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SPECIAL HORSE REGULATIONS​

Subject to the Rules, By-Laws and Regulations of the Queensland Chamber of Agricultural Society’s Inc. (QCAS) and the Society/Association relevant to this schedule, the following General Horse Regulations shall apply. Entering the horse section at an affiliated Agricultural Society's show infers acceptance of these Special Horse Regulations.
 
Where there is a conflict between these regulations and the regulations and rules of the local Agricultural Society, the rules of the Affiliated Agricultural Society prevail. 


These regulations are to be read in conjunction with the QCAS General Regulations. 

1     NOTICE TO INTENDING EXHIBITORS 
1.1    A MAIDEN has not won in competition at an affiliated agricultural Show.  After winning a MAIDEN hack class this horse will be recognised as a NOVICE.  A Novice will remain a NOVICE until winning an open championship at an affiliated agricultural show.   
1.2    Parents, Guardians, or Strappers are not permitted in the horse arena during judging other than in any lead line class as in accordance with regulation 1.4 herein. 
1.3    Marshalling area to be supplied by all affiliated agricultural Shows. 
1.4    In any lead line class only one (1) handler may be involved in the leading of the Pony, Galloway or Hack. 
1.5    The President, Committee person or Chief Steward shall have power to turn out any horse and rider from the ring, in any class, if they deem it is not entered correctly, or give permission for it to enter the correct class. 
1.6    At any affiliated agricultural show the horse committee has the right to substitute a judge. 
1.7    Once judging of a class has commenced the Steward has the right to refuse entry to the class for competitors who are late. 
1.8    In Breed Classes, registration papers (where applicable) must be available at the Show as proof of registration and carried on the person when actually competing and presenting the horse. (Photocopies, preferably coloured, are acceptable). 
1.9    An Exhibitor required by the Show section schedule or rules of the affiliated Society to parade an exhibit in the Grand Parade and who fails to do so, shall not be entitled to and shall forfeit any prize money or trophy to that Exhibitor and/or for that Exhibit. 
1.10    Any Exhibitor who by themselves or any agent who: 
            •    directly or indirectly presents a horse which has an identity other than its true identity; 
            •    does any act or thing which is likely to result in a horse being incorrectly identified; 
            •    does any act or thing which is likely to result in a horse being incorrectly measured; is automatically disqualified from exhibiting. 
1.11    At the beginning of each calendar year an exhibitor MUST choose the category for their exhibit, EITHER Show Hunter or Show Horse, when competing at a QCAS Affiliated Agricultural Show.  
1.12    An Exhibitor must choose to enter in classes as either a Show Hunter or a Show Horse (Pony, Galloway or Hack). Exhibitors cannot enter as both. 

