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1.
INTRODUCTION
The cattledog trials sanctioned by the USBCHA
vary in style and format across the nation.
Unlike sheepdog trials, which were modeled directly after
trials in Britain, no such model or “Rules for Trials” or
“Notes for the Guidance of Judges” (as developed by the ISDS)
exist in relation to cattledogs.
Therefore, these initial Guidelines, which at
this writing deal solely with the first two phases of the gather,
have been generated via a collaborative effort of a number of
cattledog handlers and judges.
They are meant to represent a basic foundation on which to
build while serving as a ready reference for both judges and
competitors alike.
These
Guidelines are subject, at all times, to the judges’ consideration
and interpretation of relevant trial circumstances and should not be
interpreted as “rules” that must be strictly applied.
2.
GENERAL
The object of a Trial Course is to test
and challenge the ability of a dog to manage cattle properly under
the differing circumstances that may be encountered in everyday
ranch work across the nation. The
guiding philosophy behind judging a run should, at all times, be
related as closely as possible to the practical aspects of real
ranch work.
3.
THE GATHER
The Gather shall consist of three phases.
Phases One and Two will
be worth a total of thirty (30) points as outlined in Items 3.A. and
3.B. and will be judged. Phase
Three will not be judged, and therefore not a subject of these
Guidelines at this time.
A.
Phase One - worth a total of twenty (20) points.
1.
The set out crew shall keep the cattle settled as near to the
established set-out area as reasonably
possible until such a time the dog makes contact and/or causes
movement of the cattle.
2.
Difficulty in settling/holding cattle at the established
set-out area should be considered a relevant trial condition and
judged accordingly.
3.
A dog that works Phase One in the most quiet, calm and
efficient manner possible, in consideration of the of the draw
(cattle), shall retain more points than a dog who does not.
4.
Suggested Point Deductions:
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Fault
Description
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Point
Deduction
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a.
Dog runs too square at the beginning and/or too wide as
to be out of contact with
the cattle
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2-9
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b.
Dog is recalled for a resend
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5-DQ
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c.
Dog takes a
redirect while in motion
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½-2
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d.
Dog stops, or is stopped by the handler, and takes
a redirect
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2-6
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e.
Dog stops, or is stopped by the handler, and fails
to take a redirect
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4-9
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f.
Dog crosses over, without disturbing cattle
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10-18
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g.
Dog crosses
over, disturbing the cattle
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12-19
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h.
Dog
demonstrates lack of enthusiasm, interest, and focus
and/or is sticky
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5-17
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i.
Dog stops short or overruns, adversely affecting the direction of
travel of cattle, but then recovers without a redirect
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1-5
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j.
Dog stops short or overruns, adversely affecting the
direction of travel of cattle, requiring a redirect
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1-9
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k.
Dog detours to holding pens (or elsewhere) requiring minimal
commands to get back on task
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2-6
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l.
Dog detours to
holding pens (or elsewhere) requiring excessive commands
to get back on task
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5-15
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m.
Dog goes off course
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DQ
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B. Phase Two
– worth a total of ten (10) points.
1. A dog that
works Phase Two in the most quiet, calm and efficient manner
possible, in consideration
of
the of the draw (cattle), shall retain more points than a dog who
does not.
2. A dog
that makes confident contact with the cattle absent weakness,
keeping the cattle grouped and moving, shall retain more points than
a dog who does not.
3. Suggested
Point Deductions:
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Fault
Description
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Point
Deduction |
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a.
Dog makes weak contact with cattle
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4-9
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b.
Dog requires
excessive commands
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1-9
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c.
Dog works in an unnecessarily rough or overly
aggressive manner
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1-DQ
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d.
Dog deliberately drives cattle away from the handler
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4-9
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