SHEEP Exhibitor Handbook 1
PO Box 527 800 West 18th Street Spencer, IA 51301 Phone: (712) 580-3000 Fax: (712) 580-3003 www.claycountyfair.com info@claycountyfair.com The Clay County Fair is The World s Greatest County Fair by presenting blue-ribbon competition, world-class entertainment and innovative exhibits in a safe family atmosphere, while also providing year-round facilities for entertainment and events. OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Dave Simington Chairman Charles Elser Vice Chairman Dan Skelton Treasurer Dave Potratz Committee Member VerDon Schmidt Committee Member Dana Metcalf Committee Member Leon Rodas Committee Member Bob Bendlin Committee Member Gayle Simons Committee Member David Brugman Committee Member Jeremy Parsons Secretary/CEO/Manager BOARD OF DIRECTORS Terms Expiring in 2017: Kathy Anderson, Bob Bendlin, Mike Bryan, Charles Elser, Dana Metcalf, VerDon Schmidt, Dave Simington, Steve Waller, Chuck White Terms Expiring in 2018: Doug Biedenfeld, David Brugman, Tim Elser, David Potratz, Leon Rodas, Carl Simons, Gayle Simons, Tracy Small, Paul Stave Terms Expiring in 2019: Joanne Follon, Jerry Groenewold, Marcia Langner, Dennis Larson, Greg Lear, Mark Rees, Karen Schwaller, Joe Simington, Dan Skelton PLEASE NOTE! The Clay County Fair s contact information and offices have changed. The Fair Administrative Offices are now located in the Clay County Regional Events Center. 2
GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS F-7.1. The Clay County Fair encourages livestock competition managed with strict adherence to applicable rules and generally accepted standards of conduct. Cheating or any other violation of show ring ethics will not be tolerated; offenders will be eliminated from participation and dealt with to the full extent of the Fair s authority and the law. F-7.2. The Clay County Fair reserves to its Executive Committee the final and absolute right to interpret these rules and regulations, and arbitrarily settle and determine all matters, questions, and differences in regard hereto, or otherwise arising out of, connected with, or incidental to the Fair. F-7.3. Any person who violates any of the following rules will forfeit all privileges and premiums and be subject to such penalty as the Fair may order. F-7.4. The Fair will not be responsible for loss or damage to, or of exhibits, or to the property of exhibitors. F-7.5. No roving, vending, or soliciting by either a profit or non-profit organization, or on his own behalf shall be permitted on the Clay County Fairgrounds or parking lots. All solicitations for either contributions or sale must be made from within the confines of a booth or display area as authorized by a duly executed contract. F-7.6. No dogs, cats, or other pets shall be permitted on the Clay County Fairgrounds during the Clay County Fair. The only exceptions are assistance dogs that are properly identified, or any pet that is part of an attraction, exhibit, or demonstration. Pets are permitted in designated campground areas. Pets must be on a lease or contained in living quarters, trailers, etc. Failure to comply shall result in expulsion from the fairgrounds. F-7.7. No more than two entries in one class allowed an exhibitor, unless otherwise indicated. No exhibitor may win more than two prizes in any one class. F-7.8. All applications for entries must be made out online or on printed forms. Entry forms may be secured from the Fair Administrative Offices or by going to the Fair s website (www.claycountyfair.com). The entry forms, after being filled out and signed, must be filed with the Fair along with payment for applicable fees no later than the date specified for the closing entries in the various divisions of the Fair. The right is reserved to accept or reject any entry offered. F-7.9. All exhibits must remain in place until the stated release time in each department. F-7.10. Premiums will be mailed immediately after the annual Clay County Fair, unless otherwise specified. All amounts due the Fair must be paid prior to issuance of premium checks. The deadline for all premium issues (inquiries, request for changes, etc.) is October 15. All awards, ribbons, cash premiums and exhibits not picked up at the Fair 3
