Muskogee Regional Junior Livestock Show

GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS

Believing it is in the best interest of all youth livestock exhibitors and breeders of livestock to maintain a reputation of integrity and to continue to present a wholesome and progressive image in the show ring, the following list of rules and regulations have been adopted by this show.  Violation of any rules or regulations will not be tolerated.  Final interpretation of the following rules will be made by show management. Management decisions are final.  Any violation of the following rules will automatically disqualify the exhibitor and the livestock involved.  Further any premium monies earned will be refunded.  Any exhibitor found violating any of these rules shall be ineligible to exhibit for a period of time.  Length of time will be determined by the Board of Directors of the Muskogee Regional Junior Livestock Show.

1. Violation of Rules:  Any person who violates any of the following or special rules shall forfeit all privileges and premiums and be subject to such penalty as MRJLS Management may order.  Any probation, disqualification, expulsion, or other disciplinary action of the MRJLS Management for violation of any of the rules in this Exhibitor Handbook shall be final and not subject to dispute.  All participants, exhibitors, and others shall be strictly liable for any violation of the rules and regulations of the MRJLS contained in the Exhibitor Handbook. Should any participant, exhibitor or concessionaire violate this agreement by contesting decision or finding of the Management of the MRJLS by initiating suit, litigation, or legal process, then such participant, exhibitor, or other shall be responsible for the costs and attorney’s fees incurred by the MRJLS in said action.
2. This is an invitational Livestock Show.  The MRJLS reserves the right to extend, withhold, or revoke an invitation to any Exhibitor or Contestant.Disqualification of Animal:  Should any animal/entry awarded a prize be disqualified, the lower placing animals/entries will NOT move into the higher position.
   1. The exhibitor must be the owner of any animal shown in his/her name. Junior exhibitors must have owned, cared for, and fed animals daily from no later than the date nominated.  See rule 6.

5. An official health certificate must accompany all show animals.  The official health certificate must be issued within thirty (30) days and shall be available at all times to the representatives of the Animal Industry Division.  All animals must be free of any infectious, communicable or contagious disease and if such a disease is found, it will be cause for removal of the animal(s) from exhibition.

6. Registration papers are required for registered beef heifers and purebred gilts.  Only original registration papers from breed associations will be accepted.  Registration papers must be in exhibitor’s name by December 16, 2024.  Family nominations on heifers and gilts will be accepted providing the eligible exhibitors (under the household nomination rule, rule #45 in General Rules and Regulations) are listed on the DNA envelope for that heifer or gilt  Registration papers must be in an eligible MRJLS exhibitors name matching the DNA envelope.  Registered heifers and purebred gilt papers must be turned in by January 15, 2025.  No ranch names will be allowed on papers.  Tattoos and brands must match the papers and be correctly labeled.

7. All exhibitors are expected to care for and groom their animals throughout the show.  An exhibitor may be assisted by his or her immediate family (limited to parents, brothers, sisters, and grandparents), agricultural education teachers, county extension agent or other eligible exhibitors from their respective county or chapter.  The official 4-H volunteer leader for a county group as designated by the county.  Extension staff will be permitted to assist the youth under his or her supervision. The exhibitor must be present and assisting with and/or grooming his or her animal in preparation for showing.

8. Any junior exhibitor entering livestock in competition must be present to lead and show said animal in competition or in the premium sale or the animal will be disqualified and entry fees will not be refunded. Any infraction of rules will cause forfeiture of any premiums earned.  The only exceptions to this rule are when a bonafide owner has more than one animal in a given class or due to an extreme emergency or participation in a school sponsored state qualifying event, ie:  state basketball playoffs sponsored by OSSAA.

Steps to obtaining a Substitute Showman:  The following is the procedure, which is to be followed to determine a substitute showman for all species at MRJLS.  Once the exhibitor determines one or more of the above mentioned circumstances applies to him/her, the exhibitor will:

a)     Obtain a “substitute showman form” from the show office or the species superintendent.

b)    Identify another exhibitor exhibiting livestock at the MRJLS in the following manner:

                               i.            Immediate Family Member:  If an immediate family member is not present and eligible, then the exhibitor proceeds to step ii.

