Official Rules and Information
Obtaining Entries- Entries open on February 15. Information is available online at www.nyholsteins.com and on https://www.facebook.com/NewYorkHolsteinAssociation/. Online only entries may be found at https://showman.app
Entry Fees and Deadlines- All entries must be entered online by March 10 for acceptance at the initial entry fee. Substitutions may be made on Showman.app within the same breed and ownership. On time entry fees are as follows:
All entries received March 11 - March 25 will be $100 per entry
All entries received on or after March 26 will be $150 per entry.
Stall Assignments- Indicate who your animals will be tied with Stall assignments will be made by the Superintendents. You will be stalled by the number of animals you bring, not the number of animals you entered. **No stall changes without approval from Show Superintendents.
Cattle Check-In- Contact Show team when your string is in place for early check-in. Final Check-in will be on Thursday, March 26, 2026 from 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. by the show office. Please bring your registration papers and official health certificates to check-in. No animal may be shown unless it has been officially checked in. All registration papers and health certificates (CVI) must remain with the cattle. All cattle must be in place by 1:00 p.m. on Thursday.
Registration Papers- Must be available for all entries at check-in. Holstein transfers must be completed online at https://www.holsteinusa.com/ All other breed transfers will be collected by the check-in staff and submitted to the appropriate breed registry. All animals must be registered (87% or higher or otherwise sanctioned by breed association). No animal may be shown without a valid registration certificate. No exceptions. No pending registrations. A signed transfer is allowed as proof of ownership. R&W animals of any age may be shown in the R&W show using their Holstein USA registration paper. They do not need a separate RWDCA registration paper. There is no cutoff date for junior ownership.
Show Procedures- The exhibitor/owner agrees to abide by all rules, regulations and guidelines of the Purebred Dairy Cattle Association Show Ring Code of Ethics and the Holstein Association Show Ring Policy found in the Holstein Association USA, Inc. National Show Program at https://www.holsteinusa.com/
All exhibitors must wear white pants and a show harness. The correct back tag number must accompany the animal at ringside for check in and hair measure. Exhibitors must enter the ring at the designated entrance after being approved by staff. After the judge has evaluated all animals in the ring, the class will be closed and no other animals may enter the ring.
Premier Awards- Awards based on the exhibiting of six or less animals in each breed who accumulate the highest total points. All breeds will have a Premier Breeder and Premier Exhibitor awarded, as well as a Premier Breeder and Premier Exhibitor of the Heifer Show. In the case of a tie, the points calculated based on the next animal (7th). Premier Breeder and Exhibitor sheets will be passed out at check in and must be turned in to the show management prior to the Champion awards.
Premier Exhibitor- The exhibitor must be the owner. All entries may be considered as a single exhibitor for all group classes when a herd is registered or bred in the names of different members of a family, residing on one farm or breeding establishment, and where the herd is one unit. However, members of one family, where cattle are not housed as one unit, will not be considered as a single exhibitor. When animals are owned in partnership, each unique partnership is considered a unique exhibitor. The exhibitor winning the most points (for a maximum of six animals which he/she owns and exhibits in the open single classes) shall be designated the Premier Exhibitor. In classes with ten or less animals, no more than two animals per exhibitor will be counted toward premier points.
Premier Breeder- The owner of the dam at the time of service shall be considered the breeder of the animal. All entries may be considered as exhibits of one breeder, when a herd is registered in the names of different members of a family, and where the herd is one unit. Otherwise, when animals are bred in partnership, each unique partnership is considered a unique breeder. The exhibitor winning the most points (for a maximum of six animals exhibited in the open single classes by him/herself and/or other exhibitors) shall be designated the Premier Breeder. In classes with ten or less animals, no more than two animals per breeder will be counted toward premier points.
Junior Showmanship- All juniors are invited and must pre-register online for the showmanship contest. Juniors do not have to own or officially lease the animal that they are showing in showmanship. Showmanship will be divided into different age classes based on registration. The first two placings in each class will be eligible to compete in the Master Showman class.
Junior Judging Contest- All are welcome. Advanced registration is highly encouraged but not required. Individual team placings in Novice, Junior, Senior and Collegiate divisions. The official judge will place the class, give reasons and answer questions. This is a competitive event, but also an excellent opportunity to learn from experts.
