RULES
SECTION 1: MEMBERSHIP
REQUIREMENTS AND/OR PRIVILEGES
A. Dues are payable on January lst. Any member who does not
reinstate by January lst or any member who resigns by notifying
the USBCHA (HA) Secretary of his intent in writing, will
automatically become a member in arrears.
B. Members
will receive the HA Newsletter.
C. Members
will have the right to vote on matters brought before the
membership.
D. Members in
good standing may participate in the National Open and Nursery
class Finals. To participate in the HA National Finals one must
also be a member in good standing of the American Border Collie
Association Registry.
E. Members
will receive a current copy of the rulebook.
F. Any
Director may, at his discretion, collect membership dues. It will
be the responsibility of the collector to forward monies to the HA
office immediately.
G. By the act
of paying membership dues, members accept all rules contained
herein and rules and/or policies hereafter adopted by the Board of
Directors (BOD).
H. By the act
of paying membership dues, or entry fees to HA sanctioned events
participants waive all claims against the trial management, or HA,
for injuries he or she, or their property may sustain in any HA
sanctioned event.
I. The HA
assumes no responsibility for injury or damage to the person,
property or animals of any owner, contestant or assistant at a HA
sanctioned event.
J. As a
condition of membership, all member-participants in HA sanctioned
trials or HA approved special events, effected in any manner
whatsoever by a decision of the BOD or any person or committee
authorized by the BOD to handle disciplinary matters, hereby
releases the HA, their affiliated, related, or subsidiary
companies, their officers, directors, and employees, Hearing
Committee members jointly and severally, individually and in the
official capacity, of and from any and all claims, demands,
damages, and causes of action whatsoever, in law or equity, rising
out of or in connection with any individual committees to whom
disciplinary matters may be authorized by the BOD or by a Hearing
Committee.
K. All members
shall receive a copy of minutes of ALL meetings, including all BOD
meetings / Conference Calls. This may be done by direct mail,
e-mail, Facsimile or by publishing them.
L. Facsimile
transactions and email communications are acceptable forms of
communication provided such form of communication can be confirmed
by a "hard copy". (I.e.- a printed copy of email or a
return acknowledgment of received fax.)
M. All HA
members are responsible for reading and knowing the prevailing
rules of the HA as well as those provided by management of
individual trials in which they participate. Failure to know these
rules is not an acceptable excuse.
N. Any member
or non-member placed on suspension shall not be permitted to
compete in any trial during the period of his suspension or event
sanctioned by the HA. Any event that allows such suspended
individuals to enter the trial will not be sanctioned by the HA.
O. Members may
file protest (see Section 3 for procedure)
P. For further
rights, privileges and possible loss of privileges see Section 4:
Discipline.
SECTION 2: SANCTIONING
OF TRIALS
A. These rules and regulations apply only to HA sanctioned trials
and approved events.
B. New trial
hosts, as well as existing hosts, must apply for sanctioning to
the HA Secretary at least thirty (30) days prior to the trial
date. If the HA Secretary deems it necessary, an Approval Trial
Committee will review the request and either approve or
disapprove. Errors or omissions by the trial host may be waived by
the Trial Approval Committee and their decision will be final. All
trial information must be published prior to the trial in at least
one Border Collie Magazine, or a local association newsletter, or
a flyer to members in that district. Upon request, the HA may
furnish address labels to the trial host for the district mailing.
C. A
two (2) dollar per dog sanction fee shall be charged for each dog
entered in Open and Nursery competition at all sanctioned trials.
D. The two (2)
dollar sanctioning fee, along with the trial results form is to be
mailed to the HA Secretary’s office not later than twenty one
(21) days after the trial. The HA Secretary will notify the
sanctioning committee if trial management fails to abide by this
rule.
E. All
sanctioned trials must conform to the rules and regulations of the
HA. Since both members and non-members who are under suspension
are not allowed to participate in any HA sanctioned trials as
either the owner of a dog, or as a handler, allowing a suspended
member to enter a trial means that the trial will automatically
lose its sanctioning. All trials requesting sanctioning will be
kept notified of suspended members or non-members of the
association.
F. The HA
Secretary shall maintain a list of all sanctioned trials.
G. On
request, HA secretary will send judging sheets as long as supply
last. It is not essential that trial host use the HA judging
sheets. You may download judging sheets off Home page.
H.
