RULES 2019/2020 National Ploughing Association - National Ploughing Championships

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RULES 2019/2020 National Ploughing Association - National Ploughing Championships
RULES
    National Ploughing Association

       2019/2020
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RULES 2019/2020 National Ploughing Association - National Ploughing Championships
PROGRAMME OF
PLOUGHING CLASSES 2019

TUESDAY 17th SEPTEMBER:
• 3 FURROW Conventional Senior & Junior Classes
• Under 28 Conventional Senior & Junior Plough Classes
• Under 21 Conventional Senior & Junior Plough Classes
• Under 28 Reversible Plough Class
• Intermediate Conventional Plough Class
• Intermediate Reversible Plough Class
• Vintage 2 Furrow Trailer Plough Class
• Under 40 Horse Plough Class
• Novice Reversible Plough Class
• 5 Nations Ploughing Competition (Day 1)

WEDNESDAY 18th SEPTEMBER:
• Senior Conventional Plough Class (Day 1)
• Senior Reversible Plough Class (Day 1)
• Farmerette Conventional Plough Class
• Macra 2 Furrow Conventional Plough Class
• Vintage 2 Furrow Mounted Plough Class
• Senior Horse Plough Class
• 5 Nations Ploughing Competition (Day 2)

THURSDAY 19th SEPTEMBER:
• Senior Conventional Test Match (Day 2)
• Kverneland Reversible Test Match (Day 2)
• Junior Conventional Plough Class
• Standard 3 Furrow Reversible Plough Class
• Vintage Single Furrow Mounted Plough Class
• Special Horse Plough Class
• Novice Conventional Senior, Intermediate and Junior Plough Classes
• Vintage Single Furrow Pedestrian Tractor Class
• Loy Digging                                                          2
RULES 2019/2020 National Ploughing Association - National Ploughing Championships
TIME SIGNALS
         NATIONAL PLOUGHING CONTEST

     TIME SIGNALS FOR PLOUGHING COMPETITIONS

           10.30am          All Ploughing Competitions Commence

           11.00am          Stop for Judging of Opening Split

          11.40am           Restart

           2.20pm            Ten Minute Warning Signal

           2.30pm            All Ploughing Competitions Finish

    Please note flares will no longer be used for time signals during the ploughing
    competitions as a result of health and safety issues. Fog Horns will be used this
    year for time signals so please listen carefully for them during the competition.

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RULES 2019/2020 National Ploughing Association - National Ploughing Championships
RULE CHANGES
                        NATIONAL PLOUGHING CONTEST

    Page 3
    10. Depth of Ploughing:
    Minimum depth                                                Page 12
    For all grassland........................18cms               12. Grading; (a) In the Senior Conventional Plough Class,
    For all stubble ...........................18cms             from 2019 results, no competitor will be coming down
    For each cm or part of,                                      from Senior Conventional for the next 5 years.
    less than 18cms .......................2 marks               Page 12
                                                                 12. Grading; (c) In the Junior Conventional Plough Class
    12. Extra Time: Extra time may be requested only in          the top placed competitor will be graded Intermediate
    case of a mechanical breakdown or a situation beyond         in 2020. From the 2019 results, the Junior Conventional
    the control of the competitor or the organisers. Maximum     Plough Class will be split into two classes, Junior A and
    time allowed 1 hour. Neighbouring competitor will be         Junior B, and competitors will be graded Junior A and
    allowed 10 minutes and must notify their Supervisor          Junior B by NPA Executive Committee.
    of the situation.
                                                                 Page 16
    Page 8                                                       Conditions of Novice Ploughing Development
    2. h) The top ten placed competitors (from Republic of       Programme Grant Application
    Ireland) in the Senior Conventional Class on Wednesday       17. There must be a least 3 competitors competing in
    will plough in the Senior Conventional Test match on         the Novice Conventional and Novice Reversible Classes
    Thursday. Two additional plots are reserved for Northern     at National level for the class to run.
    Ireland competitors in the Test Match (should they qualify   18. Applicable to Novice & U21 Conventional Plough
    in the top 10). If the Northern Ireland competitors do       Class Only: If a County does not have an U21 competitor
    not qualify for the Test Match – their 2 plots will revert   competing at the National Ploughing Championships,
    back to the next 2 highest placed Republic of Ireland        the runner up of the County Novice Match will be
    Competitors - meaning that 12 plots will be ploughed         allowed to go forward as the U21 competitor for
    in the Test Match.                                           the County at the National event, providing they are
                                                                 a Novice competitor from the outset, are U21 on
    Page 9                                                       1st January of competition year and that they have
    3. h) The top ten placed competitors (from Republic of       ploughed a 2nd qualifying match. If they do not place
    Ireland) in the Senior Reversible Class on Wednesday         in a prize money position in U21 Class at Nationals
    will plough in the Kverneland Reversible Test match on       then they will be allowed revert back to Novice for the
    Thursday. One additional plot is reserved for the Northern   following year. However if they do place in a prize money
    Ireland competitor in the Test Match (should they qualify    position for the U21 competition at the Nationals then
    in the top 10). If the Northern Ireland competitor does      they cannot revert back to Novice. If the runner up of
    not qualify for the Test Match – their plot will revert      the County Novice ploughs in U21 at the Nationals,
    back to the next highest placed Republic of Ireland          and is eligible to revert back to Novice the following
    Competitor - meaning that 11 plots will be ploughed in       year, their participation in the U21 class will count as
    the Test Match.                                              one of the 3 years they are allowed to plough Novice.
    (i) If competitor starts before starting time there          21. Plough Grant for Novice Classes: To apply for
    will be penalty of 5 marks.                                  this discount competitors must have sourced plough
                                                                 themselves and submit application in writing to NPA
    Page 12                                                      Executive within 6 months of the competition with all
    4. Resident: A competitor shall be a born native of          relevant documentation.
    the county for which he or she competes or shall be
    a working resident in the county for not less than 3
    months prior to the date of the qualifying contest.

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RULES 2019/2020 National Ploughing Association - National Ploughing Championships
RULES
              NATIONAL PLOUGHING CONTEST
1.   Entry: Submission of an entry will be regarded as               TIME ALLOWED FOR PLOUGHING SHALL BE
     an acceptance of all Rules and Regulations and the              3 HOURS AND 20 MINUTES FOR LEA AND
     preparedness of the competitor to observe them or               STUBBLE. THIS INCLUDES THE 30 MINUTES
     submit to penalties for breaches of same.                       FOR OPENING SPLIT.

