Match rules

[arcobob]

One of the best ways to create controversy and resentment is to run competitions where the rules are unclear or ambiguous. I have traveled the country competeing in vintage classes over the past few years and have found that ,in most instances, Society of Ploughmen rules are applied (not strictly enough but that is another subject!). If you have travelled 100 plus miles to a match it is reassuring to know that that your conduct and equipment are within specification before you start. However a number of societies either do not apply SOP rules or state that they apply and then embellish them and even contradict them. If it is felt necessary to run a class or classes which are not adequately covered by the rules then no problem, but to state that SOP rules apply to a class and then open the vintage class to tractors and ploughs made up to 1965 is asking for trouble.
Whether you like the SOP or not, their rules are sensible and almost universally understood. Why modify the rules to suit some "stuffed shirt" committee who have never ploughed a match in their lives.

 

[Roy Stokes]

has some jumped up society rattled your cage Bob ??

 

[arcobob]

These anomalies happen all the time. I have ploughed in matches where the entry form stated that vintage was pre 1956. On arrival 13 of the 19 entrants were driving 990s, 135s, Dextas, Superdextas, 275s, 414s etc. and two were using TCNs. I had changed to my TEF20 for the event and when I complained the miscreants were deducted 3 points. The other day I received an entry form that clearly stated that vintage tractors had to be manufactured before December 31st 1959. It then went on to say "to have been in production before that date". It further stated that SOP rules apply. It seems that some committees decide to modify the rules and then some poor secretary with no knowledge of ploughing has to interpret these suggestions and ends up making a pigs ear of the whole thing.
In Essex some rules state that full ploughing depth must be achieved by the time the headland scratch is reached . You`ve got to drop the plough when your front wheels reach the mark and then match up your outs as well somehow. Why this is important is a mystery to me because it only varies the width of the headland. Some of the judges are SOP trained, some are not and some have never read this rule, hence inconsistency. Two hour ploughing matches are another pet hate as this time restriction is often announced just before the start. Like many of my colleagues I am in my twilight years and don`t want a heart attack during a ploughing match.
Don`t you classic boys suffer these problems ?

 

[Roy Stokes]

I tend to initially go for the day out, have a laugh with my mates, pretend to listen to those who moan about judges/rules, plough to my best ability, and shake hands at the end results with my fellow competitors, the judges and sometimes the match organizers.
I also make sure I kiss the prize presenter if female, whatever she may look like or whatever her age, sometimes makes my day, sometimes makes hers, sometimes could spoil hers

One thing I don't do is read the rules

 

[arcobob]

Perhaps I have got it wrong and my education which taught me that in order to succeed in exams the most important thing is to read the question was also mis-guided. Your approach is much more admirable and obviously easier to live with. I must try harder !

 

[Roy Stokes]

I will admit to reading the rules for the national just in case Ken had dropped in a curved ball to catch us all out

I have turned up to a match at 9.20 am wondering why everyone has sticks up ready to go at 10.00 am, only to find it was a 9.30 start and I hadn't realized because of not reading the schedule, that made me scrat around a bit

 

[arcobob]

I bet you did`nt kiss Ken when you found he had`nt !