INTERNATIONAL PLOWING MATCH and RURAL EXPO
September 20-24, 2011
RULES AND REGULATIONS

NO REFUNDS ON ENTRY FEES

1. Competition is open to contestants from the world, but a contestant from the Province of Ontario must have earned a minimum number of points (as indicated herein) competing at a Branch Association Match in 2010 or 2011 or the Plowmen can use the 2010 IPM daily score.
   The Entry Card must be signed by the contestant verifying the foregoing. A Branch Secretary verifying the qualifying points must also sign the Entry Card. IPM Judges and OPA Directors are not eligible for competition.

2. Contestants entering Classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, must forward entry cards to the Ontario Plowmen’s Association, 188 Nicklin Rd., Guelph, Ontario N1H 7L5, postmarked not later than August 15th, 2011. False information contained on entry card may result in automatic disqualification from competition.
   Contestants entering into Class 7 (Junior Plowing Class) must have their entries post marked not later than August 31, 2011.
   
   *ABSOLUTELY NO EXTENSIONS

3. Plowing Entry Fee of $60.00 (Cheque or money order) must accompany entry form. This fee will entitle each contestant to plow in the contestant’s respective class and group each day of the plowing competition.
   Junior Plowing - Class 7 – the entry fee is $10.00.

4. Proof of Insurance verifying that the CONTESTANT, as well as the owner of the equipment, will have in force a minimum of $2 million liability insurance coverage, during the week of the IPM, this must accompany the entry card.

5. A current Coggins test is required for all horses. An ORIGINAL COPY of the Coggins certificate MUST be presented before the horses are unloaded at the stabling area of the IPM.
   (This is due diligence.)

6. TAILPIECES
   Tailpieces may be used in CLASSES 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 provided the size of the tailpiece does not exceed 26cm (10 ¼”) in length, 22cm (8 11/16”) in width and the total distance from the end of the mouldboard to the end of the tailpiece, including brackets, not to exceed 32cm (12 5/8”) (The concave or convex of the tailpiece must not be greater than a ratio of 1mm to 15mm in width).(1/32” – 5/8”)

7. Each Group in any Class must have a minimum number of contestants. Where any Group or any Class has few entrants, the contestants may be transferred to the most suitable Group or Class. This will be decided by the Executive, Chief Steward and Assistant Chief Steward after all entries have been received. All affected contestants will be notified prior to the match.

8. All contestants will be responsible for arranging for their own tractors, teams and plow.

9. Contestants driving tractors on roads in the Plowing Match area must comply with the Highway Traffic Act.
   **Every tractor must have a slow moving sign.

10. “NEW” Practice Plowing
    Held on Monday only - prior to the IPM.
    One – (1) land per competitor.
    Lots will be assigned when requested.

11. LAND CARDS
    a) Contestants in tractor classes will receive their land cards, bearing land number, at the Tractor Park each day of the competition.
    b) Contestants in the horse/mule class will receive their land cards bearing land number, in the field each day of the competition.

12. Contestants must be ready to commence plowing at the designated start time for each day of competition. No additional time will be allowed for starting late.

13. A maximum of three (3) sighting stakes will be allowed in all tractor classes and five (5) sighting stakes in all horse classes.

14. Contestants must place their stakes for striking out on lot stakes and all contestants must strike from same end of the field as directed by the STEWARD IN CHARGE. Lot number stake as placed by the committee shall be replaced in centre of crown and must be in place to be judged. Sighting stakes to be used only on strike out and cast-off to vacant land. CAST OFF TO HIGHER LOT NUMBER UNLESS OTHERWISE INSTRUCTED BY STEWARD IN CHARGE. When a contestant must cast off to a vacant land he SHOULD make that opening strike while his opening split is being judged.

