88th Annual Fair September 15-18, 2011 La Plata, Maryland
All Rights Reserved - Charles County Fair, Inc., © 2011 - info@charlescountyfair.com - (301) 932-1234
1. All exhibitors must present, upon request of fair and livestock show officials, proof of ownership, length of ownership and age of
all animals entered. Misrepresentation of ownership, age, or any facts relating there to is prohibited.
2. Owners, exhibitors, fitters, trainers, or absolutely responsible persons shall provide animal health certificates from licensed
veterinarians upon request by fair or livestock show officials. .
3. Junior exhibitors are expected to care for and groom their animals while at fairs or livestock shows.
4. Animals shall be presented to show events where they will enter the food chain free of violative drug residues. The act of entering
an animal in a livestock show is the giving of consent by the owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer and/or absolutely responsible person for
show, management to obtain any specimens of urine, saliva, blood, or other substances from the animal to be used in testing,
Animals not entered in an event which culminates with the animal entering the food chain shall not be administered drugs other
than in accordance with applicable federal, state and provincial statutes, regulations and rules. Livestock shall not be exhibited if
the drugs administered in accordance with federal, state and provincial statutes, regulations and rules affect the animal's
performance or appearance at the event.
If the laboratory report on the analysis of saliva, urine, blood, or other sample taken from livestock indicates the presence of
forbidden drugs or medication, this shall be prima facie evidence such substance has been administered to the animal either
internally or externally. It is presumed that the sample of urine, saliva, blood; or other substance tested by the laboratory to which it
is sent is the one taken from the animal in question, its integrity is preserved and all procedures of said collection and preservation,
transfer to the laboratory and analysis of the sample are correct and accurate and the report received from the laboratory pertains
to the sample taken from the animal in question and correctly reflects the condition of the animal at the time the sample was taken,
with the burden on the owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer, or absolutely responsible person to prove otherwise.
At any time after an animal arrives on the fair or livestock show premises, all treatments involving the use of drugs and/or
medications for the sole purpose of protecting the health of the animal shall be administered by a licensed veterinarian.
5. Any surgical procedure or injection of any foreign substance or drug or the external application of any substance (irritant, counter-
irritant, or similar substance) which could affect the animal's performance or alter its natural contour, confirmation, or appearance,
except external applications of substances to the hoofs or horns of animals which affect appearance only and except for surgical
procedures performed by a duly licensed veterinarian for the sole purpose of protecting the health of the animal, is prohibited.
6. The use of showing and/or handling practices or devices such as striking animals to cause swelling, using electrical contrivance,
or other similar practices are not acceptable and are prohibited.
7. Direct criticism or interference with the judge, fair or livestock show management, other exhibitors, breed representatives, or
show officials before, during, or after the competitive event is prohibited. In the furtherance of their official duty, all judges, fair and
livestock show management, or other show officials shall be treated with courtesy, cooperation and respect and no person shall
direct abusive or threatening conduct toward them.
8. No owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer, or absolutely responsible person shall conspire with another person or persons to intentionally
violate this code of ethics or knowingly contribute or cooperate with another person or persons either by affirmative action or
inaction to violate this code of ethics. Violation of this rule shall subject such individual to disciplinary action.
9. The application of this code of ethics provides for absolute responsibility for an animal's condition by an owner, exhibitor, fitter,
trainer, or participant whether or not he or she was actually instrumental in or had actual knowledge of the treatment of the animal in
contravention of this code of ethics.
10. The act of entering an animal is the giving of consent by the owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer, or absolutely responsible person to
have disciplinary action taken by the fair or livestock show for violation of this Code of Show Ring Ethics and any other rules of
competition of the fair or livestock show without recourse against the fair or livestock show. The act of entering an animal is the
giving of consent that any proceedings or disciplinary action taken by the fair or livestock show may be published with the name of
the violator or violators in any publication of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions, including Fairs and Expositions
and any special notices to members.
11. The act of entering of an animal in a fair or livestock show is the giving of verification by the owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer, or
absolutely responsible person that he or she has read the IAFE National Code of Show Ring Ethics and understands the
consequences of and penalties provided for actions prohibited by the code. It is further a consent that any action which contravenes
these rules and is also in violation of federal, state, or provincial statutes, regulations, or rules may be released to appropriate law
enforcement authorities with jurisdiction over such infractions.
12. Open Class Livestock Exhibitors not showing in 4-H will receive (2) two season passes to the fair or per family. 4-H Livestock
exhibitors will receive (1) one season pass for each child in a family exhibiting livestock at the fair and (1) one Adult season pass
per family. .
13. Livestock Exhibitors are requested to park in the area of the south livestock gate on the outside of the fence reserved for
livestock parking.
14. All Open Class Livestock Exhibitors must complete and sign the Entry Form By August 22nd, 2010: 4-Her's showing in open
class must comply with this deadline. .
15. All registration papers will be checked by the department superintendents.
16. All Livestock exhibitors are to park in the designated livestock parking area. All livestock trailers are to be parked in the far end
of the south parking lot by the railroad tracks. Exhibitors are asked if trailers are not needed during the fair to please take them
home. NO LIVESTOCK TRAILERS ARE TO BE PARKED IN THE LIVESTOCK PARKING AREA.
17. All exhibitors are responsible for cleaning their stalls and pens before leaving on Sunday.
18. Any Registered Breed with two or less animals will be shown in other registered breeds.
19. All animals shown in pairs classes must have shown as individual and only one pair per class.
20. Herdsman contest for each open livestock department. This is open to any open class exhibitor that is not exhibiting in 4-H.
Guidelines for Exhibitors Entering Livestock in Competitive Events
Department of Agriculture
Animal Health Requirements
for Admission to
Maryland Fairs & Shows
