The Masters
Rule Book of
Masters Foxhunters Association, Inc.
2009 Edition
1-1-2009
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
of
MASTERS FOXHUNTERS ASSOCIATION, INC.
BE IT KNOWN, that these articles of incorporation, made and sealed on this the 28th day of December, 2001, are evidence that Fred Walker of Ben Lomond, Arkansas does hereby establish a corporation pursuant to Article 4, Chapter 27 of the Arkansas Code of 1987, to be governed by provisions as follows:
ARTICLE I
The name of this corporation shall be, MASTERS FOXHUNTERS ASSOCIATION, INC. (hereinafter referred to as “the Corporation”)
ARTICLE II
The Corporation’s principal
office shall be located in the city of
ARTICLE III
The purpose of this Corporation is to promote the sport of foxhunting throughout the world.
A. FIELD TRIALS
To conduct, enter into or engage in actual competition among foxhounds; both in the wild and within the confinements of an enclosure. The emphasis being on chasing a fox or coyote for the purpose of testing the qualities a foxhound should possess. Those qualities being the ability to hunt, find, jump, and drive a fox or coyote with consistency; displaying scenting ability, speed, endurance and gameness. The hounds must perform in accordance to the set rules listed under “RUNNING RULES FOR FOXHOUNDS” of the MASTERS FOXHUNTERS ASSOCIATION, INC.
B. BENCH SHOWS
To show, exhibit, or display foxhounds on the bench for the purpose of selecting the best hound in show according the set rules listed under “BENCH STANDARDS FOR FOXHOUNDS” of the MASTERS FOXHUNTERS ASSOCIATION, INC.
C. OTHER ACTIVITIES
The Corporation may engage in any other legal, legitimate business or charitable activity.
ARTICLE IV
The Corporation shall be owned by the Stockholders. Forty thousand shares shall be initially issued, with subsequent issuances authorized upon the approval of the Board of Directors and a majority vote of the Stockholders.
ARTICLE V
The incorporator of this Corporation is Fred Walker of
ARTICLE VI
The Corporation shall commence business upon the filing and recording of the written Articles and the approval of same by the Secretary of State of Arkansas, and the sale of all authorized shares, and shall continue thereafter in perpetuity or until the Corporation is lawfully dissolved.
ARTICLE VII
The Corporation may incur debts as the Board of Directors sees fit.
ARTICLE VIII
The Corporation shall have the right in its corporate name to purchase, lease, acquire, receive and hold such properties, real or personal, as may be necessary or proper to carry on and promote the objects of the Corporation, and may sell, dispose of, mortgage or convey such property at pleasure and shall have the right to sue and be sued, contract and be contracted with, in its corporate name, and may have and use a corporate seal and alter same at pleasure.
ARTICLE IX
The private property of the incorporators or the stockholders shall not be subject in any respect to the payment of the debts or liabilities of the corporation and shall be exempt from corporate liability.
ARTICLE X
The affairs and business of the corporation shall be conducted by a Board of Directors to be elected by the stockholders at a regular annual meeting of the stockholders. The Corporation shall have no less than 13 and no more than 39 Directors excluding charter members.
ARTICLE XI
By-laws shall set out procedures to alter, amend, or abolish rules and standards promulgated by the Corporation.
ARTICLE XII
The affairs of the corporation shall be conducted by the incorporator herein named until a Board of Directors has been elected.
ARTICLE XIII
The corporate seal of this
Corporation shall be a red ring containing the letter “M” followed by the words
“The Masters” and “Pride in what we do, Foxhunting in the
The
Masters
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, the Party has set his hand and name this the day and year first above written.
BY-LAWS OF THE MASTERS FOXHUNTERS ASSOCIATION, INC.
By-Law I
ANNUAL MEETINGS
MEMBERSHIP MEETING
A. The annual membership meeting shall be held during the banquet of the Masters on the last Wednesday night in the month of March. Start time shall be 6:00pm.
B. It is not necessary for a majority of the current membership to be present to constitute a quorum.
C. The membership will approve a proposed list of Directors for Stockholders approval.
D. The membership may suggest rule changes for Board of Directors approval if two-thirds vote of the members present in good standing at any annual meeting of the Corporation so approve such recommended amendments.
E. The membership may suggest By-Law changes for Stockholders approval if two-thirds vote of the members present in good standing at any annual meeting of the Corporation so approve such recommended amendments.
F. Immediately following the Membership meeting, any recommendations must be presented to the Stockholders and Board of Directors.
STOCKHOLDERS MEETING
A. Annual Stockholders meeting shall be held immediately following the annual Membership meeting.
B. The Stockholders may approve, alter, or reject the Member-proposed list of Directors and any recommended amendments to the By-Laws.
C.
Stockholders shall then elect the Board of Directors
and all corporate officers.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
A. The annual Board of Directors meeting shall be held immediately following the annual Stockholders meeting.
B. The newly elected Board shall then meet and elect field trial officers, alter or reject any recommended amendments to the Running Rules and Regulations and carry out any other business that may come before the Board.
ORDER OF BUSINESS
A. Roll call and reading of the minutes
B. Reading of reports and statements
C. Unfinished business
D. Reports of the affiliated associations
E. Nomination and election of officers
F. Nomination Committee for the election of directors
G. Election of Directors
H. The appointing of the Nomination Committee for the election of directors for the coming year.
I. New or miscellaneous business by the permission of the chair
By-Law II
MEMBERS
A. Members shall be individuals who join the Corporation in a manner described below.
B. Members shall meet annually.
C. Members shall be charged with the responsibility of compromising a list of recommended Directors for Stockholders approval.
D. Members may recommend amendments to the By Laws for approval by the Stockholders.
E. Members may recommend amendments to the Running Rules and Regulations for the approval of the Directors.
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIPS
A. At the Masters all persons desiring voting rights or wishing to enter hounds at the Masters must first become a member of the Masters. Membership fees shall be $10.00 per year. All persons must complete and sign a membership application / sportsmanship agreement which can be found on the front page of the website of the Masters. www.masterfox.net
B. At all hunts affiliated with the Masters each person must complete and sign a membership / sportsmanship agreement. At this time becoming a paid member of the Masters will remain optional but should you decide to join, your support of the Masters will be greatly appreciated.
C. If two or more persons are running one hound, or hounds, in their combined names, each person must become a member of the Masters. If entry sheets are in the name of a kennel each member of that kennel must buy a membership to the Masters.
D. At all hunts affiliated with the Masters when two or more persons are running hounds in their combined names, each person must complete and sign a membership application / sportsmanship agreement. If entry sheets are in the name of a kennel each member of that kennel must sign and complete a membership application / sportsmanship agreement.
E. Annual dues shall cover the period from January 1 until December 31.
F. At the annual running of the Masters there will be a $15.00 processing fee charged for each entry sheet. This charge does not apply to affiliated associations.
G. A list of Lifetime and Active Members shall be published on the website of the Masters. www.masterfox.net
LIFETIME MEMBERSHIPS
A. To become a lifetime member of the Masters Foxhunters Association the fee is $100.00.
B. Living members of the Foxhunters Hall of Fame shall receive a free lifetime membership.
By-Law III
CHARTER MEMBERS
The thirty-five Charter Members are the original directors. They are Directors for life. If they become inactive members, they automatically become Directors emeritus.