                             ii.            An exhibitor from the exact same FFA Chapter or 4-H Club:  If a member of the exhibitor’s FFA Chapter or 4-H Club is not present and eligible, then the exhibitor proceeds to step iii.

                          iii.            An exhibitor from the exact same county in which the exhibitor resides:  If an exhibitor from the exact county in which the exhibitor resides is not present and eligible, then the exhibitor proceeds to step iv.

                           iv.            Finally, an eligible exhibitor exhibiting at the MRJLS.

c)     Complete the “substitute showman form” prior to the start of the assigned class.

d)    Turn in form to the species superintendent for approval. 

Goat Division:            Colt Watson                  

Hog Division:             Gary Cook

Lamb Division:           Ira Jackson                              

Doe Kids:                    Gayle Blackman

Beef Division:             William Haltom

9.  Do not misrepresent the age of the animal for the class in which it is shown.   Birth dates, transfer dates and other information on registration must be correct.

10.  Treating or massaging any part of the body internally or externally with an irritant, counter irritant, or other substance to temporarily straighten a weak back or loin, to produce unnatural animation or to cause swelling or changes in contour or handling qualities is prohibited.

11.  Minimizing the effectives of crampiness or to affect handling qualities or contour by feeding or injecting drugs, depressants or applying packs (hot or cold) or using any artificial contrivance or therapeutic treatment except normal exercise is prohibited.

12.  Striking the animal to cause swelling is prohibited.

13.  Surgery or any other procedures performed to change the natural process of growth, maturation, contour or appearance of any animal, to include teeth, is prohibited.  Not included is removal of teats or horns, clipping and dressing of hair and trimming of hooves.

1. The injection or insertion of foreign materials under the skin or into the muscle is prohibited.
2. The use of alcoholic beverages in the feed is prohibited.
3. The use of any chemical and/or compound that is not approved by the Food and drug Administration for use in meat producing animals and the illegal use of approved chemicals and/or compounds is prohibited.  All animals shall be subject to test (blood, urine, and tissue) for foreign substances that exceed the acceptable levels established by the United State Department of Agriculture and/or Food and Drug Administration.  A positive test will result in disqualification, forfeiture of any premiums and/or awards will exclude the exhibitor, organized group, or individual involved from future competition at this show.  All medications at the show will be administered by licensed veterinarians only.
4. An exhibitor must show their animals in the appropriate weight class.  In other words, if an exhibitor misses their weight class for any reason, the exhibitor is not allowed to move up to the next class and is disqualified.
5. Criticizing or interfering with the judge, other exhibitors, breed representatives or show officials before, during or after the event may result in an individual or group being expelled, placed on probation, or barred from exhibiting at the event.
6. Exhibitors, organized groups or any individual switching animals at any time and changing ear tags and other forms of identification will be barred from showing and will forfeit prizes and premium money.
7. Injured animal:  When the superintendent determines that an animal can no longer compete, said animal will be disqualified, and the next highest placing animal in that class or preliminary sale order will be brought in to replace the injured animal.
8. Unmanageable animals:  The safety of the exhibitors and patrons are top priority.  Therefore, Show Management may disqualify any animal deemed unmanageable.
9. Junior exhibitors, and adults involved with the exhibitors, are expected to adhere to the General Rules and Regulations of junior livestock show including the Showing Code of Ethics and the Junior Division Rules and Regulations may result in forfeiture of all premiums and awards, disqualification and expulsion or probation of the exhibitor, organized group the exhibitor represents, any individual or livestock involved.  Probation, disqualification, expulsion or other disciplinary action of the show management will be final.  Such action will require application for readmission under such terms as the management may prescribe before the group or individual is allowed to exhibit future events. 
10. The show officials shall have full control over the exhibits, grounds, buildings, and assignment of tie and pen space and shall be the sole arbiter in interpretation of all rules, questions and differences connected with the show and sale but in no event will the Show Officials or Sponsors be held responsible for any loss or damage which may occur to any person, exhibitor, equipment or animal.
11. All animals have to be on the grounds by check in and must remain on the grounds until shown.
12. The Muskogee Regional Jr Livestock Show reserves the right to make spot checks of animals and exhibitors at any time to inspect and verify ownership and possession of any livestock entered in the junior livestock show.
13. The Muskogee Regional Jr Livestock Show reserves the right to question the alteration of any animal’s physical or physiological structure.  As a condition of participation in the Muskogee Regional Jr Livestock Show, participant agrees to submit to The Muskogee Regional Jr Livestock Show, at their discretion any animals so entered for immediate testing.  Test(s) may include, but not be limited to blood, tissue and urine, without recourse against The Muskogee Regional Jr Livestock Show.  A participant of any animal(s) producing an analysis with prohibited substance will be barred from future competition at The Muskogee Regional Jr Livestock Show.  The Muskogee Regional Jr Livestock Show may withhold from such participant any premium monies that have been awarded, or take any other steps deemed desirable.
14. This show is open to 4-H and FFA members of Adair, Cherokee, Haskell, McIntosh, Muskogee, Sequoyah, Okmulgee and Wagoner Counties.  Participants must be enrolled in a school or a resident of the above mentioned counties.  Exhibitors must be eligible to be enrolled in 4-H by the first day of the Show.  Exhibitors must be enrolled in 4-H 30 days before the first day of the Show unless they become eligible within the 30 days, then they must do so as soon as they become eligible.
15. Animals must be nominated and entered to show.  NO EXCEPTIONS!  Entries in all divisions must be postmarked no later than 5:00 pm Monday, December 16, 2024.  All forms must be accompanied by the following fees.

