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 of Agriculture.  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.  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.

Any further information on the requirements for moving of horses and equines to shows will be provided on the Department's website www.agriculture.gov.ie/animalhealthwelfare/animalidentificationmovement

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 local District Veterinary Office in the county where 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 DVO within 7 days of the show movement.
4. The show secretary keeps a white copy for his/her 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.
Exports to Northern Ireland
All sheep must be accompanied by a TRACES intra-community trade certificate for ovine animals. A TRACES message, corresponding with the TRACES certificate, will be sent for each animal or consignment being dispatched to the show (this will be performed by Department officials of the DVO). 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.

Attendance of sheep from scrapie monitored flocks at shows and sales in 2018

Shows between 1st May and 30th September
Sheep from scrapie monitored flocks will be permitted to attend agricultural shows taking place between May 1st and September 30th without restriction or separation from other categories of sheep.

Shows outside that period
For shows taking place before May 1st or after September 30th, sheep from scrapie monitored or probationary flocks must be separated from other sheep as follows:

There must be complete separation of monitored/probationary sheep from other categories of sheep at the show. Ideally, this would mean a separate entrance and exit for each group, separate loading and unloading areas, separate penning areas for each of the two groups.

In locations where all of the above may not be possible, the minimum requirement would be the separate loading and unloading and also of penning areas. The two areas should be separate by a sheep-free alleyway, at least 12 feet wide. If only one showring is available, the sheep from the scrapie-monitored flocks must be shown first.

Discipline
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, exhibitors 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 the regional chairpersons and the sitting president 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.
 

Procedure:

A complaint of misconduct/inappropriate behaviour against an Exhibitor or other participant in a Member Show shall be made in writing and delivered to the Secretary of the relevant Member Show within 72 hours.

A copy of the complaint shall be sent by the Secretary of the Member Show to the National Secretary of the ISA. A copy of the complaint will be sent by the National Secretary to the person or persons against whom the complaint is made. A person or persons against whom a written complaint is made shall have a period of 14 working days from the date of receipt of the claim to reply to the said complaint; such reply shall be made in writing.

Both parties shall state whether an oral hearing of the complaint is sought. The Disciplinary Committee shall be entitled to hold an oral hearing in regard to the complaint whether or not sought. The Disciplinary Committee shall decide in each case whether to hold such an oral hearing in respect of the complaint, or any part thereof and there shall be no appeal from such decision of the Disciplinary Committee. For the purposes of dealing with a complaint, any three members of the disciplinary committee will constitute the complaint committee.

The Disciplinary Committee shall, at any time, seek further information from either party. In the event of either party refusing or failing to provide such further information within the time specified by the Disciplinary Committee, the Committee shall be entitled to make a decision on the complaint and/or to hold an oral hearing of the complaint in the absence of a copy of such further information being received by the Disciplinary Committee from either party.

The Disciplinary Committee shall be entitled to reject a complaint where, in the opinion of the Committee, it finds there is no basis for it.

Sanctions:
In the event of a first incident of inappropriate/unacceptable behaviour being deemed to be proved against the offender, the Disciplinary Committee shall issue a written warning to the offender. In the event of any subsequent incident, the Disciplinary Committee shall be entitled to impose sanctions on the offender, including a prohibition on such offender participating in any of the events/activities at any Member Show of the ISA, provided always that in the event of a first incident of inappropriate/unacceptable behaviour being deemed by the Disciplinary Committee to constitute gross misbehaviour, the Disciplinary Committee shall be entitled to impose such sanctions on the offender as it deems appropriate, including the prohibition on such offender from participating in any of the events/activities of any Member Show of the ISA.
The decision of the Disciplinary Committee shall be final.

Eligibility of Shows to host Qualifiers:

Shows wishing to participate in the Championships and be eligible to hold qualifiers must:

1. Have collected the Championship Fund (currently 5%) from Horse, Pony, Cattle, Sheep & Goat class prize money for the previous year 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. Any show or competitor in breach of the rules set out will be disqualified from participating or competing in these Championships.
2. Undertake to ensure the correct collection and return of qualifier cards and entry fees.
3. 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.

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.

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 7 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.

Responsibilities of Shows hosting Championship Finals & All-Ireland Finals:

1. Where shows are paying out prizes, a deduction of 5% of the prize money will be collected by the show and forwarded to the I.S.A. within 30 days of the Final.
2. Championship finals must start not later than 2pm on the day of the show and the advertised time must be adhered to as far as possible. If necessary, other show classes should be either postponed or relocated to allow for this.
3. Shows should cooperate with ISA personnel and judges appointed to officiate at finals.
4. Selection of judges for All-Ireland championships should be handled by the relevant sub-committee of the board of the ISA.