Trials hosted or sponsored by, affiliated with, or benefiting any
organization which advocates or supports conformation breeding or
showing of Border Collies, and trials held in conjunction with any
event sanctioned or sponsored by such an organization, are
ineligible for sanctioning by the USBCHA.
I.
Must have 10 entries in an Open class to be a sanctioned class.
SECTION 3: PROTEST
PROCESS
A. Protests under this section may be made by members in good
standing only. One must be a member in good standing PRIOR to the
occurrence of the alleged rule violation being protested.
B. Any member
desiring to file a complaint regarding any alleged violation of
these rules may do so by submitting the complaint to the HA
President through HA Secretary’s office. Said letter shall be
accompanied by a fifty (50) dollar cashiers’ check payable to
the USBCHA. The complaint must be filed with the HA within seven
(7) days of the closing date of the trial involved. Upon receipt
of said letter, the complaint will be referred to the appropriate
Hearing Committee for investigation and consideration. If the
Hearing Committee determines, after investigation, that no further
action is warranted, the complainant will be notified and no
further action will be taken. In this case the fifty (50) dollar
will not be returned to complainant. A majority decision of the
Hearing Committee will be binding.
C. If the
Hearing Committee determines, after investigation, that there are
grounds for possible disciplinary action the fifty (50) dollars
will be returned to the complainant. The HA President shall be
notified and the matter will be scheduled for a hearing before the
HA BOD.
D. Any member
may lodge a protest signed by him/her against any contravention of
any rule for trials, against any prize being awarded, delivered or
paid, or protest a judge’s decision upon submission in complaint
stating alleged errors made by judge or judges. All conditions
above must also be met. The Hearing Committee may also require any
member to whom a prize has been paid or delivered to return the
same. The member shall be bound to do so within the time fixed by
the Hearing Committee.
E. Details of
all protests under these rules and the decisions reached by the
Hearing Committee shall be reported to the complete BOD by the HA
Secretary.
F. No person
shall make a derogatory remark, nor take, nor threaten to take,
adverse action against a HA trial sponsor, its agents, volunteers
or employees. Any person who violates this rule is subject to
disciplinary action and is also responsible to the HA for any loss
or damage caused by a violation of this rule.
G. A judge may
present in writing, within seven (7) days of the occurrence, any
grievance he/she may have against contestants or trial officials
to the HA President or Director who will present the grievance to
the HA. Procedures established in the Protest Process section will
then be followed.
H. If any
trial official or HA Officer/Director witnesses a grievance
against a judge, that individual must report it to the HA
immediately.
SECTION 4: DISCIPLINARY
PROCEDURES
A. Any member or non-member may be disciplined, placed on
probation, fined (not to exceed five hundred (500) dollars), or
suspended from all HA privileges (not to exceed one year) whenever
it shall have been established by a preponderance of the evidence
that such member, or nonmember, has been found to have violated
the stated rule, or rules.
B. The HA
President may appoint a special Hearing Committee to conduct any
disciplinary hearing. The committee shall have a minimum of five
(5) and a maximum of nine (9) members and a majority shall
constitute a quorum for hearing purposes. Members of the committee
must be HA members in good standing.
C. Five (5)
members of the BOD shall constitute a quorum for the purposes of
disciplinary action.
D. The
decision of the BOD or Hearing Committee shall be final and
binding on all parties.
E. When the
rule in question contains a specific punishment provision, any
disciplinary action taken by the Hearing Committee must be
consistent with that provision.
F. When a fine
or penalty is not contained in the rule pertaining to the
complaint, the Hearing Committee or BOD shall assess same in
accordance with the severity of the rule infraction.
G. When anyone
shall be accused, by the BOD or by a Hearing Committee of any rule
violation, the accused party shall be sent a letter by the HA
outlining the alleged violation and given not less than fifteen
(15) days notice of time and place for hearing such accusation,
and at which time and place they shall have the opportunity, in
person, or by council to be heard and to present evidence in their
own behalf and to hear and refute evidence in their own behalf and
hear and refute evidence offered against them. It is acceptable
for the Committee and the accused to meet by means of a telephone
conference call, which shall be followed by a written report or
recorded statement.
H. Every
notice required by these rules may be served by delivering a copy
of the notice to the person to be served, or his attorney, either
in person or by certified mail, postage prepaid, to his last known
address as it appears on the HA records and upon mailing, such
notice shall be deemed received by such person when it is
deposited in the United States mail.