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2    JUDGING 
2.1    Judging will be performed by a Judge or panel of Judges appointed by the Society. 
(a) The society will release the names of appointed Judges two (2) weeks prior to the event. 
2.2    In the event of the Judge deciding that the exhibits in any Class are not worthy of a prize, no prize will be awarded. 
2.3    It is considered good ethics that if a Junior Judge or Associate Judge has been judging in his/her own right at any affiliated Agricultural Show, they are not eligible to enter the Young Judges competition at that Show, BUT they can still enter at another Show where they are not acting in a judging roll. 
2.4    A Judge shall not adjudicate at more than one show within 30 days within a Sub-Chamber unless judging different sections.  This rule applies to all affiliated agricultural show sections. 
2.5    In all affiliated Agricultural Show sections, Judges should not judge the same section within a two (2) year period at the same show. 
2.6    Judging cards and performance records shall be completed by the committee person in charge, Chief Steward and/or the Judge of a section (if required) during or immediately after the judging of the section or at the Judge’s convenience. 
2.7    If a Judge is unable to fulfil a judging commitment, the Judge shall notify the Society as soon as possible so a replacement can be arranged. 
2.8    A Judge shall not send a substitute Judge but may nominate a replacement judge to the society.  All invitations to judge shall be sent by the affiliated Society. 
2.9    A Society shall report to QCAS any Judge who fails to attend a Show to which he or she has accepted an invitation to judge or, who has failed to judge at the time advertised for the commencement of the class provided that the failure to attend or appear is without reasonable cause. 
2.10    A Judge may not officiate, and compete or exhibit in the same section at the same show unless exceptional circumstances exist such as sickness or unavailability of the appointed Judge. 
2.11    A Steward assisting the Judge in a particular section shall remove him/herself from the section if within a period of six (6) months prior to or during the show he/she or any member of their immediate family, business partners, or employee has owned, leased, bred, trained or schooled an animal or competitor exhibiting in any class in that section. 
2.12    An Exhibitor shall not compete in a section if the Exhibitor is a member of the Judge’s immediate family.  
2.13    No Exhibitors shall deface or alter registration papers or performance cards for any exhibit. 
2.14    A Judge or Steward must not knowingly permit an ineligible Exhibit or Exhibitor to compete. 
2.15    No Exhibitor or members of the Exhibitor’s immediate family or employed by the Exhibitor shall approach a Judge with regard to a decision made by the Judge unless they first obtain permission from the Committee person in charge or Steward of the Section. 
2.16    An Exhibitor shall not compete nor show any animal in a section if the animal has been owned or leased by the Judge or a member of the Judge’s immediate family within six (6) months prior to the show or if the Judge is the Exhibitor’s employer or business partner.  
2.17    An Exhibitor shall not compete if the Exhibitor or any animal being shown by the Exhibitor has been given tuition by the Judge or the Judge’s business partner within three (3) months prior to or during the show. 
2.18    An Exhibitor is ineligible to compete, if the Exhibitor has employed or has been employed by or has been a business partner of the Judge of the Section within three (3) months prior to or during the holding of the Show. 
2.19    A Judge shall not visit the livestock-housing complex of the Agricultural Society, nor the owners, nor inspect or discuss any animal entered in the Show prior to or during the judging of the relevant section. 
2.20    In Breed Classes, ALL animals must have current Registration and Ownership Certificates with the Breed Society. 

 

3    HEIGHT OF EXHIBITS 
3.1    Pony Hacks must not exceed 14 hands. 
3.2    A Galloway Hack shall be over 14 Hands and not exceeding 15 Hands. 
3.3    A Galloway Hack cannot compete in other Hack Classes unless otherwise stated.  
3.4    Horses, Galloways or Ponies entered in any class for which a prescribed height is a condition, must be measured by the Official Measurer who will issue a Certificate of Height.  The Certificate of Height must be available on request and carried on the person or crescent number attached to the horse, when actually competing or presenting the horse. 
3.5    When measuring a Horse, Galloway or Pony an allowance of up to 9.5mm (3/8 inch) is to be made for shoes.  When an Exhibitor disagrees with the Official Measurer’s figure for an animal which has been measured with shoes on, the Exhibitor may, should they so desire, have it measured without shoes. 
3.6    Should a Horse, Galloway or Pony be found by the Official Measurer to be over or under height for the Class in which it is entered, the Chief Steward has the right to transfer to a corresponding ring. 

 

4    PONY HACKS 
4.1    Show Pony Hack and Show Pony Hunter Hack over 12.2 hands and not exceeding 14 hands may be ridden by a juvenile or adult. 
4.2    All small Show Pony Hacks and Show Hunter Pony Hacks 12.2 hands (127.5cm) and under to be ridden by a juvenile rider under 17 years of age.   
4.3    Horses may be entered in Hack classes OR Hunter Hack classes but not in both. 

 

5    AGE AND COMPETENCE OF COMPETITORS 
5.1    A person who has not attained the age of six (6) years must not ride a horse at a show unaccompanied by an adult unless otherwise stipulated for a particular class. 
5.2    A person who has not attained the age of eighteen (18) years must not ride or handle a Stallion at a Show. 
5.3    An Honorary Steward may at any time require a person who does not appear to be able to ride or handle any horse to dismount and leave the ring. 
5.4    The age of a person is determined as at the first day of any affiliated show. 
5.5    A person who has attained the age of twelve (12) years may ride in the Open Hack Ring. 
5.6    Proof of age must be presented when requested by the steward and is to be carried on the person whilst competing or exhibiting unless such proof has been presented to the show administration prior to acceptance of entries or judging of that section. 

