Rules & Regulations
Irish Shows Association General Rules for 2012
Eligibility of Shows:
Shows wishing to participate in the 2012 Championships and be eligible to hold qualifiers must have collected the Championship Fund (currently 5%) from Horse, Pony, Cattle & Sheep. Class prize money for the year 2011 and forwarded the amount so collected, in full to the Irish Shows Association within the stipulated period of not more than 30 days from the date of the show. Alternative methods of meeting this obligation are not acceptable.
Any show or competitor in breach of the Rules set out below will be disqualified from participating or competing in these Championships.
These General Rules and those relating to individual championships (where applicable) should be published in the show schedule and catalogue of the participating shows and must be strictly observed.
Qualifying Rounds: (Qualifiers)
Qualifying rounds will take place at shows designated by the Irish Shows Association.
Responsibility of Shows holding qualifying rounds:
1. Selected Shows should hold a separate class for each qualifier from which the highest placed animals will qualify.
2. The Qualifier class should be held as the first (1st) class in the relevant section of the show.
3. Shows must ensure that the qualifiers are held strictly in accordance with the relevant Rules.
4. No other sponsor maybe involved in qualifying classes.
5. Shows may charge an entry fee for each qualifying class. The I.S.A. will award a rosette to the successful animal(s) on appearance at the final.
6. No show may hold a qualifying class for that championship on the day of the final other than by agreement with the Irish Shows Association.
7. Animals qualified for finals are not eligible to enter in any other show class where the final is held.
8. Shows should appoint competent, well briefed persons to act as stewards, who must ensure that only animals (or other exhibits) which are eligible to compete and whose documentation is in order, are allowed to proceed to the judging ring.
9. Animal Passports must be read by a Veterinary Surgeon appointed by the show.
10. On completion of judging, Stewards must inform the successful competitors to visit the Secretary's Office at the show within one hour, and complete the necessary arrangements for entry to the final.
11. The show must appoint a well briefed officer who will be available at the Secretary's Office to assist exhibitors to complete the entry cards for participation in the final and collect the entry fee.
12. Show Secretaries must forward completed result cards, together with appropriate fees to the Irish Shows Association within three days following the holding of the show.
13. NB. Shows must return results card marked "No Qualifier" for any or all of the events for which no animal (or exhibit) has been selected.
Responsibility of Exhibitors:
1. Exhibitors accept that the Judges decision is final in all cases. Where a dispute or case for complaint arises, the matter should only be dealt with under 6. below.
2. Winners of Qualifiers are themselves responsible for entering their qualifiers (or exhibits) for the final in accordance with 10 & 11 above, within one hour of qualifying.
3. Winners of qualifiers will compete in the final.
4. The Irish Shows Association in conjunction with the sponsor reserve the right to alter or amend the rules of the competition as may be necessary where appropriate.
5. Shows and competitors must contact the ISA for details of any championships and not the sponsor involved.
6. Objections must be lodged in writing with the I.S.A. representative at the show and the Show Secretary within half an hour following the completion of judging, together with a fee of €50, or other stated fee, which is refundable in the event of the objection being upheld.
7. Any exhibitor who makes a false declaration or misrepresents a fact regarding themselves or their exhibit are liable to disqualification and/or forfeiture of any prizes awarded.
Responsibilities of Shows hosting Championship Finals:
1. A deduction of 5% of the prize money will be collected by the show and forwarded to the I.S.A. within 30 days of the Final.
2. Championship finals must start not later than 2pm on the day of the show and the advertised time must be adhered to as far as possible. If necessary, other show classes should be either postponed or relocated to allow for this.
Notice of Interest to Championship Participants
Irish Law (EU Directive)
Under Irish Law, all horses moving from one location to another must be accompanied by their passports. It is in your own interest to ensure that this is the case. Failure to do so is an offence under Irish Law and is liable on summary conviction to result in a fine of up to €3,000. All passports must be registered with the name of the current owner.
• Embryo Transfer: Where a foal is produced by this method, the dam's passport must bear a declaration dated, stamped, and signed by the stallion owner (or accredited practitioner where AI is involved) stating the date on which the dam was last covered (or inseminated) and the name of the covering stallion.
