Rules and Regulations

Clarecastle Agricultural Show Society Rules and Regulations

All equines exhibited must at all times comply with all current regulations and guidelines issued by the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.  All exhibitors must comply with the Society rules and regulations which can be seen here.

Mutual respect between competitors, Society members, judges, stewards and the general public is of paramount importance to the Society. Any deviations from this may result in elimination and/or expulsion from the showgrounds. The Society rulings in these matters are final.

Any act of discourtesy or trying to influence an official or judge, on the part of an owner or servant, shall disqualify the exhibit from being awarded a prize and also disqualify the exhibitor from competing in future shows.

No member shall act as judge or steward in any ring during adjudication who is an exhibitor, or no exhibitor shall be allowed to do likewise.  Violation of this rule will entail disqualification.

The Committee reserve the right to refuse any entry or to remove any animals from the Show Grounds.

The Chief Steward has the authority to exclude any animal deemed unmanageable from competition. If the competitor is directed to leave the competition ring they must do so immediately.

The Society reserves the right to refuse entry into the judging ring to owners of exhibits in any capacity other than that of a rider in the riding classes or a leader in the led classes or to receive a trophy.

In all matters of interpretation or circumstances unforeseen, the decision of the Society will be final and binding on all.

Entries in all classes must be accompanied by Entry Fee and received NO LATER THAN Wednesday July 27th 2022

All entries must be the bona-fide property of the exhibitor and in his or her possession at time of entry, but may be entered and exhibited by an immediate member of the family.

Persons making entries and failing to send exhibits shall forfeit all entry fees paid.

An exhibit entered in a wrong class shall be excluded altogether and no alteration can be made in the Entry Form after it is received.

The Show Committee shall not be responsible or loss or accident of any kind which may occur to exhibitors or visitors or otherwise.

All exhibits will be distinguished by NUMBER ONLY.

The Committee shall not be responsible for any delivery of any exhibit at the Show or for its removal from the Show.

If fewer than 8 entries are received in any class, the Society reserve the right to cancel or reduce the prize money by 50%.  Certain classes will have limited entry numbers allowed to protect the health and safety of the competitors and their animals.

A veterinary certificate will not be required but the judges will take soundness into account when awarding the prizes and if they wish, may consult with the one of the Society’s veterinarians. If soundness is deemed an issue during competition the steward / judge’s decision is final.

The use of mobile phones in the judging rings by exhibitors is strictly forbidden.

All exhibitors leading, riding or showing equines in competition must be 16 years of age or over on 1 January 2022, unless otherwise stated in the class detail.

Protective headgear conforms to the current recommended BSI Kitemark or Inspec IC Mark standards – PAS 015 (1998 or 2011), Snell (E2001 or E2016 with official Snell label and number), ASTM F1163 (2004a or 04a onwards with SEI Mark), VG1 01.040 (2014-12) or AS/NZS 3838 (2006 onwards), and fitted with an adjustable harness, is recommended for all riders. Please note that (BS) EN1384 hats will not be permitted unless the hat is dual stamped with another standard such as Snell or PAS 015. Protective headgear conforming to the above standards is compulsory for riders under the age of 16 years and for all riders competing in performance

Spurs will not be permitted in the ridden pony classes.

The wearing of blinkers is prohibited.

Earphones and / or other electronic communication devices are strictly prohibited in ridden competitions, and such usage is penalised by elimination. Furthermore, athletes may not wear earphones at any time while mounted; this applies everywhere within the Showgrounds.

In the case of child riders competing at the Show, the parent / guardian must be able to verify that the child has attained the level of competence for the class / classes they are entered in.

Lunging and Long-reining is prohibited on the Showgrounds.

Excessive use of the whip (as defined by the FEI) is forbidden in both the competition and practice rings:

· The whip cannot be used to vent a rider’s temper. Such use is always excessive

· The whip is not to be used after elimination or after a horse has jumped the last fence on a course

· The whip is never to be used overhand (for example a whip in the right hand being used on the left flank.    

· The use of a whip on the horse’s head is always excessive use

· If a horse’s skin is broken, it is considered excessive use of the whip

· A horse should never be hit more than three times in any one incident

· A rider identified as excessively using the whip may be disqualified.

Owners are strongly advised that all equines competing at the Show should have experience at other shows before being exhibited.

Neat dress is required in the judging rings at all times. Please see below details of the acceptable dress for the various participants in the showing section. Failure to be suitably attired may lead to elimination and an instruction to leave the ring. The steward / judge’s rulings are final.