 

6    WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY 
6.1    It is the responsibility of each exhibitor to ensure that the leaders of their horses in judging rings, Grand Parades and exercise areas are capable of exercising control over the animals in their care.   
6.2    Each exhibitor/competitor will assess the risk to themselves, staff, volunteers, family, other exhibitors, show stewards, show visitors and any person foreseeably affected by the presentation of their exhibit. 
6.3    The exhibitors/competitors are required to ensure that they and all persons under their direction or control comply with all requirements of the current Workplace Health and Safety Act, and the Affiliated Show Society holds each exhibitor responsible to discharge its obligations to provide and maintain a safe place and system of work during occupation by the exhibitor/competitor of any area of the Showgrounds. 
6.4    Energised electric fences are prohibited on the showground at any time, without the express permission of the society or unless specified in the societies schedule.  Any fences are to be suitable signed. 

 

7    AGE OF HORSES 
7.1    The age of all horses to be calculated as at 1 August.  Every horse foaled before 1 August in any year shall be deemed to be one (1) year old on that date. 
7.2    Male horses under the age of four (4) years are defined as being Colts and female horses under the age of four (4) years are defined as being Fillies.  These horses are not permitted to compete in the respective Stud Class for Stallions or Mares. 

 

8    DRESS REQUIREMENTS AND EQUIPMENT  
8.1    All riders and attendants must be neatly and appropriately attired whilst in the main arena and/or judging ring.  The Chief Steward has the right to exclude anyone from competing whose attire is inappropriate. 
8.2    Shorts, singlets, thongs, joggers and similar attire are not permitted. 
8.3    Short boots are to be worn by Adults and Juveniles riding in Pony Hack and Hunter Hack classes 12.2 hands and under 14 hands. 
8.4    Long boots may be worn in Galloway Hack and Hack classes. 
8.5    A snaffle bit must be used on Maiden Horses ridden in Maiden Hack and Hunter classes. 
8.6    A snaffle bit must be used on Newcomer Horses ridden in Newcomer hack and Hunter classes. 
8.7    Judges and Stewards in all horse rings must be suitably attired.  Recommendations include;  
Females: 
     •    Tailored type dress, suit, pants suit, 
     •    Suitable covered shoes (low heel),  
     •    Scarf (suitable to class), and  
     •    Hat (not floppy brim). 
Males: 
     •    Lounge suit, tailored slacks/mole skins with Sports coat 
     •    Tie/Cravat (suitable to class),  
     •    Hat (Western or day time) or acceptable English style cap, and 
     •     Suitable foot ware. 
8.8    Unacceptable attire 
     •    Peak/ball type caps,  
     •    Blue Jeans, and 
     •    TRACK pants Track suits or similar attire.   
8.9    Any rider competing in events at an affiliated agricultural show must wear protective headgear to the current Australian Standard (unless otherwise stated in the schedule for the class).  The retaining harness must be secured and fastened at all times.  Riders without approved headgear shall be ineligible to compete until rectified; if request is ignored instant elimination from all events will occur. 
8.10    Recommended wear for informal classes; Safety Skull Cap (to the current Australian, European or American standard), Shirt and tie, coat, jodhpurs, elastic sided boots, riding cane, gloves, tweed coat. 

 

9    CONDUCT IN MAIN ARENA 
9.1    Whilst in the main arena of any affiliated show’s event, exhibitors and competitors will be under the direction of the Chief Steward and the stewards in charge of the respective judging rings. 
9.2    The society accepts no responsibility if judging times conflict with one or more classes or events in which an exhibitor may be entered.  Where a conflict may occur, it is the responsibility of the exhibitor to notify a withdrawal from either event.  No ring shall be required to wait for a competitor or exhibitor who may be competing in another ring. 

 

10    CRUELTY– EXCESSIVE USE OF WHIPS & SPURS 
10.1    The excessive use of whips or spurs by any rider in any event or on the grounds will not be countenanced.  Any person continuing the practice after being warned may be debarred from competing further in any event.  Cruelty to horses is forbidden at any affiliated show event. 
10.2    Any competitor found guilty of committing a definite act of cruelty will be disqualified from taking part in all competitions of the event where the offence was committed. 
10.3    No spurs with spikes will be permitted. 
10.4    The Chief Steward shall be the sole judge of what constitutes cruelty and includes without limitation: 
          •    to whip or beat a horse excessively; 
          •    to subject a horse to any kind of electric shock; 
          •    to use spurs, or to jab the horse in the mouth with the bit, excessively or persistently; 
          •    to rap a horse; 
          •    to remount, or attempt to remount, an exhausted, lame or injured horse; 
          •    to hypersensitise any part of a horse; 
          •    to leave a horse without adequate feed, drink or exercise; and 
          •    excessive exercise. 

