2024 HEAVY ATHLETICS COMPETITION
SPECIAL THANKS TO PEVARNIK BROS. INC.
SPONSORS OF
THE MASTERS ATHLETIC COMPETITION
SPECIAL THANKS TO
MR. & MRS. ALLAN MacDOUGALL, III
SPONSORS OF
THE ATHLETIC COMPETITION
MASTERS ATHLETE PLAQUE SPONSOR
BURGH'ERS BREWING COMPANY
AMATEUR WOMENS PLAQUE SPONSOR
DELLA TERRA RESTAURANT
AMATEUR MENS PLAQUE SPONSORED HONORING
ROSEMARIE McCALMONT
BY SEAN McCALMONT
OUR COMPETITIONS CONSIST OF AMATEUR, MASTERS AND WOMENS CLASSES. THE VARIOUS TYPES OF EVENTS ARE LISTED BELOW WITH DESCRIPTIONS.
2018 MASTERS CABER TOSS MEDAL WAS SPONSORED BY MS. BARB ZOLA IN MEMORY OF ROBERT " BULL" BULLOCK OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA
"IN HONOR OF MY FRIEND AND LEADER OF THE SAN DIEGO BLACK SHEEP"
Become a sponsor of the Ligonier Highland Games and help us continue the tradition of preserving and promoting Scottish arts and heritage. Your donation will be recognized on our website and in the souvenir program book. Other benefits can include V.I.P. seating, hotel accommodation and becoming an honorary chieftain. Click link above to find out more.
SPONSOR A MEDAL/TROPHY SET FOR AN EVENT
THE COSTS OF RUNNING THE HIGHLAND GAMES INCREASE EACH YEAR AND OUR FULLY VOLUNTEER STAFF WORKS HARD TO KEEP COSTS DOWN AND GENEROUSLY SUPPORTS THE GAMES TOO. YOU CAN HELP BY SPONSORING A MEDAL SET FOR AN EVENT FOR $40 OR A TROPHY/PLAQUE SET FOR $80. SPONSORS WILL RECEIVE A FREE TICKET AND BE LISTED ON THE WEBSITE AND IN THE PROGRAM BOOK.
HIGHLAND GAMES DESCRIPTION
The origins of what we know as highland games aren't precisely known. It is presumed that they started as contests of strength, speed, agility and skill which were common during the various clan gatherings of medieval Scotland.
Highland chieftains would gather their clans together to celebrate in times of peace. There the men of the clans would test their physical fitness, as these events provided a great excuse to challenge each other in running, jumping, wrestling, and with early forms of weight putting with boulders. Such games also ensured that the Highlanders would keep fit for war.
This changed after the end of the Jacobite Rebellion and the defeat of the Bonnie Prince Charlie at the Battle of Culloden on April 16, 1746.
After the defeat, the ruling government’s forces devastated the highlands with new laws designed to make future rebellions impossible. These new laws led to the largest uprooting of Highlanders in history, and a complete alteration of the highland way of life. Highlanders were made to swear an oath to obey the Disarming acts, and the wearing of the kilt and tartan, playing of the pipes and the carrying of arms were all banned. Highland chiefs were stripped of their powers and became mere landlords.
With these new laws strictly enforced, the old highland way of life came to an end, and the highland games virtually disappeared. It was only with the renewal of interest in Scottish heritage in the 19th century that the modern Games came about, a revival that is kept alive in celebrations of Scottish heritage such as this.
Today those competitions are recreated in events such as the stone put, the weight for distance throw, the hammer throw, the sheaf toss, weight for height and the famous caber toss.
Highland chieftains would gather their clans together to celebrate in times of peace. There the men of the clans would test their physical fitness, as these events provided a great excuse to challenge each other in running, jumping, wrestling, and with early forms of weight putting with boulders. Such games also ensured that the Highlanders would keep fit for war.
This changed after the end of the Jacobite Rebellion and the defeat of the Bonnie Prince Charlie at the Battle of Culloden on April 16, 1746.
After the defeat, the ruling government’s forces devastated the highlands with new laws designed to make future rebellions impossible. These new laws led to the largest uprooting of Highlanders in history, and a complete alteration of the highland way of life. Highlanders were made to swear an oath to obey the Disarming acts, and the wearing of the kilt and tartan, playing of the pipes and the carrying of arms were all banned. Highland chiefs were stripped of their powers and became mere landlords.
With these new laws strictly enforced, the old highland way of life came to an end, and the highland games virtually disappeared. It was only with the renewal of interest in Scottish heritage in the 19th century that the modern Games came about, a revival that is kept alive in celebrations of Scottish heritage such as this.
Today those competitions are recreated in events such as the stone put, the weight for distance throw, the hammer throw, the sheaf toss, weight for height and the famous caber toss.
CABER TOSS
Probably the most widely recognized event in the games. Often, this is synonymous with the entire sport, and it serves as the main event at most Celtic Festivals. The caber is a wooden log that must be lifted and tossed, then points are awarded based on rotation or landing position. There is no standard size for a caber, but there is a rule of thumb that at least half of the competitors must be able to turn it. Most are tapered with the smaller end being shaved down to allow competitors to get a handle on it. They can range in size from 17 to 21 feet and usually 70 to 160 lbs. The caber is stood up and when it is in control of the thrower the helpers move away. With the caber standing vertically, the thrower picks up the caber by the smaller end and commences to attempt a throw usually running forward and tossing it in a manner that it turns end over end with the upper (larger) end striking the ground and then the smaller end (originally held by athlete) following through and in turn striking the ground. Scoring the caber consists of two methods. The best method is to turn the caber completely over (past 90 degrees) as it lands. If successful, the athlete is said to have turned the caber, thus “turning of the caber”. Competitors are judged on how closely their throws can land in a perfect 12 o’clock position (on an imaginary clock). This event takes (2) judges; one behind the athlete and the other a distance away from the side. The back judge is responsible for judging if the caber is turned and will give a clock reading (i.e. anywhere from 9:00 to 3:00). If the caber cannot be turned then the side judge will make the call in degrees on how far the caber rotates upward.
BRAEMAR STONE AND STONE PUT
Open Stone – A stone put from a throwing area that measures 4 feet, 6 inches wide by 7 feet, 6 inches long. The stone must be put with one hand and with the stone remaining against the neck throughout the throw until the release. Any throwing style may be used as long as the rules are followed and the style is deemed safe by the judge. You will notice at the higher levels, this begins to look a lot like Olympic shot put.
Stone Weights – Men 16-22 lb., Women 8-12 lb.
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Braemar Stone – Same as the Open Stone, except the stone is heavier and the competitors must throw from a standing position with no approach allowed.
Stone Weights – Men 20-26 lb., Women 13-18 lb.
Stone Weights – Men 16-22 lb., Women 8-12 lb.
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Braemar Stone – Same as the Open Stone, except the stone is heavier and the competitors must throw from a standing position with no approach allowed.
Stone Weights – Men 20-26 lb., Women 13-18 lb.
WEIGHT FOR DISTANCE
Heavy Weight For Distance – A metal weight is thrown with one hand from a throwing area that measures 4 feet, 6 inches wide by 9 feet long. The weight can be of various shapes and sizes, including spherical, bullet or box-shaped. The handle can either be attached directly to the weight or attached with a length of chain. Any style may be used to throw the weight as long as the athletes feet stay in bounds. Usually a spinning technique is used. The longest throw wins.
Implement Weights – Men 56 lb., Women 28 lb.,
Masters/Novice 42 lb.
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Light Weight For Distance – Same as the Heavy Weight for Distance, just lighter.
Implement Weights – Men 28 lb., Women 14 lb.
Implement Weights – Men 56 lb., Women 28 lb.,
Masters/Novice 42 lb.
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Light Weight For Distance – Same as the Heavy Weight for Distance, just lighter.
Implement Weights – Men 28 lb., Women 14 lb.
HAMMER THROW
Heavy Hammer – The hammer is a spherical metal head with a long handle of either PVC pipe or rattan attached. Maximum length is 50 in. The hammer must be thrown with the feet in a fixed position, and no approach is allowed. Almost all competitors throw hammers with their back to the field, and release over their shoulder. With the feet in a fixed position, the hammer is whirled around the athletes head and thrown for distance over the shoulder using both hands. Some hammer throwers use footwear with metal blades as a method to dig into the turf to maintain their balance and resist the centrifugal force generated when whirling the hammer. This technique is used to gain hammer speed to increase overall distance.
Heavy Hammer Weights – Men 22 lb., Women 16 lb. ________________________________________
Light Hammer – Same as the Heavy Hammer, just lighter.
Light Hammer Weights – Men 16 lb., Women 12 lb.
Heavy Hammer Weights – Men 22 lb., Women 16 lb. ________________________________________
Light Hammer – Same as the Heavy Hammer, just lighter.
Light Hammer Weights – Men 16 lb., Women 12 lb.
SHEAF TOSS AND WEIGHT FOR HEIGHT
Sheaf – While many dispute the origins of this event, it is a mainstay at most big games. A 16 or 20 lb. burlap bag of hay or twine is tossed with a pitchfork over a bar, or standard. The goal is to toss it the highest. Each competitor gets three attempts at each height. Successful clearance of the height allows the athlete to advance into the next round at a greater height. Outcome of competition is determined by the highest successful height tossed with fewest misses possibly used to break tie scores.
Sheaf Weights – Pros 20 lb., &Amateur 16 or 20 lb., Masters 16 lb., Women 12 lb.
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Weight for Height or Weight Over Bar – Weight Over Bar Also known as weight for height. The athletes attempt to toss a 56 lb weight with an attached handle over a horizontal bar using one hand. For master’s the weight is 42 lbs and women 28 lbs. Each athlete is allowed three attempts at each height. Successful clearance of the height allows the athlete to advance into the next round at a greater height. Outcome of competition is determined by the highest successful toss with fewest misses possibly being used to break tie scores.
Sheaf Weights – Pros 20 lb., &Amateur 16 or 20 lb., Masters 16 lb., Women 12 lb.
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Weight for Height or Weight Over Bar – Weight Over Bar Also known as weight for height. The athletes attempt to toss a 56 lb weight with an attached handle over a horizontal bar using one hand. For master’s the weight is 42 lbs and women 28 lbs. Each athlete is allowed three attempts at each height. Successful clearance of the height allows the athlete to advance into the next round at a greater height. Outcome of competition is determined by the highest successful toss with fewest misses possibly being used to break tie scores.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON COMPETITIONS, RULES AND TRAINING, PLEASE VISIT THE NORTH AMERICAN SCOTTISH GAMES ASSOCIATION BY CLICKING THE LINK BELOW.
NORTH AMERICAN SCOTTISH GAMES ASSOCIATION