Administrative Offices by October 15 will be forfeited and become property of the Clay County Fair. Premium checks that are issued will become void after 45 days. F-7.11. The Fair will use diligence to ensure the safety of stock or articles entered for exhibition, after their arrival and placement, but under no circumstances will it be responsible for loss, injury, or damage done to, or occasioned by, or arising from any animal or articles on exhibition. The exhibitor shall indemnify the Fair management against all legal or other proceedings in regard thereto. F-7.12. Exhibitors must have owned the animal for 60 days prior to the start of the Clay County Fair unless otherwise indicated. F-7.13. Firms and partnerships entering for competition must be in existence at the time of entry, and in all cases must be bona fide. Affidavits of the age of the firm may be required by the Fair. F-7.14. No animals may be entered or shown unless they have been recorded in the recognized books of record for their respective breeds, except in case of young stock as otherwise provided for in special rules. Exhibitors must produce certificates of registry to the superintendent in charge anytime during the Clay County Fair. F-7.15. No refunds on stall or pen fees after September 1. F-7.16. All animals, except those being nursed, must be entered and shown in competition according to classes for their respective breed and species. F-7.17. Where there are fewer entries in a class than the number of premiums offered, judges may at their discretion award a prize or prizes of such grade as the animals or articles deserve. F-7.18. For new breeds/classes, entries must be received from a minimum of three or more unrelated exhibitors who will exhibit a total of 12 or more animals in each class offered for each species (unless otherwise specifically noted). At the time entries close, if sufficient entries are not received for a given class, that class may not be held and the entry fees returned. F-7.19. All livestock trailers and trucks used by livestock exhibitors must be parked in the designated area in the north parking lot (north of West 18th Street). F-7.20. Each individual, firm, and/or partnership making an entry shall be entitled to only one reserved parking space. F-7.21. All applications for stalls and/or pens shall be made at the time of filing entries. The required fees must accompany entry. 4
F-7.22. A Clay County Fair department superintendent may not make a competitive entry directly in a Clay County Fair department over which that person has supervisory responsibility. F-7.23. Exhibitor must have a release signed by the superintendent or assistant superintendent of respective species of livestock before being allowed to leave the fairgrounds unless otherwise indicated. F-7.24. All animals entered must be exhibited in the division and class in which they are entered. F-7.25. No premiums will be awarded to any entries which have not been classified. F-7.26. The judges must read carefully the general rules under the head of the department of class in which they are to serve, and especially note and mark those rules bearing on the classes and lots to be judged by them. F-7.27. The judges and persons acting as clerk to the judge must be sure after the award is made to see the same properly entered on the award sheet. F-7.28. The judge and superintendent of the department must sign the award sheet at the close of each class immediately after all awards in said class have been made. F-7.29. A faithful observance of all rules governing the exhibit will be required and when in doubt as to the application or meaning of a rule, the superintendent in charge shall construe the same. This opinion, when required by either exhibitor or judge, must be reduced to writing and returned with the award sheet. F-7.30. The decisions of the official veterinarian will be final in all cases, except where mistake, fraud, misrepresentation or collusion not discovered at the time of the award, is apparent. In such cases, the decision of the Fair s executive committee will be final. F-7.31. In case of protest of an animal or exhibit, notice must be given the superintendent of the department during the day of examination of the animal or article protested, and a written statement giving the reasons for protesting, verified by affidavit, with names of witnesses, must be filed with the Fair. F-7.32. The right of an exhibitor to appeal from the decision of a judge to the Fair will lie only when it is charged that the award has been made in violation of the rules governing the exhibit; or when it is charged that the decision of the judge has been influenced or interfered with by another. F-7.33. All questions of dispute or differences not provided for under these rules shall be referred to the Fair s Executive Committee whose decision shall be final. F-7.34. All the animals presented for exhibition at the Clay County Fair shall be subjected to examination by the Fair veterinarian and to daily inspections during the exhibition. 5