In-Hand Show Classes

· Ladies & Gentlemen should wear a suit or jacket and trousers, with collar and tie in addition

· Footwear for both ladies and gentlemen should be appropriate for the terrain – non-slip, sturdy and low heeled e.g. jodhpur boots.

· Appropriate headgear / hats e.g. bowler optional

· Gloves optional

· Showing cane optional

· Trousers – jeans are not permitted under any circumstance

· Trainers are not permitted under any circumstance

Ridden Show Classes

· Jacket for both ladies and gentlemen

· Neat shirt and tie

· Beige, fawn or cream breeches

· Long black boots

· Gloves 

· Protective headgear conforming to the afore detailed standards

· Showing cane

The above rules are formed for the benefit and convenience of exhibitors and the general public.  All objections must be handed in writing to the Secretary not later than 6pm on date of Show and must be accompanied by a deposit of €50 which shall be forfeited if the Committee find the objections frivolous.  The Committee’s decision is final and binding and there shall be no appeal to a Court of Law.  All entries are accepted on these conditions.

I.S.A Championships General Rules for 2022

Responsibility for Exhibitors

  1. Exhibitors accept that the Judge’s decision is final in all cases.
  2. Where a dispute or case for complaint arises the matter should only be dealt with under rule g. below.
  3. Winners of qualifiers are themselves responsible for entering their animals (or exhitibs) for the final within one hour of qualifying.
  4. Winners of qualifiers will compete in the final.
  5. The Irish Shows Association in conjunction with the sponsor reserve the right to alter or amend the rules of any competition as may be necessary of appropriate.
  6. Shows and competitors must contact the I.S.A for details of any championships and not the sponsors involved.
  7. Objections must be lodged in writing with the I.S.A repressentative 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.

NOTICES OF INTEREST TO CHAMPIONSHIP PARTICIPANTS

IRISH LAW (EU DIRECTIVE)

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS – HORSES AND OTHER EQUINES

Premises Registration

As from 1st May 2012, any premises (which includes Shows, Fairs and Markets) where horses or other equines are gathered must be registered with the Department.  Owners/persons in charge of such gatherings are required to submit a completed application form for registration and to keep records of movements on/off their premises.

Records must be retained for at least 3 years as they may be required by the Department for the purposes of tracing disease.  Records required are:-

  • The name and address of the owner/person in charge of the premises from which the equine came.
  • The premises registration number from which the equine came.
  • Passport number/UEL number of the animal.

Equine Identification

  • All Equines (which include horses, ponies and donkeys) must be identified in accordance with EU and national legislation.
  • Possession of an unidentified equine is an offence under the legislation.
  • Passport must be issued by approved Passport Issuing Organisations (PIO’s) within the calendar year of birth 9 by 31st December in the year of birth) or within six months of birth (whichever is later) and is valid for the lifetime of the animal.
  • Microchip – all equines issued with a passport after 1st July 2009 must have a corresponding microchip implanted by a veterinarian which is recorded in the passport and creates a link between the passport and the animal.

Keepers Must

  • Have an equine registered with PIO.
  • Have a passport issued in accordance with EU and national legislation.
  • Comply with the provisions of the legislation whereby a passport must accompany the equine whenever it is moved to events such as shows, sales and to slaughter plants etc.,

Embryo Transfer:  where a foal is produced by this method the dams passport must bear a declaration dated, stamped and signed by the stallion owner (or accredited practicioner where AI is involved) stating the date on which the dam was last covered (or inseminated) and the name of the covering stallion.

Disipline

The Irish Shows Association expects and will insist upon appropriate behaviour from all Exhibitors and others participating in any of the activities at our Member Shows and will not tolerate inappropriate behaviour.

Inappropriate behaviour shall include but not be limited to the following:

  • Profanity, coarse or vulgar language or gestures towards judges or show officials.
  • Harassment or bullying, including using words or actions that threaten, intimidate or undermine jusges or other officials before, during or following Member Show activities.
  • Failure to follow rules and/or obey instructions.
  • Abusing any animal.

Disciplinary Procedures:

Complaints of misconduct against an Exhibitor or other participant at a Member Show shall be investigated and adjudicated upon by subcommittee appointed by the Irish Shows Association.  The said subcommittee shall consist of three members of the board of the Irish Shows Association and shall be known as the Diciplinary Committee.  The Diciplinary Committee shall seek to ensure the existence of consistent, effective, fair, and transparent complaint procedures and shall in accordance with natural and constitutional justice.

For Details please refer to our 2022 yearbook or visit our website on www.irish-shows.org