2.   Consultants: The N.P.A. shall appoint Directors to be      6.    Helpers: A helper will be allowed to erect and re-
     known as the Consultants. To whom may be referred                move sighting poles but not allowed to wrench
     any question, or the interpretation of any rule, or              or adjust plough on headlands during contest and
     order, on the day of the Contest, and the decision               must remain outside wire. Penalty: 10 marks.
     of these Directors, or the majority of them, shall be
     final and binding on all parties. They will also inspect         In the Farmerette, Macra, Under 21 and Novice a
     ploughs on days of the Contest.                                  helper wearing an official armband may remain
                                                                      inside wire provided he/she does not go inside
3.   Misconduct: Any Competitor or known Supporter,                   scribe mark. He or she can advise, and adjust
     so misconducting himself or herself at the National,             plough, on headland only. If helper wishes to as-
     County or Parish Ploughing competitions, meetings                sist on both headlands, he/she must use the rec-
     or associated activities, as to bring discredit on the           ognised pedestrian route only. Breaches 10 marks
     Organisation, shall be reported to the Council of the            first offence, 5 marks each offence afterwards
     N.P.A. who shall take such action as may be deemed
     advisable.                                                       In the Farmerette Class and Novice, helper is also
                                                                      allowed to erect and remove sighting poles and
4.   Opening Split: In both lea and stubble ploughing,                to measure first 2 rounds of cast off only and
     competitors must make an opening split. The rip-                 lift plough on headland, for final (sole) furrow.
     plings so turned out must be well cut through and no             Opening Split must be done in this class. Helper
     land left unturned in the middle of the ridge. Thirty            must not go on ploughed ground without permis-
     minutes will be allowed for opening split when all               sion from Chief Supervisor. Penalty: 10 marks.
     ploughing must cease for 40 minutes (judging time).
     Competitor must have opening completed and his             7 (a) Horse Ploughing Only: Time allowed 4 hours.
                                                                7.
     tractor and plough outside scribe mark on headland               Middle, National Style, Furrow, black sod discon-
     when signal is sounded. Penalty for late finish of               tinued. Depth, minimum 6 inches but this does not
     Opening Split: loss of 5 marks per minute or part                apply for first or last three rounds. Horses must be
     thereof.                                                         provided by the competitors. Scribe sods are op-
                                                                      tional but in no more than two rounds and cannot
     (a) Ripplings: Rolling of ripplings with tractor are             be moved by hands or feet. Brushing of first two
     not allowed. Penalty for rolling: 10 marks.                      sods allowed but only once. Where a competitor
                                                                      has a split off 10 minutes will be allowed. Help-
5.   Sighting Poles: for sighting and setting out, three
                                                                      er allowed to erect and take down marking poles.
     poles only may be used inside wire. Anything
                                                                      Depth and Time Penalty will apply as in all other
     additional outside wire constitutes an infringement.
                                                                      classes. Last green sod to crown. Middle 10 sods.
     Penalty: 5 marks. Sighting poles must be sighted in
     line “V” where plot number is provided by N.P.A.
     Penalty: 10 marks.                                         7.(b) Total number of people on horse ploughing plot
                                                                      is maximum of 3; this is to include 1 competitor
     All Competitors must start from same end with                    and 2 helpers, one of which must remain on the
     highest number to their right hand side.                         headland.
     All Competitors must start from same end with
     highest number to their right hand side.

                                                                                                                             2
RULES
                   NATIONAL PLOUGHING CONTEST
    8. TYPE OF PLOUGH:                                               Supervisors will issue one warning only after
       (a) The type of plough is left to the discretion of           which points will be deducted for breach of any rule.
           the competitor. There will be a stipulation that          Some Rules do not carry any warning.
           the plough shall not be fitted with any extra-
           neous attachments the function of which is to         10. Depth of Ploughing:
           treat or fashion the slice after being turned by          Depth of plouging to be measured approx 10cm from
           the plough. Any extraneous attachment which is            furrow wall.
           applied upon the slice or furrow is regarded as a         Minimum depth
           subsequent tillage tool and is additional to the          For all grassland........................18cms
           plough. Only one flat tailpiece to each mould-            For all stubble ...........................18cms
           board is permitted.                                       For each cm or part of,
                                                                     less than 18cms .......................2 marks
         (b) A plough body must not be removed or                    If the competitor does not make adjustment after
             otherwise adjusted in such a way as to make             penalty being imposed, he/she is liable for an
             the plough in effect a single furrow mould-             additional penalty of 4 marks.
             board. One body may be used opening or fin-
             ishing, provided both bodies remain in position         Measuring team appointed by N.P.A. In all Classes
             as a complete two furrow mould board fitted             reduction in depth allowed during last three rounds.
             with shares, disc-coulters, skimmers. Penalty:
             10 marks.                                           11. Middle: In lea and all 2 furrow stubble classes, a
                                                                     middle shall consist of 15/16 sods. The remainder of
         (c) There is no restriction on the changing of              plot shall be split to the higher number. Depth meas-
             disc-coulters or shares for the making of the           urements must not be taken until a competitor has
             “Opening” or “Finish”.                                  completed 3 rounds (12) sods and must not be taken
                                                                     on last three rounds of furrow.
         (d) i) Use of GPS, laser beams, cameras,                    Penalty: 10 marks.
                  electronic visual aids not allowed.                In the 3/4 Stubble Classes a middle shall consist of
             ii) Use of extraneous attachments to the                17/18 sods. Penalty: 10 marks.
                 tractor that manipulate or fashion the
                 furrow not allowed.                             12. Extra Time: Extra time may be requested only in
            iii) Only 3 working ploughing wheels on                  case of a mechanical breakdown or a situation be-
                 conventional plough allowed, also 3 wheels          yond the control of the competitor or the organisers.
                 per working side in reversible.                     Maximum time allowed 1 hour. Neighbouring com-
                 Penalty: 5 Marks                                    petitor will be allowed 10 minutes and must notify
                                                                     their Supervisor of the situation.
         (e) If using a 3 furrow plough it shall be
              permissible to raise only one body. If using a 4       Competitors who have drawn end plots will not be
              furrow plough it shall be permissible to raise         allowed extra time for measuring off, but must do so
              only 2 bodies to an out-of-action position when        during the 40 minutes break while the opening splits
              ploughing the Opening Split only.                      are being judged. Helper allowed to erect and take
              Penalty: 20 marks.                                     down marking poles.

         (f) Competitors who qualify for Test Match are not          Farmerettes who have drawn end plots to measure
             obliged to use the same plough on both days.            off before contest starts or during the four hours al-
                                                                     lowed. Helper to erect and take down marking poles.

    9.       Supervisors: The N.P.A. shall appoint a Chief
             Supervisor who will brief and allocate positions
             to Supervisors on days of the Contest.
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RULES
                  NATIONAL PLOUGHING CONTEST
13. (a) Straightening: Only 2 rounds allowed on              16. Penalties:
    “Cast-Off” side, 3 markers allowed at discretion of          (a) Practising on any part of Ploughing
    competitor for each round for this purpose only. If              Championships site – Penalty 10 marks.
    more than 3 markers. Penalty: 5 marks.
                                                                 (b) Rolling of Ins and Outs – Penalty 10 marks.
    (b) A competitor may plough one round and drive on
    his/her own ploughing plot. Must not damage neigh-           (c) Competitors must enter front plough on the
    bours plot. Penalty: 5 marks.                                    scribe mark, Ploughing outside scribe mark.
                                                                     Penalty 5 marks.

14. Measuring: Where a competitor does not plough                (d) 10 marks for removing plough.
    a full plot. Penalty: 10 marks.
                                                                 (e) Practising on or damaging a
                                                                     Championship Plot – disqualification.
15. Furrow:
    (a) The final furrow will be black-sod or sole               (f) Getting down off tractor on ploughed ground
        furrow. Only one wheel mark allowed in the fur-              – where a two door tractor is in use – Penalty
        row and this must be on the cast off side. Plough            5 marks.
        wheel mark must be within tractor wheel mark.
        Any other wheel mark on the plot is a fault              (g) Footing, handling, walking on ploughing or
        and will be judged accordingly by the judges.                use of fork or spade or any other implement
                                                                     on ploughed ground, or getting off tractor on
                                                                     ploughed ground. Penalty 5 marks for each
    (b) The light sod at cast-off side of final furrow
                                                                     offence.
        should be visible from end to end. There should
        be no wheel mark on this sod except in the 3/4
                                                                 (h) A competitor may lose maximum of 50 marks
        furrow classes at the discretion of competitor. In
                                                                     for breaches of rules, plus 5 marks for every
        all classes, Penalty for faulty wheel mark: will
                                                                     minute or part there of if late finishing furrow.
        be judged accordingly by the judges.

