Road Trial Regulations -- 1994
Purpose
Road Trials are sport and all participants should be guided by the
principles of good sportsmanship at all times. The purpose of a Road Trial is to
demonstrate the use of purebred Dalmatians as a companion of man in the role that they
have been bred to perform. The Dalmatian Standard states that the Dalmatian "should
be capable of great endurance, combined with a fair amount of speed," qualities
essential to its successful use as a horse/rider and horse/coach escort. A Dalmatian Road
Trial is a Performance Event that provides a means of determining the degree to which
these qualities are present.
All entrants are required to perform the same exercises over the same course so that the
relative quality of the various performances may be compared and scored. Road Trials
demonstrate Dalmatians' abilities to behave in public places such as riding trails in the
presence of other dogs in a manner that will reflect credit on the sport and on purebred
dogs. The performance of dog and handler over the Road Trial course must be accurate and
correct and must conform to the requirements of these Regulations. However, it is also
essential that the dog demonstrate willingness and enjoyment of its work throughout.
[NOTE: I have provided a Table of Contents for these
regulations. Click on each chapter title to visit that part of the Road Trial
Regulations.]
CHAPTER 1 -
General Regulations
CHAPTER 2 -
Overall Regulations for Performance
CHAPTER 3 -
Course Set-Up & Ring Conditions
CHAPTER 4- Awards and Prizes
CHAPTER
5 - Regulations for Road Trial Veterinary Checks
CHAPTER 6-
Regulations for Performance & Judging
CHAPTER 7-Road Dog and
Road Dog Excellent
CHAPTER 8-Exercises,
Tests, and Scoring
CHAPTER 1 - General
Regulations
SECTION 1. Compliance with Regulations and Standards. In accordance with the
certification on the entry form, the handler of each dog and the person signing each entry
form must be familiar with these Road Trial Regulations and by entering the road trial
agrees to comply with said regulations.
SECTION 2. Risk. The owner or agent entering any dog and horse in a Road Trial does
so at his own risk and agrees to abide by the rules of The American Kennel Club and the
road Trial Regulations. The host club, group, or individual, its Road Trial Committee, and
any and all of its members or officers shall not be responsible for or assume any
liability in the event of any accident or misfortune, to either dogs, horses, exhibitors,
or escorts participating in the Road Trial.
The host club, individual, or group shall reserve the right to determine an exhibitor's
riding ability before allowing him to compete in their road trial. Should it be determined
by the host that a rider might present a safety hazard to himself, his horse, or to
others, he may be excused from competition and his entry fee shall be refunded.
It shall be the exhibitor's responsibility to determine which medical inoculations are
deem necessary for his dogs and horse for the geographic area of a particular Road Trial .
He may be required to show veterinary certificates of certain inoculations, as specified
in each Road Trial's premium list.
SECTION 3. Equipment. Exhibitors and escorts shall be required to wear safety
riding helmets and riding boots or shoes with at least a 1/2-inch heel.
SECTION 4. Use of Collar and Leash. All dogs shall be kept on leash in the
Start/Finish ring and exercise ring. Dogs should be brought to the Course Start on a
leash. When each handler is ready to start on the course and when the judge is ready to
start judging, the steward shall remove the leash and/or collar and place them behind the
judge's table and shall return them to the handler as the course is completed. There shall
be collars and leashes available at the Mid-Point Veterinarian check for exhibitors to use
on each dog during his gaiting and veterinary examination.
No dogs shall be allowed to run on the course wearing a choke, prong, shock, or any other
type of training collar, but a plain buckle collar may be worn at the handler's
discretion. If wide Color-coded collars are used as the means of identifying each dog, the
fabric should be lightweight, such as windsock material, and be fastened with Velcro or
other such fastener that would yield should the dog become entangled on the course. It is
advisable that each dog wear some means of identification such as a tattoo or tags.
Dogs should be kept on a leash when brought into the ring to receive awards.
SECTION 5. Road Trial Hosts. An all-breed dog show club may be granted permission
to hold a Licensed or Member Road Trial in conjunction with its Dog Show; and a Dalmatian
specialty club, any other group of Dalmatian fanciers, or individual may also be granted
permission to hold a Licensed or Member Road Trial if, in the opinion of the Board of
Directors of the Dalmatian Club of America, such club, group, or individual is qualified
to do so.
A club may hold a Road Trial on the same day as its Show or Obedience Trial, and the Road
Trial may be announced in the premium list for the show or trial, and the Road Trial
entries may be included in the Show or Obedience Trial catalog. If the entries are not
listed in the catalog for the Show or Obedience Trial, the club must provide, at the Road
Trial several Copies of a typewritten sheet or sheets (the Road Trial Pamphlet) giving all
the information that would be contained in the catalog for each dog.
If the Road Trial is to be held within 7 days of the Show or Obedience Trial, the entries
may be sent to the same person designated to receive the Show or Obedience Trial entries,
and the same closing date should apply. If the Road Trial is not to be held within 7 days
of the Show or Obedience Trial, the club may name someone else in the premium list to
receive the Road Trial entries, and may specify a different closing date for entries.
SECTION 6. Road Trial Committee. A Road Trial Committee must be appointed by the
Trial Host, and this committee shall exercise all the authority vested in a Dog Show's
Bench Show Committee. If a Dog Show or Obedience club holds its Road Trial in conjunction
with a Dog Show, then the Road Trial Committee shall have sole jurisdiction only over
those dogs entered in the Road Trial and their handlers and owners and only on the day of
the Road Trial.
SECTION 7. DCA Sanction. Dalmatian Club of America sanction must be obtained by any
club that holds a Road Trial in order for entrants in that trial to be eligible for
existing challenge trophies and/or DCA Certificates of Participation.
SECTION 8. Dog Show Rules. All the American Kennel Club Dog Show Rules, where
applicable, shall govern the conduct of Road Trials, and shall apply to all persons and
dogs participating in them except as these Road Trial Regulations may provide otherwise.
SECTION 9. Unentered Dogs. Only dogs entered in the Road Trial shall be allowed
within the show precincts, except dogs being used for the Distraction exercise; dogs
acting as official mascots, such as to escort the carriage or vehicle carrying judges and
stewards to points along the course; or dogs confined to a specific crating area as
designated by the road trial host. There shall be no benching, offering for sale,
breeding, or displaying of unentered dogs. If a Club wishes to allow the presence of dogs
in a particular area of the show precincts, these dogs shall be subject to all rules
relating to health and conduct. The owners or agents shall be responsible for the care and
safety of such dogs.
SECTION 10. Unentered Riders. An exhibitor is encouraged to choose for safety and
enjoyment to have an unentered companion ride with him on the course. This escort may not
at any time give commands or signals to any of the entered dogs and must ride and behave
in such a way as to not interfere with the exhibitor, his dog(s), horse(s) or carriage;
the Mounted Judge or the Mounted Judge's line of vision; or the Course Judge or the Course
Judge's line of vision during any portion of the Road Trial. This escort shall be subject
to act in accordance with AKC Rules & Regulations governing Dog Shows.
SECTION 11. Identification. No badges, club jackets, coats with kennel names, or
other identifying logos, markings, names, or ribbon prizes may be worn or displayed by an
individual when exhibiting a dog in the ring or on the course. Dogs shall be identified on
the course solely by either color-coded lightweight jackets or wide, color-coded collars.
