For information to the beagling community,
here is the Rule Clarification when there are 6 starters/entries at a license trial with disqualification.
It has been brought to our attention in regard to what to do when a couple of dogs are disqualified in a class of 6 entries/starters. We all know we have to have 6 entries/starters to hold a class for a license trial.
We have a class of 6 entries and go to the field. Unfortunately, two dogs are run in the wrong order, which disqualifies them and we have 4 starters remaining. We no longer have a class of 6 starters, so we need to cancel this class for this trial. There are no wins or points awarded and we fill out and explain to AKC why class was cancelled.
This has been verified and confirmed with AKC on how we would handle this situation and ABBA is confirming AKC rules and procedures. We thank them for their help and guidance. Due to the fact we have many areas that have classes of six entries, we wanted to pass on how we handle this kind of situation. Bottom line, we must have 6 starters/entries to hold a class for a license trial. We hope this clarifies the situation.
You can find this information in our Rule Book on pages 14 and 15 as stated below:
CHAPTER 9
DESCRIPTION OF CLASSES AND
CHAMPIONSHIP REQUIREMENTS
SECTION 1. All licensed and member Beagle field trials shall be run under one of the five (5) following procedures:
A. Braces on Wild Rabbit or Hare.
B. Small Packs on Wild Rabbit or Hare.
C. Small Pack Option on Wild Rabbit or Hare.
D. Large Packs on Hare.
E. Gun Dog Brace on Wild Rabbit or Hare.
Note: Under AKC policy clubs may apply for a second trial in the format of their choice during the calendar year. Clubs applying for a second trial dur ing the calendar year must not schedule the second trial less than thirty (30) days from the last day of the first trial.
At a licensed or member Beagle field trial, the regular classes shall be:
Open Dogs not exceeding 13 inches in height.
Open Bitches not exceeding 13 inches in height.
Open Dogs over 13 inches but not exceeding 15 inches in height.
Open Bitches over 13 inches but not exceeding 15 inches in height.
However, if when the entries are closed, it is found that there are fewer than six hounds of a sex eligible to compete in any class, the Field Trial Committee shall have the option of combining that class either by gender
or size into a single class. However, only in the case of traditional Brace trials, the host club has the option to offer only two classes —
Open Dogs and Open Bitches. The advertisement for the trial must clearly identify the classes offered. Once
approved by the AKC, a club may not decide to split a class by size.
No hound may be entered in more than one of these classes at any field trial.
A club may be approved to hold additional non-regular classes, provided a description of the eligibility require ments appears in the premium list.
SECTION 2. Field Champion Only Stakes. A
licensed club, association or federation may, at their option, offer Field Champion only stakes. The FC only stake may be held in conjunction with a club’s regular
trial or may be held as a stand-alone trial. A club shall offer no more than two stand-alone FC only trials per calendar year. The FC only trial(s) can be offered in addition to the club’s regular field trials. If a club
chooses to hold a stand-alone FC only trial, the regular trial application fee shall apply. All rules applying to Beagle Field Trials shall apply to FC only classes unless otherwise specified in this section.
To be eligible to participate in a FC only stake, a dog must have been recorded as a FC according to AKC records.
SECTION 3. Licensed Derby Stakes. A Beagle association or federation may, at their option, offer one licensed derby stake per calendar year. The licensed derby stake may be held in conjunction with a licensed
field trial or may be a stand-alone event. If the license derby stake is held as a stand-alone event, the normal event application fee shall apply. All rules applying to Beagle Field Trials shall apply to the Derby classes.
To be eligible to participate in a Derby class, a dog must meet the definition of a Derby dog as specified in the Standard Procedures, Sanctioned Beagle Field
Trials section provided later in this book.
SECTION 4. Two-Couple Pack Hunting Tests shall be run on Wild Rabbit or Hare.
SECTION 5. Splitting of prizes or places is prohibited.
SECTION 6. Field Championship Points. Field Championship points for Beagles shall be awarded only to hounds placing in licensed or member trials in Open
Classes in which there were six or more starters. The championship points shall be awarded on the following basis:
1 point to the winner of first place for each starter;
1⁄2 point to the winner of second place for each starter;
1⁄3 point to the winner of third place for each starter;
1⁄4 point to the winner of fourth place for each starter.
A starter is an entered eligible hound that has not been disqualified and that is not measured out for second series or for the winners pack, and that has been cast or laid on a line with its brace mate at the start of
its first series heat at a brace trial; or that has been cast at the start of its first series pack at a small pack trial; or that has been cast at the start with the rest of the
pack at a large pack trial.
SECTION 7. Grand Field Champion Title
Requirements. A dog that has been recorded as a Field Champion according to AKC records shall be eligible to earn the Grand Field Champion (GFC) title.
Placements and points toward the GFC title shall be earned in stakes open to Field Champions only. To earn a GFC title, a dog must be awarded a minimum of two first placements and 90 points from FC only stakes.
Points shall be calculated in the same manner as used for the FC title. The GFC title will appear in front of the FC title on a dog’s pedigree. Dogs that have earned
the GFC title may continue to compete in order to earn GFC numeric titles (GFC2).
SECTION 8. Field Champion Title Requirements.
The total number of wins and championship points necessary for a Beagle to be recorded a Field Champion by The American Kennel Club shall be established by the Board of Directors of The American Kennel Club.
The wins and points may be acquired in both the 13 inch and 15 inch divisions.
To be recorded a Field Champion, a hound of either sex must have won three first places and 120 points in classes
with not less than six starters at licensed or member field trials. No more than one first place and 40 points earned in Derby stakes may count toward the Field Champion title.
SECTION 9. Field Champion Title by Format. A Beagle that has won the required number of classes and championship points will be recorded a Field Champion and a championship certificate will be issued to the owner. The Field Champion certificate will reflect the format of the field trial in which the hound earns the majority of its first three wins (first place). “FC –
Brace” certificates are awarded through wins in Brace and Small Pack trials. “FC – Gundog” certificates are
awarded through wins in Gundog Brace and Small Pack Option trials. “FC – Large Pack” certificates are awarded through wins in Large Pack trials. A Beagle becomes a Field Champion when it is so officially recorded by The American Kennel Club.
I hope this clarifies on what to do and how to handle this situation when/if it occurs.
Thanks,
ABBA and
AKC Rule Book
