RULES & PROCEDURES GOVERNING SHOWING & EXHIBITING of REGISTERED BRAHMAN CATTLE
Prepared by SHOW COMMITTEE 2019
American Brahman Breeders Association
3003 South Loop West, Suite 500 Houston, Texas 77054
713/349-0854
AMERICAN BRAHMAN BREEDERS ASSOCIATION SPECIAL RULES
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The ABBA requires that everyone who exhibits cattle in an ABBA Show must be a member in good standing as either a Junior, Active or Show Member. Please review the ABBA Constitution and Rules to familiarize yourself with the membership levels along with their requirements.
1. Animals must be registered in the American Brahman Breeders Association to be eligible to compete in association sponsored shows. The registration certificate for each entry must be available for presentation to the superintendent or manager of the show at the time entries are verified prior to judging.
2. The registration number and animal identification number (number branded on animal) of (1) each animal must be entered in an individual class, (2) the sire of each get-of-sire entry and (3) the dam of each produce-of-dam entry must be listed on the entry card of each animal entered.
3. Entries that have not complied with rules one (1) and two (2) will not be eligible to show, receive premium monies or earn points in the association’s Register of Renown.
4. Animals to be eligible to be shown in group classes must be entered and shown in individual classes.
5. Entries will be listed numerically according to age (oldest first) in catalogs and judging schedules. Include animal identification number (number brand) as a part of identification. When entering the arena for judging, the handlers will line cattle up numerically in the same order.
6. Judges will be allowed to comment on placings in selected classes when conditions permit.
7. Each animal will be presented in the showring in its natural conformation and structure without alteration or modification. Alteration or modification shall be defined to include any surgical or circulatory constriction including banding or other appearance change, save only branding, tattooing, foot trimming or dehorning. Injections of foreign substances internally for cosmetic purposes, steroids, growth hormones or stimulants shall be prohibited. If to the satisfaction of the ABBA staff, officers, executive committee or board of directors an animal has had its natural conformation or structure altered or been administered steroids, growth hormones or stimulants; then the said animal shall be ruled ineligible to compete until such time the Show Committee and owner/owners have reviewed the case. Any violators, both owner & fitter will be in-eligible to exhibit cattle at ABBA Approved Shows for 5 years.
8. If any exhibitor/owner/showman interferes in any way with the judge or shows disrespect to him, or to the show in the ring, the exhibitor/owner/showman may be dismissed by the judge or show management from the ring. The management may withhold from each exhibitor/owner/showman any premium monies that may have been awarded or take other steps deemed desirable.
9. In cases where families, companies, corporations, etc., are operated as a unit under the same management but have cattle also registered in the name of the individual partners, said cattle, even though bearing a different ownership brand, are eligible to be shown in competition under the firm name provided they have not been and will not be shown in the name of the individuals.
10. For females being shown in the four oldest classes **CURRENT YEAR LESS 3 YEARS** (females calved Sept. 1, ____ – August 31, ____, for Fall Shows; females calved Jan. l – Dec. 31, ____ for Spring Shows), exhibitor must have a certificate of pregnancy no older than 30 days issued by a licensed veterinarian or certified technician to be presented to show officials at time of check-in or registration paper check. The show reserves the right to perform pregnancy determination by palpation for females in the above classes at any given ABBA approved show if an official protest has been filed. Females exhibited in the last class MUST have her nursing natural calf at side. The only exemption from this rule will be cows that have already weaned a calf and a registration certificate of the calf MUST be presented to the judge. The pregnancy certificate will be checked at the ABBA National, International & any other participating show.
11. *All bulls will be shown with a nose ring or nose restraint with lead attached.* For bulls being shown in the oldest class, the exhibitor must have a seasonal fertility certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian or certified technician stating the bull can settle cows. The certificate must be available for inspection by the judge on request. The seasonal fertility certificate will be checked at the ABBA National, International & any other participating show.
12. This deals with the produce of dam classes and the get-of-sire class. All group classes must be held by a handler in the show arena to be placed. At the International, National and any other participating show, the Original Registration Certificate or Original Copy (Blue with COPY across it) of each animal entering the ring for the group classes must be presented to the Show Official for parent verification. In an attempt to accommodate the exhibitors, the registration certificates of animals being exhibited in the group classes will be checked in advance at a specified time. Two animals for Natural Produce, four head for Embryo Produce and six head for the Get of Sire classes can be checked allowing the exhibitor to make the final selections prior to the show. If an exhibitor does not want to check papers early they would then have to bring papers on each animal that will enter the ring, at class check-in.