I. No
continuance shall be granted unless requested in writing at least
seven (7) days prior to the hearing, and good cause shown. A
continuance shall be granted or denied at the sole discretion of
the HA President or Chairman of the Hearing Committee.
J. When the
BOD or a Hearing Committee has ruled on a complaint and
disciplinary action has been taken against a member, or
non-member, the person’s name, the rule violated, and the
disciplinary action taken shall be published in the HA newsletter.
K. Any member
or non-member may be fined, placed on probation, or suspended,
from all HA privileges for failure to pay any obligation owing to
the HA or for giving a worthless check for entry fees, office
charges, stock charges, premiums, or any other fees or charges
connected with the exhibition of herding dogs, provided however,
that this person (member or non-member) shall be given twenty one
(21) days written notice of the amount due and the intention of
the HA to fine, place on probation or suspend. Any suspension
under this rule shall terminate upon full payment of the
obligation due the HA.
L. Any member
or non-member passing a bad check or checks at a HA sanctioned
trial or event which would effect the image or benefit of the
local trial management will be fined $25 (25) for each such check
and must write a letter of apology and make check good for first
offense; second offence, member will be suspended and fined one
hundred (100) dollars; third offense, member will be suspended and
must appear before the Hearing Committee for reinstatement AFTER
restitution of check or checks has been made.
M. The
following provisions regarding misconduct at, or in conjunction
with, a HA approved event or a HA sanctioned trial, while not all
inclusive, are to be considered as violations of these rules. If
any of the following subsections do contain penalties, these rules
should be followed. If there are no penalties spelled out in the
subsections below, then a violation of these rules will call for a
maximum five hundred (500) dollar fine and/or maximum one (1) year
suspension.
1. Attempting
to fix, bribe, influence or intimidate the judge, trial secretary,
time keeper, course director, or any other trial official will
result in disqualification at that trial, suspension and a minimum
fine of one hundred (100) dollars.
2. Talking
with the judges about any trial related matter throughout the
duration of the trial or discussing with the judge any ideas or
methods of judging or handling except at approved handlers’
meetings.
3. Making
comments within a judge’s hearing regarding any work taking
place on the field.
4. Consuming
or bringing alcoholic beverages into the judge’s stand while a
HA sanctioned trial is taking place.
5.
Intimidating or attempting to intimidate or argue with a judge or
a course director will result in a minimum fine of one hundred
(100) dollars, and/or a minimum of thirty (30) day suspension.
6. Altering or
attempting to alter the draw will result in disqualification at
that trial, and a fine of not less than twenty-five (25) dollars
nor more than two hundred and fifty (250) dollars.
7. Tampering
with competition livestock will result in disqualification for the
remainder of that trial and will be subject to a fine of
twenty-five (25) to two hundred and fifty (250) dollars.
8.
Unsportsmanlike conduct.
9. Fighting on
the trial site.
10.
Threatening or actually inflicting bodily harm or injury to
another person based upon that person’s actions, conduct, or
decisions in any official capacity for the HA or for any HA
approved or sponsored event shall call for suspension for one (1)
year.
11. Using
abusive language on the trial field.
12. Attempting
to aid or distract another competitor while they are competing
will result in immediate disqualification in that trial,
suspension, or fine as the Hearing Committee may decide.
13. Behaving
in a manner discrediting to the HA.
14.
Participating in training activities while on the trial grounds
other than in designated areas is prohibited.
15. Inhumane
treatment of dog or stock on the trial field or grounds is
prohibited at HA sanctioned trials. If trial management discovers
inhumane treatment to dog or livestock they may bar the
responsible party from further participation in the trial. The
decision as to inhumane treatment of animals may be based on the
consultation with a veterinarian . If trial management determines,
in its sole discretion, that the welfare of the animal requires
immediate action, and a veterinarian is not available, trial
management may consult with the judge of the trial before taking
any action allowed by this Section. (See Section 3, PROTESTS FOR
FURTHER GUIDANCE).
16. The HA BOD
shall be notified of the occurrence in (15) so a hearing to
consider disciplinary action against the responsible party may be
scheduled.
N. Trial
organizers, or producers may be suspended for any of the
aforementioned offenses and, in addition, any of the following
offenses:
1. Failure to
pay added money as advertised.
2. Leaving bad
debts in any town connected with the production of a USBCHA
sanctioned trial.
3. Failure to
pay sanctioning fee.
