B. Members will receive the HA Newsletter.

C. Members will have the right to vote on matters brought before the membership.

D. Members in good standing may participate in the National Open and Nursery class Finals. To participate in the HA National Finals one must also be a member in good standing of the American Border Collie Association Registry.

E. Members will receive a current copy of the rulebook.

F. Any Director may, at his discretion, collect membership dues. It will be the responsibility of the collector to forward monies to the HA office immediately.

G. By the act of paying membership dues, members accept all rules contained herein and rules and/or policies hereafter adopted by the Board of Directors (BOD).

H. By the act of paying membership dues, or entry fees to HA sanctioned events participants waive all claims against the trial management, or HA, for injuries he or she, or their property may sustain in any HA sanctioned event.

I. The HA assumes no responsibility for injury or damage to the person, property or animals of any owner, contestant or assistant at a HA sanctioned event.

J. As a condition of membership, all member-participants in HA sanctioned trials or HA approved special events, effected in any manner whatsoever by a decision of the BOD or any person or committee authorized by the BOD to handle disciplinary matters, hereby releases the HA, their affiliated, related, or subsidiary companies, their officers, directors, and employees, Hearing Committee members jointly and severally, individually and in the official capacity, of and from any and all claims, demands, damages, and causes of action whatsoever, in law or equity, rising out of or in connection with any individual committees to whom disciplinary matters may be authorized by the BOD or by a Hearing Committee.

K. All members shall receive a copy of minutes of ALL meetings, including all BOD meetings / Conference Calls. This may be done by direct mail, e-mail, Facsimile or by publishing them.

L. Facsimile transactions and email communications are acceptable forms of communication provided such form of communication can be confirmed by a "hard copy". (I.e.- a printed copy of email or a return acknowledgment of received fax.)

M. All HA members are responsible for reading and knowing the prevailing rules of the HA as well as those provided by management of individual trials in which they participate. Failure to know these rules is not an acceptable excuse.

N. Any member or non-member placed on suspension shall not be permitted to compete in any trial during the period of his suspension or event sanctioned by the HA. Any event that allows such suspended individuals to enter the trial will not be sanctioned by the HA.

O. Members may file protest (see Section 3 for procedure)

P. For further rights, privileges and possible loss of privileges see Section 4: Discipline.

B. New trial hosts, as well as existing hosts, must apply for sanctioning to the HA Secretary at least thirty (30) days prior to the trial date. They must specify the number of trials to be offered in each sanctioned class (e.g., 2 Open trials and 2 Nursery trials).  If the HA Secretary deems it necessary, an Approval Trial Committee will review the request and either approve or disapprove. Errors or omissions by the trial host may be waived by the Trial Approval Committee and their decision will be final. All trial information must be published prior to the trial in at least one Border Collie Magazine, or a local association newsletter, or a flyer to members in that district. Upon request, the HA may furnish address labels to the trial host for the district mailing.

There is the conception that hair sheep and lighter breeds are more capable of running several times during a day. This is only true to a point. Extreme heat, large courses are just as tiring for fast moving " light " hair sheep as they are to heavy wool breeds. 

 It is recommended that any sheep not run more than 3 times during a single day.

 SET OUT

.Dog trailing is a sport full of "luck of the draw" situations so it falls to the trial manager to try, as best he can, to level the playing field; to try to reduce the variations in draw, to make the groups of sheep as uniform as possible.

 The care  sheep receive in the set out and exhaust pen is paramount.

 There are many possible designs for a set out system. Topography, available equipment, visibility from the post, ease of sheep movement and set out and available help will all influence the location and design.

The ideal set out has a couple of pens to hold the waiting sheep, a pen large enough to hold 3 or 4 runs worth of sheep followed by 2 pens in series, large enough to hold a run each. There will be shade, water and hay feeders available. If the pens are designed well then one person will be able to sort and release sheep to the set out person efficiently. Properly designed pens do NOT require a dog to move sheep through them. If the set out post is close enough then often one person can do all the work at the top. The location of the set out post varies between classes and should be far enough from the holding pens to eliminate the draw back to the sheep in the pen. If topography allows it is beneficial to have the set out post out of sight from the holding pen. 