MASTERS FOXHUNTERS ASSOCIATION
ORIGINAL CHARTER
MEMBERS
October 28, 1999
Ben Lomond , Arkansas
|
ACTIVE MEMBERS |
CITY |
STATE |
|
Cole Moore |
Royal |
|
Cole Walker |
|
|
|
Fred Walker |
|
|
|
INACTIVE MEMBERS |
CITY |
STATE |
|
Randy Bonner |
Joaquin |
|
|
J.B. Bridges |
|
|
|
Curtis Cantrell |
Kerens |
|
|
Donald Chauncy |
Ashdown |
|
|
Roger Chauncy |
Ashdown |
|
|
Donnie Cobb |
|
|
|
Clint Cody |
Perry |
|
|
Blunt Crook |
|
|
|
Bruce Doster |
Amity |
|
|
Derek Dupre |
Royal |
|
|
Jerry Frazier |
Wynne |
|
|
Waldene Golden |
McCrory |
|
|
B.J. High |
|
|
|
Alan Hughes |
Bismark |
|
|
James Johnson |
Ashdown |
|
|
Cole Kesterson |
Lockesburg |
|
|
Wallace E. Knighten |
Foreman |
|
|
C.C. Laster |
Eagletown |
|
|
Gary Owen |
Redwater |
|
|
Elton Paul |
Malvern |
|
|
Perry Pond |
Tom |
|
|
Lucas Power |
Dierks |
|
|
Rick Rainey |
Casa |
|
|
Dwight Reid |
Kirby |
|
|
Wig Tallant |
|
|
|
Charles Tatom |
Ashdown |
|
|
Clint Walker |
|
|
|
Joe Woodard |
Holly Bluff |
|
|
Kevin Yates |
Joaquin |
|
|
Kennedy Young |
Falls Chapel |
|
|
|
|
|
|
DECEASED MEMBERS |
CITY |
STATE |
|
Gary Johnson |
|
|
|
David Martin |
Idabel |
|
By-Law IV
FIELD TRIAL OFFICERS
A. Field trial officers shall be President, first Vice-President, second Vice-President, third Vice-President, and Secretary/Treasurer.
B. The Board of Directors shall elect all field trial officers at its annual meeting.
C. A secret ballot shall be taken for all contested elections.
D. All newly elected field trial officers shall hold office beginning at the conclusion of the field trial, which they were elected until the conclusion of the trials next following their election.
E. All officers shall be ex-officio members of the Board of Directors. The President shall be ex-officio chairman and the Secretary shall act as secretary of said board of all its meetings.
F. It shall be optional for field trial officers of the MASTERS FOXHUNTERS ASSOCIATION, INC. or officers of its affiliates to enter hounds in their annual field trials but they are urged to do so.
FIELD TRIAL PRESIDENT
A. The President shall be Chief Executive Officer of the annual field trial of the MASTERS FOXHUNTERS ASSOCIATION, INC. and preside over all meetings of the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and meetings of the Members. He/She shall appoint, subject to approval of the Executive Committee, the Master of Hounds, Assistant Master of Hounds, Bench Show Judge, Ringmaster, and Home Plate Judge.
B. The Field Trial President shall approve all disbursements of funds, including all necessary expenses of the Secretary and judges while attending the annual field trial of the MASTERS FOXHUNTERS ASSOCIATION, INC. The time and date of the annual meeting of the Executive Committee shall be set by the Field Trial President and must be held before the last day of September.
FIELD TRIAL VICE-PRESIDENT
A. The Vice-Presidents shall fill the office of the President in his absence in the order of their election. If two Vice-Presidents are elected simultaneously, the Board of Directors shall elect a new President.
FIELD TRIAL SECRETARY/TREASURER
A. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep minutes and records of the proceedings of the annual field trial of the MASTERS FOXHUNTERS ASSOCIATION, INC.; conduct the correspondence and shall present a written report at all meetings.
B. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and meetings of the Members; conduct the correspondence and shall present a written report at all meetings.
C. The Secretary/Treasurer shall be responsible for compiling a list of names of hunters who wish to participate in the drawing of numbers 1-99 plus all numbers between 101 and 999 that contain at lease two, ones. This list will be compiled in the order in which hunters ask to be added to list. He/She will also be responsible for reserving all three digit numbers.
D. The Secretary/Treasurer shall preside over the drawing of numbers 1-99 plus all numbers between 101 and 999 that contain at lease two, ones. He/She and his/her assistant shall receive membership’s fees, and entry fees. As soon as possible after entries close the Secretary/Treasurer and his/her assistants must prepare a numerical list of all entries. This list will be presented to the Master of Hounds upon its completion.
E. The Secretary shall keep on file the entries and records of all field trials and bench shows of the Masters Foxhunters Association, Inc.
F.
The Secretary
shall receive and have in charge all field trial money, bills, notes, bonds,
and similar property belonging to the Masters Foxhunters Association, Inc. Field
Trial and shall do with the same as may be ordered by the Board of
Directors. The Secretary shall pay all
bills approved by the President, including all necessary and proper expenses of
the judges. His/Her books shall be open
to the inspection of the Audit Committee.
G.
The Secretary
shall make and present a financial statement at each annual membership meeting.
H.
The
Secretary shall be elected by the Directors.
By-Law V
CORPORATE OFFICERS
A. Corporate officers shall be President, Manager of Corporate Operations, Secretary/Treasurer, Corporate Accountant and Corporate Attorney.
B. The stockholders shall elect all corporate officers at its annual meeting.
C. A secret ballot shall be taken for all contested elections.
D. All newly elected corporate officers shall hold office beginning at the conclusion of the field trial, which they were elected until the conclusion of the trials next following their election.
E. All officers shall be stockholders. The President shall serve as chairman and the Secretary shall act as secretary of all stockholder meetings.
F. It shall be optional for corporate officers of the MASTERS FOXHUNTERS ASSOCIATION, INC. to enter hounds in their annual field trial but they are urged to do so.
CORPORATE PRESIDENT
A. The President shall be Chief Executive Officer of the MASTERS corporate and preside over all meetings of the Stockholders. This is the highest position of the corporation.
B. The Corporate President shall be in charge of all business functions for the corporation. He/she shall approve all disbursements of funds including all necessary expenses of the corporate secretary and all business expenses of the corporation. The corporate president will be in charge of all leader board programs and all selections to the Foxhunters Hall of Fame.
MANAGER OF CORPORATE OPERATIONS
A. Shall be in charge of all committees.
CORPORATE SECRETARY/TREASURER
A. The Secretary must write to the secretaries of the affiliated associations and remind them to have their annual dues paid to the MASTERS FOXHUNTERS ASSOCIATION, INC. and to send annual reports to the Masters Foxhunters Association, Inc.
B. Secretary shall mail each Director a form to recommend three judges for the next trial. Directors shall complete and return these forms to the Secretary as soon as possible.
C. The Secretary shall collect all affiliation dues, all membership dues, and processing fee dues. This money shall go into the corporate account.
D.
The
Secretary shall receive and have in charge all bills, notes, bonds, and similar
property belonging to the Masters Foxhunters Association, Inc. and shall do
with the same as may be ordered by the Stockholders. The Secretary shall pay all bills approved by
the Corporate President, including all necessary and proper expense. His/Her books shall be open to the inspection
of the Audit Committee.
E. The Secretary shall make and present a financial statement at each annual membership meeting of the Stockholders.
F. The Secretary shall be elected by the stockholders.
CORPORATE ACCOUNTANT
A.
Shall be
in charge of the filing of income tax returns.
CORPORATE ATTORNEY
A. Shall be available if needed.
By-Law VI
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
A. Directors shall be a member in good standing.
B. It is not necessary for a majority of the board directors to be present in order to have a quorum.
C. Directors shall decide all objections, protests, and all questions concerning the interpretations of the By-Laws and Rules and all appeals from the decisions of the judges at the trials.
D. The Board of Directors shall adjudicate all complaints against judges, filed in writing, delivered in person by any member in good standing.
E. Special meetings may be called at any time by the President or upon the request of seven of the Directors. Notice of special meetings shall be given each Director either by mailing a notice to his last known address at least ten days before such meeting, e-mail notice at least five days before such meeting or by phone call five days before such meeting.
F. Directors are required to complete judge’s recommendation form and return to Secretary upon receipt of such.
By-Law VII
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
A. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Corporation President, the Field Trial President, and the three immediate past Field Trial Presidents. The committee shall possess and may exercise the powers of the Board of Directors during intervals between the annual meetings of the Board of Directors.
B. The Executive Committee shall meet at a time designated by the Field Trial President to select the date, site, and judges for the annual field trial and bench show.
By-Law VIII
STOCKHOLDERS
A. Stockholders own the Corporation.
B. All changes to By-Laws must be approved by the Stockholders
C. All corporate business will be conducted during the meeting of the Stockholders.
D. Special meetings may be called at any time by the President of the corporation or a majority of the number of Stockholders. Notice of special meetings shall be given each Stockholder either by mailing a notice to his last known address at least ten days before such meeting, e-mail notice at least five days before such meeting or by phone call five days before such meeting.