O. A special
meeting of the BOD may be called by the president at any time or
place or by telephone conference call where at least fifteen (15)
directors are present to consider emergencies such as serious
alleged rule violations of such magnitude as to appear to be
detrimental to the best interests of the HA or to its practices,
policies and/or objectives. A simple majority vote of at least
fifteen (15) directors shall be binding for motions passed during
any special BOD meeting.
SECTION 5: USBCHA OPEN
AND NURSERY FINALS
A.
A
Trial Committee will be appointed annually for the USBCHA/ABCA
National Open and National Nursery Sheepdog Finals.
At least one-half of the members of this committee shall be
appointed by the HA President, and up to half may be designated by
the ABCA. This
committee shall have the power to make decisions regarding the
interpretation and/or administration of any rule in question, the
laying out of the course, and in general, supervise the running of
that trial. Minutes
shall be taken of all meetings of the Sheepdog Finals Committee
(with the exception of meetings held at the trial site for the
purpose of resolving questions about the trial course and conduct
of the trial), and copies of those minutes shall be furnished to
the Board of Directors and posted on the HA website in a timely
manner.
B. Trial
Committee may appoint a non-contesting HA member to act as liaison
between contestants and trial management.
C. All
questions and disputes in connection with the National Trial not
already settled by the judge(s) or Trial Committee shall be
decided by the BOD whose decision shall be final and binding and
not subject to Court of Law. Five (5) board members shall be a
quorum.
D. In all
cases of dispute, the trial will proceed without delay under
existing USBCHA rules. Any contestant or person connected with the
contestant altercating or arguing with judges will be disqualified
from that run, fined and suspended from any further USBCHA trials,
until further notice.
E. Every
person who is suspended by the Trial Committee for unsportsmanlike
conduct at the trial shall stand as suspended by the HA upon
official notice to the HA from the Trial Secretary or Trial
Chairman of any such disciplinary action. Fine or penalty will be
assessed in accordance to the severity of the rule infraction.
F. Entries
must be postmarked on or before August 1st. If entries are not
accepted the entry fee will be returned.
G. Scores from
the first qualifying round at the National Open Finals and the
scores from the Semi Final round will not be added together to
determine the entries qualifying for the Final round. Only scores
from the Semi Finals will be used.
H. Placings in
the Final round for dogs that have retired, or have been
disqualified shall be determined by the Judge(s) immediately upon
the conclusion of the trial.
I. Qualifying
for the National Open Finals
a. Method of
qualifying is described in ARTICLE XVI of the HA Bylaws.
b. Points will
be awarded to dogs according to their placings in the go around
that included all the dogs entered. Points will be awarded to all
dogs allowed to run regardless of trial rules on the number of
dogs that may place at the trial.
c. Trial Hosts
should supply the HA Secretary with the following information.
i. Number of
dogs that ran in the Open trial.
ii. Actual
placings of dogs in go around that included all entered dogs.
Information
should include the placing of the top 20% of all dogs competing
even if they are not eligible for placing in the trial.
J. Election of judges for
the Sheepdog Finals. At least 8 months prior to the Sheepdog Finals, the HA
Secretary shall send forms to all USBCHA and ABCA directors on
which they can nominate judges for the Finals, and shall post a
notice on the HA website inviting members to submit suggestions
for judges to their directors.
Directors must contact and obtain the consent of persons
they wish to nominate. Seven
months prior to the Finals, the Secretary shall mail ballots to
all USBCHA and ABCA directors, on which the names of all the
nominees submitted by the directors are listed.
Each director shall vote for as many nominees as he or she
chooses. Directors
shall indicate their preferences by writing next to the name of
their first choice a number equal to the total number of nominees,
writing next to their second choice the next-lowest number, and so
on until they have voted for all the nominees they wish to vote
for. (For example, if
there are a total of 8 nominees, directors will write the number 8
next to their first choice, 7 next to their second choice, 6 next
to their third choice, and so on.)
Ballots shall be returned to the Secretary at least 6
months prior to the Finals, and the Secretary shall total the
numbers assigned to each nominee by all the directors and, after
confirming their willingness to serve, shall notify the directors
of the nominees receiving the highest total, who shall be deemed
elected. If for any
reason an elected judge cannot serve, the nominee receiving the
next highest number of points shall be substituted.
K. Must elect at least one North American judge for the
National Finals. At least one of the National Finals Judges
would, although all could, be at the minimum one year resident of
North America.
