Fair Rules
We want to ensure that everybody at the Provincial Plowing Match and Agricultural Fair enjoys their experience. The Fair is a a down-home, country experience that visitors have come to love over the years. We take pride in offering this type of atmosphere to everyone who attends.
In all of our competitions and showcases we ensure that everything is judged and presented in a fair manner. Read the complete set of fair rules below.
Rules & Regulations
General Admission
1. Admission to grounds
Adults (13 and over): $10.00
Children (12 and under): Free
4-H Members: Free by showing 4-H membership
card
Three-day passes: Available Friday only for $25.00
Overnight camping is permitted, only in assigned camping areas. Camping fees are $25 for the
weekend. Camping fees are in addition to pass
costs.
General admission does not include ceilidh or
adult dance admission.
Note: No admission tickets will be refunded
Decision of the Judge(s)
2. The decision of the judge(s) is final. Any person(s) who interferes with the judges in the discharge of their duties or who attempts to influence the judges or officials by his/her presence or remarks or who uses abusive language in the ring or elsewhere on the grounds to the officials in charge will forfeit his/her right to any prize to which (s)he otherwise may be entitled.
Lodging a Protest
3. Any contestant or exhibitor lodging a protest against an award must submit it in writing to the secretary, within one hour of the cause of the protest. The protest letter must state the cause of the protest or complaint, and be accompanied by a deposit of $20.00. The deposit will be forfeited to the Association if the protest is found to be frivolous or unfounded. The decision of the Rules Committee is final.
4. Any contestant or exhibitor infringing on any of the rules or regulations will forfeit all prizes that have been awarded to him/her.
Prizes
5. Cheques for prize monies will be given to as many classes as possible on Sunday – the final day of the fair.
A complete mailing address with civic number is required on the entry form.
6. All classes are open to the Maritimes.
Exhibitor Entry fees
7. Refer to individual exhibit sections for exhibit fees,
entry deadlines and details.
8. No refunds of admission tickets for exhibitors;
all exhibitors must pay admission.
Plowing
9. The size of the plowing land will be determined,
measured, and staked by the committee in charge with each lot of land being numbered.
10. The selection of land for each contestant will be by lot.
11. Each contestant in onesod and two-sod plow will crown three rounds and cast off the remainder of the land.
12. Each contestant in three or more sod classes will crown two rounds and cast off the remainder of the land.
13. Each contestant will make one strikeout and one
finish.
14. The first two furrows thrown to the adjoining land
will not be judged.
15. After setting and removing stakes, no assistance
will be allowed. This includes measuring land,
adjusting plows or assisting contestants in any way.
Infringement of this rule will disqualify contestants.
16. Shaping of furrows by hand or stakes not permitted.
17. Wheels or gauges are not permitted on single furrow walking plows.
18. When rolling coulters are used on single furrow walking plows, the fork must have a clearance of not less than 1 ½ inches from the ground at all times.
19. Time allowed for plowing is 1 ½ hours in all classes
except County Championship class which is two hours. Contestants who are not finished in the allotted time
will be excluded from prize money.
20. All contestants must be ready to start on time.
21. The depth of the furrow must not be less than five
inches.
22. Contestants under the age of 16 years must be
ready to start plowing at 9 am.
23. Each contestant in plowing classes must arrange
for his/her own equipment and use of horses or make
own arrangements for other horses if necessary.
Equipment must be used only once in each class.
24. Skimmers and split crown must be used in two and three-sod tractor classes, hydraulic class, and County Championship class.
25. Strictly no plowing allowed on grounds without the
permission of the Plowing Committee.
26. Contestants must be 16 years or over in the two or
more sod classes.
27. Women and girls over 16 years in the Ladies class.
28. All plowing classes are open to all participants in
accordance with rules governing the All Canadian
Championship class. All County or Provincial
representatives must be 18 years old.
29. To be eligible for the Kings County plowing classes
contestants must be residents of Kings or Queens
County as of January this calendar year.
30. Contestants in the horse plowing classes are
allowed a teamster for the competition. This is
optional.
31. Horses must be on the grounds no later than 9:00
am on the day shown except in cases of unavoidable
delay in transportation.
