AMZA Show Policy  (click on blue AMZA title to left for a printable copy in PDF form)

1. Classes and Awards

1. All cattle will be judged according to the AMZA scorecard and faulting sheet.
2. Unregistered Miniature Zebu must be shown in separate unsanctioned classes.
3. Entries may not be added to or withdrawn from classes after the judging has begun unless the show officials have given permission.
4. Junior division classes shall include all Bull calves less than 24 months and Heifers less than 48 months who have never freshened (calved).
5. Senior division classes shall include all Bulls that are 24 months and older and all Cows that have freshened (calved) at any age.
6. Steers division classes will include all ages.

1. Selection of Champions

1. Grand Champion Heifer shall be selected from the first place winners of the classes in the Heifer division.
2. Reserve Grand Champion Heifer shall be selected from the animal which stood second to the Champion Heifer in its individual class and the remaining first place winners of the other junior division classes.
3. Grand Champion Senior Cow shall be selected from the first place winners of the Senior Cow classes.
4. Reserve Grand Champion Senior Cow shall be selected from the animal which stood second to the Senior Champion Cow in its individual class and the remaining first place winners of the other senior division classes.
5. Grand Champion Junior Bull shall be selected from the first place winners of the classes in the junior division.
6. Reserve Grand Champion Junior Bull shall be selected from the animal which stood second to the Junior Champion Bull and the remaining first place winners of the other junior division classes.
7. Grand Champion Senior Bull shall be selected from the first place winners of the classes in the senior division.
8. Reserve Grand Champion Senior Bull shall be selected from the animal which stood second to the Senior Champion Bull and the remaining first place winners of the other senior division classes.
9. Grand Champion Steer shall be selected from the first place winners of their respective age classes in the Steer division.
10. Reserve Grand Champion Steer shall be selected from the animal which stood second to the Grand Champion Steer and the remaining first place winners of their respective age classes.  

1. Judges Responsibilities

1. All cattle will be judged according to the AMZA scorecard and faulting sheet.
2. Judge shall make awards according to the merit of the animal in any class in which there is no competition.
3. Judge will check the date of birth on the registration certificate of all grand and reserve grand champion animals to verify their having been shown in their correct age class.
4. Judge will check and verify that the tattoos/microchips/brand or any other type of unique identification match the identification that is on the AMZA registration certificate for all Grand and Reserve Grand champion animals before they leave the show ring.
5. Judge will ensure that the official AMZA Report of Awards is filled out accurately and correctly and shall sign the form as proof that all information on the report has been verified by the judge.

1. Rules and regulations concerning animals

1. A photo copy of the original AMZA registration certificate is required for any animal entered and the document must be presented to the show secretary before the animal is shown.
2. Proof of ownership shall be the name on the registration certificate, unless ownership has changed within 90 days of the show and a transfer of ownership form is presented with the photo copy of the certificate. In that case, ownership shall be the name listed on the transfer form.
3. An animal may be judged in only one age class. Proof of birth date shall be the birth date on the animal’s registration certificate.
4. The base date for computing the age of the animal shall be the day the animal is to be judged, unless otherwise stated by a Fair Board in its rules governing livestock. This date must be stated on the show entry application and rules.
5. Health certificates may be required if specified in the Official Show Rules. When health certificates are not required, the show officials shall see that all animals brought to the show grounds are in apparent good health and free from noticeable disease. Show officials may deny entry if an animal does not appear in good health.
6. Any animal disqualified from its class will not be counted in the total number of animals shown for sanction purposes.
7. Animals under 6 months of age are excluded from the rule requiring identification as a condition for recording a Grand or Reserve Grand Champion win.
8. There are no minimum or maximum age restrictions.

1. Show Official’s Responsibilities

1. The show secretary/chairperson must have a copy of these rules available at all times during the show. 
2. The show secretary/chairperson are/is responsible for enforcing the AMZA show rules. The sponsoring organization is responsible for the actions of the entire show committee.
3. All AMZA sanctioned shows must be judged by a person officially licensed by AMZA.
4. No person shall judge any animal in which he/she has an ownership or part ownership, or which is owned by a member of his/her immediate family.
5. Prior to the beginning of the show a copy the original registration certificate must be shown to verify the following information: that each animal is entered in the correct age class and division; that each animal is entered by its full and correct name; that the registration number matches those on the entry form if required; and to confirm ownership of the animal.
6. Show secretary/chairperson is responsible for filling out all reports of awards correctly and mailing reports to the AMZA office within 10 days after the show. Report of Awards requires the signature of the judge who is ultimately responsible for the forms being filled out accurately and completely.