L. Eligibility to run
in the USBCHA Open and Nursery Sheepdog Finals is limited to
citizens of the United States and/or Canada, and to non-citizens
who have been physically present in the United States and /or
Canada for at least nine months of the qualifying year for the
Finals they seek to enter, and who have not run in the National
sheepdog or Cattledog trial of any other country during the same
calendar year as the Finals they seek to enter
M.
Eye exams: All
dogs must be examined by a certified Diplomat of the College of
Veterinary Ophthalmologists (DACVO)
before participating in a Finals Trial or at the eye clinic during
the Finals. The
certificate that is issued will be good for 25 months from the
date of the examination, or for 25 months if the interval between
trials is more than one year.
SECTION 6:
DETERMINATION OF COMPETENCY TO JUDGE.
A. When by a two thirds (2/3) vote of the BOD, the Board rules a
certain individual is deemed incompetent to judge HA sanctioned
trials, that person shall not judge any HA sanctioned
trials/events for a period set by the BOD.
SECTION 7: INSTRUCTIONS
TO JUDGES
A. Judges judging the USBCHA/ABCA National Finals trial should
read and follow "Instructions to Judges" listed within
the body of the USBCHA Rule Book
B. Every Judge
accepting an invitation to act at any of the Associations
sponsored trials will be held, by his acceptance, to have given an
undertaking that he will judge strictly according to the rules
laid down by the Association and that he will not favor any dog,
man or country.
C. A judge
shall conduct himself in a manner fitting and proper to one
afforded the honor of officiating at any Association approved or
sponsored trial. Any misconduct on the part of the judge at any
Association trial, the use of abusive language showing favoritism
to, or discrimination against, either an individual or a dog
performing in the trial, or any other action unbecoming to one in
his position, either on the grounds or elsewhere during the entire
trial, will make the judge subject to disciplinary action.
D. Judges are
encouraged to read and follow International rules.
E. Under no
circumstances will a published judge be permitted to enter the
trial for which said judge was approved.
F. A judge
shall not discuss with any contestant previous scores, events, or
related happenings during a trial.
G. A judge
shall not intimidate, or attempt to intimidate, a contestant. The
penalty for violating this subsection will be a minimum of six (6)
months suspension from the Association.
H. Each
Judge’s points for each competitor shall be recorded by the
secretary on score sheets supplied to them, which shall be
aggregated by the secretary and double checked by a secretarial
assistant.
I. Judges are
required to review each score sheet at the completion of the run
to insure accurate point deductions.
J. Judges may
not be changed after a trial begins except in cases of sickness of
injury. The trial committee is then responsible for appointing a
new Judge.
K. See Section
3, G.
L. If any
trial official or HA Officer/Director witnesses a grievance
against a judge, that individual must report it to the HA
immediately.
SECTION 8: CONTESTANTS
A. Each contestant must be ready when called by the Course
Director or an assistant. Anyone failing to answer the call may be
disqualified. Contestants should note that while the order of the
runs will be strictly followed, unless changes are authorized by
the trial committee, the exact timing can not be guaranteed.
B. Any
contestant wishing to have the course explained or have any other
point clarified must question the Course Director before he starts
his run. Contestants can not ask questions once their run is
started.
C. By
commencing the run, contestants are presumed to understand the
course and are expected to follow it.
D. Once
contestants start their runs, they are entirely in the hands of
the judge. By deviating from the course they are liable for
disqualification or point loss as the judge considers suitable
having regard for all the circumstances.
E. Any
contestant, who receives assistance of any kind while running his
dog, may be disqualified. If the contestant is disqualified he
shall earn no points. If a contestant is called for expiration of
time limit, points earned to that time will count.
F. After being
called off, a contestant will cease working his dog and will
collect the sheep and remove them from the trial field.
G. Any
contestant who retires or leaves the field, without the judge’s
permission, will forfeit all points.
H. Any
contestant who intentionally harasses the stock after his run will
be disqualified at the discretion of the judge in conference with
the Course Director and may be subject to further disciplinary
action by the HA.
I. Neither
contestants nor any others, shall take dogs onto the trial course,
before the competition starts except with permission of the Course
Director or trial management.
J. No
contestant, or other person, shall engage in any form of
misconduct or harassment toward trial management, judges, or HA
officials. Trial management has the right to disqualify or refuse
entry to any contestant or other person for violation of this
rule.