Champion and Group Classes- Each member must have been entered and shown in their individual class
Bred and Owned recognition: To be considered for Bred & Owned awards, one of the original breeders must be listed as one of the current owners. Entries may be considered exhibits of one breeder when a herd is registered in the names of different members of a family and where the herd is one unit. To be eligible for Junior Bred & Owned, at least one of the Junior owners must be listed as a breeder and owner on the registration certificate
Red and White Exhibitors- All animals must be true red and white in color. Black-red and brindles are not eligible. All exhibitors (open and junior) are required to be Red and White Dairy Cattle Association members to show in the Red and White Show. To qualify for the RWDCA All-American contest, Red and White exhibitors must be current RWDCA members. R&W animals of any age may be shown in the R&W show using their Holstein USA registration paper. They do not need a separate RWDCA registration paper.
Sharps- You are required to use the containers throughout the barns to dispose of sharps. Do not throw sharps in the garbage or pack.
Milk Disposal- The only approved area to dump milk is down the drains in the wash rack. Do not dump anywhere else.
Garbage- All garbage must be disposed of in the garbage cans located throughout the barn. DO NOT throw any garbage (cans, bottles, plastic, shavings bags, etc) in wheelbarrows or manure pits.
Departure- Cattle will be allowed to leave at the conclusion of their respective shows. Make sure your area is picked up and garbage is disposed of in garbage cans. Please be mindful and respectful of those who are still preparing for their shows.
Obtaining Entries- Entries open on February 15. Information is available online at www.nyholsteins.com and on https://www.facebook.com/NewYorkHolsteinAssociation/. Online only entries may be found at https://showman.app
- As stated on the entry form, the exhibitor/owner agrees to abide by all rules, regulations and guidelines of the Purebred Dairy Cattle Association Show Ring Code of Ethics and the Holstein Association Show Ring Policy found in the Holstein Association USA, Inc. National Show Program at https://www.holsteinusa.com/
- **Note- the barns, surrounding areas and warm up ring will be monitored.
Entry Fees and Deadlines- All entries must be entered online by March 10 for acceptance at the initial entry fee. Substitutions may be made on Showman.app within the same breed and ownership. On time entry fees are as follows:
- Open show classes $55 each
- NE Spring National JUNIOR Holstein Show is $35 per entry (1 show)
- Combination Rate: Junior Holstein Show & Red and White Show or National Holstein Show $ 65 per entry (2 Shows)
- Combination Rate : Junior Holstein Show, Red and White Show, and The National Holstein Show $75 per entry. (3 shows)
All entries received March 11 - March 25 will be $100 per entry
All entries received on or after March 26 will be $150 per entry.
Stall Assignments- Indicate who your animals will be tied with Stall assignments will be made by the Superintendents. You will be stalled by the number of animals you bring, not the number of animals you entered. **No stall changes without approval from Show Superintendents.
Cattle Check-In- Contact Show team when your string is in place for early check-in. Final Check-in will be on Thursday, March 26, 2026 from 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. by the show office. Please bring your registration papers and official health certificates to check-in. No animal may be shown unless it has been officially checked in. All registration papers and health certificates (CVI) must remain with the cattle. All cattle must be in place by 1:00 p.m. on Thursday.
Registration Papers- Must be available for all entries at check-in. Holstein transfers must be completed online at https://www.holsteinusa.com/ All other breed transfers will be collected by the check-in staff and submitted to the appropriate breed registry. All animals must be registered (87% or higher or otherwise sanctioned by breed association). No animal may be shown without a valid registration certificate. No exceptions. No pending registrations. A signed transfer is allowed as proof of ownership. R&W animals of any age may be shown in the R&W show using their Holstein USA registration paper. They do not need a separate RWDCA registration paper. There is no cutoff date for junior ownership.
Show Procedures- The exhibitor/owner agrees to abide by all rules, regulations and guidelines of the Purebred Dairy Cattle Association Show Ring Code of Ethics and the Holstein Association Show Ring Policy found in the Holstein Association USA, Inc. National Show Program at https://www.holsteinusa.com/
- **Note- the barns, surrounding areas and warm up ring will be monitored.
All exhibitors must wear white pants and a show harness. The correct back tag number must accompany the animal at ringside for check in and hair measure. Exhibitors must enter the ring at the designated entrance after being approved by staff. After the judge has evaluated all animals in the ring, the class will be closed and no other animals may enter the ring.