                                                                 (i)   If competitor starts before starting time there
    (c) The black sod must be turned towards the                       will be penalty of 5 marks.
        crown or middle. Penalty: 20 marks.
                                                             17. Switching of Ploughs: Not allowed unless
    (d) Finish: A 10 minute warning signal will be               permission has been obtained from the Consultants
        given before finishing time. When the Final              or Supervisors.
        Signal is sounded, a competitor must have his
        plot fully completed and his Tractor and Plough      18. Weights: Weights will be allowed on all types of
        outside scribe mark on headland. If NOT                  ploughs in all classes.
        finished he/she will lose 5 marks for every
        minute or part of a minute he/she is late.           19. If a competitor walks across any plot before
                                                                 judging is finished, he/she will be liable for a
    (e) Competitors after entering the furrow are                penalty of 10 marks without any warning. The
        only allowed to come back to adjust plough. No           supervisor has authority to apply this penalty and in
        walking on furrow permitted when plot is                 his absence the Judge or NPA Director has authority.
        completed. Penalty: 10 marks. This rule does
        not apply to Under-21, Farmerette and Novice
        Classes.

                                                                                                                         4
RULES
                 NATIONAL PLOUGHING CONTEST
    20. Standard Reversible Class:                              26. All competitors must start ploughing from the
        In this class ploughs will be inspected before and          same end with highest number to right hand side.
        during the competition.
         •     No age limit.                                    27. FINAL DECISION
         •     Hydraulics allowed on plough.                        Any question arising and not provided for in these
         •     Hydraulic top Link allowed.                          rules will be decided by the governing Board of the
         •     Wheel allowed. Open split and ins and outs           National Ploughing Association whose decision shall
               must be done.                                        be final and binding. The NPA reserve the right to
         •     Vari-widths allowed.                                 take whatever action deemed necessary for breach
         •     No extra tail piece.                                 of any rules or regulations.
         •     No special shares.
         •     No modifications.                                28. Objections:
         •     For the purpose of the Standard Reversible           An objection must be lodged in writing to the
               Classes Number 25 body not allowed.                  Secretary of the NPA accompanied by the fee of
               Penalty: 10 marks.                                   €10 not later than one hour after the results have
                                                                    been announced. The Competitor or one person
                                                                    nominated by the County concerned may request
    21. Penalty of 25 marks will be imposed on                      a meeting with the Consultants to support his/her
        competitors who park or drive their vehicles on any         objection and the National Ploughing Executive
        part of the competition grounds. There will be an as-       Committee will make the final decision within 10
        sembly yard provided for all equipment.                     days.

    22. Competitor allowed to remove loose material
        but pulling or raking stubble not allowed.
        Penalty: 10 marks.

    23. Competitors or persons acting on their behalf,
        known to be working on their plot prior to
        the competition will be eliminated from the
        competition.

    24. Judges:
        (a) County and parish levels, one judge in
             every three can be from the County.
        (b) Judges for qualifying matches must be listed
             and be on the Panel of Judges.
        (c) Judges at national Level must have experience
             of judging at other ploughing competitions and
             be on the panel of Judges.
        (d) At National Level, if there is a Junior Judge on
           the panel of Judges he/she does not have an
           input into the results.

    25. Competitors who do not qualify from their
        County competitions cannot take part in the
        All-Ireland Ploughing Championships.

5
REVERSIBLE
                   PLOUGHING RULES
            ALL OTHER RULES APPLY WHERE APPLICABLE
1. Sighting and Setting Out                                b) Two furrow ploughs – Ploughing must commence
   a) Three sighting poles only may be used. One pole      using the left hand bodies and after completing
   may be sighted on the headland (inside the wire) of     eight furrows which shall constitute the Crown,
   the plot.                                               the competitor then proceeds to plough against the
   Penalty 5 marks.                                        neighbour with the next highest plot number.

    b) The use of plot number markers, guide lines,        c) Three furrow ploughs – Ploughing must commence
    foot-marks, stones or any guide other than the three   using the left hand bodies and after completing nine
    sighting poles is not allowed.                         furrows which shall constitute the Crown, the com-
    Penalty 5 marks.                                       petitor then proceeds to plough against the neighbour
                                                           with the next higher plot number. Penalty 10 marks.
    c) Competitors may have assistance to place and
    remove the sighting poles. No other assistance         d) On completion of the Crown the competitor then
    allowed during the contest. Penalty 10 marks.          ploughs all the land between the next competitors
                                                           plot and his scratch mark, thus completing the butts.
2. OPENING FURROW
   a) In reversible Ploughing competitors must make a      e) i) Competitors must use all plough bodies
   single opening furrow at the setting out.                     when Ploughing the finishing furrows. It is
                                                                 allowed to use only one plough body when
    b) The opening furrow is a single furrow ploughed            Ploughing the connecting furrow.
    from the start using the rear right-body.
                                                               ii) Two furrow ploughs – the finishing
    c) Time allowed for the completion of the opening              furrows shall be the remaining 19 or 20 fur-
    furrow – 30 minutes.                                           rows between the butts and the finishing
                                                                   furrow, including the connecting furrow. All
    d) Failure to complete the opening furrow in the               competitors must make 10 runs to conclude
    permitted time will be penalized. Penalty loss of 5            the finishing furrows. The connecting furrow
    marks per minute or part thereof.                              may be ploughed showing one or two furrows
                                                                   but with all bodies in a working position. No
3. METHOD OF PLOUGHING                                             further single furrows across the whole field
   a) Scratch mark for butts – this scratch mark                   are permitted. Penalty 5 marks.
   must be made whilst the opening furrow is being
   judged. The scratch mark for the butts should be
   made parallel to the opening furrow to allow 19
   or 20 furrows for two furrow ploughs or 20 or 21
   furrows for three furrow ploughs from the open-
   ing furrow to the butts. Three sighting poles may
   be used for making the scratch mark. Assistance
   is allowed to place and remove the sighting poles.
   No handling or rolling of the scratch allowed.
   Either left or right hand bodies may be used for
   making the scratch mark.

