Which Listing is the Final Authority; Other Beagle News

Full Circle

December 8, 2017

Source: Allen Gingerich

Which Listing is the Final Authority?

Q: One of the licensed Beagle trials in my area was listed in the American Beagler as having a 6 a.m. deadline for Registered entries. I got there in plenty of time that morning and entered a dog. The club continued taking entries after 6 a.m. that morning, however, so when I asked someone about it they said that the deadline was advertised incorrectly. They also told me that UKC had changed the deadline to 7a.m. on the website and thats what they were going by. Ive always been under the impression that whatever was advertised in the Beagler is what the clubs were required to go by regardless of anything else. Has that policy changed?

A: Back in the day, magazines were the only source for event advertisements, and that was, in fact, UKCs policy for years and years. Enter the worldwide web and websites. Frankly, they have taken over the world and changed a lot of things, including many things as they pertain to the sport. Today, most any information we need is available at our fingertips and at any given moment. Soon after the turn of the century, UKC got involved with the world of internet and used it for a lot of things, including an Upcoming Events listing for their events.

One of the differences between magazines and the internet is the capability to make changes or corrections on the internet versus a magazine where once something is in print, its there for good. Sometimes there are, in fact, mistakes made and published in magazines. This includes event advertisements or even Upcoming Events Listings. Sometimes a club may have forgotten to include information such as the event being a sectional or something along those lines. Another one may be where a club forgot about time changing and it effects the deadline they originally submitted. The internet does allow us to make those changes or corrections that are beneficial to an event.

UKC will always be considerate of making any changes that might create any significant issue. One such issue would be where a club wants to make their deadline earlier than what was advertised in the magazine. Those are not likely going to be approved by UKC for changing.

Again, UKCs old policy was, in fact, that once published in the magazine that became the Bible when it came to deadlines or otherwise. However, its now been a good number of years where UKC has changed that policy to say that when event ads or events listings do not match, the Upcoming Events Listing on the UKC website is the final authority and what the club must go by. This has also been clearly outlined in the Official UKC Rulebook, so whenever theres any question or discrepancies with an event related item, check the listing on the website and go by that.

Important Reminder
This year, UKC made a policy change to allow individuals to enter a dog that has not been permanently registered. Its important to note that were not talking about dogs that are single registered the day of an event. Those entries may enter as pending for up to 45 days. What were specifically referring to here is dogs that are still on puppy papers when entered.

While you may now enter a dog that is still on puppy papers, you need to remember that if the dog places in the event, those points cannot be processed until the dog is permanently registered. More importantly, must be permanently registered within 60 days of the event or any points that were earned will not be processed without a hefty fee. That fee is not about UKC making money. Its about providing the participant with a more customer-friendly option. However, its an option that comes with some responsibility on the part of the owner as well.

One of those responsibilities includes keeping record of any such placements that were earned before the dog was permanently registered. Its also the owners responsibility to forward those records to UKC after the dog has been permanently registered. UKC will not go back and search Event Reports to check if the dog placed anywhere before it was permanently registered. Quite frankly, that would be a task that is next to impossible to keep up with. Allowing this option is something that UKC is trying to do their part to make something easier and more customer-friendly. This item is intended as a refresher course and reminder for you to do your part, as well.

Which Ruling Should the Event Report Reflect?

Q: Last week, I was the Master of Hounds at an event where a question came back for a ruling. I made my ruling, but one of the handlers felt it was the wrong ruling, so he put up his $10 and requested a panel hear the question. That was all good, and Im well aware that they have that right. Quite frankly, I wasnt 100 percent confident in my answer, but I had no choice but to make a decision, one way or another.

The panel heard the question and ruled in favor of the handler who questioned my ruling. However, one of the other handlers now questioned the panels decision and requested an Appeal to UKC. I realize the Appeal makes the situation pending UKCs decision on the matter. Thats all good and beside the point. The panels decision affected the cast winner, which leads to my question. How do I, as the Master of Hounds, fill out the Event Report? Should it reflect the winner based on my ruling or the winner based on the panels ruling?

A: Great question and a good one to cover in this column. Think of it this way. The Master of Hounds decision is final unless anyone questions it and takes it further. Taking it further would mean a panel would hear it and make a ruling. If it goes to a panel; the panels decision becomes final, regardless of whether they supported or overruled the Master of Hounds.

The Event Report should reflect the decision of the panel, even if someone requested to take it another step in the form of an Appeal to UKC. UKCs resolution in the matter would include making any changes, if necessary, to the Event Report. Again, the Event Report should reflect the winner based on the ruling of the panel.

May Clubs Choose to Not Use all Available Licensed Judges?

Q: In Performance Pack events, does the club have the option to use or not use any licensed individual that wants to judge?

A: This question comes up periodically and usually not without varying opinions. Ive learned that the theories of some of the founding fathers was that anyone that has a license and wants to judge should not be turned down. That theory is based on the notion that if UKC licensed the individual then they should be good enough and never turned down. I can certainly understand and respect that theory. However, we also dont want a policy to get in the way of a club putting on the best hunt they possibly can.

There are usually only a couple kinds of judges that a club would consider not using. One where they question the individuals integrity, lack of experience, or their physical capabilities. Regardless, its a debateable topic for sure.

Most will certainly question a judges motive if they insist on being used. Why not just enjoy the break that day and hunt your dogs? For some clubs, judges are not always easy to come by, so generally most everyone available is being used. Unfortunately, when someone doesnt get used, theres some kind of concocted conspiracy theory that follows.

UKC will always encourage clubs to put on the best hunts they possibly can. That goes for all parts of it. Guides, judges, Master of Hounds, everything. A club should never be held to a policy that makes them use a guide that doesnt have a good opportunity to put their participants in rabbits, right? The fact is, most clubs will use any good judge that has earned their respect. If they dont, they would likely feel the consequences in terms of participation support. Regardless, its UKCs position that all clubs should have the authority to make their own decision when it comes to judge selection for their events.