15. OPENING SPLIT - Opening Split required in all Tractor Classes (Classes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7). Explanation of Opening Split - there must be an opening split in both stubble and grassland. The strip to be well cut through so that no land is left uncut. One round will be permitted in making an opening split before judging. Contestant must commence to make their opening split immediately upon direction from the STEWARD IN CHARGE.
    i) Rolling and packing of the opening split is not permitted.

16. CROWN
    a) In the Horse Classes for one-furrow plows, the crown shall consist of six (6) heavy furrows, after which the contestant shall cast off. Horse plowing will be judged out of 180 points.
    
    b) In Tractor Classes, the Crown shall consist of four heavy rounds for two furrow plows and three heavy rounds for three or more furrow plows after which the contestant shall commence to cast off. When lands are too narrow to permit the application of this definition, same may be modified by the Steward in charge of the class. (Contestants in Class 4 will plow a larger lot if land is available)
    c) A double scratch will be allowed but rule 15 (a) will apply.
    *PENALTY FOR INFRACTION OF RULE 15(a) will be 5 points.

17. FINISH – The Finish comprises the last 12 furrows. (i.e. 6 furrows on the throw out side of the finish and 5 furrows and the sole furrow on the crown side). In Class 1 and Class 6 there must be a 4” step on last furrow of finish.

18. The sole furrow must be turned toward the competitor’s own crown.

19. ALL FURROWS MUST START AND FINISH AT SCRATCH. (See scorecard re: Ins and Outs).

20. Land Committee reserves the right to provide contestants either sod or stubble lands, as circumstances permit.

21. Average depth of furrows shall not be less than 6 inches unless otherwise specified by the Chief Steward or Management.

22. Shaping of furrows by hand, foot, plow stake or otherwise is not allowed in any classes (which includes inside and outside the scratch).
    For Friday Only. However, Class 1 is permitted to handle the opening scratch.

23. Idle runs – Idle runs to the opposite end are allowed but must be made on the headland and not across the plot. Note: Idle runs are not permitted in Class 5-Group 2.

24. Clipping or burning of the straw or stubble is not permitted.

25. During the competition contestants must mount and dismount from the tractor onto the unplowed landside of the tractor, to avoid penalty for treading on plowed lands.

26. Chains, wires, or ropes are not to be used by contestants in any class.

27. Any towing while plowing must first be approved by the Steward.

28. Stones or roots should be reported to the Steward.

29. COMPETITION TIME
    Maximum time for tractor plowing will be 20 minutes for the opening split and 2 hours and 40 minutes for the balance. Where a contestant has to make an extra scratch, this should be completed while opening splits are being judged. No additional time will be allowed. In cases of mechanical breakdown, a reasonable amount of time for repair will be allowed by the STEWARD IN CHARGE.
    a) Maximum time for horse/mule plowing is 5 hours and 30 minutes. Penalty of 5 points for each minute or part minute over.
    b) TIME PENALTIES FOR OVER TIME TRACTOR PLOWING
    1) Opening split- 1 point for each minute or part minute
    2) Plot-5 points for each minute or part minute

30. COACHING
    - After setting and removing stakes, coaching will only be allowed for competitors who have not reached their 16th birthday as of the 1st day of the IPM as well as all competitors plowing in Class 7 except those who have plowed at the IPM for two or more years. The coach to assist from headlands only and is not permitted to make adjustments to the plow except when the tractor and plow are completely on the headland. No type of remote electronic communications of any kind may be used during the plowing. The coach may go to the other end of lands, on the Contestant’s land, only when Contestant’s tractor and plow are on the headland.
    
    - Contestants in Class 1 will be allowed a helper to set and remove stakes and assist with the horses/mules on the strike out and finish
    
    - In Class 1, coaching is not allowed for Group 1. In Groups 2 and 3, coach may assist from headland only.
    
    - Anyone but the contestants on the land is an infraction subject to Rule 32 a.
    
    - Stewards and IPM Judges are not permitted to do any coaching at the IPM.

31. All Stewards will be identified by wearing white coats. All Stewards and IPM Judges must not leave their designated group while the group is competing unless for an emergency.
    
