Chapter 7
DCA Road Trial Regulations -- 2001

CHAPTER 7 - Road Trial Classes

SECTION 1. Coaching Certificate Test; Eligibility and General Requirements.
A Coaching Certificate Test shall be offered at all DCA sanctioned Road Trials. Any purebred Dalmatian, as defined by Chapter 1, Section 17, that is 6 months old or older on the day of the Trial may enter the CC Test. Dogs that have already earned Road Trial titles may also enter. A dog may not be entered in the CC Test and an RD or RDX class at the same Trial. Any dog that has not yet earned the title "RD", that is entered in an RD class, and receives a qualifying score in each of the judged exercises, but fails to complete the course, shall be awarded the CC title.

The Coaching Certificate Test shall be conducted after all entries for RDX and RD classes have completed the judged exercises, as described in Chapter 1, Section 13. At the discretion of the Host, the Mounted Judge or the Course Judge shall judge the CC Test, or another Judge with the same minimum qualifications as provided in Chapter 6, Section 1A or 1B may be provided. All exercises are to be judged Pass/Fail. Handler shall be mounted on horseback, or driving a carriage/cart, or riding in a carriage/cart with a driver, as provided in Chapter 2, Section 8. Handlers may compete with up to six dogs on a team. No veterinary checks are required, but the Judge may excuse a dog as provided in the Regulations Chapter 1, Section 19.

To earn the Coaching Certificate Title, a dog must earn a "Pass" rating in all exercises. These exercises are Hock, Distraction, Long Sit or Down, Recall, and Speed. The exercises shall be performed on the same course as the RD and RDX classes, and shall be conducted in the same manner as the exercises for the RD classes.

SECTION 2. Road Dog-A Class; Eligibility.

The Road Dog-A Class shall be for any dog not less than 12 months of age on the day of the Trial that has not yet earned the Road Dog title, and is being handled by an exhibitor who has not previously qualified any dog for the RD title at any Road Trial.

SECTION 3. Road Dog-B Class; Eligibility.

The Road Dog-B Class shall be for any dog not less than 12 months of age on the day of the Trial that: 1) has already earned the title RD or RDX, and/or: 2) is being handled by an exhibitor who has previously qualified a dog for an RD or RDX title in a Road Trial. A dog that has already earned the title(s) RD and/or RDX may continue to compete in this class, but only if there ate time slots available, as described in Chapter 1, Section 13.

SECTION 4. Road Dog Excellent-A Class; Eligibility.
The Road Dog Excellent-A Class shall be for any dog not less than 18 months of age on the day of the Trial, that has earned the title "RD", but has not yet earned the title "RDX", and is being handled by an exhibitor who has not previously qualified any dog for the Road Dog Excellent title.

SECTION 5. Road Dog Excellent-B Class; Eligibility.
The Road Dog Excellent-B Class shall be for any dog not less than 18 months of age on the day of the Trial that has earned the title "RD", and: 1) has already earned the title RDX, and/or 2) is being handled by an exhibitor who has previously qualified a dog for an RDX title in a Road Trial. A dog may continue to compete in this class after it has earned the title RDX, but only if there are available time slots, as described in Chapter 1, Section 13.

SECTION 6. Road Dog A & B Classes; General Requirements.

Dogs entered in the Road Dog-A or Road Dog-B class shall be required to pass an initial Veterinary exam, perform five Judged Exercises, and complete a required distance of 12 ½ miles within a time limit of three hours minus the time required for the Mid-Point Veterinary Check. Dogs that complete the required distance shall also be required to complete a Final Veterinary Check. The five Judged Exercises shall be Hock, Distraction, Long Sit or Down, Recall, and Speed, as described in Chapter 8.

The owner or any other person may handle each dog in these classes. A handler may handle up to six dogs on a team, using a horse or horse(s) and carriage/cart as described in Chapter 2, Section 8. It is the responsibility of each exhibitor to properly condition each dog to compete at this distance within this time frame.

SECTION 7. Road Dog Excellent A & B Classes; General Requirements.
Dogs entered in the Road Dog Excellent-A or Road Dog Excellent-B Class shall be required to pass an initial Veterinary exam, perform five Judged Exercises, and complete a required distance of 25 miles within a time limit of 6 hours, minus the time required for the Mid-Point Veterinary Check. Dogs that complete the required distance shall also be required to complete a Final Veterinary Check. The five Judged Exercises shall be the RDX Hock, Distraction, Long Sit or Down, Recall, and Speed, as described in Chapter 8.

The owner or any other person may handle each dog in these classes. A handler may handle up to six dogs on a team, using a horse or horse(s) and carriage/cart as described in Chapter 2, Section 8. It is the responsibility of the exhibitor to properly condition each dog to compete at this distance within this time frame.

SECTION 8. Coaching Certificate Title.
The Dalmatian Club of America shall award the title "Coaching Certificate"(CC) to any dog that earns an overall "Pass" rating in a Coaching Certificate Test. Once earned, the letters "CC" may be used after the dog's name in all DCA publications. A Certificate of Title shall be prepared by the Host or the DCA, and shall be issued by the DCA. The Coaching Certificate title does not qualify as one of the required "performance" titles used in awarding any DCA "versatility" title.

SECTION 9. Road Dog Title.
The Dalmatian Club of America shall award the title "Road Dog" (RD) to any dog that has been certified by the Judge(s) and Veterinarian(s). Vet Tech to have passed all of the requirements for this title. These requirements are: a "Pass" rating at the Starting Vet Check, Mid-Point Check, and Completion of the Required Distance Within the Time Limit; a "Passing Score" (51-100) on each of the 5 Judged Exercises; and a "Passing Score" (51-100) at the Final Vet Check. Once earned, the letters "RD" may be used after the dog's name in all DCA publications. A Certificate of Title shall be prepared by the Host or the DCA, and shall be issued by the DCA.

SECTION 10. Road Dog Excellent Title.
The Dalmatian Club of America shall award the title "Road Dog Excellent" (RDX) to any dog that has been certified by the Judge(s) and Veterinarian(s)/Vet Tech to have passed all of the requirements for this title. These requirements are: a "Pass" rating at the Starting Vet check, mid-Point Vet Check, and Completion of the Required Distance Within the Time Limit; a "Passing Score" (51-100) on each of the 5 judged exercises; and a "Passing Score" (51-100) at the Final Vet Check. Once earned, the letters "RDX" may be used after the dog's name in all DCA publications. A Certificate of Title shall be prepared by the Host or the DCA, and shall be issued by the DCA.

SECTION 11. Non-Regular Classes.
The Host Club may hold non-regular classes at their discretion. Such classes should be listed in the premium list for the Trial. No titles will be awarded for non-regular classes. The Host may offer prizes, ribbons, and awards for these classes at their discretion.

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