              $20.00 per steer

              $20.00 per heifer

              $15.00 per hog

              $15.00 per lamb

              $15.00 per goat

Exhibitors may nominate as many animals of each specie as they wish; however, they may only show the same number that is stated in this catalog.  No refunds will be made on incorrect entries.  Cash will not be accepted for nominations and entry fees, please pay with school, agency or personal check.

29. Incomplete Nomination Policy:  Nominations that are submitted but incomplete (i.e. missing signatures, missing tag numbers, missing ear notches, etc.) will be entered into the database as incomplete and a letter will be returned to the nominating family explain why the nomination is incomplete.  A one-time $20 incomplete fee will be charged and is required in order for a nomination to be complete, in addition to the missing returned information. Deadline is the 3^rd Friday in January.

30.  Each exhibitor may show no more than 3 steers, 3 market wether goats, 3 breeding doe kids, 3 lambs, 3 gilt, 3 barrows, and 3 heifers.  No animal in any division may be shown in more than one class.

31.  NO STRAW OR HAY IS ALLOWED FOR BEDDING.  STALL, PEN AND EXHIBITION PLACES MUST BE CLEAN AT ALL TIMES and refuse disposed of as directed by the superintendent. Straw may be used in tie outs, but must be cleaned up and removed at the conclusion of the show by exhibitors.   

32. Any animal that has been sold in any premium sale where ownership has changed prior to this show is ineligible to be exhibited in this show.

33. Show management will check all Grands, Reserve Grands, Bronze Medallion and any other animals selected by the MRJLS board for DNA immediately following specie selection by a superintendent or assistant superintendent and 1 MRJLS board member.

34. All animals are subject to DNA collection at direction of show management.

35. Only exhibitors will be allowed in the show rings and holding pens.  Parents or other exhibitors will not be allowed to assist the exhibitors in the show rings or holding pens during judging time and shall remain completely outside show or holding pens. Unless authorized by superintendent.  No one is allowed behind placing pens during the hog show except volunteers designated by the superintendent.

36. Any exhibitor not presented promptly on schedule will be ruled out of competition.  Exhibitors will be called one (1) time for exhibition and sale order; superintendents have the authority to move on.

