Show Rules

1. General Rules

The Show Yard will be open at 8.00 a.m. All the exhibits must be in before 10 a.m. No exhibit may be removed until 4.00 p.m. Exhibitors failing to comply with this rule may forfeit their prize money.
Subject to the foregoing regulations, the management of the Show will be in the hands of a Sub-Committee, who in the event of non-attendance of judges, or in any unforeseen emergency, will make such orders and arrangements as those circumstances may appear to warrant.
Should any question arise not provided for in the foregoing conditions, the same must be referred to the sub-Committee whose decision shall be final and from which there is no appeal and entries are accepted on these conditions.
Exhibits not accepted by post.
The Show Committee reserves to itself the right to cancel any part of the Show. It also has the right to accept or refuse any entry.
A secure holding is available for unloading and loading of animals.
Exhibitors and animal handlers must comply promptly with all directions given by the Committee, Stewards, Safety Officer and Show Veterinary Officer.
The Show Committee may postpone, alter or cancel the Show due to adverse weather, disease-control measures, government direction or any circumstances beyond its reasonable control.
The Show Committee will determine whether entry fees will be refunded where an entry, class or the Show is cancelled.
The Show Committee reserves the right to amend the Show timetable where circumstances require it.

2. Entries & Payments

All entries must be accompanied by appropriate entry fees. Cattle Movement Certs must be returned with entry forms, Equine Premises Registration Number must be quoted on equine entry forms.
All entries should be made online at strokestownshow.ie. The committee, at its discretion, reserves the right to refuse entries not submitted through the online entries portal.
Exhibitors may enter for more than one class by paying the entrance fee for such classes, unless otherwise specified.
The Irish Shows Association’s Levy will be deducted from prize money where applicable.
Exhibitors must ensure that all information supplied on entry forms is complete and accurate.
No substitution of an exhibit or animal will be permitted after the closing date without the approval of the Show Committee.
Entry fees are non-refundable except where otherwise determined by the Show Committee.
Prize money must be claimed or collected in accordance with the arrangements and time limits published by the Show Committee.
Should any question arise not provided for in the foregoing conditions, the same must be referred to the sub-Committee whose decision shall be final and from which there is no appeal and entries are accepted on these conditions.

3. Eligibility & Compliance

All exhibits and animals must be the bona-fide property of the exhibitor.
All exhibits must be shown under the owner’s name. Only one caretaker of each lot of Cattle, Horses and Sheep will be admitted and must remain in charge of their lot during the time the Show is open.
If a Sub-Committee entertains a doubt as to whether anything exhibited be in accordance with the rules, it will require that the exhibitor makes a declaration regarding the matter in question.
The ages of young cattle shall be determined according to conditions set out for different classes. These conditions will be strictly enforced and the cattle examined prior to the judging to see that the age conditions are strictly fulfilled. Cattle not of proper age will be removed from the class.
All animals must comply with the identification, registration, testing and movement requirements in force on the date of the Show.
Exhibitors must produce all required identification, movement, registration and veterinary documentation when requested.
An exhibit entered in an incorrect class may be transferred to the appropriate class or disqualified, at the discretion of the Show Committee. Where the entry fee for the appropriate class is higher, the exhibitor will be liable for the additional fee. Where the entry fee is lower, no refund will be made.
Failure to provide complete or accurate information may result in the refusal of an entry, disqualification or withholding of prizes.

4. Animal Welfare & Biosecurity

Untrained geldings or fillies must be shown in headstall or cavessons. Bulls must be secured by screw or ring in the nose, with a stick, chain or rope attached and must be the charge of a caretaker, otherwise they cannot be admitted.
Cows, heifers or bullocks to be led by halter. All competing animals to be distinguished by clearly visible class and entry numbers only.
Horses awarded a prize may be subject to Veterinary examination.
Animals showing signs of infectious or contagious disease may be refused admission or removed from the Show Grounds on the direction of the Show Veterinary Officer or Show Committee.
Exhibitors must comply with all biosecurity measures operating at the Show, including designated entrances, exits, unloading areas and disinfection facilities.
Exhibitors are responsible for the health, welfare, control and supervision of their animals while on the Show Grounds.
Animals must not be left unattended unless properly secured in an area approved by the Show Committee.
The Show Veterinary Officer or Show Committee may examine any animal and may exclude or remove any animal considered unfit, distressed, dangerous or unsuitable for exhibition.
Any suspected occurrence of a notifiable disease must be reported immediately to the Show Veterinary Officer or Show Committee.
The administration of prohibited substances or any attempt to improperly alter the performance or appearance of an animal is prohibited.
The Show Committee may require an animal to undergo veterinary examination or testing where it considers this necessary.

