Purpose:
The purpose of the MHBA Ranch of Distinction Award is to promote and recognize excellence in individual Miniature Hereford breeding  and showing programs.

Description:
This program is an accumulative point show program.  This program will include three (3) levels of recognition awards. The program is designed to recognize ranches/farms that promote and educate the general public about the Miniature Hereford breed. These ranches/farms do this through exhibiting their animals in Miniature Hereford shows across the US. 

Awards Presented Annually:

MHBA Ranch of Distinction I (1-3 head exhibited)
MHBA Ranch of Distinction II  (4-6 head exhibited)
MHBA Ranch of Distinction III  (7 to 10 head exhibited)

The “AIME Ranch of Distinction” Point show program would begin at the MHBA World show held at the NWSS in Denver, CO each year and ends at the last MHBA sanctioned show held prior to the subsequent NWSS.  “AIME Ranch of Distinction” points shows must be recognized as an MHBA Sanctioned show in order for points to be allocated to a Ranch/Farm participating in the Program. The Ranch/Farm may enter and exhibit in as many MHBA Sanctioned shows as they wish; however, only the top four shows that they exhibit in during the year will be tallied and considered for the title of “MHBA Ranch of Distinction.”

To take part in the “AIME Ranch of Distinction” Program, only MHBA members holding a Family membership level will be allowed to participate.   Those members will select the Ranch of Distinction level that they wish to participate in for each show year.  They will need to complete and send the AIME Ranch of Distinction application to the MHBA Secretary.  Each applicant will need to select the level in which they would like to participate.   The level selected will determine the number of animals they will need to exhibit at each MHBA Sanctioned show.  The number of animals selected must stay within the allotted number for the level selected; however, the animals selected to exhibit may change from show to show if so desired.  The MHBA Show Committee understands that there may be some shows that an exhibitor will need to take more than the number of head signed up in the AIME program, so, we will allow one show that the applicant can exhibit more than the allotted number of cattle, however only the scores for the maximum number of head signed up for in the contract will be tallied (i.e. if you sign up for a level III which is 7 to 10 head and take 14 head, only 10 of those scores will count towards your AIME points).   Also, if for some reason you are unable to take the minimum number of head to one show during the year you will not be penalized and only the number of head exhibited will count towards your total (i.e. signed up for a level III which is 7 to 10 head and are only able to exhibit 6 head, the scores for all 6 head will be counted towards your AIME total).  Both of these examples will only be allowed one time per year per applicant.  An applicant may request to increase the level in which they are currently listed and all the points earned from previous shows may be transferred to the next higher level.  An applicant may lower their participation level, however the points currently accumulated are non-transferable and they must begin from zero. Any amendments to your previously submitted AIME participant applications must be submitted to the AIME Program Chairperson.

AIME Ranch Point Levels:

Ranch of Distinction I: One to Three entries per MHBA AIME Sanctioned show

• Ranch must exhibit a minimum of one (1) but no more than three (3) head of cattle per show to qualify for this level of the AIME program. Points from each animal exhibited will be tallied towards the total show points for each MHBA Sanctioned show at which the applicant is exhibiting.  Top scores from four (4) AIME sanctioned shows from the entire year will be combined for a Ranch score at the end of the annual Program duration.
• Must exhibit a minimum of one (1) head of cattle to be eligible to participate in the AIME Ranch of Distinction I program.
• Points earned for up to three (3) animals exhibited in each eligible MHBA Sanctioned show will be tallied for a total score per event.
• MHBA will allow one show that the applicant can exhibit more than the allotted number of cattle; however, only the scores for the number of head signed up for in the Program application will be tallied.
• If the applicant is unable to take the minimum number of head to one show during the year, the applicant will not be penalized and only the number of head exhibited will count towards the individual show total.

Ranch of Distinction II: Four to Six entries per MHBA AIME Sanctioned show

• Ranch must exhibit a minimum of four (4) but no more than six (6) head of cattle per show to qualify for this level of the AIME program. Points from each animal exhibited will be tallied towards the total show points for each MHBA Sanctioned show at which the applicant is exhibiting.  Top scores from four (4) AIME sanctioned shows from the entire year will be combined for a Ranch score at the end of the annual Program duration.
• Must exhibit a minimum of four (4) head of cattle to be eligible to participate in the AIME Ranch of Distinction I program.
• Points earned for up to six (6) animals exhibited in each eligible MHBA Sanctioned show will be tallied for a total score per event.
• MHBA will allow one show that the applicant can exhibit more than the allotted number of cattle; however, only the scores for the number of head signed up for in the Program application will be tallied.
• If the applicant is unable to take the minimum number of head to one show during the year, the applicant will not be penalized and only the number of head exhibited will count towards the individual show total.

