RULES AND REGULATIONS

The National Show Ring Code of Ethics will be followed. No Exceptions! If any undesirable practices are observed, the exhibitor will be asked to leave Jr. Show and will forfeit ALL entry fees, premiums, awards, and auction proceeds as stated in the National Show Ring Code of Ethics.

ENTRIES AND FEES

1. A non-refundable entry fee must accompany registration, all entries to be completed online.

2. Entries are due April 1, 2026. Late fees will apply at double the rate between April 2-April 10. No entries after deadline.

3. Entries will be certified by the County Extension Agent or 4-H leader in the county from which the entry comes, or by the high school FFA advisor with whom the student is enrolled. All entries require the acknowledgement of the “Show Ring Code of Ethics” (available at juniorshow.org)

4. All entries accepted with the understanding that neither the Junior Livestock Show of Spokane nor the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center shall be held responsible for any damage or loss to livestock on exhibit or at the sale.

5. Entries are open to 4-H and FFA members who meet all requirements. There will be separate contests for 4-H and FFA divisions. For 4-H, only a student age 8 to 19 (4-H age is determined by October 1st of current 4-H year, per Washington 4-H guidelines) enrolled in a large animal livestock project with Cooperative Extension is eligible. 4-H divisions are: Juniors, 8 to 10 years of age; Intermediates, 11 to 13 years of age; Seniors, 14 to 19 years of age, and MUST be enrolled in high school.  For FFA, only students enrolled in a junior high or high school agriculture program, carrying a livestock project, are eligible to exhibit at the Junior Livestock Show of Spokane.  FFA divisions are: grades 7-10=Fr/So and grades 11-12=Jr/Sr. Barns may have activities for youth outside these age parameters. 

6. No partnership entries allowed.

EXHIBITORS

7. Exhibitors are expected to take primary responsibility for the care and grooming of their animals while at the livestock show. Members are encouraged to do their own work; however, in keeping with the spirit of youth development, learning by doing, and ensuring safety, assistance may be provided as long as the exhibitor is present and actively involved in the process to ensure the success of their project. If a member is temporarily absent due to a scheduling conflict, it is encouraged that another Junior Livestock Show exhibitor cares for the animal under adult supervision. Adults may assist, when necessary, but their role should support—not replace—the efforts of the youth.

8. An exhibitor can exhibit all four species: beef, lamb, swine, and goat. FFA or 4-H members may not exhibit the same specie of livestock in both divisions.

9. Each exhibitor must take care of and exhibit his/her own animals in all classes. All accommodations need to be made with the barn superintendent prior to the show or immediately as unavoidable conflicts arise (ex. special needs, animals in the same class, family emergency, etc.) 

10. Each exhibitor will be responsible for the care and cleanliness of his/her pens or stalls, which must be cleaned by 7:00 AM each day.

11. Rules regarding the use of animals in the livestock judging contest will be communicated prior to March 1 when entries open.

12. Each exhibitor will obtain and display a Junior Livestock Show of Spokane stall card. This card must be filled out completely. No other stall cards shall be displayed.  Club/Chapter identification is required.

13. Exhibitors must provide their own hay and grain. Bedding will be supplied by the Junior Livestock Show of Spokane. No flammable materials may be used for decorating pens. No painting may be done at the fairgrounds. No generators may be used inside the barns, nor should they block any building entrance/exit for safety reasons.

14. Tack and equipment should not block building access points or aisles. ALL attempts must be made to limit electrical cords from crossing aisles or within animal stalling areas. Cords must be in good working order and should be covered or rolled up when not in use.

15. No dogs are allowed in or near the livestock barns.

16. Judging will be done by the Danish System.  Animals will be placed within each ribbon group by the official judge.

17. Animals to be considered for Grand Champion and Reserve Champion will be awarded a purple ribbon in lieu of a blue ribbon.  The number of purple ribbons awarded in each class will be at the discretion of the judge.

LIVESTOCK

18. All market animals must have an accurate and properly completed Quality Assurance Form, found at juniorshow.org, which will be presented at weigh-in.

19. ALL Market animals are to be tagged prior to arrival. Once an animal is ear tagged and listed for a particular class there will be no changing to another class without approval of the barn superintendent. All Washington State rules and regulations apply for animal identification and traceability.

20. No animals will be accepted before scales are opened in designated barns on April 28, 2026. All livestock must be penned by 6:00 PM on April 28, 2026.

21. To preserve the natural and wholesome atmosphere of the Junior Livestock Show of Spokane, the use of tranquilizers, drugs, or steroids to increase weight and/or muscle mass of meat producing show animals is strictly prohibited. All approved products must be used as product recommendations state.

22. All exhibitors residing out of the state of Washington must have a health certificate for each animal, and must comply with Washington State and Interstate Health Regulations that are in effect at the time of the Junior Livestock Show of Spokane. An individual copy of certificates are to be presented at check-in for EACH animal weighed in and kept on file in the Junior Livestock Show of Spokane office. (If multiple animals are on a certificate, please have a certificate for each animal with the tag # highlighted.)