37. Animals which are jointly owned and fed on a partnership are not eligible to be exhibited in the show.

  38. Any protest must be filed with the show management no later than thirty (30) minutes following judging of the respective division and must be submitted in writing with a $100 deposit and must pay for all tests.  In the event of a valid protest, the $100 will be returned to the protestor.  If the protest is not valid the decision of the show manager is final.

39. Any attempt to misrepresent or falsify the ownership, age, weight, weight gain or parentage of an animal will be considered a violation of the General Rules.

40. Show Officials shall designate all grooming areas, and stall assignments.

41. Any exhibitor who knowingly and willingly violates one or more of these rules will be required to forfeit all premium money and trophies and may be permanently barred from all Oklahoma Shows.  Sanctions may also be imposed on the exhibitor’s FFA Chapter or 4-H Club if there is reasonable cause to believe that its leaders or any of its members were aware of or participated in the violation.

42.  No exhibitor shall be eligible to compete in the Muskogee Regional Junior Livestock Show if the exhibitor has been disqualified from competition in Oklahoma, Regional or National Shows/Fairs or has had a premium withheld or withdrawn on the violation involving misrepresentations, fraud or deception practiced or attempted.

43.  Bronze Medallion:  3^rd place in each breed may show for Bronze Medallion. 4^th place cannot fill in.

44.  Show ring dress code:

1.  4-H Member:

• An official 4-H vest, jacket, or pullover wind jacket.
• Must be of the appropriate colors of solid green, solid white, or a mix of green and white.
• Must have an official 4-H emblem of at least 2 ½ inches permanently affixed to the front and left side of the vest or jacket.
• Must wear a collared shirt under the vest or jacket that is the appropriate colors of solid green, solid white, or a mix of green and white.

1. 4-H Member:

• A buttoned up, collared shirt or polo shirt, short or long sleeve, of the appropriate 4-H colors of solid green, solid white, or a mix of green and white.
• No third color mix or additional colors are allowed.
• Must have an official 4-H emblem of at least 2 ½ inches that is permanently affixed to the front, left side of the shirt.

1. FFA Member:

• An official Oklahoma FFA corduroy jacket, pullover wind jacket, softshell jacket or vest.
• A pullover wind jacket, softshell jacket or vest must be of the appropriate colors of solid blue, solid yellow, or a mix of blue and yellow. 
• Must have an official FFA emblem of at least 2 ½ inches permanently affixed to the front and left side of the jacket options or vest.
• Must wear a collared shirt under any of the jacket options or vest that is of the appropriate colors of solid white, solid blue, solid yellow, or a mix of blue and yellow.

1. FFA Member:

• A buttoned up, collared shirt or polo shirt, short or long sleeve, of the appropriate FFA colors of solid white, solid blue, solid yellow, or a mix of blue and yellow.
• No third color mix or additional colors are allowed.
• Must have an official FFA emblem of at least 2 ½ inches that is permanently affixed to the front and left side of the shirt.

In addition:

• No headgear is allowed, excluding cowboy hats and bows.
• NO farm logos shall appear on any article of clothing, including towels, masks, brushes, show harnesses, etc.
• No jeans with designer holes will be allowed, final decision will be determined by species superintendent.
• No wild rags.
• Jeans must be blue jean material, no patterned pants will be permitted.
• The Show Ring Dress Code will also be enforced during the Premium Sale.

1. Household Nominations:  Students will be allowed to enter and show any animal nominated by an individual from their household according to the following restrictions:

• The students must all legally reside in the same household and share the same legal address.
• The student who is entering the animal must have materially participated in the care of the project.
• All exhibitors must sign the DNA sample envelope.

46.  Exhibitor must show in breed nominated; unless they are moved to cross because lack of breed characteristics by show management.

ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY

Youth who have been declared ineligible to participate in extra-curricular activities by their local school administration will be declared ineligible to participate in this show.

Youth who are eligible on the first day of the show will be considered eligible through the duration of the show.  Similarly, youth who are ineligible on the first day of the show will be considered ineligible through the duration of the show.

