The Committee shall have the power to interpret these rules and the regulations if there should be any ambiguity or difference of opinion concerning the purport or intention of any rule or regulation. The Committee shall have power to deal with any matter not provided for in these rules.

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Subscribers' Rates of Entry

1. All members of the Society and all persons subscribing £25 and upwards are ‘Subscribers’ and may take advantage of reduced entry fees as mentioned in the Prize Lists as follows: Subscribers of up to £25 (£40.00 Double): Four entries at Subscriber’s Rates each. Subscribers of £30 (£50.00 Double) or more: Unlimited number of entries at Subscribers’ Rates. a) No Member, while his subscription is unpaid shall enjoy any privileges of this Society, and no person, formerly a member of the Society but resigning whilst standing indebted to the Society, shall be permitted to make Subscribers’ Rate Entries. b) The privilege of entering at Subscribers’ Rates is strictly limited to members of the Melplash Agricultural Society Show. c) No entry will be accepted unless the fee accompanies it, and if the Exhibitor is a Member of the Society the subscription for the year, unless previously paid, together with any arrears that may be due. Classes 2. The Society reserves the right to cancel any breed section with three or less exhibitors and to amalgamate or cancel classes in which there are less than 6 entries. In the event of a class having to be cancelled the entry will be returned.

Entries & Closing Date

3. All Subscriptions and Entry Fees must be paid to the Secretary at the time of entry, or the entries will not be accepted. All entries must be made on the printed forms to be obtained from the Show Secretary and must be received in the Show Secretary’s Office by the closing date of entries. If any animal is entered in more than one class this must be clearly stated on the entry form.

Ownership of Exhibits

4. Except for the horse and pony classes and where otherwise stated in the Schedule all exhibits must be the bona fide property of the Exhibitor and all animals must be the bona fide property of the Exhibitor two calendar months before the date of entry.

Ages of Animals

5. The ages of all animals exhibited must be stated at time of entry. The judges have the liberty of asking the Hone Veterinary Surgeons to apply the dentition test to any animal.

Local Class

6. Entries in Local Classes must come from within a radius of 12 miles of Melplash Church. Rule 4 concerning ownership also applies.

Time of Arrival of Exhibits

7. Exhibits must be on the Show Field and be ready to be judged as per timetable. Competitors to provide armbands where applicable.

Bearer Entrance Tickets

8. Bearer Entrance Tickets will be issued to enable Exhibitors to bring animals into the Show Field. Bearer tickets will be issued at the discretion of the Committee.

Rejection of Entries

9. The Committee reserves the right to reject an entry

Entry Fees Forfeited/Travelling Expenses

10. Subscribers and Non-Subscribers making an entry and not sending their proposed exhibits to the Show shall forfeit their entry fee.

Prizes may be withheld

11. All Prize Winners in the classes for Donkeys, Cattle, Sheep and Goats must parade at the Parade of Winners or forfeit their prize money.

Substitution and Nomination

12. All entries in classes for Hunters, Ponies, Donkeys and Livestock are to be made by name and no substitution will be allowed. Nomination entries will not be accepted.

Protests

13. Any person making a protest must make the same in writing within 30 minutes of completion of the judging of the class concerned and at the same time deposit £10.00 with the Secretary, which amount will be forfeited if the Chairman of Committees consider the objection frivolous. If the objection be on the grounds of unsoundness, the particular character of unsoundness must be stated, and any objection not made in the manner and within the time mentioned in this rule will inadmissible, unless the Chairman of Committees shall otherwise direct.

Disputes

14. All disputes will be settled by a Committee and their decision will be final.

The Judging Ring

15 No one will be allowed in the rings or near the Judges whilst they are engaged upon the awards, except those who have duties to perform, and any Steward being an exhibitor or interested in any exhibit must withdraw from the ring whilst the class in which he/she has entered or is interested in is being judged.

