In accordance with the certification on the entry form, the handler of each dog and the person
signing each entry form must be familiar with these Road Trial Regulations, and, by entering the Road Trial, agrees
to comply with said Regulations.
SECTION 2. Risk.
The owner or agent entering any dog and/or horse in a Road Trial does so at his own risk and agrees to abide by
the rules of The American Kennel Club, the Dalmatian Club of America, and these Road Trial Regulations. Activities
involving horses involve an inherent risk, which is acknowledged by each participant by signing the entry form. The
host club, group, or individual, its Road Trial Committee and any/all of its members or officers, the owner(s) of
the site, the Dalmatian Club of America and its members, shall not be responsible for or assume any liability in
the event of any accident or misfortune to either dogs, horses, exhibitors, escorts, or spectators participating in
any DCA sanctioned Road Trial.
The host club, individual, or group shall reserve the right to determine an exhibitor's riding ability before
allowing him to compete in their Road Trial. Should it be determined by the Host that a rider might present a
safety hazard to himself, his horse, or to others, the rider may be excused from competition, and his entry fee
shall be refunded.
It shall be the exhibitor's responsibility to determine which medical inoculations are deemed necessary for his
dog(s) and horse(s) for the geographic area of a particular Road Trial. He may be required to show veterinary
certificates of certain inoculations, as specified in each Road Trial's premium list.
SECTION 3. Equipment.
Exhibitors, escorts, and the Mounted Judge shall be required to wear ASTM approved safety riding helmets, and
riding boots or shoes with at least a ½ inch heel.
SECTION 4. Use of Collar and Leash.
Dogs should be kept on a leash when not competing. Dogs may be brought to the starting line on a leash if the
handler chooses. The handler will remove the leash before crossing the starting line. There shall be collars and
leashes available at the Mid-Point Veterinarian check for exhibitors to use on each dog during his gaiting and
veterinary examination.
No dogs shall be allowed to run on the course wearing a choke, prong, shock, or any other type of training
collar. A plain buckle collar may be worn at the handler's discretion. At the discretion of the handler, a bell
will be permitted on the collar of any entered dog. If wide, color-coded collars are used as the means of
identifying each dog, the fabric should be lightweight and breathable, or may be made of a cooling material,
and should be fastened with Velcro™ or other such fastener that would yield should the dog become entangled on the
course. It is advisable that each dog wears some means of identification, such as a tattoo, tags, or microchip.
SECTION 5. Road Trial Hosts.
An all-breed dog show club may be granted permission to hold a Licensed or Member Road Trial in conjunction
with its Dog Show; and a Dalmatian specialty club, any other group of Dalmatian fanciers, or individual may also be
granted permission to hold a Licensed or Member Road Trial if, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the
Dalmatian Club of America, such club, group, or individual is qualified to do so. Such a group or individual may
apply to host a Road Trial by submitting a written proposal to the Dalmatian Club of America Dalmatian Club of
America Road Trial Committee. Proposals that are approved by the Road Trial Committee will then be sent to the
Dalmatian Club of America Board of Directors for final approval or disapproval.
A club may hold a Road Trial on the same day as its AKC Show and/or Performance Event, and the Road Trial may be
announced in the premium list for the Show and/or Trial, and the Road Trial entries may be included in the Show
and/or Performance Event catalog. If the entries are not listed in the catalog for the Show and/or Performance E
vent, the club must provide at the Road Trial several copies of a typewritten sheet or sheets (the Road Trial
Pamphlet), giving all the information that would be contained in the catalog for each dog.
If the Road Trial is to be held within 7 days of the Show and/or Performance Event, the entries may be sent to
the same person designated to receive the Show and/or Performance Event entries, and the same closing date should
apply. If the Road Trial is not to be held within 7 days of a Show and/or Performance Event, or if the host club
chooses a different organization/person to receive entries, the club will name the person/organization to receive
the entries in the premium list, and may specify a different closing date for entries.
SECTION 6. Host Road Trial Committee.