E. Stockholders shall be paid annual dividends as follows:
After all entry fees have been collected and before expenses of the annual field and bench show have been paid, 1% of the paid entry fees shall be allocated to the Stockholders.
C. Dividends will be paid within 60 days of the completion of the field trial.
By-Law IX
FOXHUNTERS HALL OF FAME
THE HALL OF FAME SELECTION COMMITTEE shall be in charge of the election of all persons to be inducted into the FOXHUNTERS HALL OF FAME. Each year one living foxhunter and, as many as two deceased foxhunters may be inducted. Anyone may make nominations to the Foxhunters Hall of Fame by mail to Secretary, e-mail to Secretary, Masterfox, Inc website, phone call, or person to person. The Secretary shall compile a list of nominees and present said list to the Hall of Fame Selection Committee. The committee shall choose those that will be inducted into the Foxhunters Hall of Fame. The chosen recipients will be inducted into the FOXHUNTERS HALL OF FAME the following year at the banquet of the Masters.
By-Law X
COMMITTEES
MASTERS FIELD TRIAL OFFICERS
President---Lenny Crowe, Galivants Ferry, South Carolina
1st Vice President---Steve Ducote, Cottonport, Louisiana
2nd Vice President ---Ken Ezell, Natchez, Mississippi
3rd Vice President---Sonny Cerny, Dry Branch, Georgia
Secretary---Heath Howell, Samson, Alabama
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Lenny Crowe, Galivants Ferry, South Carolina
Steve Ducote, Cottonport, Louisiana
Charles Graham, Johnsonville, South Carolina
John Beckwith, Pearl River, Louisiana
Brian Evans, Cabot, Arkansas
RULES COMMITTEE
Gerald Simmons (Chairman) Powhatan, Virginia
Paul Caskey, Lancaster, South Carolina
Whitey Turner, Ellsinore, Missouri
David Bailey. Kenly, North
Brad Hoehner,
Bobby Bagley,
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Sonny Cerny (Chairman) Dry Branch, Georgia
Charles Graham, Johnsonville, South Carolina
John Beckwith, Pearl River, Louisiana
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Perry Corbett, (Chairman) Manning, South Carolina
Gary Godwin, Jay, Florida
Steve Ducote, Cottonport, Louisiana
DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE
Andy Bedgood (Chairman) Rincon, Georgia
John Fields,
Ivan vanLeeuwen, Verona, Ontario,
HOY~~SOY, ADVISORY BOARD
Brian Evans, Chairman,
Shannon Aultman,
Clif Parker,
Jerrod Vaupel,
Stephen Brown,
Hank Cranford,
WORLD CUP HUNT CHAIRMAN
Sponsor, SPECIALTY FEEDS, Memphis, Tennessee
STANDARD FOXHOUND STUD BOOK, DNA, CONSULTANT
Dr. Thomas F. Woods, Jr., Valdosta, Georgia
TOP GUN OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
David Bailey (President) Kenley, North Carolina
Grant Crutchley (Secretary)
Paul Caskey (Vice President)
Ray Casteen,
Cley Doamaral,
Clint Hamby, New
Clif Parker,
James Ray,
Charles L. Graham,
Richard Evans, Manning,
BREEDERS CUP HUNT COMMITTEE
Bobby Cleghorn (Chairman)
Runt Kidd,
Fred Walker,
MASTERS HUNT COMMITTEE
Lenny Crowe,
David Bailey, Kenly,
James Ray,
Joel Scott,
MASTERS JUDGES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Bobby Cleghorn,
Ken Ezell,
Gerald Simmons,
Paul Caskey,
Bob Doherty,
Harol Dene Lacy,
Wilbert Mason, Citronelle, Alabama
HALL OF FAME SELECTION COMMITTEE
5-year term---Charles Parker, Coffeeville, Mississippi
4-year term---Paul Caskey, Lancaster, South Carolina
3-year term---Lenny Crowe, Galivants Ferry, South Carolina
2-year term---Bob Carlson, Dawn, Missouri
1-year term---Steve Wofford, Wellston, Oklahoma
MASTERS CORPORATE OFFICERS
President---
Corporate Accountant, George Castleberry, Nashville, Arkansas
Corporate Attorney – BJ Walker, Little Rock, Arkansas
Corporate Secretary---Ann Walker, Ben Lomond, Arkansas
By-Law XI
OFFICIAL MEDIA OUTLET
A. The Hunters Horn Foxhound Journal and www.masterfox.net web-site shall be the official media outlets of this Corporation and its annual field trial.
By-Law XII
STRUCTURE OF THE MASTER’S FIELD TRIAL AND BENCH SHOW
FIELD TRIAL
A. The annual field trial of the MASTERS FOXHUNTERS ASSOCIATION, INC. shall be open to hounds of all ages.
B. It shall be run five hours per day, three consecutive days.
C. Hound entries shall begin at 9:00am on Wednesday and end no later than 30 minutes after the conclusion of the Directors meeting on Wednesday. Numbers 1 thru 999 are the only numbers that may be used. Any numbers that begin with 0 are disallowed. The affiliates of the Masters may use any numbering system they so choose.
D. The banquet shall start at 6:00pm on Wednesday, immediately followed by the Membership meeting, then the Stockholders meeting, then the Board of Directors meeting.
E. Field trial shall be run on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
F. Awards will be announced as soon as possible on Saturday.
G. Membership fees shall be $10.00. This revenue will go in an account along with the affiliation fees for the purpose of conducting business of the Corporation.
H.
Entry fee shall
be $100.00 per hound.
I.
Free entries
shall be awarded to any hound that is certified a field champion of any Open or
All-Age field trial affiliated with the Master’s no matter what year the
championship was earned.
J.
After dividends
to stockholders and all expenses of the annual field trial and bench show have
been paid, 100% of the remaining entry fees purse shall be awarded to the top
ten hounds according to their percentage of grand total points of the top ten
hounds.
K. The official day of entry shall be set for the last Wednesday of March.
L. All associations affiliated with the Masters will be allowed to choose between Highest General Average (HGA) and Grand Total Points (GTP) scoring systems.
M. Upon completion of the field trial the hound finishing in first place will be conferred the title, MASTERS FIELD CHAMPION.
BENCH SHOW
A. There shall be an annual open bench show held on Thursday at 6:00 pm (two classes only).
B. Male hounds shall show first, females next.
C. Hounds shall also show for best pair, best pack, and natural carriage.
D. Upon completion of the field trial, the hound named Best in Show shall be conferred the title, Master’s Bench Champion.
By-Law XIII
EXPLANATION OF THE FOUR CLASSES
A. Hunting – Work performed by hound while searching for the scent of approved game during the times when no race is within hearing distance of the judge. This pertains to a hot race on approved game and does not pertain to a race on unapproved game. Judges must evaluate the hunting hound and try to determine which hounds are actually working. The hardest working hounds should receive higher scores. A harking or drifting hound should not be given a hunting score.
B. Trailing – Work preformed once the scent has been found and the hound progressively goes forward on the trail giving tongue. Should hound stop tonguing and is obviously searching for a warmer scent, consider this hunting.
C. Speed & Drive – When approved game has been jumped and hounds are running in full cry.
D. Endurance – the capacity or power to endure prolonged stress without succumbing; to bear pain, or adversity, showing constant courage and gameness.
By-Law XIV
Each association will be allowed to choose one of two scoring systems
Highest General Average (HGA) and Grand Total Points (GTP)
By-Law XV
SCORING IN THE FOUR CLASSES USING BOTH SYSTEMS
A. Hunting – hounds may receive any score in the chart below according to the judge’s evaluation
|
hour |
points |
|
|
|
|
|
1st |
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
2nd |
10 |
15 |
|
|
|
|
3rd |
|
15 |
20 |
|
|
|
4th |
|
|
20 |
25 |
|
|
5th |
|
|
|
25 |
30 |
Highest score listed is the maximum amount per hour a hound may receive.