Embryo Produce of Dam – Two animals from the above classes produced by one dam by embryo transfer either or both sexes may be represented. No ownership requirement.
Natural Produce of Dam – Two natural born animals produced by one dam from the above classes, either or both sexes may be represented. No ownership requirement.
Get-of-Sire – Four animals from at least two dams by one sire from the above individual classes, both sexes represented. No ownership requirement.
13. No exhibitor shall be permitted to show more than one produce or embryo-produce of dam per dam.
14. Cows that are exhibited with calves at side must be in a lactating stage. Calves must be the natural calf of the cow being exhibited and must not exceed 240 days of age on day of judging. The judge will be made aware by the ring steward for those cows whose calves are ineligible to show by this rule.
15. Cattle will not be allowed to show if their switches have been balled or glitter applied to their skin.
16. Color Classification Rule effective with the 2018 ABBA International Show – Houston
For animals exhibited in ABBA approved shows, the following rules will apply:
A. The ABBA Color Chart will serve as the official breed resource for identifying the proper hair coat of registered Brahman cattle (see attached or charts are available from ABBA)
B. In order to show in the Red Show, an animal must have a minimum of 3 Red ancestors in their 3- generation pedigree. An animal with less than 7 out of 14 Red ancestors in the 3-generation pedigree may not show until color classified
C. Animals will be color classified by the ABBA Color Committee in order to compete at the International, National, Kick-Off Classic and All-American Shows. The Show Committee also has the right to color classify at any ABBA Approved Show unannounced.
D. The ABBA Color Committee shall consist of 3 primary members and 2 alternates, all with experience in the beef industry and with at least 2 of the members being ABBA Directors who are non-showing members. The Color Committee will be appointed by the ABBA President and will serve for the full show year.
E. Animals will be color classified by their predominant hair color based on the ABBA Color Chart.
F. Only if an animal is unable to be classified based upon the ABBA Color Chart, the animal’s pedigree may be used to aid in color classification.
G. Once classified, the animal’s paper will be stamped with the color classification and remain in that classification throughout its show career. Appeals can be sent to the Executive Committee within 30 days
H. If any animal is reclassified by the Color Committee, the ABBA must provide corrected papers to the current owner of that animal within 30 days of the reclassification at the owner’s expense
I. Animals shown in group classes must show in the group class of the registered color of their sire for the Get-of-Sire and the registered color of their dam for the Produce-of-Dam (ET & Natural)
J. Both the exhibitor and owner of an animal that is shown in the wrong color division after being color classified will be ineligible to show any animals for 13 months following the infraction. The animal in violation will be disqualified for its entire show career and will forfeit all Register of Renown points
K. Any ABBA member or exhibitor has the right to protest the color classification of any animal at any ABBA Approved Show to the Show Committee in writing within 30 days. Any animals already stamped with a color classification will not be reclassified.
17. The owner of record of any registered animal entered in an ABBA approved shows and/or his/her agent, exhibitor, fitter, handler and/or representative releases ABBA and its representatives from any and all liability that seller/owner might claim as a result of injury of any kind sustained before, during, or after handling cattle for any ABBA board approved activity.
18. Beginning January 21, 2019 for shows to remain approved point shows by ABBA they must maintain a forty (40) head average for the previous two (2) years. Shows must also follow the Requirements of ABBA Approved Shows.
19. ALL Animals MUST have a Birth Weight submitted to be eligible to show in ABBA Approved Shows.
20. The official ABBA rules & procedures governing showing & exhibiting of registered Brahman cattle supersede any rules printed in any show catalog.
21. In an attempt to ensure that all animals receive an equal evaluation at the National and International Shows, classes with more than 30 entries may at the discretion of the Show Management and/ or ABBA Officials be split by age as evenly as possible.
22. Any animal that exceeds the weight & measurement requirements at the International Brahman Show, National Brahman Show, All American National Junior Show or any other designated show where weights & measurements are taken will be in-eligible to show at that show and any future ABBA Approved
Shows until the next show that weights & measures are taken when they can requalify. Any animal that exceeds the parameters and is shown at an ABBA Approved Show before requalifying will be in-eligible to show their remaining career. Both the exhibitor and owner of the previously disqualified animal that is shown before requalifying will be in-eligible to show animals forever.