Handlers shall be identified by a large number worn on their backs. Identification numbers
worn by dogs and handlers shall be clearly visible to the Judges and Veterinarians. The
catalog or Road Trial Pamphlet shall indicate both handler numbers and colors assigned to
each of the dogs being handled. The numbers or colors assigned by the Road Trial Committee
for each member of each team shall be printed in the Show Catalog or Road Trial Pamphlet.
In The case of an exhibitor handling a single dog, the number displayed on the exhibitor
may serve as sufficient identification for the dog.
SECTION 12. Multiple Entries. Each handler may enter up to six dogs on a single
team in a Road Trial, and may enter up to two teams, but each team must be submitted as a
separate entry and drawn by lot in accordance with Chapter 1, SECTIONS 13 and 15.
SECTION 13. Limitation of Entries. The number of entries in a Road Trial shall be
limited according to the starting time and the number of hours of light during the day of
the trial, with teams leaving the starting line at approximate half-hour intervals, and
with the last R.D. team leaving the starting line within 3 hours of expected time of dusk,
or the last R.D.X. team leaving the starting line within 6 hours of the expected time of
dusk, dusk being defined as 1 hour after sunset. After determining the maximum number of
entries that can be judged at a particular Road Trial, which shall be designated in the
premium list, and after the closing date for entries has passed, the Road Trial Committee
shall conduct a drawing to determine which entries shall be eligible to compete and shall
also select five alternates. Alternates shall be eligible to compete in the Road Trial
should any entrant cancel or fail to appear by 7 A.M. on the day of the trial.
Those entrants selected to compete and the five alternates shall be notified by mail
within 5 days of the closing date for entries, and entry fees to all other entries shall
be refunded. Entrants are encouraged to notify the Road Trial Committee as soon as
possible if they cannot compete so that an alternate can be notified as far in advance as
possible. If an entrant should cancel after the closing date, no entry fees shall be
refunded, except where an alternate has been selected and shall compete in their place, in
which case one-half of the entry fee shall be refunded to the original entrant. Entry fees
shall be returned to the alternates within 5 days of the trial should the alternates not
have the opportunity to compete.
SECTION 14. Change in Judges. If for any reason an announced Road Trial judge is
unable to complete his assignment, an alternate judge shall be named. Notification of this
change shall be promptly made to the owner of each entry, and the owner shall be permitted
to withdraw such entry within seven days prior to the day of the show, and the entry fee
shall then be refunded. Should the change occur any time within 7 days or the trial,
withdrawn entries shall also be allowed, and the entry fee(s) refunded.
SECTION 15. Order of Running. After the closing date for entries has passed and the
entries have been selected with five alternates chosen, and prior to the printing of the
Show Catalog or Road Trial Pamphlet, the Road Trial Committee shall draw by lot the order
In which handlers shall begin the trial with their dog(s), and numbers and colors shall be
assigned accordingly, as much as practical with the following considerations.
Each handler of two separate groups of dogs shall have submitted two separate entry forms
indicating the grouping of dogs as he plans to run them, and the order of running shall
allow him sufficient time to complete each course before being required to start with a
subsequent group. Carriage entrants competing on the 25-mile course shall be run first
followed by horseback entrants competing on the 25-mile course, followed by carriage
entrants on the 12.5-mile course, followed by horseback entrants on the 12.5-mile course.
Bitches in season, whether competing in the RDX or the RD class, shall be run last and in
keeping with CHAPTER 1, Section 19 or these regulations.
SECTION 16. Catalog Order. Dogs should be judged In catalog or Road Trial Pamphlet
order. It is the responsibility of each exhibitor to be ready with his dog(s) and horse at
the Start/Finish Veterinarian ringside when required, without being called, and allowing
time for the starting veterinary checks to be completed before his scheduled start time.
The final veterinary check of dogs that have completed the course shall take precedence
over dogs on teams that are just starting on the course. At the Start/Finish
Veterinarian's discretion, he may request that an exhibitor whose dogs are ready and
waiting at his ring be examined ahead of an exhibitor who is causing a delay. Once the
starting veterinary check has been completed on each team, it is the responsibility of
each handler to proceed immediately to the course starting line and await instructions by
the Mounted Judge or the Start/Finish Steward. At the Mounted Judge's or the Start/Finish
Steward's discretion, he may request that an exhibitor who is ready and waiting at the
starting line be judged ahead of an exhibitor who has delayed proceeding to the starting
line. At the Mounted Judge's or the Start/Finish Steward's discretion, and if agreeable to
the Exhibitor, a team may start out on the course before the half-hour time interval from
the departure of the preceding team has elapsed. Such early departure by one team shall
not necessitate subsequent teams' being at the starting line before their scheduled start
times.
SECTION 17. Pure-bred Dalmatians Only. As used in these regulations, the word
"dog" refers to either sex but only to Dalmatians that are pure-bred and
eligible for registration In The American Kennel Club stud book or a limited registration.
An eligible unregistered dog for which an ILP number has been issued by The American
Kennel Club may also be entered in such events provided the ILP number is shown on each
entry form.
SECTION 18. Dogs That May Not Compete. No dog belonging wholly or in part to a
judge, veterinarian, the Road Trial Secretary, Superintendent, or to any member of such a
person's immediate family or household, shall be entered in any Road Trial, nor may any of
these officials handle or act as agent for any dog entered in the Road Trial at which such
person officiates or is scheduled to officiate.
No dogs shall be entered or shown under a judge at a Road Trial it the dog has been owned,
sold, held under lease, handled in the ring, boarded, or has been regularly trained or
instructed, whether professionally or as amateurs, by the judge or by any member of his
immediate family or household within six months prior to the date of the Road Trial, and
no such dog shall be eligible to compete.
If the Road Trial is held within 7 days of a Dog Show or Obedience Trial given by the same
Dog Show or Obedience Club as gave the Road Trial, the Road Trial Judges shall be eligible
to compete in such Dog Show and/or Obedience Trial.
SECTION 19. Disqualification and Ineligibility. A dog that is blind or deaf or that
has been changed in appearance by artificial means other than neutering may not compete in
any Road Trial, and must be disqualified. Blind means without useful vision. Deaf means
without useful hearing.
When a judge finds any of these conditions in any dog he is judging he shall also obtain
the opinion of one of the Road Trial veterinarians or when a veterinarian finds any of the
conditions in any dog, he shall disqualify the dog, marking his book
"Disqualified" and stating the reason. In the case of a disagreement, the
opinion of the Road Trial veterinarian shall carry.
A judge or veterinarian must disqualify any dog that attempts to attack any person or
horse on the grounds and the dog shall be immediately removed from the course. It is the
handler's Responsibility to immediately remove his excused dog from the course, and he
must do so before continuing to compete with any other dog(s). A judge or veterinarian may
excuse a dog that attacks another dog or that appears dangerous to other dogs on the
course and require that this dog be immediately removed from the course. He shall mark the
dog "Disqualified or "Excused" and state the reason in his book, and shall
give the superintendent or Show or Trial Secretary a brief report of the dog's actions
which shall be submitted to DCA with the report of the trial.
All awards made to any disqualified or excused dog at the Road Trial shall be canceled by
the Dalmatian club of America and the dog may not again compete unless and until,
following application by the owner to the DCA Road Trial committee, the owner has received
official notification from the committee that the dog's eligibility has been reinstated.