 

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11    STALLIONS 
11.1    Stallions are not permitted to compete in hack classes. 
11.2    All stallions and colts must be correctly bitted whilst in hand and the Judge/Ring Steward in Charge shall have the right to disqualify any exhibit, if in that Judge/Ring Stewards  opinion, such exhibit is not able to sufficiently be controlled in a safe manner for judging to continue.  The exhibit will be ineligible to compete in the class in which it is entered or paraded and upon such disqualification the exhibit shall forthwith be removed from the judging ring. 
11.3    At no time can a stallion be handled by a person under eighteen (18) years of age. 
11.4    A stallion with only one descended testicle is a Monorchid, whilst a stallion with no descended testicles is a Cryptorchid and both are classed as unsound in stallion classes. 

 

12    PERFORMACE REQUIREMENTS 
12.1    For eligibility to compete at the Royal Queensland Show in the Hack, Galloway and Pony Hacks (including Show Hunter) sections (unless otherwise stated by the RNA), competitors are required to provide a performance record of their best eight (8) performances achieved within 12 months prior to close of entries for the forthcoming Royal Queensland Show in comparable events.   
12.2    A comparable event is: if entering Hack section then only Hack performances are acceptable.  If entering Show Hunter Classes, only Show Hunter performances are acceptable. 
12.3    A minimum of six (6) of these performances must be gained at individual agricultural shows affiliated with the Queensland Chamber of Agricultural Societies (QCAS) or with the agricultural society organisation in the state in which the awards were won. 
12.4    Only one performance per show will be considered. 
12.5    All results are forwarded to QCAS within fourteen (14) days of the affiliated Society’s agricultural show for verification with the RNA as required. 
12.6    In the event of an affiliated Agricultural Show holding their Hack Rings as a three (3) ring circuit or rotational judging competition (or events or classes) only one win at that show will be counted as a first place for eligibility to compete at the Royal Queensland Show. 
12.7    The exhibitor irrevocably consents to the society and QCAS publishing or reproducing in any manner whatsoever any particulars or information in relation to their exhibits; the publication or reproduction may be in a printed form or visual image through electronic means and/or on the internet. 

 

13    PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES 
13.1    A person must not administer a prohibited substance or cause one to be administered to an exhibit, except as permitted by any By-Laws or Regulations. 
13.2    The exhibitor, owner and attendant of any exhibit to which a prohibited substance has been administered is in breach of the By-Laws unless the prohibited substance is permitted by the Bylaws or Regulations to be administered. 
13.3    An exhibit to which a prohibited substance has been administered in breach of the By-Laws must be removed from the judging ring upon demand of the affiliated show society. 
13.4    The affiliated Agricultural Society, in its discretion and at any time, may cause an examination to be made of an exhibit by a Veterinary Surgeon who, in the course of such examination, may: 
          •    take such samples (including, without limitation, urine, blood, saliva and faeces) from such Exhibit as he considers necessary or advisable; 
          •    have such samples tested by such methods and procedures as she/he considers appropriate; 
          •    examine the Exhibit for desensitised limbs; 
13.5    Procedures in the above rule are at the expense of the exhibitor/owner of the exhibit in question 
13.6    Any Exhibit, Exhibitor, Owner or Person in charge of any Animal who appears to have had/have given a Prohibited Substance will definitely be debarred by the Stewards from competing in any event for which it may have been entered at the Affiliated Show, as all are deemed to have acted in breach of this By Law. If a Veterinary surgeon is required all expenses for same are the responsibility of the Exhibitor, Owner or Person in charge.  
13.7    The Affiliated Society and any Steward or Agent of the Society shall not be liable to an Exhibitor for the death of, or for injury, damage or infection which may be sustained by his/her exhibit occasioned by or arising out of any act or omission of any Steward, or Agent of the Society during the course of the testing of the Exhibit, whether due to the negligence of any such Steward, Agent or otherwise. 
13.8    ‘Prohibited Substance’ means any substance originating externally to an animal (and whether or not endogenous to the animal) capable of affecting the performance of the animal by its action upon: 
          •    the central or peripheral nervous system; 
          •    the cardiovascular system; 
          •    the respiratory system; 
          •    the alimentary digestive system; 
          •    the musculo-skeletal system; 
          •        the urogenital system; or 
          •        the endocrine system. 
AND INCLUDES WITHOUT LIMITATION: 
          •    analgesics; 
          •    anti-histamines; 
          •    anti-inflammatory agents; 
          •    blood anti-coagulants; 
          •    diuretics; 
          •    hormones and their synthetic counterparts; 
          •    cortico-steroids; 
          •    anabolic steroids; 
          •    local anaesthetics; 
          •    muscle relaxants; 
          •    tranquillisers; 
          •    antibiotics; 
          •    stimulants; and 
          •    glues and bleaches. 
13.9    The administering of antibiotics may be permitted provided the exhibitor can produce a treatment notification form, or a veterinary certificate. 
13.10    The current QCAS Equestrian Swabbing Policy Fact Sheet is available at www.queenslandshows.com.au . 
13.11    Agricultural Societies and QCAS comply with the Equestrian Australia Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations which are available at www.equestrian.org.au.
   
