A Dalmatian Road Trial is a performance event designed to evaluate the Dalmatian's ability to "coach", or follow the horses. Exhibitors compete as handler on horseback or in a horse-drawn cart or carriage, with dog(s) off leash. The Dalmatian Standard of the American Kennel Club states that the Dalmatian "should be capable of great endurance, combined with a fair amount of speed", qualities essential to his successful use as a horse/rider and horse/coach escort. The purpose of a Road Trial is to demonstrate the use of purebred Dalmatians as a companion of man in the role that they have been bred to perform.

There are three levels of Road Trial Competition. The "Coaching Certificate" test evaluates the Dalmatian's ability to coach. The "Road Dog" class evaluates coaching ability and moderate endurance. The "Road Dog Excellent" class evaluates coaching ability and extended endurance. Road Trials demonstrate Dalmatians' ability to behave in public places, such as riding trails, in the presence of other dogs, in a manner that will reflect positively on the sport and on purebred dogs. The performance of dog and handler over the Road Trial course must be accurate and correct, and must conform to the requirements of these Regulations. It is also essential, however, that the dog demonstrates willingness and enjoyment of his work throughout.

Road Trials are sport, and all participants should be guided by the principles of good sportsmanship at all times. Dalmatian Road Trials are sanctioned by, and titles awarded by, the Dalmatian Club of America.

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 charges, 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, the official start time of the endurance portion of each team, the official finish time of each team, and the time required for the Mid-Point Rest Period or On-Course Rest Periods. The time required for the Rest Period(s) shall be deducted from the total time for each team. This Official Judge's Book shall be made available for each Judge to transfer their scores once they have completed their area of jurisdiction. The Judge(s) shall also copy the official start time of the endurance portion of the course 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 Rest Period(s) time from the total time, and enter this Total Time on Course 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 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), 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".

SECTION 28. Veterinarian On-Call.
The Host Club shall be required to designate a local veterinarian and/or veterinary hospital/clinic that will be on-call during the Road Trial. Such veterinarian/clinic shall be listed in the Premium List, and directions to the veterinary clinic will be available on site on the day of the Trial. The exhibitor assumes all responsibility for the health & well-being of the dog(s) they are exhibiting, and for any exhibitor-owned horses. The rental-horse supplier assumes all responsibility for the health & well-being of any rental horses provided.

SECTION 5. Prizes and Awards.
All official ribbons, DCA trophies, and DCA challenge trophies shall be awarded only to dogs that earn a Pass rating in the CC Test or a Qualifying Score in an RD or RDX class in a Road Trial. Awards for the four placements in each RD and RDX class shall be based solely on the number of points earned.

At the Trial Host's discretion, a certificate, ribbon of participation, or other form of recognition or prize may be awarded to dogs and/or handlers who competed in the Road Trial but who did not receive Pass Rating or a Qualifying Score. At the Discretion of the Trial Host, non-regular awards may also be offered.

SECTION 6. Highest Scoring Dog in Road Trial.
The dog receiving the highest Qualifying score overall from the RD or RDX classes at a Road Trial shall be awarded the ribbon and any awards and prizes offered for this placement, after announcement of final scores of the last class to be judged and any run-offs have been conducted.

At the discretion of the Mounted Judge, the Hock, Distraction, Recall, and Long Sit or Down exercises may be judged in any order. The Speed exercise shall be judged last.

SECTION 3. Hock Exercise: CC Test and RD Classes.
The principal feature of this exercise is to test the ability of the dog to stay close to the horse and handler when required. "Hock Position" is defined in Chapter 2, Section 6. The Hock Exercise for the CC Test and RD Classes shall be for 200 yards, in as straight a line as is practicable, if the terrain permits. The 200-yard required distance shall be marked as described in Chapter 3, Section 4. These markers shall serve as a general guide, and the Mounted Judge's orders shall in all cases take precedence over the location of the course markers.