                                                                                                                   6
REVERSIBLE
                        PLOUGHING RULES
            iii) Three furrow ploughs – the finishing
                 furrows shall be the remaining 20 or 21                  EXPLANATORY NOTES ON THE
                 furrows between the butts and the finish-               REVERSIBLE PLOUGHING RULES
                 ing furrow, including the connecting fur-     THE OPENING FURROW – Reversible Ploughing: The depth
                 row. All competitors must make 7 runs to      of the scratch should be such that the furrow slice is cut
                 conclude the finishing furrows. The con-      completely free from the under-soil surface throughout the
                 necting furrow may be ploughed showing        whole length of the opening furrow. The scratch should be
                 two or three furrows but with all bodies      straight, neat and uniform in it’s whole length.
                 in a working position. No further single
                 furrow (two bodies in work) across the        THE CROWN/START – Reversible Ploughing:
                 whole field are permitted. Penalty 5 marks.   All land must be cut through. The first furrow of the crown
                                                               should be turned into the opening furrow and the cut edge
          f) Attachments are not allowed when ploughing        of the furrow should be level with the cut edge of the
             the connecting furrow. Penalty 5 marks.           opening. The furrows in the crown should conform with the
                                                               rest of the ploughing.
          g) The competitor then starts at the scratch
            mark for the butts and ploughs to a fin-           WEED CONTROL:
            ish at the cut of the opening furrow. Sight-       A All stubble and grass must be completely
            ing poles or any other guide are not allowed          buried beneath the furrows.
            when ploughing the connecting furrow at the
            scratch mark for the butts. Penalty 5 marks.       B   The ploughing should be done in such a
                                                                   way that all roots are cut or torn off.
          h) The final furrow should be cut close to the
             opening furrow. There should be no land left      C   Skimmers must be used.
             unploughed and no part of the first furrow
             of the start re-ploughed. The first furrow and    SEED BED:
             the final furrow should be the same height.       Furrows should be properly turned so that sufficient soil is
                                                               made available to produce a seed bed without pulling
         i) Only one tractor wheel mark allowed at the         stubble or grass to the surface in the future cultivations.
            finish. Plough wheel mark must be within
            tractor wheel mark. Any other wheel mark on        THE FINISH – Reversible Ploughing:
            the plot is a fault and will be judged             The final furrows adjoining the crown/start should be of
            accordingly by the judges.                         equal height to the crown and there should be no
                                                               unploughed or reploughed land.
          j) Alternative bodies must be used at all times
             when ploughing plot.                              INS AND OUTS:
                                                               The front share should enter the ground at the headland
          k) Idle runs are not permitted.                      scratch mark and the rear share should leave the ground at
             Penalty – 10 marks per run.                       the headland scratch mark.

    4. FINAL DECISION                                          GENERAL APPEARANCE:
       Any question arising and not provided for in these      A All furrows in the plot should be straight, clearly
       rules will be decided by the Governing Board of the        defined, uniform and well turned with good weed
       National Ploughing Association whose decision shall        control.
       be final and binding.                                   B Faulty ploughing done by the neighbouring
                                                                  competitor should be corrected in the first and second
                                                                  runs adjoining the neighbours plot. The tractor must not
                                                                  be driven on the ploughed land.

7
RULES PER
            PLOUGHING CLASSES 2019
1. ONE COMPETITOR / ONE CLASS                                      g) The top ten placed competitors (from Republic
   One Competitor / one class.                                        of Ireland) in the Senior Conventional Class on
                                                                      Wednesday will plough in the Senior Conventional
    Exemption to this is as follows;                                  Test match on Thursday. Two additional plots are
    A) Senior Conventional & Senior Reversible                        reserved for Northern Ireland competitors in the
      Classes.                                                        Test Match (should they qualify in the top 10). If
                                                                      the Northern Ireland competitors do not qualify
    B) Qualifications from the Under 28 Conventional /                for the Test Match – their 2 plots will revert back
       Reversible, Intermediate Conventional / Reversible             to the next 2 highest placed Republic of Ireland
       to the Senior Class on Wednesday.                              Competitors - meaning that 12 plots will be
                                                                      ploughed in the Test Match.
    C) Qualifications from the Senior Conventional /
       Reversible to Test Match on Thursday.                        h) From the National Ploughing Championships
                                                                      Results 2019, the Competitor with the high-
    D) Horse Classes.                                                 est combined marks form the Senior Conven-
                                                                      tional Class on Wednesday and the Senior
    E) Visitors Classes.                                              Conventional Test Match on Thursday (from Rep. of
                                                                      Ireland) will be NATIONAL SENIOR CONVENTIONAL
2. SENIOR CONVENTIONAL                                                CHAMPION.
    (Senior, Intermediate, Junior Grade)
    a) Individual ploughman/woman is graded according               i) The Competitor with the highest combined marks
       to where they ploughed in 2018 or according to if               form the Senior Conventional Class on
       they are subject to regrading from 2018 NPC results.            Wednesday and the Senior Conventional Test
                                                                       Match on Thursday (from Rep. of Ireland) will
    b) 3 competitors per County permitted over the                     qualify for the World Contest 2020 in RUSSIA.
       3 classes - Junior, Intermediate & Senior. 4
       competitors (at least) must plough in Senior Class-            The 2nd & 3rd placed competitors with the
       es at County level if a 3rd competitor is to qualify.          highest combined marks from the Senior
       In weaker Counties where there are only 2 or 3 to              Conventional Class on Wednesday and the
       plough the max number will be allowed to go to the             Senior Conventional Test Match on Thursday (from
       All-Ireland once application and approval is received          Rep. of Ireland) will qualify to go to the Northern
       from NPA.                                                      Ireland Competition.

    c) If a competitor does not qualify 1st, 2nd or 3rd in          j) No age limit in this class.
       the county qualifying matches 2018/2019 then he/
       she not eligible to plough in NPC 2019.                  3. SENIOR REVERSIBLE
                                                                   (Senior, Intermediate Grade)
    d) If a competitor returns to plough after number of           a) Individual ploughman/woman is graded
       year’s absence he/she will plough at their last grade.         according to where they ploughed in 2018 or ac-
                                                                      cording to if they are subject to regrading from
    e) Competitors qualifying for All Ireland Ploughing               2018 NPC results.
       Championships must have competed in a minimum
       of two matches (exemption Novice Plough Class).              b) 3 competitors per County permitted over the
                                                                       2 classes - Intermediate & Senior. 4
    f) The top two placed competitors in the Intermediate              competitors (at least) must plough in Senior
       Conventional Class (from the Republic of Ireland)               Classes at County level if a 3rd competitor is to
       and the top two placed competitors in the Under                 qualify. In weaker Counties where there are only 2
       28 Conventional Class-Senior Grade (from the Re-                or 3 to plough the max number will be allowed to
       public of Ireland not including non ROI competitors)            go to the All-Ireland once application and approv-
       will qualify for the Senior Conventional Class on               al is received from NPA.
       Wednesday.
                                                                    c) If a competitor does not qualify 1st, 2nd or 3rd in
                                                                       the county qualifying matches 2018/2019 then
                                                                       he/she not eligible to plough in NPC 2019.            8
RULES PER
            PLOUGHING CLASSES 2019
    d) If a competitor returns to plough after number of           l) This competition is restricted to 2/3 furrow ploughs.
       year’s absence he/she will plough at their last
       grade.                                                  4. UNDER 28 REVERSIBLE
                                                                  a) County may enter two competitors in this
                                                                     class - NO GRADING
    e) If a competitor is a newcomer he/she will enter
       at Intermediate Grade.                                      b) Competitors in this class must be under 28 years
                                                                      of age on the 1st January of the competition year.
    f) Competitors qualifying for All Ireland
       Ploughing Championships must have competed                  c) Competitors qualifying for All Ireland Ploughing
       in a minimum of two matches (exemption Novice                  Championships must have competed in a mini-
       Plough Class).                                                 mum of two matches.