Departures

16. All winners must stay at the Show Field to parade in the Grand Parade or they will forfeit their prize. Exhibits in the Horticultural, Home Produce, Woodcraft & Handicraft Sections must not be moved until 6pm.

Accident or Illness

17 The Society will not be responsible for any illness or accident from any cause whatsoever that may occur to any person (whether an exhibitor or not) or animal or damage to or loss of any article exhibited in the Show, and it shall be a condition of entry that any exhibitor shall indemnify the Society against any claim and cost arising from any such illness, accident, damage or loss.

Conditions of Judging

18. In awarding prizes to cattle, Judges are instructed to decide according to the merits of the animals for breeding purposes so that an animal in ‘store’ condition may compete on equal terms with one which is fat.

Extra Stock

19. Spaces will be allotted for extra stock not shown for prizes, if asked for previously.

Animals Not Entered for Exhibition

20. If any animals are brought into the Show Field without having been entered for exhibition, unless prior consent has been obtained from the Show Secretary, the owner shall be liable for a fine of up to £15 and the forfeiture of any prize awarded to them.

Rosettes

21. No animal shall be decorated in colours other than the Soicety’s Prize Rosettes and other rosettes awarded at the Show.

Health and Safety

The Melplash Agricultural Society has taken reasonable precautions to ensure the health and safety of everyone present at the Show. For these measures to be effective, everyone must take all reasonable precautions to avoid or prevent accidents occurring and must act upon the instructions of all Officials and Stewards. To comply with Health & Safety Executive guidelines the Society has provided Horse Walks. It is a condition of entry that all exhibits keep within these designated routes, that all reasonable precautions are taken to prevent accidents and that guidance is taken from Officials & Stewards at crossing points etc.

Dogs

All dogs should be kept under strict control on the Showground particularly around the Livestock Areas. Stewards and Officials reserve the right to reject any animal deemed to be unsafe.

HORSE, PONY & JUMPING CLASSES

Height Measurements 22 A half inch to be allowed for shoes, provided the animal is shod normally. No allowance for tips, plates or charlier shoes. Metric height measurements have been rounded up. Hand measurement is approximate. Rules for Jumping Events 23 This Show is affiliated to the British Show Jumping Association. Owners entering their horses do so entirely at their own risk, and it is a condition of entry that no liability of any kind attaches itself to the BSJA, its Committees or Members or the Melplash Show, its Committees or Members, in any respect whatsoever other than the liability for the refund of entry fees in the event of abandonment of the Competition. All owners and riders (and where applicable their parents or guardians) of horses/ponies competing in Show Jumping Competitions in this Show shall be deemed to be subject to the Rules and Regulations of the BSJA (obtainable from the Secretary General, BSJA, National Equestrian Centre, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2LR) as though each of them were Members of the Association. The whole of the entry fee to be paid at the time of entry. Nomination entries will not be accepted. Names of horse, owner and rider to be stated on the entry form with registration numbers. Substitution in the jumping classes will only be allowed in accordance with the rules of the BSJA. Riders’ Headgear 24 Protective headgear according to BSI Current Standard must be worn by riders of horses and ponies when mounted anywhere on the Show Ground. It is their duty, in the interests of their own safety, to ensure that their headgear provides proper protection. a. Anyone on a horse at an affiliated show must wear a hard hat. b. A skull cap or a hat and safety harness according to BSI Current Standard must be worn by all competitors in the jumping phase of the Working Hunter classes. Skull caps must have a navy blue or black cover. Equine Influenza 25 All competing horses and ponies MUST be vaccinated against equine influenza. The current (up-to-date) vaccination certificate should accompany the animal to the Show. 26 Allow a stallion for which he is responsible as owner, lessee, authorised agent or rider to attend a show, compete or be prepared to compete, in any show jumping competition without taking adequate precautions to ensure other horses/ponies, competitors and members of the public are not at risk of injury. Also refer to Rule 102.11.