The Trial Host must appoint A Road Trial Committee, and this committee shall exercise all the authority vested
in a Dog Show's Bench Show Committee. If the Host holds its Road Trial in conjunction with a dog show and/or other
performance event, then the host Road Trial Committee shall have sole jurisdiction only over those dogs entered in
the Road Trial and their handlers and owners and only on the day of the Road Trial.
SECTION 7. DCA Sanction.
Dalmatian Club of America sanction must be obtained by any club/host that holds a Road Trial in order for
entrants in that trial to be eligible for existing challenge trophies and or DCA Certificates of Participation and
DCA Certificates of Title.
SECTION 8. Dog Show Rules.
All of the American Kennel Club Dog Show Rules, where applicable, shall govern the conduct of Road Trials, and
shall apply to all persons and dogs participating in them, except as these Road Trial Regulations may provide
otherwise.
SECTION 9. Un-entered Dogs.
Only dogs entered in the Road Trial, or being used for the Road Trial, shall be allowed within the show
precincts. This shall include dogs being used for the Distraction exercise and dogs acting as official mascots,
such as to escort the carriage or vehicle carrying judges and stewards to points along the course. The Host may
designate a specific crating area for un-entered dogs, away from the judged exercises.
There shall be no benching, offering for sale, breeding, or displaying of un-entered dogs. If a Host wishes to
allow the presence of un-entered dogs in a designated crating area, these dogs shall be subject to all rules
relating to health and conduct. The owners or agents shall be responsible for the care and safety of such dogs.
SECTION 10. Escorts.
For his safety and enjoyment, an exhibitor entered in the RD or the RDX classes is encouraged to choose an
un-entered companion to ride on horseback or in the carriage/cart with him on the course. This escort may not at
any time give commands or signals to any of the entered dogs, and must ride and behave in such a way as to not
interfere with the exhibitor, his dog(s), the cart or carriage, the Mounted Judge or the Mounted Judge's line of
vision; or the Course Judge or the Course Judge's line of vision during any portion of the Road Trial. In the RD
and RDX classes, a passenger or escort riding in the carriage/cart may not drive the carriage/cart or control the
horse or dog(s) at any time. It is preferable that any mounted escort or passenger escort remains at a predetermined
waiting area during the judging of the Exercises. The escort may join the exhibitor team after the judging of the
Exercises has been completed. Except in extenuating circumstances, or when a waiting area is not available, any
mounted escort for a particular handler shall remain at least twenty feet behind the Judge, and shall make certain
not to interfere with any dog, exhibitor, Judge, or Judge's line of vision during any exercise.
This escort shall be subject to act in accordance with these Regulations and the AKC Rules and Regulations
governing Dog Shows. If rental horses are offered, the needs of the exhibitors shall be met regarding rental horses
before such horses are made available to escort riders. In the event of a shortage of rental horses, an escort
rider using a rental horse may be required to forfeit the use of such rental horse to an exhibitor if an exhibitor
needs it.
If a rented carriage/cart and driver are available for the Coaching Certificate Test, the driver shall not at
any time give commands and/or signals to any of the entered dogs, and must drive and behave in such a way as to not
interfere with the exhibitor, his dog(s), and/or the Judge.
SECTION 11. Identification.
No badges, club jackets, coats with kennel names, or other identifying logos, markings, names, or ribbon prizes
may be worn or displayed by an individual when exhibiting a dog at a Road Trial. Multiple dogs on a team shall be
identified on the course solely by either color-coded lightweight jackets, or wide, color-coded collars. Handlers
shall be identified by a large number worn on their backs. Identification worn by dogs and handlers shall be
clearly visible to the Judges and Veterinarians. The catalog or Road Trial Pamphlet shall indicate both handler
numbers and colors assigned to each of the dogs on a team. The numbers or colors assigned by the Road Trial
Committee for each member of each team shall be printed in the Show Catalog or Road Trial Pamphlet. In the case of
an exhibitor handling a single dog, the number displayed on the exhibitor may serve as sufficient identification
for the dog. If wide, color-coded collars are used, the host may provide Cool™ Collars, or collars made of a
cooling material for all dogs entered.
