Phillips County Fair

Phillips county fair

ROYALTY HANDBOOK

AGREEMENT

INTRODUCTION

All applicants and all eventual appointee as Phillips County Fair Royalty are required to

Comply with all policy and procedures adopted by Phillips County Fair Board and the Phillips County Royalty Coordinator, including this handbook.

The Phillips County Fair Royalty Program will consist of an application process, public speaking, public appearances, personal interviews, modeling, and any other events that are deemed appropriate by the Phillips County Fair Board and the Phillips County Royalty Coordinator. The Royalty Program is open to any Phillips County 4-H or FFA member and/or attend anyone who attends school in Phillips County. Your standing will be verified.

This handbook is intended to outline the policies, procedures, and expectations of the Phillips County Fair Board and the Royalty Coordinator. It outlines various duties and obligations for anyone who holds the titles of Phillips County Princess, Phillips County Attendant, or Phillips County Fair Queen. The Phillips county Fair Board reserves the right to reasonably change policies, procedures and expectation at any time with written notice to the Phillips County Fair Board and the Phillips County Royalty Coordinator.

As Phillips County Fair Royalty, you are responsible to be the good will ambassador for the Phillips County Fair and the agricultural lifestyle it promotes. You are the face of the Phillips County Fair. You will be required to serve at orchestrated appearances including fundraisers, autograph signings, speeches, community service projects, meet -and-greets at public schools, and of course other events in surrounding counties. You will be required to communicate effectively with various groups of people including children adults, fair and rodeo enthusiast, vendors and sponsors. You should be able to handle yourself with style, dignity and be knowledgeable in any situation. Especially when dealing with children, it is important that you understand that you are looked up to as a role model. Their interaction with you can be pivotal in their decision to pursue rodeo, ranching, agriculture, livestock involvement etc.

Selection to the Phillips County Fair Royalty Program is a privilege and should be treated as such. You will be expected to fulfill your responsibilities with grace, dignity, and courtesy always. You are expected to be a role model and exhibit the highest moral and social behavior.

GENERAL INFORMATION

All general member rules and by-laws of the Phillips County Fair shall apply to contestants, elected royalty, and parents of both.

Contestants shall be a member of Phillips County 4H and/or FFA in good standing prior to submitting an application for royalty. STANDING WILL BE VERIFIED

Year of reign is from the coronation at the Haxtun Corn Festival to the following year’s Haxtun Corn Festival.

Royalty may hold office for the same position one year only.

The Royalty Court may consist of a Queen, Attendant and Princess, or any variation thereof.

Royalty shall not serve as Royalty for any other club or similar organization during the reigning year.

Royalty must be single at the time of selection and remain single throughout her reign. If royalty marries or becomes pregnant during her reign, she will forfeit all awards.

Royalty will provide their own transportation to and from all events.

Royalty must agree to be available throughout the year for personal appearances, interviews and other functions seen fit by either the Phillips County Fair Board and/or Royalty Coordinator.

Each Royalty is allowed 2 EXCUSED absences from required events throughout the year with at least a 48-hour notice prior to the planned function.

Phone calls, E-mails and/or Text Messages from the Phillips County Board or Royalty Coordinator should be acknowledged within 24 hours.

Social media is to be used with caution. At any time a Phillips County Fair Board Member or Royalty Coordinator may ask to see Royalty’s social media and take appropriate action.

Royalty is expected to fulfill their obligations, if necessary the Board and Royalty Coordinator reserves the right at its sole discretion to relieve any Royalty of their title.

If any royalty court member should have to give up her title for any reason she is expected to return all financial assistance and gifts immediately.

ALL BOARD AND ROYALTY COORDINATOR DECISIONS ARE FINAL.

LIABILITY AND RELEASE

The Phillips County Fair Board’s policies and procedures for the Phillips County Fair Royalty program for the current year, supersede all previous contracts, code of conduct, handbooks, and any other policies and procedures of the past.

These policies and this Handbook do not constitute a contract of any kind,
The Phillips County Royalty serves at the will of the Phillips County Fair Board and the Fair Board may terminate the Queen, Attendant or Princess with or without cause at any time, and without notice, procedure or formality.

All Royalty shall carry their own health insurance, if they are injured at any function where they are acting as part of the Phillips County Royalty, they shall immediately notify the Phillips County Royalty Coordinator within twenty-four hours of the incident.

All Royalty shall be solely responsible for their own personal property and will-being; and they shall neither ask for, expect, nor receive compensation or reimbursement from the Phillips County Fair Board, Phillips County Royalty Coordinator or Phillips County Commissioners for any loss sustained by them because of participation as Phillips County Royalty. They shall save and hold harmless the Phillips County Fair Board, Phillips County Royalty Coordinator, and the Phillips county commissioners from all liability for their actions and conduct during their term as Phillips County Royalty.