Spayed bitches, castrated dogs, monorchid or cryptorchid males, and dogs that have faults
which would disqualify them under the breed standard for Dalmatians, may compete in Road
Trials if otherwise eligible under these Regulations.
A dog or a horse that is lame or otherwise unsound may not compete in a Road Trial. It
shall be the Start/Finish Veterinarian's Responsibility to determine whether a dog or
horse is lame or otherwise unsound before he starts out on the course and after he has
completed the course. It shall be the Mid-Point veterinarian's responsibility to determine
whether a dog or horse is lame or otherwise unsound after he has completed approximately
half of the course distance.
If in the Start/Finish veterinarian's opinion or the Mid-Course veterinarian's opinion a
dog or horse is lame or otherwise unsound, the animal shall not be allowed to compete or
to continue to compete, and the official judge's book shall be marked
"Excused-lame."
The Mounted Judge and the course Judge may also at any point make a determination that a
dog or horse is lame or otherwise unsound, and shall immediately excuse the dog or horse
from further competition.
Bitches in season shall be allowed to compete if scheduling permits them to be run last,
but they must be run last and at the owner's risk. It shall be the handler's
responsibility to notify the Road Trial committee by 7 A.M. on the day of the Road Trial
if his bitch is in season. If in the opinion or either veterinarian or judge any bitch is
in season whose handler has not notified the Show Committee by 7 A.M. on the day of the
trial, that handler and bitch shall be barred from the competition, and the official
judge's book shall be marked, "Excused, in season, not reported."
No dog less than one year old may compete in an RD class, and no dog less than one and
one-half years old may compete in an RDX class at a Road Trial.
SECTION 20. Disturbances. Either of the Judges or veterinarians of a Road Trial
must remove from competition any dog or horse which its handler cannot control, and may
excuse from competition any dog or horse which he considers unfit to compete. The handler
shall be immediately advised verbally that his dog or horse has been excused. If a dog or
horse has been excused the reason shall be stated on both the particular judge or
veterinarian score sheet who excused the dog or horse and on the aggregate score sheet.
If a horse has been excused, the exhibitor shall be allowed to substitute another mount if
such substitute mount is available within the time frame that would allow the exhibitor to
complete the course within his originally-allotted time.
Either judge or veterinarian may excuse from competition any handler who interferes
willfully with another competitor or his dog or horse, any handler who abuses his dog or
horse on the course, or any exhibitor who displays behavior contrary to the principles of
good sportsmanship. Foul or abusive language by any exhibitor or exhibitor's escort in a
Road Trial shall not be tolerated.
If a handler is expelled or excuses by a judge or a Road Trial veterinarian, the reason
shall be stated in the judge's book or in a separate report, and the exhibitor shall be
prohibited from competing in future Road Trials until the matter has been resolved to the
satisfaction of the DCA Road Trial Committee.
SECTION 21. Misbehavior. Any unusual display of fear or nervousness by the dog, or
any uncontrolled behavior of the dog such as snapping, barking, except for a bark that
warns of an impending danger; or running away, except that if a dog starts after game
encountered on the course but willingly returns on command; whether it occurs during a
specific exercise or anywhere on the course, must be penalized according to the
seriousness of the misbehavior, and the judge or veterinarian may excuse the dog from
further competition. If such behavior occurs during an exercise, the penalty must first be
applied to the score for that exercise. Should the penalty be greater than the value of
the exercise during which it is incurred, the additional points shall be deducted from the
total score under Misbehavior. If such behavior occurs before or after the judging or
between exercises, the entire penalty shall be deducted worn the total score.
SECTION 22. Training on the Grounds. There shall be no drilling nor intensive or
abusive training of dogs on the grounds or premises at a Road Trial. Special training
collars shall not be used on the grounds or premises at a Road Trial. The judges shall not
permit any handler to train his dog by excessive verbal commands or by moving toward the
dog to correct it in any way, nor to practice any exercise on the course before or after
he is being judged, and shall excuse from further competition in the Road Trial any dog
whose handler does either. These requirements shall not be interpreted as preventing a
handler from moving normally about the grounds or premises with his dog at heel on leash,
nor from giving such signals or commands in a normal tone of voice as are necessary and
usual in everyday life, but physical or verbal disciplining of dogs shall not be permitted
except to a reasonable extent in the case of an attack on a person or another dog.
Likewise, physical abuse of a horse shall not be permitted. A dog whose handler
disciplines it in the ring or on the course shall be excused from further competition and
shall not receive a Qualifying Score. Any abuse of a dog or a horse in the ring or on the
course must be immediately reported by the judge to the Road Trial Committee for action
under Chapter 1, SEC 26. The superintendent, Road Trial Secretary, and the members of the
Road Trial Committee shall be responsible for compliance with this section, and shall
investigate any reports of infractions.
SECTION 23. Abuse of Dogs or Horses. The Road Trial Committee shall Investigate any
reports of abuse of dogs or horses or severe disciplining of dogs or horses on the grounds
or premises of a show. Any person who, at a Road Trial, conducts himself in such manner or
in any other manner prejudicial to the best interests of the sport, or who fails to comply
with the requirements or Chapter 1, SECTION 21, shall be dealt with promptly, during the
trial if possible, after the offender has been notified of the specific charges against
him, and has been given an opportunity to be heard in his own defense in accordance with
Chapter 1, SECTION 26. Any abuse of a dog or horse in the ring or on the course must be
immediately reported by the judge or veterinarian to the Road Trial Committee for action
under Chapter 1. SECTION 26 and the exhibitor shall be excused from competition.
SECTION 24. Decisions. At the Road Trial the decisions of a judge or veterinarian
shall be final in all matters affecting the scoring and the working of the dogs and their
handlers. The Road Trial committee shall decide all other matters arising at the trial,
including protests against dogs made under Chapter 19 of the AKC Dog Show Rules, subject,
however, to the Rules and Regulations of The American Kennel Club.
SECTION 25 Stewards. The judges and veterinarians are in sole charge of their
particular area of judging. Stewards shall be provided to assist each judge and
veterinarian, but they may act only on the judge's or veterinarian's instructions.
Stewards shall not give information or instructions to owners and handlers except as
specifically instructed by the judge or veterinarian, and then only in such a manner that
it is clear that the instructions are those of the judge or veterinarian.
SECTION 25A. Start/Finish Steward. The Start/Finish Steward will, acting on the
Start/Finish veterinarian's and the Mounted Judge's instructions, be responsible for
maintaining an orderly flow of teams into the Start/Finish Veterinarian's ring and then
onto the course. The Start/ Finish Steward shall also record the time each team crosses
the starting line and the finish line.
SECTION 26. Discipline. The Dalmatian Club of America shall have the right to
suspend any person from the privileges of DCA for conduct prejudicial to the best
interests of purebred dogs, Road Trials, or the Dalmatian Club of America, alleged to have
occurred in connection with or during the progress of its Road Trial, after the alleged
offender has been given an opportunity to be heard.
Notice In writing must be sent promptly by registered mail or hand delivered by the Road
Trial Committee to the person charged and a duplicate notice giving the name and address
of the person charged and full details as to the reasons for the charges must be forwarded
to the Dalmatian Club of America within seven days.