CATTLE

The General Rules and Regulations of the Show will also apply to this Section. Cattle entries can be accepted only from herds that are officially Brucellosis free. Every animal must be entered or certified as eligible to be entered in the Herd Book of its Breed, or Grading Register, except where otherwise stated at the top of the breed classification. All cattle must be tattooed in accordance with the rules of their respective Breed Societies, where such rules exist, and tattoos must be clearly legible. Where an animal is entered by the exhibitor as eligible for entry in the Herd Book of its Breed, proof of such eligibility must be given on the entry form. Exhibitors are reminded to ensure they, or their haulier, can provide upon request, completed Animal Transport Certificates for their journey(s) to the Showground. Owners of Cattle must ensure that the animals are accompanied by, and can provide upon request, the relevant Full Cattle Passport or Certificate of Registration, or for animals under 28 days old, a Calf Passport Application (CPP12) duly completed. Guidance on the necessary completion of Cattle Passports to/from the Showground can be obtained from the BCMS Helpline, telephone 0845 050 1234. Owners of all stock are reminded that the relevant records of the animal(s) movements to and from the Show must be duly entered into their ON Farm Register or movement book and the CPP12 within 36 hours. Cattle must originate from premises which are not under DEFRA restrictions for tuberculosis or brucellosis. The must have been the bona fide property of the exhibitor on his holding for at least two calendar months prior to the Show. Definition of Exhibitor Bred. An animal is defined, as exhibitor bred if the prefix of the animal is that registered to the exhibitor and the exhibitor was the registered owner/joint owner of the dam at the time of birth and registration. An animal born as a result of embryo transfer is deemed “Exhibitor Bred” if at the time of embryo collection the donor female was in sole or joint ownership of the exhibitor. Cows or Heifers which calve at the Show, or which have signs or abnormal discharge, will be placed into isolation and returned to the herd of origin as soon as practicable. The DVM will be informed immediately. If calving should take place, or if abnormal discharge should occur before the time of judging, such animals will not be allowed to compete. Please state if bringing suckling calf with cow. All cattle exhibitors, judges and stewards will be given a copy of the Divisional Veterinary Officer’s Schedule of Conditions which must be strictly complied with. All cattle must be halter led at all times. Exhibitors should bring their own buckets for watering cattle. No water troughs will be provided and no exhibitor will be permitted to bring a trough. In the interest of Public Safety, the Show Committee has decided that no bull shall be paraded unless it is properly rung and is controlled by one person with a bull staff or two persons both holding ropes attached through the bull’s nose. Milk recorded Cow or Heifer. It is not necessary for animals to be entered in the Breed Society” Herd Books, nor in Classes B, C or D of the Supplementary Registers. The animal placed first on inspection to receive the maximum 500 points, other placings at the discretion of the judge. To the points awarded for inspection will be added 1 point per kilo of butterfat yield, and 1 point per kilo of protein in the lactation completed since 31st July 2001. Exhibitors must state in the space provided on their entry forms if they wish any of their exhibits in the other Holstein Classes to be entered in this class also. Entries cannot be accepted on the day of the show, and the entry form must be accompanied by NMR Certificate giving yield and butterfat. No warbled cattle will be allowed into the show without a completed declaration of treatment (Form C) and this form can be obtained from the Local Authority or the Divisional Veterinary Manager. Cattle belonging to a ChecCS-approved Health Scheme must be accompanied by a Herd Certificate of their Status, a copy of which should accompany the entry form. Members must ensure that they and their cattle comply with the Scheme Rules concerning attendance at Shows.