ROYALTY ELIGIBILITY & Expectations

Queen

Contestant must agree to taking on a one year term.
Contestant shall be between the ages 16-20 as of Jun. 1 of the current year to compete for Queen.
Exhibit high moral standards at all times.
Present a pleasant personality with a positive attitude.
Look their best, presenting a wholesome and professional look.
Represent the Phillips County Fair with the upmost respect!

Attendant

Contestant must agree to taking on a one year term.
Contestant shall be between the ages 16-20 as of Jun. 1 of the current year to serve as Attendant.
Exhibit high moral standards at all times.
Present a pleasant personality with a positive attitude.
Look their best, presenting a wholesome and professional look.
Represent the Phillips County Fair with the upmost respect!

Princess

Contestant must agree to taking on a one year term.
Contestant shall be between the ages 12-16 as of Jun. 1 of the current year to compete for Princess.
Exhibit high moral standards at all times.
Present a pleasant personality with a positive attitude.
Look their best, presenting a wholesome and professional look.
Represent the Phillips County Fair with the upmost respect!

Parents

Parents are responsible for getting their child’s and horses to the required functions or making other arrangements if necessary.
Parents are responsible for helping their child carry out functions of their position, including saddling or warming up of horses as needed.
Parents are responsible for their own actions as it reflects back on their own child.
Attend all functions with your child.
Support and Supply your child with all that her rein requires.
Be available to assist Phillips County Royalty Coordinator if requested
There may be events during the reign where parents are not welcomed. Please be respectful of this.
Any person traveling with a member of the Phillips County Royalty should not ask nor expect free entrance into the event.
If at any time the Phillips County Royalty Coordinator feels a person traveling with a member of the Phillips County Royalty is acting in such a manner that is harmful to the reputation of the Phillips County Fair, Phillips County, or the Royalty program, that person will be asked to leave the area and will not be allowed to participate in future event.

HORSE EXPECTATIONS

Royalty shall use a horse owned by immediate family or submit a lease contract that is valid for entire reign.

Horse shall be bathed and clipped with hoofs clean and maintained.

Horse shall be safe to use throughout an entire parade route, grand entry, or any other function asked to participate in.

Proof of vaccinations and a current coggins test are required for all horses that participate

Brand Inspection papers and proof of ownership are required at all times

If unforeseen circumstances arise and your horse becomes sick or injured it is your responsibility to have a backup horse.

All tack must be safe and clean.

CONTEST RULES AND PROCEEDINGS

The Royalty contest will consist of an application, prepared speech, modeling, personal interview, riding patterns, appearance and public interaction during the fair. Point will be awarded by the judges in each category.

The royalty contest will be held before and during the fair.

All royalty applicants and parents are required to sign the application.

Parents and guest are encouraged to watch the speeches, modeling and riding part of the contest.

Parents will at no time be allowed to interfere with the judging process. Doing so may result in participants disqualification from the contest.

The Phillips County Fair Board or Phillips County Royalty Coordinator reserves the right to reject any applicant whose behavior is inappropriate.

Contestants must have access to a horse when needed as agreed and outlined in the application.

Royalty is expected to be a competent rider, understand and practice basic safety, health and welfare requirements of horses at the discretion of the Phillips County Royalty Coordinator. (Western Novice Level I Riding Test).

Determination of the safety of the horses will be at the discretion of the Phillips County Fair Board and/or Phillips County Royalty Coordinator. Decisions are final.

Proof of the health of the horse, vaccinations, and a coggins test are required for all horses that participate.

Royalty will NOT discipline horses in the arena or any public venue.

Each Contestant is required to wear proper riding jeans, a long sleeved, cuffed and collared, button up shirt, western hat or approved riding helmet, and western boots are required during all portions of the contest.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Judges are instructed to the type of royalty the Phillips County Fair Board is seeking.

Application – 10pts.
Public Relations – 40pts.
Personal Appearance – 10pts.
Horse Appearance – 10pts.
Modeling – 10 pts.
Written Test – 30pts.
Interview – 40pts.
Impromptu Questions – 20pts.
Speech – 40pts.
Horsemanship – 20 pts.
Reining Pattern – 40pts.
Flag run – 20pts.
Queens Run – 30pts.
Total = 320 pts.

Speech Topic:

What does the Phillips County Fair mean to me?
Requirements:
Queen and Attendant applicants should prepare a speech 5-8 minutes long.
Princess applicants should prepare a speech 3-5 minutes long.

