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AMERICAN RABBIT HOUND ASSOCIATION
(ARHA/NKC)
A Tennessee Corporation
ARHA Gundog Division Rules,
Policies and Procedures
Effective
2011-2016
Section 1:
Executive Rules
Section 2:
Gundog Division Rules that apply to Gundog Brace and Gundog Pack
Section 3:
Rules that apply to Gundog Brace only
Section 4:
Rules that apply to Gundog Pack only
The ARHA
Gundog Division Board of Directors has established all rules,
policies, and procedures within this document. These rules are
intended to promote the beagle as a hound suitable for hunting
purposes with line control and searching abilities. Speed is not
an issue as long as the hound is running the line in a correct
fashion as scenting conditions allow. Slow, pottering,
do-nothing hounds will be disqualified.
All actions
within the Gundog Division Board of Directors have established
all rules, policies and procedures within this document. These
rules are intended to promote the beagle as a hound suitable for
hunting purposes with line control and searching abilities.
Speed is not an issue as long as the hound is running the line
in a correct fashion as scenting conditions will allow. Slow,
pottering, do-nothing hounds will be disqualified.
All actions
within the Gundog Division structure are subject to review and
possible revocation by the ARHA president. Anyone entering a
hound in Gundog Division sanctioned hunts must be a paid member
in good standing of a chartered ARHA Club that is also in good
standing.
Section 1: ARHA Gundog Division
Executive Rules
I. Clubs
A.
All clubs holding Gundog sanctioned trials must be
chartered by the ARHA. Charter fees are
$50.00
with poof of insurance or
$225.00
without proof of insurance and must be paid to the ARHA office
by October 31st of each year. If the Club
participates in trials of other ARHA divisions (Progressive
Pack, Little Pack), the charter fee is to be divided evenly
between the various divisions.
B.
Checks should be made payable as shown below. Each Club
is to have its own bank account. The fees stated are per hounds
entered, including puppies:
|
Check
payable to: |
Sanctioned Club Hunt Make |
State
Hunt |
Regional
Hunt |
|
|
N.K.C. |
$1.00 |
$1.50 |
$2.00 |
$2.00 |
|
GUNDOG
DIVISION |
$1.00 |
$1.50 |
$2.00 |
$2.00 |
C.
Clubs will elect officers m September or early October.
The Club will send a copy of the Club update form each year by
October 31" to ARHA/NKC. The form will list the types of trials
to be hosted and the names, addresses, phone numbers, and email
addresses (if applicable) of all Club officers. A copy of the
update form will also be mailed to the Chairman of the Hall of
Fame for his records. This is to be done every year-even if Club
officers do not change.
D.
Clubs are to have a liability insurance policy. A copy of
the policy should be submitted with the Club update form each
year.
E.
If a Club fails to comply with A, C, and D above, the
ARHA President will cancel the Club hunts and/or cancel the Club
charter.
F.
All sanctioned hunts must be scheduled on Saturday,
Sunday, or a federal holiday. No hunts are to be scheduled on
Christmas Day or Easter Sunday.
G.
Each Club must hold at least one hunt per year of either
format (Gundog Brace or Gundog Pack). Each Club can hold hunts
of either Gundog Brace, Gundog Pack or a mixture of each. Each
Club can hold up to 8 hunts per year. State and Big 5 Hunts (NE
Regional, NW Regional, SE Regional, SW Regional, and U.S.
Championships: Gundog Brace and Gundog Pack) will not count
against the eight allowable hunts per Club.
H.
No Club will hold hunts on the same day of the Big 5
hunts unless they are more than 200 miles removed from the
location of the U.S. Championship or Big 5 Hunt.
I.
Clubs starting after August I, 2004, must be at least
25-50 miles from an existing Club.
II.
Executive Board
A.
The Executive Board will consist of:
1.
The President of the ARHA
2
The Chairman of the Board of Gundog Division.
3.
The Secretary of the Gundog Division.
4.
The Treasurer of the Gundog Division.
5.
One at large member elected by the Board of Directors for
a 2 year term.
6.
All chairpersons of other committees whether elected or
appointed.
7.
All regular
members of the Watchdog Committee.
B.
Duties of the Executive Board
1.
The Board will administer the rules, policies, and
procedures that are established by the Board of Directors.
2.
The Board will
approve expenditures from the Gundog Division account.
3.
The Board will
assign host Clubs for State, Regional, and U.S
Championship hunts. If a State or Big 5 Hunt is not applied
for, then the hunt(s) will not be awarded.
4.
The Board will appoint replacements for any member that
cannot complete his/her
term. That position will then be filled by election
at the next meeting of the Board of Directors.
5.
The Board will assist all committees with their duties if
requested to do so by the Chairman of that committee.
6.
The President of the ARHA, with the approval of the
Chairman of the Board, will appoint ARHA representatives for the
different areas of the country to help form new Clubs and to
consult with Clubs as needed. Reasonable expenses incurred by
these representatives will be paid by the Treasurer if the ARHA
President or Chairman approves these expenses. Receipts will be
required in order to obtain approval for reimbursement.
C. Meetings of the
Executive Board
1.
The Chairman of the Board will preside at all meetings,
or in his absence, by the ARHA President or an assignee.
2.
Meetings will be called by the Chairman of the Board or
by the ARHA President. All members of the Board are to be
notified at least 10 days in advance of any meeting.
3.
Decisions may be made by consensus if all are in
agreement. If it is evident that 100% are not in agreement, a
formal vote must be held. Items will pass with a simple
majority.
4.
To hold an official meeting,
2/3 of
the Board must be present.
5.
When a meeting is impractical, the Chairman of the Board
may conduct a vote by phone or mail. The Secretary will keep an
official record of all proceedings of the Board and provide
copies to all Board members.
D. Gundog Division
Account
1.
This account is made up of money from the following
sources:
a. Charter fees
b. Disallowed protests ($50.00)
c. $1.00 for
each hound, including puppies, entered into a Gundog Division
sanctioned Club hunt, State hunt or Regional hunt.
d.
$2.00 for each hound, including puppies, entered into a
Gundog Division Championship
e.
Gift, fund-raisers, sales, etc.
III. Board of Directors
A. The Board of
Directors will consist of:
1.
The Board of Directors will be made up of all Gundog
Division Presidents that hold either Gundog Pack and/or Gundog
Brace sanctioned hunts, and members of the Executive Board.
2.
If a Club President cannot be present, an alternate may
vote with a written proxy letter signed by the Club President
and presented to the Chairman of the Board in a sealed envelope
at the time of the meeting.
B. Duties of the Board
of Directors
1.
The Board of Directors will set all rules, policies, and
procedures for all Gundog Pack and Gundog Brace competitions.
2.
The Board will meet every two years unless sooner
convened by the Chairman of the Board or ARHA President.
3.
Members of the Board of Directors must be notified at
least 10 days in advance of any meetings called.
4.
A 2/3 majority vote of members present will be required
to change any rule, policy, or procedure.
5.
At the bi-annual meetings, the Board of Directors will
elect a Chairman of the Board, Secretary, Treasurer,
Member-At-Large, and the Watchdog Committee.
It will
also establish any committees it deems necessary to conduct
activities for the Gundog Division for the next two years.
6.
The Board of Directors must make all changes to the
rules, policies and procedures.
IV. Chairman of
the Board
A. Duties of the
Chairman of the Board
1.
The Chairman will conduct all meetings of the Board of
Directors and the Executive Board
2.
The Chairman will assist the ARHA President, Secretary,
Treasurer, and
3.
