00am to receive their instructions and draw
Their tickets for places.
Work must not be started, however, until the signal has been given by the stewards.
Time limits for ploughing:
To be allowed 3 hours after the opening have been judged. They can complete the final run if it has started. 5 points will be deducted if this time is exceeded and work to stop after 3¼ hours.
The Steward is to be responsible for timing.
If the adjacent plough person to a competitor has a bent opening a plough person is to be allowed 2 works to straighten without penalty
Assistance may be given to Youths in the Ploughing Classes but only from the headlands.
Special Notice:
Competitors, Judges and Stewards only are allowed on the land whilst work is in progress.
General Purpose and Semi-Diggers
Maximum length of mould boards – furrow width up to 25cm-90cm mould board; furrow
Width over 25cm any length of mould boards.
3 hours to complete the work after openings have been judged. Competitors exceeding the
Time limit will be penalised by a deduction of marks.
No assistance may be accepted except for setting up sighting poles. Competitors, judges and
Stewards only are allowed on the land.
Rolling of opening furrows is not permitted.
All land must be ploughed.
After setting the ridge: 2 furrow ploughs will gather 3 rounds and then throw out.
Multi and 3 furrow ploughs gather 2 rounds and then throw out.
Ploughing depth – to be announced on the field.
On no account must any plough body be removed, or lifted out of its work.
All plough bodies must be ploughing full depth at point of headland furrow.
Mould furrow may be turned either way.
One Ways Ploughs
3 hours to complete the work after openings have been judged. Competitors exceeding the time
Limit will be penalised by a deduction of marks.
No assistance may be accepted except for setting up sighting poles. Competitors, judges and
Stewards only are allowed on the land.
An opening split shall be made at the start. A single furrow shall be turned in the opposite
Direction and all the land must be ploughed as directed by the steward.
Ploughing depth – to be announced on the field.
All plough bodies must be ploughing full depth at point of headland furro
On no account must any plough body be removed before work is completed.
General
Any competitor accepting assistance (unless duly authorised by the Judges or Stewards in
Special circumstances) will be disqualified.
All competitors must line up in the field by 9.00am to receive their instructions and draw
Their tickets for places.
Work must not be started, however, until the signal has been given by the stewards.
Time limits for ploughing:
To be allowed 3 hours after the opening have been judged. They can complete the final run if it has started. 5 points will be deducted if this time is exceeded and work to stop after 3¼ hours.
The Steward is to be responsible for timing.
If the adjacent plough person to a competitor has a bent opening a plough person is to be allowed 2 works to straighten without penalty
Assistance may be given to Youths in the Ploughing Classes but only from the headlands.
Special Notice:
Competitors, Judges and Stewards only are allowed on the land whilst work is in progress.