Section 017-1-9 - Sulky ApprovalThe 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 SulkiesAll 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 ProvisionsA. 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.ShaftsA. 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.ArchA. 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.ForkA. 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.StirrupsA. 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 PlateA. 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 / TiresA. 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 FendersA. 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 HorseA. 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.