Written Test:

The written test will be given on the day of tryouts. It will cover information regarding the Phillips County Fair, such as but not limited to; history, rules, events, and board members.

All Riding Requirements:

Patterns chosen will be available with the application; however you will not only be required to ride the pattern but must be able to saddle your horse (parents may help upon Boards approval). All patterns will be set before first contestant enters the arena.

CHAPERONES

Royalty will be supervised by chaperones. Chaperones may include Phillips County Fair Board, Phillips County Royalty Coordinator, parents or guardians and /or official chaperones over the age of 21.

Royalty are not to go anywhere without permission of their chaperone.

Chaperones are responsible for all members of the Royalty Court at each event.

If any member of the Royalty cannot comply with the directions of the appointed chaperone(s), it will be addressed by the Phillips County Fair Board and the Phillips County Royalty Coordinator.

11. ROYALTY COORDINATOR

Works closely with the Phillips County Fair Board, Phillips County Royalty, and Phillips County Royalty Parents.

The Phillips County Royalty Coordinator may not be a parent or guardian of current reigning Royalty.

Works with the Phillips County Fair Board to plan, organize and address situation, questions, and/or changes that need to be made.

Responsible to report any behavior issues to the Phillips County Fair Board.

Will schedule meetings as they are needed.

Will provide a schedule for Royalty to attend Phillips County Fair Board meetings as requested.

Will provide a schedule with due dates for articles that need to be printed in monthly newsletters or local newspapers.

Photographs are often required for publicity purposes including, but not limited to, autograph sheets, website photos, and advertising. All such photographs must include crown, properly shaped hat, sash, and buckle. Prior approval by the Phillips County Royalty Coordinator is suggested.

13. ATTIRE FOR ROYALTY

Meticulous care in every aspect of your appearance is extremely important. General body and clothing cleanliness cannot be stressed enough.

The Phillips county Royalty must provide their basic wardrobes. Clothing sponsors may be obtained if you wish to do so. If clothing is obtained through a sponsor, that clothing may only be worn at official functions and is not intended for personal use.

You are expected to wear official dress while representing Phillips County. In the arena, this will include denim jeans, a long-sleeved shirt to include cuffs and button up, felt hat or approved riding helmet, crown, belt, buckle, boots, Chaps (if available) and sash. Denim must be dark and not faded. No frayed hems. Jeans should fit will, not too tight or too baggy and not too low on the hips.

At speaking functions, you may wear a dress or long skirt, long sleeve shirt/jacket, sash, felt hat, crown, belt, buckle, and western boots. No straw or obnoxious colored hats are to be worn.

All other functions you are expected to wear what is appropriate for the designated function. Make sure all outfits are will coordinated.

At no function where you are representing Phillips County shall a shirt be worn as a jacket, completely unbuttoned and un-tucked, with a camisole, tank top or T-Shirt as the main garment. Do not show cleavage or undergarments.

Proper western boots must be worn (not high heeled or lace up boots). Boots should be clean and polished.

Crown and buckle must be kept in impeccable condition.

Your horse and tack (especially your saddle) shall be presentable, clean and in proper working order always.

At the end of your rein the royalty must turn back all issued attire except her buckle and sash. Those will be hers to keep.

14. FUNDRAISING

The Royalty Program is funded by a donation from The Phillips County Fair Board and the Phillips County Commissioners. Budget items may include clothing, buckles, contest expenses, parade entries, crowning expenses, and mileage.

Royalty can raise funds for additional items not included in the budget.

All monetary donations need to be made payable to the Phillips County Fair
Board and taken to the Phillips County Royalty Coordinator within one week or receiving donation.

Any donated funds that are not used during the current year’s reign will be rolled over to support the new year’s royalty court.

15. CODE OF CONDUCT

The following rule violations have been set in place to ensure the quality of the Phillips County Royalty Program. Should a rule be broken the Phillip County Fair Board will have the authority to determine the degree of the infraction and take actions that may include but not limited to suspension or removal from the royalty program.

Neglecting your duties.

Disciplining a horse in the arena or public venue.

Using disrespectful language, cussing or swearing, inappropriate gestures, while in Royalty clothing and /or representing the Philips County Fair will not be tolerated.

Displaying disrespectful behavior toward any person or venue while acting as a representative of the Phillips county Fair including your parents, Fair Board members, sponsors, royalty members or visitors.

Displaying lewd affection in public with anyone.

Being late or unprepared to participate in any event you are required to attend or have committed to attend.

Wearing inappropriate attire during official appearances while representing the Phillips county Fair.

Displaying tattoos or face/body piercing objects and jewelry. Tasteful earrings are permissible. Use good judgment.