Horse Shows
32. All animals shown must be the bona fide property
of the exhibitor for at least 30 days prior to the date of
the show.
33. A horse or pony may only be ridden by one rider in
any one class.
34. Horses, the property of different owners, cannot
be used to form a team competition in team classes,
except in plowing classes and the team cattle penning.
35. In all classes where registration is required as per
the prize list, the exhibitor must give the registration
number when making entry and must provide to
the judge and supervisor of the department a
certificate showing the animal is duly registered in a
recognized stud or herd book, and registered in the
name of the exhibitor, and unless such a certificate is
produced as above, the animal will not be allowed to
compete.
36. Horses competing in plow team classes must have
taken part in plowing classes and this plowing must
have been completed to the satisfaction of the judges.
37. Stallions must be stalled in
a box stall, no exceptions; and
they are barred from showing
in the championship classes.
General Exhibitor Responsibilities
38. As an exhibitor, please be familiar with the “Rules
and Regulations”. Exhibitors must strictly follow all
rules; and rules will be strictly enforced by the Fair
Association officials. An exhibitor who does not
respect fair rules will be asked to leave the fairgrounds
immediately.
39. No persons will be permitted in the judging ring
except judges, attendants and officials.
40. Every reasonable precaution must be taken to
safeguard livestock while on exhibition. Owners of
livestock, however, must assume all risk for the safety
of the animals. Exhibitors of animals, machinery in
motion, or other exhibits liable to occasional
accidents, injury, or damage to a person will guard
their exhibits and protect the public from injury.
41. No responsibility will be assumed by the Fair
Association for an injury or damage to persons
received on or during the Fair.
42. Each exhibitor is asked to conduct himself / herself
as a protector of the ground and property of the Fair
Association and his/her own exhibits against fire.
Notify the office immediately.
43. No responsibility will be accepted for any loss or
damage to any exhibitor’s personal property or
automobile or damage of any kind caused by fire to
person or persons working on the grounds or
employed by the exhibitor.
44. Every exhibitor must transmit an entry paper to
the secretary containing a correct list of animals (s)he
intends to exhibit, and in case of purebred animals,
owner’s name, name of animal, Canadian registry
number, date of birth, sire’s tattoo or ear tag must be
included. No entry will be accepted by the secretary
unless the information is complete. This rule will be
strictly followed and if false information is given
regarding pedigree, not only will all prize monies be
forfeited, but the exhibitor will be barred from future
exhibitions.
45. All livestock exhibitors will be required to present
registration papers for each purebred animal exhibited
by them when requested by Fair officials.
46.In the livestock classes, all animals entered must be
the bona fide property of and on the premises of the
exhibitor 30 days before fair date. Any party loaning
animals to an exhibitor knowing it to be for exhibition
purposes shall be held equally responsible with the
exhibitor. The following are the only exceptions to the
rules that an animal can be entered in only one
section.
A) All first and second placed animals will be eligible to
compete in championship classes, barring stallions.
B) Individual animals comprising a herd of cattle may
be entered in other classes and sections according to
age and breed.
C) Any animal suffering from contagious disease is
barred from entering the Fair ground and if admitted
through the gate, will be immediately removed at the
owner’s expense. The committee may also reject any
animal considered unworthy or unfit.
Prize Money
47. Due to inclement weather, prize money may be
reduced at the discretion of the Fair Association.
48. The Fair Association will not be responsible to pay
prize money if livestock classes do not meet the
required criteria established by the Provincial Plowing
Match Board. This rule will be strictly monitored and
followed.
Dogs
49. Dogs are allowed on leash only, and are barred
from food areas and designated livestock areas.
Registered guide dogs and other types of assistance
dogs may accompany their handlers in places that are
open to the public.
Parking
50. Parking cars and trucks will not be permitted
around livestock buildings. Vehicles blocking traffic or
parked in a restricted area will be towed at the
owner’s expense.
Note to All Exhibitors
Exhibitors of livestock (cattle, horses, and ponies)
must have proof of $1,000,000.00 liability
insurance prior to the start of the show. This is
available through most home, farm, or tenant
policies. If you have questions or concerns, please
contact officials prior to the show.