ORKNEY WEST MAINLAND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY RULES & REGULATIONS

1.   Anyone wishing to exhibit animals (excl pets), at the Dounby Show, attend and vote at the Annual General Meeting or participate in the Annual Ploughing Match, MUST be a member of the Company, providing they are an eligible person.

2.   An eligible Person means any individual aged 16 or over who resides in the West Mainland of Orkney or resides in an island whose main ferries land in the West Mainland of Orkney. 

3.   Any person under the age of 16, who wishes to exhibit an animal at the show, or who wishes to participate in the Annual Ploughing Match, must have a parent or legal guardian who is a Member of the Company.  The adult should indicate which child/children they are representing and include the child’s date of birth.  Once the child is 16, they should contact the Secretary to apply for their own Membership.

4.   There is no charge for becoming a Member. 

5.   The Certificate of Membership provides lifetime membership (It does not require to be renewed each year).  However, a Member may at any time resign from the Company by giving notice in writing to the Company Secretary.  Membership shall not be transferable and shall cease on death or if the Member ceases to be an Eligible person.

6.   Where a Company is showing animals at the Show, all Members of that Company must also become Members of the Orkney West Mainland Agricultural Society.  This is the same for anyone entering animals as a Family.

7.   Any member wishing to update their Certificate, such as a change of name or address, should inform the Company Secretary in writing and include their old Certificate of Membership if possible.  A new Certificate will then be issued.  If you cease to be an Eligible Person, please inform the Company Secretary in writing. 

8.   Every Member of the Company undertakes to contribute such amount as may be required (Not exceeding £1) to the Company’s assets if it should be wound up while he is a member or within one year after he ceases to be a Member, for payment of the Company’s debts and liabilities.

9.   There is no fee for entering animals to the Show, however, every exhibitor (excl pets), must be a Member of the Company.  Intending exhibitors must intimate to the Secretary, by the date advertised, and on the Entry Forms provided, the details of the stock they intend to exhibit.  It is the exhibitor’s responsibility to enter their exhibits correctly.  Every exhibitor must purchase an Admission Badge prior to the Show day.  

10.  Stock must be the “bona fide” property of the exhibitor and in their actual possession within the West Mainland of Orkney or on an island whose main ferries land in the West Mainland of Orkney, for at least six weeks prior to the Show.  (This does not exclude competing at events, or breeding purposes out-with the West Mainland of Orkney during this period). 

11.  All animals should be entered in the OWNER’S name and only in one class.  The only exceptions to this are: a) The Young Handlers Section when a separate entry form should be used and it should be the exhibitor’s name and age which should be specified, not the owner’s name.  b) When a cow may be in-calf and may then be in-milk by the show day.  c) The Horse & Pony Section where one animal can enter 2 classes (1 inhand and 1 ridden). 
If any animal is owned jointly by more than one person/company, then both owners’ names must be entered.  If one of the owners resides out-with the West Mainland of Orkney or does not reside on an island whose main ferry lands in the West Mainland of Orkney, then that animal is excluded from competing at the Dounby Show.  

12.  To qualify for any breed special prizes, all pedigree stock must be entered or eligible for entry in their respective breed registers.

13. Dairy cattle must be milked before attending the show.

14. Ponies should be measured, if necessary before entry is submitted and may be checked on the show day.  The pony’s name and height must be included with the entry form.

15.  Cows must be in milk, or along with two-year-old heifers, must produce a calf within nine months of the Show, and ewes must have fostered lambs this season.

16. All pedigreed cattle must be entered, or eligible for entry, in Herd Books.

17. The Society shall not be liable for any livestock entered or brought into any of the Society’s competitions, or otherwise brought into the Dounby Showpark or such other areas of ground adjacent thereto or in proximity thereof.  They are so entered or brought entirely at the risk of the owners and exhibitors of such livestock.  The Society shall not be liable for any loss, injury or damage which may be sustained by livestock, nor shall the Society bear any liabilities whatsoever for loss, damage or injury caused to any person or property by such livestock – it is therefore required that every exhibitor has public liability insurance and the Society shall be entitled at any time to demand sight of such policy from each member.  In the event of any claim against the Society by any person in respect of any claim for loss, injury, damage or other sustained by reason of the presence  in the Showyard of livestock introduced by a member, that member shall indemnify the Society in respect of any such claim and all expenses connected therewith.