An appeal may be taken from a decision of the DCA Board of Directors. Notice in writing
claiming such appeal together with a deposit of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) must be sent
to DCA within thirty days after the date of suspension. The Board of Directors may itself
hear said appeal or may refer it to a committee of the Board, or to a Trial Board to be
heard. The deposit shall become the property of DCA if the decision is confirmed, or shall
be returned to the appellant if the decision is not confirmed.
CHAPTER
2 - Overall Regulations for Performance
SECTION 1. Time Limits. Teams shall be required to complete the 12.5-mile course,
excluding the mid-point veterinarian check within a time limit of three hours. Teams shall
be required to complete the 25-mile course, excluding the mid-point veterinarian check
within a time limit of six hours. Faster times do not produce higher scores; a Road Trial
is not a race.
SECTION 2. Qualifying Score. A Qualifying Score shall be comprised of Pass Ratings
(50 -100) on each of the exercises (Recall, Hock, Distraction, Long Sit or Down, Speed);
PLUS a Pass Rating by the veterinarians at each of the course's beginning, mid-point, and
end; PLUS the dog's having completed the course portion of the trial within the designated
time limit.
SECTION 3. Hands. In all exercises on the course the handler's arms and hands shall
be in a natural riding or driving position.
SECTION 4. Commands. Whenever a command is mentioned in these Regulations, a single
verbal command is preferable to be given by the handler and will be scored accordingly,
but any extra commands are permissible if needed to keep the dog(s) under voice control. A
handler may praise his dog(s) during an exercise, or use a voice correction, but this
should not be excessive. Delay in following a judge's order to give a command must be
penalized, unless the delay is directed by the judge because of some distraction or
interference. Any unusual noise or motion may be considered to be a correction.
The dog's name may be used once immediately before any verbal command. In the case of a
handler exhibiting more than one dog at the same time, each dog's name may be used once
immediately before each dog is given any verbal command.
Excessively loud or gruff commands by handlers to their dogs create a poor impression and
should be avoided. Commands which in the judge's opinion are excessively loud or gruff
will be penalized.
SECTION 5. Praise. Verbal praise is allowed during, between, and after exercises. A
handler may not carry or offer food on the course, but may offer his dog a snack and water
provided by the trial-giving club at the mid-course check point.
SECTION 6. Hock position. Hock Position as used in these Regulations for a
Horse/Rider team means that the dog shall be straight in line with the direction in which
the handler and horse are facing, within one horse's length of the horse at any point in a
semicircle behind the horse's head as close as practicable without crowding or obstructing
the horse's motion.
Hock position for a Carriage team shall mean that the dog shall be straight in line with
the direction in which the carriage and driver are facing, either directly behind the
horse(s)' heels and under the carriage, as close as practicable without crowding or
obstructing the horse(s)' or carriage's motion, OR within one horse's length of the horse
or carriage at any point in a semicircle behind the horse's head. For either a Horse/Rider
team or a Carriage team, the dog(s) shall not go ahead of the horse's head during the Hock
or Distraction exercises.
Dogs on a team with multiple entries shall not be penalized for allowing space for other
dogs in Hock Position.
SECTION 7. Orders and Minimum Penalties. The orders for the exercises and the
standards for judging are set forth in Chapter 8. The list of faults is not intended to be
complete, but the more common and serious faults are specified. There is no maximum limit
on penalties. A dog which makes none of the errors listed may still fail to Qualify or may
be scored zero for other reasons that were not specifically stated in Chapter 8, but these
faults shall be described on the judges' score sheets.
CHAPTER
3 - Course Set-Up & Ring Conditions
SECTION 1. Ring Conditions. The gating portion of the Start/Finish veterinarian
soundness exams shall ideally be conducted in an outdoor ring at least 30' wide and 30'
long, preferably no more than 1/2 mile from the start of the course. The gaiting portion
of the Mid-Course Veterinarian exam shall be conducted on as level and wide a surface as
is available. The ground in both cases shall be as clean and level as practical, and the
grass, if any, should be cut short.
SECTION 2. Warm-Up. After leaving the starting line and before beginning the
Exercises, each team shall be allowed approximately a one-quarter mile warm-up stretch to
allow the dogs and horses to settle. This `warm-up distance shall be measured as part of
the overall distance.
SECTION 3. Overall Course Layout. The course for a road trial shall cover a
distance of 12.5 miles for the RD classes and 25 miles for the RDX classes and shall be
marked with readily-visible direction indicators. Course layout is at the host's
discretion, and any portion of a course may be repeated in order for exhibitors to fulfill
the required distances.
SECTION 4. Course Layout, Mounted Judge Exercises. A specific area shall be
designated by the road trial host for the Mounted Judge to conduct the exercises under his
jurisdiction. It is preferable but not required that the portion of the road trial under
jurisdiction of the Mounted Judge be as close to the starting line as possible to still
allow for the required 1/4-mile warm-up.
For the Hock exercise, there shall be yellow-flagged course markers on either side of the
trail indicating the measured distance is near, followed by green-flagged trail markers
indicating the Start of the two-hundred yard Hock exercise distance, followed by
red-flagged trail markers indicating the completion of the Hock exercise distance. 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. show. For road trials held at
locations and dates other than the annual DCA National Specialty, the host shall provide
the trophies to be awarded.
SECTION 5. Course Layout, Course Judge Speed Exercise. A specific area of the
course shall be designated for the Course Judge to conduct the Speed exercise. It is
preferable but not required that the portion of the road trial course designated for the
speed exercise be as close to the section of the course that was used for completion of
the Mounted Judge exercises as possible.
For the Speed exercise, there shall be green-flagged trail markers indicating the start
and red-flagged trail markers indicating the finish of the one hundred-yard distance that
the exhibitors are required to gallop. This 100-yard stretch shall not go downhill, but
shall be flat or cover a gentle upward slope. The ground shall be as smooth as possible
and free of holes or other hazards.
The Course Judge shall be situated in such a way as to not frighten the horse at a
mid-way, preferably elevated point, and his stewards shall be instructed to remain quiet
and still during this exercise.
SECTION 6. Spectator Area. The host must designate and mark an area for spectators
that will allow the spectators to watch without enabling them to distract or interfere in
any way with the performance of the exhibitors or their dogs or horses while they are
being judged.
SECTION 7. Course Check-Point(s). There shall be at least one steward or sign-in
sheet posted along the course at whatever point(s) deemed necessary by the trial host in
order to verify each team's completion of the required distance.
SECTION 8. Review of Course. Whenever possible, the host shall conduct a review of
the course with the exhibitors, judges, and, if possible, veterinarians on the day before
the road trial, and shall notify the exhibitors of the time and date of this Course Review
within two weeks of the date. It shall be the exhibitor's responsibility to arrive at the
road trial site in time to attend this Course Review, and the host shall not be required
to conduct subsequent reviews for exhibitors who fail to attend the scheduled review.
CHAPTER 4- Awards and
Prizes
SECTION 1. DCA Certificates of Participation. The Dalmatian Club of America shall
offer Certificates of Participation to each exhibitor who competes in a board-approved
Dalmatian Road Trial.
SECTION 2. Road Trial Trophies. For road trials held in conjunction with the
Dalmatian Club of America's National Specialty Show, the same trophies shall be awarded
for class placements in the road trial as are offered for regular classes held at the
national specialty.
