Pulling positions: Lightest team shall go first in each division. Smaller divisions should go first. Post entrants, if accepted, shall pull first with the post entrants competing in reverse order of entry.
Each teamster shall provide his own single and/or double trees and hooks.
Each teamster shall be allowed one hooker and one header only.
Swampers (hookers and headers) must attempt to be outside the pulling lane before the teamster begins the pull.
If the judge determines that any swamper who is inside the lane while the pull is attempted is encouraging or interfering with the team, the judge may disqualify the team, excuse the swamper from the area, or allow the teamster another pull attempt.
The swamper who has been excused from the arena for interference or encouragement of a team shall not be replaced by another swamper.
Swampers may not return to the pull lane or assist the teamsters in any way after a pull attempt has begun and Swampers may not touch or unhitch and re-hitch until the pull is completed.
When the pull attempt begins, the teamster is allowed voice commands only.
There will be no cursing of the team or slapping of the team with the reins or lines.
No whips will be allowed.
Judge may disqualify any contestant, at judge’s discretion, for continuing the above violations after a fair warning is given.
The teamster may ride the stone boat or sled at his option, but his weight will not be added to the “pull weight” or “load” and will not be computed when calculating the percentage of weight pulled.
The teamster may jump on or off the stone boat during pull attempts and may ride on the pull and elect not to do so on the next pull.
The teamster may swing his mules to begin an attempt; however, any hoof on line marking the lane boundaries is considered a “scratch.”
The teamster is allowed three (3) attempts to pull, and if there is a scratch, he may begin another attempt from the point of the scratch.
Distance pulled prior to the scratch shall not be counted.
Following a scratch, any new attempt is considered to be at the full 10 feet distance.
The team shall be disqualified on the third scratch.
An attempt shall begin from when double tree is lifted off ground, and will be considered an attempt if it returns to the ground, whether or not the sled was moved.