EKPA Show Rules & Regulations

Updated June 2025

GeneraL show REGULATIONS

  • All animals entered in the show must be 100% Kunekune and registered with the AKKPS and/or IKHR. A registration number must be provided for each entry and will be validated by EKPA/KPPA administrators.

    • Exceptions:

      • Market Class: A litter notification with the animal’s herdbook number will be accepted.

      • Pigs under 1 year of age (Junior and Senior classes) may be entered using a litter notification number.

      • Breeding classes: Animals that are 1 year or older must be fully registered by the time entries close.

  • Exhibitors must be 9 years of age or older to participate in general and production classes.

  • Unless otherwise stated, the pig must be owned by the exhibitor (or a family member) listed on the exhibitor registration form. The owner's name must match the name on the registration.

  • No logos, banners, or signage of any kind are allowed in the videos or photos submitted to the show. Violation of this rule will result in disqualification from the class.

  • No video editing is permitted. Violation of this rule will result in disqualification from the class.

  • Videos must be between 30 and 90 seconds long. By uploading content to any EKPA show, you agree to allow EKPA/KPPA to use that content for publicity, marketing, and educational purposes.

  • No refunds will be issued once class entries have been paid.

  • The judges' decisions are final. Their comments will be included in the results videos released on the show weekend.

BREED Class REGULATIONS

  • All animals must have a minimum of 10 evenly spaced, functional teats to qualify for breeding classes. Inverted, blunt, or pin teats are not considered functional.

  • Animals must not have a hernia or rupture, whether scrotal or abdominal.

  • Animals must not have cryptorchidism.

  • Animals must not have hermaphroditism.

  • Animals must not show evidence of an extra dewclaw.

  • Boars must not have any physical defect that would hinder their ability to reproduce effectively.

  • Both wattled and unwattled pigs registered with AKKPS or IKHR are acceptable.

Market Class REGULATIONS

All Market Class animals must comply with the following rules:

  • Males must be barrows.

  • Females must be gilts (non-producing females or breeding stock that have not yet produced).

SHOW TOOLS

Rules for Breeding and Market Classes only. These rules DO NOT apply to Showmanship classes.

  • Exhibitors may drive their pigs using a livestock stick, pig whip, or hog bat. Pigs may also be led, but the method should minimize distractions on camera and avoid encouraging unnatural head carriage.

  • Leading with food on a stick is allowed, but exhibitors must remain upright and should not crouch or bend in front of the pig.

  • Feed scoops: Shaking a feed scoop is allowed only if the scoop remains out of the camera frame or is handled by someone off-camera. If a feed scoop is visible on camera, the entry may be disqualified at the discretion of the show committee.

  • NOT ALLOWED:

    • Exhibitors cannot use feed pans or hold food in their hands.

    • Crouching or bending in front of the pig with food is prohibited.

Scorecard & judges’ comments

  • Judges will use the EKPA Unified Scorecard as their reference for breed standards.

  • Judges will provide verbal feedback based on the video submission.

  • Unwattled pigs are permitted—and even encouraged—to participate in the show.

Video Requirements for General Classes

Each entry will require a 30-90 second video of the pig(s).

Breeding and Market Classes are focused on the pig and not the exhibitor.

Tips (not rules) for a successful entry:

  • The person recording the video should remain stationary throughout the shoot.

  • The handler should walk the pig toward the camera, away from it, and show both left and right profiles, as if the camera is the judge. The more angles shown, the better the judge can evaluate the pig.

  • The exhibitor should aim to keep the pig moving smoothly for the duration of the video.

  • Videos should be recorded at the pig’s height, or no higher than waist height, to capture the animal at its best. This may require the person recording the video to crouch or kneel for optimal profile views.

  • The camera should be focused on the pig and not the handler. Record from the handler’s waist down, keeping the attention on the animal.

    • Exception: If the same video is being used for both showmanship and breeding or market classes, showing more of the exhibitor is acceptable.

Video Requirements for YOUTH and adult Showmanship Classes

Each entry must include a 30–90-second video demonstrating the youth’s ability to handle the pig. Youth should wear neat and appropriate attire. The video must clearly show the full body of both the youth and the pig.

Attire

Exhibitors should wear pants or jeans and a shirt that is free of logos, farm names, or any branding. Clothing should be neat and clean. Proper footwear is required—a leather shoe or boot is recommended (no Crocs, sandals, or similar footwear). If mud boots are worn, pants should be pulled down over the boots to minimize their appearance.

Disqualification Criteria

  • Videos must be recorded in landscape mode. A video submitted vertically may be disqualified at the discretion of the show committee. Please turn your phone and use landscape mode.

  • Crouching or bending over in front of a pig with food while leading is not allowed. Leading an animal while holding a feed bucket, feed pan, or treats, or crouching or bending over, may result in disqualification.

  • Feed scoops may be used but must remain OFF camera. The exhibitor should hold the scoop high enough to stay out of the video frame, and the videographer should avoid capturing it. A visible feed scoop can be disqualified at the discretion of the committee.

  • No other animals are allowed in the same pen as the show animal. Presence of other animals in the show pen may result in disqualification at the discretion of the show committee.

  • The showing area should be clean and well-maintained. Muddy or poorly cared-for spaces may result in disqualification at the discretion of the show committee.

  • Animals over 1 year of age with pending registration at the time of entry closing may be disqualified.

  • Exhibitors must be dressed according to the attire guidelines. Failure to comply may result in disqualification at the discretion of the show committee.

  • Pigs must be obviously groomed. While weather may limit full bathing, waterless shampoos or thorough brushing are encouraged. Insufficient grooming may result in disqualification at the discretion of the show committee.

  • Editing video submissions is NOT allowed. Videos edited in any way other than the removal of sound may result in disqualification at the discretion of the show committee.

  • No logos, banners, or signage of any kind are allowed in videos or photos submitted. Violation of this rule may result in disqualification at the discretion of the show committee.

  • Animals in the background should be minimized and must not distract from the show animal. Excessive distractions may result in disqualification at the discretion of the show committee.

AKKPS SANCTIONING RULES

  • AKKPS members will receive and enjoy a discounted price off the published non-member rate for entries.

  • AKKPS encourages members to join EKPA to take advantage of the educational material offered to EKPA members through EKPA membership.

  • EKPA shows will not be solely AKKPS-sanctioned. EKPA does accept entries from registered stock from other Kunekune registries, and those other registries could also sanction EKPA shows as well.

  • AKKPS Registered Stock will receive show titles awarded from EKPA shows, which are sanctioned by AKKPS and noted in the AKKPS herd book. This applies to Kunekunes registered to the current AKKPS member, who is the one entering the pig in the EKPA show using an AKKPS Pedigree.

  • AKKPS will accept a litter notification number on AKKPS pigs that are under one year of age.  The show title will not be awarded until the pig is fully registered with AKKPS.

  • Kunekunes in the AKKPS herd book or pedigree of a Kunekune that were not registered with AKKPS at the time of the show will not have their awarded titles reflected in the herd book.

  • EKPA shows are solely produced by EKPA according to the rules established by EKPA.

  • AKKPS reserves the right to request verification in the form of a photo of the Kunekune displaying the ID method (ear tag, scanner, or tattoo) shown in the same photo that is recorded in the AKKPS registration, prior to entering an awarded title into the herd book.