TCR Showing Rules

(Including Membership & Judges)

10 May 2026

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PART 1 – SHOWING

1. The Exhibit

For TCR showing purposes, the age of an exhibit is determined from 1 January of each year.
The exhibit must be clean, well-groomed, and exhibited in a suitable tack that is clean and in good condition.
The exhibit must stand, walk, and trot in a controlled manner. If the exhibit cannot be exhibited in a controlled manner, then the exhibitor/handler may be asked to leave the show ring with the exhibit. It is highly recommended that the exhibitor/handler have a show cane or a showing whip to show the exhibit off at its best.
Stallions 3 years old and over must be shown or presented in a stallion bit and chin chain with a quality strong lead (no exceptions).
Mares 3 years old and over must be shown in a show bridle, head collar or white show slip.
Geldings 3 years old and over must be shown in a show bridle.
Foals at foot must be shown in a head collar or a white show slip.
Yearling fillies, colts and geldings must be shown in a show bridle or head collar.
2-year-old colts must be shown in a show bridle.
2-year-old fillies and geldings must be shown in a show bridle, head collar or white show slip.

2. The Exhibit Owner

The exhibit owner is responsible for ensuring that the exhibit is kept under control during the entire day of the show and for keeping their exhibit at a safe distance from the other exhibits and attendees.
The exhibit owner is responsible for any injury caused by the exhibit to any animal and/or person at the show.
The exhibit owner is responsible for any damage caused by the exhibit to any property and/or to any vehicle at the show.
The exhibit owner must accept that the judge's (or judges') decision is final, and that, because judges can differ in their opinions, if the exhibit is not placed first, on another day the exhibit could be placed first.

3. The Exhibitor & Late Entries

Exhibitor dress code for males is a smart shirt, tie, jacket or waistcoat, and trousers or dark jeans with boots. For women, a smart shirt, jacket or waistcoat, trousers or dark jeans with boots (which can be country boots) and a hat or cap (does not have to be a riding hat). For males and females under 18, a smart shirt, tie, jacket or waistcoat, and trousers or dark jeans with boots and a riding helmet.
The exhibitor is responsible for ensuring that they are ready and within sight of the ‘calling steward’ when the exhibit’s number is close to being called.
The exhibitor is responsible for ensuring that the exhibit enters the show ring before judging starts. If an exhibitor arrives late for the exhibit’s class (after the judging has started), then the steward will refuse the exhibit entry into its class. The steward will then inform the judge of the late arrival and give the exhibitor’s reason for being late. It will be at the discretion of the judge to decide whether or not to accept the late entry. If the judge accepts the late entry, it will not create a precedent for late entries because the reason for accepting the late entry must be documented and treated as an individual case with a justified reason for having accepted the late entry. However, once the judge has commenced placing the exhibits, the judge cannot accept a late entry under any circumstances.
The exhibitor must follow the instructions of the steward.
The exhibitor must show the judge and steward respect and also accept that the whole aspect of showing is to catch the judge’s eye and therefore to ensure that they show off the exhibit to the best of their ability to get noticed by the judge.
Young exhibitors are allowed to have a parent or instructor assist them in the show ring.

NOTE: No one under 18 years of age will be allowed to exhibit a stallion in a TCR showing class or parade.

4. The Showing Procedure

When the exhibit enters the show ring, the exhibitor must be leading the exhibit from its near (left) side.
The exhibitor must walk the exhibit in a right-hand circle so that the full right side of the exhibit is visible to the judge without being obstructed by the handler.
The exhibitor will continue to walk the exhibit in a right-hand circle around the arena until the steward asks the exhibitor to stop.
The steward will call for all of the exhibits to be lined up in a row. If there are more than 6 to 10 exhibits in the class, the steward will ask for two rows. The steward will then call each exhibit for individual judging.
For individual judging of each exhibit, the exhibitor must have the exhibit stand up in front of the judge as directed by the steward. It is polite to nod to salute the judge.
While the judge is assessing the exhibit according to its appropriate breed standard, the exhibitor must position the exhibit and themselves as instructed by the steward. If the exhibit is deemed by the judge to be abused during the showing procedure, then the exhibitor will be asked by the steward to leave the show ring with the exhibit.
The judge will ask about the age of the exhibit. The judge may also ask what the exhibit has done. The judge will have the exhibit walk away in a straight line and turn left, and then walk back in a straight line and pass and then turn right and trot the long side of the ring, cross the arena and trot back the other long side of the arena.
It is at the judge’s discretion to decide if they want to vary the way they judge an exhibit for movement, including directions and when and where they wish to see the exhibit walk and trot.
After all of the exhibits have been individually judged and lined up, the steward will ask the first exhibitor in the lineup to walk off around the arena in a right-hand circle, and the rest of the exhibits will be asked by the steward to follow.
If there were more than 20 exhibits entered in the class, the judge would have the option to short-list the number of exhibits in the class to 10 before asking the steward to pull them in order of placings.
The order of placings is not final until the judge, if male, takes his hat off, or if the judge, if female, takes their off her gloves, after which the decision of the judge is final.

