The use of any sulky in competition at an Association shall
be subject to the approval of the Judges. A judge shall not approve use of a
sulky in competition when the general condition, overall construction or a
particular structural feature of the sulky is dangerous or unsafe.
The Commission adopts Sulky Performance Standards/Approval
established by the United States Trotting Association effective May 1, 2022 as
official guidelines for approval of sulkies used in competition at an
Association in Maine.
THE UNITED STATES TROTTING ASSOCIATION SULKY
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS/APPROVAL
1.
Approval of Racing Sulkies
All styles, types and models of racing sulkies must pass all
performance and testing standards as established under these guidelines in
order to be approved for use in any race. Such testing shall include static
load testing, dynamic load testing and track testing.
2.
General Provisions
A. The sulky shall not create either by
design or manufacture any interference or hazard to any driver or horse in a
race.
B. All components of the
sulky shall be attached to one another in such a way that they remain attached
during normal use and testing.
C.
No bent shaft style sulky shall be approved for use.
3.
Shafts
A. Each sulky shall be equipped with two
shafts that are attached independent of one another to the horse. Each shaft
may have one vertical bend. No vertical bend beyond 12' from the hitching point
is permitted.
B. Inside to inside
measurement shall be within a range of 42' to 50' at the front of the arch.
(Also See - Subsection (5)(A)).
C.
All shafts will be equipped with quick-hitch fixtures or attachable by
conventional tie-downs. All quick-hitches shall have safety straps.
4.
Arch
A. The style of arch must be no narrower than
47 or wider than 56 in distance measuring from the inside of each side of the
arch at the axle nuts.
B. The front
of the arch to the center line of the harness where a horse is hitched shall be
no greater than 76 as measured along the shaft.
C. The distance from the front of the arch to
the back of the seat shall be no greater than 19.
D. The distance from the ground to the bottom
of the arch shall be between 28 and 35 measured with the wheels
attached.
E. The arch shall be
parallel to the ground and located a minimum of 1 higher than the tire at all
points.
5.
Fork
A. Inside measurement
between the inside fork assemblies shall be no less than 4" but no more than 8"
greater than the inside measurement between the shafts as measured at the front
of the arch. (Fork measurements taken from the inside of each side of the arch
at the axle nuts).
B. There shall
be a fork assembly on both sides of each wheel. (Also See Subsection
(3)(B)).
6.
Stirrups
A. Each sulky shall be
equipped with two stirrups or foot supports.
B. Each stirrup or foot support shall not be
more than 8" wide.
C. The stirrups
or foot supports shall be attached to the inside of each shaft no closer than
30" from stirrup or foot support to stirrup or foot support. (Also See
Subsection (3)(B)).
7.
Seat / Seat Plate
A. The
measurement from the ground to the heel of the stirrup or foot support and
ground to seat plate shall have a spread of no more than 6" as measured with
the sulky hitched at 54".
B. The
seat plate shall be no lower than 1" below the arch.
C. The seat shall be securely attached to the
seat bracket in a fixed position.
D. The back of the seat shall be no higher
than 6". No high back seats shall be permitted.
E. All seats shall have adequate padding to
provide comfort for the driver.
8.
Wheels / Tires
A. Each sulky shall contain two
wheels.
B. The wheels shall be 26
to 28 with tire attached.
C. All
wheels shall be covered by wheel disc covers constructed in such a manner so
that they are light weight and durable.
D. Wheel discs shall be either solid
one-color or colorless.
9.
Mud Fenders
A. Mud fenders shall provide coverage from
the top of the fork brace that attaches to the shaft of the sulky to a point
18" beyond the back of the arch as measured along the fender. The mud fenders
shall be easily attached to the sulky in such a manner as to make them totally
secure to the sulky. For sulky models approved on or after January 1, 2007, if
the design of the sulky precludes a customary/universal mud fender from being
used it shall be the responsibility of the sulky manufacturer to provide such
mud fenders for any or all sulky models produced by the manufacturer.
10.
Attachment to the
Horse
A. The sulky must be attached to
either side of the horse by an approved method with each shaft hooked
separately on each side as described in Subsection (3) (C).
B. The forward ends of the sulky shaft shall
not project beyond the shoulder of the horse.
C. The shafts shall not be higher than the
withers of the horse.
