At the discretion of the Mounted Judge, the Hock, Distraction, Recall, and Long Sit or Down exercises may be judged in any order. The Speed exercise shall be judged last.

SECTION 3. Starting Veterinary Check, Mid-Point Veterinary Check, and Final Veterinary Check for the RD and RDX Classes.
The principle feature of the Veterinary Checks is to determine that the dog is in sound condition before beginning the course, while traversing the course, and after completing the course. These tests shall be conducted by the Veterinarian(s)/Vet Tech as described in Chapter 5.

There shall be stewards at the Veterinary Checkpoints available to hold the handler's horse(s), so that the handler may assist the Vet/Vet Tech with the dog(s) during the examination. On request from the Vet/Vet Tech, the handler shall place his dog on a table, if available, and hold his dog while the Vet/Vet Tech shall conduct any tests he deems necessary, as described in Chapter 5, and indicate the results on a score sheet. The handler shall then gait each dog, on instruction from the Vet/Vet Tech, so that the Vet/Vet Tech can check for any signs of lameness. At the Mid-Point Vet Check, each team shall be allowed a rest period of at least 5 minutes, but not to exceed 30 minutes, as described in Chapter 5, Section 7.

Any dog that, in the Vet/Vet Tech's opinion, requires more than a 30-minute rest period shall be excused from further competition in the Road Trial.

The Vet/Vet Tech shall also check each horse for any signs of stress or lameness, and any horse that, in the Vet/Vet Tech's opinion, requires more than a 30-minute rest period shall be excused from further competition in the Road Trial. Another horse may be substituted if such horse is available within a reasonable time frame, as described in Chapter 1, Section 20. In the event of a shortage of horses, an escort rider using a rental horse may be required to forfeit the use of such rental horse if an exhibitor needs it. Such usage shall be at the expense and liability of the exhibitor requiring the rental horse.

SECTION 4. Starting Vet Check and Mid-point Vet Check: Scoring.
No points are awarded at the Starting Vet Check and the Mid-Point Vet Check. The Starting and Mid-Point Checks are "Pass/Fail". A dog must receive a "Fail" and be excused from further competition in the Road Trial if the dog exhibits any lameness or excessive stress during these tests as described in Chapter 5. If the Vet/Vet Tech is satisfied that a dog's condition is sound after conducting the tests, he shall give the dog a "Pass" rating.

SECTION 5. Final Vet Check: Scoring.
At the Final Vet Check, each dog will receive a score of up to 100 points. A dog must receive a "Fail" (0-50) if, in the opinion of the Start/Finish Veterinarian, the dog is in distress and needs immediate medical attention. If the Veterinarian is satisfied that a dog's condition is sound after conducting the tests, he shall give the dog a "Pass" (51-100) rating. When scoring a dog after the Final Vet Check, the Start/Finish Veterinarian shall compare the baseline information recorded for each dog on the Start/Finish score sheet, the information recorded on the Mid-Point Veterinary score sheet, and the condition of the dog at the Final Vet Check, in order to rate each dog's overall condition within a scale of 0-100 points.

SECTION 6A. Hock Exercise: CC Test and RD Classes.
The principal feature of this exercise is to test the ability of the dog to stay close to the horse and handler when required. "Hock Position" is defined in Chapter 2, Section 6. The Hock Exercise for the CC Test and RD Classes shall be for 200 yards, in as straight a line as is practicable, if the terrain permits. The 200-yard required distance shall be marked as described in Chapter 3, Section 4. These markers shall serve as a general guide, and the Mounted Judge's orders shall in all cases take precedence over the location of the trail markers.

Orders for the exercise are, "This will be the Hock Exercise, are you ready?" "Call your dog to hock", "Trot your horse", and "Exercise Finished". The Judge shall standardize as much as practical the place on the course that each dog is required to "Hock". When the Mounted Judge announces the exercise and asks if the handler is ready, the judge and handler shall be moving forward. When the handler replies, "Ready," or "Yes," the judge will proceed with the orders. On the Judge's order the handler shall call each dog in and then give each dog a single command to fall into the hock position, where the dog(s) shall remain while continuing forward. Once in hock position, the team may begin a brisk trot with the horse, handler, and Mounted Judge. The handler may praise his dogs as the team continues forward, and may give additional commands, if necessary, recognizing that the dog(s) will be scored accordingly. The dog(s) shall remain in Hock position, as described in Chapter 2, Section 6, without swinging wide, lagging, forging, or coming so close to the horse or carriage as to interfere with forward motion. The team shall continue forward at a trot for approximately 200 yards. At the approximate completion of the required distance, the Judge shall command "Exercise Finished". At the completion of the Exercise, the Judge will inform the Handler as to whether each dog has Passed or Failed this Exercise.