5. Showing Classes

Traditional Cob (In-Hand & Ridden)

Traditional Cob in-hand and ridden classes are Traditional turnout classes that are open to all Traditional Cobs (Irish Cobs, Gypsy Cobs and Mini Gypsy Cobs/Mini Cobs). Exhibits shown in Traditional Cob in-hand and ridden classes must have a natural/unplaited mane, full leg feathering and a full tail, which can be trimmed to above ground level.

Irish Cob (In-Hand)

Irish Cob in-hand classes are Traditional turnout classes for Irish Cobs only. Exhibits shown in Irish Cob in-hand classes must have a natural/unplaited mane, full leg feathering and a full tail which can be trimmed to above ground level. However, Irish Cob geldings (over 14.2hh) can be shown with their manes hogged (removed) in Irish Cob in-hand classes. The reason Irish Cob geldings (over 14.2hh) can be shown with their manes hogged (removed) in Irish Cob in-hand classes is that Irish Cob geldings cannot be used for breeding and are therefore only utility animals. Hogged Irish Cob geldings (over 14.2hh) can therefore best represent the Irish Cob breed as a hunter, riding club horse, and show cob (including RDS show cob) in Irish Cob in-hand classes. However, although Irish Cob geldings (over 14.2hh) can be shown with their manes hogged (removed) in Irish Cob in-hand classes, they must have their full leg feathering (their Irish Cob breed-defining characteristic) to be shown in Irish Cob in-hand classes.

Irish Cob (Ridden)

Irish Cob ridden classes can be Traditional turnout classes or non-Traditional turnout classes for Irish Cobs only. Whereas the turnout of exhibits in Traditional turnout Irish Cob ridden classes is the same the turnout of exhibits in Traditional turnout Irish Cob in-hand classes (as above), all exhibits in non-Traditional turnout Irish Cob ridden classes are shown with their manes hogged (removed) or a plaited, with their leg feathering or clipped-out (removed)leg feathering, with a tail that is trimmed straight to below the hocks and that can be pulled (tidied) around the dock. The reason Irish Cobs can be shown with their manes hogged (removed), and their leg feathering clipped out (removed) in a non-Traditional turnout Irish Cob ridden class is to promote the Irish Cob breed as a hunter, riding club horse and show cob (including RDS show cob).

Gypsy Cob (In-Hand & Ridden)

Gypsy Cob in-hand and ridden classes are Traditional turnout classes for Gypsy Cobs only. Exhibits shown in Gypsy Cob in-hand and ridden classes must have a natural/unplaited mane, full leg feathering and a full tail, which can be trimmed to above ground level.

Mini Gypsy Cob (In-Hand & Ridden)

Mini Gypsy Cob/Mini Cob in-hand and ridden classes are Traditional turnout classes for Mini Gypsy Cobs/Mini Cobs only. Exhibits shown in Mini Gypsy Cob/Mini Cob in-hand and ridden class must have a natural/unplaited mane, full leg feathering and a full tail, which can be trimmed to above ground level.

6. Showing Class Height Divisions

Irish Cob

Irish Cob (Large)
16.3hh and over

Irish Cob (Maxi)
15.3hh to 16.2hh

Irish Cob (Standard)
14.2hh to 15.2hh

Irish Cob (Small)
13.1hh to 14.1hh

Gypsy Cob

Gypsy Cob (Large)
14.2hh to 15.2hh

Gypsy Cob (Standard)
13.1hh to 14.1hh

Gypsy Cob (Mini)
13hh and under

7. Complaints

Any complaint to do with a judge, handler, steward, or any other personnel at a TCR show or grading will incur a €50 fee and will go to three independent assessors.

8. Non-Discrimination

TCR does not discriminate against anyone’s disabilities or religious beliefs. TCR respects every owner, exhibitor and exhibit at every TCR how or parade.

PART 2 – MEMBERSHIP

9. Optional Membership

Membership is optional for TCR registration and TCR showing purposes.

10. Membership Levels

Level A

TCR Registry & Show Club Member (€50). A TCR Registry & Show Club Member gets a discount of 25% off all registrations and off all TCR showing class entry fees.

Level B

TCR Registry Member (€30). A TCR Registry Member gets a discount of 25% off all registrations.

Level C

TCR Show Club Member (€30). A TCR Registry & Show Club Member gets a discount of 25% off all registrations and off all TCR showing class entry fees.

11. Membership Benefits

All TCR members (Registry & Show Club) can:

Attend and contribute suggestions at TCR member meetings.
Train to be a TCR show judge and/or TCR grading judge.
Get a discount of 20% off a TCR seminar fee (full ‘non-member’ price €50).
Get free TCR for sale listings on the TCR website.

