We don't offer anything fancy, just a plain, simple outline of responsibilities for the various field assignments. We prefer to cross-train so you would be able to pitch-hit for an absentee. Many of the assignments are simple, some a bit more complicated, and others require experience along with the training. So we begin...
INTRODUCTION
We find it is best to begin by
defining the terms and positions most common to a Lure Test/Trial
and in the order of the process.
ROLL CALL is simply having the
exhibitors acknowledge that they and the hounds entered are
present and accounted for. The Roll Call sheet becomes the first
document the Trial Secretary uses to begin the trial Draws as
absentees are immediately removed from the draw. The Test hounds
may be run by the Trial running order, by order of entry receipt,
by order of Roll Call Check In (if records forms are completed at
the Test site), by all 2nd-JC hounds first and 1st-JC hounds
last, or by queue as hounds are readied. We prefer to run 2nd-JC
Test hounds first, who then may be moved to Trial. We continue by
Running Order or queue. An exhibitor who needs to see the Trial
Secretary for any reason will be asked to see him/her before
going to Inspection.
The Field Committee's hounds will be Inspected
before any others, after which all 2nd-JC Test hounds then the
other Test hounds will be processed. It is possible that the Crew
will do the Trial Inspections according to the posted Running
Order. In the following example: Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Pharaohs,
and so on. Please do not crowd the Inspection area with your
hounds if you are near the last on the list. You will not be
forgotten. Your hound's name will be called if it was on the Roll
Call Sheet. If your hound's name is not on the Roll Call Sheet,
see the Trial Secretary immediately.
RUNNING ORDER is a list of the order in
which the Trial breeds will be called to the Paddock. For
Example (AKC includes 2nd JC Test -- JC Test):
RR - PH - SA - SD - WH - AF - BA - BO - GH - IB - IW - IG
(Deciphered it reads:
Rhodesians - Pharaohs - Salukis - Scottish Deerhounds - Whippets
- Afghans - Basenjis - Borzoi - Greyhounds - Ibizan Hounds -
Irish Wolfhounds - Italian Greyhounds)
INSPECTION COMMITTEE
consists of three field crew members. It is their assignment to
check in (Roll Call) the hounds and to send exhibitors to see the
Trial Secretary who need to clarify some data/detail. The Trial
Secretary will have posted the Running Order for the day and
Inspection will follow in that order. Inspection by Running Order
allows the breeds running first to be checked for any impediment
and provides the breeds first up with a few minutes to relax
while the Secretary prepares and posts the Draw Order/Slips.
[Note: Some Clubs still rely on small slips of paper on which is
noted the hounds call name, course number and blanket color. Be
sure to check the method used by your Club.] Duties of the
Inspection Committee include calling the hounds by breed to the
Inspection Area; checking females for possible season and males
for neuter or two testicles (Rule: no monorchid or cryptorchid
may participate); if neutered, an exhibitor may be requested to
present a vet's certification; checking for breed
disqualifications (i.e., Whippets under or over height standards)
and wicketing those breeds with a height disqualification;
jogging the hound in a triangle to observe any signs of lameness
and to ascertain a hound's outward fitness to course. The
Inspection Committee then sends that breed's Inspection Sheet to
the Trial Secretary before beginning the next breed in the
Running Order. Their responsibility does not end here as they
will decide if a hound is unfit to continue either by their own
estimation or at the request of the Judges, the Huntmaster or an
Owner/Handler. During all this preparation, the Lure Operators,
Huntmaster(s) and Judges are monitoring the field. Once the Lure
Operator and Judges are satisfied that the field is clear of
obstacles, has no sharp turns and that the line is anchored
securely, a Test Hound (AKA, Bye Hound, Pilot Hound) will be run.
As soon as this Field Crew feels confident of the equipment's
functionality, the first course by running order (or the 2nd-JC
Tests) may begin.
DRAW SLIPS, or as marked on the Score
Board, indicate the course number, blanket color and call name of
each hound. The exhibitor is responsible for getting their
Preliminary, Final, any Run-Off, and/or Best-of-Breed Draw
information and suiting up their hound in a timely manner.
For the AKC Test, hounds do not need a colored
blanket, but the release collar should be in place. All other
collars or impediments must be removed. Generally, there is no
running order by Call Name for Test hounds though hounds who need
only one Pass for a JC and who are entered in the Trial will be
run first. Each one should be collard and close enough to the
Paddock area to hear their hound's name being called. For
AKC/ASFA Trial, keep an eye on the posting area or draw slips.
Your blanket color and course number are indicated. Pace yourself
and your hound, but keep alert for your course. It takes roughly
2.5 minutes to run a course without equipment failure, course
delay or judges' conference with the Huntmaster. Following the
Preliminary run and a short intermission, new Draws will be
posted or slips done. Again, keep alert to the color and course
for your hound.