As previously advised on this site I have promised to provide a summary of the significant changes to the rules that came out of the National RAFT meeting.
In Retrieving Trials, changes have been made to the following clauses;
Rule 37, Rule 38, Rule 48, Rule 77, Rule 106, Rule 107, Judges Sheet,
I think the most significant changes are :
• The number of points on the score sheet that are allocated to heeling, obedience, steadiness around the pegs as been reduced from 10 to 5. As a consequence, the total points on the score sheet will reduce from 65 to 60.
• A new suffix of Qualifying Restricted Dog (QRD) has been introduced for dogs that successfully complete seven (7) Restricted stakes. Competitors must maintain their own record (to be signed by the judge on the day of the trial), in the same way as is done for QND and AARD.
• Dogs may remain in Novice or Restricted stakes until they have had five wins in those stakes (although they are not compelled to do so). They will still be eligible for the titles of NRD and RRD after three (3) wins in Novice and Restricted respectively (as they are now) but may continue to compete at that level until they have had two more wins.
• Stakes up to and including Restricted may be conducted with four bona fide exhibits and two different owners.
In Spaniel & Retriever Field Trials, changes have been made to the following clauses:
Rule 7, Rule 8, Rule 9, Rule 17, Rule 42, Rule 52, Rule 54, Rule 61,
I think the most significant changes were;
• Trials may be held for championship points when those trials are restricted to just Spaniels or just Retrievers, whereas previously they had to be open to both categories as a prerequisite to championship points being awarded.
• A Novice may now be held when there are four bona fide runners and three handlers (previously it required six dogs and four handlers). However when there are less than six dogs only one championship point will be awarded.
The revised rules may be reviewed on the ANKC website.
There have also been some changes to the Regulations relating to the Judges Training Schemes. (Regulations Part 3A and Part 3B). These may also be reviewed on the ANKC website, but should be read in conjunction with the Member Body training schemes.
Links to amended Rules:
Rules for the conduct of Retrieving Trials for Gundogs - (effective 1 January 2015) - PDF download.
Rules for the conduct of Field Trials for Spaniels and Retrievers - (effective 1 January 2015) - PDF download.
All Retrieving & Field Trials Rules including standing rules for above. - Open link then scroll to the bottom of the page.