12. Membership Cancellations & Refunds

A person has 14 days from the date of application within which to notify TCR by email that they wish to cancel their membership. If notification is received within 14 days, TCR will refund the person, less any admin fee, within 14 days of receipt of notification of cancellation. After 14 days, all fees are non-refundable.

13. Membership Rules

All members must abide by the TCR Terms & Conditions (Rules) plus any revisions made and communicated from time to time. By completing and signing the membership form, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to abide by these TCR Terms & Conditions (Rules)

14. Members' Code of Conduct

Members must:

Conduct themselves to uphold the reputation of the TCR and its members.
Conduct themselves in a manner that is not prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct, or good reputation of TCR events, or the TCR itself, and that does not cause fear of violence, abuse, or harassment to TCR staff and to any other persons involved with TCR or with a TCR event.
Behave courteously towards other members and to uphold the integrity and reputation of the TCR.
Members are responsible for the actions of any non-members accompanying them at TCR events. Failure to comply with the members’ code of conduct may give rise to expulsion as a member.

15. Non-Discrimination

Anyone is entitled to apply for TCR membership even if they are already a member of another registry. TCR does not discriminate, and will therefore not refuse membership without giving a valid reason.

PART 3 – JUDGES

16. Experienced Judges' Application

The TCR Judges Application is intended for use by judges with sufficient knowledge and/or experience to judge at least one of the following breeds, partbreds or drum horses registered by TCR:

A TCR judge is a member of the TCR judges panel for the year in which they submitted their TCR Judges Application.

17. JUDGE LEVELS

Level 1+

Grading judge as well as an in-hand and ridden show judge. May also be a driving show judge.

Level 1

In-hand and ridden show judge. May also be a driving show judge.

Level 2

In-hand show judge only. May also be a driving show judge.

Level 3

Ridden show judge only. May also be a driving show judge.

18. Trainee Judges' Application

The TCR Trainee Judges Application is intended for use by TCR members who wish to train as TCR judges. Trainee TCR judges must complete a TCR training course and attend as stewards to a TCR judge at a given number of TCR showing classes before they can be considered suitable for qualification as a TCR Judge. A newly qualified TCR Judge will hold a TCR provisional qualification for one year, after which they may be promoted to a fully qualified TCR Judge, or they may be required to repeat a provisional qualification year, or they may be refused either.

19. Judges' Code of Conduct

Judges must:

Conduct themselves to uphold the reputation of the TCR and its members.
Conduct themselves in a manner that is courteous to TCR staff, exhibitors and spectators at the show.
Not associate with exhibitors or owners immediately before or at any time during the show.
Not consult the catalogue at any time before or during the show.

NOTE: Failure to comply with the judges’ code of conduct may give rise to expulsion as a judge.

20. Non-Discrimination

A judge who is already on the judges panel of another organisation can also apply to be on the TCR judges panel. However, because TCR is a Traditional Cob (Irish Cob and Gypsy Cob) registry, if a judge who is already on the judges panel of another Traditional Cob (Irish Cob or Gypsy Cob) registry applies to also be on the TCR judges panel, and after consideration TCR takes the view that accepting that judge also on the TCR judges panel could cause a conflict of interest, TCR would reserve its right to refuse that judge’s application to also be on the TCR judges panel.

PART 4 – ANIMAL WELFARE

21. Legislation

Ireland

TCR is based in Ireland, where animal welfare is primarily governed by the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which places a duty on owners to protect the welfare of their animals and prohibits cruelty and abandonment. If the organiser of a show or fair in Ireland is concerned about the possibility of animal welfare issues occurring at the show or fair, then they can request that animal welfare officers attend the show or fair because they have the power to enforce the Animal Welfare Act should animal welfare issues occur. Although TCR does not have animal welfare officers at any of its shows, if abuse or cruelty of an exhibit (and therefore breach of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013) is apparent in the show ring, then the TCR judge is legally entitled to ask the exhibitor to leave the show ring with the exhibit.

Outside Ireland

In countries outside Ireland, the duty of owners to protect the welfare of their animals and prohibit cruelty and abandonment is governed under the animal welfare legislation in force in those countries.

22. The 20% Rule

How much weight a horse or pony can carry without it being considered cruelty or abuse is currently not governed by the animal welfare acts (legislation) of any country. For this reason, these TCR Showing & Grading Rules do not include (provide for) application of the 20% rule because it is not governed by any law. However, where a TCR judge considers that a rider in a TCR ridden class is too heavy for the horse or pony they are riding, then the TCR judge has the right to apply the 20% rule AT THEIR OWN RISK – i.e. to risk the possibly that the rider may be aggrieved because there is no law that would prevent them from riding that horse or pony in a ridden class and therefore possibly take action against them for discrimination and/or humiliation etc.

TCR Showing Rules