                                                                   d) The top two placed competitors in the U-28
    g) The top two placed competitors in the                          Reversible Class (from the Republic of Ireland) will
       Intermediate Reversible Class (from the Republic               qualify for the Senior Reversible Class on Wednes-
       of Ireland) and the top two placed competitors in              day.
       the U-28 Reversible Class (from the Republic of
       Ireland) will qualify for the Senior Reversible Class       e) This competition is restricted to 2/3 furrow
       on Wednesday.                                                  ploughs.

    h) The top ten placed competitors (from Republic of        5. UNDER 28 CONVENTIONAL
       Ireland) in the Senior Reversible Class on Wednes-         a) County may enter only one competitor in this
                                                                     class.
       day will plough in the Kverneland Reversible Test
       match on Thursday. One additional plot is reserved          b) Competitors in this class must be over 21 years
       for the Northern Ireland competitor in the Test                of age and under 28 years of age on the 1st
       Match (should they qualify in the top 10). If the              January of the competition year. Exception: Where
       Northern Ireland competitor does not qualify for               a County has two U21 and no U28
       the Test Match – their plot will revert back to the            competitor – one can enter this class.
       next highest placed Republic of Ireland Compet-
       itor - meaning that 11 plots will be ploughed in            c) Competitors qualifying for All Ireland Ploughing
                                                                      Championships must have competed in a mini-
       the Test Match.                                                mum of two matches.
    i) From the National Ploughing Championships                   d) The top two placed competitors in the Under 28
       Results 2019, the Competitor with the highest                  Conventional Class-Senior Grade (from the Re-
       combined marks form the Senior Reversible Class                public of Ireland) will qualify for the Senior Con-
       on Wednesday and the Kverneland Reversible Test                ventional Class on Wednesday.
       Match on Thursday will be NATIONAL SENIOR
                                                                   e) This class is confined to competitors who have
       REVERSIBLE CHAMPION.                                           not yet won an All-Ireland title in Senior,
                                                                      Intermediate or Junior 2 Furrow Tractor Class.
    j) The Competitor with the highest combined marks
       form the Senior Reversible Class on Wednesday           6. UNDER 21 CONVENTIONAL
       and the Kverneland Reversible Test Match on                a) County may enter only one competitor in this
       Thursday (from Rep. of Ireland) will qualify for the          class.
       World Contest 2020 in RUSSIA.
                                                                   b) Competitors in this class must be under 21 years
                                                                      of age on the 1st January of the competition year.
       The 2nd & 3rd placed competitors with the
       highest combined marks from the Senior
       Reversible Class on Wednesday and the Kverne-               c) Competitors qualifying for All Ireland Ploughing
                                                                      Championships must have competed in a mini-
       land Reversible Test Match on Thursday (from
                                                                      mum of two matches.
       Rep. of Ireland) will qualify to go to the European
       Reversible Competition.
                                                                   d) This class is confined to competitors who have
                                                                      not yet won an All-Ireland title in Senior,
    k) There is no age limit in this class.
                                                                      Intermediate or Junior 2 Furrow Tractor Class.

9
RULES PER
          PLOUGHING CLASSES 2019

7.   3 FURROW SENIOR & JUNIOR (previously 3                10. NOVICE 2 FURROW CONVENTIONAL / REVERSIBLE
     Furrow Match & Standard 3 Furrow)                         a) County may enter one competitor in the
     a) County may enter only one competitor in this              Conventional Class and one Competitor in the
        class.                                                    Reversible Class.

     b) Competitors qualifying for All Ireland Ploughing       b) Competitors in this class must be under 35
        Championships must have competed in a                     years of age on the 1st January of the
        minimum of two matches                                    competition year.

8. STANDARD 3 FURROW REVERSIBLE                                c) This class is confined to first time competitors
   a) County may enter only one competitor in this                who have not yet competed for an All-Ireland title.
      class.                                                      Exception: A competitor can compete in the Novice
                                                                  Class a maximum of three years, however if he/she
     b) This competition is restricted to standard 3              wins the National Novice Class, he/she is excluded
        furrow reversible ploughs.                                from competing again.

     c) Previous competitors at National level not             d) National Novice Class is limited to 2 Furrow
        eligible for Standard 3 Furrow Reversible,                Conventional / Reversible.
        exempt Macra.
                                                           11. FARMERETTE
     d) A competitor may win this class a maximum of           a) County may enter only one competitor in this
        3 times, then he / she must opt out.                      class.

     e) Competitors qualifying for All Ireland Ploughing       b) Competitors qualifying for All Ireland Ploughing
        Championships must have competed in a                     Championships must have competed in a
        minimum of two matches.                                   minimum of two matches.

9. MACRA                                                   12. VINTAGE
   a) County / Region may enter only one competitor            a) County may enter only one competitor per
      in this class.                                              Vintage Class (3 classes).

     b) Competitor has the option of using a match or      13. UNDER 40 HORSE, SENIOR HORSE, SPECIAL
        standard plough.                                       HORSE CLASSES
                                                               a) Competitors in the UNDER 40 CLASS must be
     c) Competitor can not have previously represented            under 40 on the 1st of January of the competition
        their County at National Level.                           year.

     d) Competitor can enter this competition as many          b) In the Senior Horse Class, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, placed
        times as they wish, but once they win the                 competitors are not eligible to compete in the Spe-
        National Macra Class twice, they are no longer            cial Horse Class on Thursday.
        eligible to take part in this class.
                                                               c) A County can enter 2 Horse competitors for each
     e) Competitors qualifying for All Ireland Ploughing          class.
        Championships must have competed in a
        minimum of two matches.
                                                                                                                        10
RULES PER
               PLOUGHING CLASSES 2019

         d) Competitors qualifying for All Ireland Ploughing
            Championships must have competed in a
            minimum of two matches.

     14. VISITORS
         a) Two competitors from Northern Ireland will be
            accepted in the Senior Conventional Class and one
            competitor from Northern Ireland into The Senior Re-
            versible Class.

         b) Competitors taking part in another class can
            carry their marks from that class to the Visitors Class.