Orders for the exercise are, "This will be the Hock Exercise, are you ready?" "Call your dog to hock", "Trot your horse", and "Exercise Finished". The Judge shall standardize as much as practical the place on the course that each dog is required to "Hock". When the Mounted Judge announces the exercise and asks if the handler is ready, the judge and handler shall be moving forward. When the handler replies, "Ready," or "Yes," the judge will proceed with the orders. On the Judge's order the handler shall call each dog in and then give each dog a single command to fall into the hock position, where the dog(s) shall remain while continuing forward. Once in hock position, the team may begin a brisk trot or gait with the horse, handler, and Mounted Judge. The handler may praise his dogs as the team continues forward, and may give additional commands, if necessary, recognizing that the dog(s) will be scored accordingly. The dog(s) shall remain in Hock position, as described in Chapter 2, Section 6, without swinging wide, lagging, forging, or coming so close to the horse or carriage as to interfere with forward motion. The team shall continue forward at a trot for approximately 200 yards. At the approximate completion of the required distance, the Judge shall command "Exercise Finished". At the completion of the Exercise, the Judge will inform the Handler as to whether each dog has Passed or Failed this Exercise.

The Mounted Judge shall remain at least twenty feet away from any dog.

SECTION 3B. Hock Exercise: RDX Classes.
The RDX Hock Exercise shall be conducted in the same manner as the Hock Exercise for the CC Test and the RD Classes, except for the pattern required for the completion of the 200-yard distance. For the RDX HOCK exercise, the exercise shall consist of a figure 8 for a total distance of 200 yards, when practicable, or a 200-yard distance with at least two turns. The RDX HOCK exercise shall be marked and flagged at the start, turns, and Finish, at the discretion of the Host, as described in Chapter 3, Section 4. These markers shall serve as a general guide, and the Mounted Judge's orders shall in all cases take precedence over the location of the trail markers. At the completion of the Exercise, the Judge will inform the Handler as to whether each dog has Passed or Failed this Exercise.

SECTION 4. Hock Exercise, Scoring.

If a dog is unmanageable, or refuses to hock, the dog must be scored zero on this exercise.

Substantial deductions shall be made for excessively loud or gruff commands or signals to Hock, or if a handler adapts his horse's pace to that of the dog. Substantial or minor deductions shall be made for such things as lagging, forging, interfering with the horse or carriage/cart's forward movement, and/or going wide, or excessive barking. Substantial deductions shall be made for a dog that goes ahead of the horse during this exercise, but who drops back into Hock position on command. Minor deductions may be made for repeated commands or praise during the Hock Exercise.

SECTION 5. Distraction Exercise for the CC, RD, or RDX.
The principal feature of this exercise is to demonstrate a dog's ability to remain under the handler’s voice control in the event of a distraction.

Orders are, "This will be the Distraction Exercise, are you ready?" "Continue forward," and "Exercise Finished." The Distraction Exercise may be judged at a trot, at the handler’s discretion.

On signal from the Judge, a hiker with a dog on a leash shall start walking toward the approaching handler, but while remaining on the handler's right side, at least fifteen feet away, while passing. The handler shall continue forward with his dog(s) in Hock position from the previous Exercise, and shall be allowed to command each dog to "Hock" when he has noticed the approaching distraction. When the handler and his dog(s) have gone past the hiker approximately twenty yards, the Judge shall indicate that the Exercise is finished, and the handler may release his dog(s). At the completion of the Exercise, the Judge will inform the Handler as to whether each dog has Passed or Failed this Exercise.

The hiker and the Distraction dog shall remain on the down-course side of the exhibiting team until after the Mounted Judge has completed judging the remaining exercise(s) and has started back toward the Course Start.

SECTION 6. Distraction Exercise, Scoring.
A dog must receive a score of zero if it attacks the on-coming hiker or dog, or if it disregards its handler's command to hock.

Substantial or minor deductions shall be made if a dog barks repeatedly at the distraction (a single warning bark shall not be penalized), if it starts to approach the distraction but comes back to Hock on command, if it displays shyness, or if it moves out of Hock Position. Minor deductions may be made for repeated commands or praise during the Distraction Exercise.

SECTION 7. Long Sit or Down Exercise for the CC, RD, or RDX.
The principal feature of this exercise shall be to demonstrate a Dalmatian's ability to "sit" or "down" on command and to wait under his handler's control until released.

Orders are, "This will be the Long Sit or Down Exercise, are you ready?" "Call your dog(s)," "Sit or Down your dog(s)," "Command your dog(s) to Stay," and "Exercise Finished."