B. Trailing – Hounds may receive 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 points according to the judge’s evaluation. The highest score a hound may receive in any 20-minute interval is 30 points. In order to receive the maximum score, hound must produce approved game.
C. Speed & Drive (HGA) – hounds shall be scored by the following chart:
|
Position |
Score |
|
1st |
35 |
|
2nd |
30 |
|
3rd |
25 |
|
4th |
20 |
|
5th |
15 |
From 5th place on, each hound receives 15 points until a hound’s number is missed or until the judge feels a hound is simply to far behind to deserve a score.
A hound running alone shall be scored 20 points.
Example: One derby hound and two all-age hounds in the same crossing. The derby hound receives 20 points because he has no competition in his class. The two all-age hounds receive 35 and 30 points for first and second position in their class.
Hounds will only be allowed to keep their highest single score, with the latest time, in each ten-minute interval, of each days running. All other scores must be discarded. The Masters Foxhunters Association, Inc. will use a computer program designed to figure these scores. The name of this program is masterfox-css. Each affiliate of the Masters may use this program but shall not be required to do so. However, no other computer program is legal to use in hunts affiliated with the Masters. If the computer is not used, the hunt must follow the same system as described above.
D. Speed & Drive (GTP) – hounds shall be scored by choosing one of two the following charts:
|
Position |
Score |
|
1st |
35 |
|
2nd |
30 |
|
3rd |
25 |
|
4th |
20 |
|
5th |
15 |
From 5th place on, each hound receives 15 points until a hound’s number is missed or until the judge feels a hound is simply to far behind to deserve a score.
|
Position |
Score |
|
1st |
35 |
|
2nd |
30 |
|
3rd |
25 |
|
4th |
20 |
|
5th |
15 |
|
6th |
10 |
|
7th |
5 |
By selecting this option a hound will not be allowed to keep a score past the
seventh position.
Two other (GTP) choices—
1. Keep the highest one score in each ten minute interval or keep the
Highest one score in each five minute interval.
2. Give final awards to the top ten hounds or to the top twenty hounds.
E. Endurance
–
Hound shall be scored in Endurance each day of the trial if the following provisions are met:
1. Hound must score a minimum of 60 points per day. (sub-total)
2. Hound must score in the Speed & Drive class.
DAY ONE |
DAY TWO |
DAY THREE |
DAY FOUR |
|
10% of sub-total for endurance |
20% of sub-total for endurance |
30% of sub-total for endurance |
40% of sub-total for endurance |
Scores not ending in “0” or in “5” shall be lowered to the next multiple of five.
BY-LAW XVI
DETERMINATION OF WINNERS USING HGA SYSTEM
A. Once the field trial has ended and the scores have been totaled, hounds shall then be ranked first through tenth in four different classes. Those classes being: HUNTING, TRAILING, SPEED AND DRIVE, and ENDURANCE.
B. IN CASE OF TIE IN CLASSES winner shall be determined in order of the following tie breaking rules:
1. Highest scored hound in Grand Total Points
2. Highest scored hound in Speed & Drive
3. Highest scored hound in Hunting
4. Highest scored hound in Trailing
5. Highest scored hound in Endurance
6. Highest scored hound in Speed & Drive (last day)
7. Latest kept time in Speed & Drive (entire hunt)
8. Latest kept time in Hunting (entire hunt)
9. Latest kept time in Trailing (entire hunt)
10. Highest scored hound in Speed & Drive (last crossing)
11. Coin toss by Master of Hounds
C. Once hounds have been ranked, hounds shall be awarded Highest General Average points.
D. Total HGA points determine the winners’ not grand total score.
E. Each position in each class carries certain weight points. See HGA chart below for points.
|
Place |
H |
T |
SD |
E |
|
1 |
100 |
50 |
100 |
100 |
|
2 |
95 |
45 |
95 |
95 |
|
3 |
90 |
40 |
90 |
90 |
|
4 |
85 |
35 |
85 |
85 |
|
5 |
80 |
30 |
80 |
80 |
|
6 |
75 |
25 |
75 |
75 |
|
7 |
70 |
20 |
70 |
70 |
|
8 |
65 |
15 |
65 |
65 |
|
9 |
60 |
10 |
60 |
60 |
|
10 |
55 |
5 |
55 |
55 |
F. IN CASE OF TIE IN HGA winner shall be
determined in order of the following tie breaking rules:
1. Highest scored hound in Speed & Drive
2. Highest scored hound in Hunting
3. Highest scored hound in Trailing
4. Highest scored hound in Endurance
5. Highest scored hound in Speed & Drive (last day)
6. Latest kept time in Speed & Drive (entire hunt)
7. Latest kept time in Hunting (entire hunt)
8. Latest kept time in Trailing (entire hunt)
9. Highest scored hound in Speed & Drive (last crossing)
10. Coin toss by Master of Hounds
DETERMINATION OF WINNERS USING GTP SYSTEM
1. Rank hounds by GTP scores.
2. If tied use By-Law XVI-F to break ties.
COMBINATION
To be eligible to win an (HGA)
COMBINATION a hound must place in the
Hunting class or in the Trailing class
or in the Speed & Drive class or in the Endurance class, as well as, place
on the Bench. See chart below for bench
points that will be added to field points as prescribed in By-Laws XVI-F. In case
of tie for combination, the hound having the highest HGA score in the
field shall be the winner. In case tie still
exists refer to By-Law XVI-F to determine the winner.
To be eligible to win an (GTP)
COMBINATION a hound must place in the
top twenty in Grand Total Points, as well as, place on the Bench. See chart below for bench points that will be
added to Grand Total Points. In case of
tie for combination, the hound having the highest GTP score in the field shall
be the winner. In case tie still exists
refer to By-Law XVI-F to determine winner.
|
BENCH SHOW |
|
|
Place |
Points |
|
1 |
100 |
|
2 |
90 |
|
3 |
80 |
|
4 |
70 |
|
5 |
60 |
|
6 |
50 |
|
7 |
40 |
|
8 |
30 |
|
9 |
20 |
|
10 |
10 |
By-Law XVII
FOXHOUND RATING PROGRAMS of the Master’s
Corporation
LEADERBOARDS will be kept thru the year and posted for the following
programs on www.masterfox.net
(No posting will be made on masterfox in the months of March, June,
September and December. Postings will appear in those issues of the Hunter’s
Horn magazine.)
HOUND OF THE YEAR
SIRE OF THE YEAR
DAM OF THE YEAR
KENNEL OF THE YEAR
Method of Calculating Hound of the Year, Sire of the Year, Dam of the Year and Kennel of the Year---
All trials must be advertised on at least a ¼ page ad in the Hunter’s Horn in order for points earned from placing to be included in the standings. Advertising two hunts in the same ad shall not be allowed. Advertising two hunts on ½ page, three hunts on ¾ page or 4 hunts on a full page shall be allowed.
In order for points to be counted,
each hunt must be run under the National Rules, Masters Rules or July National
Rules and a recording fee of $25.00 will be charged to each association. All Age and
For the purpose of validation, the
first day of running will constitute the start date of the field trial. To be counted in a current year’s Leaderboard,
the hunt must start (first day of running) in that calendar year. The calendar year for all Leaderboard
programs will be January 1 – December 31.
An association can have only one trial per year, with the highest stakes
grade allowed to them to be counted in the Leaderboard programs, ig, Millwood
(3-day) counts in Grade IV. Millwood
(2-day) would count in Grade V. In this
case each hunt would be allowed to run their trial under one affiliation fee. (Exception – For the 2009 Leaderboard, the
(KOY), a hound’s points goes to the kennel in which they earned points for and can not be transferred to a new owner. It shall be the responsibility of the person entering the hounds to present to the Secretary a correct entry sheet, with one exception, changes can be made in the entry sheets before the first days cast but not after.
For the matter of dual hunts, only
half points will be awarded to each side of the dual. Example, the
The entry level for any new hunt will be no higher than Grade III if it is a State hunt. Otherwise, entry level will be Grade IV. After the first year, a hunt may petition the Leaderboard Advisory Committee for a higher grade.
For purposes of calculation, all trials are placed into one of the following seven stakes grades.