ABBA SHOW RING CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICS
The American Brahman Breeders Association recognizes the importance of the showing and exhibition of American Brahman cattle and that the competitive evaluation in the show ring is but one method to evaluate animals in our breed. The competitive show ring includes exhibitors who present animals to be placed and approved ABBA judges.
This ABBA Show Ring Code of Conduct and Ethics seeks to insure that all participants, exhibitors, and approved judges act in accordance with these guidelines to help insure impartiality, honesty, and fairness to all concerned and in keeping with high standards expected of all ABBA endeavors.
A. JUDGING PRIVILEGES
(1) Designation as an ABBA approved Judge is a privilege, not a right, bestowed by the ABBA Show Committee, according to procedures formulated by the Show Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. This privilege shall be open to individuals whose bovine experience and expertise, as well as personal character, merits the honor. An individual’s conduct as a Judge and their ability must be exemplary. An individual’s conduct and judging performance will be subject to Show Committee and Executive Committee review.
B. EXHIBITOR, OWNER, BREEDER, MEMBER PRIVILEGES
(1) Exhibiting an animal at an ABBA approved event is a privilege, not a right, bestowed by the ABBA to members, exhibitors, owners and breeders. An individual’s conduct as a member, exhibitor, owner or breeder must be exemplary and is subject to Executive Committee review.
C. GUIDELINES FOR JUDGES – GENERAL
(1) Judges shall act with professional decorum at all times in a manner fitting and proper to one afforded the honor of officiating at any ABBA approved or sponsored show.
(2) Judges shall act in a polite manner while carrying out each judging assignment.
(3) Judges shall present themselves in attire that is acceptable, appropriate and comfortable for each judging assignment.
(4) Judges shall be punctual in availability to fulfill their judging assignment.
(5) Judges shall not judge two ABBA shows within a period of 6 months. This shall include not judging an AJBA or private ranch sponsored show within 6 months of an ABBA show.
(6) Judges shall judge all animals in accordance with the ABBA Standard of Excellence and certify that they have read, understand and will abide by the ABBA Standard of Excellence by signing an affidavit provided by ABBA and returning it to the ABBA Executive Vice-President at the time they are added to the ABBA Approved Judges List.
(7) Judges must certify that they have read, understand and will abide by the ABBA Show Ring Code of Conduct and Ethics by signing an affidavit provided by the ABBA and returning it to the ABBA Executive Vice-President at the time that they are added to the ABBA Approved Judges List.
D. JUDGING GUIDELINES – CONFLICT OF INTEREST/ETHICS
(1) Judges shall possess and project an unwavering air of integrity, impartiality and ethical behavior that protects the reputation of ABBA shows as being fair and well-judged.
(2) Judges shall give every exhibitor a fair and equal opportunity in each and every class.
(3) An animal may not be exhibited or shown under a Judge if that Judge was the breeder of the animal or has been owner, exhibitor, fitter, or agent of that animal.
(4) An animal may not be exhibited or shown under a Judge if the animal is shown by a member of his/her immediate family or by an employee/employer of the Judge.
(5) A Judge may not exhibit/show animals as an exhibitor, owner or breeder before those Judges that exhibited animals as an exhibitor, owner or breeder before him to judge for a period of 6 months between shows. This includes shows of all cattle breeds.
(6) Exhibitors, owners and breeders may not exchange genetics including live animals, semen and embryos with a Judge for 1 month prior to and after the date that Judge has judged their animals.
(7) A Judge is responsible for disclosing a prohibited relationship as soon as they become aware of the problem to an ABBA official and/or the show representative if an animal is exhibited not in compliance with guidelines (3), (4), (5) and (6). The Judge should notify ABBA officials and/or the show representative and show management of the non-compliance at the next break, or prior to the class being placed. The animal should not be counted as an entry, and the animal shall not be placed in the class. All parties involved, including but not limited to the owner, exhibitor, breeder and Judge, will be held responsible in the event non-compliance occurs. The Executive Committee will investigate the matter and handle it in accordance with its findings and consistent with ABBA disciplinary rules.
(8) A Judge must always act in the best interest of the ABBA avoiding any circumstances which create or appear to create a conflict of interest or raise ethical questions while officiating at any ABBA approved event in accordance but not limited to the following:
(a) Judges shall not travel with, dine with or meet with an exhibitor, owner, breeder or agent during the time period beginning 24 hours prior to an ABBA approved show they are judging and ending 24 hours after the ABBA approved show they have judged
(b) A Judge shall not appear on the show grounds more than one hour prior to the scheduled start of the show unless as directed or requested by show management.
