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Performance Pack Running Rules
*1. FORMAT
The basic premise of the Performance Pack events is an elimination style event that advances all cast winners. All dogs will run in a 60 minute cast and each cast winner will advance to subsequent rounds. Rounds shall be referred to as round 1, round 2, round 3 etc. First round winners shall advance to the second round. Second round winners shall advance to the third round etc. until a winner is determined in each category.
When the Registered entry exceeds 25 dogs, each rounds hunting time will be left to the discretion of the host club. Either 60 or 90 minute casts can be used. The club will have to take into consideration the distance to running grounds, amount of daylight hours and availability of guides for subsequent rounds when setting first round hunt time for an entry larger than 25 dogs. The host club should always attempt to utilize the longest hunting time possible to give all dogs a fair chance to compete for a cast win. After entries are closed and before the casts are announced, the host club must announce to all participants the hunting time for each round. However, it is mandatory that all rounds be 90 minutes where the Registered entry is 25 dogs or less.
When the Champion or Grand category exceeds 5 dogs, the host club will be given the option of 60 or 90 minute casts for the Champion or Grand Division. After entries are closed and before the casts are announced, the host club must announce to all participants the hunting time for each round. However, it is mandatory that the first round be 90 minutes where the Champion or Grand entry is 5 dogs or less.
If for any reason a cast does not complete the announced hunting time, no dog will advance to subsequent rounds from that cast.
*2. JUDGE
a. The judge is only eligible to score dogs when the majority of the active cast members are present when scoring situation occurs. Judge is not to go off by their self to score dogs. The Judge is to establish that the majority of the active cast members are present at all scoring situations.
b. The judge shall be in complete authority of the cast and shall make all calls pertaining to the cast. The judge does not have to see the rabbit to award points although they should make every effort to verify that the dogs are in fact running a rabbit. No tame or domesticated rabbits are to be run. If score is accumulated on a tame or domesticated rabbit, that score is to be deleted. The Judge, out of courtesy, should try to keep all handlers informed of scoring by calling collar colors.
c. If an active handler refuses to keep up with the majority of the active handlers and the judge, cannot physically keep up with judge or is attempting to disrupt the cast he may be made an inactive handler by the judge.
*3. POINTS
Points shall be scored as plus (for positive reward) and as minus (for penalty) to dogs. To come up with a dogs total score for a cast you will simply subtract the minus points from the plus points. Points are scored as follows
a. Plus points
- First struck dog - +20
- Second through fifth struck dog if struck in before rabbit is produced - +10
- Recovery - +10
- Line - +10 points
b. Minus points
- If first struck dog fails to produce a rabbit within 4 minutes. –20
- If second through fifth struck dog fails to produce a rabbit within original 4 minutes.
–10
- Any dog who leaves the strike area (while on the clock) – strike points
- Babbling–10
- Backtracking (50 feet) –10
- Leaving and established line. –10
- Disrupting the pack. –10
- Leaving the check area barking without the line. –10
- Continually over-running the track –10
- Entering or leaving the check area with no attempt at solving the check. –10
- Leaving the check area with the track and not giving mouth to gain an advantage. (50 feet) –10
- Continually failing to pack –10
- Skirting difficult terrain to gain advantage
–10
NOTE —
- In case of non produced rabbit, dogs are not to be punished for running rabbit to hole or place of refuge. Dogs must show place of refuge. Strike points to be deleted.
c. Strike: A strike is when a dog opens three or more times while free cast in the field. Once the first dog is struck, time is to be kept on the dog. Once the judge determines that the rabbit is produced, the first struck dog is to receive 20+ points. All other dogs struck before the rabbit is produced will receive 10 + points. When requested by the judge, handler shall identify their dog. If no rabbit is produced within the four minutes, strike points for all struck dogs to be scored as minus. First struck dog to receive 20–, all other struck to receive 10–. If the judge cannot determine who the first struck dog is, they are to assign 10 points to all struck dogs before the rabbit is produced. Strike points may only be awarded once per rabbit. After the 4 minutes are up and no rabbit is jumped, the judge shall instruct the handler to catch the dog for recasting. No strike points will be awarded if a rabbit is inadvertently jumped by a cast member, spectator or a judge. No strike points will be awarded in the case of putting dogs on a track. No strike points will be awarded while any handler is making an attempt to catch a dog. If a hound is struck and for any reason quits the track that they are struck in on within the 4 minutes, they will be minused their strike points. The hound will then be caught and the cast will move to another area. Once a hound is struck, they are to be given the entire 4 minutes to work their track. However if another hound jumps the rabbit the judge may request that the struck in hound be moved into the dog(s) running the rabbit. In the case of catching a rabbit or producing a rabbit seen by the judge and no dogs are struck, the dog that catches or produces the rabbit will receive 20+ strike. No points are to be allowed on a nest of baby rabbits. If a dog strike in the last four minutes of the hunt and time expires without a produced track, their points are to be deleted.
