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KILMACANOGUE HORSE SHOW is affiliated to the IRISH SHOWS ASSOCIATION (ISA)

ISA DISCIPLINE CODE

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 other show officials.

Harassment or bullying, including using words or actions that threaten, intimidate or undermine judges 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 a 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 disciplinary Committee. The disciplinary Committee shall seek to ensure the existence of consistent, effective, fair and transparent complaint procedures and shall act in accordance with natural and constitutional justice.

For full details refer to our 2024 yearbook or visit our website on www.irishshows.org.

IMPORTANT NOTICE to Animal Owners involved in Showing Animals.

INTENDING EXHIBITORS ARE ADVISED TO ENSURE THAT THEIR PUBLIC LIABILITY POLICY COVERS THE EXHIBITION OF BLOODSTOCK/LIVESTOCK AT PUBLIC SHOWS.

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 the cost is very little or nothing at all. If you are one of the few who don’t have cover we would advise that you consider putting it in place for this purpose. The reason for this advice is to protect yourself in the event of your animal lashing out and injuring someone or damaging someone’s property.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR EQUINES

Premises Registration 
As from 1 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 and 
Passport number/UELN number of the animal
It is important therefore that Show organisers should contact their local Regional Veterinary Office in advance so that consideration can be given to compliance with the requirements outlined above. 

Further information is available at: https://www.gov.ie/en/form/19428-application-for-registration-of-an-equine-premises-under-the-control -on-places-where-horses-are-kept-regulations-2014/

Equine Identification
All Equines (which include horses, ponies and donkeys) must be identified in accordance with EU and national legislation. 

It is an offence to be in possession of an equine that is not properly identified.  
Equine passports must be issued by approved Passport Issuing Organisations [PIOs] not later than 12 months from the date of birth of the animal and, in any event before the equine leaves the establishment of birth for a period exceeding 30 days, except in limited circumstances.  The passport is valid for the lifetime of the animal.  A list of the PIOs approved by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is set out in Appendix 5.
Microchip - all equines issued with a passport after 1st July 2009 must have a corresponding microchip implanted by a veterinarian, the details of which are recorded in the passport and in the central equine database, thereby creating a link between the passport and the animal. 
In respect of each equine in their care, a keeper must ensure that
the equine is registered with an approved PIO; 
 the animal’s passport is issued in accordance with EU and national legislation;

they are in compliance with the provisions of the legislation whereby the passport issued in respect of the equine must accompany the animal whenever it is moved to events such as shows, sales and to slaughter plants, etc.    

Further information is available from Dept. of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, - at Livestock Breeding, Production and Trade Division, Farnham St, Cavan (Phone +353 49 4368200) in respect of studbook equines and from Animal Identification and Movement Division, Backweston Administration Building, Stacumny Lane, Celbridge, Co Kildare, W23 X3PH (Phone +353 1 5058881) in respect of equines that do not qualify for entry into a studbook.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR SHEEP

Identification
All sheep must be identified individually with appropriate ear tags issued in accordance with the requirements of the National Sheep Identification System (NSIS).

Movement Documentation
All consignments of sheep being moved must be accompanied by a completed dispatch document.  Individual details of each sheep in the consignment must be recorded on the document.  Sheep from non-restricted flocks only can be moved to shows.  In the case of flocks restricted following diagnosis of scrapie, sheep possessing the ARR/ARR genotype only may be exhibited .  The movement of these ARR/ARR genotype sheep must be accompanied by the relevant movement permit (SCR/10), which can be obtained from the Regional Veterinary Office responsible for the county in which the flock is located. 
 
AIM Notification
The movement of sheep to and from an Agricultural Show within the State must be recorded on AIM.  This is done using a copy of the owner’s sheep dispatch document as follows:
1.    The owner/keeper presents the signed and completed dispatch document to the show secretary who checks it to ensure that it is completed in full.
2.    The show secretary fills in the MART section of the dispatch document with (i) the show number, (ii) the date of the move back to the source holding (iii) stamps it with the show stamp and (iv) signs the dispatch document. 
3.    The show secretary then forwards the completed pink section of the dispatch document to the local RVO within 7 days of the show movement.
4.    The show secretary keeps the white copy for their records.
5.    The source/destination keeper keeps the bottom yellow copy to enter it into their flock register.

Ultimate responsibility for fulfilling this requirement lies with the Show Secretary.  

Flock Register
All movements of sheep to and from shows must be recorded in the keeper’s flock register. 

Movement to Northern Ireland
All sheep must be accompanied by an Intra Trade Animal Health Certificate (ITAHC) for ovine animals.  A TRACES message, corresponding with the ITAHC, will be sent for each animal or consignment being dispatched to the show (this will be performed by Department officials from the RVO).  Exhibitors are advised to contact the show society in Northern Ireland well in advance of any show to determine the suitability of the show for return of animals (e.g., premises and sheep status), and whether the authorities will have officials and veterinary staff present to supervise and process documentation for animals returning to origin.

Agreement for the movement and immediate return of sheep to a Show in another country or vice versa currently applies for movements between Ireland and Northern Ireland only – it does not apply for movements to Great Britain or further afield.  Movements to shows other than Northern Ireland will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, and you should contact your local Regional Veterinary Office at least one month prior to the Show.

General Championship Rules for 2024

New Rule for Exhibitors 2024

If a qualified exhibitor, who enters the final, does not turn up to an ISA final without giving prior notice to the ISA office or to a board member he or she will incur a financial penalty.

Responsibility of Exhibitors:

1. Exhibitors accept that the Judge's decision is final in all cases.
2. Any abuse of Judges will not be tolerated. Where a dispute or case for complaint arises, the matter should only be dealt with under 8 below.
3. Exhibitors should be familiar with the Irish Shows Association Disciplinary Policy as published on our website and annual guidebook.
4. Winners of Qualifiers are themselves responsible for entering their qualifiers (or exhibits) for the final in accordance with the rules above, within one hour of qualifying.
5. Winners of qualifiers will compete in the final.
6. The Irish Shows Association in conjunction with the sponsors reserve the right to alter or amend the rules of the competition as may be necessary where appropriate.
7. Shows and competitors must contact the ISA for details of any championships and not the sponsor involved.
8. 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.
9. Any exhibitor who makes a false declaration or misrepresents a fact regarding themselves or their exhibit is liable to disqualification and/or forfeiture of any prizes awarded.

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. Shows must ensure that the qualifiers are held strictly in accordance with the relevant rules.
3. No other sponsor may be involved in qualifying classes.
4. Shows may charge a set entry fee for each qualifying class. The I.S.A. will award a rosette to the successful exhibit(s) on appearance at the final.
5. No show hosting a Championship Final may hold a qualifying class for that championship on the day of the final other than by agreement with the Irish Shows Association.
6. Shows who hold qualifiers for Horses, Ponies, Cattle, Sheep & Goats may ask exhibitors to enter the exhibit in at least one other class at their show on the day. Shows should not undertake to host a qualifier unless they have an equivalent class.
7. Where shows debar class winners from further competitions, this rule must not be applied to qualifiers.
8. Animals qualified for finals are not eligible to enter in any other show class at the show where the final is held, other than a qualifying class for another championship.
9. 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.
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 paperwork and pay 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 Entry" for any or all of the events for which no animal (or exhibit) has been selected.