SHEEP

The judging of sheep will commence at 9.30am. The General Rules and Regulations of the Show will also apply to this Section. Classes for Registered Sheep. . Every animal entered for competition, with exception of those in the Lambs for the Meat Trade and Live Pairs Classes, must be entered or certified as eligible to be entered in the flock Book of its Breed. All Sheep must also be tattooed in accordance with the rules of their respective Breed Societies, where such rules exist. Where an animal is entered by the exhibitor as eligible for entry in the Flock Book of its Breed, proof of such eligibility may be requested and the animal shown to Breed Society Rules. Each sheep exhibited can only enter one class except for the Group of Three and special classes. Sheep to exhibited without colouring. All other sheep, except lambs, must be clean shorn after 1st April 2007. All sheep shown in the local classes to be untrimmed with shears, but tailing permitted. The judges will be instructed to disqualify any sheep not conforming to this rule. Under the law of Welfare of Livestock (Prohibited Operations) Regulations 1982 all sheeps tails’ must cover the vulva of the female and the anus of the male. HEALTH SCHEMES MV – SHEEP All owners of MV accredited animals, must produce a valid certificate of MV/CAE accredited status on arrival at the Show. These will be collected by stewards at the unloading point only, who will then direct owners to the appropriate approved section of the Show. Non-presentation of the certificates will mean that animals cannot go to approved sections and will so lose their Health Scheme status. They will then have to go through the ‘added animals’ procedure as per scheme rules, which requires isolation and testing when returned home. All exhibitors should co-operate with Show Stewards’ directions, to avoid mixing of Health Scheme and non-Health Scheme stock. SCRAPIE MONITORED NEGATIVE Exhibits will be accepted for Dorset Horn/Poll Dorset Section. Appropriate penning arrangements will be provided. GROUP OF THREE The Winning Group of Three from each breed will go forward to the Inter Breed Group Championship. The Melplash Agricultural Society offers Rosettes to the winning group.

GOATS

The General Rules and Regulations of the Show will also apply to this Section. All exhibits must be registered with the British Goat Society, 34/36 Fore Street, Bovey Tracey, Devon, as in the ownership of, and in the name of the exhibitor. “The Goat Classes/Milking Competitions only are held under the rules, Regulations and Recognition of the British Goat Society. All exhibits must be registered with the BGS as in the ownership and in the name of the exhibitor, the registered name and number being quoted on the entry form. (Also the kidding date for goats in milk). All goats in milk must be kidded or aborted a minimum of 30 days previous to the date of the Show”. Entry Form. The Registered name and registered number, ear mark, date of birth, sire and dam, and if in milk, the date of last kidding, must be quoted on the entry form. All Goats must have kidded or aborted a minimum of 30 days prior to Show Day. All Goats to be CAE Negative tested. HEALTH SCHEMES CAE – GOATS All owners of CAE accredited animals must produce current status certificates on arrival at the show. These will be collected by Stewards at the unloading point only, who will then direct owners to the appropriate approved section of the Show. Non presentation of the certificates will mean that animals cannot go to approved sections and will so lose their Health Scheme status. They will then have to go through the ‘added animals’ procedure as per Scheme rules, which requires isolation and testing when returned home. All exhibitors should co-operate with Show Stewards’ directions, toavoid mixing of Health Scheme and Non-Health Scheme stock. All Goats to be on the Show field by 9.15am and vehicles removed to the car park. All goats entering classes 275 – 279 and 288 – 290 inclusive must be on the Show field by 5pm on the afternoon prior to the Show. Stripping out will be completed by 6.00pm. Female kids must be over two months but not exceed one year of age. Goatlings must not have borne a kid and must be over one year but not exceed two years of age. Goat pens: Goats are penned in a marquee. According to number of entries, classes may be divided into breeds. Hot water will be available.

PIGS

The General Rules and Regulations of the Show will also apply to this Section. In the event of only two entries the classes may be amalgamated at the judge’s discretion. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE EXHIBITORS OF PIGS To confirm with pig health schemes please ensure that all animals are free from lice. The Society will not be responsible for pigs on the Show Field. Exhibitors are requested to have all pigs rung. Exhibitors of boars to provide an attendant to look after boards, also protection boards for use in Show Ring. Colouring. The use of artificial colouring, whitening and/or powder on pigs, as well as the removal or addition of spots by artificial means is prohibited. (White woodflower is permitted).

If you have any queries please contact the show secretary.