Grade I-A consists of the following trials:
Masters
National
Grade I consists
of the following trials:
World Cup
Top Gun
All American
Grade II consists
of the following trials: American
Invitational
Ark-La-Tex Masters
North American Wolfhound Classic
Breeders’ Cup
Canadian Masters
Chase Futurity
International
Southern Star
Western Open
Grade III consists of all
(15 hour) All Age or
Grade IV consists of all (15 hour) All Age or Open hunts.
Grade V consists of all two
day (10 hour) All Age or
Grade VI consists of all
one day (8 hour) All Age or
The 7 charts immediately below show the base points to be awarded for each winner. For example, the base points for a Grade V, 2nd place All-Age winner would be 190 points. If the hound also won the Combination, base points would be an additional 60 points. If the field trial has 245 hounds entered, take the 190 points multiplied by .9 to get 171, which rounds down to 170. Then take the 60 points and multiply by .9 to get 54, which rounds down to 50. 170 + 50 = 220. These points would go toward Hound of the Year for this hound.
CHARTS AND ENTRY FACTORS
GRADE I-A |
|
GRADE I |
|
GRADE II |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
1 |
500 |
|
1 |
425 |
|
1 |
350 |
|
3 |
430 |
|
3 |
360 |
|
3 |
280 |
|
4 |
420 |
|
4 |
350 |
|
4 |
270 |
|
5 |
410 |
|
5 |
340 |
|
5 |
260 |
|
6 |
400 |
|
6 |
330 |
|
6 |
250 |
|
7 |
390 |
|
7 |
320 |
|
7 |
240 |
|
8 |
380 |
|
8 |
310 |
|
8 |
230 |
|
9 |
370 |
|
9 |
300 |
|
9 |
220 |
|
10 |
360 |
|
10 |
290 |
|
10 |
210 |
|
Dual |
150 |
|
Dual |
135 |
|
Dual |
120 |
|
Comb |
130 |
|
Comb |
115 |
|
Comb |
100 |
GRADE III |
|
GRADE IV |
|
GRADE V |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
1 |
300 |
|
1 |
250 |
|
1 |
150 |
|
2 |
240 |
|
2 |
190 |
|
2 |
95 |
|
3 |
230 |
|
3 |
180 |
|
3 |
90 |
|
4 |
220 |
|
4 |
170 |
|
4 |
85 |
|
5 |
210 |
|
5 |
160 |
|
5 |
80 |
|
6 |
200 |
|
6 |
150 |
|
6 |
75 |
|
7 |
190 |
|
7 |
140 |
|
7 |
70 |
|
8 |
180 |
|
8 |
130 |
|
8 |
65 |
|
9 |
170 |
|
9 |
120 |
|
9 |
60 |
|
10 |
160 |
|
10 |
110 |
|
10 |
55 |
|
Dual |
100 |
|
Dual |
80 |
|
|
|
|
Comb |
80 |
|
Comb |
60 |
|
Comb |
25 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GRADE VI |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
120 |
|
2 |
75 |
|
3 |
70 |
|
4 |
65 |
|
5 |
60 |
|
6 |
55 |
|
7 |
50 |
|
8 |
45 |
|
9 |
40 |
|
10 |
35 |
|
|
|
|
Comb |
20 |
|
ENTRY FACTORS |
|
|
|
|
|
1.20 |
500–up |
|
1.15 |
450-499 |
|
1.10 |
400-449 |
|
1.05 |
350-399 |
|
1.00 |
300-349 |
|
.95 |
250-299 |
|
.90 |
200-249 |
|
.85 |
175-199 |
|
.80 |
150-174 |
|
.75 |
125-149 |
|
.70 |
100-124 |
|
.60 |
75–99 |
|
.50 |
50–74 |
|
.40 |
1-49 |
BY LAW XVIII
DUTIES
- It shall be the duty of the Field Trial Executive Committee to make sure that the following conditions are met at any and all running events held within an enclosure run under the rules of the Masters Foxhunters Association, Inc., furthermore it shall be mandatory that all affiliated associations follow these same rules.
a. Rescue squad(s) shall be named and put in place before hounds are cast and during all times that hounds are running. The number of squads needed shall be determined by these Committees with agreement of the Master of Hounds. Size of enclosure, availability of cover, number of entries, an estimated count of game shall be the factors used to determine how many squads shall be set in place.
b. Each rescue squad shall consist of at least two persons armed with needed equipment to remove any game that might require assistance.
c. The Master of Hounds and all field trial judges must know and realize that their first responsibility is to expend every effort within their ability to protect the game animals being pursued. Their obligation to maintain the ethical hunting environment within the enclosure supersedes their duty to record the work of the hounds.
d. If before the prescribed hours of the field trial is up, the Master of Hounds finds that the conditions of the running grounds may jeopardize the safety of the game being pursued, he must try to contact all of the field judges to call off the hunt and immediately crate the hounds.
RUNNING RULES, REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS
of
MASTERS FOXHUNTERS ASSOCIATION, INC.
Article I
AFFILIATED ASSOCIATIONS
1.
Any
association desiring to become affiliated with the Masters Foxhunters
Association, Inc., shall make application for membership to the Secretary of
the Masters Foxhunters Association, Inc. and the applicant shall be allowed to
become affiliated if approved by the Board of Directors.
2.
Each
association affiliated with the Masters Foxhunters Association, Inc. must pay
to the Secretary of the Masters Foxhunters Association, Inc. a fee of $25.00
due January 1st of each year and must be paid by the date of the
annual membership meeting. Any
association paying their dues late can pay a penalty of $250.00 within 30 days
after notification and still be eligible for a championship for the said year,
if qualified. Unless this requirement is
fulfilled, no championship will be awarded the winner of the association’s
trail.
3.
Each
affiliated association shall conduct all its trials according to the Running
Rules and Bench Standards provided for by the Masters Foxhunters Association,
Inc. Affiliated associations must select their own judges and Master of
Hounds. They may have any number of
officers they desire.
4.
Each
affiliated association shall be allowed the following options when conducting
their trials that qualify for championship status.
a.
Open
Trial – All hounds run in one class
b.
All-Age
and
c.
All-Age
– for hounds of any age
d.
5.
The
secretaries of all affiliated associations are required to forward to the
Corporate Secretary, a certified copy of the Judges’ Report of the Field
Trials.
6.
Each
affiliated association will be fined $250.00 or not be issued an affiliation
for the following year if the report is not sent in on time (See “Instructions
to Association Secretaries”).
7.
The
winner of the Best in Show at an open bench show of an affiliated association
which does not hold field trails shall be eligible for a Bench Championship
when there are twenty-five or more total entries competing in four classes.
8.
Each
affiliated association must submit names of three judges to serve at the
Masters field trial. No president of any
affiliated association will be allowed to recommend himself/herself as a judge.
Article II
GENERAL RULES
ENTRIES
1. Only members of the Master’s Foxhunters Association, Inc. will be allowed to enter hounds in the field trial.
2. Members must own the hounds entered under their name or kennel name.
3. No change in a hound’s name, number, or breeding shall be permitted after the first days cast.
4. The breeder is the individual, partnership, or kennel owning or leasing the dam when she was bred to the sire.
5. All hounds must be painted, dyed or bleached on both sides with the number that matches their entry sheets.
PROTEST OR OBJECTIONS
1. Any protest or objections to any hound entered in the Master’s field trial must be made to the Directors in writing.
2. The hound in question may be allowed to run under protest until the objection has been decided.
3. Should the objection be sustained and the hound disqualified, the order of placement shall not change. The vacant spot shall not be filled.
PROPER CONDUCT
1. The Board of Directors may refuse any entry they deem proper to exclude.
2. Should any member misconduct themselves in any manner in connection with the Master’s Foxhunters field trial or bench show, said member shall not be allowed to compete in any trials that may be held under the auspices of this Corporation, nor shall they become a member in good standing, unless a written apology is made to the Board of Directors who has the discretionary power to reinstate the member.