SECTION 12. Multiple Entries.
Each handler may enter up to three dogs on a single team in a Road Trial, and may enter up to two teams. If a
handler enters two separate teams, each team must be submitted as a separate entry and drawn by lot in accordance
with Chapter 1, Sections 13 and 15. All dogs on a single team must be judged in the exercises as a team.
SECTION 13. Limitation of Entries.
The number of entries in a Road Trial shall be limited according to the starting time of the Trial, and the
number of hours of daylight during the Trial, with teams leaving at approximately 20 - 30 minute intervals. This
number shall be calculated by figuring the maximum number of teams which the Host can accommodate, with the last RD
team leaving the starting line at least 3 hours before the expected time of dusk, or the last RDX team leaving the
starting line at least 6 hours before the expected time of dusk, and the last CC team to be judged at least 30
minutes before dusk. In a Road Trial, RDX teams are judged first, then RD teams, then CC teams. Dusk is defined as
1 hour after sunset.
After determining the maximum number of entries, this number shall be designated in the premium list. After the
closing date has passed, the Host shall count the number of eligible entries. If this number exceeds the maximum
number of entries allowed, as designated in the premium list, the following protocol will be followed:
Priority will be given to dogs entered in RDX classes that have not yet earned the title RDX, and to
dogs entered in RD classes that have not yet earned the title RD. A drawing will be held, if necessary, to
determine which entries shall be eligible to compete, plus five alternates. Dogs that have not yet earned an RDX or
RD title in their respective classes will be drawn first. If there are any remaining time slots available, another
drawing shall be held to determine which of the "titled" dogs shall be eligible to compete, and which dogs shall be
named as alternates. If there are any CC entries, these will be judged after the last RD team has been judged. This
will be at least 3 hours before dusk. If there are more CC teams entered than can be accommodated during that time,
a drawing will be held to determine which CC teams may compete, plus 5 alternates. Alternates shall be eligible to
compete in the Road Trial should any entrant cancel or fail to appear by 7 AM on the day of the Trial.
Those entrants selected to compete, and the alternates, shall be notified by mail or phone within 5 days of the
closing date for entries, and entry fees for all other entries shall be refunded. Entrants are encouraged to notify
the Road Trial Committee as soon as possible if they cannot compete so that an alternate can be notified as far in
advance as possible. If an entrant should cancel after the closing date, no entry fees shall be refunded, except
where an alternate has been selected and shall compete in their place, in which case one-half of the entry fees
shall be refunded to the original entrant. Entry fees shall be postmarked as return to the alternates within 5 days
of the Trial should the alternates not have the opportunity to compete.
SECTION 14. Change in Judges.
If for any reason an announced Road Trial judge is unable to complete his assignment, an alternate judge shall
be named. Notification of this change shall be promptly made to the owner of each entry. The owner shall be
permitted to withdraw such entry within seven days prior to the day of the show, and the entry fee shall then be
refunded. Should the change occur any time within 7 days of the Trial, withdrawn entries shall also be allowed, and
the entry fee(s) refunded.
SECTION 15. Order of Running.
After the closing date for entries has passed and the entries and alternates have been chosen, and prior to the
printing of the Show Catalog or Road Trial Pamphlet, the Road Trial Committee shall draw by lot the order in which
handlers shall begin the Trial with their dog(s). Numbers, colors, and judging times shall be assigned accordingly,
as much as practical, with the following considerations:
Each handler wishing to run two separate teams of dogs shall have submitted two separate entry forms indicating
the grouping of dogs as he plans to run them. The order of running shall allow him sufficient time to complete each
course before being required to start with a subsequent group.
Carriage entrants competing on the 25-mile course shall be run first, followed by horseback entrants competing
on the 25-mile course, followed by carriage entrants on the 12 ½ mile course, followed by horseback entrants on the
12 ½ mile course, followed by Coaching Certificate entrants. The Coaching Certificate Test shall be conducted after
all entries for RDX and RD have completed the judged exercises. At the discretion of the Host, the Mounted Judge or
the Course Judge may serve as the judge for the CC Test, or another judge with the same minimum qualifications as
provided in the Regulations (Chapter 6, Sec. 1A & B) for a Judge may be used. Judges must be named in the premium
list.