1. Show Sanction and Fees

1. Application for show sanction shall be made to the official AMZA Registrar.
2. The schedule of classes published for any given show shall state AMZA rules to govern and take precedence over all other rules.
3. A sanction application and a copy of the schedule of classes shall be sent to the AMZA Registrar for approval. All scheduled classes must be listed, and the application must be signed by one AMZA member in good standing. Application forms may be obtained from the AMZA registrar.
4. Application for show sanctioning must be submitted to AMZA at least 45 days prior to the show for the following regular sanction fees to apply:
5. Heifers $30.00
6. Senior Cows $30.00 
7. Combined Heifer/Senior Cow $40.00
8. Junior Bulls $30.00
9. Senior Bulls $30.00
10. Combined Junior/Senior Bulls $40.00    
11. Steers $30.00
12. All of the sanctions may be applied for. If application for show sanctioning is received less than 45 days before the show, each sanction is double the original price. Sanctions received in the office two weeks or less before the show will also have a $5.00 per sanction overnight postage fee as well. Each sanction will receive Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Rosettes, Champion Challenge Rosettes, and Cows receive a Best Udder rosette.

1.  Official AMZA sanctions offered and requirements

1. Heifers: There must be a minimum of (6) heifers shown and a minimum of (3) exhibitors for the wins to be considered “official legs” towards a PGCH. 
2. Cows:  There must be a minimum of (6) cows shown and a minimum of (3) exhibitors for the wins to be considered “official legs” towards a PGCH.
3. Combined heifers/cows: There must be minimum of (8) cattle shown, and a minimum of 4 must be cows with a minimum of 4 exhibitors for the wins to be considered “official legs” towards a PGCH.  
4. Junior Bulls:  There must be minimum of (4) junior bulls and minimum of (2) exhibitors for the wins to be considered “official legs” towards a PGCH.
5. Senior Bulls:  There must be a minimum of (4) senior bulls and minimum of 3 exhibitors for the wins to be considered “official legs” towards a PGCH.
6. Combined Junior/Senior bulls:  There must be minimum of (6) animals shown and a minimum of (3) must be Sr. bulls.
7. Steers:  There must be a minimum of (4) steers shown by a minimum of (3) exhibitors for the wins to be considered “official legs” towards a PGCH.  

H.   Obtaining official AMZA Permanent Grand Champion Status (PGCH)

For a Bull, Cow, or Steer to achieve his/her PGCH status the following criteria must be met.

1. An AMZA registered Miniature Zebu must win at least 4 Grand Champion wins under at least 3 different judges.
2. A Bull may win 2 of the 4 required Grand Champion legs as a junior (under 24 months of age),  at least 2 of the 4 required legs must be as a senior, 24 months or older. All four of the required legs may be won as a senior animal.
3. Cows may win at least 2 of the 4 required Grand Champion legs as a heifer under 4 years old and never freshened. All 4 of the required legs may be won as a senior cow at any age after she has freshened.
4. Steers may win 2 of the 4 required Grand Champion legs as a junior under 24 months of age. All 4 of the required legs may be won as a senior Steer, 24 months and older.
5. Restricted legs: any animal that wins more than the allowable junior legs, will forfeit the “official” win and the Reserve Grand Champion animal will win the “official” leg. This is considered a “restricted” leg and an animal is only allowed one restricted leg towards his/her PGCH status. The junior will still be considered the Grand Champion of the day, but his/her win will not be considered “official”.
6. Legs are not considered “official” until verified by the AMZA registrar.

I.   Obtaining official AMZA, Master Champion Status (MCH)

For a Bull, Cow, or Steer to achieve his/her MCH status the following criteria must be met.

1. An AMZA registered Miniature Zebu must win at least 4 Champion Challenge wins under at least 3 different judges.
2. Only Permanent Grand Champion winners and Champions of the day may compete in the Champion Challenge classes.
3. Bulls only compete with bulls, Cows with cows and Steers with steers.
4. Champion Challenge class is mandatory in every officially sanctioned AMZA show.
5. Champion Challenge Rosettes are provided at no charge with each sanction applied for and granted.
6. Once MCH is officially granted, the animal can only be shown at the National Show and vie for National Champion it can no longer be shown in its respective age class.   
7. MCH legs are not considered “official” until verified by the AMZA registrar.

1. Altering or modifying cattle appearance for shows

• All miniature zebu must be shown in their natural state
• The only clipping allowed for cattle shown is inner ear, genitalia and whiskers. No body clipping is allowed.
• No paint, dye, chalk or glitter may be used to modify appearance. Only clear polish may be used on hoofs and horns.
• The tail switch cannot be embellished in any way, nor can additions be added to the switch.

©2005 AMZA
info@americanminiaturezebuassociation.org