VIRGINIA SHOW RULES AND
REGULATIONS 2023

1. Exhibitors wishing to sell any article can have same listed in Catalogue and get For Sale card from the Secretary’s Office.
2. The Affairs of the Society shall be conducted by a Committee to be elected annually from the list of members, together with the Secretary.
3. Intending Competitors must lodge with the Secretary a complete list of their entries numbered according to the Prize List (on forms to be supplied by the Committee) not later than 16 th August, 2023 accompanied by an Entry Fee - otherwise they will not be accepted.
4. All Livestock Exhibits (whether for competition or Exhibition) in order that they may be properly arranged, should be at the Show grounds by 9.00 a.m. and cannot be admitted after 10.30 a.m.
5. Bulls must be secured by a ring in the nose with a chain or rope attached, and be in charge of a caretaker, otherwise they cannot be admitted. All animals to have halters on their heads. All competing animals to be distinguished by numbers only.
6. All Hall Exhibits (whether for competition or Exhibition) should be at the Show by 9.30 a.m. on show morning in order that they may be properly arranged. (Entries will be accepted on Tuesday 7.00- 9.00p.m.
7. The arrangement of the Show will be conducted by a committee of Management, and the persons entering the Show yard are subject to the direction of the Stewards and Secretary.
8. No person will be permitted to interfere with the Judges when adjudicating. Exhibitors so doing will forfeit their claim to prizes. Any abuse of judges will not be tolerated.
9. Exhibitors may enter the same exhibit in the cattle and horse sections in as many classes as they are eligible for, provided that they pay the necessary entry fee in each.
10. The Judges shall have the power to award First, Second or Third prizes according to merits of the Exhibitors, or to withhold any or all prizes in any class for want of merit.
11. The decision of the Judges shall be final as to merit. On points of disqualification, objections or appeals will be considered if lodged with the Secretary, together with a fee of €50 within one hour of completion of the competition on Show day, such objections will be considered by the committee of Management. The Fee will be returned if the objection is not considered frivolous.
12. No diseased animal can be admitted, and should they manifest symptoms of disease during the Exhibition they must immediately be removed from the premises on an order being given to the effect by the Secretary.
13. The ages of all Horses to date from 1st January of the year of their birth.
14. As one of the objectives of this Association is to encourage the keeping of superior animals of the various descriptions for breeding purposes, the Judges will be instructed to particularly discourage overfed animals and those showing symptoms of constitutional unsoundness.
15. No stock can be removed from the Show Grounds before the parade of prize winners or 5pm whichever is the latest on the day of the Show. Other exhibits 5 o’clock.
16. Whilst every reasonable care will be exercised, the Show Society will not be responsible for any accident, loss or damage to any exhibit, exhibitor or spectator from any cause whatever occurring in the Show Yard, or in transit thereto or there from. Should any matter arise not provided for, or in the purview of these rules and regulations, such matter shall be referred to the committee whose decision shall be final and binding - no appeal to law in any case.
17. Definition of Farmer - where the term farmer is made use of in the Prize List it shall be Virginia Show Prize List 2023 taken as subject to the following definition - A farmer shall be understood to mean one who resides permanently on his/her farm, working it him/herself and deriving there from his/her principal and ostensible means of subsistence.
18. In section 6 and 7, the winners must be prepared, if called upon by the Committee to produce within 48 hours of getting notice, at least double the supply of the Exhibits as evidence of growth by the person showing, although if true to kind the same quality of excellence will not be insisted upon.
19. All articles for exhibition in Agricultural Hall/Marquee must be handed to the Stewards in charge, so as to have them placed in proper Section. No person shall reposition or remove Exhibit without the authority of the Stewards.
20. Competitors may enter Horses and Cattle in any class for which they are eligible but any animal that obtains a First Prize cannot be exhibited in any other Class at the same Show. They shall, however, be eligible to compete for Special Prizes.
21. Where there is only one entry in a class, this class may be cancelled and the Exhibitor notified.
22. Competitors exhibiting animals not their own property will forfeit all prizes obtained at the Show, and be prohibited from entering any subsequent Show.
23. All correct and appropriate numbers must be attached to Animals before Judging commences, if not, No Prize money will be paid.
24. All animals must be properly trained and restrained. Animals, which, in the opinion of the safety officers, are likely to become dangerous, must be removed from the grounds or enclosed in the pen provided.
25. All animals must be unloaded/loaded in special designated area/pen.
26. ISA and Virginia Show advise all Livestock exhibitors to have insurance on their animals - see note in showing classes.
27. Due to administration costs entry fees cannot be returned for non-participation in Show.
28. All prize money must be claimed before the end of the financial year, 31st Dec.
29. The Committee will not be responsible for any goods or items left in Hall or Grounds of Show after 6pm on Show Day.
30. Vouchers or prizes in kind may be given in lieu of prize money.
31. All Trade Stand Passes are valid until 11am.
32. Winners of Qualifiers are themselves responsible for entering their qualifiers (or exhibits) for the final. Within one hour of qualifying - they should present themselves to the Secretary’s office at the Show for details.
33. Poultry classes are subject to Department of Agriculture guidelines.