11
REGULATIONS & CONDITIONS
              NATIONAL PLOUGHING CONTEST
1.a Membership of the NPA Ltd., As                         11. Method of Judging: The Judge shall assess the
    shall be prescribed from time to time by Articles of       quality of the ploughing in accordance with the
    Association of N.P.A. Ltd.                                 method of scoring as decided upon and required by
                                                               the N.P.A.
1.b A person is only permitted to be a member of
    one ploughing club. He/She may however be a            12. Grading:
    member of a club and a county association.                  Based on individual merit and performance.
                                                               (a) In the Senior Conventional Plough Class, from
2. Venue: The venue of the National Ploughing                      2019 results, no competitor will be coming down
   Championships shall be selected by the Directors of             from Senior for the next five years.
   the N.P.A. Ltd.
                                                               (b) In the Intermediate Conventional Plough Class
3. The Directors of the N.P.A. reserve the right to               the top placed competitor will be graded Senior in
   alter, amend, delete or add to the Rules at their              2020 and the last placed competitor will go
   discretion at any time, except during the four weeks           Junior A in 2020.
   preceeding or during the Championships.
                                                               (c) In the Junior Conventional Plough Class the top
4. Resident: A competitor shall be a born native of                placed competitor will be graded Intermediate in
   the county for which he or she competes or shall be             2020. From the 2019 results, the Junior Conven-
   working resident in the county for not less than 3              tional Plough Class will be split into two classes,
   months prior to the date of the qualifying contest.             Junior A and Junior B, and competitors will be
                                                                   graded Junior A and Junior B by NPA Executive
5. Age: No competitor under the age of 16 is                       Committee.
   permitted to plough in a match or be present on the
   plot run under NPA rules. Competitors taking part in        (d) In the Senior Reversible Plough Class, the last
   tractor ploughing must have a driving licence.                  placed competitor will be graded
                                                                   Intermediate in 2020.
6. Identification: Competitors must display
   identification stickers which are provided.                 (e) In the Intermediate Reversible Plough Class the
                                                                   top placed competitor will be graded Senior in
7. Judges: The Directors of the N.P.A. shall select                2020.
   the Judges.
                                                               (f) All other competitors who compete at the
8.a Draw for Plots: Drawing for plots shall be                     2019 All Ireland are graded at the grade they
    conducted each year by the Managing Director of                ploughed in.
    N.P.A.
                                                               (g) If a competitor does not qualify 1st, 2nd or 3rd
8.b At National Championships – no competitor is                    in the county qualifying matches 2019/20 then
    permitted to change plot unless a decision is made              he/she is not eligible to plough in NPC 2020.
    to do so by the NPA consultants.
                                                               (h) If a competitor does not plough for a number
9. Cups and Trophies: Will be presented to the                     of years and returns to plough his/her grade will
   winners at Competitor’s Banquet on Sunday 13th                  be what he/she was last graded.
   October 2019, Mount Wolseley Hotel, Carlow. Cash
   Prizes will be sent by post one month after the             (i) UNDER 28 CONVENTIONAL SENIOR & JUNIOR,
   Championships.                                                  UNDER 21 CONVENTIONAL SENIOR & JUNIOR
                                                                   Graded by County
10. Bonds: The custody of any Perpetual Cup or Trophy              Grading for Under 21 Conventional for 2020 NPC
    may be given to a successful competitor (or his                from 2019 results; Last placed County in Senior
    representative) who shall provide such security as             will be graded Junior. Top placed County in Junior
    may be demanded for the return of such Cup or                  will be graded Senior.
    Trophy in good condition, or its value when                    Grading for Under 28 Conventional for 2020 NPC
    requested by the National Ploughing Association.               from 2019 results; Last placed County in Senior
                                                                   will be graded Junior. Top placed County in Junior
                                                                   will be graded Senior.                                12
REGULATIONS & CONDITIONS
                       NATIONAL PLOUGHING CONTEST
         (j) Grading when a competitor is no longer eligible          qualify for the Test Match – their 2 plots will
             to plough U-28 Conventional:                             revert back to the next 2 highest placed Republic
             • Under 28 Conv. – Senior grade - when no                of Ireland Competitors - meaning that 12 plots
                longer eligible will be graded Intermediate           will be ploughed in the Test Match.
                Conventional.
             • Under 28 Conv. – Junior grade - when no                From the National Ploughing Championships
                                                                      Results 2019, the Competitor with the high-
                longer eligible will be graded Junior
                                                                      est combined marks form the Senior Conven-
                Conventional.                                         tional Class on Wednesday and the Senior
                                                                      Conventional Test Match on Thursday (from Rep. of
         (k) Grading when a competitor is no longer eligible          Ireland) will be NATIONAL SENIOR CONVENTIONAL
             to plough U-28 Reversible:                               CHAMPION.
             • Will be graded Intermediate Reversible.
                                                                      The Competitor with the highest combined
         (l) 3 FURROW Senior & Junior (previously 3                   marks form the Senior Conventional Class on
                 Furrow Match & Standard 3 Furrow)                    Wednesday and the Senior Conventional Test
                 Graded by County                                     Match on Thursday (from Rep. of Ireland) will
                 Grading from 2019 results for NPC 2020,              qualify for the World Contest 2020 in Russia.
                 bottom County in Senior will be graded
                 Junior and top County in Junior will be              The 2nd & 3rd placed competitors with the
                                                                      highest combined marks from the Senior
                 graded Senior.
                                                                      Conventional Class on Wednesday and the
                                                                      Senior Conventional Test Match on Thursday (from
     13.(a) Selection of Competitors For National Event:              Rep. of Ireland) will qualify to go to the Northern
            Counties will have the right to arrange their own         Ireland Competition.
            classes. Competitors securing highest marks in
            the County shall be selected to represent their           The winner of the Intermediate Conventional
            county.                                                   Plough Class will qualify to go to the 5 Nations.

        (b) At County/Club level a competitor must declare        b) Where the county has no Under-28
            what class he/she is competing in before                 Competitor the Under-21 competitor is
            competition season starts. Competitor can only           allowed to compete in the Under-28 and to revert
            declare one class for the entire ploughing season.       back to Under-21 if he/she so wishes.

                                                                  c) For both the Senior Conventional Test Match and
        (c) In order to qualify for National Ploughing
                                                                     the Kverneland Reversible Test Match on Thursday,
            Championships competitors must compete in                in the event that the top two placed competitors in
            a minimum two matches. This applies to ALL               the U28 and in the Intermediate do not wish to go
            classes, except Novice.                                  forward to the Test Match the option is not open
                                                                     for 3rd place competitor.
        (d) Competitors qualifying for All Ireland must be
            paid up members of Affiliated Club or County.         d) Tractors parked just outside ploughing is
                                                                     unacceptable. All tractors should be parked back at
     14.a) NATIONAL SENIOR CONVENTIONAL CHAMPION:                    rope/twine when Ploughing is finished.
           All Senior Competitors plough on Wednesday as
           well as the top two placed competitors from Re-
           public of Ireland in the U28 Conventional Plough
           Class and the top two from the Republic of Ire-
           land in the Intermediate Conventional Plough
           Class.

            The top ten placed competitors (from Republic
            of Ireland) in the Senior Conventional Class on
            Wednesday will plough in the Senior Convention-
            al Test match on Thursday. Two additional plots
            are reserved for Northern Ireland competitors in
            the Test Match (should they qualify in the top 10).
            If the Northern Ireland competitors do not
13
REGULATIONS & CONDITIONS
                 NATIONAL PLOUGHING CONTEST
15. Scale of Marks for U-21, 3 Furrow, Macra, Vintage,                            16. In the event of a tie all aspects of middles and
    Farmerette, Junior and for Conventional - Senior,                                 furrows, in all classes, will be totalled and
    Intermediate, Under 28, and Novice Championship.
                                                                                      competitors gaining highest combined marks for
    OPENING SPLIT                                                                     middles and furrows will be placed in order of merit.
    • Neatness - Cut Through
      Uniformity of Furrows..................................10 marks             17. Religious beliefs be adhered to and if Sunday
    • Straightness....................................................10 marks        Ploughing is not acceptable to all denominations,
    MIDDLE                                                                            it should not be held. If this rule is violated, no
    • Uniformity of Furrows.................................10 marks                  competitors will be accepted from that county at the
    • Weed Control.................................................10 marks           National Championships.
    • Straightness....................................................10 marks
    GENERAL WORK                                                                  18. Reversible Classes: Three grades: Under-28 on the
    • Skimming.........................................................10 marks       1st January of competition year. Senior and
    • Packing and Firmness...................................10 marks
    • Soil made available (Flesh).........................10 marks                    Intermediate Reversible open to any age.
    • Uniformity.......................................................10 marks
    • Straightness....................................................10 marks        A    National Senior Reversible Champion:
    FURROW                                                                                 All Senior competitors plough on Wednesday
    • Uniformity of Furrows.................................10 marks                       as well as the top two placed competitors from
    • Weed Control.................................................10 marks                the Republic of Ireland in the U28 Reversible
    • Straightness....................................................10 marks             Plough Class and the top two from the Republic
                                                                                           of Ireland in the Intermediate Reversible Plough
    INS AND OUTS.....................................................10 marks
                                                                                           Class.
    GENERAL APPEARANCE
    All aspects and workmanship clearly                                                    The top ten placed competitors (from Repub-
    defined and uniform furrows..........................10 marks                          lic of Ireland) in the Senior Reversible Class on
                                                                                           Wednesday will plough in the Kverneland Re-
    GROSS TOTAL............................................. 150 marks                     versible Test match on Thursday. One additional
                                                                                           plot is reserved for Northern Ireland competitor
    MARKS FOR HORSE CLASS                                                                  in the Test Match (should they qualify in the top
                                                                                           10). If the Northern Ireland competitor does not
    MIDDLE
    • Uniformity of Furrows.................................10 marks                       qualify for the Test Match – their plot will revert
    • Weed Control.................................................10 marks                back to the next highest placed Republic of Ire-
    • Straightness....................................................10 marks             land Competitor - meaning that 11 plots will be
    GENERAL WORK                                                                           ploughed in the Test Match.
    • Skimming.........................................................10 marks
    • Packing and Firmness...................................10 marks                      From the National Ploughing Championships
    • Soil made available (Flesh).........................10 marks
    • Uniformity.......................................................10 marks            Results 2019, the Competitor with the highest
    • Straightness....................................................10 marks             combined marks form the Senior Reversible
                                                                                           Class on Wednesday and the Kverneland Revers-
    FURROW
    • Uniformity of Furrows.................................10 marks                       ible Test Match on Thursday will be NATIONAL
    • Weed Control.................................................10 marks                SENIOR REVERSIBLE CHAMPION.
    • Straightness....................................................10 marks
                                                                                           The Competitor with the highest combined
    INS AND OUTS.....................................................10 marks              marks form the Senior Reversible Class on
                                                                                           Wednesday and the Kverneland Reversible Test
    GENERAL APPEARANCE                                                                     Match on Thursday (from Rep. of Ireland) will
    All aspects and workmanship clearly
    defined and uniform furrows..........................10 marks                          qualify for the World Contest 2020 in RUSSIA.