d. Checks: A check is defined as “when it is evident that there is an obvious breakdown in the forward progress of the chase or a hound which shows accurate direction of the track.” There is no measurement of a check in feet or time, it is when the judge determines that there is an obvious breakdown or a hound which shows accurate direction of the track. A hound does not have to cease barking in the check area, for it to be considered a check. If it is evident that no hound is making forward progress on the line, then it is considered a check. In order for a recovery to be awarded, a hound must make forward progress and give mouth. When working a check, a dog should work from the “inside out”. They should work closely in the immediate area of the check and they gradually work outward to regain the track. If the judge determines that the track has ended in a hole or that the dogs have completely lost the rabbit, they are to announce that the track is “dead”. All dogs are to be caught for recasting.
e. Recoveries: The judge shall award 10 recovery points each time they can determine a check is recovered or a houndwhich shows accurate direction of the track. Scoring of recoveries is possible as long as the rabbit is still running. f. Lines: Any dog that comes through on an established line (seen rabbit by judge) to receive 10 line points. It must be obvious that a dog has missed the line to withhold line points. Dogs are not to be rewarded for order on the line, all dogs that trail through the established line will receive 10 points. Once the final dog is scored, another line may be established.
4. DOGS WILL BE SCRATCHED
Any dog that has been scratched in the field shall be caught as soon as possible. The judge shall inform the handler the dog has been disqualified and the handler shall catch and leash the dog, while trying not to disturb the remaining dogs. The following are scratch-able offenses:
• Regardless of how many plus points a dog has, if they accumulate 3 minuses.
• For fighting or attempting to fight. Attempting to fight is defined as when dog or dogs are interfering with other dogs by aggressive behavior.
• For running game other than rabbit.
• Bitches smelling strong enough to attract dogs, or a dog that is just bad to bother bitches while other dogs pay them no attention.
• After the first three minutes of the hunt, for failing to make any attempt to hunt within any continuous five minutes of the hunt.
• If a handler is drinking, or if he seems to want to stir up trouble.
• For handling a dog without the judge’s permission
• For arguing with the judge.
• For not being present when cast is sent to the field.
• Use of any device to control or locate a dog during time in.
• Use of any electronic training system (shock collar) during “time in or time out”.
5. DEAD TRACK
a. After a lengthy breakdown the judge will announce to the handlers when he has determined that the track is dead and the chase ended.
b. When a dead track has been called, and all of the dogs are not accounted for, the judge will instruct the handlers of the missing hounds that they have 5 minutes to catch their hounds and return to the cast. After 5 minutes have elapsed, the judge will instruct the handlers of the dogs caught to turn their dogs loose. Scoring will resume at that time, even if the missing hounds are not back in the cast. When the missing hounds return, they will be allowed to re-join the cast for scoring. If missing hound is not back in the cast within 30 minutes they will be scratched. Missing dogs are not eligible for any score until they are put back in with the pack.
6. TIME OUTS
a. No scoring is to take place during time out. Only the judge of the cast has the authority to call time out, however, a handler may request a time out. During time out the judge will instruct each of the handlers to catch their dogs. The judge shall keep an accurate record of the amount of time involved in the time out.
A judge must not allow the hounds to actively hunt during a time out, for the purpose of extending the hunt until a rabbit is jumped. Time outs may be called:
• If new ground must be found to finish and have to move to new area by vehicle, call time out immediately.
• In case of accident or sickness.
7. HANDLERS AND SPECTATORS
Before a cast starts, each handler must declare whether they wish to be an active or an inactive handler. A handler may change from an active handler to an inactive handler at any time, however they may not switch from an inactive handler to an active handler.
a. Handler: A handler is an individual who is handling a dog on the cast. They may either wish to witness the scoring of the cast or may stay with the gallery. A handler cannot at any time interfere with the judge in a manner that influences the judge in any way. The handler’s dog will be scratched by the judge if the handlers conduct is viewed as interfering! Any scoring discrepancies that are to be questioned must be addressed at the end of the cast with all handlers present.