14    BIOSECURITY FOR HORSES 
14.1    Horse Exhibitors must present; Horse Health Declaration, Waybill and/or Queensland Travel Permit when moving onto any affiliated agricultural society showgrounds. 
14.2    It is compulsory to complete a Horse Health Declaration for ALL horses entering an affiliated agricultural society showgrounds.   
14.3    All QCAS affiliated agricultural societies have developed a comprehensive Agricultural Show Biosecurity Plan and all event organisers, competitors and spectators have a joint responsibility to ensure the successful implementation of a biosecurity plan. 
14.4    Horse Health Declarations are available at www.queenslandshows.com.au or contact the relevant Agricultural Society. 
14.5    The current QCAS Hendra Virus Biosecurity Policy Statement and Fact Sheet are available at www.queenslandshows.com.au. 

 

15    PROTESTS 
15.1    A protest against a Judge's Award must:- 
          •    be in writing addressed to the Secretary, and signed by the person lodging the protest;  
          •    be lodged by delivery to the Secretary's Office within twenty-four hours of the making of the Award;  
          •    give the name and address of the person lodging the protest, and where two or more persons join in the protest, state which one of those persons is authorised to receive correspondence or notices on behalf of all;  
          •    set out in reasonable detail particulars of the matter complained of including but not necessarily limited to the number of the Class and the Award protested against;  
          •    be accompanied by a deposit of $50.  
15.2    The Secretary shall advise the President when a protest is received and the President shall appoint a Protest Board consisting of such members of the Board as she/he may determine to consider and determine the matter.  
15.3    The Protest Board shall proceed in all respects according to the justice of the case and may decide the issue according to equity and good conscience without being bound by legal technicalities or the laws of evidence.  
15.4    A protest shall not be upheld on the ground that the Judge made an honest but incorrect decision unless it is proved to the satisfaction of the Protest Board that the Judge had been willfully or accidentally misled by the act of some other person.  
15.5    If the Protest Board should be of the opinion that the protest was frivolous the deposit may be forfeited.  
15.6    The decision of the Protest Board shall be final and conclusive.  
15.7    For the purpose of this regulation an Award shall be deemed to be made when the results of the class in question are announced or otherwise made available to the public. 