Ranch of Distinction III: Seven to Ten entries per MHBA AIME Sanctioned show

• Ranch must exhibit a minimum of seven (7) but no more than ten (10) head of cattle per show to qualify for this level of the AIME program. Points from each animal exhibited will be tallied towards the total show points for each MHBA Sanctioned show at which the applicant is exhibiting.  Top scores from four (4) AIME sanctioned shows from the entire year will be combined for a Ranch score at the end of the annual Program duration.
• Must exhibit a minimum of seven (7) head of cattle to be eligible to participate in the AIME Ranch of Distinction I program.
• Points earned for up to ten (10) animals exhibited in each eligible MHBA Sanctioned show will be tallied for a total score per event.
• MHBA will allow one show that the applicant can exhibit more than the allotted number of cattle; however, only the scores for the number of head signed up for in the Program application will be tallied.
• ·       If the applicant is unable to take the minimum number of head to one show during the year, the applicant will not be penalized and only the number of head exhibited will count towards the individual show total.

Location of Awards Presentation:
The presentation of MHBA “AIME Ranch of Distinction” Awards will occur at the Miniature Hereford World Show held at the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) in January of each year, beginning at the 2022 event. One award will be presented for each level of Excellence.

Duration of AIME Program:
The MHBA AIME Points Program will commence at the Miniature Hereford World Show held in Denver, Colorado at the National Western Stock Show (NWSS).  The Program will be operated on an annual basis, beginning with the first recognized show at the NWSS and concluding with the last MHBA sanctioned show held prior to the subsequent NWSS event (for example, from NWSS 2021 until immediately prior to NWSS 2022).

AIME Program Administration:
The MHBA AIME Points Program will be planned and overseen by the MHBA Show Committee; however, all rules and Program decisions are subject to approval by the MHBA Board of Directors prior to implementation.  The MHBA Show Committee will assign one member from the committee to serve as the AIME Program Chairperson.  This AIME Program Chairperson will be responsible for maintaining records of Program applications as well as compiling, tabulating, and reporting of all points in the Program.

AIME Ranch of Distinction Program Participant Eligibility:
Paid members of the MHBA holding a Family membership level are eligible to accumulate AIME Program points, following the submission and acceptance of a Program participant application.  MHBA Family membership dues must be kept current at all times.  If membership lapses at any time during the program period, all points accumulated to date will be forfeited on the day that membership lapses.  Should MHBA membership lapse and said member re-joins the MHBA at a later date, a new AIME Program application can be submitted and point accumulation may restart for the remainder of the Program year (beginning with zero points since all previously accumulated points may not be reacquired).  Only one application to participate in the AIME Ranch of Distinction Program will be accepted per MHBA Family membership.

Eligible MHBA members must provide a Program application for the AIME Ranch of Distinction level he/she would like to enter.  Applicant may only apply for one Ranch level per year or may request a change in level only once per year.  Applications must be received prior to the first MHBA Sanctioned, AIME participating show that the MHBA member will be participating in and during which he/she anticipates accumulating AIME points.  All applications shall be sent to the MHBA Secretary via email or post, which will then be forwarded to the current AIME Program Chairperson.  Upon receipt of a completed application, the eligible MHBA member will receive a ‘letter of acknowledgment’ from the AIME Program Chairperson stating that he/she has been accepted into the Program.  This ‘letter of acknowledgment’ also serves as the official notice that AIME points will begin accumulating commencing on the letter date; all subsequent shows will be tallied automatically for all eligible MHBA shows during that Program year.  AIME Program applications will be available on the MHBA website, from the MHBA Secretary, or the AIME Program Chairperson. 

AIME Program Sanctioned Show Requirements:
The AIME Program will encompass all MHBA Sanctioned shows for which the respective show superintendent filed all the required MHBA AIME Program documentation.  For an event to be eligible to participate in the MHBA AIME Program, the show must be recognized as an MHBA Sanctioned show.  All MHBA National Show rules must be implemented in the event and adhered to (located in the MHBA Handbook).  All rules designated specifically for the MHBA AIME point show program must be implemented and followed.  All Show Superintendents must have a signed MHBA Show Superintendent contract on file with the MHBA Secretary.   Junior shows are not eligible to participate in the AIME Ranch of Distinction program. 

AIME Program Cattle Requirements:
All cattle participating in the MHBA AIME Programs must be registered with the AHA and have a corresponding, legible registration ear tattoo that will be examined at all shows for verification.  Registration papers for each animal must be presented during check-in at all AIME participating shows.  Animals with pending or invalid registration papers will not be eligible to show and therefore points will not be tabulated for said animal. 