 There should also be a reject/ injured /return pen at the set out and exhaust. This will be used for sheep that break back to the set out during the run or at set out, for injured sheep or for sheep that are identified as unfit during the trial. It saves sorting these sheep out continuously during the trial, facilitates treatment, avoids accidentally using sheep that should not be run. Any sheep abused by a dog during the trial should not be run again regardless of whether it shows obvious injury or not. Sheep chased, run off the field, crashed into fences, gripped and knocked down all constitute abuse.

Hay and water should be provided.

 If a sufficient number of sheep are available to run the entire day with fresh sheep for each run then the sheep should split and the afternoons sheep not brought to the set out till the middle of the day. This means that no sheep will be held in the set out all day waiting to run.

In the event that sheep are set from a stock trailer then they should have a sufficient area in which to rest and feed between runs. 

The set out itself is often a major determining factor in the success of a run. Sheep must be handled in a calm workman -like way both in the pens and during the set out. Sheep that are roughed up, crowded, abused by a dog in the pens, mishandled to load into the chutes and then fought with on their way to the set out post are not "winning sheep" for the handler standing at the post. Set out help is often selected from the handlers attendant. A good rule of thumb is to limit the dog handlers at the top to experienced handlers and dogs. The opportunity to set sheep is NOT a venue for training or to take the edge off a " hot " dog. While Novice handlers are often keen to set sheep at a trial it is not always conducive to have inexperienced help in this job. Rather, have the less experienced volunteers work in the pen, sorting and loading sheep WITHOUT a dog. Given proper guidance and support it is a much better way to use help and to aid in the education of the less experienced handlers.  Likewise a crew of kids in the set out pen may seem like a cheap option but is often disastrous to the well being of the sheep. Less is more when it comes to help at the top and properly designed pens and some ground rules as to how the job will be done are necessary to have the job go well and the help stay happy. 

Some trials have enough budget to hire set out crews. Regardless if they are paid or volunteer be sure to keep them well fed and watered, provide water for dogs and horses and to keep in contact with radios.

Several good radios and plenty of batteries are a must.

 EXHAUST

 Exhaust pens must consider many of the same details as the set out. Water and hay for sheep, room to rest, multiple pens to avoid re running sheep too soon. The sheep in the exhaust should not be visible from the field. Cheap plastic snow fencing is a popular choice to reduce visibility.  The entrance to the exhaust should be designed as to facilitate removal of sheep from the field quickly. Often a separate gate for the handler and dog is included.  Plenty of fresh water for the dogs and sheep is a must.

If possible sheep should be given the maximum amount of time to rest between runs . This often is best served by having multiple pens in the exhaust area. Sheep may then be held separately during the running so that the earlier run sheep re run 1st , giving the later run sheep time to rest and recover. 

 OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

 Water may be provided on the course for competing dogs if humidity, temperature, elevation or a combination of conditions apply. Handlers may send the competing dog to water at their discretion with no loss of points. Time will not be stopped. The judge may call a run, with points held to that point, if they deem the dog or sheep are in distress.

Plenty of marking crayons or spray at both ends of the field.
Basic first aid kit.
On call vet in local area
Protocol for dealing with injured sheep

  There are as many ways to put on a trial as there are trials and locations and people involved. Our spectators, our sponsors and our fellow handlers need to be confident that as trial managers we are doing all that is possible to put on a quality event and as our sport gains in popularity it is our responsibility as handlers and as stockmen to keep the welfare of our charges in mind. 

C.  A two (2) dollar per dog sanction fee shall be charged for each dog entered in Open and Nursery competition at all sanctioned trials.

D. The two (2) dollar sanctioning fee, along with the trial results form is to be mailed to the HA Secretary’s office not later than twenty one (21) days after the trial. The HA Secretary will notify the sanctioning committee if trial management fails to abide by this rule.

E. All sanctioned trials must conform to the rules and regulations of the HA. Since both members and non-members who are under suspension are not allowed to participate in any HA sanctioned trials as either the owner of a dog, or as a handler, allowing a suspended member to enter a trial means that the trial will automatically lose its sanctioning. All trials requesting sanctioning will be kept notified of suspended members or non-members of the association.

F. The HA Secretary shall maintain a list of all sanctioned trials, and shall publish on the USBCHA website the number of trials to be run in each sanctioned class during the course of the overall trial.

G.  On request, HA secretary will send judging sheets as long as supply last.  It is not essential that trial host use the HA judging sheets.  You may download judging sheets off Home page.

H.  Trials hosted or sponsored by, affiliated with, or benefiting any organization which advocates or supports conformation breeding or showing of Border Collies, and trials held in conjunction with any event sanctioned or sponsored by such an organization, are ineligible for sanctioning by the USBCHA.

I.   Must have 10 entries in an Open class to be a sanctioned class.

B. Any member desiring to file a complaint regarding any alleged violation of these rules may do so by submitting the complaint to the HA President through HA Secretary’s office. Said letter shall be accompanied by a fifty (50) dollar cashiers’ check payable to the USBCHA. The complaint must be filed with the HA within fourteen (14) days of the closing date of the trial involved. Upon receipt of said letter, the complaint will be referred to the appropriate Hearing Committee for investigation and consideration. If the Hearing Committee determines, after investigation, that no further action is warranted, the complainant will be notified and no further action will be taken. In this case the fifty (50) dollar will not be returned to complainant. A majority decision of the Hearing Committee will be binding.

C. If the Hearing Committee determines, after investigation, that there are grounds for possible disciplinary action the fifty (50) dollars will be returned to the complainant. The HA President shall be notified and the matter will be scheduled for a hearing before the HA BOD.

D. Any member may lodge a protest signed by him/her against any contravention of any rule for trials, against any prize being awarded, delivered or paid, or protest a judge’s decision upon submission in complaint stating alleged errors made by judge or judges. All conditions above must also be met. The Hearing Committee may also require any member to whom a prize has been paid or delivered to return the same. The member shall be bound to do so within the time fixed by the Hearing Committee.

E. Details of all protests under these rules and the decisions reached by the Hearing Committee shall be reported to the complete BOD by the HA Secretary.

F. No person shall make a derogatory remark, nor take, nor threaten to take, adverse action against a HA trial sponsor, its agents, volunteers or employees. Any person who violates this rule is subject to disciplinary action and is also responsible to the HA for any loss or damage caused by a violation of this rule.

G. A judge may present in writing, within seven (7) days of the occurrence, any grievance he/she may have against contestants or trial officials to the HA President or Director who will present the grievance to the HA. Procedures established in the Protest Process section will then be followed.

H. If any trial official or HA Officer/Director witnesses a grievance against a judge, that individual must report it to the HA immediately.

I. Videos may NOT be used in review of runs when a complaint if filed. 

B. The HA President may appoint a special Hearing Committee to conduct any disciplinary hearing. The committee shall have a minimum of five (5) and a maximum of nine (9) members and a majority shall constitute a quorum for hearing purposes. Members of the committee must be HA members in good standing.

C. Five (5) members of the BOD shall constitute a quorum for the purposes of disciplinary action.

D. The decision of the BOD or Hearing Committee shall be final and binding on all parties.

E. When the rule in question contains a specific punishment provision, any disciplinary action taken by the Hearing Committee must be consistent with that provision.

F. When a fine or penalty is not contained in the rule pertaining to the complaint, the Hearing Committee or BOD shall assess same in accordance with the severity of the rule infraction.

G. When anyone shall be accused, by the BOD or by a Hearing Committee of any rule violation, the accused party shall be sent a letter by the HA outlining the alleged violation and given not less than fifteen (15) days notice of time and place for hearing such accusation, and at which time and place they shall have the opportunity, in person, or by council to be heard and to present evidence in their own behalf and to hear and refute evidence in their own behalf and hear and refute evidence offered against them. It is acceptable for the Committee and the accused to meet by means of a telephone conference call, which shall be followed by a written report or recorded statement.

H. Every notice required by these rules may be served by delivering a copy of the notice to the person to be served, or his attorney, either in person or by certified mail, postage prepaid, to his last known address as it appears on the HA records and upon mailing, such notice shall be deemed received by such person when it is deposited in the United States mail.

I. No continuance shall be granted unless requested in writing at least seven (7) days prior to the hearing, and good cause shown. A continuance shall be granted or denied at the sole discretion of the HA President or Chairman of the Hearing Committee.

J. When the BOD or a Hearing Committee has ruled on a complaint and disciplinary action has been taken against a member, or non-member, the person’s name, the rule violated, and the disciplinary action taken shall be published in the HA newsletter.