Bitches in season, whether competing in the RDX or the RD class, shall be run last, and in keeping with Chapter 1,
Section 19 of these Regulations.
SECTION 16. Catalog Order.
Dogs should be judged in catalog or Road Trial Pamphlet order. It is the responsibility of each exhibitor to be
ready with his dog(s) and horse at the Start/Finish veterinary checkpoint when required, without being called, and
allowing time for the starting veterinary checks to be completed before his scheduled judging time. The final
veterinary check of dogs that have completed the course shall take precedence over dogs on teams that are just
starting the course. At the discretion of the Start/Finish Veterinarian, the Veterinarian may request that an
exhibitor whose dogs are ready and waiting at his checkpoint be examined ahead of an exhibitor who is causing a
delay. Once the starting veterinary check has been completed on each team, it is the responsibility of each handler
to proceed immediately to the course starting line and await instructions from the Mounted Judge or the Start/Finish
Steward. At the Mounted Judge's or the Start/Finish Steward's discretion, and if agreeable to the Exhibitor, the
Judge or Steward may request that an exhibitor who is ready and waiting at the starting line be judged ahead of an
exhibitor who has delayed proceeding to the starting line. At the Mounted Judge's or the Start/Finish Steward's
discretion, and if agreeable to the Exhibitor, a team may start out on the course before the approximate twenty
minute to half-hour interval from the departure of the preceding team has elapsed. Such early departure by a team
shall not necessitate subsequent teams' being at the starting line before their scheduled start times.
SECTION 17. Purebred Dalmatians only.
As used in these Regulations, the word "dog" refers to either sex but only to Dalmatians that are purebred, and
eligible for registration in the American Kennel Club studbook, or a limited registration. An eligible unregistered
dog for which the American Kennel Club has issued an ILP number may also be entered. Any dog that is registered in
the official registry of another country as a purebred Dalmatian may also be entered in a Dalmatian Club of America
Road Trial.
SECTION 18. Dogs That May Not Compete.
For each individual Trial, no dog belonging wholly or in part to a Trial judge, Trial veterinarian, the Road
Trial Secretary, Show Superintendent, or to any member of such a person's immediate family or household, shall be
entered in that Road Trial, nor may any of these officials handle or act as agent for any dog entered in the Road
Trial at which such person officiates or is scheduled to officiate.
No dogs shall be entered or shown under a judge at a Road Trial if the dog has been owned, sold, held under
lease, handled in the ring, boarded, or has been regularly trained or instructed, whether professionally or as
amateurs, by the judge or by any member of his immediate family or household within six months prior to the date
of the Road Trial, and no such dog shall be eligible to compete.
If the Road Trial is held within 7 days of a Dog Show or other Performance Event given by the same Dog Show or
Performance Club as gave the Road Trial, the Road Trial Judges, Veterinarians, and officials shall be eligible to
compete in such Dog Show and/or Performance events.
No dog less than 6 months of age on the day of the Trial may compete at any Road Trial. No dog less than 12
months of age may compete in the RD classes. No dog less than 18 months of age may compete in the RDX classes.
SECTION 19. Disqualification and Ineligibility.
A dog that is blind or deaf or that has been changed in appearance by artificial means other than neutering
may not compete in any Road Trial, and must be disqualified. Blind means without useful vision. "Deaf" is defined
as without useful hearing.
When a Judge finds any of these conditions in any dog he is judging, he shall also obtain the opinion of one of
the Road Trial Veterinarians, or when a Veterinarian finds any of the conditions in any dog, they shall disqualify
the dog, marking the Judge's Book or veterinary sheet "Disqualified", and stating the reason. The dog shall then be
excused from further competition. In the case of a disagreement, the opinion of the Road Trial Start/Finish
Veterinarian shall carry.