5. Judging & Decisions

The Judge’s decision as to merit is final. Any written objection on other points to be lodged before 5 p.m. on day of the Show with the Secretary, together with a fee of €25. All objections to be declared by the Sub-Committee and the fee returned except the objection be considered frivolous.
Judging in all sections will commence at 11.00 a.m. sharp unless otherwise stated.
Exhibitors must have their exhibits ready when called for judging. An exhibitor who is late may be excluded from the class.
The Show Committee may combine, divide or cancel classes where entry numbers or circumstances require it.
A Judge or exhibitor must disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest to the Show Committee.
No person may attempt to influence, interfere with or improperly approach a Judge regarding the judging of a class.
Where a Judge is unable to officiate, the Show Committee may appoint a substitute Judge.

6. Prizes & Trophies

The Judges shall award a first prize without competition, where in their opinion, there is decided merit.
No second prize shall be awarded by the judge in any class with less than three exhibits and no third prize awarded in any class with less than four exhibits the property of different owners. In the farm and garden produce section no exhibitor can be awarded more than 2 prizes in any class.
An exhibitor will not under any circumstances be awarded more than 2 first prizes in cash with the same exhibit. However, there is no limit to the number of Rosettes that may be awarded to any exhibit.
Return of Cups – The person to whom a Cup is awarded shall give security to the Society that the Cup will be delivered to the Society in as good condition as it was received at least fourteen days prior to the date of the succeeding Show.
The recipient of a Cup or trophy may be held responsible for the cost of repairing or replacing it if it is lost or damaged while in their possession.
The Show Committee reserve the right to substitute cash prizes with vouchers for product.
The Show Committee may withhold a prize where an exhibit or exhibitor is found to be in breach of the rules.
Prize money and trophies not claimed within the period specified by the Show Committee may be forfeited.

7. Health, Safety & Behaviour

In case it shall be proved to the satisfaction of the Committee that the owner of any animal exhibited or any person in their employment or under their control has been guilty of any violation of the rules or regulations, or of any to mislead or deceive or to secure an unfair advantage, or to decline to have their animal led out for adjudication, such will entitle the Committee to disqualify the animal or animals, to withhold any prize or prizes awarded, to withhold all fees and deposits, to remove the exhibitor, grooms or animals from the Show Grounds and to prevent the exhibitor from competing at this or any future Show of the Society.
No person will be allowed to enter the judging ring with the Judge, except the Stewards of that class and those in charge of the animals. No Steward shall officiate in any class in which they or any of their family is an exhibitor or wear their Stewards badge showing such exhibits.
Exhibitors are responsible for ensuring that their animals, vehicles, equipment and handling methods do not endanger any person or animal.
Children must remain under the supervision of a responsible adult while on the Show Grounds.
Young handlers must be appropriately supervised by a responsible adult.
Dogs must be kept on a lead and under control at all times. Dogs must not enter livestock areas or judging rings unless authorised.
Abusive, threatening, dangerous or disruptive behaviour may result in removal from the Show Grounds and disqualification.
Smoking and vaping are prohibited in livestock areas, food areas, indoor areas and any other areas designated by the Show Committee.
Entrances, exits and emergency-access routes must be kept clear at all times.
Vehicles must be driven carefully and must comply with all signs and directions given by Stewards or Show officials.
Exhibitors must report any accident, injury, dangerous occurrence or safety concern immediately to a Steward or Show official.
The unauthorised use of drones on or above the Show Grounds is prohibited.

8. Data Protection

Personal data supplied in connection with the Show will be collected, used, stored and shared in accordance with the Strokestown Show GDPR / Privacy Policy, available on the Strokestown Show website (strokestownshow.ie/gdpr)
Exhibitors’ names, class details and competition results may be published in Show programmes, results, reports, websites, social media and other Show communications.
Photography and video recording may take place at the Show. Images may be used for reporting, archival and promotional purposes. Anyone with a concern regarding photography should contact the Show Secretary or a Show official.

9. Liability Disclaimer

While every reasonable precaution is taken, the Show Committee accepts no responsibility for loss, theft, damage, or injury to persons, animals, vehicles, equipment, or exhibits, howsoever caused, on the showgrounds or associated areas. Attendance and participation are at your own risk.
The Show Committee will not be responsible for the sale of any item or exhibit.

Important Notice to Animal Owners involved in Showing Animals

The Irish Shows Association advise all animal owners to insure their animals when attending shows.

In the event of an accident and if it is established that an animal was not adequately controlled, the owner may be held personally responsible for any costs that arise.