    GROSS TOTAL............................................. 130 marks
                                                                                                                                                 14
REGULATIONS & CONDITIONS
                      NATIONAL PLOUGHING CONTEST
             The 2nd & 3rd placed competitors with the
             highest combined marks from the Senior
             Reversible Class on Wednesday and the Kver-
             neland Reversible Test Match on Thursday
             (from Rep. of Ireland) will qualify to go to the
             European Reversible Competition.

             The 4th placed competitor with the highest
             combined marks, overall, from the Senior
             Reversible Class on Wednesday and the
             Kverneland Reversible Test Match on Thursday
             (from Republic of Ireland) will qualify to go to
             go to Northern Ireland.

             The winner of the Intermediate Reversi-
             ble Plough Class will qualify to go to the 5
             Nations.

         B   In the event of a tie, the marks for the Crown
             and Straightness of Crown, and the marks for
             the finishing Furrow and Straightness of
             finishing Furrow to be totalled. If still a tie
             plough-off to be arranged.

         C   Under-28 Reversible competitor can compete
             in Senior Reversible and then revert back to
             Under-28 Reversible Class.

         D   Pressers at same angle as Mouldboard.
             Diagram as for reversible.

     19. Competitors are permitted to go on only one
         International Ploughing Competition trip in the
         year.

15
CONDITIONS OF NOVICE
               PLOUGHING DEVELOPMENT
            PROGRAMME GRANT APPLICATION
(Must be adhered to)
1.   Entries to Novice Class must be first time com-       13. The National Novice Class is limited to 2 Furrow
     petitors – exemption a competitor can compete in          Conventional / Reversible but County Novice
     the novice class a maximum of 3 years. However            Match is open to conventional / reversible and
     if he/she wins National Novice class, he/she is ex-       standard classes.
     cluded from competing again.

2.   Match is confined to youths not over 35 years of      14. Novice competitors may plough in any County
     age on 1st January of the competition year                Match for practice purposes only – no points are
     (and over 16 with a valid tractor driving licence).       awarded to competitor and practice matches do
                                                               not contribute to qualification for National Novice
3.   One can only compete in Novice Match Pro-                 Class at National event.
     gramme for a maximum of 3 years.
                                                           15. The winner of County Novice Conventional Class
4.   Counties must have at least 3 competitors in the          will qualify for All-Ireland where class will be
     Novice Ploughing competition, this can be a mix           graded Senior, Intermediate & Junior (pending
     of conventional and reversible competitors. Only          number of entries). The NPA Executive Commit-
     one of these competitors must be competing for            tee will decide grading.
     the first time. Counties can have any number of
     additional competitors after this, following rule     16. The winner of County Novice Reversible Class will
     no. 1 and 3 above.                                        qualify for All-Ireland where class will be graded
                                                               by NPA Executive Committee pending number of
5.   Entries in the Novice match must be different en-         entries.
     tries than those in the Macra Class.
                                                           17. There must be a least 3 competitors competing in
6.   The Novice Match can be run by a County Plough-           the Novice Conventional and Novice Reversible
     ing Association or a Club designated by the Coun-         Classes at National level for the class to run.
     ty Association and a grant of €500 will be paid
     by NPA on receipt of completed Grant Application      18. Applicable to Novice & U21 Conventional
     Form, breakdown of how €500 was spent on the              Plough Class Only: If a County does not have
     Novice Match and submission of match score-               an U21 competitor competing at the National
     sheet.                                                    Ploughing Championships, the runner up of the
                                                               County Novice Match will be allowed to go for-
7.   A county can also apply for a €100 grant towards          ward as the U21 competitor for the County at the
     visiting Judges. Novice Judges Claim Form must            National event, providing they are a Novice com-
     be completed by visiting Judges on day of match,          petitor from the outset, are U21 on 1st January
     signed by Co. Chairman / Sec. and returned to NPA         of competition year and that they have ploughed
     with Novice Grant Application Form. Grant will be         a 2nd qualifying match. If they do not place in
     sent directly from NPA to visiting Judges.                a prize money position in U21 Class at Nationals
                                                               then they will be allowed revert back to Novice
8.   Judges must be from outside the County.                   for the following year. However if they do place
                                                               in a prize money position for the U21 competi-
9.   Novice Match must be held on a separate day               tion at the Nationals then they cannot revert back
     from Club/County matches.                                 to Novice. If the runner up of the County Novice
                                                               ploughs in U21 at the Nationals, and is eligible
10. All clubs in the County must be given ample notice         to revert back to Novice the following year, their
    of the match and invited to send competitors.              participation in the U21 class will count as one of
                                                               the 3 years they are allowed to plough Novice.
11. All tractors used must display valid insurance disc.