    Stewards for all Classes will be selected by the Chief Steward and the Assistant Chief Steward. A list of Stewards for all Classes will be posted at IPM Headquarters in Tented City.

32. INFRINGEMENTS
    a) Any contestant, assistant, coach or spectator breaking any rules shall result in the relevant contestant receiving one warning from the Steward. A second warning will result in a penalty of 10 points against the relevant contestant, and the third warning will result in disqualification from that day’s competition.
    
    b) Any inappropriate behaviour (ie: use of course language, threats, and insubordination) during the ompetition against any Steward, Judge, fellow competitor, by a competitor or on behalf of a competitor, will be cause for immediate disqualification from the competition and removal from the field.

33. All boards must be down and in plowing position other than opening split and 1st OR 2nd draw on the cast-off only. Any infractions of this rule will carry a 20 point penalty WITHOUT WARNING BY THE STEWARD IN CHARGE.

34. A contestant shall be penalized for any of the following infractions by the judges’ decision:
    a) Finishing the wrong way - penalty 10 points
    b) Damaging neighbouring contestant’s plowing - maximum penalty 10 points
    c) Not completing the land allotted for plowing - maximum penalty 10 points
    d) Two wheel marks on the land – penalty 2 to 5 points

35. SCORING OF LANDS
    A scorecard, approved by the Judge-in-Chief and the Assistant Judge-in-Chief, will be used for all Classes at the International Plowing Match. The decision of the Judge-in-Chief and Assistant Judge-in-Chief shall be final.

36. The complete land will be judged and the only consideration given to a contestant will be where their neighbour’s plowing is crooked or below standard.

37. Where the total points allotted by the judges are used to determine the winner and a tie score exists, the contestant with the highest total points in General Appearance will be the winner but if a tie still exists the highest total points for the finish will be used in determining the winner.

38. Winners in each plowing class and group will be declared at the end of each day’s plowing. The official score of the Judges will be used in determining the standing of the contestants in each class and group.

39. Any person involved in the plowing competition at the International Plowing Match, who feels that they have a just complaint, may file that complaint in writing to the Ontario Plowmen’s Association within 24 hours of the incident and such complaint will be dealt with by the appropriate parties.

40. All matters requiring clarification will be dealt with by the appropriate parties

QUEEN OF THE FURROW PLOWING RULES

1. Queen of the Furrow contestants will plow on Wednesday September 21, 2011, at 2:00 pm

2. Contestants must have competed at their local Branch Association Queen of the Furrow Competition in 2010. Exception being: If the County/Counties hosting the IPM did not host a Branch Match in 2010.

3. Contestants are required with assistance from their O.P.A. Director, to make arrangements for a coach with a tractor and plow for the plowing competition. These arrangements are to be in place before the IPM. Contestants unable to acquire a coach may contact the O.P.A. Queen Co-ordinator to obtain a list of potential plowing coaches. The list will be available after August 15, 2011.

4. Two or three furrow plow, any type, may be used.

5. Each contestant will be required to strike out and complete two additional rounds.

6. Lands will be identified in alphabetical order according to County or Region.

7. Each Queen of the Furrow Contestant has $2M liability insurance coverage while competing at the IPM but to compete at your local Branch Match you must obtain $2M liability coverage insurance.

"SCHOLARSHIP” - $5,000.00   Sponsored by Petro Partners

Each Branch Association affiliated with the Ontario Plowmen’s Association may name one or two contestants, from the area represented by their association, who have entered as a contestant for the 2011 International Plowing Match.

The Contestants so named may be entered in any class or group in the Plowing Competition and will be the first and second highest placing individuals who have been nominated by their Branch Secretary and have applied for the award. Contestants must complete the application form and also indicate on their entry form if they wish to compete for this scholarship and confirm that they meet all criteria.