Please note all animals must have an individual handler at all times on the show grounds, otherwise they will be removed from the grounds or enclosed in a pen provided. Animals must only be tied to appropriate tying facilities.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR EXHIBITORS
In weight classes all animals must be weighed before judging commences and only one weighing per animal allowed unless requested by the judge.
NOTE: A heifer becomes a cow when she gives birth to a calf. All correct and appropriate Numbers must be attached to Animals before Judging Commences. IF NOT - No Prize-money will be awarded. All horses moving from one location to another must be accompanied by their passports. All passports must be registered by the current owner. It is in your own interest to ensure this as failure to do so can result in a fine.
See the information in Horse And Pony Section regarding the current rules for Equine.
We wish To Thank the Minister of Agriculture and the Dept of Agriculture for their grant towards the cost of our insurance.

The Irish Shows Association is proud to present All Ireland Championships and wishes to acknowledge the generous sponsorships, which make these competitions possible. For the efficient running of the Championships all concerned are requested to read and observe the Rules set out below.

General Rules for 2023

1. Eligibility of Shows: - Shows wishing to participate in the Championships and be eligible to hold qualifiers, must have collected the Championship Fund (currently 5%) from Horse (classes), Cattle and Sheep prizes for the year 2023 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.
2. Qualifying rounds: Qualifying rounds will take place at designated shows by the Irish Shows Association.
3. Responsibility of Shows: Selected Shows should hold a separate class for each qualifier from which the highest placed animals will qualify. The Qualifier class should be held as the 1st class in the relevant section of the Show.
4. Shows must ensure that the qualifiers are held strictly in accordance with the relevant Rules.
5. Shows may charge an entry fee for each qualifier.
6. It is a condition that no other sponsor may-be involved in qualifier class.
7. Shows must 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.
8. Animals that have already qualified are not eligible to compete in further qualifiers at local shows in the same Championships.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. Show Secretary must forward duly completed result cards, together with appropriate fees to the Irish Shows Association within three days following the holding of the show.
12. Responsibility of Exhibitors; Winners of Qualifiers are themselves responsible for entering their qualifiers (or exhibits) for the final, within one hour of qualifying.
13. Winner of qualifiers will compete in the final.
14. The Irish Shows Association in conjunction with the sponsor reserves the right to alter or amend the rules of the competition as may be necessary.
15. 5% of the prize money will be collected by the show and forwarded to the I.S.A. within 30 days.
16. Any show or competitor in breach of these rules will be disqualified from competing in these Championships.
17. Shows and competitors must contact the I.S.A. for all details and information concerning these Championships and NOT the sponsor.
18. Any objections or complaints 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 the competition, together with €50 or another stated fee which is refundable in the event of the objection being upheld.
19. These general rules and those relating to the individual Championships being staged should be published in the schedule and catalogue of the participating show and strictly observed.