K. Any member or non-member may be fined, placed on probation, or suspended, from all HA privileges for failure to pay any obligation owing to the HA or for giving a worthless check for entry fees, office charges, stock charges, premiums, or any other fees or charges connected with the exhibition of herding dogs, provided however, that this person (member or non-member) shall be given twenty one (21) days written notice of the amount due and the intention of the HA to fine, place on probation or suspend. Any suspension under this rule shall terminate upon full payment of the obligation due the HA.

L. Any member or non-member passing a bad check or checks at a HA sanctioned trial or event which would effect the image or benefit of the local trial management will be fined $25 (25) for each such check and must write a letter of apology and make check good for first offense; second offence, member will be suspended and fined one hundred (100) dollars; third offense, member will be suspended and must appear before the Hearing Committee for reinstatement AFTER restitution of check or checks has been made.

M. The following provisions regarding misconduct at, or in conjunction with, a HA approved event or a HA sanctioned trial, while not all inclusive, are to be considered as violations of these rules. If any of the following subsections do contain penalties, these rules should be followed. If there are no penalties spelled out in the subsections below, then a violation of these rules will call for a maximum five hundred (500) dollar fine and/or maximum one (1) year suspension.

1. Attempting to fix, bribe, influence or intimidate the judge, trial secretary, time keeper, course director, or any other trial official will result in disqualification at that trial, suspension and a minimum fine of one hundred (100) dollars.

2. Talking with the judges about any trial related matter throughout the duration of the trial or discussing with the judge any ideas or methods of judging or handling except at approved handlers’ meetings.

3. Making comments within a judge’s hearing regarding any work taking place on the field.

4. Consuming or bringing alcoholic beverages into the judge’s stand while a HA sanctioned trial is taking place.

5. Intimidating or attempting to intimidate or argue with a judge or a course director will result in a minimum fine of one hundred (100) dollars, and/or a minimum of thirty (30) day suspension.

6. Altering or attempting to alter the draw will result in disqualification at that trial, and a fine of not less than twenty-five (25) dollars nor more than two hundred and fifty (250) dollars.

7. Tampering with competition livestock will result in disqualification for the remainder of that trial and will be subject to a fine of twenty-five (25) to two hundred and fifty (250) dollars.

8. Unsportsmanlike conduct.

9. Fighting on the trial site.

10. Threatening or actually inflicting bodily harm or injury to another person based upon that person’s actions, conduct, or decisions in any official capacity for the HA or for any HA approved or sponsored event shall call for suspension for one (1) year.

11. Using abusive language on the trial field.

12. Attempting to aid or distract another competitor while they are competing will result in immediate disqualification in that trial, suspension, or fine as the Hearing Committee may decide.

13. Behaving in a manner discrediting to the HA.

14. Participating in training activities while on the trial grounds other than in designated areas is prohibited.

15. Inhumane treatment of dog or stock on the trial field or grounds is prohibited at HA sanctioned trials. If trial management discovers inhumane treatment to dog or livestock they may bar the responsible party from further participation in the trial. The decision as to inhumane treatment of animals may be based on the consultation with a veterinarian . If trial management determines, in its sole discretion, that the welfare of the animal requires immediate action, and a veterinarian is not available, trial management may consult with the judge of the trial before taking any action allowed by this Section. (See Section 3, PROTESTS FOR FURTHER GUIDANCE).

16. The HA BOD shall be notified of the occurrence in (15) so a hearing to consider disciplinary action against the responsible party may be scheduled.

N. Trial organizers, or producers may be suspended for any of the aforementioned offenses and, in addition, any of the following offenses:

1. Failure to pay added money as advertised.

2. Leaving bad debts in any town connected with the production of a USBCHA sanctioned trial.

3. Failure to pay sanctioning fee.

O. A special meeting of the BOD may be called by the president at any time or place or by telephone conference call where at least fifteen (15) directors are present to consider emergencies such as serious alleged rule violations of such magnitude as to appear to be detrimental to the best interests of the HA or to its practices, policies and/or objectives. A simple majority vote of at least fifteen (15) directors shall be binding for motions passed during any special BOD meeting.

B. Trial Committee may appoint a non-contesting HA member to act as liaison between contestants and trial management.

C. All questions and disputes in connection with the National Trial not already settled by the judge(s) or Trial Committee shall be decided by the BOD whose decision shall be final and binding and not subject to Court of Law. Five (5) board members shall be a quorum.

