These Bye-Laws are made pursuant to and subject to the Memorandum & Articles of Association of the Isle of Man Southern District Agricultural Society Limited, a Company Limited by Guarantee and not having a Share Capital. The Committee shall have full authority to interpret, apply and enforce these Bye-Laws. These Bye-Laws shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Isle of Man.
In addition to any penalty specified in respect of a particular Bye Law, a penalty of such sum (not exceeding £40) as the Committee may resolve, may be imposed on any Exhibitor who commits a breach of these Bye Laws.
- Person’s resident in any part of the Isle of Man shall, except where otherwise stated, be allowed to compete for any prize.
- All exhibitors shall submit their entries to the Secretary, either online, email or by post, accompanied by the appropriate entry fees, by the closing date determined by the Committee, with the exception of the Exhibition Marquee where entries are accepted on Show Day. Blank entry forms may be obtained from the Secretary. Entry fees for each class shall be such amounts as may be determined annually by the Committee. All entries must include full details as required for the relevant class. Nominated entries may be accepted at the discretion of the Committee.Late entries may be accepted up to 72 hours before the Show with an increased entry fee. Substitutions may only be made where permitted in the Schedule and must be notified to the Secretary no later than 24 hours before the Show.
- No stock, implement, agricultural produce or article shall be admitted to the Showground without an admission order, obtainable from the Secretary.
- Private tents for the exhibition of feeding stuffs, trade stands, or similar shall apply to the Secretary for permission and charges.
- To gain entry to the Show Field everyone, including Competition and Trade Exhibitors and their staff, must display either the appropriate SDAS wristband; hand in a valid admission ticket or pay the admission charge at the gate.
- All vehicle drivers must drive slowly and carefully on the Showfield, not exceeding 5mph, and must show courtesy and consideration to pedestrians and other exhibitors. Exhibitors must obey all traffic signage and instructions issued by Show Officials and traffic marshals.
- Vehicles (except those forming part of a display) must be removed from the Showfield by 9.30am on Show days and will not be permitted to re-enter until after 6.00pm. There must be no vehicular movement between 9.30am and 5.30pm without the express permission of the Show Supervisors or Health & Safety Officer. In the event of bad weather, vehicle movement may be restricted; pedestrian access will remain available where safe to do so.
- Whilst on the Show Field all persons in charge of competition exhibits and trade exhibits shall be subject to the orders of the Officials appointed by the Committee for the management of the Show. Inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated.
- All exhibitors and visitors must comply with any current public health requirements issued by the Government of the Isle of Man. The Society reserves the right to refuse entry or require the removal of any person not complying with these requirements.
- All exhibits (excluding light horses where stated) must be on the Showground by 8.30am on the day of the Show and must remain until 4.00pm on Saturday, unless otherwise authorised by the Show Supervisors. All Exhibits in the Exhibition Marquee are requested to stay until 4.00pm on Sunday. Any exhibitor removing exhibits before the authorised time shall forfeit all prizes won and may, as a condition of entry, be required to pay a charge not exceeding £40 to the Society.
- Light horses may be removed from the Show Field after their classes have finished unless required for the Grand Parade.
- All servants, handlers and persons in charge of exhibits shall, whilst on the Showground, be subject to the authority of the Society’s Officials.
- Exhibits must display the official exhibit ticket or number supplied by the Society and must bear no other mark indicative of ownership.
- Animals must not be left unattended at any time and must have adequate food, water and shade available when not being judged.
- All exhibitors are expected to dispose of waste responsibly. The Society encourages environmentally friendly practices, including recycling and minimising single-use plastics. All exhibits are entered at the exhibitor’s own risk. Exhibitors are responsible for ensuring that adequate and appropriate insurance cover is in place for all animals, exhibits, equipment and activities.
- The Society reserves the right to cancel, postpone, abandon or alter the Show, any class or any judging due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to adverse weather conditions, animal disease outbreak, public safety concerns or Government or regulatory restrictions. The Society shall not be liable for any loss or expense incurred as a result.
- The Show President or appointed Officials shall have authority to take any action deemed necessary in the interests of safety, including the removal of animals, exhibitors, officials or members of the public from the Showground.
- The Society may collect, process and retain personal data and take photographs, video or audio recordings during the Show for administrative, regulatory, insurance, archival or promotional purposes, in accordance with applicable data protection legislation. By entering the Show, exhibitors consent to such recordings for these purposes.
- The Committee reserves the right to refuse entry to the ring or Showground to any person deemed unsuitable.
- Any exhibitor who demonstrates abusive, threatening, violent, or otherwise offensive behaviour towards Officials or Stewards, or behaves in such a manner in their presence, may be required to withdraw from competition and forfeit any prizes at the discretion of the Protest Committee. The exhibitor may also be escorted from the show field and refused entry to future show dates
- Any child handling an animal in the show rings or in the Grand Parade who is 10 years and under on the 1st January of the current year, must be accompanied by a competent adult with the sole responsibility for the safety and conduct of the child.
