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507. Packing Class

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  1. Each packer will furnish, at least one saddled pack mule/donkey and one saddled lead animal and a swamper to hold them, matte and lash ropes.
    1. Jacks and stallions are not allowed. Penalty DQ.
    2. If more than one pack mule/donkey is used, they must be strung without excessive length between the two animals. String as normal, down the trail distance.
    3. Show management must specify on the entry blank if more than one mule/donkey is to be used.
  2. The show management will furnish the goods to be packed and the pack equipment for each packer.
    1. Packers may be asked to use their own boxes. No bags, slings, etc., unless furnished by show. Penalty DQ.
    2. No person competing in the contest can help show management or judge set up the loads. Penalty DQ. Once a packer has completed/packed the load, they may help set up the load for the next packer.
    3. The goods to be packed can be anything that has been or can be packed on a mule.
    4. The judge must approve the goods to be packed prior to the start of the contest.
    5. The pack loads must weigh a maximum of 150 lbs. with no single item being over 50 lbs. YOUTH maximum of 20 lbs. for a single item.
  3. Prior to the start of each heat, the goods will be arranged for each packer by the show management, and the arrangement must be the same for each packer. This is the ring steward’s responsibility.
    1. The packer can arrange his stock, mattes, lash rope, and boxes or bags to suit him.
    2. He cannot touch goods or equipment until judge’s signal to “go”. Penalty DQ.
    3. Time will start at the judge’s signal to go, and time will end when the tail of the last animal crosses the finish line.
    4. The distance between the packing area and the finish line will be across the arena or at least 100 feet; and will be the same for each packer.
    5. The packer must be on his lead animal and have control of the lead mule when he crosses the finish line.
    6. Judge will inspect the hitches as in the Box and Diamond Hitch classes.
    7. Both types of hitches can, but need not be used.
  4. The judge will inspect the loads for the following:
    1. Balance of load.
    2. Protection of the mule from the load.
    3. Protection of the load for what it is.
  5. One minute minimum penalty, per infraction, will be assessed by the judge in the packing class.
    1. Stiffer penalties can be assessed by the judge in the packing class.