A Judge or Veterinarian must disqualify any dog that attempts to attack any person or horse on the grounds, and
the dog shall be immediately removed from the course. It is the handler's responsibility to immediately remove his
excused dog from the course, and he must do so before continuing to compete with any other dog(s) on his team. A
judge or veterinarian may excuse a dog that attacks another dog or that appears dangerous to other dogs on the course
and require that this dog be immediately removed from the course. He shall mark the dog "Excused", and state the
reason in the Judge's Book or on the veterinary sheet, and shall give the Superintendent or Show or Trial Secretary
a brief report of the dog's actions which shall be submitted to the DCA with the report of the Trial.
All awards made to any disqualified or excused dog at the Road Trial shall be canceled by the Dalmatian Club of
America and the dog may not again compete in DCA sponsored events unless and until, following application by the
owner to the DCA Road Trial Committee, the owner has received official notification from the Committee that the
dog's eligibility has been reinstated. Dogs that have been excused because they are lame or unsound do not need
such reinstatement of eligibility.
Spayed bitches, castrated dogs, monorchid or cryptorchid males, and dogs that have faults which would disqualify
them under the breed standard for Dalmatians, may compete in Road Trials if otherwise eligible under these
Regulations.
A dog or a horse that is lame or otherwise unsound may not compete in a Road Trial. It shall be the
responsibility of the Start/Finish Veterinarian to determine whether a dog or horse is lame or otherwise unsound
before he starts out on the course, and after he has completed the course. It shall be the Mid-point Veterinarian
or Vet Tech's responsibility to determine whether a dog or horse is lame, or otherwise unsound, after the animal
has completed approximately half of the course distance.
If, in the Start/Finish Veterinarian's opinion or the Mid-point Veterinarian or Vet Tech's opinion, a dog or
horse is lame or otherwise unsound, the animal shall not be allowed to compete or to continue to compete, and the
official judge's book shall be marked "Excused-lame".
The Mounted Judge and the Course Judge may also at any point make a determination that a dog or horse is lame or
otherwise unsound, and shall immediately excuse the dog or horse from further competition.
Bitches in season shall be allowed to compete if scheduling permits them to be run last, but they must be run
last, and at the owner's risk. It shall be the handler's responsibility to notify the Road Trial Committee by 7 AM
on the day of the Road Trial if his bitch is in season. If, in the opinion of either Veterinarian or Judge, any
bitch is in season whose handler has not notified the Road Trial Committee by 7 AM on the day of the trial, that
handler and dog shall be barred from the competition, and the Official Judge's Book shall be marked, "Excused, in
season, not reported."
No dog less than 6 months old may compete in the Coaching Certificate test. No dog less than one year of age may
compete in a Road Dog class. No dog less than one and one-half years of age may compete in a Road Dog Excellent class
at a Road Trial..
SECTION 20. Disturbances.
Either of the judges or veterinarians of a Road Trial must remove from competition any dog or horse which its
handler cannot control, and may excuse from competition any dog or horse which he considers unfit to compete. The
handler shall be immediately advised verbally that his dog or horse has been excused, and that the dog or horse
shall not be allowed to continue to compete. If a dog or horse has been excused, the reason shall be stated on
both the particular judge or veterinarian score sheet who excused the dog or horse, and on the aggregate score
sheet.
If a horse has been excused or removed from competition, the exhibitor shall be allowed to substitute another
mount if such substitute mount is available within a reasonable time frame. The clocking of the exhibitor's time
shall stop, and be re-started when a substitute mount has been obtained. It is not the responsibility of the Host
to provide substitute mounts, however, and exhibitors should be advised that if their mount is excused, they might
not be able to finish the course.
Either judge or veterinarian may excuse from competition any handler who interferes willfully with another
competitor or his dog or horse on the course, or any exhibitor who displays behavior contrary to the principles of
good sportsmanship. Foul or abusive language by any exhibitor or exhibitor's escort in a Road Trial shall not be
tolerated. Any Judge, in cases where a dog has been excused during the Road Trial as described in Chapter 1,
Section 19 or Chapter 1, Section 20, shall immediately advise an exhibitor and his escort that the exhibitor,
escort, dog(s) and/or horse has been excused, and, in these cases, the dog(s) and/or exhibitor and/or escort shall
be immediately removed from the course.