3. Any member of the Master’s Foxhunters Association who approaches a judge or judges and recommends certain hounds should be scored or eliminated, shall be considered in breech of proper conduct and said member shall be fined or suspended at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Fines are not to be less than $25.00 or more than $100.00.
4. Any member allowing a hound to get loose and join in a chase in which said hound has not been entered, or from which said hound has been eliminated, may be fined at the discretion of the Board of Directors, not less than $25.00 or more than $100.00 for each offense.
5. Should any owner or his handler harm or purposely interfere with an opponent’s hound, he will be expelled from the Association and all his entries barred.
6. There must be no hunting of any description in the field trial territory by members of this association 10 days prior to the first day of the field trial.
7. Lunch wagons, luncheons, or picnics of any description are forbidden on the hunting ground during the actual hours that hounds are running.
ROLL CALL
1. FIRST DAY --- All hounds must be present for roll call or they shall be eliminated. The daily score sheet will show FAIL TO ANSWER.
2. SECOND DAY --- All hounds must be present or answer lost or they shall be eliminated. The daily score sheet will show FAIL TO ANSWER. Any hound answered lost will retain his/her score and shall remain eligible to compete and may be scored on this day.
3. THIRD DAY --- of a three day field trail---All hounds must be present or they shall be eliminated. The daily score sheet will show FAIL TO ANSWER. Hounds answered lost shall be eliminated. Daily score sheets will show LOST.
NOTICE-FOR PEN RUNNING ONLY – In order for a hound to be eligible to cast on the third day that answered lost on the second day, said hound must have scored on the second day.
4. THIRD DAY --- of a four day field trial---All hounds must be present at roll call or answer lost or they will be eliminated. The daily score sheet will show FAIL TO ANSWER. Any hound answered lost will retain his/her score and will remain eligible to compete and may be scored on this day.
5. FOURTH DAY --- All hounds must be present or they shall be eliminated. Daily score sheet will show FAIL TO ANSWER. Hounds answered lost will be eliminated. Daily score sheet will show LOST.
NOTICE – FOR PEN RUNNING ONLY – In order for a hound to be eligible to cast on the
fourth day that answered lost on the second day or that answered lost on the
third day, said hound must have scored on the day he/she was answered
lost. If answered lost on both the
second and third day, then hound must have scored on both the second and third
day. In this case, the owner may choose
to have their hound WITHDRAWN but if no answer is made by owner said hound
shall be eliminated for FAIL TO ANSWER.
6. If approved by the Masters of Hounds, any hound may be placed in scratch pens or holding pens for the last days cast. Such pens must be in plain sight of the Masters of Hounds or in plain sight of the judges appointed to oversee the cast. No casting from trucks or trailers will be permitted. This rule applies to the Masters and all hunts affiliated with the Masters.
7. A hound may be withdrawn by its owner or handler without the permission of the Master of Hounds. The daily score sheet will show WITHDRAWN. The hound forfeits his/her score in the field and his/her winnings on the bench.
8. A hound may be withdrawn by its owner or handler with the permission of the Master of Hounds. The daily score sheet will show Withdrawn-MFH. The hound forfeits his/her score in the field but shall retain his/her winnings on the bench.
9. Request for withdrawal by owners or handlers must be made to the Master of Hounds the night before roll call.
10. Sickness, severe injury or bitches in season shall be just call for such request.
SPECIAL RULES
1. The use of weed eater cords will not be allowed at the Masters. All hunts that affiliate with the Masters may follow this standard but are not required to do so.
Article III
HUNT OFFICIALS
MASTER OF HOUNDS
- Shall be in charge of the running of the field trial.
- On the evening before each days cast, he/she shall post the time and place of roll call in a conspicuous place.
- Shall see that the numbers are painted, dyed or bleached distinctly on both sides of the entries and shall call off the numbers or have them checked in by the judges under his/her supervision at or before each cast.
- Shall instruct all members, handlers, and guests not to converse with, or in the hearing distance of judges, about the work done or the merits or demerits of any of the competing hounds.
- It shall be his/her duty to report any and all violations of this rule to the President. Offenders will be subject to expulsion from the field trial.
- Shall have the authority to remove from the hunting grounds any hounds affected with a contagious disease or any bitches in season.
- Should some judges mount become disabled or unfit during a days trial, the Master of Hounds shall provide a mount as soon as possible.
- In case of extreme emergency such as hounds on dangerous highways or irate land owners which endanger the safety of hounds, hound owners or the general public, the Master of Hounds with the approval of the President may order those hounds picked up under his supervision and recast at that day’s casting grounds.
- May order a scratched hound in the immediate area of major highways, railroads, or in populated areas, crated should he feel that hound may endanger the lives of other hounds or people.
- May score hounds in the field same as any judges in the field.
- Shall place field judges in locations that he/she feels judges could best gather scores.
- Shall see that all rules are strictly followed.
- It shall be mandatory for the Master of Hounds to review the running rules at a judges meeting prior to the beginning of the field trial.
- Shall not allow judges to compare notes one to another at any time. Any discussion of hounds must be after their number is called in the meeting by the Master and no hound shall be discussed by the judges before this.
- Shall preside over all meetings of the judges and act as secretary.
- Shall have no voice in any questions, in regard, to scores or eliminations in the meeting of the judges. He/she may be consulted on all questions in general but shall not offer any suggestions in any particular case until after the score is given and no score shall be changed on his/her account.
- Must be accurate in setting down scores and eliminations at all meetings.
- If before the prescribed hours of the field trial day is up, the Master of Hounds finds due to unfavorable conditions hounds cannot trail or run approved game, he may try to contact a majority of the judges and call off the hunt.
ASSISTANT MASTER OF HOUNDS
- Shall assist the Master of Hounds or assume responsibility of the position in his/her absence.
HOME PLATE JUDGE
- May score hounds in the field same as any field judge.
- Shall make every effort to recast a hound that has returned to cast.
- Should encourage that hound to continue hunting by calling the hound away from the casting grounds.
- Upon giving the hound ample opportunity to recast and at which time the Home Plate Judge is firmly convinced the hound will not continue on, he may eliminate the hound for Return to Cast and make note of time.
FIELD JUDGES
1. Judges must be approved by the Executive Committee before being allowed to act as judge at the Masters Foxhunters Association, Inc. field trial.
2. Judges will be subject to the general rules of this association and shall report for duty each day to the Master of Hounds.
3. No field judge can enter hounds in either stake or be interested in any way in any hound entered in the trial.
4. No person shall act as a judge unless he/she has been formally introduced to the rules of the Masters Foxhunters Rule Book.
5. Judges must synchronize their watches with the Master of Hounds each day preferably at the time of the cast.
Article IV
JUDGING IN THE FIELD
SCORING HOUNDS
1. Judges must use intelligence, diligence, and discretion in scoring or scratching hounds.
2. Hounds running deer must not be scratched nor can they be scored. Judges must do all within their power to break up a deer race. Hounds must be given reasonable time to hunt on after being scolded when spectators or judges are breaking up a deer race.
3. In the case of deer proof field trials and deer dog field trials, the statement above (2) will be discarded.
4. Hounds shall be scored according to By-Law XII, sections A, B, and C.
5.
6. If during a crossing the judge fails to read the number of the first hound, he must disregard that crossing and ride to score the hounds at another crossing.
7. If during a crossing the judge fails to read the number of a hound, he must stop with last hound scored successively and ride for another crossing.
8. Every hound mouthing tracks other than fox, coyote, bobcat, or deer shall be recommended for elimination. Judge must note time and fault.
9. Judges must record time of all scores and scratches. Should a pack become divided the judges must separate and carefully note the work of each pack.
10. At no time should more than two judges ride together unless following a pack of hounds running in full cry.
SCRATCHING HOUNDS
1. Any hound left on a “jump” or thrown out “on a loss” shall not be penalized if it works to “get in” and succeeds in a reasonable amount of time.