12. Competitors must have a Tractor Driving Licence
    and present it on the day of competition.
                                                                                                                     16
CONDITIONS OF NOVICE
                    PLOUGHING DEVELOPMENT
                 PROGRAMME GRANT APPLICATION
     19. Applicable to Novice 2 Furrow Conventional Only:              Senior, Intermediate & Junior Grades towards a new
         The winner of the 2 Furrow Conventional National              plough or demo match plough only bought through
         Novice Classes (Senior, Intermediate & Junior) at             the NPA. If the competitor does not wish to avail
         the National Ploughing Championships will qual-               of the discount his/her county can choose to draw
         ify for the following years U21/U28 Class in the              down the discount.
         respective grade if they finish as runner-up in the
         qualifiers within their county, along with the county         Alternatively
         winner resulting in 2 competitors from that county            A €1,000 grant (excluding VAT) towards the purc-
         in that class for that year only. However if the 2 Fur-       hase of a second-hand plough. To apply for this
         row Conventional National Novice Winner wins the              discount competitors must have sourced plough
         U21/U28 class in their county they will automati-             themselves and submit application in writing to
         cally go through to the National Ploughing Cham-              NPA Executive within 6 months of the competition
         pionships as the only competitor from their county            with all relevant documentation. On receipt of ap-
         eligible to plough in that class at the All Ireland.          plication it will be reviewed by NPA Executive who
         This opportunity is only open to the winners of the           will carry out necessary inspections and make final
         National Novice Classes and cannot be passed on to            decision on whether plough is eligible for €1000
         runner-ups in National Novice Classes should the              discount or not.
         winners be over-age.
                                                                   22. The second and third highest placed competitors in
     20. At 2019 All Ireland, Conventional Novice Classes              the National Novice classes will receive a medal.
         will take place on Thursday, and Reversible Novice
         Classes will take place on Tuesday.                       23. Counties organizing Novice matches may apply to
                                                                       NPA for a grant of €1,500, over 3 years, towards the
     21. Plough Grant for Novice Classes                               purchase of a plough for county use, in addition to
         A €1,500 discount (excluding VAT) to winner of                the current €500 Novice Grant available.

17
VINTAGE PLOUGHING
                           RULES 2019
         As drawn up by the Vintage Ploughing Association, and in compliance with NPA.
1. Competitors in All Ireland Competitions must be                 11. PLOUGHS MUST BE IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION,
   paid up members of the V.P.A.I.                                     BOARDS TOTALLY RUST FREE (BRIGHT/SHINNING).

2. Competitors must qualify from their own County.                 12. Depth: Minimum depth of two furrow 6 inches,
   Minimum of one score sheet from own Coun-                           single furrow 5 inches in stubble and 5” and 4” in
   ty must be used. Four official R.O.I score sheets                   grassland.
   must be submitted for selection purposes. Ex-
   ecutive comm. have power to overrule on this                    13. Opening split is compulsory in stubble only in the
   if extra plots are available and competitor may                     Two Furrow Mounted and Two Furrow Trailer
   have less than 4 sheets through no fault of his.                    Classes. In the Single Furrow Class no scribe or
                                                                       scribing is allowed.
3. Ploughs must be to original specification; boards
   must not exceed 45” (1145mm) from the tip of the                14. Adjustable or snap top links are allowed in the
   point to rear of board or be not more than 11.5”                    Two Furrow Mounted Class. Hydraulic top links not
   (292mm) high (If larger board used can be proven                    allowed.
   vintage its ok. otherwise penalties will be incurred).
                                                                   15. In the Single Furrow Class, brushing of the two
4. Tail knives are allowed cutting at right angles to                  front sods is optional and only allowed in one round.
   the sod, (max length 71/4 inches) behind the board).
   Std extensions to boards allowed but must be                    16. Reversible or larger disc coulters can be used. These
   of original manufacturers design and 71/4 inch-                     may be adjustable from side to side (not rigid) on
   es max behind board. (Original flat tailpieces).                    single furrow.

5. Sliding or adjustable drawbar on tractor is allowed             17. Tractors must be insured to plough at ploughing
   (trailer                                       class).              matches. The driver must be over 16 years of age
                                                                       and have a current drivers licence and must be
6. Tractors and Ploughs will be inspected before and                   insured to drive the tractor at Ploughing Match-
   during the competition and any extraneous                           es. THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO HAVE IN
   items of equipment not supplied by manufac-                         PLACE. YOU MAY BE ASKED FOR SAME AT MATCH.
   turer of tractor or plough or devices not re-
   garded as original will incur penalty points.                   18. The Single Furrow Class is now confined to a
                                                                       Farmhall Club Size class i.e. the tractor must be
7. Points may be fabricated if no supplier is available                under 16 HP and the plough must be original not a
   but must remain as close to the original as possible in size.       cut down plough.

8. 30 minutes to be allowed in the event of a                      19. Land wheels must be no wider than 4” (102mm)
   breakdown, or a replacement vintage tractor                         and cannot have a marking disc fitted; move-
   may be used, but the plough cannot be changed.                      ment of the Land wheel towards and away from
                                                                       the plough is allowed (2 Furrow Mounted only).
9. Tractors must be pre-1960 be TVO or diesel or
   single cylinder diesel and must be presented in                 20. Hillside levers or adjusters on the lower link arms
   rally condition.                                                    are not allowed. Stabiliser Bars and Stabiliser
                                                                       Chains are allowed.
10. Diesel tractors in manufacture up to 31st Dec.
   1959 will qualify now as a result of vote taken                 21. Only one set of skimmers will be permitted for use
   at A.G.M. 2012. List of eligible tractors available                 on any plough. Skimmer blades must be original
   from secretary.                                                     or from the same era. Skimmer holders can be
                                                                                                                               18
VINTAGE PLOUGHING
                              RULES 2019
            As drawn up by the Vintage Ploughing Association, and in compliance with NPA.
        changed but must be similar to original manufac-      29. “Only if the above rules are complied with, will a
        turers design and size.                                   person be allowed to complete. The Vintage Plough-
                                                                  ing Association will not accept any
     22. A maximum of 3 idle runs only, allowed in all            responsibility whatsoever regarding insurance claims.
         classes from commencement of split-out to end of
         competition. Dual wheels on tractors not allowed.    30. Helpers not allowed inside perimeter rope / fence /
                                                                  scribe, after sighting poles have been removed.
     23. Differential lock on Ferguson 35 not allowed. If
         fitted must be rendered unusable during              31. ONE MAN ONE PLOUGH DURING
         competition.                                             COMPETITION, NO HELP FROM HEADLAND.

     24. All competitors will start with the higher plot      32. Only three fixed sighting poles on ground
         number on their right hand side. Penalty if not          allowed. One may be set up outside scribe.
         adhered to.
                                                              33. 20 MARK PENALTY FOR FURROW TURNED
     25. The plough land wheel must follow within the             WRONG WAY.
         left-hand rear wheeltrack on the last run when
         ploughing the sole sod (2F Mounted only).            34. Any abuse to officials or to other competitors
                                                                  will merit instant disqualification and further
     26. Match ploughs or match plough bodies not allowed         discipline.
         i.e. Ransome TCN, UCN or SCN (e.g. Ransome TS86),
         also others.                                         35. A competitor may not interfere with their plot
                                                                  to level tramlines or take out humps etc. or in any
     27. A competitor may not drive on the two outer sods         way other than pick loose straw and stones,also
         of the split out at anytime even after it has been       no communication with anyone on the headland,
         judged (you may not role the rippling’s) the chip        is allowed by radio ,phone or any other device
         may be put in the centre but the r/h front wheel         during the competition.
         must be in the furrow when doing so.

     28. Screw crossshaft allowed (passed at 2014
         A.G.M.)

       ALL OTHER DECIPLINARY AND GENERAL RULES OF N.P.A. (RELATIVE) WILL APPLY TO V.P.A.I. AT ALL TIMES.

     “Competitors will be penalised min 5 penalty marks for each infringement of any rule at all matches”

                                   Note: For ALL Competitors
                               Tractors & Ploughs to be parked in
                                     Assembly Area ONLY

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