If a handler is expelled or excused by a Judge or a Veterinarian, the reason shall be stated in the Judge's Book
or in a separate report, and the exhibitor shall be prohibited from competing in future Road Trials until the
matter has been resolved to the satisfaction of the DCA Road Trial Committee.
SECTION 21. Misbehavior. Any unusual display of fear or nervousness by the dog, or any uncontrolled
behavior of the dog such as snapping, barking (excepting for a bark that warns of an impending danger), or running
away (excepting if a dog starts after game encountered on the course but willingly returns on command), whether it
occurs during a specific exercise or anywhere on the course, must be penalized according to the seriousness of the
misbehavior. The Judge or Veterinarian may subtract points from the dog's total score, or may excuse the dog from
further competition. If such behavior occurs during an exercise, the penalty must first be applied to the score for
that exercise. Should the penalty be greater than the value of the exercise during which it is incurred, the
additional points shall be deducted from the total score under Misbehavior. If such behavior occurs before or after
the judging or between Exercises, the entire penalty shall be deducted from the total score.
Exhibitors are expected to remain mounted and maintain forward progress except when necessary to do otherwise,
as described in Chapter 2 Section 9. Misbehavior on the part of the exhibitor regarding these issues will be
penalized by the judge with a substantial deduction to the overall score according to the seriousness of the
misbehavior. The judge will subtract points from the score of all dogs on the team as described above.
SECTION 22. Training On the Grounds.
There shall be no drilling nor intensive or abusive training of dogs on the grounds or premises at a Road Trial.
Special training collars shall not be allowed on the grounds or premises at a Road Trial. The judge shall not
permit any handler to train his dog by excessive verbal commands or by moving toward the dog to correct it in any
way, except in the case of aggression, and shall excuse from further competition in the Road Trial any dog whose
handler does either. Exhibitors shall be allowed and encouraged to ride/drive their horse on the course the day
before the Trial without dogs. Exhibitors shall be allowed to ride/drive their horse with dog(s) at hock in an area
away from the judged Exercise area, if such an area is available. These requirements shall not be interpreted as
preventing a handler from moving normally about the grounds or premises with his dog at heel on leash or at hock,
nor from giving such commands or signals in a normal manner as would be necessary and usual in everyday life.
Physical or abusive verbal disciplining of dogs shall not be permitted, except in the case of an attack on a person
or another dog. Likewise, physical abuse of a horse shall not be permitted. A dog whose handler disciplines it on
the course must be immediately reported by the Judge to the Host Road Trial Committee for action under Chapter 1,
Section 26. The Superintendent, Road Trial Secretary, and the members of the Host Road Trial Committee shall be
responsible for compliance with this section, and shall investigate any reports of infractions.
SECTION 23. Abuse of Dogs or Horses.
The Host Road Trial Committee shall investigate any reports of abuse of dogs or horses or severe disciplining
of dogs or horses on the grounds or premises of a show. Any person who, at a Road Trial, conducts himself in such
manner or in any other manner prejudicial against the best interest of the sport, or who fails to comply with the
requirements of Chapter 1, Sec. 21, shall be dealt with promptly, during the Trial if possible, after the offender
has been notified of the specific charges against him, and has been given an opportunity to be heard in his own
defense in accordance with Chapter 1, Section 26. Any abuse of a dog or horse on the course must be immediately
reported by the Judge or Veterinarian/Vet Tech to the Road Trial Committee for action under Chapter 1, Section 26,
and the exhibitor shall be excused from competition.
SECTION 24. Decisions.
At the Road Trial, the decisions of a judge or veterinarian shall be final in all matters affecting the scoring
and the working of the dogs and their handlers. The Host Road Trial Committee shall decide all other matters arising
at the Trial, including protests against dogs made under Chapter 19 of the AKC Dog Show Rules, subject, however, to
the Rules and Regulations of the American Kennel Club.
SECTION 25. Stewards.