The Scholarship is open to contestants who have reached their 16th birthday as of the 1st day of the IPM but have not reached their 20th birthday as of the 1st day of the IPM. Scholarship money to be used towards education at a university, college, apprenticeship or an institution approved by the Executive of the Ontario Plowmen’s Association. The presentation will be made at the Celebration of Excellence. Money will be dispersed upon proof of enrolment. Previous winners are not eligible. The Scholarship Committee will review all entries for eligibility. The winners may be required to appear at an event for Petro Canada.

Two Scholarships, $2,500.00 each, will be awarded and presented by Petro Partners at the Celebration of Excellence.

PLOWING CLASSES

For the Competition, plowing classes will be established as follows:

1. CLASS 1 - Horse & Mule Plowing
   - Any make of plow may be used.
   - Width of furrow to measure not less than 9”.
   - Jointer Plows - A jointer plow is one with a share measuring not less than 8” and with a breast measuring not less than 6”-12”. Measurements from 6”-12” from the landside of the plow to the outside of the mouldboard, from directly under the point where the top corner of the mouldboard touches the beam.
   - Depth gauges or wheels are not permitted on Jointer Plows
   - ALL Horses must have an attendant at all times.
   
   Group 1 - Jointer Plows - minimum 115 points to qualify
   Group 2 - Jointer Plows - minimum 100 points to qualify - Open to contestants not entered in Group 1
   and who have not had the highest total score in Group 2 in any previous year
   Group 3 - Sulky Plows - Minimum 110 points to qualify
   Group 4 – Sulky Plows – Minimum 100 points to qualify. First time plow persons will be in Group 4.
   
   “Three or four contestants who have advanced to Group 1 but scored low in last year’s competition may be put back into Group 2 in order to equalize the numbers.”
   The same will apply to Group 3 and 4.
    

2. CLASS 2  - Tractor - 2 or more Furrows - Mounted Plows
   - Width of furrow to measure not less than 12 “.
   
   Group 1
   - Minimum 100 points to qualify
   Contestant must have reached their 10th birthday as of the 1st day of the I.P.M. and not have reached their 16th birthday as of the 1st day of the I.P.M.
   
   Group 2
   - Minimum 120 points to qualify
   - Canadian Championship Rules will apply in Class 2 Group 2
   Contestant must have reached their 16th birthday as of the 1st day of the I.P.M. and not have reached their 20th birthday by the IPM.
   
   Group 3, 4
   Contestants to be divided into two equal groups by ages.
   - Minimum 125 points to qualify
   Contestant must have reached their 20th birthday as of the 1st day of the I.P.M.
    

3. CLASS 3 - Tractor - 3 or more Furrows, Mounted or Semi-Mounted.
   - Width of furrow to measure not less than 12”.
   
   Group 1
   Minimum 100 points to qualify Contestant must have reached their 10th  birthday as of the 1st day of the I.P.M. and not have reached their 16th birthday as of the 1st day of the I.P.M.
   
   Group 2
   Minimum 120 points to qualify
   Contestant must have reached their 16th birthday as of the 1st day of the I.P.M.
    

4. CLASS 4 - Tractor - 4 or more Furrows, Mounted, Semi- Mounted or Trailer-Tractor Plows.
   -Width of furrow to measure not less than 14”.
   
   Group 1
   - Minimum of 100 points to qualify
   - Contestant must have reached their 10th birthday as of the 1st day of the I.P.M. and not have reached their 16th birthday as of the 1st day of the I.P.M.
   
   Group 2
   - Minimum of 110 points to qualify
   Contestant must have reached their 16th birthday as of the 1st day of the I.P.M.
    

5. CLASS 5 - Ontario Championship Tractor Class
   Open to contestants from the Province of Ontario who wish to compete to be eligible to advance to the Canadian Championship Plowing Contest.
   - Trailer plows are not permitted; however, any type of mounted or semi-mounted plow may be used
   - Width of furrow to measure not less than 12”.
   
