Three Counties Show - What Happened? - Exhibitor Disqualified

justmalc · Post by **justmalc** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 11:09 am

While exhibiting at the East of England Show at the weekend we heard that a Dexter exhibitor at the Three Counties Show had been disqualified.

Apparently the show rules allowed exhibitors to arrive at the Three Counties show ground between the hours of 6pm and 8pm on the evening before the show or between 6am and 8am on the morning of the show itself.

One exhibitor who had travelled a long distance arrived at 11pm but was admitted to the show ground where he unloaded his cattle.

The next morning two other Dexter exhibitors apparently lodged a formal complaint on the basis that the exhibitor had arrived and unloaded his cattle outside the specified hours (although before the morning "window"). As two exhibitors had complained the complaint was upheld and the exhibitor disqualified leaving a meagre fourteen cattle to compete in the five dexter classes.

Although I have every confidence in my own source of information please can anyone tell me if this is an accurate representation of both the show rules and the facts at the show? To be honest if an exhibitor arrived late and backed his trailer up to the show ring as classes commenced I would be happy to let him take part but I'm interested in what happened at the Three Counties and would particularly like to hear the views of the exhibitors who complained.

Thanks,

Malcolm.

AlisonKirk · Post by **AlisonKirk** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 12:24 pm

Justmalc

I was 'manning' the stand at Three Counties Fri/Sat.... your information source is fairly accurate. I did not have full access to the show rules / regulations.

My own view is that the exhibitor should have been allowed to show cattle.

I really did feel saddened by the events of Saturday at the Three Counties. Dexter numbers were already down on what they were several years ago, who knows what may happen in a year or two? I know one thing for sure that exhibitor will not be there next year and who can blame them.

Alison Kirk
Boram Dexters

bjreroberts · Post by **bjreroberts** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:58 pm

This was the first show I have been to since I started keeping Dexters.

It was disappointing in terms of both entries and spectators although it did pick up later in the morning and I did enjoy the day.

I have never been particularly interested in showing, but certainly this situation did nothing to make me reconsider.

The rules are still available online, but they make the situation less clear. Top of page 20 suggests all entries should have been there by 20.00 on the Thursday.

http://www.threecounties.co.uk/threeco....009.pdf

There was some debate amongst the spectators and the impression I got was the majority felt that as they had been allowed to unload they should have been allowed to show.

natmadaboutdexters · Post by **natmadaboutdexters** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:07 pm

It does seem rather strange that if he had stayed overnight somewhere else and arrrived in the morning slot there would have been no problem. The fact that when he arrived and was let in surely shows that the organisers were happy to let him attend. At least he should have been allowed to enter on the Sunday as you can arrive on the Saturday evening or Sunday morning. This show is pretty badly organised so I am not surprised that the exhibitor will not be returning. My own thoughts are 'the more the merrier' in the show ring, we are all there to show off our cattle not to complain about each other.

Natasha

justmalc · Post by **justmalc** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:00 pm

Thanks all, particularly Ben for the link. The 8am morning arrival time seems to refer to Dairy cattle but you can see how a mistake could have arisen. Really it's the spirit rather than the letter of the rules which should have been applied.

I don't see how a competitor arriving at 11pm rather than 8pm can make any possible difference to other exhibitors.

I have noticed the £100 Breed Champion prize which is generous. Who won by the way?

Still keen to hear the views of the members who complained.

Thanks,

Malcolm.

AlisonKirk · Post by **AlisonKirk** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:28 pm

Results available on Three Counties web site.

Alison Kirk

Felicity · Post by **Felicity** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 10:56 pm

Dear All
I am one of the competitors who complained and these are the facts.
The catalogue clearly states and I quote.
All Dual Purpose cattle must have arrived by 20.00 on Thursday 18 june 2009.
LATE ARRIVALS WILL BE TURNED AWAY.
The competitor in question was not 3 hours late as he would have you all believe but 27 hours late.
My name is Felicity Thomson
The competitors name is Graeham Hunt

Post by **Mark Bowles** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 11:20 pm

You seem to be correct on your arrival time but in rule R56 of the rules it seems fuzzy to say the least.
I think it is a very sad situation that it has got to this.
I personally would have vented my greivence with the exhibitor in no uncertain terms but i would never wish them disqualitied from exhibiting.

Felicity · Post by **Felicity** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 11:46 pm

Dear Mark
I understand from the steward that Mr Hunt was repremanded on his last visit to the show for his timekeeping,and it was the stewards decission not to allow him to be judged.I did personally tell Graeham how I felt.How would the show cope if all competitors flounted the rules and turned up when they chose to?
We would all have liked anothed day at home I am sure.
I would also like to point out that it was a unanimous complaint from all Dexter competitors not just myself and it was made verbally.

Post by **Mark Bowles** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 5:04 pm

I think i had better point out that my opinion was my own and not in any way a statement from the DCS.