Rules & Procedures for Loy Digging Competitions
RULES
- The Loy may be right footed or left footed, traditional with no adjustments of any kind allowed.
- Competitors are allowed to erect lines and pegs (3 lines 6 pegs) on their plot before the starting signal, but must remove all lines before commencing digging. 10 penalty marks after one warning will be applied for not lifting lines.
- Competitors must stop digging when the final whistle is blown. A red flag will be put down where the last sod is turned. The competitor may then finish digging the plot. (10 penalty marks for unfinished plot plus 1 mark per foot from red flag).
- Competitors must leave the competition area when digging is complete and may acquire 10 penalty marks if he/she walks across his/her own or another competitors plot before judging is complete.
- Re-aligning allowed with the Loy only from the digging position and this can be done only with the Loy and not hands or feet. (10 penalty marks may be given by supervisors for noncompliance).
- No assistance from the side-lines is allowed at National Ploughing Championships.
- 2.75 hours is the allocated time allowed to complete a Loy Plot.
PROCEDURES
- Competitors competing at the National Ploughing Championships must have submitted entry through the Secretary of The Loy Association of Ireland and paid their annual membership to the Loy Association of Ireland.
- Submission of an entry will be regarded as an acceptance of all rules and regulations and the preparedness of a competitor to observe them or submit to penalties for breaches of same.
- To commence a competitor may set up 3 lines 6 pegs 46 inches apart. The plot consisting of 2 ridges should be 92 inches wide.
- Senior diggers must not use a measuring tape after putting down their 3 lines and may use a stick only while digging the first 3 sods in each row.
- When the starting signal is sounded nicking commences. All 3 lines must be nicked and the lines lifted before digging commences.
- On a base of 3ft 10 inches a ridge will consist of 2 sods, turned towards each other leaving a verge in the centre. Each sod should be 10.5 inches wide with a centre verge 4 inches wide. Recommended depth of furrow is 3-4 inches.
- Ridge length, seniors, juniors and U 25 dig 30 feet, U18 dig 20 feet and ladies dig 10 feet.
- Judging will be on a Natural Style of digging.
Revised and agreed at the AGM of the Loy Association on 20th January 2019


MARKS
Outer Furrow |
Conformity |
30 marks |
Pack & Flesh |
Overlap & No Loose Clay
|
30 marks |
In's & Out's |
Pattern of Dig
|
30 marks |
Green Centres |
Appearance & Straightness
|
30 marks |
Main Furrow |
Conformity + Divide Line
|
30 marks |
|
|
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Total |
|
150 marks |
SUPERVISORS AT All-IRELAND
Loy supervisors must wear white coats provided by the NPA during the competitions and must remain on plot area until judging is completed.