If more than one dog is judged at the same time for this Exercise, the handler may give a separate command to each dog. The handler may choose to remain mounted or seated in the carriage/cart, may choose to have a steward hold the horse(s)' head(s) before the exercise begins and during the exercise, or may choose to dismount or disembark after the "Stay" command has been given and hold the horse(s)' head(s) throughout the remainder of the exercise. If the handler remains mounted/seated, he may choose to move his horse(s) away from the dog(s) after the "Stay" command is given, as long as he does not interfere with the Judge's line of vision.

On order from the Judge, the handler shall call his dog(s), command each dog to Sit or Down, and command each dog to Stay. It shall be the handler's choice whether to command each dog to Sit, or to Down, and different dogs on the same team may be given different commands. After placing his dogs in a Sit or Down, the handler shall assure that his horse does not come so close to the dogs as to threaten their safety, while waiting for a period of one minute. The Mounted Judge and any exhibitor's escort must remain at least twenty feet away from the dog(s). Neither the Exhibitor nor his escort shall move in any position that might interfere with the Mounted Judge's line of vision during this Exercise.

If a dog gets up and starts to roam, or if a dog moves so as to interfere with another dog, the Judge shall promptly instruct one of the stewards to place the dog on a leash and take the dog aside and away from the other dogs on the team until the exercise is finished.

After one minute from the time the handler has given the "Stay" command, the Judge shall say, "Exercise Finished." The dog(s) should not move from the Sit or Down position until the handler has released them after the judge has said, "Exercise Finished." At the completion of the Exercise, the Judge will inform the Handler as to whether each dog has Passed or Failed this Exercise.

SECTION 8. Long Sit or Down Exercise, Scoring.
During this exercise, the Judge's horse shall stand in such position that all the dogs are in his line of vision, and where he can see the handler without having to turn around.

Scoring of this exercise shall begin as soon as the exhibitor responds "Yes," or "Ready," to the Judge's question of "Are you ready?" Timing of the exercise shall begin after all dogs on the team have responded to the handler's command to Sit or Down, and as soon as the handler has given the command to "Stay". A handler whose dog assumes a position in such a manner that it could interfere with an adjacent dog, or be too close to a horse for safety, shall be required to reposition his dog.

A score of zero is required for the following: a dog's refusing to Sit or Down, moving at any time during the Exercise a substantial distance away from the place where it was left, or going over to any other dog.

A substantial or minor deduction shall be made for a dog that moves even a minor distance away from the place where it was left; for barking or whining during the exercise; for resisting its handler's command to Sit or Down; for not remaining in the position that was commanded (sits up from a down, lies down from a sit, or stands), or for overly loud or gruff commands by the handler to Sit, Down, and/or Stay. A minor deduction may be made for commands or praise repeated during this exercise.

SECTION 9. Recall Exercise for the CC, RD, or RDX.
The principal feature of this exercise is that the dog responds promptly to the handler’s command to "Come". The horse and exhibitor will be moving forward during this exercise.

Orders are, "This will be the Recall Exercise, are you ready?" "Call your dog," and, "Exercise Finished." When the dog has run naturally to the front, or has dropped back a good distance behind the exhibitor's horse(s), on order from the Mounted Judge, the handler will give a command for each dog to come while his horse is still moving forward at a walk. If a dog will not leave when released by the handler for the recall, the judge will direct the handler to put the dog(s) on a stay, and ride/drive away from the dog(s). The judge will then continue with the orders as described. Each dog must come straight in at a brisk trot or gallop to the front of the horse or to the handler's left or right side or immediately behind the horse/cart. On the Judge’s order of "Exercise finished," the handler may again release his dog(s). At the completion of the Exercise, the Judge will inform the Handler as to whether each dog has Passed or Failed this Exercise.

The Mounted Judge shall remain at least twenty feet away from the Exhibitor's horse(s).

SECTION 10. Recall Exercise, Scoring.
A dog must be scored zero for failure to come when called.

Substantial deductions shall be made for a slow response to the Come, varying with the extent of the slowness, and for a dog that comes partially in and then runs away once again before being released by his handler.

Minor to substantial deductions shall be made for dogs whose handlers repeat the command to come, or who continue talking to the dog as he comes.