K. Any
contestant so denied access may request that the regional
(district) Directors determine if trial manager’s decision was
appropriate, and if it was not, what action should be taken. If
either party is dissatisfied with the decision of the regional
directors, they may appeal to the BOD, which the Appeal Board may
or may not hear at their discretion.
L. A
contestant may drop out of any contest due to injury to himself,
his dog, or due to sickness/death in his family.
M. A
contestant shall not at any time withdraw from any trial he is
participating in due to dissatisfaction, grievance with the
judge/judges, trial management, or other contestants without
forfeiting all money/prizes he may have won in previous runs.
N. If
contestant refuses to compete in the finals (except for above
mentioned reasons), any money/prizes won will be forfeited. In the
event money/prizes have been distributed before the finals, it
must be refunded/returned within fifteen (15) days after the
refund request is made, or the contestant will be suspended until
the money/prizes have been refunded/returned.
O. Should a
contestant withdraw from competition, entry fees, or any part
thereof, will not be refunded after contest starts. Trial
management has the right to establish cutoff dates for trial
withdrawal refunds.
P. A
contestant shall not enter the trial field at any time with any
kind of training device. The trial management, representative, or
judge must disqualify a contestant if he enters the trial field
with any such equipment, and all entry fees and/or premiums
pertaining to said contestant shall be forfeited. Such devices
include, but are not limited to, electronic collars, dummy or
weighted collars, a leash or rope that is not detached before the
dog is sent, or any device used to distract or cause pain to a dog
while it is working. The judge has the right to inspect the dog
for any violation to this rule.
SECTION 9: COURSE
DIRECTOR
A. The Course Director shall be a person selected by the Trials
Committee.
B. The Course
Directors shall call competitors in their turn according to the
program, unless directed otherwise by the Trials Committee.
C. If
requested by the competitor before the run starts to explain the
course, he shall do so. After the run starts he shall not assist
the competitor by giving advice or in any other way.
D. He shall
see that each lot of sheep when let out is placed to give each
competitor a fair and equal chance.
E. He shall be
available at all times during the trial to convey to the
competitor any instructions from the judges.
F. He is
responsible at all times for keeping the course clear and ensuring
that competitors or their dogs are not interfered with in any way
while competing.
SECTION 10: TIME
KEEPERS
A. It is the time keepers duty to accurately start the stopwatch
at the beginning of each competitor’s run and to promptly call
time when the allotted time for the course has expired.
SECTION 11: LITIGATION
A. If any member institutes litigation in which the HA is included
as a defendant in an effort to recover damages, to overturn
enforcement or interpretation of the Bylaws, Rules or for any
other reason whatsoever, and does not prevail in said litigation
by the recovery of all relief requested, said member shall be
liable to the HA for its attorney fees, costs of court, and other
expenses incurred in connection with such litigation. Venue for
any litigation which the HA is included as a defendant shall be
determined by the BOD.
SECTION 12: AMENDING
RULES
A. The BOD shall have the power to repeal, revise, modify or amend
the Rules of the HA at any annual or regularly scheduled meeting
of the BOD. A simple majority vote by the Directors present shall
be binding.
SECTION 13: NATIONAL
FINALS SECRETARY
A. The Finals Trial Secretary shall work jointly with the Trial
Committee, Course Directors and local trial committee. Trial
Secretary shall furnish running order, judge’s sheets; be
responsible for checking and posting scores. Secretary will have
premium checks ready for disbursement by the end the Finals. The
secretary will know at all times who the Course Director is and
who is the spokesperson for the trial committee. The secretary
will perform duties requested by the course director and/or trial
committee spokesperson as is necessary to assure an orderly
running of the Finals Trial.
B. The Trial
Secretary or her assistants may not divulge information to any
contestant about judge’s decisions or his individual preferences
in the handling or scoring during the competition.
SECTION 14: ENTRIES
A. Entry forms must be duly completed and logged at the Trial
Secretary’s office by the entry deadline. Entry fees for all
dogs shall be of such sum as is determined by the trial organizers
and must be paid on entry.
SECTION 15: RUNNING
ORDER
A. Any
competitor running two dogs will run his/her second dog after all
other competitors with two dogs have run their first dog. A
handler MAY NOT designate which dog is to run first.
B. To
implement this, all handlers with one dog will be drawn randomly,
one at a time, and divided alternately into two lots. Entries of
handlers with two dogs will be added to the first lot. Entries of
the first lot will then be drawn for running order. First dog
drawn runs first, second dog drawn runs second, etc. When a
handler with two dogs is drawn a second time that entry will be
placed in the second lot for re-draw. Upon completion of drawing
the first lot, the trial Secretary will randomly draw the second
lot to continue the running order.