The Judges and Veterinarian/Veterinary Technicians are in sole charge of their particular area of judging.
Stewards shall be provided to assist each Judge and Veterinarian/Veterinary Technician, but they may act only on
the Judge's or Veterinarian/Vet Tech's instructions. Stewards shall not give information or instructions to owners
and handlers except as specifically instructed by the Judge or Veterinarian/Vet Tech, and then only in such a
manner that it is clear that the instructions are those of the Judge or Veterinarian/Vet Tech.
25A. Start/Finish Steward. A Start/Finish Steward shall be provided who will, acting on the
Start/Finish Veterinarian's and the Mounted Judge's instructions, be responsible for maintaining an orderly flow of
teams into the Start/Finish Veterinary Check Point and then onto the course. The Start/Finish Steward shall also
record the time each team crosses the starting line and the finish line, and, if possible, the time each team leaves
for the endurance portion of the course. The official start time of the endurance portion of each team shall be
recorded by the judge as defined in Chapter 2, Sec. 1, and shall be marked on the judge's score sheet and reported
to the Start/Finish Steward. It is the responsibility of the Start/Finish Steward to record the time each team
crosses the Finish Line, and transfer that record into the Official Judge's Book. After the Judges and Veterinarian
have entered their scores into the Official Judge's Book, the Start/Finish Steward will verify the addition of
scores.
SECTION 26. Discipline.
The Dalmatian Club of America shall have the right to suspend any person from the privileges of DCA for conduct prejudicial to the best interests of pure-bred dogs, Road Trials, or the Dalmatian Club of America, alleged to have occurred in connection with or during the progress of its Road Trial, after the alleged offender has been given an opportunity to be heard.
Notice in writing must be sent promptly by registered mail or hand delivered by the Road Trial Committee to the person charged, and a duplicate notice giving the name and address of the person charged, and full details as to the reasons for the chargees, must be forwarded to the Dalmatian Club of America within seven days.
An appeal may be taken from a decision of the DCA Board of Directors. Notice in writing claiming such appeal together with a deposit of twenty five dollars ($25US) must be sent to the DCA within thirty days after the date of suspension. The DCA Board of Directors may itself hear said appeal or may refer it to a committee of the Board, or to a Trial Board to be heard. The $25 deposit shall become the property of the DCA if the decision is confirmed, or shall be returned to the appellant if the decision is not confirmed.
SECTION 27. Official Judges' Book.
The Official Judges' Book shall be kept by the Road Trial Chairman and shall contain an aggregate score sheet for each team entered in the Road Trial. The aggregate score sheet for each team shall indicate each dog's score for each exercise, each dog's pass/fail status for the Start and Mid-Point Veterinary Checks, each dog's score for the Final Veterinary Check, the official start time of each team, the official finish time of each team, and the time required for the Mid-Point Veterinary check. The time required for the mid-point Veterinary Check shall be deducted from the total time for each team. This Official Judge's Book shall be made available for each Judge and Vet/Vet Tech to transfer their scores once they have completed their area of jurisdiction. The Judge(s) shall also copy the official start time of each team into the Judges' Book, and shall copy the official finish time of each team from the Start/Finish Steward's sheets into the Judge's Book, and shall deduct the Mid-Point Veterinary Check time from the total time, and enter this on each team's aggregate score sheet. The entries and computations will then be verified by the Start/Finish Steward, and re-verified by the Judge(s) before prizes are awarded.
No person other than one of the Judges or Vet(s)/Vet Tech may make any entry in the Official Judges' Book. Officials may enter into the Judges' Book only the information assigned to them by these Regulations. All final scores must be entered in the Official Judges' Book by the Judge(s)s and Vet(s)/Vet Tech, checked by the Start/Finish Steward, and verified by the Judge(s) before prizes are awarded.
Copies of the aggregate score sheets in the Official Judges' Book shall be made available through the Road Trial Secretary for examination by owners, handlers, and spectators after the completion of the Trial. If scorecards are distributed by the Host after the prizes are awarded, they must contain no more information than is shown in the Official Judges' Book, and must be marked "Unofficial Score".