D. In all cases of dispute, the trial will proceed without delay under existing USBCHA rules. Any contestant or person connected with the contestant altercating or arguing with judges will be disqualified from that run, fined and suspended from any further USBCHA trials, until further notice.

E. Every person who is suspended by the Trial Committee for unsportsmanlike conduct at the trial shall stand as suspended by the HA upon official notice to the HA from the Trial Secretary or Trial Chairman of any such disciplinary action. Fine or penalty will be assessed in accordance to the severity of the rule infraction.

F. Entries must be postmarked on or before August 1st. If entries are not accepted the entry fee will be returned.

G. Scores from the first qualifying round at the National Open Finals and the scores from the Semi Final round will not be added together to determine the entries qualifying for the Final round. Only scores from the Semi Finals will be used.

H. Placings in the Final round for dogs that have retired, or have been disqualified shall be determined by the Judge(s) immediately upon the conclusion of the trial.

I. Qualifying for the National Open Finals

a. Method of qualifying is described in ARTICLE XVI of the HA Bylaws.

b. Points will be awarded to dogs according to their placings in the go around that included all the dogs entered. Points will be awarded to all dogs allowed to run regardless of trial rules on the number of dogs that may place at the trial.

c. Trial Hosts should supply the HA Secretary with the following information.

i. Number of dogs that ran in the Open trial.

ii. Actual placings of dogs in go around that included all entered dogs.

Information should include the placing of the top 20% of all dogs competing even if they are not eligible for placing in the trial.

J. Election of judges for the Sheepdog Finals.  Eight months prior to the National finals the Lifetime and General paid members may nominate judges for the Sheep and Cattle National Finals.  Nomination form will be posted on web site.   Members must contact and obtain the consent of persons they wish to nominate.  Seven months prior to the Finals, the Secretary shall mail ballots to all USBCHA and ABCA directors, on which the names of all the nominees submitted by the directors are listed.  Each director shall vote for as many nominees as he or she chooses.  Directors shall indicate their preferences by writing next to the name of their first choice a number equal to the total number of nominees, writing next to their second choice the next-lowest number, and so on until they have voted for all the nominees they wish to vote for.  (For example, if there are a total of 8 nominees, directors will write the number 8 next to their first choice, 7 next to their second choice, 6 next to their third choice, and so on.)   Ballots shall be returned to the Secretary at least 6 months prior to the Finals, and the Secretary shall total the numbers assigned to each nominee by all the directors and, after confirming their willingness to serve, shall notify the directors of the nominees receiving the highest total, who shall be deemed elected.  If for any reason an elected judge cannot serve, the nominee receiving the next highest number of points shall be substituted.

K.  Must elect at least one North American judge for the National Finals.  At least one of the National Finals Judges would, although all could, be at the minimum one year resident of North America.  No judge may  be used for the Cattle or Sheep Dog finals that are on an AKC approved judging list

L.  Eligibility to run in the USBCHA Open and Nursery Sheepdog Finals is limited to citizens of the United States and/or Canada, and to non-citizens who have been physically present in the United States and /or Canada for at least nine months of the qualifying year for the Finals they seek to enter, and who have not run in the National sheepdog or Cattledog trial of any other country during the same calendar year as the Finals they seek to enter other than the USBCHA National Finals and the CBCA Canadian National Championships.

M.  Eye exams:  All dogs must be examined by a certified Diplomat of the College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists  (DACVO) before participating in a Finals Trial or at the eye clinic during the Finals.  The certificate that is issued will be good for 25 months from the date of the examination, or for 25 months if the interval between trials is more than one year. 

O.  An individual can only judge the Sheep and Cattle finals every three (3) years. 

P.  Any time during the running of a class at the National Finals, one of the judges becomes disabled in any way that we drop all of this judges previous scores and continue with the other judge to the end of that go-round

Q.     At the National Finals there will always be water available on the field so the dogs can cool themselves and that handlers are allowed to direct their dogs to the water and the dogs may use the water with no points penalty. Handlers may not leave the post to go to the water with their dog. If the handler is on the way to or in the shedding ring or on the way to the pen they may detour to the water. The clock will not be stopped. Handler and dog are still being judged on the actions of the stock and anything that the stock do may cause a loss of points or if the stock leave the trial area disqualification. The HA recommends that all HA sanctioned trials adopt this rule.     

