Swinford Show Day Rules

Rules Governing The Show

1. All entries must be made on the prescribed entry form and accompanied by the appropriate fees and signed by the exhibitor, before an entry can be considered.
2. All exhibits must be the bona fide property and, except for animals, have been made or grown by the exhibitor.
3. Exhibits must not have won a prize at this show previously.
4. Prizes will be awarded if there are sufficient entries in each class or, if merit deserves. There must be at least 2 entries for a first prize to be awarded, 3 entries for second prize and, 5 entries for third prize.
5. The judge’s decision as to merit shall be final and objections on other points should be lodged with the secretary, in writing, before 5pm on the day of the show with a fee of €25. The committee will decide upon all objections and fee will be returned if objection ins upheld. Fee will be retained if the objection is considered frivolous.
6. It is the responsibility of every exhibitor to ensure that each animal entered, comply with current regulations.
7. All animals must restrained by appropriate means and kept under control at all times. All dogs must be on a lead while on the show grounds throughout the day.
8. The show grounds will be open at 9am on show day.
9. All entries must be lodged with the Secretary before Show Day. The Show office will be located on Main Street, Swinford from ………… The office will not be open on Show Day. Entry numbers can be collected on show morning from the Cattle Secretary, Sheep Secretary, Horse Secretary. Home industries from the Secretary’s Office on the Show Grounds.
10. Home Industries judging commences at 10.30am. Sheep and Cattle judging commences at 11.30am. Dogs/other pets judging commences at 2pm.
11. The committee reserves the right to substitute cash prizes with goods to the same value.
12. All exhibits must remain in place until 4.30pm. They will then be given out by a member of the committee on production of exhibitor’s duplicate entry ticket.
13. For entry fees, see relevant sections. (Entry Fees are non-refundable)
14. Prizes in the Home Industries can be collected from the show treasurer after 3pm on show day on production of official prize slip. Prizes for sheep, cattle, horse, donkey and poultry classes will be sent by post to prize winners.
15. The show committee or their stewards will not be responsible for any loss or damage to exhibits, including accidents involving exhibitor’s animals, accidents to exhibitors, visitors, or the public during the day and night.
16. The show committee reserves the right to make alterations to the programme where this is deemed necessary and exhibitors must be prepared to accept any such alterations.
17. Where there are insufficient entries in a class, the committee reserves the right to eliminate that class or, to regroup it with another class, as may become necessary.
18. 5% of prize money will be retained on behalf of the Irish Shows Association in the Horse, Pony, Cattle and Sheep section.
19. All entries are subject to the rules of the show, and ISA rules were appropriate, and any exhibitor who violates or ignores them shall forfeit all prizes (to which he/she may be entitled) to the show, including entry fee.

20. An exhibitor will not be awarded more than one first prize for the same animal except, in championships.
21. The term non-pedigree applies to animals that are not registered with Breed Society.
22. Where weight is a condition of entry to a particular class, scales may be provided in the show grounds.
23. Where an animal is deemed to be unmanageable or where it is seen that the exhibitor has not sufficient control over it, the show committee has the right to exclude that animal from the judging area.
24. Where additional rules are listed pertaining to a specific section, they are deemed to form part of the overall “Rules of the Show” and should be read in conjunction.
25. Where any matter arises which is not provided for these rules and regulations it shall be referred to the executive committee. Their decision shall be final and without any right to appeal.
26. The committee reserves the right to request documentation to support the authenticity of an entry. The committee may seek professional opinion should this be deemed necessary.
27. The committee reserve the right to refuse an entry.
28. The term “exhibitor” shall also extend to and include servants or assistant acting on their behalf.
29. Any exhibitor or member of the public who violates or ignores the rules of the show or who behaves in an inappropriate or threatening manner shall be dismissed from the show grounds.
30. No exhibitor shall to influence or communicate with a judge prior to judging. No exhibitor shall remain in the judging area during judging. No exhibitor shall communicate with the judge with the exception of a person in charge of an animal, when spoken to by the judge.
31. The committee shall be entitled to appoint as stewards as it may consider necessary to assist at the show and, all such stewards shall have full power to enforce all the rules and regulations governing the show.
32. Winners of qualifying events are themselves responsible for entering their qualifier for the final, within one hour of qualifying.