The Chairman will, when possible, attend all State and
Big 5 hunts as an ambassador of the ARHA.
4.
The Chairman will serve on the ARHA President's cabinet
which will consist of a Chairman from each ARHA Division.
5.
The Chairman has the responsibility of taking the
Division forward with the task of creating committees and
monitoring the effectiveness of each.
6.
The Chairman will serve as an ex-officio member of all
Gundog Division committees.
7.
The Chairman will appoint the chairpersons of all
committees. The Chairman has the authority to remove and replace
any of these appointees in the event of poor performance. The
Chairman will inform the Executive Board in writing of the
reasons for removal of any chairpersons or Committee member.
B. Compensation
for the Chairman of the Board
1.
The Chairman of the Board will receive an annual gift of
not less than $250.00 and not more than $500.00 in December of
each year if funds are available.
2.
The amount will be set by the Executive Board and can be
increased or deceased according to the funds available.
V. Secretary/Treasurer
A. Duties of the Secretary/Treasurer
1.
The Board of Directors at the bi-annual meeting will
elect the Secretary/Treasurer. This person will serve for two
years.
2.
The Secretary/Treasurer will maintain the financial
records for the Gundog Division account. These records will be
open for audit at all times and will be audited when directed by
the Chairman of the Board and the Executive Board.
3.
The Secretary/Treasurer will receive money from the ARHA
office for dues payable to the Gundog Division. All money
received will be deposited into the Gundog Division account. The
treasurer will send quarterly statements regarding the Gundog
Division account to the Chairman of the Board on January 15,
April 15, July 15 and October 15.
4.
The Gundog Division account is an operating account and
will be used as follows:
a.
Return of money for upheld formal protests ($50.00).
b.
Reimburse authorized persons for expenses incurred upon
presentation of a
applicable receipts and approval from the Executive Board.
c.
Pay other expenses as authorized by the Executive Board.
5.
The Secretary/Treasurer will keep Club Presidents
informed of the actions of the Executive Board, the Board of
Directors, and the Watchdog Committee.
6.
The Secretary/Treasurer will keep official records of the
proceedings of all meetings. The minutes of those meetings will
be published and distributed.
7.
The Treasurer will be bonded to protect the Gundog
Division account. The bond fee will be paid from the Gundog
Division account.
B. Compensation for the
Secretary Treasurer
1.
The Secretary/Treasurer will receive an annual gift of
not less than $250.00 and not more than $500.00 in December of
each year if funds are available and if approved by the
Executive Board. This amount may be increased or decreased
depending upon funds in the Gundog Division account.
2.
If there is one person acting as Secretary and one acting
as Treasurer, the compensation amount awarded by the Executive
Board is to be divided equally between each person.
VI. Watchdog
Committee
A. Duties of the
Watchdog Committee
1.
The Watchdog Committee will be elected at the regular
meeting of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board
will appoint the Watchdog Chairman. This committee consists of
the Watchdog Chairman, two members, and 2 alternates. All
members of the Watchdog Committee are to be licensed as Master
of Hounds before they start their term of office.
2.
The Committee will enforce the rules, policies, and
procedures of the Gundog Division as they pertain to formal
protests or formal complaints of rule infractions at sanctioned
hunts.
3.
An alternate becomes a regular member of the committee if
a regular member resigns or a member is removed for disciplinary
reasons. The Chairman of the Board will decide which alternate
becomes a regular member.
4.
If a regular member or alternate is found to be in
violation of the rules, the Chairman of the Board will remove
him from his duties. This person will NEVER be permitted
to serve on the Watchdog Committee again.
5.
The Chairman of the Board
and/or President
of the ARHA has the right to request that the Watchdog Committee
give an official interpretation of a rule if there is concern
about the meaning of a rule. The Committee should give this
interpretation as soon as possible so this ruling can be
distributed to the Club Presidents and ARHA officials.
6.
The Watchdog Committee has the right to investigate,
intervene, andlor take action upon receipt of the filing
of a formal protest with payment of the $50.00 formal protest
fee for rule violations, OR upon receipt of a formal complaint
against a handler, judge, spectator or other person, OR upon one
of the Watchdog Committee members witnessing either a rules
violation or unsportsmanlike conduct from a handler, spectator,
judge, or other person.
7.
A Watchdog Committee member, while attending a hunt, has
the responsibility to privately inform the Master of Hounds of
that hunt if the hunt is not being conducted according to the
rules. If the Master of Hounds of that hunt refuses to comply,
the Watchdog Committee member has the right to complete and
submit a formal complaint to the Watchdog Committee.
8.
The Chairman of the Watchdog Committee will inform the
Chairman of Board, the Secretary, Treasurer, and the ARHA home
office when an official ruling is made on a formal protest or a
formal complaint.
9.
The Chairman of the Watchdog Committee will send the
official ruling to the person(s) or Club(s) being protested
within 10 days of the final ruling by certified mail.
10.
The Gundog Division will uphold the bans of other ARHA
divisions. If a person or hound is banned from one ARHA
division, he/she will be banned from all ARHA competitions.
Decisions by the Watchdog Committee are final. If a person
appeals a ruling, it will be heard by the ARHA President's
cabinet only.
11.
The Watchdog Committee Chairman will act as the Master of
Hounds at the U.S. Championship. If unable to attend, the
Chairman of the Board will appoint another Master of Hounds for
the U.S. Championship.
B. Formal Protests,
Formal Complaints and Verbal Protests
1.
A formal protest
is made in writing on the 'formal protest' form. A formal
protest is for rule violations ONLY and must be
accompanied by cash or check in the amount of$50.00, payable to
NKC/ARHA,
and must be presented to the Master of Hounds on the
same day as the hunt in question.
a.
The Master of Hounds is the final authority at the hunt.
If a formal protest of his decision is made, it must be made at
the hunt, on the same day, before the hunt closes using
the ‘Formal Protest' form. The 'Formal Protest' form must state
the type
of hunt,
the rule the protestor feels was broken, date of the hunt, name
of the host Club and name of the Master of Hounds.
b.
The ‘Formal Protest' form must be forwarded to the
Chairman of the Watchdog Committee. The Watchdog Committee
Chairman will notify the Chairman of the Board and the Club
President of the Club involved, if applicable.
c.
If the Watchdog Committee finds there was a rule
violation, the person(s) who paid the $50.00 fee will be
reimbursed.
d.
If the Watchdog Committee finds there was not a rule
violation, the $50.00 formal protest fee will be deposited into
the Gundog Division account. This is called a disallowed
protest.
2.
A formal complaint is for an official to protest a
rule violation at a sanctioned hunt without having to pay the
formal protest fee. An official is defined as anyone actively
judging at the sanctioned hunt in question, the designated
Master of Hounds, the Chairman of the Board, any Watchdog
Committee member, or any Judge's Committee member. If the
situation was brought to the Master of Hounds in charge of the
sanctioned hunt and the issue could not be resolved, then a
formal complaint can be completed by an official.
a.
The formal complaint must be presented to the Master of
Hounds on the same day of the hunt in question. The
complaint must state the type of hunt, the complaint, the date
of the hunt, name of the host Club, the name of the Master of
the Hounds, and the signature of the person(s) filing the
complaint. If any member of the Watchdog Committee, Chairman of
the Board, or Judge' s Committee completes a formal complaint,
it can be forwarded directly to the Watchdog Committee
Chairman-it does not have to be presented to the Master of
Hounds.
b.
If the Master of Hounds was presented with a formal
complaint by an official, s/he will forward the complaint to the
Chairman of the Watchdog Committee. The Watchdog Committee
Chairman will notify the Chairman of the Board and the Club
President of the Club involved, if applicable.