18. Exhibitors or stockmen must be in attendance of the stock and must also be ready to lead them into the judging rings when required.  Each stockman must have an assistant who will be responsible for taking stock into the collection ring when instructed by the Stewards.

19. All sheep must abide by their own Society rules with regard to clipping.

20. Sheep tails should meet the current legislation in force at the time.

21. The violation by an exhibitor of any of the Society’s Rules or Regulations will involve the immediate suspension of the Member as a Member together with forfeiture of all premiums awarded to them.  Such member will be reported to the first General meeting of the Society.  The Member shall be entitled to attend that meeting and make representation thereto.  If the meeting determine that there has been a violation, they shall be entitled, in their sole discretion, to prohibit that member from again entering stock at any future show or competing at any ploughing match of the Society.

22. Any complaints or protests by exhibitors must be made in writing not later than seven clear days after the event, accompanied by a £10 deposit, which will be forfeited if the objection be not upheld.  The decision of the Directors of the Society shall be final. 

23. The prizes to be awarded at any of the Shows or Ploughing Match of the Society shall be regulated by the Society and the Society’s determination/decision shall be final.

24. Holders of Royal Highland and Agricultural Society Long Service Medals will be admitted free to the showyard on production of such medals.  (This does not include ploughing match medals).

25. All stands will be regulated by the Directors of the Society and their decision shall be final.

26. Each member/exhibitor warrants that the livestock introduced to the Showyard by them is fit and healthy and free of infectious disease.  The Society shall be entitled at any time: (i) to refuse to allow entry to the Showyard, or (ii) to require immediate removal from the Showyard, of any livestock deemed by an official of the Society or a veterinary practitioner, to be a risk to other livestock or persons for any reason whether through health or behaviour.

27. All members/exhibitors agree, if so required, to produce to the Society a certificate from a recognised veterinary practitioner in respect of any livestock introduced to the Showyard by the member/exhibitor and the member/exhibitor agrees, if so required, to submit livestock introduced to the Showyard by them for veterinary or other examination and to sign applications, declarations or other deeds as may reasonably be required by the Society.

28. All livestock, trailers and vehicles brought into the showyard must be in a clean condition with fresh bedding and abide by any transportation rules currently in force.

29. All animals entering the showpark must be accompanied by the relevant documents required by current legislation.

30. All Cups and Trophies must be won three times or more by the same exhibitor, in the same name, (at the discretion of the Directors).  (Society’s Cups and Trophies and Challenge/Perpetual Trophies excepted).  Trophies may be withheld owing to lack of competition, at the Directors’ discretion.

31. All competitors competing at the West Mainland Ploughing Match, must have at least attained their 13th Birthday by the date of the ploughing match. No-one under the age of thirteen will be permitted to drive a tractor on any fields, or such other areas of ground adjacent thereto or in proximity thereof, being used for the purpose of holding the West Mainland Ploughing Match.

32. All competitors at the West Mainland Ploughing Match must be competent drivers.  The owners of the tractors MUST ensure that the driver of the tractor is insured to drive that tractor, with a minimum of third party insurance.

33. The Society shall not be liable for any tractors or machinery entered or brought into any of the Society’s competitions, or otherwise brought into any fields, or such other areas of ground adjacent thereto or in proximity thereof, being used for the purpose of holding the West Mainland Ploughing Match.  They are so entered or brought entirely at the risk of the owners/ploughmen/women.  The Society shall not be liable for any loss, injury or damage which may be sustained by such tractors or machinery, nor shall the Society bear any liabilities whatsoever for loss, damage or injury caused to any person or property by such tractors or machinery.

34. At the Ploughing Match the width of furrow will be a minimum of 12” for the big ploughs in the Reversible and One Way Classes.  It will be 10” for the Vintage Shortboard and Vintage Longboard classes.  The depth of furrow will not be stipulated, unless specified by the landowner.

35. Ploughing Match – the start must be completed by 11am or any points for the start will be disregarded (At the discretion of the Directors).

36. By signing the entry form, it confirms that you have read the rules and regulations and agree to abide by them.

37. Any Changes to Sections or Classes must be approved at an A.G.M. or E.G.M.