R. Any judge that feels that a dog is not capable of continuing with his run because he is showing signs of stress should disqualify that dog and handler. This would include over heating, lameness or demonstrated inability to do the work required.

B. Every Judge accepting an invitation to act at any of the Associations sponsored trials will be held, by his acceptance, to have given an undertaking that he will judge strictly according to the rules laid down by the Association and that he will not favor any dog, man or country.

C. A judge shall conduct himself in a manner fitting and proper to one afforded the honor of officiating at any Association approved or sponsored trial. Any misconduct on the part of the judge at any Association trial, the use of abusive language showing favoritism to, or discrimination against, either an individual or a dog performing in the trial, or any other action unbecoming to one in his position, either on the grounds or elsewhere during the entire trial, will make the judge subject to disciplinary action.

D. Judges are encouraged to read and follow International rules.

E. Under no circumstances will a published judge be permitted to enter the trial for which said judge was approved.

F. A judge shall not discuss with any contestant previous scores, events, or related happenings during a trial.

G. A judge shall not intimidate, or attempt to intimidate, a contestant. The penalty for violating this subsection will be a minimum of six (6) months suspension from the Association.

H. Each Judge’s points for each competitor shall be recorded by the secretary on score sheets supplied to them, which shall be aggregated by the secretary and double checked by a secretarial assistant.

I. Judges are required to review each score sheet at the completion of the run to insure accurate point deductions.

J. Judges may not be changed after a trial begins except in cases of sickness of injury. The trial committee is then responsible for appointing a new Judge.

K. See Section 3, G.

L. If any trial official or HA Officer/Director witnesses a grievance against a judge, that individual must report it to the HA immediately.

B. Any contestant wishing to have the course explained or have any other point clarified must question the Course Director before he starts his run. Contestants can not ask questions once their run is started.

C. By commencing the run, contestants are presumed to understand the course and are expected to follow it.

D. Once contestants start their runs, they are entirely in the hands of the judge. By deviating from the course they are liable for disqualification or point loss as the judge considers suitable having regard for all the circumstances.

E. Any contestant, who receives assistance of any kind while running his dog, may be disqualified. If the contestant is disqualified he shall earn no points. If a contestant is called for expiration of time limit, points earned to that time will count.

F. After being called off, a contestant will cease working his dog and will collect the sheep and remove them from the trial field.

G. Any contestant who retires or leaves the field, without the judge’s permission, will forfeit all points.

H. Any contestant who intentionally harasses the stock after his run will be disqualified at the discretion of the judge in conference with the Course Director and may be subject to further disciplinary action by the HA.

I. Neither contestants nor any others, shall take dogs onto the trial course, before the competition starts except with permission of the Course Director or trial management.

J. No contestant, or other person, shall engage in any form of misconduct or harassment toward trial management, judges, or HA officials. Trial management has the right to disqualify or refuse entry to any contestant or other person for violation of this rule.

K. Any contestant so denied access may request that the regional (district) Directors determine if trial manager’s decision was appropriate, and if it was not, what action should be taken. If either party is dissatisfied with the decision of the regional directors, they may appeal to the BOD, which the Appeal Board may or may not hear at their discretion.

L. A contestant may drop out of any contest due to injury to himself, his dog, or due to sickness/death in his family.

M. A contestant shall not at any time withdraw from any trial he is participating in due to dissatisfaction, grievance with the judge/judges, trial management, or other contestants without forfeiting all money/prizes he may have won in previous runs.

N. If contestant refuses to compete in the finals (except for above mentioned reasons), any money/prizes won will be forfeited. In the event money/prizes have been distributed before the finals, it must be refunded/returned within fifteen (15) days after the refund request is made, or the contestant will be suspended until the money/prizes have been refunded/returned.

O. Should a contestant withdraw from competition, entry fees, or any part thereof, will not be refunded after contest starts. Trial management has the right to establish cutoff dates for trial withdrawal refunds.