3.
A verbal protest is one that is brought to the
Master of Hounds as appealing a decision that was already made
in the field or on the bench. This protest does not involve a
fee and is to be brought to the Master of Hounds on the same
day as the hunt in question within 15 minutes of the Master
of Hounds returning to the Clubhouse or staging area. The Master
of Hounds decision is final-unless a formal protest and $50.00
fee is paid regarding a rule violation or a formal complaint is
filed by an official.
a.
The Chairman of the Watchdog Committee may arrange a
conference call or a meeting with its members to discuss either
a formal protest or a formal complaint. The Committee members
are to be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred upon
settling a formal protest or a formal complaint. Receipts are to
be presented to the Treasurer.
b.
No verbal protests, formal protests, or formal complaints
can be filed as the result of an executive board or board of
directors meeting.
C. Penalties
1.
Penalties that can be invoked by the Watchdog Committee
include:
a.
The final decision of the Committee may affect a class,
division, or the entire hunt results may be nullified.
b.
If a rule violation is found, the results of the hunt can
be treated as a non-licensed hunt. In this event, the hounds
that placed will not receive ARHA or Hound of the Year points.
2.
The Watchdog Committee has the authority to take any
disciplinary action it feels is appropriate.
D.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
1.
Unsportsmanlike conduct is any conduct which, in the
opinion of the Watchdog Committee, amounts to cheating, sharp
practices, or unsportsmanlike conduct. This conduct includes any
person, handler, judge, or spectator who uses abusive language,
threatens, strikes, or intimidates a judge, Master of Hounds,
field marshal, another handler, spectator, or anyone attending a
sanctioned field trial.
2.
If physical conduct is involved, the individual that
instigates the first physical contact is
automatically banned for life; additionally, a person is
allowed to defend himself/herself.
3.
The Watchdog Committee can disqualify/ban any and all
persons/hounds involved in unsportsmanlike conduct for a term
determined by the Watchdog Committee. The term will be a
minimum of one year. A person who has been banned cannot run
his/her hounds in competition, even if they are sold to another
person.
VII. Rules
Committee
A. Duties of the Rules
Committee
1.
The Chairman of the Board will appoint this committee for
a term of
years. There will be one Rules Committee Chairman and two
regular members.
2.
The Rules Committee will collect recommendations for the
rule changes. They will put the suggested changes in proper
order and present them to the Board of Directors for discussion
and vote at the bi-annual meeting.
3.
The Rules Committee will only process those
recommendations received from the ARHA Gundog Division chartered
Clubs or from the Executive Board.
B. Changes to Field
Judge and Master of Hounds Tests
1.
It is the responsibility of the Rules Committee to
re-write or update the tests for field judge and Master of
Hounds when these tests are affected by changes to the rules.
2.
These tests are to be approved by the Chairman of the
Board and copies of the tests and answers are to be sent to the
ARHA home office before they are put into use.
VIII. Hall of Fame
Committee
A. Duties of the
Hall of Fame Committee
1.
The Chairman of the Board will appoint this committee for
a term of 2 years. There will be one Hall of Fame Committee
Chairman and two regular members.
2.
The Hall of Fame Committee will accept nominations, make
recommendations and conduct a vote of the Board of Directors to
elect the hounds and persons to be included into the Gundog
Division Hall of
Fame. Nominations should be mailed to the Chairman of the Hall
of Fame.
3.
All beagles meeting the entry requirements will
automatically go into the Hall of Fame. Proof of having met the
requirements must be received no later than December 31st
in order to be honored at the next U.S. Championship banquet.
4.
The committee will also accept nominations for beagles
and beaglers that have not met the requirements. The committee,
by unanimous vote, may select one beagle and one beagler to be
put on the ballot each year. The committee is not required to
select a beagle or a beagler each year.
5.
Nominations for the beagle or beagler who have not met
the requirements will be accepted through April 30th
each year. Ballots will be mailed to the Board of Directors
during the month of June. Ballots must be returned to the
Chairman of the Hall of Fame no later than July 31st.
in order to be counted. A nominee must be approved by 2/3
majority.
6.
Those beagles or beaglers elected to the Hall of Fame
will be inducted on January 1st of the following
year. They will be honored at the next U.S. Championship
banquet. Once elected to the Hall of Fame, this honor cannot be
taken away unless it is proven that it was illegally obtained.
7.
Any beagle inducted into the Hall of Fame must be a
Gundog Champion. Any beagle inducted into the Hall of Fame as a
reproducer must have produced at least one Gundog Champion.
B. Hall of Fame Entry
Criteria – Competition Hound –
100
points required
All points must come from the Gundog Division. Points can come
from either Gundog Pack or Gundog Brace. There will be ONE Hall
of Fame for the Gundog Division.
POINTS
ACHIEVEMENT
10
Hound of the Year
5
Reserve Hound of the Year
10
Run-off Hound of the Year
5
Reserve Run-off Hound of the Year
10
Regional Hound of the Year
10
1st at
5
2nd at
7
Regional Hunt Winner
3.5
2nd Regional Hunt Winner
5
State Hunt Winner
2.5
2nd State Hunt Winner
4
Best of Show –
3
Best of Show – Regional Hunt
2
Best of Show – State Hunt
7
Grand Rabbit Champion
5
Rabbit Champion
5
Grand Bench Champion
2
Bench Champion
1
1st at any sanctioned hunt
-10
each time banned for off-game
C. Hall of Fame Entry
Criteria – Reproducers – 125 points required
POINTS
ACHIEVEMENT
20
each son/daughter that makes GD Hall of Fame
15
each son/daughter that wins U.S. Championship
15
each son/daughter that wins Hound of the Year
15
each son/daughter that wins Run-off HOY
10
each son/daughter that wins Reserve Run-off HOY
10
each son/daughter that wins Regional Hunt
10
each son/daughter that becomes Grand Champion
10
each son/daughter that wins Regional HOY
5
each son/daughter that becomes Rabbit Champion
5
each son/daughter that wins State Hunt
5
each son/daughter that becomes Gr. Bench Champion
5
each son/daughter that is reserve Hound of the Year
4
each son/daughter that wins Best of Show @ U.S. Champ
3
each son/daughter that wins Regional Best of Show
2
each son/daughter that wins State Best of Show
1
each son/daughter that becomes Bench Show Champion
1
each son/daughter that wins a sanctioned Club hunt
D. Hall of Fame Entry
Criteria – Beagler – 125 points required
All points must come from the Gundog Division only. To total
points, take the point amount multiply it times the number of
years you have served in that capacity. If a hound has more than
one owner, the points must be divided according to the number of
co-owners.
POINTS
ACHIEVEMENT
20
President of ARHA
20
Recorded owner of hound makes Hall of Fame
10
U.S. Championship winner
10
Gundog Division Chairman of the Board
10
Gundog Division Secretary/Treasurer
10
Hound of the Year
10
Run-off Hound of the Year
7
Reserve Hound of the Year
7
Reserve Run-off Hound of the Year
7
Chairman of the Watchdog Committee
5
Watchdog Committee member
5
E-Board member-at-large
5
Chairman of any committee except Watchdog
5
Regional Hound of the Year
5
Grand Rabbit Champion
5
Grand Bench Show Champion
4
Regional Hunt Winner
3
Any National Committee member
3
Rabbit Champion
3
Bench Show Champion
3
U.S. Champion Bench Show winner
3
State Hunt winner
2
Active certified field judge
2
Active certified bench judge
2
Board of Directors member
2
President or Secretary of local club
2
Master of Hounds of a Club
2
ARHA Field Representative
2
Regional Best of Show winner
1
State Best of Show winner
1
Winner of sanctioned club level hunt
1
Any other Club officer, Breed inspector
IX. Judges Committee
A. Duties of the Judges
Committee
1.