A handler is permitted to handle more than one dog per cast. The distances kept between judge, handlers, and spectators, will be determined solely by the judge. All handlers have the right to run with the judges. When requested by the judge, handler shall identify their dog only if all handlers can identify the dog they are handling. The handler shall not interfere with any dogs on the cast unless instructed to do so by the judge. Any handler who uses abusive language, threatens or intimidates a hunter, judge, master of hounds or UKC official shall be barred from one year to life. If a handler wishes to question a call, it must be done at the completion of the cast. The question will be addressed at the completion of the cast. Handlers may not use tracking systems during “time in”. Tracking systems may be used during “time out”, however any handler using a tracking system during “time-in” will be scratched. Training systems may only be used after a dog is scratched from the cast. Handlers may not assist a dog in any way, unless instructed to do so by the judge.
b. Spectator: A spectator is a person who goes into the field to watch the hunt. They are not to participate in the cast in any way. They are not to participate in the Formal Complaint procedure. Handlers are responsible for the conduct of their spectators. All spectators are subject to sanctions of the United Kennel Club, Inc.
*8. RUNNING TIME
All casts will run for 1 hour (60 minutes). If for any reason a cast does not complete the one hour cast, no dog will advance to subsequent rounds from that cast.
*9. SELECTION OF WINNERS
No placements may be awarded until the final cast has been assembled. Hounds in the final cast will be placed according to highest total score in the final cast even if the points are minus. If a tie results because of hounds scratching in the semi final cast, revert to previous round’s score to
determine placement. Any dogs scratched from a cast will receive the lowest position available in that cast unless scratched for off game. Hounds scratched for off game or not hunting will not receive any championship points. Second-in-cast hounds from the semi-final round will be placed
next; in succession according to their score in that round. After second-in-cast hounds are considered for placement, third-in-cast hounds will be placed in succession according to their score in that round. (same for fourth-in-cast hounds) In the event that there are not enough hounds in the semi-final round to fill available placements. No more than 10 Registered hounds, 3 Performance Pack Champions (requires an entry of 21 or more for 2 wins and 41 or more entries for 3 wins), and 1 Grand Performance Pack Champion will be placed. In the event that a hound minuses out or
is scratched from the final cast that hound shall be place at the bottom of that cast and not scratched from the event.
*10. TIES
In the event of a tie, a hound will win out over another hound as follows:
1. The hound with the fewest minus points.
2. If still a tie, The hound with the most plus strike points.
3. If still a tie, the hound with the most line points
4. If still a tie, The hound with the most check points.
5. If still a tie the dog that was put on the clock (for not hunting) the most will be defeated. 6. If still a tie, the hound with the highest score from the previous round.
7. If still a tie, the hound with the highest score from the second previous round (if applicable).
8. If still a tie, both dogs advance to the next round.
If at the end of any winners pack, no points have been scored or there is an unbreakable tie, dogs involved in the tie will hunt an additional 30 minute interval. If still a tie after this, a coin toss will determine winner. In the case of the final cast running into darkness, they must return to the Master of Hounds for a coin toss.
*11. PLACING DOGS IN EVENTS
a. No placements may be awarded until the final cast has been assembled. No placement will be given to any hound that has not completed a one hour first round cast that scored positive points (rabbit produced). Hounds in the final cast will be placed according to highest total score in the final cast even if the points are minus. If a tie results because of hounds scratching in a subsequent round, revert to previous round’s score to determine placement. Any dogs scratched from a cast will receive the lowest position available in that cast unless scratched for off game.
b. Hounds eliminated after the first round do not have to score positive points to be considered for placement in the event. Tie breaker rules to apply. Second-in cast hounds from the semi-final round will be placed next; in succession according to their score in that round. After second-in-cast hounds are considered for placement, third-in-cast hounds will be placed in succession according to their score in that round. (same for fourth-in-cast hounds). Any hound scratched for off game will not be placed in any event. No hounds to move up to fill placement voids.
c. A minimum of 10 Registered dogs must be entered in an event. A minimum of 3 Performance Pack Champions must be entered. A minimum of 2 Grand Performance Pack Champions must be entered.
d. No more than 10 Registered hounds, 3 Performance Pack Champions (requires an entry of 21 or more to place 2 dogs and 41 or more to place 3 dogs), and 1 Grand Performance Pack Champion will be placed.
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