Should any animal be infected with any contagious, infectious, or communicable disease, it shall be removed to a place of quarantine. The show pen or stalls in which such diseased animals were kept must immediately be cleaned and disinfected under the supervision of the state veterinarian. F-7.35. The Fair reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone when such refusal is deemed to be in the Fair s best interest. IMPORTANT ANIMAL HEALTH GUIDELINES Please visit www.claycountyfair.com and download the 2017 Health Requirements for the Exhibition of Livestock, Poultry and Birds at State Fair, District Shows and Exhibitions. These requirements will be strictly enforced! PLEASE NOTE! All open class livestock entries are now accepted ONLINE. Visit www.claycountyfair.com to make your entries. If you do not have internet access, please visit or call the Fair Administrative Offices to request a paper entry form. 6
SHEEP (DEPARTMENT E) Superintendents Charlie Elser (712) 260-6240 Donna Elser, Assistant Joe Simington, Assistant Judge Dan Spilde, Stoughton, WI 2017 OPEN CLASS SHEEP SCHEDULE MAY ARRIVE Friday, Sept. 8 MUST BE IN Saturday, Sept. 9 9:00am Must be checked in by NOON! SHOWS Sunday, Sept. 10 8:00am Junior Show Monday, Sept. 11 8:00am Cheviot Hampshire Dorset Southdown Montadale Corriedale Polypay Columbia Tuesday, Sept. 12 8:00am Shropshire Rambouillet Suffolk Katahdins Babydolls All other breeds RELEASED Tuesday, Sept. 12 4:00pm MUST BE OUT Tuesday, Sept. 12 7:00pm Health papers and entries must be submitted to the superintendent by Noon on Saturday, September 9! 7
1. General rules, regulations, and health requirements found on pages 3-6 apply in this department. 2. Entry forms are available online at www.claycountyfair.com or at the Clay County Fair Administrative Offices. 3. Entries must be received on or before August 15. No late entries will be accepted. NEW!!! 4. Pen fees are $10.00 (size of pens is approximately 6 x 6 ). Initial bedding will be provided. Additional bedding will be available for purchase. 5. All requests for refunds of pen or stall fees due to cancellation must be done in writing, or fax (712-580-3003), or email (info@claycountyfair.com) by September 1. No refunds will be made after September 1. 6. An admission ticket is required each day an exhibitor enters the Clay County Fair. Four (4) single-day tickets will be furnished for each sheep exhibitor. Additional admission tickets may be purchased in advance for $7.00 or $10.00 at the gate ($5 for children ages 8-12). 7. Exhibitors may purchase one Stockman Parking permit for vehicle parking on the fairgrounds. Permit must be purchased in advance and costs $15.00 for the show period. Parking is assigned in a color-coded area. Free parking is available in the North Parking Lot. 8. The livestock entry gate (Gate E) is located in the southwest corner of the fairgrounds. 9. Empty livestock trailers will be parked in designated areas in the North Parking Lot. Check location with the superintendent. 10. Any class with only one exhibitor will receive only one placing. 11. Base date for computing ages will be September 1. 12. All lambs shown in lamb classes must show lamb teeth. 13. To the end that no deception be practiced by an exhibitor and that the judge be in possession of all facts necessary to arrive at a correct conclusion in rendering his decision, the exhibitor will be required to give date of last shearing of all animals exhibited, together with affidavit if the judge so desires, or the superintendent so rules. All sheep and lambs (except those breeds shown for wool quality) to be eligible for open class competition must carry fleece which does not exceed 1-1/2 inches in length on any area. 14. All exhibition animals must be recorded. Failure on the part of an exhibitor to furnish sufficient evidence that his sheep are eligible under this rule to the satisfaction of the superintendent or judge will disqualify all animals whose breeding is held in doubt. 8
15. BREEDER S FLOCK shall consist of one ram under two years; two ewes over one year and under two years; and two ewes under one year. 16. Senior lambs shall be born between September 1 and December 31, 2016. Junior lambs born on or after January 1, 2017. 17. If the entries in any class of any division exceed 15 animals, the class may be split at the discretion of the superintendent. 18. Each exhibitor will be permitted to enter up to two animals in each class but only two individuals and one group are eligible for premium money. 19. If entries are not sufficient to warrant split classes, the superintendent may at his discretion require all entries in Classes 2 and 3 to show in one class. 20. If entries are sufficient to warrant split classes, the superintendent may at his discretion divide this class into Junior and Senior classes. 