SECTION 3. Challenge Trophies. For road trials held in conjunction with the
Dalmatian Club of America's National Specialty Show, challenge trophies may be offered as
approved by the DCA Road Trial Committee. These challenge trophies shall be displayed
during DCA week on the trophy table and shall be held for safekeeping by the
DCA Permanent
Trophy Chairman during the period between road trials held in conjunction with DCA
Specialty Shows. Parties who offer challenge trophies are encouraged to provide the
trophy's winner at each road trial with a memento of the award that shall be for the
winner's permanent possession.
SECTION 4. Road Trial Ribbons. At Licensed or Member Road Trials the following
colors may be used for prize ribbons or rosettes:
First Prize............................................Blue
Second Prize.......................................Red
Third Prize........................................Yellow
Fourth................................................White
Qualifying Prize........................Dark Green
Highest Scoring Dog................Blue & Gold
Each ribbon or rosette shall be at least two inches wide and at least eight inches long,
and shall bear on its face a facsimile of the seal of the Dalmatian Club of America, the
words "Dalmatian Road Trial", the name of the prize and class, the name of the
trial host, the date of the trial, and the name of the city or town where the trial is
held.
SECTION 5. Ribbons and Prizes. All official ribbons, DCA trophies, and challenge
trophies shall be awarded only to dogs that earn Qualifying Scores in the road trial.
Awards for the four placings in each class shall be based solely on the number of points
earned.
At the trial host's discretion, a certificate, ribbon of participation, or other form of
recognition or prize may be awarded to dogs who competed in the Road Trial but who did not
receive a qualifying score.
SECTION 6. Highest Scoring Dog In Road Trial. The dog receiving the highest
Qualifying score in any class at a road trial shall be awarded the ribbon and any awards
and prizes offered for this placement, after announcement of final scores or the last
class to be judged and any runoffs have been conducted.
CHAPTER
5 - Regulations for Road Trial Veterinary Checks
SECTION 1. Start/Finish Veterinarian and Mid-Course Veterinarian. There shall be a
Start/Finish veterinarian and a Mid-Course veterinarian at Dalmatian Road Trials.
SECTION 2. Requirements for Veterinarians. Any reputable person who is in good
standing with The American Kennel Club and who has been duly qualified to practice his
profession by law may act as a veterinarian for a Road Trial. It is preferable that the
person have experience with Dalmatians, either in owning, breeding, showing (conformation
or obedience), providing veterinary service, or having been a member of a Dalmatian
Specialty Club for at least two years.
SECTION 3. Overall Duties and Responsibilities of Road Trial Veterinarians. At
least one of the veterinarians shall be in attendance during the entire progress of the
road trial.
The duties and responsibilities of Road Trial Veterinarians shall include: giving advisory
opinions to the judges when requested, examining the health and well-being of dogs, and
rendering medical attention to dogs in cases of sickness or injury occurring at the road
trial.
The veterinarians shall not be called on to treat dogs or horses for physical conditions
that existed before they were brought to the road trial.
Either veterinarians serving at a road trial will have complete authority to: (a) excuse
any dog which he considers may endanger the health or welfare of other dogs; (b) excuse
any dog from being shown in the road trial when he considers that showing of the dog would
impair the dog's health; (c) excuse any dog who is blind or deaf or who has been changed
in appearance by artificial means; (d) excuse any dog that attacks any person, horse, or
other dog as described in Chapter 1, Section 19 of these rules; (e) excuse any bitch in
season that has not been reported as described in Chapter 1, Section 19 of these rules;
and (f) excuse any exhibitor or exhibitor's escort who abuses his dog(s) or horse or who
uses foul or abusive language.
SECTION 4. Duties and Responsibilities of Start/Finish Veterinarian. In addition to
the overall duties and responsibilities, it shall be the responsibility of the
Start/Finish Veterinarian to check the condition and soundness of each dog and horse both
before he starts on the course and after he finishes the course.
The first evaluation shall serve to (a) determine the animal's health and soundness before
being allowed to compete and (b) establish a baseline for comparison to the final
evaluation for each animal.
The Start/Finish Veterinarian shall observe and record temperature, pulse, respiration,
capillary refill rate, hydration, respiratory character and quality, musculature,
coordination, attitude and willingness, and any other tests as he may deem necessary and
indicate these on the score sheet.
The Start/Finish veterinarian shall record his observations for each dog and horse
immediately and before starting to examine any other dog or horse.
The Start/Finish Veterinarian's observations shall be recorded on a separate sheet for
each horse and team of dogs. The dog's condition at the start and at the finish shall be
given an overall rating of either "Pass" or "Fail."
The Start/Finish Veterinarian's final evaluation shall include a score on a scale of
0-100. with 0-50 being a `"Fail" and 51-100 being a "Pass" that
indicates the relative condition of each dog. This score shall be included in the final
compilation of scores to determine the overall ranking of the dogs.
The Start/Finish Veterinarian shall copy his Pass/Fail starting evaluation and the score
of his final evaluation into the Official Judges' Book after he has judged all the teams.
SECTION 5. Duties and Responsibilities of Mid-Course Veterinarian. In addition to
the overall duties and responsibilities, it shall be the responsibility of the Mid-Course
Veterinarian to check the condition and soundness of each dog and horse at a designated
check point and to observe each dog and horse during a rest period of at least five
minutes, but not more than thirty minutes during which each animal is offered fresh
drinking water.
This evaluation shall serve to determine each animal's health and soundness before being
allowed to continue on the course.
The Mid-Course Veterinarian shall observe and record temperature, pulse, respiration,
capillary refill rate, hydration, respiratory character and quality, musculature
coordination, attitude and willingness, and any other tests as he may deem necessary and
indicate these on the score sheet.
The Mid-Course Veterinarian shall record his observations for each dog and horse on the
mid-course score sheet immediately and before starting to examine any other dog or horse.
The Mid-Course Veterinarian's observations shall be recorded on a separate sheet for each
horse and team of dogs. The dog's condition shall be given an overall rating of either
"Pass" or "Fail."
The Mid-Course Veterinarian shall copy his pass/fail rating for each dog into the official
Judges Book after he has judged all the teams and returned to the starting area.
SECTION 6. Time of Mid-Course Veterinary Check. The Mid-Course Veterinarian shall
record the check-in and check-out times for each team on each team's score sheet and this
time shall be deducted from the exhibitor's total course time. He shall write the time
required for each team's mid-course check into the Official Judges' Book after he has
judged all the teams and returned to the starting area.
SECTION 7. Standardized Veterinary Exams. The same methods and standards must be
used for rating dogs in the R.D. and R.D.X. Classes. The veterinarians shall try as much
as is practical to give standardized exams. One dog should not "fail" when
another in very similar condition has "passed", and vice versa. A handler
familiar with these Regulations should be able to enter the check points knowing what
checks the Veterinarian shall conduct on his dog and horse.
In the case of a dog or horse that is in either Veterinarian's opinion under stress or
incapable of continuing, the animal must be removed from competition. Either Veterinarian
may conduct additional tests on the dog or horse other than what is specified in these
regulations in order to determine the animal's heath and soundness. The opinion of the
Veterinarian shall be final.