P. A contestant shall not enter the trial field at any time with any kind of training device. The trial management, representative, or judge must disqualify a contestant if he enters the trial field with any such equipment, and all entry fees and/or premiums pertaining to said contestant shall be forfeited. Such devices include, but are not limited to, electronic collars, dummy or weighted collars, a leash or rope that is not detached before the dog is sent, or any device used to distract or cause pain to a dog while it is working. The judge has the right to inspect the dog for any violation to this rule.

B. The Course Directors shall call competitors in their turn according to the program, unless directed otherwise by the Trials Committee.

C. If requested by the competitor before the run starts to explain the course, he shall do so. After the run starts he shall not assist the competitor by giving advice or in any other way.

D. He shall see that each lot of sheep when let out is placed to give each competitor a fair and equal chance.

E. He shall be available at all times during the trial to convey to the competitor any instructions from the judges.

F. He is responsible at all times for keeping the course clear and ensuring that competitors or their dogs are not interfered with in any way while competing.

B. The Trial Secretary or her assistants may not divulge information to any contestant about judge’s decisions or his individual preferences in the handling or scoring during the competition.

B. To implement this, all handlers with one dog will be drawn randomly, one at a time, and divided alternately into two lots. Entries of handlers with two dogs will be added to the first lot. Entries of the first lot will then be drawn for running order. First dog drawn runs first, second dog drawn runs second, etc. When a handler with two dogs is drawn a second time that entry will be placed in the second lot for re-draw. Upon completion of drawing the first lot, the trial Secretary will randomly draw the second lot to continue the running order.

C. The HA suggests that where trials allow three dogs to compete that the running order be drawn as follows: All handlers with one dog will be drawn and randomly divided into three (3) lots. All handlers with two (2) dogs will be drawn and randomly placed in two of the three lots. All handlers with three (3) dogs will be drawn and added to each of the three (3) lots. Beginning with the first lot each lot shall be drawn to determine the running order.

B. No stock belonging to either contestant or stock contractor should be confined to vehicles beyond a period of twenty-eight (28) hours. Without being unloaded, properly feed and watered, provided that when animals are carried in conveyances in which they do have proper food, water, space and opportunity to rest, the provision for unloading shall not apply.

C. No sick of injured animals, whether discovered before or after the draw will be permitted to be used in competition. Animals will be inspected and objectionable ones eliminated before drawing. Judges and course directors will be responsible for inspection.

D. Sick or injured dogs will not be allowed to compete at the recommendation of the veterinarian or at the discretion of the judge and course director.

B. In the case of a re-run being ordered because of a wrong number of sheep having been let out, or sheep being wrongly marked or one or more sheep being unsound for working, the judges shall decide whether the run should be from the beginning or from which point it is to re-start. If decided that the re-run starts at any point other than the beginning, the points scored up to the point of re-run shall stand.

B. All prizes and awards won at any trial shall be paid within one month after trial.

B. By the conclusion of the trial all scores must be posted with the amount for each deducted, for each phase of work, and the total of points awarded.

(A) OUTRUN (20 points)
From a Position near to the handler who stands at the post, the dog should run out, either right or left, in a cast which is neither too straight nor too wide, arriving behind his sheep at sufficient distance from them not to unduly disturb them. Should the sheep have moved, or be moving from the post the correct end to the outrun should be when the dog is at the head of the sheep and in a position to bring them on to the course. Any deviations from the line, crossing the course, stops, commands given, and any other mistakes will be penalized as the judge thinks fit, in the circumstances.

(B) LIFT (10 points)
Whether the dog has stopped or slowed down his approach should be smooth and steady and he should take control of his sheep in a quiet firm manner. Rash or rough work, slowness of approach necessitating too many commands, and any other faults will be penalized as the judge thinks fit.

(C) FETCH (20 points)
Once the sheep are on the move (lifted) they should be brought at a steady pace through the gates to the handler. The fetch ends when the sheep have been passed around behind the handler and then the drive begins. Over-flanking, unsteadiness, rushing, slowness, too many commands, missing gates, deviation from line, and other faults will all be penalized as the judge thinks fit having regard to the disposition of the sheep and all the circumstances.