23. The Barn Superintendents or Show Veterinarian may reject any animal for: age discrepancy, failure to produce correct paperwork, or showing signs of infection or contagious disease or ectoparasites. Exhibitors should be aware that ringworm, warts, fungus, pinkeye, strangles, contagious ecthyma, scabies, lice, mites, ticks and fleas can fall into these categories. A committee appointed by each barn superintendent will inspect all animals for the above conditions. A veterinarian will make the final assessment. Animals which are rejected will be required to leave the premises.

24. If an exhibitor has a concern about the health of their animal during the show and prior to the sale, they must contact show management or the barn superintendent. Any exhibitor having an animal that becomes too sick to show or sell must get written authorization from the barn superintendent before the animal can be removed from the Junior Livestock Show of Spokane.

25. All animals are subject to drug testing and age testing by hair, blood, or other method deemed necessary.  If said rules are not being followed, premiums will be withheld, and exhibitor will be banned from future shows. If results are finalized following the sale of the animal, no sale money will be distributed to exhibitor. It tests are found “positive” exhibitor will be held responsible for the costs incurred for those tests.

26. Any exhibitor with an animal that is condemned for any reason prior to or at processing will not be paid for that animal, prize money and/or premiums will be withheld, and the exhibitor will be further banned from exhibiting at future Junior Livestock Shows of Spokane.

27. Companion and/or livestock not entered in the Junior Livestock Show of Spokane are not permitted to be stalled in the barns.

SALE

28. Exhibitors agree to consign their market livestock animal(s) to the Junior Livestock Show of Spokane. All market animals exhibited in the market class at the Junior Livestock Show of Spokane must be sold at the sale, and accompanied by an exhibitor, or the animal will sell at floor price. Exhibitors are encouraged to pre-sell all market animals.

29. The regular specie check off commissions as filed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture will apply to all livestock sold.

30. Exhibitor checks: There will be a 3% deduction of the gross sale price on all sale and turned animals plus any specie specific fees. All checks must be cashed within 60 days (as printed on check) upon receipt. All replacement checks are subject to a $40 fee, to be deducted from the check amount.

31.  No market animal will leave fairgrounds until released by barn superintendents and/or show management.

 CONDUCT

32. Any exhibitor who has been banned from another junior show or fair, or is on probation or suspension from either the 4-H or FFA program for any reason, will not be eligible to exhibit at the Junior Livestock Show of Spokane for the duration of the probation or suspension.

33. The Junior Livestock Show of Spokane does not condone the use of drugs or alcohol by the exhibitors, and will not tolerate drugs or alcohol being furnished to an exhibitor or being consumed by an exhibitor. Illegal consumption of alcohol or use of drugs by an exhibitor or participant, and altercations among exhibitors, leaders, advisors or parents will be considered grounds for immediate removal from the Junior Livestock Show of Spokane. Verbal or physical abuse will not be tolerated by anyone on the Spokane County Fairgrounds.

34. The Junior Livestock Show of Spokane will enforce a curfew from 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM. No exhibitor will be allowed in the livestock barns during curfew time unless accompanied by their leader, advisor or chaperone. The Junior Livestock Show of Spokane will hire uniformed security guards to be on the grounds during curfew time.

35. All exhibitors attending the Junior Livestock Show of Spokane must be responsible to an agriculture instructor, 4-H club leader, county agent, or parent for the entire duration of the show.

36. Only Jr Show officials are allowed in designated areas including, but not limited to, the showring, clerking area, and auction block. Aggressive behavior towards show staff, Interns, and volunteers will not be tolerated. Such behavior may result in removal from the event.

37. Any disagreements with show or management decision/actions must go through an appeal process. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the executive director of Junior Livestock Show of Spokane within 12 hours of the occurrence of the incident. Appeals must be complete with a signature of the person making the appeal, and must be presented by that person, with a non-refundable $25 fee, in cash only (no checks). Appeals will be dealt with by the Board of Directors. The Board’s decision will be final and can result in forfeiture of premiums, winnings, sale money, and suspension from the Junior Livestock Show of Spokane.

38. All rules posted and communicated by Spokane County Fair & Expo / Phoenix Security will be followed, without exception.

SHOWMANSHIP CONTEST

The purpose of this contest is to demonstrate competence by the exhibitor in the presentation of his/her project animal. The skills being measured include preparation of the animal for the show ring, and ability of the exhibitor in the show ring to properly present his animal to the judge.

Divisions:

1.4-H: Juniors, Intermediates, Seniors,

2. FFA: Fr/So and Jr/Sr

1. All exhibitors, without exception, will automatically be entered in the Showmanship Division and must prepare and show their own animal. Outside entries will not be permitted.

2. An exhibitor may show more than one species in Showmanship. However, classes will not be held up for an individual if conflicts occur. For example, if an exhibitor has more than one specie showing at the same time, then the individual must choose which specie to show.  An exhibitor must notify the barn superintendent of the species they are not intending to show. In case of conflict, consult barn superintendent. In the Showmanship Finals, an exhibitor who qualifies may also show more than one species. 

3. The judge will select, at his discretion during preliminary competition, purple ribbon winners from each of the three 4-H and two FFA divisions.  These purple ribbon winners will compete in the championship round for Champion and Reserve Champion of each of the five divisions.

4. The Champion showmen from each Senior 4-H division and Jr/Sr. FFA division will automatically be entered (and required to participate) in the Round Robin contest.