   Group 1 - Conventional Plows
   - Minimum 130 points to qualify
   - CANADIAN PLOWING RULES WILL APPLY
   
   Group 2 - Reversible Plows
   - Minimum 125 points to qualify
   - CANADIAN PLOWNG RULES WILL APPLY
    

6. CLASS 6 - Antique Tractor
   - Contestants born 1996 or earlier
   - Drag plows and tractors must be pre 1958. Plows should be of the same vintage with mechanical lift and the original manufacturer’s moldboards. Weights may be used, but riding on plows is not allowed.
   - Mounted plows and tractors must be pre 1958. Plows may be a different make than the tractor, but should be of the same vintage. Plows must have the original manufacturer’s moldboards, Length of mouldboard not more than 40’. Plows may have one straightening lever and one mechanically adjusted depth wheel. Slip links are not allowed.
   - Onus is on the contestant to provide evidence of year of manufacture and that all equipment complies with these rules.
   Finishes, see rule 17.
   First year contestants at the IPM must go into Group 2
   - Width of furrow to measure not more than 12“.
   
   Group 1 Drag plows
   Minimum of 125 points to qualify
   
   Group 2 Drag plows
   Minimum of 115 points to qualify
   
   Group 3 Mounted plows
   Minimum of 115 points to qualify
    

7. CLASS 7 - Junior Plowing – Saturday only - Horse/Tractor Plowmen
   Entry Deadline – August 31, 2011
   - In the event of a large entry, the contestants will be split into groups based on age and experience
   - All contestants must have plowed at a Branch Match in 2009, 2010 or 2011 including Junior Matches, Sodbusters, and/or 4-H Plowing Clubs
   - Competitors must be 10 - 21 years of age by January 1st of the current year.
   - Entry fee for the day will be $10.00 (includes lunch and two passes to Tented City)
   - Maximum of two competitors per tractor / plow TWO –(2) are allowed to share a tractor.
   - Any type of plow may be used
   - All IPM rules and regulations will apply to Class 7 unless otherwise stated

**In order to determine the overall winners in this class, percentages will be used.

CLASS AND GROUP WINNERS

a) Class/Group Winner and Runner-Up
The contestant earning the highest total number of points in each Group within a Class will be declared the winner of that Group. The contestant earning the second highest total number of points in each Group within a Class will be declared the Runner-Up for that Group. Winner and Runner-up must plow each day of competition to qualify.

b) Ontario Champion Horse Plow Person– Class 1
The contestant from Class I earning the highest total number of points will be declared the Ontario Champion Horse Plower. The contestant from Class 1 earning the second highest total number of points will be declared the Ontario Reserve Champion Horse Plower.

c) Junior Champion Tractor Plow Person - Class 2 Group 2
The contestant with the highest total number of points competing in Class 2 Group 2 will be declared Junior Champion Tractor Plower. The contestant earning the second highest total number of points will be declared Junior Reserve Champion Tractor Plower. Both will be eligible to compete in the Canadian Jr. Championship Competition in the following year.

d) Ontario Championship Tractor Plow Person - Class 5
The contestant in Class 5 earning the highest total number of points will be declared Ontario Champion Tractor Plower. The contestant from Class 5 earning the second highest total number of points will be declared the Reserve Ontario Champion Tractor Plower.

e) IPM Antique Champion Tractor Plow Person - Class 6
The contestant in Class 6 earning the highest total number of points will be declared IPM Antique Champion Plower. The contestant from Class 6 earning the second highest total number of points will be declared IPM Reserve Antique Champion Plower.

f) IPM Champion Tractor Plow Person - Class 2, 3, 4, 5
The contestant from Class 2, Class 3, Class 4 or Class 5 earning the highest total number of points from all days plowing will be declared the IPM Champion Tractor Plower of the 2011 International Plowing Match. The contestant from Class 2, Class 3, Class 4 or Class 5 earning the second highest total number of points from all days of plowing will be declared the IPM Reserve Champion Tractor Plower of the 2011 International Plowing Match.