- Neither the Society nor its Officers or Servants shall be responsible for any loss, damage or injury to persons, animals or property brought onto the Showground, except where such liability cannot lawfully be excluded, including liability for death or personal injury resulting from negligence.
- Each exhibitor shall indemnify and hold the Society harmless against any claim, loss, damage or expense arising directly from the exhibitor’s animals, exhibits, equipment or actions while on the Showground.
- Exhibitors and visitors must comply with all emergency instructions issued by Show Officials, and emergency exits and assembly points must remain unobstructed at all times.
- Any member of the public who demonstrates abusive, threatening, violent, or otherwise offensive behaviour towards Officials, Stewards, exhibitors, competitors, or other attendees, or behaves in such a manner in their presence, may be required to leave the show field at the discretion of a suitable representative of the Show Committee. They may also be refused entry to any future show dates.
- Any person objecting to a prize being awarded to an exhibitor must submit a written protest to the Secretary on the Showground, accompanied by a deposit of £25.00, no later than 4:30 p.m. on the day of the Show. Upon receipt, the protest shall be referred immediately to a Protest Committee. The Protest Committee to consist of 3 committee members, at least 1 having knowledge of the type of exhibit that is the subject of the protest. The decision of the Protest Committee shall be absolute and final. If the protest is upheld, the deposit will be returned; otherwise, it shall be forfeited to the Society.
- All stock, produce, implements or articles exhibited must be the bona fide property of the exhibitor at the time of making the entry, except where otherwise stated. Entry (with the exception of entries in the Light Horse Section) and all stock must be kept on the Island in the Exhibitor’s possession at least six months before or after the exhibition (with the exception of the Fur & Feather and Light Horse Sections).
- All Entire Horses, Bulls, Rams and Boars must have been kept in the Isle of Man for at least three months before or after their exhibition, unless otherwise stated in the Schedule.
- All bulls exceeding one year of age must be rung or bull grips used with a halter.
- No exhibitor in the main ring shall be in charge of TWO animals at the same time, eg. mare and foal.
- Only persons authorised by the Section Supervisor, Show Supervisors or Show President shall be inside the Rings at the show.
- All consigned and exhibited livestock must be identified by means of a DEFA-approved Official Mark or Official Tag, compliant with current legislation. Untagged livestock will not be judged and may be removed from the Showground.
- No person shall exhibit stock from any farm where there is, or has been within the previous six months, any disease within the meaning of the Isle of Man Diseases of Animals (Prevention) Act 1948.
- All animals entered must be from attested and, where applicable, Brucellosis Accredited herds.
- Every exhibitor of livestock shall, as a condition of entry, indemnify the Society for any reasonable costs, losses or expenses incurred where any animal entered is, in the opinion of the Society’s Stewards or Veterinary Surgeon, affected with any contagious or infectious disease likely to endanger other animals. Any such liability shall not exceed £1,000 per animal.
- All livestock exhibitors must hold adequate public liability insurance in respect of each animal entered in the Show.
- All animals must be treated humanely at all times. Exhibitors must ensure that animals have access to appropriate food, water, and shelter, and comply with all relevant animal welfare legislation.
- Any animal deemed unruly by the Section Supervisor, Show Supervisors or Show President must be removed from the ring immediately.
- Any animal in an agitated or distressed condition may be required to be removed from the showfield after consultation with the Show Vet.
- All First and Second Prize winners of livestock classes (including light horses) should be available to take part in the Grand Parade on Saturday Show Day.
- Entry forms must be signed by the exhibitor or their authorised agent. In the case of livestock, entry forms must describe the breed, age, date of birth, name (where applicable), sire, and full particulars according to the class entered.
- Pedigree documentation and all applicable passports must be available on the Showground for inspection if required by the Judge or Officials.
- No animal shall be eligible to be exhibited in more than one class, except for Extra Classes.
- All Special Awards shall be treated as Extra Classes. Exhibitors must enter these prior to the Show but need not nominate specific animals where permitted.
- In the event of only one exhibitor in a class, a prize may be awarded provided the Judge considers the exhibit to be of sufficient merit.
- The decision of the Judges shall be final, subject only to a valid protest lodged in accordance with these Bye-Laws.
- Any exhibitor proven to have knowingly gained or attempted to gain a prize by false entry or misrepresentation shall be deprived of all prizes won at that Show.
- Changes of rider (with the exception of Equitation and Handler classes) may be permitted at the discretion of the Light Horse Committee. Children who have not attained their third birthday by 1 January of the current year shall not be permitted to ride.
- All Light Horse Classes shall be treated as Extra Classes.
- The age of the horse or pony shall be calculated from 1 January in the year of its birth.
- A foal is deemed such if born on or after 1st January in the year of the Show.