SECTION 8. Qualifying Condition. The veterinarians' certification in the official
Judge's Book of a Qualifying Score for any particular dog constitutes their mutual
certification to the Dalmatian Club of America that the dog has performed all of the
required tests at least in accordance with the minimum standards and that its performance
would justify the awarding of a Road Dog or Road Dog Excellent title. A Qualifying Score
must never be awarded to a dog who has not met the minimum requirements, nor to a dog that
shows fear or resentment, nor to a dog that acts aggressively toward any other dog,
person, or horse met along the course, nor to a dog whose handler disciplines it or abuses
it in the veterinarian rings or on the course, or carries or offers food on the course,
except at the mid-course check point.
In deciding whether a particular dog's condition warrants a "Pass" score, the
veterinarian shall consider whether the awarding of a road title would be justified if all
dogs in the class appeared in similar condition at that particular point of the course.
The veterinarian must not give a "Pass" score if he decides that it would be
contrary to the best interests of the sport if all dogs in the class were to be in the
same condition.
SECTION 9. Standard of Perfection. The Start/Finish Veterinarian must carry a
mental picture of the theoretically perfect performance and score each dog against this
visualized standard which shall combine the utmost in condition as well as willingness and
enjoyment on the part of the dog. Lack or willingness or enjoyment on the part of the dog
must he penalized, as must any aggression by the dog, and/or roughness in handling or
commands by the handler.
SECTION 10. Official Judges’ Book and Veterinarian Score Sheets. The Official
Judges’ Book shall be kept by the Road Trial Chairman and shall contain an aggregate
score sheet for each Team entered In the road trial. The aggregate score sheet shall
indicate each dog’s score for each exercise, each dog’s pass/fail status for the
start and mid-point veterinary checks, each dog’s score for the final veterinary
check, the time each team crossed the starting line, the time each team crossed the finish
line, and the time required for the mid-course veterinary checks, which shall be deducted
from the total time for each team. This Official Judges’ Book shall be made available
for each veterinarian and judge to transfer their scores once they have completed their
area of jurisdiction. The Start/Finish Veterinarian and the Mid-Course Veterinarian must
enter the scores of each dog on their respective score sheets immediately after each dog
has been examined and before examining the next dog. These scores shall be transferred
into the Official Judges’ Book by the veterinarians after they have finished
examining the last dog under their jurisdiction. No person other than one of the judges or
veterinarians may make any entry in the Official Judges’ Book. All final scores must
be entered in the Official Judges’ Book by the judges and veterinarians, checked by
the Start/Finish Steward, and verified by the judges before prizes are awarded.
SECTION 11. Announcement of Veterinary Check Scores. Each veterinarian shall notify
each exhibitor of the pass/fail status of each dog as soon as the exam has been completed
and the results entered on the score sheets, but he shall not disclose the points awarded
each dog. If a dog or horse has failed any veterinarian exam, he shall not be allowed to
continue on the course.
CHAPTER
6- Regulations for Performance & Judging
SECTION 1. Requirements for Judges. Persons considered for an assignment to judge a
Road Trial should have the following minimum experience:
SECTION 1A. Mounted Judge. 1) Must be an experienced equestrian. 2) Must have
earned an obedience title. 3) Must have a complete working knowledge of the Road Trial
regulations. 4) Must have experience with Dalmatians, either in owning, breeding, showing
(conformation or obedience), or having been a member of a Dalmatian Specialty Club for at
least two years.
SECTION 1B. Course Judge. 1) Must have earned an obedience title. 2) Must have a
complete working knowledge of the Road Trial regulations. 3) Must have experience with
Dalmatians, either in owning, breeding, showing (conformation or obedience), or having
been a member of a Dalmatian Specialty Club for at least two years.
SECTION 2. Standardized Judging. Standardized judging is of paramount importance.
Judges are not permitted to inject their own variations into the exercises, but must see
that each handler and dog executes the various exercises exactly as described in these
Regulations. A handler familiar with these Regulations should be able to enter the course
under any judge without having to inquire how the particular judge wishes to have any
exercise performed, and without being confronted with some unexpected requirement.
SECTION 3. Standard of Perfection. The Road Trial judges must carry a mental
picture of the theoretically perfect performance in each exercise and score each
dog/handler/horse team against this visualized standard which shall combine the utmost in
willingness, enjoyment, and precision on the part of the dog, and naturalness, gentleness,
and smoothness in handling. Lack of willingness or enjoyment on the part of the dog must
be penalized, as must lack of precision in the dog's performance, any aggression by the
dog, and/or roughness in handling or commands by the handler.
SECTION 4. Qualifying Performance. The judges' certification in the judge's book of
a Qualifying Score for any particular dog constitutes their mutual certification to the
Dalmatian Club of America that the dog has performed all of the required exercises at
least in accordance with the minimum standards and that its performance would justify the
awarding of a Road Dog or Road Excellent title. A Qualifying Score must never be awarded
to a dog whose performance has not met the minimum requirements, nor to a dog that shows
fear or resentment, nor to a dog that acts aggressively toward any other dog, person, or
horse met along the course, nor to a dog whose handler disciplines it or abuses it on the
course, or carries or offers food on the course, except at the mid-course check point.
In deciding whether a faulty performance of a particular exercise by a particular dog
warrants a Qualifying Score, the judge shall consider whether the awarding of a road title
would be justified if all dogs in the class performed the exercise in a similar manner.
The judge must not give a Qualifying Score for the exercise if he decides that it would be
contrary to the best interests of the sport if all dogs in the class were to perform in
the same way.
SECTION 5. Judges' Directions. The judges' orders and signals should be given to
the handlers in a clear and understandable manner, but in such a way that the work of the
dog is not disturbed. The Mounted Judge shall take care that his horse does not come so
close to any of the dogs so as to interfere with any exercise. Before starting the Recall,
Hock, Long Sit or Down, and Hock Past Distraction exercises, the judge shall state,
"This will be the (particular) exercise," and ask, "Are you ready?"
For the Speed exercise, an official Course Steward shall, on signal from the Course Judge,
state, "This will be the Speed exercise," and ask, "Are you ready?" At
the end of each exercise the judge shall say. "Exercise finished," except that
at the end of the Speed exercise there shall be a trail marker which indicates that the
speed shall be reduced.
The judging of an exercise will begin when the judge or official Course Steward In the
case of the Speed Exercise gives the first order, not before.
SECTION 6. No Added Requirements. No judge shall require any dog or handler to do
anything, nor penalize a dog or handler for failing to do anything, that is not required
by these Regulations.
SECTION 7. Standardized Judging. The same methods and standards must be used for
judging and scoring dogs in the R.D. and the R.D.X. Classes.
SECTION 8. Interference and Double Handling. Any judge who is aware of any
assistance, interference, or attempts to control a dog from outside the ring or along the
course, must act promptly to stop such double handling or interference, and shall penalize
the dog substantially, or, if in the judge's opinion the circumstances warrant, shall give
the dog a score of zero or a fail for the exercise during which the aid was received.
SECTION 9. Rejudging. If a dog has failed in a particular part of an exercise, it
shall not ordinarily be rejudged nor given a second chance; but if in a judge's opinion
the dog's performance was prejudiced by peculiar and unusual conditions, the judge may at
his own discretion rejudge the dog on the entire exercise.