The Chairman of the Board will appoint this committee for
a term of 2 years. There will be one Judges’ Committee Chairman
and two regular members. The two regular members will be
appointed by the Judges’ Committee Chairman.
2.
This Committee will monitor all judging for the Gundog
Division.
3.
This Committee will be responsible for on-going training
support of judges, judges’ seminars, columns in the Rabbit
Hunter, newsletters, videos, etc.
4.
This Committee will keep a list of all licensed judges.
This list will assist the Clubs in obtaining judges for the
hunts.
5.
Any member of the Judges’ Committee, while attending a
sanctioned hunt, has the responsibility to privately inform the
Master of Hounds and/or judges if he/she sees any violation of
the Gundog Division rules.
B. Complaints
against Judges
1.
The Watchdog Committee and Judges’ Committee will work
together regarding any complaints against a judge or judges to
determine the appropriate course of action.
2.
Complaints against judges will only be investigated by
the Watchdog Committee upon the filing of a formal complaint by
an officer or by the filing of a formal protest.
3.
The Judges’ Committee will mentor, critique, teach and
discipline judges as needed, in conjunction with any action
deemed necessary by the Watchdog Committee if there is a filing
of a formal complaint or a formal protest.
Section 2: General Gundog Division Rules that apply to
Gundog Brace and Gundog Pack
A. Sanctioned Club Hunts
1.
The date of the sanctioned hunt must be sent to ARHA/NKC
60 days prior to the date of the hunt. The hunt must be approved
and licensed by the President of the ARHA.
2.
Hunt cancellations must be in The Rabbit Hunter magazine
30 days prior to the hunt date unless it is an act of God
(flood, ice, etc.) or loss of running grounds and then it is
only with the permission of the ARHA home office.
3.
Hunts in The Rabbit Hunter magazine must list the type of
hunt, date, location, contact person, entry deadline, classes
available and if there will be a bench show.
4.
Club may set their own field entry prices and bench show
prices.
B. Big Five Hunts
1.
N.E. Regional, N.W. Regional, S.E. Regional, S.W.
Regional and the U.S. Championship (Gundog Brace and Gundog
Pack) are the Big 5 Hunts for the Gundog Division.
2.
There will be State and Big 5 Hunts for Gundog Brace and
Gundog Pack. If a State or Big 5 Hunt is not applied for, then
it will be awarded.
3.
Host Clubs for State and Big 5 Hunts are set by the
Executive Board. Applications for these hunts are to be sent to
the Chairman of the Board no later than July 31st. of
the year preceding the hunt desired.
4.
Any run-offs for Hound of the Year will be on the weekend
of the U.S. Championship hunt.
5.
Judges at the U.S. Championship will be paid for each
cast they judge. Their meals will be provided for free at the
Clubhouse.
II. Judges
A. Judge Qualifications
1. All
judges must be ARHA Gundog Division certified.
2.
A person wanting to be a judge must pass the Judges’ test
with a minimum score of 86%. The test material covers both
Gundog Pack and Gundog Brace. If the test is passed, the license
will enable the person to judge either Gundog Brace or Gundog
Pack. The test is NOT open book and will be administered by the
Master of Hounds, Club President or Club Secretary.
3.
A person wanting to judge must have 3 experiences as a
judge at a fun hunt or as an assistant judge at a sanctioned
hunt.
4.
Judges must be at least 16 years of age.
5.
Licensed judges are to keep their judge cards on their
person at all times and are required to show it to the Master of
Hounds if asked.
B. Judge’s Duties
1. A
judge will NOT judge his own dog.
2. A
judge will NOT judge a hound belonging to anyone living in the
same household.
3. A
judge is responsible for making all calls in the field.
4.
There will be
a minimum of one judge per pack/brace. More than one judge can
be assigned and is recommended during Big 5 Hunts, if available.
5.
A judge’s decision in the field is final. The decision
can be appealed to the Master of Hounds on the same day within
15 minutes of the Master of Hounds returning to the Clubhouse or
staging area.
6.
A judge will inform handlers if a time out is called.
7.
A judge will not avoid or attempt to cast hounds on off
game.
8.
A judge will tell handlers and spectators what they can
and cannot do prior to casting any hounds in the field.
9.
A judge will appoint a field marshal when the casting
area is reached.
10.
If a judge becomes injured or ill the pack/brace is to
return to the drawing area to be assigned another judge by the
Master of Hounds.
11. A judge that
is abusive, does not judge by the rules, uses abusive or profane
language, threatens or strikes the Master of Hounds, handler or
spectator will face whatever penalties are determined by the
Watchdog and Judges’ Committees.
III. Master of Hounds
A. Master of
Hounds Qualifications
1. All
Master of Hounds are to be ARHA Gundog Division certified.
2.
A person wanting to be a Master of Hounds must first be a
licensed judge. The Master of Hounds test must be passed with a
minimum score of 90%. The test material covers both Gundog Brace
and Gundog Pack. If the test is passed, the license will enable
the person to be Master of Hounds over both Gundog Brace and
Gundog Pack. The test is NOT open book and will be administered
by the Master of Hounds, Club President or Club Secretary.
B. Master of Hounds Duties
1.
The Master of Hounds will act as the final authority in
the selection of hunting method, location of the hunting area,
drawing the caste and supervision of all functions of the hunt.
2.
The Master of Hounds will assign judges using the judge’s
card to verify their license.
3.
The Master of Hounds will resolve all protests arising
from either the Bench or the Field.
4.
The Master of Hounds will announce when entries are
closed. Once the announcement of “Entries closed” is made, no
entries for either bench or field will be accepted.
CLARIFICATION:
If there are a large number of entries, anyone already standing
in line or measuring their hounds can enter their hounds for
field and/or bench. Anyone arriving to the Clubhouse after the
“Entries closed” announcement is made cannot enter their hounds.
5.
The Master of Hounds will enforce all Gundog Division
rules and policies.
6.
The Master of Hounds will have a current set of Gundog
Division rules at each hunt.
7.
The Chairman of the Watchdog Committee will serve as the
Master of Hounds for the U.S. Championship hunts. The Chairman
of the Board will designate another Master of Hounds if: 1) the
Watchdog Chairman is unable to attend or 2) if there is a
protest regarding the Watchdog Chairman’s hound.
IV. Field Marshals
A. Field Marshal Selection
1.
The field judge will select a field marshal to assist with all
braces/packs.
2. The
judge can select more than one field marshal.
B. Field Marshal Duties
1.
Field marshals will act as a guide for the judges and
make sure the casts are taken to the judge in the field as they
are called.
2.
The field marshal will make sure that the hound the judge
wants picked up, gets picked up, even if he/she has to do it.
3.
The field marshal will make sure that when a hound is
picked up, it is done quietly so as not to disturb the other
running hounds.
4.
The field marshal will make sure the handlers and/or
spectators do not get in the judge’s way.
5.
The field marshal will make sure that the hounds are
collared with different colored collars and that every hound in
the field has a colored collar.
V. Breed Inspector
A. Breed Inspector
Qualifications
1. A
Breed Inspector must be an ARHA certified bench show judge.
2.
