rules & regulations
* Some of these rules may be changed for 2024. Also we have added some important regulations, please stay tuned for that!
2023 GENERAL RULES & REGULATIONS
The Northeast All-Breeds Spring Show will be held at the Eastern States Exposition fairgrounds in West Springfield, Massachusetts from April 16 - 23, 2023. We will be expected to follow all the rules and regulations of the fairgrounds. Exhibitors are urged to study these rules carefully before completing an application for entries. A signed entry serves as an agreement to comply with all rules and regulations contained here and including changes posted within our Facebook page or in email updates. Official Show results will be submitted to all Breed Associations to qualify towards All-American recognition. All exhibitors will have a Mandatory Exhibitors meeting at 3 PM the evening before your respected breed show.
ENTRIES - The entry fee will be $40 per animal. Entries will be open online at https://absds.fairwire.com until April 25th at 11:59pm. Late entries will be accepted if space is available at $100 per entry until we meet maximum capacity for the facility. Late entries will need to be emailed to ppoitras@charter.net . In the event the number of entries exceeds the allowed barn space capacity, entries will be accepted in the chronological order they were received. Substitutions will be allowed within the same breed up to your move-in day.
The PDCA Code of Ethics will be followed and the Holstein USA Show ring policy. No unethical practice will be tolerated in the preparation or presentation of any animal. The PDCA Code of Ethics can be viewed here.
ARRIVAL- Please plan to arrive only during the provided check in times, unless otherwise stated and arranged. Unloading animals and tack will be limited to 30 minutes. More arrival information and details will be provided as time nears.
HEALTH REGULATIONS- Cattle will be checked in by Massachusetts State Animal inspectors prior to entry into the Mallary Complex. Health papers and Registration Certificates WILL be checked. All cattle must have an RFID tag for traceability. The State Animal Health Regulations can be viewed here. All veterinarian test results must be presented upon request. Official health certificates must be presented at check-in for each animal on the fairgrounds. All registration papers and health papers must remain with the cattle!!
JUNIOR SHOW- All junior animals must be shown by junior exhibitors for junior show placings. Junior animals not shown by a junior exhibitor will receive open placings only. We will be following national breed association rules for all Junior breed shows. Junior exhibitors and animals will show in the open classes, and take a step forward in the final lineup for junior recognition. They will show in separate championship classes. Links to each breed’s rules are at the bottom of this document.
Youth Showmanship for all breeds will be held on April 19, 2023. Classes will be split based on entries and age of exhibitors. Showmanship is not required for junior placings. Any junior who would like to participate and does not have an animal can borrow an animal to participate. We will also include a showmanship class for juniors under eight years of age.
Stall assignments- Please indicate who you would like to be stalled with or near on the online entry form. Stall assignments will be submitted to Eastern States for approval prior to cattle arriving.
CAMPER HOOOKUPS- Camper/RV hookups are available at a rate of $20/day/camper. Payment will be due upon arrival; a fair official will direct you on where to park and where to hook up. Sleeping Tents can be set up in the tie out area.
Camping will be supervised and adhere to all state guidelines.
Showers for livestock exhibitors are available upstairs in the Mallary Complex and will be cleaned and sanitized as often as needed.
BARN RULES- ONE ez-up tent per string IF SPACE PERMITS
No smoking in the barn.
No trash or sharps in the manure pits.
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we are charged additionally for clean-up and maintenance if trash is left in packs and manure pits*
MILK DISPOSAL- PLEASE dispose of all milk in the milk house, NOT at the wash racks or the manure pits! Milk is considered a biohazard. We will NOT have access to the vacuum line at the parlor, you must provide your own milking equipment.
SHARPS- containers will be provided by the fairgrounds.
SUPPLIES- Each exhibitor must provide feed and bedding for their own animals. Exhibitor Services will be available through the Eastern States Exposition feed store to order shavings, 1st and 2nd cut hay and large bales of straw. Please be sure to get feed store order forms in before your arrival so the employees can ensure your orders are filled upon your arrival!
Twist of Fate will be on site for show supply and equipment needs. They also provide sharpening and custom rope products to exhibitors. If you wish to pre-order anything, please call 860-759-9335.
COVID-19- At this time, there are no COVID-19 restrictions in the town of West Springfield. However, if this were to change during the duration of the April 16-23, 2023, we will need to adjust as needed to follow the new restrictions and regulations put in place.
Up to Date State COVID information can be found here.
**Rules and regulations, particularly those associated to COVID are subject to change. Updates will be made available as they come by Email and on the shows Facebook page.**
Links to Breed Junior Show Rules:
