USBCHA WORLD TRIAL ENTRIES

ISDS has confirmed that all 30 USBCHA applications to run at the ISDS World Sheepdog Trials 2005 have been accepted.  There were over 270 entries chasing the 241 places.  Below is the list of handlers who will be representing the USA.  Congratulations to all Handlers.

You can fly directly and indirectly into Dublin with your dog.  The Irish authorities have grated a special dispensation for World Trial dogs but you must gain a Prior Approval number from the Animal Health and Welfare Department at 353-1607-2827.  Speak to them about the necessary Pet Passport.  You will then need to convince a carrier airline that they may carry your dog, but again the World Sheep Dog Trials office can help. 

From now on, you are in the hands of the Irish event organizers and they will provide any help you need.  Please look on the event website  www.worldsheepdogtrials.com where you will find much information, including a full run list for the 21 nations in a few weeks.

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STEPS FOR TRANSPORTING A DOG TO  GREAT BRITAIN

1.     Dog must be chipped, with a chip compatible with U.K. Government scanners. These can read the “Home Again” chip issued by the AKC. They have not in the recent past been able to read the AVID chip. One can  bring one’s own scanner if the dog is chipped with Avid, or simply have the dog re-chipped.

2.     Blood test . A vet registered with the USDA may draw a blood sample and send it to Kansas State University to have a rabies titre test performed. The UK Government’s DEFRA web site or help line provides the address for this designated lab. If the result is negative, then  the dog may travel to the UK six months after the date that the blood was  first drawn.

3.     Obtain a pet travel certificate from your local or regional USDA office. As of July 3, 2004, this certificate will be issued by the European Union, not the UK Government, which is now required to use it instead of its former Pet Scheme travel certificate. If you traveled with your dog to the UK before July 3, 2004 , however, the Pet Scheme certificate issued to you by the UK Government may still be used as long as the rabies vaccination date remains valid. For those traveling with their dogs for the first time, the new European Union certificate must be used.

4.     Have your vet fill out the first page and sign and date it at the top of page 2 in the space designated for the “official vet.”  You may then send this in to the USDA regional or local office with a $24.00 fee, along with either the original titre results or a copy  of this document (check with USDA to see if a copy is acceptable), and the Pet Travel certificate will be stamped with a government seal and returned to you along with the titre result document. You may then travel with your dog within FOUR months from the date your vet signed  the Pet travel certificate.  Although the World Trial Entry forms are due to be submitted to the Handler Association  by February 1, 2005, the date for obtaining a valid  pet Travel certificate may be later, since the World Trial will be held in early July. Handlers  may wish to  start the process of obtaining a valid pet travel certificate in March or by April 1, depending on travel plans. Handlers alone are responsible for insuring that their travel documents are in order, and they do not need to submit copies to the Handlers’ Association. If documents are not in order for any reason, and a handler has to give up his or her place on the team as a result,  then he or she will forfeit  the appearance fee of $500.00.

5.      When the handler is ready to travel, he or she must return to the vet to have the tick and tapeworm medication required by the UK Government administered. This must be done with 24 to 48 hours of departure, and the vet administering the medication must then fill in the rest of page two of the pet travel certificate. The dog must then travel with the original documents sealed to its crate. Be sure to keep copies. Upon arrival at London, Heathrow or London Gatwick airports, local customs will review the documents and upon authentication by the customs officials, theses travel documents then become the official PET PASSPORT and remain valid for future travel to the UK or to anywhere within the European Union as long as the rabies vaccination remains current.

6.      Preparing the Dog Crate for Travel: DEFRA requires that airlines give a great deal of space for the dog, usually a  three inch clearance from the top of the dog’s head when it is standing  (if the dog is prick eared, this means from the tips of its ears). The dog must also be able to turn around easily and of course to stand comfortably. Some airlines do not allow the use of collapsible  nylabone crates which also have many holes for air. Instead they  require standard vari-kennels, but will also require that seven or eight holes be drilled in the back for ventilation. It may be best to bring your dog to the airline cargo area first to insure that all is in order before clearing your documents with USDA just prior to the flight.                           

 2005 - WORLD TRIAL CRITERIA

Accepted entries will be notified by Feb. 15th.  

Have not received our 30 dog limit for the World trial.  As of Nov. 24, it is now open to any handler/dog that competed in the 2004 National Open Finals.  Entries received after Nov. 24 -

Will keep a waiting list.  Must enter the dog you ran at the National, may also enter a second dog and an alternate.  Deposit is $1,000 for two dogs.  If not accepted for the World trial deposit will be refunded.  Email Francis at  f.raley@att.net if you will be sending an entry.  Entries must be received by Feb. 1, 2005.

Francis will mail each already entered handler entry forms from ISDS.  Please fill out and return by Jan. 1 to 2915 Anderson Lane, Crawford, Tx.  76638

New Information:  

1.   ISDS will send entry forms by Dec. 1st.  
2.   Entry fees:  $200.00 per dog.  Must enter dog that you qualified with at the National  

Finals.  May enter a second dog and an alternate dog.  You do not have to run your qualified dog.  Must pay entry fee for each entry.  If you enter 3 dogs, pay $1,000 deposit.  

You will find World Trial information at www.worldsheepdogtrials.com   

World Trial Dates:  July 7 - 10, at Tullamore. Co. Iffaly, Ireland

At their 6/23 conference call the board of the HA approved the criteria to be used to select the team to represent the United States at next year’s World Finals. 

The 2004 National Sheepdog Finals will be used to select the world team. Each handler/dog team in the final go around of the Finals will be invited to on the team until the team is filled. If there are not sufficient dogs to fill the team from the top 17 finalists (remember that Canadian handlers will not be on the team) the first place handler will be invited to bring a second dog and then the second place finisher and so on until the team is filled. If this doesn’t fill the team the handlers in the semi-finals will be invited also in the order of their placing. If any dog in any handler/dog team so selected is unable to run that handler has the option of bringing a different dog (this is a rule of the World Trial organizers).  

 That all handlers wishing to be on the World Team must send a $500 appearance fee to the HA by 11/1/04 which will be refunded to all handlers who run at the world trial and handlers not selected for the team. (While special circumstances and exceptions will be taken into consideration by the HA any handler selected for the World Team who does not run should expect to forfeit his deposit). A copy of all dog’s passports must be received by the HA by 2/1/05. If the passport is not received by that date the next person in line for the team will be invited to go.   Dogs are only qualified for the team with handler that handled them when they qualified.  

It is time to start doing the work to get their pet passports. It is a lengthy process, takes over six months so people need to start now. The committee most likely will request the pet passport be in place by early 2005.

 Go to http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm.  Everything you need to know is here or on links from this site.