 

16    DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE 
16.1    The functions of the Disciplinary Committee shall be to hear and determine all complaints, allegations and other matters relating to: 
          •    prohibited substances, as defined in these General Rules or Sectional Regulations. 
          •    any alleged breach of the Rules, By-Laws and Regulations of the Society by an exhibitor and relating to an exhibit or to a competition, except if the alleged breach is of a kind that the Chief Steward of a Section considers is of a less serious nature and should properly be dealt with by the Sectional Sub Committee, and 
          •    any other alleged breach of the Rules, By-Laws and Regulations of the Society that may be referred to Disciplinary Committee. 
16.2    The Disciplinary Committee shall comprise of such members of the Societies Management Committee as are appointed by the Management Committee from time to time. 
16.3    The Management Committee shall appoint a member of the Disciplinary Committee as Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee. 
16.4    For the purposes of any proceedings of the Disciplinary Committee, the Disciplinary Committee shall comprise, no less than three of its members and those persons shall constitute the Disciplinary Committee for the purpose of those proceedings. 
16.5    If a member of the Disciplinary Committee dies or becomes otherwise unable or unwilling to participate in proceedings, then: 
          •    if this occurs prior to the commencement of any hearing in relation to the matter, the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee shall appoint a replacement; and, 
          •    if this occurs after the commencement of any hearing in relation to the matter, the remaining members of the Disciplinary Committee shall constitute the Committee for the purposes of concluding the proceedings. 
16.6    Proceedings before the Disciplinary Committee may be initiated: 
          •    upon the request, orally or in writing, of the President. 
          •    upon receipt by the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee of a written complaint relating to a matter referred to in these regulations. 
          •    by the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee on his or her own motion. 
16.7    The Disciplinary Committee may conduct proceedings at any time. 
16.8    All persons who constitute the Disciplinary Committee for the purposes of any proceedings must be present at any hearing conducted by the Disciplinary Committee. 
16.9    A person whose conduct is called into question in any proceedings before the Disciplinary Committee must be given notice of a hearing. It shall be sufficient for such notice to be given orally and by any such person acting with the apparent authority of the Society. 
16.10    The Disciplinary Committee may conduct proceedings notwithstanding that any person who has been given notice fails to attend the proceedings. 
16.11    The Disciplinary Committee shall not be bound by any rules of evidence and shall conduct the proceedings with the minimum of formality and in such a manner as it sees fit. 
16.12    The Disciplinary Committee may require any member or exhibitor to attend at any proceedings of the Disciplinary Committee and to furnish such information and evidence and to produce such documents relevant to the proceedings as to the Disciplinary Committee seems fit. 
16.13    The Disciplinary Committee may, at its discretion, call for and hear expert evidence. 
16.14    No person will be legally represented without the leave of the Disciplinary Committee. 
16.15    The Disciplinary Committee may announce its decision orally or in writing. A decision that is announced orally shall have effect in accordance with its terms. 
16.16    If the opinion of the Disciplinary Committee is not unanimous, the decision of the majority shall prevail. If the Disciplinary Committee are equally divided on any question concerning the guilt or innocence of a person, the question shall be resolved in that person’s favour. 

 

17    PENALITIES 
17.1    If the Disciplinary Committee considers that there has been a breach of the rules, By-laws or regulations of the Society, it may impose such a penalty as it considers to be appropriate, including without limitation: 
          •    a reprimand; 
          •    a monetary fine (payable at such time/s as the Disciplinary Committee may determine); 
          •    withdrawal or withholding of any award or ribbon; 
          •    disqualification in respect of any class; 
          •    expulsion from the Showground; 
          •    where the person concerned is a member, a suspension or termination of that membership; 
          •    a ban; 
          •    exclusion; 
          •    prohibiting a Person from exhibiting or competing at the current Show or at any future Show; 
          •    a direction that an Exhibit be removed from the Showground; 
          •    any other mandatory requirement; and 
          •    any other penalty provided for in other regulations of the Society. 
17.2    There shall be no appeal from any decision of the Disciplinary Committee. 
17.3    The Association may publish to: 
          •    all Agricultural Societies in Queensland; 
          •    the Queensland Chamber of Agricultural Societies 
          •    the relevant Breed Societies; 
          •    the body with which the exhibit is registered, or is eligible for registration; 
          •    the result of any proceedings before the Disciplinary Committee in which a person has been found guilty of a breach of any Rule, ByLaw or Regulation. 
17.4    The Society shall have no liability to any person in respect of any publication referred to above 
17.5    No person shall have any claim against the Society or against any Committee member, member, employee, volunteer or agent of the Society in respect of any act, matter or thing done in good faith during or in connection with the proceedings before the Disciplinary Committee. 
 

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