C. The HA
suggests that where trials allow three dogs to compete that the
running order be drawn as follows: All handlers with one dog will
be drawn and randomly divided into three (3) lots. All handlers
with two (2) dogs will be drawn and randomly placed in two of the
three lots. All handlers with three (3) dogs will be drawn and
added to each of the three (3) lots. Beginning with the first lot
each lot shall be drawn to determine the running order.
SECTION 16: HUMANE
RULES
A. A veterinarian shall be in attendance, or reasonably available
at every trial.
B. No stock
belonging to either contestant or stock contractor should be
confined to vehicles beyond a period of twenty-eight (28) hours.
Without being unloaded, properly feed and watered, provided that
when animals are carried in conveyances in which they do have
proper food, water, space and opportunity to rest, the provision
for unloading shall not apply.
C. No sick of
injured animals, whether discovered before or after the draw will
be permitted to be used in competition. Animals will be inspected
and objectionable ones eliminated before drawing. Judges and
course directors will be responsible for inspection.
D. Sick or
injured dogs will not be allowed to compete at the recommendation
of the veterinarian or at the discretion of the judge and course
director.
SECTION 17: TIES
A. If two or more competitors stand equal in total points, the
judges shall settle their priority either (1) by their points for
the outrun, lift and fetch, or (2) ordering re-trials of any kind,
or (3) dividing the prize money involved. In cases of equality
where a trophy is at stake and the judges order re-runs, the
re-runs will decide not only the trophy but also all cash prizes
involved.
Breaking ties between the dogs receiving a score of 0 for their
runs on the last day (Double Lift) of the National Finals (because
of receiving a RT or DQ) the scores these dogs have earned up
until the phase of work which they failed to complete will be
used. These dogs will receive an official score of 0.
SECTION 18: RE-RUNS
A. The judges may stop a dog at any point of his trial and order a
re-run if they consider the circumstances warrant such action. The
re-run will commence where the original run was stopped and the
points scored before stopping takes place will stand.
B. In the case
of a re-run being ordered because of a wrong number of sheep
having been let out, or sheep being wrongly marked or one or more
sheep being unsound for working, the judges shall decide whether
the run should be from the beginning or from which point it is to
re-start. If decided that the re-run starts at any point other
than the beginning, the points scored up to the point of re-run
shall stand.
SECTION 19: AWARDS
A. All awards announced at any HA trials are subject to correction
of any error discovered within two weeks after the trial. Any
error that may be discovered will be corrected, and the awards as
announced readjusted accordingly. If such is the case, awards may
be recalled and will be returned to the trial management.
B. All prizes
and awards won at any trial shall be paid within one month after
trial.
SECTION 20: SCORES
A. HA official score sheets do not have to be used at all approved
trials. On request HA secretary will send judging sheet as long as
supply last. The score sheets are to be retained by the
trial secretary for a period of not less than thirty (30) days.
Trial secretary may make a copy of judges sheet if requested by
competitor.
B. By the
conclusion of the trial all scores must be posted with the amount
for each deducted, for each phase of work, and the total of points
awarded.
SECTION 21: DRESS CODE
A. Contestants (and trial officials) may be required to be
properly attired for any competition. Dress should be acceptable
for weather and magnitude of occasion. Good judgment should
prevail.
SECTION 22:
COURSE/POINT DESCRIPTION
(in judging the HA Sanctioned trials judges shall apply the
following general rules):
(A) OUTRUN (20
points)
From a Position near to the handler who stands at the post, the
dog should run out, either right or left, in a cast which is
neither too straight nor too wide, arriving behind his sheep at
sufficient distance from them not to unduly disturb them. Should
the sheep have moved, or be moving from the post the correct end
to the outrun should be when the dog is at the head of the sheep
and in a position to bring them on to the course. Any deviations
from the line, crossing the course, stops, commands given, and any
other mistakes will be penalized as the judge thinks fit, in the
circumstances.
(B) LIFT (10
points)
Whether the dog has stopped or slowed down his approach should be
smooth and steady and he should take control of his sheep in a
quiet firm manner. Rash or rough work, slowness of approach
necessitating too many commands, and any other faults will be
penalized as the judge thinks fit.
