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501. All classes

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These Rules Apply To All classes held at AMA-approved shows.

  1. Violation of any rule will result in penalty assessment or disqualification of the packer for that event in which the violation occurred. Violation of rules which are subject to disqualification are marked with Penalty DQ.
    1. Mules and donkeys will be the only animals allowed in any packing classes except for the lead animal. Penalty DQ.
      1. Jacks and stallions cannot be used in any classes that require the release of animals. Penalty DQ.
      2. Jacks can only be used as lead animals in pack trail. Penalty DQ.
    2. Mules and donkeys in the Hitch classes, trail and packing, (excluding Scrambles) must be under control. If animals are unmanageable, they will be asked to leave the class. At Judges discretion Penalty DQ.
    3. Each packer may enter each class only once.
    4. Points earned in all classes will go to the packer.
  2. American Mule Association standard hitches and equipment must be used throughout each class.
    1. No artificial aids or gimmicks such as modified boxes (wings, curvatures, etc), no taping or fastening down tarp will be allowed in any packing class. Hobbles can not be used. No part of packer or attire may touch lash rope after “Ready” and before “Start”. An artificial aid or gimmicks is determined by the Judge. If a Judge sees an aid before the start of the class, they may call it and give the contestant the opportunity to correct the infraction. The Judge will inspect for a gimmick and check for standard equipment, during the judging portion of each class. It is the contestant’s responsibility to use standard equipment, if in doubt on an aid or equipment; the contestant should ask the judge before their go. Penalty DQ.
  3. Each packer will be timed individually by a qualified timer who has been instructed by the judge on the use of the timing device.
    1. There must be one judge for every four packers during a heat, but only one judge can inspect hitches and loads throughout the show. The ring steward to read all times.
    2. The packer with the fastest time and clean go will be the winner. All clean goes will place before goes with penalties.
      1. Minor infractions shall carry a 5-second penalty; major infractions shall carry a larger penalty and be assessed accordingly at the discretion of the judge. See 510 C7 for time penalty exception.
      2. One-minute penalties per infraction shall be accessed in the Packing class. Stiffer penalties may be assessed by the judge
  4. Prior to the show, the show management will draw publicly, at random, each packer’s number to determine in which heat each packer is to compete.
    1. A separate drawing will be held for each packing class.
    2. The results of each drawing will be posted prior to any hitch or packing class.
    3. This rule is subject to availability.
  5. Show should schedule classes so that Open go first, then Non-Pro, followed by Youth.
  6. Neither packer, swamper, nor bystander can touch the load or hitch after the packer signals “finished” and before the judge’s inspection. Penalty DQ.
    1. The swamper cannot help the packer in any way, except to move stock and give verbal encouragement. Penalty DQ.
    2. After packer has control of the animal, swamper may still assist with animals before packer crosses the finish line.
    3. In the event that the packer or swamper loses control of the stock, for safety, a bystander, judge, ringman, other contestant, etc., may assist with stopping, catching, and regaining control of the stock. Penalty DQ at discretion of Judge in accordance with Rule 501 A2. The fact alone of outside assistance with the stock will not mean automatic DQ.