(c) Judges shall talk only with representatives of show management, beyond the exchange of normal greetings, until the entire show or contest is completed.
(9) The Show Committee will not assign Show Committee members judging assignments at the top 10 ABBA approved shows.
(10) Replacement judges must be on the ABBA Approved Judges List.
E. SHOW COMMITTEE
(1) The ABBA President will appoint a Show Committee and Show Committee Chairperson. The Show Committee will:
(a) Establish rules subject to Board of Director Approval to govern the Exhibition of animals to establish show classes, premiums, special rules and other details of livestock shows.
(b) Will appoint all judges and/or remove judges from the list of ABBA Approved Judges.
(c) May review any and all judging performances after ABBA sponsored or approved events.
(d) The Show committee, upon receipt of information which adversely affects a person’s ability to be a Judge, may temporarily or permanently suspend a Judge’s privileges pending the results of their findings.
F. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
(1) The ABBA Executive Committee, upon receipt of information which adversely affects a person’s ability to be a Judge, shall have the authority to discipline, penalize, and/or remove a Judge’s name from the approved Judges list.
(2) The ABBA Executive Committee, upon receipt of information regarding an exhibitor’s, owner’s, breeder’s or member’s infraction of the ABBA Show Ring Code of Conduct and Ethics, shall have the authority to discipline, penalize or suspend certain rights of ABBA membership.
G. REPORTING INFRACTIONS/GRIEVANCES
(1) A Judge must present in writing any grievances within thirty (30) days of the incident that they may have against an exhibitor, owner or breeder to the ABBA Executive Vice President.
(2) Any ABBA show official, officer, director or member witnessing a grievance against a Judge, or infraction of the ABBA Show Ring Code of Conduct and Ethics by an exhibitor, owner or breeder should report the grievance or infraction in writing to the ABBA Executive Vice President within thirty (30) days. Infractions and grievances may include but not be limited to any:
(a) Attempt by an individual to have the Judge favor or disfavor a particular entry or exhibitor.
(b) Offer of information to the Judge that may be regarded as designed to influence the Judge.
(c) Offer of an inducement and/or bribe to a Judge to advantage or disadvantage a particular entry or exhibitor.
(d) Disrespectful behavior or interference on the part of an exhibitor, owner or breeder towards a Judge, show ring management, ABBA officials or other exhibitors during the time a show is in progress. This includes any conduct detrimental to the breed or show.
(e) Misrepresentation of the age, status or classification of the animal for the class in which the animal is shown.
(f) Exhibition of any animal whose natural appearance has been surgically or otherwise artificially altered.
(3) Any infractions and grievances to be reported regarding a Judge’s conduct or judging performance by an exhibitor, owner, breeder or ABBA member must be filed in writing to the ABBA Executive Vice President within 30 days of the individual gaining knowledge of the incident.
(4) Any infractions and grievances to be reported by an ABBA member regarding an exhibitor, owner or breeder must be filed in writing to the ABBA Executive Vice President within 30 days of the individual gaining knowledge of the incident.
H. PROCESS OF A FILED COMPLAINT
Upon receipt of a filed complaint, the Executive Vice President shall promptly forward the complaint to the Chairman of the Executive Committee to determine whether the allegations of the complaint would, if proven, constitute an infraction of the ABBA Show Ring Code of Conduct and Ethics. The procedures that will be followed in regards to the Investigation, Right of Hearing, Suspension and Appeal will follow the procedures outlined under Violative Conduct (Rule I; Section 7, III-VII).
Disciplinary actions by the ABBA Executive Committee may include but not be limited to:
(a) Suspension or removal of a Judge from the ABBA Approved Judge’s list.
(b) Forfeiture or return of awards, prizes, premiums or proceeds.
(c) Forfeiture of Register of Renown points.
(d) Written letter of reprimand to the responsible party.
(e) Disqualification of animal in violation from exhibition. *
(f) Disqualification of an exhibitor, owner, breeder and/or ABBA member from ABBA sanctioned shows. *
(g) Disqualification of an exhibitor, owner, breeder and/or ABBA member from ABBA membership.
(h) Publication of the offense.
*Disqualification may include any or all shows and classes and may be for any number of years.