*EXHIBITORS ARE ADVISED TO HAVE THEIR OWN INSURANCE COVER*

Swinford Agricultural Show Day Rules

Rules Governing the Show

1. All exhibits must be the bona fide property and, except for animals, have been made or grown by the exhibitor.
2. Exhibits must not have won a prize at this show previously.
3. Prizes will only be awarded if there are sufficient entries in each class or, if merit deserves. There must be at least 2 entries for a first prize to be awarded, 3 entries for second prize and, 5 entries for third prize.
4. The judge’s decision as to merit shall be final and objections on other points should be lodged with the secretary, in writing, before 5pm on the day of the show with a fee of €15. The committee will decide upon all objections and fee will be returned if objection is upheld. Fee will be retained if the objection is considered frivolous.
5. The show ground will be open at 9.00am on show day.
6. All entries must be lodged with the Secretary Before Show Day. The Show office will be located on Market Street, Swinford (Beside Vodafone Shop) from Monday, August 14th, 2017 to Friday 18th (see times on cover). The office will not open on show day. Entry numbers can be collected on show morning from the Cattle Secretary, Sheep Secretary, Horse Secretary or, at the Show Office on Show Grounds.
7. Judging commences at 10.30am. Sheep and Cattle judging commences at 11.30am. Dogs/other pets judging commences at 2.00pm.
8. The committee reserves the right to substitute cash prizes with goods to the same value.
9. All exhibits must remain in place until 4.30pm. They will then be given out by a member of the committee on production of exhibitor’s duplicate entry ticket.
10. For entry fees, see relevant sections. (Entry Fees are non-refundable)
11. Prizes in the marquee classes can be collected from the show treasurer after 3.00pm.on show day on production of official prize slip. Prizes for sheep, cattle, horse, donkey and poultry classes can be collected from the secretary of each section. ISA class prizes will be posted to prize winners.
12. The Show committee or their stewards will not be responsible for any loss or damage to exhibits, accidents to exhibitors, visitors, or the public during the show day and night.
13. Where there are insufficient entries in a class, the committee reserves the right to eliminate that class or, to regroup it with another class, as may become necessary.
14. 5% of prize money will be retained on behalf of the Irish Shows Association in the Horse, Pony, Cattle and Sheep sections.
15. All entries are subject to the rules of the show, and ISA Rules where appropriate, and any exhibitor who violates or ignores them shall forfeit all prizes (to which he/she may be entitled) to the show, including entry fee.
16. An exhibitor will not be awarded more than one first prize for the same animal except, in championships.
17. The term non-pedigree applies to animals that are not registered with the Breed Society.
18. Where weight is a condition of entry to a particular class, scales may be provided in the show grounds.
19. Where an animal is deemed to be unmanageable or where it is seen that the exhibitor has not sufficient control over it, the show committee has the right to exclude that animal from the judging area.
20. The committee reserves the right to refuse any entry.
21. The committee shall be entitled to appoint as many stewards as it may consider necessary to assist at the show and, all such stewards shall have full power to enforce all the rules and regulations governing the show.
22. No exhibitor shall remain in the judging area during judging. No exhibitor shall communicate with the judge, with the exception of a person in charge of animals being judged.
23. Winners of qualifying events are themselves responsible for entering their qualifier for the final, within one hour of qualifying.
24. ENTRY FORMS, accompanied by fee, to be used at all times.
EXHIBITORS ARE ADVISED TO HAVE THEIR OWN INSURANCE COVER