21. Division #163 (All Other Breeds) will be added if there is pen space available each year. The date that entries were received will be used to fill the division on a first come, first filled order. The superintendent may also use this division to place sheep from Divisions #150 - #162 which do not have the minimum number of exhibit numbers available. The judge for this class will judge each sheep according to its breed standards. The judge will then place all sheep by how they represent their breed standards that day. Special Awards A special memorial plaque will be presented during the breed presentation awards at the open class sheep show to the person that has the ability to uphold the high standards of showmanship as shown by Bud and Ernestine Davis in their memory. This plaque will be furnished and presented by Jack and Sandy Miller of Iowa Falls, Iowa. Lee Donald Olson Traveling Trophy - Overall Grand Champion Ewe, donated by Lee Donald Olson. The champion ewe from each division will return to the show ring to determine the overall winner. The winner will be awarded the trophy at the breeders meeting Tuesday afternoon. The trophy must be returned the following year and then will be presented to that year's winner. Royce Reuber Traveling Trophy Overall Grand Champion Ram, presented in memory of Royce Reuber. The champion ram from each division will return to the show ring to determine the overall winner. The winner will be announced at the breeders meeting Tuesday afternoon. The trophy must be returned to the following year and will then be presented to that year s winner. 9
PREMIUMS TO BE PAID OPEN CLASS SHEEP No. of Head 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11-13th 14-15th 1-12 17 12 11 9 8 5 4 3 2 2 13 or more 20 15 14 11 10 7 6 5 4 4 3 2 DIVISIONS OPEN CLASS SHEEP 150 Suffolk 151 Rambouillet 152 Hampshire 153 Cheviot 154 Southdown 155 Dorset 156 Corriedale 157 Columbia 158 Montadale 159 Polypay 160 Katahdins 161 Babydolls 162 Shropshire 163 All Other Breeds (See Rule #21) SHOW CLASSES OPEN CLASS SHEEP 1. Yearling Ram, over one year and under two 2. Senior Ram Lamb born between September 1 and December 31, 2016 (see Rule #18) 3. Pair of Senior Ram Lambs 4. Junior Ram Lamb, born on or after January 1, 2017 (see Rule #18) 5. Pair of Junior Ram Lambs Grand Champion Ram Banner Reserve Grand Champion Ram Rosette 8. Yearling Ewe Lamb, over one year and under two years 9. Pair of Yearling Ewe Lambs 10. Senior Ewe Lamb, born between September 1 and December 31, 2016 11. Pair of Senior Ewe Lambs 12. Junior Ewe Lambs, born on or after January 1, 2017 13. Pair of Junior Ewe Lambs Grand Champion Ewe Banner Reserve Grand Champion Ewe Rosette 16. Pair, One Ram Lamb and One Ewe Lamb 17. Young Flock, One Ram Lamb and Two Ewe Lambs 18. Pen of Four Lambs, both sexes represented 19. Breeder s Flock Premier Exhibitor Award Banner (exhibitor receiving the most premium money in each division) 10
JUNIOR SHEEP SHOW SUNDAY, SEPT. 10 8:00AM Judge Craig Fleck Same general rules as open class show applies. Exhibitors must be between the ages of 6-21, and can enter the open show as well. Please list age of exhibitor on entry form. Show order will follow the open class show order: Cheviot, Hampshire, Dorset, Southdown, Montadale, Polypay, Columbia, Shropshire, Corriedale, Rambouillet, Suffolk, Katahdins, Babydolls, and All Other Breeds. Divisions, classes, and premiums are the same as open class show (pages 9-10). Senior, Intermediate, and Junior showmanship Rosette For those not entering the open class show, release time is Sunday at 2:00pm. JUNIOR SHOW DIVISIONS OPEN CLASS SHEEP 550 Suffolk 551 Rambouillet 552 Hampshire 553 Cheviot 554 Southdown 555 Dorset 556 Corriedale 557 Columbia 558 Montadale 559 Polypay 560 Katahdins 561 Babydolls 562 Shropshire 563 All Other Breeds (See Rule #21) JUNIOR SHOW CLASSES OPEN CLASS SHEEP 1. Senior Ram Lamb born between September 1 and December 31, 2016 2. Junior Ram Lamb born on or after January 1, 2017 Champion Ram Rosette Reserve Champion Ram Rosette 5. Yearling Ewe over one year and under 2 years 6. Senior Ewe Lamb born between September 1 and December 31, 2015 7. Junior Ewe Lamb born on or after January 1, 2016 Champion Ewe Rosette Reserve Champion Ewe Rosette 11
NEW!!!! Livestock Camping Changes Livestock camping reservations can be made online, along with your livestock entries. Please follow the instructions on the drop-down menus. If you do not have internet access, please visit or call the Fair Administrative Offices to request a paper registration form. Reminder -- ON-GROUNDS EXHIBITOR CAMPING IS LIMITED! Only ONE campsite will be issued per family. ONE vehicle may park on the campsite with the camper. PLEASE NOTE! All open class livestock entries are now accepted ONLINE. Visit www.claycountyfair.com to make your entries. If you do not have internet access, please visit or call the Fair Administrative Offices to request a paper entry form. 12