RULES & REGULATIONS (Revised Aug 2009)
1. The Working Section is open to all paid-up members of the Beagle Club.
2. The Field Master will decide on all matters relating to drag hunt meets and Field Trials.
3. Hounds of 12 months and over will be worked as directed by the Field Master.
4. Handlers will work their own hounds under the direction of the Field Master.
5. Hounds must be obedient to either whistle or horn.
6. Hounds must be free from riot and steady with all livestock. All members of the Working Section must observe the Countryside Code at all times.
7. No hound may be brought to a Meet if it has contracted or been knowingly exposed to any infectious or contagious disease during the 21 days prior to the Meet; no bitches in season will be allowed to hunt or to be present at the Meet.
8. All hounds not working must be kept on a short lead (i.e. no flexi leads) by the Handler.
9. Hounds must be caught up by the Handler on direction from the Field Master. Handlers shall not walk up the line or cross the line unless permitted to do so by the Fieldmaster.
10. Hounds will be walked on the line on direction from the Field Master.
11. The Field Master will decide on the drags to be laid and the order of running.
12. Novice Hounds must attend and participate fully in not less than four drag meets for bitches and five drag meets for dogs in order to qualify for entry in the Field Trials. Working Certificate Hounds must attend at least four drag meets in the season. Acceptance of Hounds for Field Trials will be at the discretion of the Field Master.
13. The Cap for each Meet will be £1 per person and £1 per hound present. Both cap and tea money will be collected before the meet moves off.
14. The Field Master's decision is final in all matters taking place on the fields.
15. The Beagle Club shall organise and run Field Meetings on published dates at selected locations. The dates for each season will be published in the breed notes of the dog press at the beginning of each season and on the Beagle Club website with confirmation of each meeting given in the dog press one week before.
16. All Club members who intend to come to a meet should inform the Working Section secretary before the event and not later than the Wednesday prior to the meet.
17. At the end of the season, the Working Section Field Trials will be held in either February or March. All hounds that have qualified under the regulations following may participate. The maximum number of hounds that may participate in the Field Trials is 36. In the event of there being more hounds eligible to attend, the following provisions shall apply:
(a) All hounds that hold a Working Certificate and who have attended at least four meets in the season shall be allocated a place at the Filed Trials;
(b) Novice hounds shall be required to demonstrate their working ability to the satisfaction of the Fieldmaster on pre-qualification drags to be held at designated meetings prior to the Field Trials before being selected and having attended either five meetings for Dogs or four meetings for Bitches.
18. Hounds participating in the Field Trials will normally be judged by two Masters of Hounds invited by the Beagle Club committee.
19. The judges will award the following:
(a) The Beagle Club Working Certificate approved by the Kennel Club.
(b) The Perrystar Trophy for the Best Working Bitch.
(c) The Jesson Trophy for the Best Working Dog.
(d) The Perrystar Hare Trophy for the Best Working Hound.
(e) The Ch. Houndswood Havoc Trophy for the Best Veteran Working Hound.
(f) The Sharomay Emperor Trophy for Best Novice Working Hound.
(g) The Kempton Hopeful Whip for the young person (under 16 years) who has been of most help to the Working Section during the season (to be won once only).
20. In addition the Barterhound Rosette will be awarded to each Working Certificate winner and the Barterhound Working Hound badge will be awarded to each hound participating in the Field Trials.
21. Any member who wishes to raise any matter irrespective of its nature in connection with the Working Section must do so personally with the Working Secretary/Field Master if the member wishes consideration to be given to his/her comment.
22. Any member attending any meeting is deemed to have accepted the above rules and regulations.
For More Information Contact:
Working Section Fieldmaster: Mr Dave McSheehy
Tel: .01883 723389
Email: m.mcsheehy@ukonline.co.uk
Working Section Secretary: Miss Jenny Forbes
Email: workingsection@thebeagleclub.org