SECTION 10. Ties. In case of a tie for any prize in the R.D. or R.D.X. classes or
for the Highest Scoring Dog in the Trial, the dogs involved in the tie shall be tested by
being required to individually perform the "Hock" exercise in a straight line
for one hundred yards. The Mounted Judge shall be the tie-breaking judge. The original
scores shall not be changed.
SECTION 11. Official Judges' Book and Judges' Score Sheets. The Mounted Judge, and
the Course Judge must enter each dog's scores on their score sheets immediately after
judging each team and before starting to judge the next team. The judges shall transfer
these scores into the Official Judges' Book after they have finished judging all teams.
The judges shall also copy the start and finish times from the Start/Finish Steward's
sheets and deduct the mid-point veterinary check time from the total time on each Team's
aggregate score sheet.
The Start/Finish Steward shall note the start and finish times of each dog. The Mounted
Judge shall mark the start and finish times on each team's score sheet, and these times
shall be transferred to the Official Judges' Book by the Mounted Judge.
NO person other than one of the judges or veterinarians may make any entry in the official
judge's book. All final scores must be entered in the Official Judges' Book by the judges
and veterinarians, checked by the Start/Finish Steward, and verified by the Judges before
prizes are awarded.
Judges may use separate score sheets or a tape recorder for their own purposes, but shall
not give out nor allow exhibitors to see such sheets or hear such recordings, nor give out
any other written scores, nor permit anyone else to distribute score sheets or cards
prepared by the judge. Carbon copies of the sheets in the official judge's book shall be
made available through the Road Trial Secretary for examination by owners, handlers, and
spectators immediately after the prizes have been awarded in each class. If score cards
are distributed by a club after the prizes are awarded, they must contain no more
information than is shown in the judge's book and must be marked "Unofficial
Score".
SECTION 12. Announcement of Scores. No judge shall be required to disclose any
score or partial score to contestants or spectators until the public announcement of
scores following the compilation of final scores in the official judge's book and any
runoffs, nor shall he permit anyone else to do so. He shall, in cases where a dog has been
excused during the road trial as described in Chapter 1, Section 19 (Disqualification and
Ineligibility) or Section 20 (Disturbances) immediately advise an exhibitor and his escort
that the exhibitor, escort, dog(s), and/or horse has been excused and in these cases, the
dog(s) and/or exhibitor and/or escort shall be immediately removed from the course.
The judges shall also advise an exhibitor if any dog has failed an exercise, and the
exhibitor shall be given the option of continuing on the course. The judge is not required
to explain his scoring and need not enter into any discussion with any exhibitor who
appears to be dissatisfied.
After all the scores are given final verification, the Start/Finish steward, after
consulting with the Judges, shall announce the dogs involved in any run-off, and after the
run-off shall call for the dogs that have won Qualifying scores to be brought into the
ring. The Course Judge shall announce the scores, and all judges and veterinarians shall
be in the ring during the announcement if at all possible. Before awarding the prizes, the
Course Judge shall inform the spectators as to the maximum number or points for a perfect
score, and shall then announce the score of each prize winner, and announce to the handler
the score of each dog that has won a Qualifying Score.
SECTION 13. Explanation and Errors. No judge or veterinarian is required to explain
his scoring, and need not enter into any discussion with any contestant who appears to be
dissatisfied. At the judge's or veterinarian's discretion, he is encouraged to offer
comment to interested handlers as to the performance of a dog. Any interested person who
thinks that there may have been an arithmetical error or an error in identifying a dog may
report the facts to the Chief Ring Steward and to the Road Trial Secretary so that the
matter may be checked and cleared up.
CHAPTER
7-Road Dog and Road Dog Excellent
SECTION 1. Road Dog - A Class. The Road Dog A Class shall be for dogs not less than
one year old that have not won the R.D. and that are being handled by an exhibitor who has
not previously competed in a road trial.
SECTION 2. Road Dog - B Class. The Road Dog B Class shall be for dogs not less than
one year old that either 1) have already earned the title R.D. or R.D.X. or, 2) are being
handled by an exhibitor who has previously competed in a road trial. A dog who has already
earned his R.D. or R.D.X. title may continue to compete in this class, but only if the
class has not been filled by dogs who have not yet earned an R.D. title.
SECTION 3. Road Dog Excellent - A Class. The Road Dog Excellent A Class shall be
for dogs not less than one and one-half years old that have not won either the R.D. or the
R.D.X. title and that are being handled by an exhibitor who has not previously competed in
a road trial.
SECTION 4. Road Dog Excellent - B Class. The Road Dog Excellent B Class shall be
for dogs not less than one and one-half years old that either have won the R.D. or the
R.D.X. title OR who are being handled by an exhibitor who has previously competed in a
road trial. A dog may continue to compete in this class after it has earned the title
R.D.X., but only if the class has not been filled by dogs who have not yet earned the
R.D.X. title.
SECTION 5. Road Dog Class and Road Dog Excellent Class General Requirements. The
only difference between the Road Dog Class and the Road Dog Excellent Class shall be in
the length of the course portion of the trial, the Road Dog being required to cover a
distance of 12.5 miles, excluding the mid-point veterinary check within a period of three
hours, and the Road Dog Excellent being required to cover a distance or 25 miles,
excluding the mid-point veterinary check within a period of six hours.
Exhibitors must recognize that dogs must be properly-conditioned to compete at these
distances within these time frames.
Each dog in these classes may be handled by the owner or any other person. A handler may
handle up to six dogs, run either all together, separately, or in two groups as
pre-approved by the Road Trial Committee and designated in the Catalog or Road Trial
Pamphlet.
Each dog will be judged individually for each exercise, but dogs run in a group are
required to perform the exercises held on the course in a group.
SECTION 6. R.D. Title. The Dalmatian Club of America will issue a Road Dog
certificate to a dog and will permit the use of the letters "R.D." after the
name of each registered dog which has been certified by the Mounted Judge, the Course
Judge, the Start/Finish Veterinarian, and the mid-course Veterinarian to have passed a
Licensed Road Trial in which the course portion measures 12.5 miles.
SECTION 7. R.D.X. Title. The Dalmatian Club of America will issue a Road Dog
Excellent certificate to a dog and will permit the use of the letters "R.D.X."
after the name of each dog that has been certified by the Mounted Judge, the Course Judge,
the Start/Finish Veterinarian, and the Mid-Course Veterinarian to have passed a Licensed
Road Trial in which the course portion measures 25 miles.
CHAPTER 8-Exercises, Tests, and
Scoring
SECTION 1. Road Dog and Road Dog Excellent Exercises and Scores. The exercises and
tests for the Road Dog Classes and the Road Dog Excellent Classes are as follows:
1. Pre-Course Soundness Test....Pass/Fail...NO Points
2. Recall...................................Pass (51-100)/Fail (0-50)
3. Hock....................................Pass(51-100)/Fail (0-50)
4. Distraction............................Pass(51-100)/Fail (0-50)
5. Long Sit or Down..............Pass (51-100)/Fail (0-50)
6. Mid-Course Soundness Test.....Pass/Fail......No Points
7. Speed..................................Pass (51-100)/Fail (0-50)
8. After-Course Soundness...............P (51-100)/F(0-50)
9. 12.5 or 25-mile Course.................Finish w/in time limit
Maximum Total Score................................600 points + 8 Pass + Completion of
Course within required time.
