ACA National Show – Louisville, KY • National Western Stock Show – Denver, CO • Ft. Worth Stock Show – Ft. Worth, TX
Cattlemen’s Congress – Oklahoma City, OK • American Royal, Kansas City, MO • Chiangus Classic

ACA SHOW RULES – Please note, rules for individual shows may vary. Rules printed for individual shows take precedence.

ALL EXHIBITORS WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR SHOW HARNESSES WHILE EXHIBITING THEIR ANIMALS. 

IMPORTANT NOTICE – All entries must be received by show entry deadline and are non-refundable.

All entries in ACA sponsored shows must be made by active adult or junior members (includes all partial interest owners) in current account standing with the ACA. All entries are subject to the provisions and rules set forth by the Board of Directors of the ACA.

6.25% Rule – Breeding Cattle born on or after January 1, 2012 must have a minimum of 6.25% Chianina blood to participate in ACA nationally sponsored shows such as the NAILE. (Exception is the Chi-Composite show at designated shows)

ACA registration papers must be presented to the breed superintendent at the show. All animals with a tattoo not corresponding with its ACA registration papers will be ineligible to compete. All animals showing MUST be REGISTERED with the ACA. Applications for registration will not be considered as valid proof of ownership for the purposes of this show. Original registration papers must be presented to the breed superintendent at check in.

Protests – Protests must be submitted to the CEO (or board president in the absence of a CEO) in writing at least 24 hours prior to the beginning of judging or within 24 hours of the conclusion of judging. Written protests must be accompanied by a $500 fee and three (3) signatures of current ACA members. Judging procedures will not be interrupted for protest investigation and depending upon the basis of the protest, a decision may be withheld until a complete investigation is made. If the protest is upheld the $500 will be refunded.

Entry Rules

Chianina and Chiangus entries will NOT be entered by designated show classes at the time of nomination. Classes will be broke after all animals are checked in at the show.

Individual bull and female classes will be divided into as nearly equal numbers as possible depending on natural age breaks of entries and the total number of animals to be exhibited.

The bulls will be judged first starting with the youngest bull class through the oldest bull class. The females will be judged starting with the youngest female class through the oldest female class. Group classes will be shown following the female classes.

Please Note: All females 18 months and older exhibited at an ACA nationally sponsored show must have a certificate of pregnancy from a licensed veterinarian or have produced fertile eggs as certified in a written statement by a licensed veterinarian or embryologist or have a calf at side. 

All bulls shown in individual classes must have a permanent nose ring and an attached lead. 

SHOWS 

Show 1 – All registered Chianina, Percentage Chianina and Chiford.

Show 2 – All registered 1CA, 2CA and PCA Chiangus cattle, and Red Chiangus cattle.

Classes will be determined by age, using the futurity system.

In the event of a disagreement, a representative of the ACA will make the final decision as to which division any animal is assigned.

DIVISIONS

Female Divisions for 2024-2025 Show Season (May 1, 2024 – April 30, 2025)

Summer Heifer Calf: May 1 – May 31, 2024
Late Junior Calf: March 1, 2024 – April 30, 2024
Early Junior Calf: Jan. 1, 2024 – Feb. 28, 2024
Senior Calf: Sept. 1, 2023 – Dec. 31, 2023
Summer Yearling: May 1, 2023 – Aug. 31, 2023
Late Spring Yearling – April 1 – April 30, 2023
Early Spring Yearling – March 1 – March 31, 2023
Junior Yearling: Jan. 1, 2023 – Feb. 28, 2023
Senior Yearling: Sept. 1, 2022 – Dec. 31, 2022
Cow/Calf: All females older that Sept. 1, 2022 with a calf at side

Bull Divisions for 2024-2025 Show Season (May 1, 2024 – April 30, 2025)

Late Junior Calf: April 1, 2024 – May 31, 2024
Early Junior Calf: Jan. 1, 2024 – March 31, 2024
Senior Calf: Sept. 1, 2023 – Dec. 31, 2023
Summer Yearling: May 1, 2023 – Aug. 31, 2023
Junior Yearling: Jan. 1, 2023 – April 30, 2023
Senior Yearling: Jan. 1, 2022 – Dec. 31, 2022

There will be a cow/calf class in each division and a Grand Champion Pair will be selected. The pair will not show against heifers for Grand Champion Heifer. Calves exhibited in the cow/calf division are not allowed to show in individual classes. All cows and calves must be registered with the ACA. The maximum age for calves is 260 days. No maximum age limit on the cows. The registration category of the cow determines the division in which the pair shows. Calves shown at the cow’s side must be the cow’s natural calf. The exhibitor may be asked to allow the calf to nurse the cow.

Animal Age Requirements (2024-2025 show season):

Bulls – Calved January 1, 2022 thru May 31, 2024
Females – Calved September 1, 2022 thru May 31, 2024
May 31, 2024 will be the minimum age requirement on cattle. The only exception to the maximum or minimum age as stated above will be in the cow/calf classes.

GROUP CLASSES 

Produce of Dam: Two head produced by the same dam, both were exhibited in the individual classes. Need not be owned by the same exhibitor. The “dam” must be registered with the ACA (excludes commercial or foundation animals).

Junior Get-of-Sire: Three head by the same sire calved after Sept. 1, 2023. Both sexes represented. All three were exhibited in the individual classes. Need not be owned by the same exhibitor. The “sire” must be registered with the ACA (excludes commercial or foundation animals).

Senior Get-of-Sire: Four head by the same sire. Both sexes represented. All four were exhibited in the individual classes. Need not be owned by the same exhibitor. The “sire” must be registered with the ACA (excludes commercial or foundation animals).

Best Six Head: Six animals owned, co-owned, or bred by one exhibitor or by a member of the immediate family. All six were exhibited in the individual classes.

Premier Breeder and Premier Exhibitor awards will be presented at the ACA National Show.