The Breed Inspector will complete an ARHA registration
form for all hounds needing to be registered with the ARHA on
the day of the hunt. Hounds presented for registration must be
presented for inspection to the Breed Inspector prior to the
completion of the registration form. The Breed Inspector will
make the final decision as to whether a hound qualifies for ARHA
registration as a pure-bred hound.
3.
The Breed Inspector will be knowledgeable in ARHA Breed
standards.
4.
The Breed Inspector will have an official measuring stand
available for use.
B. Breed Standards
1.
The ARHS registers beagles, bassets and harriers.
However, each breed must hunt and compete against others of its
own breed. (Example: beagles against beagles.)
2.
The hound must be registered with the ARHA and can be
registered on the same day of the hunt. The fee to register a
hound is
$18.00 and the check should be made payable to the
NKC/ARHA.
3.
In order to compete, the hound cannot be over 15” at the
shoulder as measured by the Breed Inspector using an official
measuring stand.
4.
A hound that has measured over 15” at one hunt can
compete at another hunt if it does not measure out there as
well.
5.
A neutered or spayed hound is permitted to compete in the
field but cannot be shown on the bench.
C. Measuring
Hounds
1.
Hounds will be measured with an accurate, official measuring
stand.
2. The measuring
stand will be place on the ground on a flat non-slippery
surface.
3.
When the hound is measured, it should be in a “natural”
posture position with its legs directly beneath it and the head
held level. The shoulders should be directly under the bar. If
the collar is in the way, remove it.
4.
The bar can be dropped no more than twice and the
measurement of the hound will stand once the measurement is read
by the Breed Inspector.
D. Breed Inspector
Duties
1.
Each club will select a
Breed Inspector for the hunt.
2.
All hounds must be present at the staging area before
they are taken to the field. A handler can challenge a hound’s
size at this time only. The hound in question will be
measured by the Breed Inspector and if the hound measures 15” at
the shoulder, it will be disqualified immediately.
3.
A hound’s size must be challenged at the staging area.
Once the hunt has started, no further challenges to the hound’s
size can be made.
VI. Conducting the Hunt
A. Requirements
1.
All clubs must have a Master of Hounds, Breed Inspector,
Field Marshal and appropriate field and bench judges to conduct
an ARHA sanctioned hunt.
2.
At all hunts, checks are to be made payable to the Club
hosting the hunt, therefore, each Club must have its own bank
account.
3.
Official ARHA forms are to be used as obtained from the
ARHA home office or from the website (www.arha.com).
B. Collecting
Entry Fees and Reporting Hunt Results
1.
The Club Treasurer, or a person appointed by the Master
of Hounds, will collect all money for entry fees and keep an
accurate accounting of the money. This person will forward the
following fees to the ARHA:
|
Make
Check payable to: |
Sanctioned Club Hunt |
State
Hunt |
Regional
Hunt |
|
|
N.K.C. |
$1.00 |
$1.50 |
$2.00 |
$2.00 |
|
GUNDOG
DIVISION |
$1.00 |
$1.50 |
$2.00 |
$2.00 |
2.
The hunt results must be turned in to ARHA within 30
days. If the hunt is during December, the hunt results must be
turned in to ARHA within 10 days. A copy of the win slips are to
be included with the hunt results. The complete name of the
hound and the judges is required on the hunt results.
3.
Clubs can set their own field entry and bench show fees.
A refund of the entry fee will not be permitted unless:
a.
There is no field class or bench show class for a
particular class or size.
b.
A
person, who is also a certified ARHA judge, drops his/her hound
in order to assist the club in judging the hunt.
4.
All entry forms must be completed in
full. The person
taking the entry forms should make sure the following are
completed legibly:
a.
The
hound’s FULL registered name.
b.
The
hound’s complete ARHA registration number or the word “pending”
if the hound was just registered.
c.
The hound owner’s complete name, address and phone
number.
d.
Signature of the owner or owner representative.
e.
The type of hunt, date of hunt, signature of the Club
President or Secretary and the place the hound won (if any).
C. Trophies and Prizes
1.
If the hunt was a Gundog Brace format, each club must
present winner certificates to the top ten finishers in Open
Class and the top winner for Champion and Grand Champion
classes.
2.
If the hunt was a Gundog Pack format, each club must
present winner certificates to the top five finishers of each
class in Open Class and the top winner for each Champion and
Grand Champion Class.
3.
For Club sanctioned hunts and State hunts: a Club must
give out ribbons, plaques or trophies to the top finishers in
each class. More awards can be given out if desired.
4.
For all Big 5 hunts: a club is required to provide a
matching set of trophies for top finishers in each class.
More awards can be given out if desired.
5.
Awarding of prizes donated by dog food companies is left
to the discretion of the Club.
6.
No cash prizes may be awarded without the permission of
the ARHA.
7.
No
8.
Raffles are permitted.
VII.
Assignment of Hounds to
Casts
A.
Casts
1.
No casts will be drawn
until the Master of Hounds announces that the entries are
closed.
2. Judges
must be assigned PRIOR to hounds being drawn into casts.
3. Casts must be
determined by random drawing (ex: bingo cages/numbers placed in
a hat).
4. The Master of
Hounds must draw or roll out the numbers.
5.
The drawing of
casts must be open to all handlers who paid an entry fee or the
results are void.
B. Drawing Hounds into the
Cast
1. The
hound must run in the cast into which it is drawn.
2.
Hounds cannot be rolled into another cast unless a judge
has a hound put into his cast that belongs to himself or a
member of his/her household. This hound is to be rolled.
3.
If two or more hounds belonging to the same owner or
handler draw out in the same cast, the hounds will run together.
They cannot be rolled.
4.
Separate drawings will be held for all classes (Open,
Champion, Grand Champion).
5.
Handlers should take great care in making sure their
hound(s) run in the correct cast as drawn. A hound that runs in
the wrong cast will be disqualified. The hound that should have
run in that cast will also be disqualified. (Example: Hounds A
and B run in Cast 3. Cast 3 should have been Hounds A and C.
Both Hounds B and C are disqualified.)
C. Rolling Hounds
1.
When a hound’s number is pulled and it is determined that
the hound needs to be rolled, the hound’s number will be held in
plain sight until that judge’s assignment is finished and casts
are ready to be drawn for the next judge.
2.
When the next group of hounds is ready to be drawn, the
“rolled” hound’s number will be placed back into the pool to be
redrawn at random.
VIII. Handlers
A. Definition / Responsibilities
1. A handler is
anyone who takes a hound into the field for a hunt.
2. A handler may
handle more than one hound at a hunt and/or in a cast.
3.
A handler is not to encourage his hound or call his hound
unless he/she is permitted to do so by the field judge.
4.
A handler is to remain at a distance from the field judge
and field marshal as determined by the judge.
5.
After the hounds are released, a handler is not to touch
his hound or another handler’s hound without the judge’s
permission unless:
a.
instructed to do so by the judge
b.
the hound(s) is in danger
c.
in the event of a split on separate rabbits or a hound
that has wandered away, the handler obtains permission to catch
the hound and put it back into the cast
6.
The handler is to remain quiet and will not direct any
questions or comments to the judge unless requesting permission
from the judge to handle a hound or request a time out.
Permission will be granted at the judge’s sole discretion.
7.
The handler is not to comment on the running of the
hounds or a hound’s performance, regardless of whether those
comments are positive or negative.
8.
A handler is not to use any type of controlling device on
a hound, unless instructed to do so by the field judge,
including, but not limited to bells, whistles, whistling, hand
signals, voice commands, hissing, and shouting.
EXCEPTION: Tracking collars are accepted upon inspection by
Master of Hounds.
B. Abusive Handler
1.