(C) FETCH (20
points)
Once the sheep are on the move (lifted) they should be brought at
a steady pace through the gates to the handler. The fetch ends
when the sheep have been passed around behind the handler and then
the drive begins. Over-flanking, unsteadiness, rushing, slowness,
too many commands, missing gates, deviation from line, and other
faults will all be penalized as the judge thinks fit having regard
to the disposition of the sheep and all the circumstances.
(D) DRIVE (30
points)
From the handler in a triangular direction with the dog in quiet
firm steady control in straight lines through two gates and back
to the shedding ring or pen area as required. Any deviation from
line, missing gates, rashness or slowness, too many commands,
circling sheep or other faults will be penalized by what the judge
considers suitable loss of points having regard to the disposition
of the sheep and all other circumstances. An honest attempt must
be made for each drive obstacle. If the dog is unable to drive the
sheep to, through, or past an obstacle it may not proceed without
loss of all remaining points and may be asked to retire. Handler
must remain at the post until the sheep enter shedding ring when a
shed is required after the drive. When the drive is followed by a
pen the handler may proceed to the pen after the sheep have made
or missed the final drive obstacle, however, the drive is not
completed until the sheep are in the penning area.
(E) SHEDDING
(10 points)
Shedding must be done within the ring. Two sheep are to be shed
off and the dog must be in control of these two otherwise the shed
will not be deemed satisfactory. Judges will apply suitable
penalty in the case of ragged work, sheep moving out of the ring,
splitting the stock wrongly, when the shed is done by the handler,
when opportunity to shed is missed etc. The test here being to
ensure that the dog can shed off and control the required sheep.
(F) PENNING
(10 points)
On completion of the shed the handler shall proceed to the pen
leaving the dog to re-unite the sheep and bring them to the pen.
The handler will keep hold of the gate rope (6 ft. long) until the
dog works the sheep into the pen. The handler may assist the dog
but over assistance should be penalized, as should sheep circling
the pen or making breaks away from the pen, unsteadiness,
rashness, slackness or any other fault shown by the dog.
(G) SINGLE (10
points)
On releasing the sheep from the pen and closing the gate, the
handler returns to the ring leaving the dog to bring the sheep.
One sheep is to be shed off and held to the satisfaction of the
judge. The shed must be done within the ring by the dog and not
the man, and judge must be satisfied that the dog has proved its
ability to ‘hold’ the single before they shall indicate their
satisfaction. Again rashness, unsteadiness, failure to shed at
suitable opportunity, man work etc., shall all be subject to
suitable penalty. If the judge decides that because of the
disposition and action of the sheep the dog has not been fairly
tested, he may order any other sheep to be shed and held. The cut
off must be done within the ring but the wearing may be outside or
inside the ring, the test being the dog’s ability to hold or
completely control a single. The above instructions are applicable
to runs on the National Course but are also applicable in the main
to the International Course.
SECTION 23:
INTERNATIONAL GATHER (100 points)
The International gather or double lift competition requires a dog
to be cast in a predetermined direction to gather the first lot of
sheep. The sheep will be brought through the fetch gates to a post
located approximately twenty (20) or more yards through the gates.
The dog is to leave the sheep at the post and cast out in the
opposite direction of the first outrun to gather the second lot of
sheep.
When the first
lot has been taken through the fetch gate to the post and the dog
re-directed for his second lot, the first lot may wander off the
course. If so, when the second lot has reached the post (or if
more suitable a point nearer the handler) the dog should be sent
to bring the first lot back on to the course and to join with the
second lot. At no time should sheep be driven off the course to
join up with others which have strayed.
SECTION 24:
INTERNATIONAL DRIVE (40 Points)
Both lots of sheep will be driven around a triangular course
consisting of two sets of drive gates and will be completed when
the sheep enter the shedding ring.
SECTION 25:
INTERNATIONAL SHEDDING (20 points)
The unmarked sheep are to be shed off within the ring. The
shedding must be done by the sheep being passed between the dog
and handler with the dog being brought in to stop and turn back
any marked sheep. If the sheep are passed between man and dog in
the approved manner, it is occasionally possible to get rid of a
considerable number; and provided the dog and man are properly
positioned and the dog stops any marked sheep which tries to join
with the unmarked lot, this is in order.
There is no
rule against the handler changing sides, but judges will assess
whether a competitor who does so, or is compelled by circumstances
to do so, can be as good as one who does not change over. If a
marked sheep escapes to join a group of unmarked sheep, that group
