Show Rules & Regulations

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 prizewinner 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. All prizes disallowed or not awarded shall lapse to the Society.
13. Objections – All objections to the decision of the Judges must be lodged with the Secretary, in writing, accompanied by a fee of i50 for outdoor competitions - i10 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.
14. 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.
15. Entries will not be acceptable unless accompanied by the requisite entry fee.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. No steward can officiate in a ring who is an exhibitor in the class under adjudication.
20. Judges, or their family members, must not exhibit in sections in which they are judging.
21. Offending persons may be asked to leave, by the chief steward
22. If an exhibitor gives a judge hassle, he may be disqualified.
23. Only one handler per animal will be allowed in the ring.
24. Judges names will not be disclosed prior to the show.
25. Exhibits may not be removed from the showgrounds before 5 p.m. Failure to comply may result in loss of prize money.
26. Cup Award – Rosettes in Purple and Yellow. Prizes Colours: - First Prize - Red, Second – Blue, Third – Yellow.
27. The award of a Rosette or Prize Card does not imply that the entry is entitled to prize money.
28. All exhibits must bear their labels otherwise they will be refused by the stewards.
29. In the Livestock Section – any class for which only one entry is received will be cancelled.
30. Cattle will be unloaded/loaded in specially designated areas by their handler in the interest of safety.
31. 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 18th July 2008

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 2008 - Information for 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.

Animal Health Status

1. T.B.
All animals must come from herds which are not restricted and the herd and relevant animals must have had a clear test within the previous twelve months. No pre-movement test is required for T.B. However, it is recommended by the Department that a 30 day pre-movement test for T.B. should apply to all Shows.

2. Brucellosis
All animals must come from herds which are not restricted. All eligible animals (i.e. females aged 12 months and over - bulls aged 12 months and over) must have passed a test for Brucellosis within the previous 30 days. However, these animals may move to any number of Shows within the validity period of the same 30 day pre-movement test. When an animal(s) is being shown repeatedly during successive 30-day validity periods, in the course of a Show season, the animal(s) may be allowed to move on foot of Permit ER 36A during the un-expired portion of a valid test where the animal is under test for the next validity period and identity card/passport is held by the DVO/practitioner.

3. Identification
All Bovines must bear double plastic tags as issued under Department's identification system and must be accompanied by their passports.

4. Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)
The importation of all bovine animals from the United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland) is now prohibited by virtue of an EU Decision of 27th March, 1996. Accordingly animals sent to shows or exhibitions in the United Kingdom (including N.I.) are not permitted to return to this country.

5. Bulls for AI Stations
In addition to the T.B. and Brucellosis tests bulls destined for AI stations must be tested for IBR (Infectious Bovine Rhynotracheitis) and EBL (Enzootic Bovine Leukosis), BVD (Bovine Virus Diarrhoea) and Johnes Disease, within 30 days prior to movement into such stations.

6. Exports (To Member States EU including Northern Ireland)
(a) Valid Identity Card - all animals
(b) Negative tuberculosis test - all animals over 42 days (single intradermal) within 30 days prior to export.
(c) Brucellosis test (serum agglutination) - all animals over 12 months, within 30 days prior to export
(d) Enzootic Bovine Leukosis - As Ireland is now an enzootic free member state, no individual test is required for export purposes.

Livestock Issues
1. Overnight Accommodation (Cattle/Sheep)
Due to demand on Overnight Accommodation, only animals which are booked in and fees paid will be accommodated. Passes will be issued. Accommodation not pre-booked will depend on availability. Strict control of facility will be practised. All animals must be in place by 9.00 p.m. on 09/08/2008. Late arrivals will not be allowed into the accommodation, due to Department restrictions.

Overnight accommodation can be provided at the following charges:-
Cattle: 1 animal: €15, 2 or more: €10 each
Sheep: 1 animal: €7, 2 or more: €5 each
Shed must be vacated by 10.30 a.m. on the morning of the Show. Exhibitors whose animals remain in the Overnight Shed after 11.00 a.m. on Show Day will forfeit their prizemoney, if awarded.
2. All animals must be within the T.B. & Brucellosis test limit laid down by Department of Agriculture & Food i.e. Brucellosis - 30 days; T.B. - 12 months.
3. Pre-movement test is not required, but recommended.
4. Movement of cattle must be recorded on CMMS 4 forms. These forms will be provided by us with exhibit cards. Please complete before arrival on site. (See details below.)
5. Animals should be safely led by a competent handler.
6. All bovines must be correctly tagged. If plastic, both tags must be inserted in the animal. Documents and animals must be correct and will be inspected by Department of Agriculture officers before entry will be allowed.
7. Bibs to display exhibit numbers will be available to purchase on site.
8. Exhibitors should have insurance on all their animals.