2. BABBLING is a fault for which hounds should be scratched. Babbling is defined as giving false tongue to the extent of interfering with the chase. In case of a hound babbling to the extent of interfering with hounds or the chase and seen by two or more judges, who agree that such is the case, this hound can be ordered tied up or crated by the judges. Hounds will be allowed five minutes after the cast on the first day, three minutes after the cast on the second day, and two minutes after the cast on the third or fourth day before any hound may be reported by the judges for babbling. Any hound shall not be considered as babbling should he be running as much as thirty yards down wind from a track or should he continue to give tongue a few times on a run over or should he give one or two eager mouths at a bad fence when harking to running hounds. Except that if a hound should remain at a fence and continue to give tongue then he may be scratched. Hounds babbling at a stream or drifting and babbling may also be scratched.
3. Persistent rabbit running shall be considered one form as interfering with the chase.
4. A gun-shy hound shall not be penalized for being cowed by gun fire.
a. Hounds guilty of such actions as running stock, stock paths, horse tracks, hound tracks, covered tracks, or back tracks may be scratched. Judges must be very careful when scratching a hound in an enclosure for these faults.
b. A hound that shows no inclination to hunt may be scratched for LOAFING.
c. A hound may be eliminated for any misbehavior in the field when in the opinion of the judges, such misbehavior is a fault, which would mar the characteristics of a champion.
d. Before any hound may be eliminated for the barking faults of BABBLING, RUNNING COVERED TRACKS, RUNNING BACK TRACKS or RUNNING DOG TRACKS, the hound must be recommended for elimination by at least two different judges during the course of the field trial. Any one of the above four named barking faults recommended twice by two different judges or any combination of the above four named barking faults recommended twice by two different judges justify elimination. On the Daily Score Sheet all of the scratch times must be posted and notations must be made if these barking faults did not occur on the same day of the field trial. If a hound is found guilty of one of the four above named barking faults and is only recorded once by one judge said hound in question must not be scratched. At no time should a judge use any, (one judge fault) simply to eliminate a hound that has committed one of the four above named barking. Example it is illegal to scratch a hound for LOAFING when the hound was actually BABBLING.
e. Before any hound may be eliminated for FAILED TO HARK, the judge must be confident that the hound in question is failing to hark to an established race on proper game. This scratch must not be confused with the now illegal scratch, CUNNING RUNNING. Also it is illegal to scratch a hound for LOAFING when the hound should be scratched for FAIL TO HARK.
f. Listed below are the reasons hounds should be eliminated at the Masters and its affiliates.
|
FAILED TO ANSWER |
LOST |
RUNNING BACK TRACKS |
|
RETURN TO CAST |
LOAFING |
RUNNING COVERED TRACKS |
|
WITHDRAWN |
BABBLING |
RUNNING DOG TRACKS |
|
WITHDRAWN-MFH |
HOWLING |
BAYING JUDGE |
|
FAILED TO HARK |
CRATED |
RUNNING RABBITS |
Article V
MEETING OF THE JUDGES
1. The judges shall meet daily as soon as possible upon the completion of that days running. No persons other than the Master of Hounds, the field judges and the person or persons in charge of the computer shall be present at this meeting unless specifically authorized by the President of the Masters Foxhunters Association, Inc.
2. The Master of Hounds shall preside as secretary at the meeting of the judges.
3. The masterfox computer scoring system shall replace all earlier methods of recording and retaining information concerning scores and scratches of hounds entered in competition.
4. All scores and all scratches may only be accepted if the majority of the judges so rule. Each judge’s score is not necessarily added to each other. Each judge having observed the hound recommends the highest score he/she thinks said hound should have, and the highest score agreed on by the majority of the judges will be that hound’s score for that day.
5. Scores that hounds may receive are covered in By-Law XII, sections A, B, C, and D.
6. All scores, all scratches and the time of each scratch shall be recorded in the computer or on daily score sheets provided by the Secretary. Each day when the daily score sheets are finished; the Master of Hounds shall post these sheets on the bulletin board at headquarters. These sheets must state the score of each hound up to that time. Upon the completion of the trial, the daily score sheet and the HGA sheet shall be presented to the President and Secretary for the announcement of the results and presentation of the awards.
Article VI
BENCH SHOW
1. The date and time of the bench show shall be set forth in By-Law XI.
2. Only hounds entered in the field trial may be eligible to be shown in the bench show.
3. Bench Show Judge and Ringmaster shall be selected by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee.
4. Order to show shall be as follows:
A.
B.
C. All Age Males
D. All Age Females
E. Best Pair (2)
F. Best Pack (4)
G. Natural Carriage
H. Best
I. Best
J. Best Male and Best Female
5. At
a field trial where no
6. At
a field trial where two hunts by different names are being run together but
scored separate ,ig., Ark-La-Tex Masters (which is a Grade II, open hunt) and
the Tri-State Derby (which is a Grade V, derby hunt) two separate bench shows
must be held. Ark-La-Tex Masters would
have a BIS and BOS, Tri-State
7. In each of the first four classes (see above) the judge shall make ten awards, if sufficient entries permit.
8. The hounds shown as Best Pair or as Best Pack must be owned entirely by the member or kennel entering them. No combinations are allowed to be made on the day of the show.
9. In judging Best Pair or Best Pack neither age nor sex is essential. The judge must take into consideration the individual excellence as compared to the bench show standard, but also the “matching-up” of the Best Pair or Best Pack as to type, size, etc. Award shall be made on the basis of 50% for individual excellence and 50% for the collective “matching-up”.
10. Any hound which has won the Master’s Bench Championship will be allowed to be shown again at any bench show of the Masters Foxhunters Association or the bench show of any affiliated association.
11. For shows where a Puppy class is added, no entry in the Puppy class is eligible to show in any other class.
12. In order to receive any bench show awards earned by a hound, the hound must compete in the field trials unless permitted to be withdrawn by the Master of Hounds and marked on the Daily Score Sheet as WITHDRAWN-MFH.
13. The Master of Hounds may permit a hound competing in the Bench show to be withdrawn only on evidence of accidental injury or sickness which would be detrimental to the hound if it continued in competition in the field. Disability due to a hound not being in proper running condition before being cast in the field does not constitute satisfactory reason for permission for withdrawing a hound. Any hound that fails to answer roll call the first day or fails to answer or give satisfactory report to Master of Hounds at cast on any succeeding day shall forfeit all bench awards. Hounds marked FAILED TO ANSWER, CRATED or WITHDRAWN without permission of the Master of Hounds, shall forfeit their bench awards. Hounds eliminated for field faults shall retain their bench wins. On the last day of the field trial for its respective class, any bench show winner that is LOST shall be so reported at the cast to the Master of Hounds. The hound will be eliminated from the field trial; showing LOST in Score Sheet Notes Column, but will retain its bench winnings. The bench show report will show “Forfeited (Reason)” where bench winner fail to meet field requirements. No hound can be moved up to replace such forfeitures.
SPECIAL CLASS
Natural Carriage Class
There will also be a class called
“Natural Carriage” class, open to all hounds, male or female, entered in either
Article VII
BENCH STANDARDS FOR AMERICAN FOXHOUNDS
The American Foxhound has unique physical characteristics singular to its own breed. Hounds in hard running condition should be given preference over those that are out of shape, too thin or too heavy.
HEAD
A. Skull
Ideal: The skull should
be fairly long with the cranium broad and full, slightly domed at occipital
area adjoining the neck.
Faults: A very flat
skull; narrow across the top; excess of dome.
B. Ears
Ideal: Ears set on moderately low, long, reaching when drawn out nearly to the tip of the nose; fine in texture; fairly broad; with almost entire absence of erectile power; setting close to the head with the forward edge turning in slightly toward the cheek; round at tip.
Faults: Ears short; set on high, or with tendency to rise above the point of origin.
C. Eyes
Ideal: Eyes large, set well apart; soft and hound-like; expression gentle and pleading; any color.
Faults: Eyes sharp and terrier-like or prominent and protruding.
D. Muzzle
Ideal: Muzzle of fair length; straight and square cut; the stop moderately defined.
Faults: Muzzle long and snippy; cut away decidedly below the eyes, or very short; parrot mouth or undershot mouth; Roman nosed, or upturned giving a dish face expression.
BODY
A. Neck and Throat:
Ideal: Neck of medium length rising free and light from the shoulders, strong in substance yet not loaded. The throat clean and free from folds of skin.