Any handler found to be using alcohol or illegal drugs
will have his/her hound disqualified and removed from the field.
The handler will be asked to leave the premises. The handler
will be reported to the Watchdog Committee.
2.
First offense for any handler attempting to influence the
judge in any manner will be a verbal warning. Second offense
will cause the handler and his/her hound to be disqualified.
3.
Any handler who uses abusive language, threatens, strikes
or intimidates a Judge, Master of
Hounds, Field Marshal, another handler or abuses his
hound will be investigated by the Watchdog Committee and can be
banned from all Gundog Division activity for a period of one
year, regardless of whether a formal protest was filed or not.
Other penalties can be imposed if the Watchdog deems it
necessary.
4.
If a handler is banned or otherwise disciplined by the
Watchdog Committee, his/her name will be reported to the ARHA.
After one year, the handler can apply to the Club that banned
him/her for reinstatement. This may or may not be granted.
During the time the person is banned, none of his/her hounds may
compete even if they are sold to another person.
IX. Spectators
A. Definition / Responsibilities
1.
A spectator goes into
the field to observe the hunt or a hound’s performance.
2. A spectator
is not considered part of the hunt. A spectator is strictly an
observer.
3. A spectator
cannot file a protest.
4. A spectator
cannot be called in as a witness in a protest situation.
5.
A spectator will not speak to a Field Judge in the field
or attempt to assist the Field Judge in judging in the field.
6.
A spectator will remain at the distance instructed by the
Field Judge or Field Marshal.
7.
A spectator may not touch, talk to or handle a hound
unless:
a. instructed to
do so by the judge
b.
the hound(s) is in danger
c.
in the event of a split on separate rabbits or a hound
that has wandered away, the spectator obtains permission to
catch the hound and put it back into the cast
B. Abusive Spectator
1.
Any spectator found to be using alcohol or illegal drugs
will be asked to leave the premises. The spectator will be
reported to the Watchdog Committee.
2.
First offense for any spectator attempting to influence
the judge in any manner will be a verbal warning. Second offense
will cause the spectator to be removed from the field.
3.
Any spectator who uses abusive language, threatens,
strikes or intimidates a Judge, Master of
Hounds, Field Marshal, another handler or abuses his
hound will be investigated by the Watchdog Committee and can be
banned from all Gundog Division activity for a period of one
year, regardless of whether a formal protest was filed or not.
Other penalties can be imposed if the Watchdog deems it
necessary.
4.
If a spectator is banned or otherwise disciplined by the
Watchdog Committee, his/her name will be reported to the ARHA.
After one year, the handler can apply to the Club that banned
him/her for reinstatement. This may or may not be granted.
During the time the person is banned, none of his/her hounds may
compete even if they are sold to another person.
X. Running Rules and
Procedures
A. Hounds
1.
Hounds are to be marked with colored collars a minimum of
1” wide so the judges can identify the hound without the
handler’s assistance.
2.
If the hound’s “regular” collar is similar in color to
that of a colored collar, the “regular” collar is to be removed
so as to avoid any confusion, particularly when hounds are in a
brushy area.
3.
Hounds should be referred to by their collar color or
field number.
B. Staging Area
1.
The judge, handlers and hounds will meet at a
predetermined location before leaving the Club grounds. This is
called the staging area.
2.
If a hound is not present at the staging area, the
missing hound will be disqualified.
C. Casting Site
1.
All handlers and hounds must be present at the site where
the hounds are released into the field. This is called the
casting site.
2.
If a hound/handler is missing, the Judge or Field Marshal
will make one trip back to the staging area to search for the
missing hound/handler.
3.
If the missing hound/handler cannot be located, the hunt
will continue and the the missing hound will be disqualified.
D. Judging
1.
Two judges per cast is desirable. However, the Master of
Hounds can elect to use one judge.
2.
Judges may use the same rabbit to judge as many casts as
possible.
3.
If the rabbit is spotted and that is the rabbit to be
used for the cast, the judge can call all hounds to the track by
using the term “tally-ho”. The term “tally-ho” should not be
used by a handler to call his/her hound since it can distract
other hounds.
4.
The judge’s decision is final except:
a.
In the
case of a rule violation: if there is a rule violation, the
issue can be verbally protested to the Master of Hounds on the
same day of the hunt within 15 minutes of returning to the
clubhouse or the staging area. Information about protests can be
found under the section titled Watchdog Committee.
b.
If
returning to the clubhouse is not expected, the Master of Hounds
is required to go to the field with the casts to roll out
further casts and settle protests.
E. Time Outs
1.
Only the judge has the
authority to call a time out. A handler or field marshal can ask
the
judge’s
permission for a time out.
2.
During a time out, the judge will tell the handlers to
leash their hounds and no judging will take place.
3.
Anytime a judge has a handler leash a hound that has not
been disqualified, a time out must be called. Once all the
hounds have been leashed, the judge may call a time in, cast the
hounds and resume hunting.
4.
If a rabbit is jumped or struck during a time out, the
judge can use this rabbit for the next cast.
F. Dead Track
1.
After the hounds have come to a point of loss
(breakdown), the judge will announce to the handlers when he has
determined that the track is dead and the chase has ended.
2.
When the track is declared dead, the judge may request
that the handlers leash their hounds to move to another area.
3.
Once the track is declared dead and the hounds are
leashed, all judging will cease and will not begin again until
the judge announces that the hunt has started again and the
hounds have been released.
XI. Running Traits
A. Desirable Traits –
should be
considered when placing hounds
1.
Search (Hunt):
a.
A hound should search diligently in the most likely cover
for a rabbit.
b. A hound
should never skirt cover because of discomfort.
c.
A hound that searches well may flush a rabbit from its
setup (jump the rabbit). A hound that searches well should be
rewarded over hounds that don’t search at all.
2. Handling:
a.
A hound should work within a reasonable and controllable
distance of its handler.
b.
A hound should come when called and should be easy to set
on the line when a rabbit is jumped.
3. Line
Control:
a.
Line control is simply accuracy in trailing. Speed is not
an issue.
b.
The hound should pursue the rabbit as fast as the game
and scenting conditions will allow and still maintain line
control and accuracy.
4. Desire:
a.
Patience is a virtue. The hound should have the patience
and desire to work out the hard checks and maintain the chase in
pursuing the game.
b.
A hound should work the check from the inside out or in a
circle fashion, thoroughly covering the check area until the
line is recovered.
c.
The
hound should gradually widen the check area until the line is
rediscovered at which point forward progress should be made if
the hound has truly found the line.
d.
A hound with desire will continue to search even when
conditions are difficult or the game has played a difficult
trick.
B. Undesirable Traits – definitions and penalties
1.
Fighting: Hounds that are nipping, biting,
scratching, barking or otherwise fighting in the field after the
hounds have been released. The hound that starts the fight is to
be disqualified. If it is not know which hound started the
fighting, then all of the hounds involved in the fight should be
disqualified and removed from the field.
2.
Interfering with the hunt: A hound or several
hounds that continually interrupt the hunt by distracting or
literally obstructing another hounds ability to hunt. This would
include, but not be limited to, females in heat, a male hound
that continually mounts other hounds (male or female), a young
dog nipping at another hound. The hound(s) causing the
interference should be disqualified and removed from the field.
3.
Homemade or Manufactured Checks: A hound that is
attempting to run more line faster than what scenting conditions
allow. If this appears to be a pattern with a hound, the hound
should be disqualified and removed from the field.
4.
Lack of Search (Hunt): A hound that fails to make
any attempt to hunt during any ten minutes of any cast at any
time during the hunt. The hound should be disqualified and
removed from the field.