The Mounted Judge shall remain at least twenty feet away from any dog.

SECTION 6B. Hock Exercise: RDX Classes.
The RDX Hock Exercise shall be conducted in the same manner as the Hock Exercise for the CC Test and the RD Classes, except for the pattern required for the completion of the 200-yard distance. For the RDX HOCK exercise, the exercise shall consist of a figure 8 for a total distance of 200 yards, when practicable, or a 200-yard distance with at least two turns. The RDX HOCK exercise shall be marked and flagged at the start, turns, and Finish, at the discretion of the Host, as described in Chapter 3, Section 4. These markers shall serve as a general guide, and the Mounted Judge's orders shall in all cases take precedence over the location of the trail markers. At the completion of the Exercise, the Judge will inform the Handler as to whether each dog has Passed or Failed this Exercise.

SECTION 7. Hock Exercise, Scoring.

If a dog is unmanageable, or refuses to hock, the dog must be scored zero on this exercise.

Substantial deductions shall be made for excessively loud or gruff commands or signals to Hock, or if a handler adapts his horse's pace to that of the dog. Substantial or minor deductions shall be made for such things as lagging, forging, interfering with the horse or carriage/cart's forward movement, and/or going wide, or excessive barking. Substantial deductions shall be made for a dog that goes ahead of the horse during this exercise, but who drops back into Hock position on command. Minor deductions may be made for repeated commands or praise during the Hock Exercise.

SECTION 8. Distraction Exercise.
The principal feature of this exercise is to demonstrate a dog's ability to remain under the handler's voice control in the event of a distraction.

Orders are, "This will be the Distraction Exercise, are you ready?" "Continue forward," and "Exercise Finished." The Distraction Exercise may be judged at a trot, at the handler's discretion.

On signal from the Judge, a hiker with a dog on a leash shall start walking toward the approaching handler, but while remaining on the handler's right side, at least fifteen feet away, while passing. The handler shall continue forward with his dog(s) in Hock position from the previous Exercise, and shall be allowed to command each dog to "Hock" when he has noticed the approaching distraction. When the handler and his dog(s) have gone past the hiker approximately twenty yards, the Judge shall indicate that the Exercise is finished, and the handler may release his dog(s). At the completion of the Exercise, the Judge will inform the Handler as to whether each dog has Passed or Failed this Exercise.

The hiker and the Distraction dog shall remain on the down-course side of the exhibiting team until after the Mounted Judge has completed judging the remaining exercise(s) and has started back toward the Course Start.

SECTION 9. Distraction Exercise, Scoring.
A dog must receive a score of zero if it attacks the on-coming hiker or dog, or if it disregards its handler's command to hock.

Substantial or minor deductions shall be made if a dog barks repeatedly at the distraction (a single warning bark shall not be penalized), if it starts to approach the distraction but comes back to Hock on command, if it displays shyness, or if it moves out of Hock Position. Minor deductions may be made for repeated commands or praise during the Distraction Exercise.

SECTION 10. Long Sit or Down Exercise.
The principal feature of this exercise shall be to demonstrate a Dalmatian's ability to wait under his handler's control until released. .

Orders are, "This will be the Long Sit or Down Exercise, are you ready?" "Call your dog(s)," "Sit or Down your dog(s)," "Command your dog(s) to Stay," and "Exercise Finished."

If more than one dog is judged at the same time for this Exercise, the handler may give a separate command to each dog. The handler may choose to remain mounted or seated in the carriage/cart, may choose to have a steward hold the horse(s)' head(s) before the exercise begins and during the exercise, or may choose to dismount or disembark after the "Stay" command has been given, and hold the horse(s)' head(s) throughout the remainder of the exercise. If the handler remains mounted/seated, he may choose to move his horse(s) away from the dog(s) after the "Stay" command is given, as long as he does not interfere with the Judge's line of vision.

On order from the Judge, the handler shall call his dog(s), command each dog to Sit or Down, and command each dog to Stay. It shall be the handler's choice whether to command each dog to Sit, or to Down, and different dogs on the same team may be given different commands. After placing his dogs in a Sit or Down, the handler shall assure that his horse does not come so close to the dogs as to threaten their safety, while waiting for a period of one minute. The Mounted Judge and any exhibitor's escort must remain at least twenty feet away from the dog(s). Neither the Exhibitor nor his escort shall move in any position that might interfere with the Mounted Judge's line of vision during this Exercise.

If a dog gets up and starts to roam, or if a dog moves so as to interfere with another dog, the Judge shall promptly instruct one of the stewards to place the dog on a leash and take the dog aside and away from the other dogs on the team until the exercise is finished.