• The owners of Champions and Reserve Champions are invited to submit the animals' passports to the ISA head office where the placing will be endorsed and officially stamped with the seal if the ISA as a permanent record.
• It is in the interest of shows hosting championship finals that photographs and results are forwarded to the Irish Farmers Journal immediately following judging.
CMMS Notification Cattle Movement
The movement of cattle to and from the show must be recorded on CMMS using form CMMS4 (forms available from your local DVO). Ultimate responsibility for fulfilling this requirement lies with the Show Secretary.
The keeper of the animal(s) should complete 2 and 3(a) of the CMMS4 form. Sections 3(b) should be completed by the Show Secretary and completed forms should be sent to the Cattle Movement Notification Agency within 7 days of movement in the pre-paid envelope supplied.
Special Notice to Calf Exhibitors 2011
Suckler Welfare Scheme.
Suckler exhibitors should forward receipts of attendance confirmation at shows to the department.
Once department have got conformation the suckler welfare grant will be reissued.
Specific Requirements - Sheep
Identification
All sheep must be individually identified with plastic eartags issued on accordance with the requirements of the National Sheep Identification System (NSIS).
Movement Documentation
All consignments of sheep being moved must be accompanied by the completed dispatch document. Individual details of each sheep in the consignment must be recorded.
Flock Register
All movements of sheep to and from shows must be recorded in your flock register. Use event code "S".
Exports (to Member States of the European Union including Northern Ireland
All sheep must be accompanied by certification as laid down in Directive 91/68/EEC as amended. Organisers are advised to contact their Local District Veterinary Office well in advance of any show where sales may take place to determine the suitability of the show for exports (e.g. premises and sheep status), availability of veterinary staff for export certification and to have the necessary arrangements out in place.
Attendance of sheep from scrapie monitored flocks at shows and sales in 2011
Shows between 1st May and 30th September
Sheep from scrapie monitored flocks will be permitted to attend agricultural shows taking place between May 1st and September 30th without restriction or separation from other categories of sheep.
Shows outside that period
For shows taking place before May 1st or after September 30th, sheep from scrapie monitored or probationary flocks must be separated from other sheep as follows:
1. There must be complete separation of monitored/probationary sheep from other categories of sheep at the show. Ideally, this would mean a separate entrance and exit for each group, separate loading and unloading areas, separate penning areas for each of the two groups.
2. In locations where all of the above may not be possible, the minimum requirement would be the separate loading and unloading and also of penning areas. The two areas should be separated by a sheep-free alleyway, at least 12 feet wide. If only one showring is available, the sheep from the scrapie-monitored flocks must be shown first.
Rules Governing Exhibits
&
Instructions to Exhibitors
1. The primary objective of the Show is the improvement of Agriculture and Livestock in all branches.
2. All stock must be bona fide property of the exhibitor.
3. An animal must be in ones ownership on the day of entry. Confined Classes for residents of Counties Offaly, Laois and Westmeath.
4. Pens will not be provided for exhibits in all cattle classes. Bulls exhibited at the Show must be secured by a ring in the nose, with a strong rope or chain attached. The Society shall have the right to order the removal of any animal that they consider to be dangerous and shall not be responsible for any injury or damage caused by such animals.
5. With regard to cattle where ‟pure-bred” stock is mentioned, it is understood that the stock exhibited must be entered in or eligible for entry in the particular Herd Book. In the case of bulls, the date of birth must be stated on the entry form
6. In all classes for heifers, a heifer is classified as a heifer until she has a calf.
7. All animals must be shown at owner’s risk. The Society will not be accountable for any accident, damage or loss of exhibit. It is advisable for the exhibitor to have insurance on his animal.
8. In the interest of safety, the Society will reserve the right to refuse entry or have an animal(s) removed from the Showgrounds during the course of the Show.
9. The Farm and Garden Produce must have been grown on the exhibitors land, and a declaration to that effect, signed by two respectable house-holders living in the immediate locality and approved by the Society, may be required from each prize-winner before prizes are paid.