• Females entered into the program must meet all current MHBA show rules for Females.  Height may not exceed 45”.
• Cows entered into the program as a Cow/Calf Pair must meet all current MHBA show rules.  Height may not exceed 45”.
• Bulls entered into the program must meet all current MHBA show rules for Bulls.  Height may not exceed 48”.
• Prospect Steers entered into the program must not exceed twelve (12) months of age on the date of show.  Height may not exceed 48”
• Market Steers entered into the program must be at least twelve (12) months of age on the date of show, but not more than twenty- four (24) months of age.  Height may not exceed 48”

AIME Program Cattle Ownership Requirements:
All animals participating in the MHBA AIME Program must be owned or co-owned (as listed on the AHA registration paper) by the person or ranch holding a Family membership in the Miniature Hereford Breeders Association.  The animal may be owned or co-owned at the time of the AIME Program application receipt.  If owned by two different MHBA members, the animal may only receive points for one of the applicants if both owners are part of the AIME program. The animals must be owned by the Ranch that has applied to be part of the AIME Ranch program for a minimum of 30 days prior to an AIME Sanctioned show for their points to be counted towards the owners AIME Ranch point accumulation.

AIME Ranch of Distinction Program Point System:
AIME point totals will be compiled for each show string exhibited (for which an AIME Program application and ‘Letter of Acknowledgement’ was received by the AIME Program Chairperson and applicant, respectively) and tallied by the AIME Program Chairperson.  Applicants show string may be entered in as many MHBA AIME participating Sanctioned shows as desired; however, at the conclusion of the AIME Program year, only the top four show results will be counted in the year-end point totals.  AIME “Ranch of Distinction” Program Award recipients will be determined at the end of the year with the winner being the Ranch/Farm accumulating the highest total number of points for a given year.

Eligible Point Classes	Points Earned
Class Placing:                      1st	5
2nd	4
3rd	3
4th	2
5th	1
Reserve Division Champion	5
Division Champion	10
Reserve Grand Champion	15
Grand Champion	20
Total Maximum Points Available per Show per Animal	35

Eligible points for animal(s) will be tallied from the top four (4) MHBA AIME point shows at which the group of animals was exhibited. 

NOTE: Division points will not be acknowledged for Cow/Calf Pairs.  An individual cow may accumulate a maximum of 25 points per show (5 points for first in class plus 20 points for Grand Champion Cow/Calf Pair).

Participants can only receive points on an entered animal for one division.  Should a class be sub-divided, points will only be awarded to animals according to class placing, not sub-class placing.  Group classes are not included within the AIME Program.

Complaint or Protest Procedure:
Anyone who seeks to file a complaint or protest regarding a perceived infraction of a program rule or sanctioned show rules must submit a fee of $500 to the MHBA Show Committee.  The Show Committee will not release the name of the individual filing the protest.  The fee will be refunded only if the protest is sustained by the MHBA Show Committee.  All complaints or protests must be made to the MHBA Show Committee Chairperson by the last day of the said show/exhibition.

Any MHBA AIME Ranch of Distinction Program participant wishing to protest accumulated points for a given Program year must contact the AIME Program Chairperson and the MHBA Show Committee within seven (7) days of the final MHBA Sanctioned show of the award year.

MHBA Show Committee Decisions:
The decisions of the MHBA Show Committee, subject to approval of the Miniature Hereford Breeders Association Board of Directors, on all issues pertaining to the MHBA AIME Program and the events at MHBA Sanctioned shows shall be final.  Please note that MHBA and AIME Program rules may change or be updated without further notice by the MHBA Board.  All updated or new rules will be posted on the MHBA Website and be added to the MHBA Handbook.  The MHBA is not responsible for any accidents that may occur at a specific venue.

Exhibitor Code of Conduct:
All MHBA exhibitors, their family members and others acting on the behalf of the exhibitor including, but not limited to employees or other help, must display good sportsmanship and act in a courteous manner at all MHBA Sanctioned shows.  Unsportsmanlike conduct will be reported to the MHBA Show Committee for appropriate action, as deemed necessary.  Unsportsmanlike conduct may include, but is not limited to, physical actions, threats, or outbursts of profanity.  Committee action is not limited to the following, but may result in the exhibitor(s) found in violation to lose AIME points for a show, lose accumulated AIME points, and/or be banned from current or future participation in the MHBA AIME Program and MHBA sanctioned shows.  The decision of the MHBA Committee and/or the MHBA Board of Directors (in accordance with the MHBA Bylaws) regarding the reported unsportsmanlike conduct shall be final.