- Handlers of stallions or colts and Lead Rein attendants must be 16 years of age or over on Show Day.
- All prize winners wishing to take part in the Grand Parade must be accompanied in the main ring by a competent adult handler.
- All riders must wear correctly secured British Standard riding hats complying with current safety standards.
- Any exhibitor demonstrating abusive or aggressive behaviour towards stewards or officials may be required to withdraw from competition and forfeit any prizes, at the discretion of the Protest Committee.
- All riders must be suitably mounted. The Judge reserves the right to require any rider to leave the ring if deemed unsuitable.
- Judges reserve the right to eliminate any horse or pony entered with any discrepancy as to height, age, or other misrepresentation.
- Whips must not exceed 75 cm (30 inches). Hunting crops are permitted, including those used by leaders in lead rein classes. Padded whips are recommended for WHP classes. A whip may only be used as an aid, behind the leg or on the shoulder, never overarm, and no more than twice per incident. Excessive use of a whip anywhere on the Showground, including but not limited to use causing injury, use in anger, use on the head or neck, use after elimination or retirement, or use from the ground, will result in disqualification of the horse/pony and rider from all classes entered on that day.
- Mobile telephones, smart watches, and earpieces must not be taken into the ring. Any rider using such devices will be disqualified.
- Trade exhibitors must have visited the Show Field and located the position of their stand by 6:00pm on the evening before the Southern District Agricultural Show (Off-island traders arriving overnight excepted).
- All Trade Exhibits must be ready and open to the public by 9:00am on Show Days.
- Trade Exhibitors must inform the Secretary if they have anyone staying overnight on their stand, and a period of quiet will be observed between 9.00pm and 7:00am.
- Exhibitors must conduct their business within the confines of their own Trade Stand, and not in the avenues or walkways. The Society does not allow flyers to be placed on vehicles within the designated car parks or on the Show Field; there may be a £50 penalty if any person/company is found in breach.
- Trade exhibitors must comply with current Health and Safety guidelines.
- Trade Exhibitors wishing to use a generator on the Show Field must apply for permission when booking their Stand. The generator used must comply with regulations detailed in the instructions provided by the Secretary prior to the Show. Exhibitors using generators must identify themselves to the Secretary when setting up their Stand prior to the Show and ensure that there is a fire extinguisher of the appropriate type on their stand, which must be available at all times for inspection by the Society’s Health & Safety Officer. Generators must be in position and available for inspection by 6:00pm on the evening preceding the Southern District Agricultural Show.
- Trade Exhibitors with stands of 30’ and larger are required to have a fire extinguisher/fire blanket. Those responsible for smaller stands can exercise their own discretion on this matter.
- Trade Stand holders must abide by the Rules and Regulations of the Society in force at the date of the Show and shall be entirely responsible for their own insurance and security arrangements, and for the health and safety of persons on or visiting their stands. The Society accepts no liability for loss or damage, however caused, to property whilst on the Show Field.
- No vehicles are allowed to park on the Show Field, except those forming part of an exhibition, and any such vehicles must be kept within the allotted stand area.
- Trade exhibitors are required to provide litter bins to deal with any waste generated on their stand.
- No balloons or silly string are allowed on the Show Field.
- Exhibitors are responsible for the safety of any electrical or gas-powered equipment brought onto the Showground. The Society reserves the right to disconnect or remove any equipment deemed unsafe.
- No food or drink can be sold on the Show Field without the written consent of the Society. Complimentary hospitality is confined to tea, coffee, soft drinks and biscuits (unless agreed in advance with the Society).
- Trade exhibitors must clear their trade-stand and restore the ground no later than 48 hours after the end of the Southern District Agricultural Show (unless an extension to this time has been agreed in advance with the Secretary). Failure to restore the ground may result in a penalty of £50 + reinstatement costs.
- Drivers of any Vintage Exhibits must be 13 years of age or above. Any exhibitor under the age of 16 must provide confirmation of insurance on entry. Non-disclosure will result in the individual being excluded from the Vintage Parade around the Main Ring.
- When running, exhibits must be supervised at all times by the owner or a designated representative. That person must be not less than 13 years of age.
- The exhibit must not be used in any way, or for any purpose, other than that for which it was originally designed.
- Any working exhibits must be displayed behind a suitable fence or barrier which ensures that the general public cannot go nearer than 2 metres from moving parts of the exhibit.
- Exhibitors should provide appropriate safety notices where necessary.
- Where appropriate, Exhibitors / Owners must hold adequate Public Liability Insurance in respect of each exhibit (i.e., tractors and working machinery).
- On the Show Field site, all vintage vehicles must be driven at walking pace only.
- People riding on vintage machinery or tractors must have individual seats. Standing on moving machinery or tractors is not permitted unless the vehicle is designed for that means of carriage.
- If any provision of these Bye-Laws is held by any court or competent authority to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, such provision shall be severed and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
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