U. S. Complete Shooting Dog Association
July 18, 2015
The U. S. Complete Shooting Dog Association held its annual meeting at Newton, VA.
The 2014 minutes were posted online at uscomplete.org shortly after the last meeting. A motion was made by Bob Phillips and seconded by Phil Townley that the minutes be accepted as published and all approved.
Yvonne gave a financial report. Earl Drew made a motion and Bob Phillips seconded the motion that the treasurers report be approved which was approved by all.
Futurity Report was given by Ted Riley and Verlene Stephenson. Both requested more support in litters and in support by members at the trial.
Discussion then went on to sponsors. Purina is going to take a very hard look at our trial and number of entries this next year, we need to support our weekend trials. Art has also added three new sponsor on the sponsor page please check them out. They should be donating items to the national championships this year. Garmin will be providing collars again this year also. Dean then spoke briefly on his concerns with our numbers.
The website and chat room were discussed. The chat room is gone, however you can still access the facebook page were you can post pictures, and messages.
Insurance was then discussed, with no changes.
As Dennis Beauford resigned, Art asked that Chris Catanzarite be voted in to replace him this year. Bob Phillips made motion and Waverly Coleman seconded the motion and all approved.
A very lengthy discussion then ensued regarding the Handicapped Rule. First vote was whether to change the rule or leave it the same. Everyone was given 5 minutes to present their ideas and feelings regarding the changes that they did or did not want to see on the rule. Those who spoke included, Art Mourino, Ted Riley, Waverly Coleman, Meredith Jones, Kirk Regensburg, Earl drew, Chris Catanzarite, Yvonne McKeag, Bobby Phillips, Garry Malzone, Ginny Riley. The first vote was then held as to whether the rule needed to be changed. The majority voted for change. It was proposed that the following language be in any version of the rule that was approved:
On grounds where state and/or federal handicap rules apply the state/federal definitions and rules take precedence. Note that these rules differ from state to state.
All approved of this part of the rule change. A 15 minute break was then called.
Several proposals were presented and voted on, Automatic age limit was voted down 25 to 6. Placard not required was voted down 21 to 8. The next couple of votes could not be passed by a 2/3rd majority as required by the bylaws, after much discussion it was brought up to adopt a rule similar to the NBHA with the following change:
No handicapped handling in an Open Championship.
A break was taken so everyone would have time to read the rule before the next vote. With a vote of 26 yes and 5 No the NBHA rule with the change of no handicapped handling in an Open Championship was adopted.
We then moved on to new business:
Art discussed the possibility of combining USCSDA and NBHA and stated that the NBHA would also look at the matter at their meeting the following week. He then moved discussion on to what we can do to encourage more participation and new participants. We hope to hold another training seminar, in conjunction with a weekend trial.
Small discussion was held on some possible new locations for the National Open Championship, Hoffman will be looked at as a possible location. National Open CH for the 2015-2016 season will be held in Central States Region, the only National event without a host this year is the National Amateur, which Chris Catanzarite will look into.
Art Will set up an election committee for next years election. Meeting was adjourned at 4:39pm.
Respectfully submitted.
Yvonne McKeag
10. INJURED OR HANDICAP HANDLER.
A: To handle a dog at a trial from a horse or four wheeler (where permitted) the handler must notify the trial chairman prior to the drawing and provide a State placard and/or certificate from the State identifying the handicap status. A Doctor’s excuse is not acceptable. An individual must submit a request for handicap status to the USCSDA Secretary for approval prior to competition. A handicapped handler may handle up to 2 dogs per stake and must be the owner of those dogs. There are no restrictions for the length of stake.
B: A handicapped handler, riding, should respect his or her brace-mate at all times. The goal of the handicapped rule in the USCSDA is to allow a handler to participate in a field trial who might otherwise be unable to compete because of physical impairment.
C: A handicapped handler uses the horse only as a vehicle of transportation, and in no way should utilize the horse to guide the dog to a specific location or to give a physical advantage over his brace-mate. At no time can the rider do anything that he or she could not do if they were walking, but the riding handler also should not be penalized. As the walking handler can, the riding handler may be allowed to catch up if he falls behind, as long as he does not run or lope his horse in so doing. This will help the problem of both judges seeing both dogs for the major portion of the heat.
D: The average participant in a walking field trial proceeds at a pace of 3.5 to 4.0 miles per hour. The marshals shall evaluate the pace with the aid of a GPS, if necessary, and if the marshal has to warn a participant about the pace more than once, the matter will be referred to the stake manager or field trial chairman, and the participant may be asked to withdraw.
E: However, there will be no handicapped handling in Open Championships.
F: On grounds where state and/or federal handicap rules apply the state/federal definitions and rules take precedence. Note that these rules differ from state to state. |