10. All stock, poultry, produce, etc. to be in the Show Yard before 10 a.m. on the morning of the Show.
11. Prizes will be awarded in all classes except Pedigree Classes where there is sufficient merit, but the Judges will be distinctly instructed to withhold a prize where sufficient merit does not exist. Unless 3 entries are received no 2nd prize will be awarded, unless 5 entries are received no 3rd prize will be awarded in any one class in the horse and cattle section.
In other sections, no 2nd prize unless there are 4 entries and no 3rd prize unless there are 6 entries.
12. The judge’s decision is final.
13. All prizes disallowed or not awarded shall lapse to the Society.
14. Objections – All objections to the decision of the Judges must be lodged with the Secretary, in writing, accompanied by a fee of €50 for outdoor competitions - €10 for indoor competitions, unless otherwise stated, within 1 hour after results. The fee or fees so lodged will be forfeited in cases where the objection or objections is or are considered to be frivolous.
15. Entries – All descriptions of stock as to age and breed, must be stated when completing entry forms. This is a must especially in respect of qualifiers. Entry forms will be returned if incomplete.
16. Entries will not be acceptable unless accompanied by the requisite entry fee.
17. In cases it shall be proved to the satisfaction of the Society that the owner or any person in his employment or under his control has been guilty of any violation of the rules or regulations, has made a false statement in the certificate of entry, or has secured an unfair advantage, the exhibitor shall forfeit all prizes awarded to him/her at the Show, together with all fees paid by him/her and shall be liable to be excluded from competing at this or any future Show of the Society.
18. The Society shall reserve the right of declining or returning any exhibit without incurring any liability. In the event of the Society being unable to accept any entry, notice will be given within six days after the final closing of the entries. The fees lodged will be refunded.
19. No refund of entry fees in any class, including Jumping Competition, will be made in the case of entries, which are not sent forward for competition, or which are disqualified from competition for failure to comply with regulations.
20. No steward can officiate in a ring who is an exhibitor in the class under adjudication.
21. Judges, or their family members, must not exhibit in sections in which they are judging.
22. Offending persons may be asked to leave, by the chief steward
23. If an exhibitor gives a judge hassle, he may be disqualified.
24. Only one handler per animal will be allowed in the ring.
25. Judges names will not be disclosed prior to the show.
26. Exhibits may not be removed from the showgrounds before 5 p.m. Failure to comply may result in loss of prize money.
27. Cup Award – Rosettes in Purple and Yellow. Prizes Colours: - First Prize - Red, Second – Blue, Third – Yellow.
28. The award of a Rosette or Prize Card does not imply that the entry is entitled to prize money.
29. All exhibits must bear their labels otherwise they will be refused by the stewards.
30. In the Livestock Section – any class for which only one entry is received will be cancelled.
31. Cattle will be unloaded/loaded in specially designated areas by their handler in the interest of safety.
32. All animals must conform to current regulations.
We would be delighted to receive early entries and a Special Draw for €100 will be held for
people who have their entries in on or before Friday 15th July 2011
Important Notice
In the Horse and Cattle Classes no animal may win more than two first prizes.
NB Anyone found interfering with any exhibit or disarranging any display will be asked to leave the grounds.
Special Notice
All children’s ridden show pony classes shall be restricted to Mares and Geldings only. No animal shown in saddle classes shall be under three years of age. Mares with a living foal born current season shall not be shown in Saddle Classes.
The Society will not be responsible for any loss, damage, accident or otherwise which may occur to any Exhibitor, Exhibit, Visitor, or Vehicle at the Show.
The Show is run under the Rules and Regulations of the Irish Shows Association and the Showjumping Association of Ireland.
Shows and Sales 2011
Information for Livestock Exhibitors
The requirements set out below are intended to protect the health of animals at Shows and Sales.
To minimise the risk of exposure to diseases exhibitors should: -
1. move animals direct from farm to show site,
2. disinfect the vehicle used to transport animals before and after use,
3. insist that all steps necessary to protect animals are taken by the show committee
4. ensure that the required documentation which should accompany the animals is in order before the date of the show, and contact the local District Veterinary Office when deciding to exhibit at any show.
 | Schedule 2012 Qualifiers.pdf (92.61 KB) |
| Schedule 2012 Rules & Regs.pdf (132.65 KB) |