Trial Regulations

(Established  3-07)

 

 

General Regulations

 

  1. Trial directors may act as a representative of the IHDA when questions of common courtesy and protocol arise.
  2. A competitor who needs to have the course explained must ask questions before his/her run starts. After the run has started, explanations are entirely at the discretion of the trial judge.
  3. A dog shall not compete in an IHDA event if it is sick or injured, unless approved by the judge and course director.
  4. A handler being disqualified or retired must immediately cease working his/her dog.
  5. Any handler retiring or leaving the trial course during a run will forfeit all points for that run, unless previously announced.
  6. Training devices are not allowed on the trial course. Such devices include—but are not limited to—electric shock collars, prong collars, choke chains, leashes or ropes that are not detachable before the run, and any other devices designed to cause pain to or distract the dog while working.
  7. A dog may not compete with two different handlers at the same event unless previously announced.
  8. Trial coordinators and/or course directors may take appropriate actions should unsafe circumstances develop involving a dog, a handler, livestock, or spectators.

 

Record Keeping

 

  1. The trial secretary may not give out information about any individual’s run until the score is posted, and the judge has reviewed the score sheets.
  2. By the end of the trial, all scores are to be either to be publicly posted, announced, or made available for all to see.

 

Trial Conduct

 

  1. A competitor shall not intimidate, attempt to intimidate, or argue with a judge, course director, trial coordinator or time keeper.
  2. No competitor or person shall use any form of misconduct or harassment toward the trial management, judges, or IHDA officials.
  3. Abusive language is not permitted on the trial course.
  4. No instruction or distractions will be tolerated during competitive runs.