Faults: A thick, short, cloddy neck carried on a line with the top of the shoulder. Throat showing dewlap and folds of skin to a degree termed “throatiness.”
B. Shoulders, Chest and Ribs:
Ideal: Shoulders sloping; clean, muscular, not heavy or loaded, conveying the image of freedom of action with activity and strength. Chest should be deep for lung space, narrower in proportion to depth, 28 inches in a 23 inch hound being good. Well sprung ribs; back ribs should extend well back; a three-inch flank allowing springiness.
Faults: Straight, upright shoulders; chest disproportionately wide or with lack of depth. Flat ribs.
C. Back & Loin:
Ideal: Back moderately long, muscular and strong. Loins broad and slightly arched.
Faults: Very long or swayed or roached back. Flat, narrow loins.
FORE-LEGS AND FEET
A. Fore-Legs:
Ideal: Straight, with fair amount of bone. Pasterns short and straight.
Faults: Out at elbow. Knees knuckled over forward, or bent backward. Fore-legs crooked.
B. Feet
Ideal: Fox-like, pad full and hard. Well arched toes; strong nails.
Faults: Feet long, open and spreading
HIPS, THIGHS, HINDLEGS AND FEET
A. Hips
and Thighs:
Ideal: Strong and muscled, giving abundance of propelling power. Stifles strong and well let down. Hocks firm, symmetrical and moderately bent. Feet close and firm.
Faults: Cow hocks or straight hocks. Lack of muscle and propelling power. Open feet. Any male with less than two testicles must be automatically eliminated.
TAIL
A. Tail
Ideal: Set moderately high; well developed, strong, carried well, with slight upward curve and with good brush.
Faults: A long tail. Tea pot curve or inclined forward from the root. Rat tail, entire absence of brush. Any hound with a docked tail shall be automatically eliminated.
COAT
A. Coat
Ideal: A hard hound coat of medium length.
Faults: A short thin coat or a coat of soft quality.
HEIGHT
A. Height
Ideal: It is preferred that dogs not be under 22 or over 26 inches and that bitches not be under 21 or over 25 inches. If a hound is measured, the measurement should be made across the back at the point of the withers, while the hound is standing in a natural position with his feet well under him. A foxhound within the height standard shall be given preference over a hound outside the height standard, if the two are equal in confirmation.
COLOR
Color: Any color is considered acceptable.
SCALE OF POINTS
Head
Skull 5
Ears 5
Eyes 5
Muzzle 5
20
Body
Neck 5
Chest & Shoulders 15
Back, Loins & Ribs 15
35
Running Gear
Forelegs 10
Hips, Thighs & Hind legs 10
Feet 15
35
Coat and Tail
Coat 5
Tail
5
10
Total 100
The Official Organ of the
Masters Foxhunters Association, Inc.
Subscription Rate: $33.00
for one year
$55.00 for two
years
Register your hounds in the
Standard Foxhound Stud Book
The Hunter’s Horn
INSTRUCTIONS TO
ASSOCIATION SECRETARIES
The Secretary of an association must see that the report reaches the Hunter’s Horn office within the third month after the trial is held or it will not be accepted for publication and it’s winners will not be recognized as champions by the Standard Foxhunters Stud Book. Therefore the following timetable must be followed:
Months Event Held Report Must Be Received By
January April 30
February May 31
March June 30
April July 31
May August 31
June September 30
July October 31
August November 30
September December 31
October January 31
November February 28
December March 31
The three-month rule applies to all bench shows and field trials and must be strictly followed.
A typed or handwritten report of the HGA sheet and the bench show report along with the pairs, packs and natural carriage must be sent to the Hunters Horn. Always provide the hound’s name, not just the owner’s name and also give sire and dam. Some breeding (not given) will be accepted but if all hounds listed (not given) the report will be considered incomplete. Always provide the name of the Best in Show, Best Opposite Sex and Natural Carriage winners. Please attempt to send the story, photographs and sheets at the same time. However, if you do not have the photographs, do not hold your report and miss the deadline, causing a loss of a championship. Enclose a note advising that the photographs will follow. The Hunter’s Horn will hold your report a month to allow photographs to arrive. Do not send roll call cards.
Reports and photographs are not returned to the Secretary after publication in the Hunter’s Horn unless requested and a check for $5.00 is enclosed for postage.
Even if your three-day trail does not have fifty entries to qualify for a field or dual championship, send your report for publication and checking, so that your bench champion will get his championship.
The job of the association Secretary is extremely important. The failure on your part to fully and completely carry out your responsibilities, as set forth in these instructions, could lead to your association’s report not being published and result in a denial of championships for deserving foxhounds.
REQUIREMENTS FOR FIELD CHAMPIONSHIP
1. The All-Age or Open stake must be run at least 15 hours under Master’s rules. These hours may be consumed over the course of three days, (5 hours per day) or over the course of two days, (at least 8 hours the first day and at least 7 hours the second day.)
2. The All-Age or Open stake must have at least 50 entries.
3. The winner of the All-Age stake must score at least 100 total points and must have scored in endurance.
4. The Secretary of the association must properly report the results of the field trial within time limits and in accordance with the “Instructions to Association Secretaries”.
5. The title of Master’s Field Champion appearing in connection with registration of a hound will be followed by capital letter (F). The title of an affiliated association field champion will be followed by a lower case (f).
6. All
associations shall be allowed the following options (1) to hold a trial for
deer proof hounds. This would allow for
the scratching of hounds running deer.
The Championship would read, for example, Mw(dp)(f)
REQUIREMENTS FOR BENCH CHAMPIONSHIP
1. If the association holds an annual field trial, the bench show must be held in conjunction with the affiliated field trail and during the trial. If the association has no annual field trial, but only an annual bench show, the bench show may be held at any time during the year, but must have at least 25 hounds in the All-Age and Derby combined or 25 hounds in the Open class, in order to qualify for a bench championship.
2. The show, whether or not it is held in conjunction with a field trial, must be an open show. If limited to running hounds only, no bench championship can be allowed, nor can a dual championship be declared.
3. When the bench show is held in conjunction with a field trail, the bench hound must be eliminated for a fault or finish the trial. WITHDRAWN-MFH allows for a Champion, WITHDRAWN does not.
4. The Secretary of the association must properly report the results of the bench show within the time limits and in accordance with the “Instructions to Association Secretaries”.
5. The title of a Master’s Bench Champion appearing in connection with registration of a hound will be followed by the capital letter (B). The title of an affiliated association bench champion will be followed by a lower case letter (b).
REQUIREMENTS FOR DUAL CHAMPIONSHIP
1. The All-Age or Open stake must run 15 hours under Master’s rules.
2. The All-Age or Open stake must have at least 50 entries.
3. The winner of the All-Age or Open stake must score 100 total points and score in Endurance.
5. The bench show must be an open show and not be limited to running hounds only.
6. To qualify for a dual championship a hound must place in the top four on the bench as well as the top four in the field.
7. Points are awarded as follows:
|
PLACE |
POINTS |
|
1 |
4 |
|
2 |
3 |
|
3 |
2 |
|
4 |
1 |
Highest point total shall win. Should there be a tie; the highest placed hound in the field shall be declared the Dual Champion.
8. The Secretary of the association shall properly report the results of the field trial and bench show in accordance with “Instructions to Association Secretaries”.
9. Each association is entitled to only one dual championship per year.
10. The title of Master’s Dual Champion appearing in connection with registration of a hound will be followed by the capital letter (D). The title of an affiliated dual champion will be followed by a lower case letter (d).
11. Secretaries of THREE DAY TRIALS must send to the Standard Foxhound Stud book, Daily Score Sheets of both the Derby and All-Age, the HGA sheets of both the Derby and All-Age, and the bench show cards with entry number on each, or a handwritten or typed bench show report with entry number listed beside each placement on the bench and the roll call cards.
12. No championship is allowed if the breeding of the hound is not shown on the report. Breeding cannot be added later, but must be included on the report when it is received at the Standard Foxhound Stud Book office or this championship will be denied. When entering hounds, owners should be careful to enter the hound under the correct registered name and with the correct breeding. Please include registration number if hound is SFSB registered.