SECTION 2. Pre-Course Soundness. Mid-Course Soundness. After-Course Soundness. The
principal feature or these exercises is to determine that the dog is in sound condition
before beginning the trial, at the mid-point of the course, and after completing the
course.
These tests shall be conducted by the two Road Trial Veterinarians, one who conducts the
Pre-Course and the After-Course Soundness tests, and the other who conducts the Mid-Course
Soundness Test.
On request from the veterinarian, the handler shall place his dog on a table and hold his
dog on a leash while the veterinarian shall conduct the tests described in Chapter 5 and
any other tests as he may deem necessary and indicate these on the score sheet. The
handler shall then gate each dog on instruction from the veterinarian so that the
veterinarian can check far any signs of lameness.
There shall be stewards at the Pre-Course/After-Course and Mid-Course checkpoints to hold
the handler's horse(s) so that he may rest, and assist the veterinarian by holding his
dog(s), and to hold the escort's horse so that he may rest. Each team shall be allowed a
rest of at least 5 minutes but not to exceed 30 minutes at this mid-course checkpoint,
starting as soon as the veterinarian has finished his examination. Any dog that, in the
veterinarian's opinion requires more than a 30-minute rest period shall be excused from
further competition in the Road Trial.
Orders are, "Place your dog on the table for a physical exam and hold him,"
"Move your dog at a trot in a counterclockwise circle," "Move your dog down
and back," and "Exercise finished." These orders may be repeated at each
veterinarian's discretion as often as he deems necessary.
The veterinarian shall also check each horse for any signs of stress or lameness, and any
horse that in the veterinarian's opinion requires more than a 30 minute rest period shall
be excused from further competition in the Road Trial. Another mount may be substituted
provided the exhibitor has made arrangements for this.
SECTION 3. Pre-Course Soundness, Mid-Course Soundness, Scoring. A dog must receive
a "Fail" and be excused from further competition in the Road Trial if he
exhibits any lameness or excessive stress during these tests.
If the veterinarian is satisfied that a dog's condition is sound after conducting the
tests, he shall give that dog a "Pass" rating.
SECTION 4. After-Course Soundness, Scoring.
A dog must receive a "Fail" if he exhibits any lameness or excessive stress
during these tests. The Start/Finish veterinarian shall compare the baseline information
recorded for each dog on the score sheet with the information recorded after the dog has
completed the required distance in order to rate each dog's overall condition within a
scale of 0-50 for "Fail" and 51-100 for "Pass".
SECTION 5. Recall. The principal feature of this exercise is that the dog respond
promptly to the handler's command to "Come".
Orders are, "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, 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.
The Mounted Judge shall remain at least twenty feet away from the Exhibitor's horse. An
exhibitor's escort shall remain at least twenty feet away and take care not to interfere
with any dog, the exhibitor, the Mounted Judge, or their horses or carriage.
SECTION 6. Recall, 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 7. Hock. The principal feature of this exercise is the ability of the dog
to stay close to the horse and handler when required.
Orders for the exercise are "Call your dog to hock," "Trot your
horse," and "Exercise Finished." The judge shall
standardize as much as is practical the place on the course that each dog is required to
"Hock." When the Mounted Judge announces, "This will be the Hock exercise.
Are you ready?", the judge and handler shall be moving forward when the handler
replies, "Ready"" or "Yes." 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 they 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 trot
either close to the left or right side of the handler or horse, or driver or carriage; or
up to one horse length from the horse's head or carriage without swinging wide, lagging,
forging, or coming so close to the horse or carriage as to interfere with forward motion.
The Mounted Judge shall remain at least twenty feet away from any dog. An escort for a
particular handler shall remain at least twenty feet away from any dog and make certain
not to interfere with any dog, exhibitor, the Mounted Judge, or the Mounted Judge's line
of vision during this exercise.
SECTION 8. Hock, 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's forward movement, 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 9. Distraction. 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 "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 his right side of the trail at least fifteen
feet away while passing. The handler shall continue forward with his dogs in hock position
from the previous exercise, and shall be allowed to command each dog to "Hock"
or "Heel" 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). The hiker and his
dog shall remain on the down-course side of the handler and his dog(s) until after the
Mounted Judge has completed judging the remaining exercise and has started back toward the
Course Start.
SECTION 10. Distraction, Scoring. A dog must receive a score of zero if it attacks
the oncoming hiker or dog, or if it disregards it's 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 hock exercise.
SECTION 11. Long Sit or Down. 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, "Call your dog(s)," "Sit or Down your dog(s),"
"Command your dog(s) to Stay," and "Exercise finished."
All the dogs being run together by a handler shall be judged at the same time for this
exercise, and a handler may give a separate command to each dog.
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 remain mounted or in
his carriage, and 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 as he watches the dog(s).
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 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) must not move from the Sit or Down position
until the handler has released them after the judge has said, "Exercise
finished."
SECTION 12. Long Sit or Down, 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 start as soon as the exhibitor responds "yes" or
"ready" to the judge's question of "Are you ready?". Timing of the
exercise shall start after the dog has responded to the handler's command to sit or down
and as soon as the handler has given the "stay" command.
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 the handler's command to sit or down; for not remaining in the position that was
commanded (sits up from a down or lays down from a sit), or for overly loud or gruff
commands to sit, down, and/or stay by the handler. A minor deduction may be made for
commands or praise repeated during this exercise.
SECTION 13. Speed. The principal feature of this exercise shall be to demonstrate a
Dalmatian's ability to exhibit a fair amount of speed, as specified in the standard for
the breed, sufficient to keep pace with a galloping horse. One such demonstration shall be
sufficient.
Orders are `Call your dog(s)," "Extend your Gait," and "Exercise
Finished" (which may be indicated by a trail marker).
On order from a steward acting on signal from the Course Judge, the handler shall call his
dog(s) close to his horse or carriage. On further order from the steward, the handler
shall gallop his horse (or do an extended trot with a carriage) for a distance of one
hundred yards, 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 Course Judge. He may be rejudged if the Course Judge does not
deem that the horse's speed was sufficient to determine the dog(s) speed.
The Course Judge shall be situated in such a way as to not frighten the horse at a midway,
preferably elevated point, and his stewards shall be instructed to remain quiet and still
during this exercise.
SECTION 14. Speed. Scoring. A dog shall be scored zero for not attempting to keep
up with the horse or carriage or whose handler does not exhibit any increase in speed.
Substantial or minor deductions shall be made for nipping at the horse or carriage; for
falling increasingly behind the horse or carriage; for repeated barking; or for an
exhibitor who adjusts his horse's pace to that of the dogs.
END
NOTE: These rules were written by Linda Myers and developed by the DCA Road Trial
Committee (Charles Cyopik, Linda FuIks, Meg Ipsas Hennessey, Beth White, and Linda Myers,
Chair) with help from many Dalmatian fanciers. They were updated in 1994 and approved by
the DCA Board of Directors. Copies may be obtained by writing to Linda Myers; 19809 N. E.
150th Place; Woodinville, WA 98072.
Send mail to sommerdal@dalmania.net
with questions or comments about this web site.
Unless otherwise stated on individual pages, all graphics, site content, and
design is
Copyright © 2000,2001 by Heather Gearhart, dba Sitting
Spots Web Design
Last modified: November 06, 2001