Bill Teague, the Chairman of the Retriever Hunting Test Advisory Committee addressed the remaining crowd at the New Era Building.
He provided the following report:
Retriever Hunting
Test Advisory Committee Report (RHTAC)
To
Master National
Retriever Club Annual Meeting
October 19, 2012
Greensboro, Alabama
NOTE: The RHTAC has submitted these recommendations to the
AKC Performance Events Department with the understanding the AKC may modify,
accept or reject any or all of the recommendations as they deem appropriate
before making their recommendations to the AKC Board. The committee further
understands the AKC may submit recommendations without consulting the
committee.
General:
The five member committee was reorganized by the AKC in December 2010 and has
received numerous submissions. Submissions have been generated from members of
the retriever enthusiast’s community, the committee members and AKC
representatives. All submissions have been fully discussed by the committee and
each individual submitting the topic(s) has been acknowledged and promised
notice of the committee’s final decision on their recommendation(s).
History:
The committee’s 1st set of recommendations were submitted to the
Performance Events Department on May 9, 2011. After review, the Department
submitted the recommendations to the AKC Board. They were approved by the Board
in October 2011. The changes were communicated to club secretaries by the
Performance Events Department November 22, 2011.
Note: the AKC has reported back to the Advisory Committee and we indicate those findings below in RED....
Current: a
total of nineteen (19) submissions were received since the last report. The
committee concurred with five (5) submissions and submitted the following
recommended changes to AKC:
11. Current ‘approximately 100 yds’ be revised to
‘approximately 150 yds’ for senior (exclude) and master tests;
22. Clarification of the definition of ‘triple
marks’ be clarified to read, “three (3) birds (falls) must be presented before
a dog is sent to retrieve either a mark or blind; Okay per AKC.
33. Apprentice judges be required to have the same
eligibility as current judges as it relates to ownership, training, etc.; Okay per AKC.
44. Electronic devices within 50’ of the line shall
be muted or on vibrate to prevent interference with the handlers and/or dogs. This
excludes devices used by judges and marshals in the conduct of the test but all
devices used shall be used discriminately to avoid interference.
55. Add language, “the dog must successfully complete
the test”. Not necessary per AKC.
This spring,
the Performance Events Department requested the Advisory Committee address the
issue of limiting entries at events. After considerable discussion, a
recommendation has been submitted to allow clubs to have the option of limiting
entries in master retriever hunting tests to 60, 90 or 120 entries on a first
come first serve basis. We recommended no change in regulations regarding days
required for testing. Okay per AKC.
One submission was referred to the AKC because the committee
felt it was not within the purview of the committee. That submission was to
give clubs the option of having a pro and amateur master test where only dogs
handled by the respective handlers could enter. The submission further
suggested separate AKC titles for each would be approved and that there be a
national ‘pro’ and ‘amateur’ as separate tests.
Presented on behalf of the
committee (see other side) by Bill Teague, Chairman
October 19, 2012
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
The AKC Retriever Hunting
Test Advisory Committee
It is the
responsibility of the RHT Advisory Committee to provide input to the AKC
Performance Events Department with regard to the Retriever Hunting Test
Regulations. This may involve clarification of existing Regulations or new
Regulations that are felt to enhance the sport. Topics for Advisory Committee
discussion may originate from RHT participants or from the Committee members
themselves. The Performance Events Department may also direct ideas to the
Committee for consideration.
The Performance
Events Department values the input of the Advisory Committee but is under no
obligation to agree or act upon their suggestions. The Department may also, on
occasion, act without Committee input.
Members of the Retriever Hunting Test
Advisory Committee are:
Term
Expires at end of:
Eastern Time Zone Representative
3072 County Line
Rd 610-845-7826 (H)
East Greenville,
PA 18041 267-374-1992 (C)
Rocky Mountain Time Zone Representative
1432 Red Fox
Circle 970-686-0714 (H)
Windsor, CO
80550 970-227-1284 (C)
Central Time Zone Representative
W 235 N 262-229-3031 (H)
9544 Mt. Vernon
Dr.
Colgate, WI 53017
Pacific Time Zone Representative
12725 Jordan
Road 360-691-2650 (off)
Arlington, WA
98223-9409 425-377-3793 (C)
RHTAC Chairman
734 CR 630 936-559-9007 (H)
Nacogdoches, TX
75964 713-252-3918 (C)