(D) DRIVE (30 points)
From the handler in a triangular direction with the dog in quiet firm steady control in straight lines through two gates and back to the shedding ring or pen area as required. Any deviation from line, missing gates, rashness or slowness, too many commands, circling sheep or other faults will be penalized by what the judge considers suitable loss of points having regard to the disposition of the sheep and all other circumstances. An honest attempt must be made for each drive obstacle. If the dog is unable to drive the sheep to, through, or past an obstacle it may not proceed without loss of all remaining points and may be asked to retire. Handler must remain at the post until the sheep enter shedding ring when a shed is required after the drive. When the drive is followed by a pen the handler may proceed to the pen after the sheep have made or missed the final drive obstacle, however, the drive is not completed until the sheep are in the penning area.

(E) SHEDDING (10 points)
Shedding must be done within the ring. Two sheep are to be shed off and the dog must be in control of these two otherwise the shed will not be deemed satisfactory. Judges will apply suitable penalty in the case of ragged work, sheep moving out of the ring, splitting the stock wrongly, when the shed is done by the handler, when opportunity to shed is missed etc. The test here being to ensure that the dog can shed off and control the required sheep.

(F) PENNING (10 points)
On completion of the shed the handler shall proceed to the pen leaving the dog to re-unite the sheep and bring them to the pen. The handler will keep hold of the gate rope (6 ft. long) until the dog works the sheep into the pen. The handler may assist the dog but over assistance should be penalized, as should sheep circling the pen or making breaks away from the pen, unsteadiness, rashness, slackness or any other fault shown by the dog.

(G) SINGLE (10 points)
On releasing the sheep from the pen and closing the gate, the handler returns to the ring leaving the dog to bring the sheep. One sheep is to be shed off and held to the satisfaction of the judge. The shed must be done within the ring by the dog and not the man, and judge must be satisfied that the dog has proved its ability to ‘hold’ the single before they shall indicate their satisfaction. Again rashness, unsteadiness, failure to shed at suitable opportunity, man work etc., shall all be subject to suitable penalty. If the judge decides that because of the disposition and action of the sheep the dog has not been fairly tested, he may order any other sheep to be shed and held. The cut off must be done within the ring but the wearing may be outside or inside the ring, the test being the dog’s ability to hold or completely control a single. The above instructions are applicable to runs on the National Course but are also applicable in the main to the International Course.

When the first lot has been taken through the fetch gate to the post and the dog re-directed for his second lot, the first lot may wander off the course. If so, when the second lot has reached the post (or if more suitable a point nearer the handler) the dog should be sent to bring the first lot back on to the course and to join with the second lot. At no time should sheep be driven off the course to join up with others which have strayed.

There is no rule against the handler changing sides, but judges will assess whether a competitor who does so, or is compelled by circumstances to do so, can be as good as one who does not change over. If a marked sheep escapes to join a group of unmarked sheep, that group must be brought back into the shedding ring and reunited with the remaining sheep before the shedding can proceed.

A competitor whose dog damages sheep shall be liable to pay the damage. The judge may stop a competitor at any point of the trial or withhold any prizes on the ground of insufficient merit.

B) The handler of the dog must be a current paid member of the USBCHA before he competes to receive qualification. A member can qualify by competing against a non-member as long as all dogs competing comply to the USBCHA guidelines.

C) A dog can compete in any event and retain eligibility.

D) The dog receives qualification, not the owner or handler.

E)  A Nursery dog must place two (2) times in the top twenty percent (20%) (rounded to the nearest whole number) of dogs competing in any Nursery Class of five (5) dogs or more, sanctioned by the USBCHA, to qualified to compete in the Nursery Championship Finals. A Nursery dog that places in the top 20% of a full National style judged Open class counts as a qualifying placing.

F) The nursery dogs must run a full National style course, without the shedding work, in order to be a qualifying class.

G) In the Nursery Championship Finals the scores of the top five (5) dogs from each district will be combined to determine the District Team Championship.

H) No nursery dog may compete in nursery trials after the August 1 cut-off if that dog is not eligible to compete in next year’s Nursery Program.

I) Two dogs per handler limit at the Nursery Championship Finals.

J)  Number of Nursery Classes Permitted.   

1.  At a trial where no Open classes are offered, only one Nursery class per day may be sanctioned.  

2.  At a trial where Open classes are offered, the total number of Nursery classes sanctioned may not exceed the total number of days that the trial is sanctioned for.  The scheduling of the Nursery classes is at the discretion of the trial host; however, no more than two sanctioned Nursery classes may be run in one day.                                          

K) For sanctioning Nursery trials, see Section 2, B