5.
Running Off Game: A hound that runs any four
legged animal other than a rabbit, hare or swamp rabbit.
a. Judges
should make this call based more on fact than assumption.
b. Judges do
not have to see the “off game” in order to disqualify the
hound(s).
c. Any doubt
about running “off game” should go in favor of the hound(s).
d.
A hound that runs “off game” is to be disqualified,
caught as soon as possible, removed from the field and its field
number told to the club secretary for report to the ARHA.
e.
A hound that runs “off game” three times in a calendar
year will be banned from competition for a period of one year.
6.
Quitting: A hound who, for one reason or another,
literally quits running the line or searching for the game. The
hound should be disqualified and removed from the field.
7.
Backtracking: A hound, who after running the line
one way, turns around and runs the same line in the
opposite direction a distance of 50 feet or more.
a. Judges
should watch for the rabbit to double on the line.
b.
A hound that harks in on a backtrack a short distance,
realizes his mistake and turns to progress the line forward will
not be penalized.
c.
A hound that backtracks on a line for a distance of 50
feet or more should be disqualified and removed from the field.
8.
Charging: A hound that must have the front end at
any and all costs. A hound may pass another hound and go to the
front. However, if a hound does this and each time he gets to
the front he causes a breakdown or check, he is considered to be
charging. This hound should not be placed higher than other
hounds who are earning their place in the pack.
9.
Overrunning the Line: A hound that continuously
has the rabbit turned behind him and is over the front of the
line by more than a few dog lengths. The hound should be
disqualified on the second offense and removed from the field.
10.
Skirting Cover: A hound that goes around thick
cover due to discomfort. The hound that makes an attempt to go
through cover but cannot fit should not be considered as
skirting cover. A hound that skirts cover due to discomfort
should be disqualified and removed from the field.
11.
Running Mute: A hound that, in order to gain a
competitive advantage, finds the line and does not audibly claim
the line until he is a distance from the rest of the pack. When
this is done in the check area, it is called “slipping the
check”. The hound should be disqualified and removed from the
field.
12.
Swinging / Gambling: A hound who comes into a
check area and makes a wide loop around the point of loss rather
than stopping and working the check from the inside out. This
hound should be disqualified and removed from the field.
13.
Whipping / Weaving: A hound that runs on one side
of the line and then runs the other side of the line in a “back
and forth” type of motion. Keep in mind windy conditions may
produce the same type of effect. This hound should be
disqualified and removed from the field.
14.
Cold Trailing / Ghost Trailing: This is a hound
that barks on an old line without producing the game or making
forward progress. Once the judge is certain that this is a
pattern with the hound, the hound should be disqualified and
removed from the field.
15.
Loose Barking / Popping Off / Babbling: A hound
that barks just to bark in the field or in the check area. The
hound that continuously barks without producing game or making
forward progress should be disqualified and removed from the
field.
16.
Losing the Rabbit: In most situations hounds that
lose their rabbit should not be placed higher than other hounds
who kept their rabbit until time was up or until they were
caught. Hounds that lose more than one rabbit should not be
placed.
XII. Bench Show:
See attached
Bench Show Rules
Section 3: Rules that apply to Gundog Brace only
I. Conducting a Gundog Brace Hunt
A. Number of Hounds Required
1.
Minimum of 10 Open Class hounds to conduct an Open Class hunt.
2.
Minimum of 2 Champion hounds to conduct a Champion Class hunt.
3.
Minimum of 2 Grand Champion hounds to conduct a Grand
Champion Class hunt.
B. Casts
1.
Hounds will run in a cast of 2 hounds.
2.
If there is a large number of entries, the Master of
Hounds can elect to run the first series as trios (3 hounds to a
cast).
3.
Hounds will be placed into casts without discrimination
as to size or sex.
4.
With an odd number of entries, the last cast drawn will
have 3 hounds.
C. Series for All Classes (Open, Champion, Grand Champion)
1.
First Series
a.
Time Limit: 20 minutes from the time the hounds are
released. Exception: if a hound finds a rabbit within the last 5
minutes, the judge has the option to extend the running
time by 5 minutes in order to accurately assess the hounds.
b.
In first series, the judge can bring back all, one or
none of the hounds.
c.
In the event that two judges cannot agree on the hound(s)
to be brought back, all hounds in that brace/trio will be
brought back.
2. Second and Succeeding Series –
Except Final Series
a.
Hounds will continue to run and be drawn according to the
above rules for First Series until the hounds have been
eliminated to up to 10-14 hounds.
b.
Time Limit: Up to 30 minutes from the time the hounds are
realeased. Exception: If a hound finds a rabbit within the last
5 minutes, the judge has the option to extend the running
time by 5 minutes in order to accurately assess the hounds.
3. Final Series
a.
The final series consists of up to 10-14 hounds.
b.
Six of the hounds will be placed 5th-10th
according to their performance.
c.
Judges can run as many series as needed in order to
determine 5th – 10th.
d.
The same judge(s) must judge the final series so that
placement of 5th – 10th can be made. Any
hounds disqualified during this series are not to be placed
which means it is possible a club will not actually have a hound
for all places.
e.
The judge(s) of the final series of up to 10-14 hounds
will select the top four hounds for the final round.
f.
Time Limit: Up to 30 minutes from the time the hounds are
released. Exception: If a hound finds a rabbit within the last 5
minutes, the judge has the option to extend the running time by
5 minutes in order to accurately assess the hounds
4. Final
Round
a.
The final round is the top 4 hounds from the final
series. Any hounds disqualified during this series are not to be
placed which means it is possible a club will not actually have
a hound for all places.
b.
If necessary, the judge(s) for the final round can be
replaced if a judge has a hound in the final round or a judge
asks to be relieved after judging the final series.
c.
The final round of 4 hounds are to be shot over while
pursuing game. The shot used
must be from a starter pistol that shoots blanks. Any
hound that appears gun-shy should be disqualified and
immediately removed from the field.
EXCEPTION:
Champions and Grand Champions do not need to be shot over.
d.
The judge(s) can determine the outcome of the final round
in one of 3 ways:
1.
The hounds will be drawn into two braces of two hounds
each. The judge(s) can select the best hound of each brace
(brace winner) and run the brace winners against each other for
1st and 2nd. The other two hounds would
place 3rd and 4th.
2.
The judge(s) can select the best two hounds of the final
four and bring them back to compete against each other for 1st
and 2nd. The other two hounds would place 3rd
and 4th.
3.
If one brace has an exceptionally good run, and the
judge(s) are certain they can place the hounds 1st
- 4th with confidence, they have the
option to do so and end the trial.
e.
Time Limit:
30
minutes starting from the time the rabbit is jumped or struck by
the hounds.
II. Rabbit Champion
A.
Qualifications
for Rabbit Champion
1.
To qualify for Rabbit Champion, a hound must place 1st
in at least
two
sanctioned trials and earn a total of
350
points.
2.
Points are awarded as follows:
|
PLACE |
# OF POINTS |
|
6TH |
25 |
|
7TH |
20 |
|
8TH |
15 |
|
9TH |
10 |
|
10TH |
5 |
|
PLACE |
# OF POINTS |
|
1ST |
100 |
|
2ND |
75 |
|
3RD |
50 |
|
4TH |
40 |
|
5TH |
30 |
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
3.