Ineligible youth who participate in the show will forfeit all show and/or sale premiums and awards and will be subject to disciplinary action as provided by local school policies.

It will be the responsibility of the local school administration to notify the show management if a particular student is ineligible to participate.  Show management cannot take action on academic eligibility unless notified in person or in writing by appropriate school officials.

SHOWMANSHIP

Showmanship buttons will be given at the discretion of a designated judge.

No other showmanship contest will be held.

PREMIUM AUCTION

The Grand Champion, Reserve Grand Champion and Bronze Medallion lamb, steer, heifer, market goat, doe kid, gilt, barrow will sell first, followed by the remaining sale animals.

RULES OF THE AUCTION

A public auction will be held Saturday evening February 22 at 5:00 pm.  Any exhibitor not wishing to auction animals must notify show management within 30 minutes at the conclusion of the Steer Show. 

1. When selecting for sale order; you cannot pull other animals until dismissed by superintendent.
   1. Animals auctioned in the Premium Auction will remain the property of the exhibitor.  The buyer may buy the animal after the auction on a private treaty basis. The exhibitor will retain possession of their animal before, during and after the auction.  The Muskogee Regional Junior Livestock Show will not be responsible for any animal at any time.
   2. Any junior exhibitor entering livestock in competition must be present to lead and show said animal in competition or in the premium sale or the animal will be disqualified and entry fees will not be refunded. Any infraction of rules will cause forfeiture of any premiums earned. 

Substitutions will only be allowed for the following reasons:

Sickness or a physical injury documented by a physician.

A pre-approved 4-H or FFA activity. The only exception to this rule is when a bonafide owner is participating in a school sponsored state qualifying event.

Such cases must be approved by the superintendent of each division:

Market Goat Division:    Colt Watson

Lamb Division:               Ira Jackson

Beef Division:                William Haltom

Hog Division:                 Gary Cook

Doe Kids:                       Gayle Blackman

The Show Ring Dress Code will also be enforced during the Premium Sale.

1. An exhibitor can auction (1) Steer or one (1) Heifer or one (1) Gilt or one (1) Barrow or one (1) Lamb or one (1) or one (1) Doe or one (1) Market Wether goat in the auction. Except that the same exhibitor may auction all Grand, Reserve Grand Champions and Bronze Medallions.
2. A picture will be taken of all sale animals with the cost of 2 prints deducted from each exhibitor’s premium check.  It is optional for exhibitors to exhibit their animal at the sale. They may choose to walk in the ring alone or with their sale animal.  Except:  Grand Champion, Reserve Grand Champions and Bronze; they are expected to be on display at 4:30 pm the day of the sale and are released immediately after going through the sale ring.  There will not be a professional photographer available the night of the sale but will be available all week during the show.  All exhibitor’s animals who make the sale and alternates must take a photograph. 
3. At the completion of the sale order for steers, exhibitors must notify show management within 30 minutes as to which animal is to be on the sale order. If the exhibitor fails to do so, management shall select the animal to be placed in the sale order.
4.  FFA and 4-H members who make the premium sale will be required to participate throughout the week in the set-up of the premium sale, Saturday morning, February 22, 8:30-11:00 am or the premium sale clean-up, Monday, February 24, 3:30-6:00 pm. Sale participants not participating in these will be assessed a $50 clean-up fee. This fee will be deposited into the Regional Show General Account.  Exhibitors with the last name beginning with A-M will set up on Saturday Morning and names beginning with N-Z will clean up on Monday evening unless they are asked to work during the week. 
5. The Regional Premium Auction will accept add-ons throughout the sale.  Sale Management will be running an add-on booth.  NOTE:  Show management encourages buyers and donors to pay for add-ons the night of the sale.  Show management will provide an invoice for add-ons the night of the sale. For add-ons less than $100, it will be the responsibility of the person requesting the add-on to provide the donor with the invoice.  If add-ons aren’t paid within 30 days of the night of the sale, collection will become the responsibility of the exhibitor.