- ** Please note: The Junior Show is within the Open Show in the Northeast National Red & White Spring Show, Jersey Show, Brown Swiss Show, Guernsey Show, Ayrshire Show and Milking Shorthorn Show. Junior Show Champions will be designated.
Premier Awards- Awards based on the exhibiting of six or less animals in each breed who accumulate the highest total points. All breeds will have a Premier Breeder and Premier Exhibitor awarded, as well as a Premier Breeder and Premier Exhibitor of the Heifer Show. In the case of a tie, the points calculated based on the next animal (7th). Premier Breeder and Exhibitor sheets will be passed out at check in and must be turned in to the show management prior to the Champion awards.
Premier Exhibitor- The exhibitor must be the owner. All entries may be considered as a single exhibitor for all group classes when a herd is registered or bred in the names of different members of a family, residing on one farm or breeding establishment, and where the herd is one unit. However, members of one family, where cattle are not housed as one unit, will not be considered as a single exhibitor. When animals are owned in partnership, each unique partnership is considered a unique exhibitor. The exhibitor winning the most points (for a maximum of six animals which he/she owns and exhibits in the open single classes) shall be designated the Premier Exhibitor. In classes with ten or less animals, no more than two animals per exhibitor will be counted toward premier points.
Premier Breeder- The owner of the dam at the time of service shall be considered the breeder of the animal. All entries may be considered as exhibits of one breeder, when a herd is registered in the names of different members of a family, and where the herd is one unit. Otherwise, when animals are bred in partnership, each unique partnership is considered a unique breeder. The exhibitor winning the most points (for a maximum of six animals exhibited in the open single classes by him/herself and/or other exhibitors) shall be designated the Premier Breeder. In classes with ten or less animals, no more than two animals per breeder will be counted toward premier points.
Junior Showmanship- All juniors are invited and must pre-register online for the showmanship contest. Juniors do not have to own or officially lease the animal that they are showing in showmanship. Showmanship will be divided into different age classes based on registration. The first two placings in each class will be eligible to compete in the Master Showman class.
Junior Judging Contest- All are welcome. Advanced registration is highly encouraged but not required. Individual team placings in Novice, Junior, Senior and Collegiate divisions. The official judge will place the class, give reasons and answer questions. This is a competitive event, but also an excellent opportunity to learn from experts.
Champion and Group Classes- Each member must have been entered and shown in their individual class
- Produce of Dam- Shall consist of two offspring from one cow, any age. Both animals need not be owned by the same exhibitor.
- Dam and Daughter- Shall consist of two animals, the dam and her daughter, any age. Both animals need not be owned by the same exhibitor.
- Junior Best Three Females- Shall consist of three females, all under two years of age, all to have been bred by the exhibitor and at least one animal must be owned (solely or in partnership) by the exhibitor.
- Best Three Females- Shall consist of three milking females, all to have been bred by the exhibitor and at least one animal must be owned (solely or in partnership) by the exhibitor.
Bred and Owned recognition: To be considered for Bred & Owned awards, one of the original breeders must be listed as one of the current owners. Entries may be considered exhibits of one breeder when a herd is registered in the names of different members of a family and where the herd is one unit. To be eligible for Junior Bred & Owned, at least one of the Junior owners must be listed as a breeder and owner on the registration certificate
Red and White Exhibitors- All animals must be true red and white in color. Black-red and brindles are not eligible. All exhibitors (open and junior) are required to be Red and White Dairy Cattle Association members to show in the Red and White Show. To qualify for the RWDCA All-American contest, Red and White exhibitors must be current RWDCA members. R&W animals of any age may be shown in the R&W show using their Holstein USA registration paper. They do not need a separate RWDCA registration paper.
Sharps- You are required to use the containers throughout the barns to dispose of sharps. Do not throw sharps in the garbage or pack.
Milk Disposal- The only approved area to dump milk is down the drains in the wash rack. Do not dump anywhere else.
Garbage- All garbage must be disposed of in the garbage cans located throughout the barn. DO NOT throw any garbage (cans, bottles, plastic, shavings bags, etc) in wheelbarrows or manure pits.
Departure- Cattle will be allowed to leave at the conclusion of their respective shows. Make sure your area is picked up and garbage is disposed of in garbage cans. Please be mindful and respectful of those who are still preparing for their shows.