Once a hound has earned the necessary points to become a Rabbit
Champion, the owner of the
hound needs to complete a Rabbit Champion application and submit
it with copies of the win
slips to the ARHA/NKC home office in Tennessee. Upon
date of post mark, the hound
must move up to the next class and is no longer eligible to run
in the previous class. A
hound must move up from Open Class to Champion Class by December
31st of the same
year that the Rabbit Champion points were earned.
If the
owner wants a picture of his
hound printed in the Rabbit Hunter magazine, a check for $10.00,
payable to ARHA/NKC,
should be included with the application along with a
picture of the owner and hound.
III. Grand Rabbit
Champion
A. Qualifications for Grand
Rabbit Champion
1.
To qualify as a Gundog Brace Grand Rabbit Champion, a
hound must have at least
FIVE
1st place wins in the Champion Class competition in
sanctioned hunts. One of the
FIVE
wins must be a State or Big 5 hunt.
2.
A hound may also qualify as a Grand Rabbit Champion by
having THREE 1st place wins at a sanctioned hunt in
the Champion Class and ONE 1st place win at the U.S.
Championship.
3.
Once a hound has earned the necessary points to become a Rabbit
Champion, the owner of the hound needs to complete a Rabbit
Champion application and submit it with copies of the win slips
to the ARHA/NKC home office in
IV. Hound of the Year
A.
Hound of the
Year will run from January 1st through December 31st
of each year and will be tallied on a per class basis (Open
Class, Champion Class, Grand Champion Class).
B.
Points earned at
any Gundog Brace sanctioned hunt will be considered for Hound of
the Year scoring.
C.
The President of
the ARHA/NKC will keep the rankings and standings for the Hound
of the Year. His office will handle all awards and monetary
compensation.
Section 4: Rules that apply to Gundog Pack Only
I. Pre-measure
A.
All hounds entered into a Gundog Pack sanctioned hunt
will be pre-measured to determine which class they will compete
in.
B.
Measuring hounds
will be conducted in the manner described in Section #2 –
General Gundog Division Rules that apply to Gundog Brace and
Gundog Pack, under the heading “Measuring Hounds” on page 13.
II. Size Lock-In Cards
A.
When a hound of
18 months or older is measured and the measurement is to the
owner’s satisfaction, he/she can pay an $8.00 fee, payable to
the ARHA/NKC and obtain a permanent measurement card.
B.
The $8.00 fee
must be paid on the date of the hunt that the hound was
measured.
C.
The owner will
receive a permanent measurement card from the ARHA/NKC and the
hound will not have to be premeasured at future hunts.
CLARIFICATION:
Although a hound has a size “lock-in” card, the card is valid
for Gundog Pack only. If the hound’s size is challenged at a
Gundog Brace sanctioned hunt, the hound will have to be
measured.
III. Conducting
a Gundog Pack Hunt
A.
Number of Hounds
Required
1.
Open Class: There is a total of 2 Open Class Sizes: 13”
Males and Females combined and 15” Males and Females combined.
There must be a minimum of five hounds per class size in order
to run that class size.
2.
Champion Class:
There is a total of 2 Champion Class sizes: 13” Male and Female
Combined and 15” Male and Female Combined. There must be a
minimum of two hounds per class size in order to run that class
size.
3.
Grand Champion
Class: There is a total of 2 Grand Champion Class sizes: 13”
Male and Female Combined and 15” Male and Female Combined. There
must be a minimum of two hounds per class size in order to run
that class size.
B. Casts
1.
Hounds will be cast according to size and sex, with the
exception of the Champion and Grand Champion class. A judge can
bring back any number of hounds for consideration unless the
hound has been disqualified for an undesirable trait or for
other reasons.
2.
Separate drawings will be held for each class (Open,
Champion, Grand) and for each size (13”, 15”, etc.)
3.
In the event a class has a minimum of hounds entered,
this class will run as a winner’s pack.
4.
Each cast is to be made up of a minimum of 2 hounds and a
maximum of 5 hounds.
5.
Hounds will continue to be drawn out and run in casts of
two to five hounds until the hounds have been eliminated down to
a winner’s pack of up to 7 hounds.
6.
There will be a maximum of 7 hounds in the winner’s pack
for each class size.
Clarification:
If a class size has a total entry of 7 hounds, all 7 hounds will
run as a winner’s pack.
C. Series for
all Classes (Open, Champion, Grand Champion)
1.
First Series
a.
Time Limit: Up to 30 minutes after the rabbit has been
found.
b.
There is no time limit on any class size to find a
rabbit.
2.
Second and Succeeding Series –
except Final Series
a.
Hounds will continue to run and be drawn according to the
above rules for First Series until class sizes have been
eliminated to a winner’s pack of up to 7 hounds.
b.
Time Limit: There is no time limit on finding a rabbit or
on running 2nd series and all succeeding series.
3.
Final Series / Winner’s Pack
a.
The final series is comprised of the winner’s packs which
is a maximum of up to 7 hounds per class size.
b.
Time Limit: There is no time limit or finding a rabbit or
on running the winner’s pack.
c.
In the winner’s pack:
1.
Hounds will be picked up for poor performance or
undesirable traits first.
2.
The first hound picked up will be 7th, the
second hound picked up is 6th and so on. The judge(s)
can pick up hounds as they see necessary.
3.
The judge(s) can place hounds at any time they can
determine the best running hounds in the pack and the order that
they should place.
4.
In the winner’s pack, any hound disqualified for running
off game will not be replaced by another hound, therefore, it is
possible that a club may not award all places.
5.
The judge(s) will shoot over the hounds in the winner’s
pack for Open Class. The judge(s) will shoot over the
hounds as they pursue game using a starter pistol that shoots
blanks. A gun-shy hound is to be disqualified and removed from
the field immediately. A judge has the option to shoot twice
over the hounds.
IV. Rabbit Champion
A.
Qualifications for Rabbit Champion
1.
To qualify for Gundog Pack Rabbit Champion, a hound must
place 1st in at least TWO
sanctioned trials and earn a total of 150 points.
2.
Points in all Open Class sizes are awarded as follows:
|
PLACE |
# OF POINTS |
|
1ST |
50 |
|
2ND |
40 |
|
3RD |
30 |
|
4TH |
20 |
|
5TH |
10 |
3.
Once a hound has earned the necessary points to become a Rabbit
Champion, the owner of the hound needs to complete a Rabbit
Champion application and submit it with copies of the win slips
to the ARHA/NKC home office in
V.
Grand Rabbit Champion
A.
Qualifications for Grand Rabbit Champion
1.
To qualify as a Gundog Pack Grand Rabbit Champion, a
hound must have at least THREE 1st place wins in the
Champion Class competition in sanctioned hunts. No more than TWO
1st place wins can come from the same club.
2.
Once a hound has earned the necessary points to become a
Grand Rabbit Champion, the owner of the hound needs to complete
a Grand Rabbit Champion application and submit it with copies of
the win slips to the ARHA/NKC home office in
3.
Once a hound has earned the necessary points to become a Rabbit
Champion, the owner of the hound needs to complete a Rabbit
Champion application and submit it with copies of the win slips
to the ARHA/NKC home office in
IV. Hound of the
Year
A.
Hound of the
Year will run from January 1st through December 31st
of each year and will be tallied on per class and size basis
(Open Class – all sizes, Champion Class – both sizes and
Grand Champion Class – both sizes).
B.
Points earned at
any Gundog Pack sanctioned hunt will be considered for Hound of
the Year scoring.
C.
The President of the ARHA/NKC will keep the rankings and
standings for the Hound of the Year. His office will handle all
awards and monetary compensation.
The Hound of the Year 2012
Race is sponsored by
For more information on the Purina Parent Club Partnership Program.
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