SECTION 11. Speed Exercise for the RD or RDX..
The principal feature of this exercise shall be to demonstrate a Dalmatian’s ability to exhibit a fair amount of speed, as described in the AKC Standard for the breed, sufficient to keep pace with a galloping horse. One such demonstration shall be sufficient.

Orders are, "This will be the Speed Exercise, are you ready?" "Call your dog(s)," "Extend your gait," and "Exercise Finished" (which may be indicated by trail markers).

The total distance of the Speed Exercise shall be one hundred yards. The start and finish of the 100 yards shall be marked by brightly colored course markers. At the judge's discretion, the judge may indicate the start of the exercise by verbal command or by the course "start" markers. Judging of the exercise will begin as the team moves forward on order from the judge or when the team has moved forward past the start markers. On order from the judge or at the start markers, the handler shall call their dog(s) close to his horse or carriage/cart and increase their speed to a hand gallop, allowing their dog(s) to run in any position they choose. The handler may choose to canter first and then increase to a hand gallop within the indicated 100 yard distance. When the handler has passed the "end markers" indicating the completion of this exercise, the handler shall reduce their speed. Judging of the exercise shall be finished when the team has passed the end markers. After completion of the Speed Exercise, the exhibitor shall look back to obtain a go-ahead signal from the Judge. The team may be re-judged if the Judge deems that the horse’s speed was insufficient to determine the dog's speed. At the completion of the Exercise, the Judge will inform the handler as to whether each dog has Passed or Failed this Exercise.

The Judge shall be situated in such a way as to not frighten the horse(s), preferably at a mid-way, elevated point. The Judge's steward(s) shall be instructed to remain quiet and still during this exercise.

SECTION 12. Speed Exercise, Scoring.
A dog shall be scored zero for not attempting to keep up with the horse(s) or carriage/cart, or if the handler/horse does not exhibit any increase in speed over a normal hacking pace.

Substantial or minor deductions shall be made for nipping at the horse(s) or carriage/cart; for falling increasingly behind the horse(s) or carriage/cart; for repeated barking; for an exhibitor who adjusts his horse's pace to that of the dogs; for insufficient speed; and/or if the team must be re-judged due to insufficient speed.

SECTION 13: Change of Pace Exercise for the CC test.
CC Change of Pace Exercise: The principal feature of this exercise shall be for the Dalmatians on the team to demonstrate a change of pace.

Orders are, "This will be the Change of Pace Exercise, are you ready?" "Call your dog(s)," "Extend your gait," and "Exercise Finished" (which may be indicated by trail markers).

On order from a steward acting on signal from the Judge, the handler shall call his dog(s) close to his horse(s) or carriage/cart. The total distance of the Change of Pace Exercise shall be one hundred yards. At the start of the measured distance and on order from the steward, the handler shall increase his speed sufficiently for the dog to show a change of pace, allowing his dog(s) to run in any position they choose. When the handler has passed the trail marker indicating the completion of this exercise, he shall reduce his speed. After completion of the Change of Pace Exercise, the exhibitor shall look back to obtain a go-ahead signal from the Judge. The team may be re-judged if the Judge does not deem that the horse's speed was sufficient to determine the dog(s) change of pace. At the completion of the Exercise, the Judge will inform the Handler as to whether each dog has Passed or Failed this Exercise.

The Judge shall be situated in such a way as to not frighten the horse(s), preferably at a mid-way, elevated point. The Judge's steward(s) shall be instructed to remain quiet and still during this exercise.

SECTION 14: CC Change of Pace Exercise, Scoring.
A dog shall be scored zero for not attempting to keep up with the horse(s) or carriage/cart, or if the handler/horse does not exhibit any increase in speed. Substantial or minor deductions shall be made for nipping at the horse(s) or carriage/cart; for failing increasingly behind the horse(s) or carriage/cart; for repeated barking; or for an exhibitor who adjusts his horse's pace to that of the dogs.

END

PLEASE NOTE: These Regulations were originally developed by the Dalmatian Club of America Road Trial Committee (Charles Cyopik, Linda Fulks, Meg Ipsas Hennessey, Beth White, and Linda Myers, Chair), with help from many Dalmatian fanciers, in 1988. They were updated in 1994, 2001, 2007; and 2012; and approved by the DCA Board of Directors.