After one minute from the time the handler has given the "Stay" command, the Judge shall say, "Exercise Finished." The dog(s)should not move from the Sit or Down position until the handler has released them after the judge has said, "Exercise Finished." At the completion of the Exercise, the Judge will inform the Handler as to whether each dog has Passed or Failed this Exercise.

SECTION 11. Long Sit or Down Exercise, Scoring.
During this exercise, the Judge's horse shall stand in such position that all the dogs are in his line of vision, and where he can see the handler without having to turn around.

Scoring of this exercise shall begin as soon as the exhibitor responds "Yes," or "Ready," to the Judge's question of "Are you ready?" Timing of the exercise shall begin after all dogs on the team have responded to the handler's command to Sit or Down, and as soon as the handler has given the command to "Stay". A handler whose dog assumes a position in such a manner that it could interfere with an adjacent dog, or be too close to a horse for safety, shall be required to reposition his dog.

A score of zero is required for the following: a dog's refusing to Sit or Down, moving at any time during the Exercise a substantial distance away from the place where it was left, or going over to any other dog.

A substantial or minor deduction shall be made for a dog that moves even a minor distance away from the place where it was left; for barking or whining during the exercise; for resisting its handler's command to Sit or Down; for not remaining in the position that was commanded (sits up from a down, lies down from a sit, or stands), or for overly loud or gruff commands by the handler to Sit, Down, and/or Stay. A minor deduction may be made for commands or praise repeated during this exercise.

SECTION 12. Recall Exercise.
The principal feature of this exercise is that the dog responds promptly to the handler's command to "Come".

Orders are, "This will be the Recall Exercise, are you ready?" "Call your dog," and, "Exercise Finished." When the dog has run naturally to the front, or has dropped back a good distance behind the exhibitor's horse(s), on order from the Mounted Judge, the handler will give a command for each dog to come while his horse is still moving forward at a walk. Each dog must come straight in at a brisk trot or gallop to the front of the horse or to the handler's left or right side. On the Judge's order, the handler will release his dog. At the completion of the Exercise, the Judge will inform the Handler as to whether each dog has Passed or Failed this Exercise.

The Mounted Judge shall remain at least twenty feet away from the Exhibitor's horse(s).

SECTION 13. Recall Exercise, Scoring.
A dog must be scored zero for failure to come when called.

Substantial deductions shall be made for a slow response to the Come, varying with the extent of the slowness, and for a dog that comes partially in and then runs away once again before being released by his handler.

Minor to substantial deductions shall be made for dogs whose handlers repeat the command to come, or who continue talking to the dog as he comes.

SECTION 15. Speed Exercise.
The principal feature of this exercise shall be to demonstrate a Dalmatian's ability to exhibit a fair amount of speed, as described in the AKC Standard for the breed, sufficient to keep pace with a galloping horse. One such demonstration shall be sufficient.

Orders are, "This will be the Speed Exercise, are you ready?" "Call your dog(s)," "Extend your gait," and "Exercise Finished" (which may be indicated by trail markers).

On order from a steward acting on signal from the Judge, the handler shall call his dog(s) close to his horse(s) or carriage/cart. The total distance of the Speed Exercise shall be one hundred yards. At the start of the measured distance and on order from the steward, the handler shall increase his speed first to a canter, then to a hand gallop, allowing his dog(s) to run in any position they choose. When the handler has passed the trail marker indicating the completion of this exercise, he shall reduce his speed. After completion of the Speed Exercise, the exhibitor shall look back to obtain a go-ahead signal from the Judge. The team may be re-judged if the Judge does not deem that the horse's speed was sufficient to determine the dog(s) speed. At the completion of the Exercise, the Judge will inform the Handler as to whether each dog has Passed or Failed this Exercise.

The Judge shall be situated in such a way as to not frighten the horse(s), preferably at a mid-way, elevated point. The Judge's steward(s) shall be instructed to remain quiet and still during this exercise.

SECTION 16. Speed Exercise, Scoring.
A dog shall be scored zero for not attempting to keep up with the horse(s) or carriage/cart, or if the handler/horse does not exhibit any increase in speed.

Substantial or minor deductions shall be made for nipping at the horse(s) or carriage/cart; for failing increasingly behind the horse(s) or carriage/cart; for repeated barking; or for an exhibitor who adjusts his horse's pace to that of the dogs.

END

PLEASE NOTE: These Regulations were originally developed by the Dalmatian Club of America Road Trial Committee (Charles Cyopik, Linda Fulks, Meg Ipsas Hennessey, Beth White, and Linda Myers, Chair), with help from many Dalmatian fanciers, in 1988. They were updated in 1994, and 2001, and approved by the DCA Board of Directors. 

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