Upcoming activities 2026
2 May – JUF District Championship (DM) Horse Logging, Östergötland
The **JUF District Championship in Horse Logging** will take place in Östergötland on 2 May.
This competition also serves as a **qualifying event for the Swedish Championships (SM)** in horse logging and is organised in cooperation with **Nykil Riding and Driving Society**.
Visitors are warmly welcome to watch the different **timber-hauling exercises with horse in a natural forest environment**.
Refreshments will be available.
Both **competitors and spectators** are most welcome.
**Course walk:** 09:30
**First start:** immediately afterwards
For rules and regulations regarding horse logging competitions, please see the JUF website:
👉 <https://www.juf.se>
***
## Entries – District Championship (DM)
*Entry to the DM class must be submitted in writing* to
📧 **<kontakt@ostergotlandsbrukshastklubb.se>**
or via the entry form on the ÖBK website
**no later than Monday 20 April at 18:00**.
Please state:
* Driver
* Horse
* Class (for each horse entered)
* Horse registration number (mandatory)
**Membership of JUF is required** to compete in the DM class.
***
## Entry Fees
**DM Class**
* SEK 250 per driving team + 1 helper
* Payment by Swish: **123‑206‑49 54 (ÖBK)**
* Payment is made when registering at the event
***
## Club Championships
### ÖBK Club Champion 2026 – Horse Logging
The **ÖBK Club Champion 2026** will be decided based on the best results achieved by **ÖBK members in the DM class**.
The wagon course is excluded from the club championship class.
* Separate entry for the Club Championship required by **20 April**
* Free of charge for ÖBK members already competing in the DM
* Entry fee is **SEK 150** if only competing in the ÖBK Club Championship
***
### NRKS Club Champion – Horse Logging
The **NRKS Club Champion** is decided based on the best results of **NRKS members in the DM class**.
* Separate entry required to **<nykilsrks@gmail.com>**
* Entry deadline: **20 April at 18:00**
* Entry fee: **SEK 150**
* Payment to PlusGiro **986802‑7**
* or Swish **123 521 865 67**
* Late entries accepted subject to availability: **+ SEK 100 per class**
***
## Competition Regulations
For full competition rules, please see **Prop 2026 – County E**.
***
## About Horse Logging Competitions
Horse logging is similar to precision driving, but takes place **in a forest environment**. Using a horse and traditional equipment, competitors must move firewood and timber through technical courses without incurring unnecessary penalty points.
The competition tests the **cooperation between horse and driver** to the highest degree.
Driving must be completed within a **maximum time** and close to an **ideal time**.
The work must be **horse‑friendly** and **ergonomic** for the driver when loading and unloading timber.
The driver should guide the horse calmly and harmoniously using light aids.
Each team completes **five different stations**, with **Station 1 always being a functional inspection**.
All teams use **the same equipment at each station**.
Each driver must have **one helper**, who may only intervene if a situation requires it and must remain within the station area.
***
## Competition Stations
### 1. Functional Inspection
The horse's condition, hoof care, harness fit and condition are inspected.
The harness must include a **breeching or crupper**.
A lightly loaded implement is used to assess:
* Hitching and unhitching
* Driving skill
The clothing of both driver and helper is also assessed.
**Mandatory equipment for the driver:**
* Riding helmet
* Safety footwear
* Scissors or hook for handling timber
**Whips are not permitted.**
All equipment brought to this station must be used throughout the entire competition and may not be changed.
***
### 2. Driving with Drag Load
Within a marked area, the horse is hitched to an implement (usually a forest sledge) and loaded with a set number of logs.
The load is then driven through a course with gates marked between trees and returned to the loading area for unloading and unhitching.
Penalty points are given for:
* Knocked‑down markers
* Lost load
* Driving over "productive trees" (marked young saplings)
Hitching, unhitching and timber handling are also judged and may result in penalties.
***
### 3. Carried Load Driving & Obedience Test
The horse is hitched to a carrying implement (forest wagon or sledges) and loaded with a set number of logs.
The course includes several gates and **3–5 timed halts**, at least one uphill and one downhill.
The driver may step off the load and place the reins on the ground, but **may not approach the horse's head**.
The helper may not hold the horse.
The course starts and finishes in the same marked area, where the load must be unloaded and the horse unharnessed.
Penalty points are given for:
* Hitting markers
* Lost load
* Driving over productive trees
* Knocked‑down gate markers
* Incorrect halt times
***
### 4. Log Stack (Lunnbänk)
Using shafts/trace chains, swingle tree and logging tongs, **seven logs of varying size** are stacked into a log rack:
* Five logs in the bottom layer
* Two logs on top
Logs must be aligned evenly at the front and packed tightly. Gaps are measured and generate penalty points.
The driver may guide the log with their body **while the horse is moving**, but adjustments are not allowed once the horse has stopped.
Judging includes:
* Hitching/unhitching
* Smooth driving
* Accuracy of stacking
***
### 5. Long Log Manoeuvre
A single log (8–12 metres long) is dragged through a technical course using chains and swingle tree without hitting markers or productive trees.
The course includes:
* Entry into a marked box
* A 180‑degree turn before attaching the log
* Approximately 10 gated passages (A–J)
* Three technical challenges:
**Log Shift:**
The dragged log must be aligned exactly next to a stationary log in one pull.
Distance is measured from the first stop: **1 penalty point per centimetre**.
**Angle Gate:**
The horse must enter one gate and reverse/turn the log to exit through another narrow gate without knocking markers.
**Passing Under a Log:**
The horse steps over a raised log without pulling it down.
After the swingle tree passes, the driver must stop, detach and reattach the chain so the dragged log can pass underneath.
* Knocking down the log results in **30 penalty points**
* Two attempts allowed
* Failure results in elimination from this exercise