General Rules for ISA Championships 2017

A. Eligibility of Shows
Shows wishing to participate in the 2017 Championships and be eligible to hold qualifiers must have collected the Championship Fund Levy (currently 5%) from Horse, Pony, Cattle and Sheep class prize money for the year 2016 and forwarded the amount so collected, in full, to the Irish Shows Association Head Office within the stipulated period of not more than 30 working days from the date of their 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.
B. Qualifying Rounds (Qualifiers)
Qualifying rounds will take place at eligible shows selected by the Irish Shows Association.
C. Responsibility of Shows Holding Qualifying Rounds
a. Selected shows should hold a separate class for each qualifier from which the highest placed animals will qualify.
b. The qualifier class should be held as the first (1st) class in the relevant section of the show.
c. Shows must ensure that the qualifiers are held strictly in accordance with the relevant rules.
d. No other sponsor may be involved in qualifying classes.
e. Shows may charge an entrance fee for each qualifying class. The I.S.A. will award a rosette to the successful animal(s) on appearance at the Final.
f. No show hosting a Championship Final may hold a qualifier for that Championship on the day of the Final other than by agreement with the ISA.
g. Animals qualified for finals are not eligible to enter in any other class at the Show where the Final is held other than a Qualifying Class for another Competition.
h. Shows should appoint competent well-briefed persons to act as Stewards, who must ensure that the only animals (or other exhibits) which are eligible to compete and whose documentation is in order are allowed to proceed to the judging ring.
i. Animal Passports must be read by a Veterinary Surgeon appointed by the show.
j. On completion of judging, Stewards must instruct the successful competitors to attend at the Show Secretary’s Office, within one hour, to complete the necessary documentation for entry to the championship final.
k. The show must appoint a well-briefed officer, who will be in attendance at the Secretary’s Office, and who will assist exhibitors to complete the necessary documentation for participation in the final and to collect the relevant entrance fee.
l. Show Secretaries must forward completed result cards, together with appropriate fees to the I.S.A. within three (3) days following the holding of the show.
N.B. Shows must return results card marked “No Qualifier” for any or all of the events for which no animal (or exhibit) has been selected.
Swinford Agricultural Show 2017 2016
Responsibility of Exhibitors
a. Exhibitors accept that the Judges decision is final in all cases. Any abuse of Judges will not be tolerated. Where a dispute or case for complaint arises, the matter should only be dealt with under f. below.
b. Winners of qualifiers are themselves responsible for entering their animals (or exhibits) for the final in accordance with j. and k. above, within one hour of qualifying.
c. Winners of qualifiers will compete in the final.
d. The I.S.A. in conjunction with the sponsor reserve the right to alter or amend the rules of any competition as may be necessary or appropriate.
e. Shows and competitors must contact the I.S.A. for details of any championships and not the sponsor involved.
f. Objections must be lodged in writing with the I.S.A. representative at the show or 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.
g. Any Exhibitor who makes a false declaration or misrepresents a fact regarding himself/herself or their exhibit are liable to disqualification and/or forfeiture of any prizes awarded.

Responsibilities of Shows Hosting Championship Finals

a. A deduction of 5% of the prize money is to be collected by the show and forwarded to the I.S.A. within 30 days of the final.
b. Championship finals must start not later than 2pm on the day of the show and the advertised time of starting must be adhered to as far as practicable. If necessary, other show classes should be either postponed or relocated to allow for this.
Notices 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 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 up to €3000. All passports must be registered with the name of the current owner.
ï‚· Embryo Transfer: Where a foal is produced by this method the dams passport must bear 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 I.S.A. head office where the placing will be endorsed and officially stamped with the seal of the I.S.A. as a permanent record.
ï‚· It is in the interest of shows hosting championship finals that photographs and results are forwarded to the Irish Farmers Journal immediately following judging.
Important Notice to Animal Owners involved in Showing Animals
The Irish Shows Association would advise all Animal owners who have their animals insured to have the Insurance cover extended to cover them while showing Animals at Shows, we understand that it costs very little or nothing at all depending on who you have Insurance cover with.
The reason for us giving you this advice is that if your animal lashed out and injured someone or damaged someone’s property, and it is established that your animal was out of your control at that time, you may be held responsible or partly responsible for any injury or damage caused, you may end up paying all, or part of any settlement reached.