The Texas Sheep Dog Association (TSDA)
incorporated Crawford, Texas is hereby established to create interest in
the breeding, working, and training of stock dogs; to further promote
and conduct sheep dog trials on a uniform basis throughout the state of
Texas; to cement happy, cordial relationships among its members and
other dog associations; and to protect animals, dogs, sheep, cattle,
goats.
A.
ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT: The information contained within was
created to provide TSDA members with a uniform set of rules and
guidelines regarding TSDA sanctioned events. In general, rules must be
adhered to and may carry penalties for not doing so; guidelines provide
more flexibility and serve to identify common practices or options
available to competitors and trial hosts. Rules contain language such
as “will”, “must”, or “may not” (or similar inflexible expressions).
Guidelines contain language such as “may” or “can” (or similar more
flexible expressions). The Class Definitions section provides dog and
handler information. The General Rules & Guidelines section provides
all other information.
B.
INFORMATION: The Texas Sheep Dog Association (TSDA) provides
information to its members via a newsletter and the Internet. A
newsletter is sent four (4) or more times a year. Newsletters can
contain messages from the Board President and other Board or committee
members, event information, trial results, etc. The TSDA maintains a
web site located at
www.texassheepdogassoc.org. Web site information is updated
frequently and provides the most comprehensive source of information for
both members and non-members. In addition to the types of information
found in the newsletter, the web site also contains TSDA Rules &
Guidelines, ISDS Rules, trial entry forms, trial sanctioning forms,
point standings, etc.
C.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: The TSDA sustains a Board of Directors
consisting of no less then six (6) elected members. The term of a Board
member is three (3) years. The officers of the Board are president,
vice-president, and secretary/treasurer.
D.
CLASSES: The TSDA recognizes the following classes: Open, Open
Ranch, Ranch, Novice, Nursery and Youth. To compete in a class both
handler and dog must meet the requirements as stated in their respective
definitions, i.e. Open Class: Open Handler, Open Dog.
E.
COURSES: The typical National Style trial course is run in an
open field. However, trials can also be run in indoor and outdoor
arenas, baseball diamonds, city parks, etc. The phases of work in a
full course most often include, but are not limited to, the outrun,
lift, fetch, drive, pen, and shed or single. Obstacles (such as panels)
are usually set up and the dog is required to maneuver the livestock in,
around and through them in a workmanlike manner using as straight a line
as possible from one to another. The trial host and trial committee
most often set up the course and may incorporate, as part of the course,
obstacles already part of the trial field, e.g. a bridge, creek, etc. A
complete description of the National Style course can be found in the
ISDS rules.
Courses differ in
difficulty from class to class. The courses, in order of difficulty,
starting with the most difficult are: Open, Nursery, Open Ranch, Ranch,
Novice, Youth.
F.
SCHEDULES: The Dog of the Year points schedule is strictly
adhered to. The Premium Money and Percentage of Premium Money schedules
are a guideline for trial hosts. Trials not following the published
schedules must advertise that other schedules will be used.
Advertising can be done in the TSDA newsletter and web site. Unless
otherwise stated, a maximum of two (2) premiums per class per handler
are paid.
G.
FINALS: Each class, with the exception of the Youth Class, is
represented at the TSDA Finals Trial held at the end of the trial year.
Perpetual trophies for Finals Champion are awarded in each class
eligible to compete. Finals Champions are determined by their
performance at the Finals Trial. All perpetual trophies must be
returned prior to the Final Trial.
To be eligible for the TSDA finals trial, a dog must compete in 5 TSDA trials of the
year of the Finals. A Nursery dog must compete in 5 TSDA Nursery
classes and 5 Open Ranch or Open classes in order to run in both classes
at the finals. Dog of the Year points are awarded during the
trial year with one (1) point given for every three (3) entries.
To see how points are awarded for each placing, see Dog of the Year
Point System. Classes with less than three (3) entries are
considered qualifying trials, but do not award Dog of the Year points.
Qualifying trials and points are earned by and belong to the dog
regardless of handler or ownership changes. The handler/owner must
be a paid, participating or family member prior to going to the post
before the dog can earn qualifying or Dog of the Year points.
H.
DOG OF THE YEAR:
Both
fully judged Open field trials and fully judged Arena trials will award
DOY points, Lifetime points and Qualify dogs for the TSDA Finals. Timed
trials, whether Open field or Arena, will qualify dogs for the TSDA
finals, award Lifetime points, and award DOY points. There shall be no
restriction on the number of trials that a dog may run in to earn DOY
points. Dog can receive points from a maximum of three (3) goes at any
given trial. At the Finals Trial, perpetual trophies for Dog of the Year
are awarded in each class with the exception of the Youth Class. An
asterisk on these trophies identifies American bred dogs.,
Dog of the Year points
begin with zero (0) points starting with the first TSDA sanctioned trial
following the Finals Trial. A dog that moves to a higher class during
the trial year retains any Dog of the Year points earned in the lower
class. The high point dog takes Dog of the Year honors even though that
dog may have moved up.
I.
TRIPLE CROWN: Every year three (3) trials are selected as Triple
Crown Trials. Perpetual trophies are awarded in each class eligible to
compete. All classes except the Youth Class compete in this series. To
qualify for a Triple Crown award a dog must run in all three trials.
The first (1st) go-round only will be counted, or as
designated by the trial schedule. The highest aggregate score in each
class determines the winners. Scores belong to the dog. Membership
requirement is the same as for Finals qualification.
J.
SANCTIONING: The rules herein apply to TSDA sanctioned trials
only. Points, trophies and earnings awarded by other associations are
not considered in TSDA Dog of the Year or Lifetime points.
For a
class or trial to count as a TSCDA sanctioned trial and receive TSDCA
DOY or Lifetime points, it must be advertised in the TSCDA newsletter or
website at least 14 days prior to the date of the trial or class. The
trial host has the option of adding additional classes after the 14 day
period but these classes will not be considered to be sanctioned and
cannot be counted towards TSCDA DOY or lifetime points, nor can these
scores or points be added into the scores or points from a sanctioned
class.
K.
EXHIBITION: Trial hosts have the option of allowing exhibition
runs during the course of the trial. These runs are non-competitive and
place no restriction on a dog or handler. The handler must pay the TSDA
fee plus any fee required by the trial committee, e.g. stock charge.
The handler does not receive prizes or money, nor does the dog receive
Dog of the Year points. A dog may not run exhibition and then compete
in a lower class during the same trial, e.g. run exhibition in the Open
Ranch then compete in the Ranch.
L.
WEST TEXAS SHEEP DOG ASSOCIATION: The TSDA is the parent
organization of the West Texas Sheep Dog Association (WTSDA).
M.
CATTLE DOG PROGRAM: The Texas Cattle Dog Association (TCDA), an
affiliate of the Texas Sheep Dog Association maintains rules and
definitions for its trials, handlers and dogs. They can be found under
Cattle Dog Rules & Guidelines.
N.
The Board of Directors moved and passed
(December 30, 2006) to permit the TSDA/TCDA board(s) or members of any
committee designated by such board to participate in and hold a meeting
of such board or committee by means of a private Internet web forum that
provides access to the meeting in a manner by which each member
participating in the meeting can communicate concurrently with each
other participant. Participation in a meeting under this procedure
shall constitute presence in person at such meeting, except where a
person participates in the meeting for the express purpose of objecting
to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not
lawfully called or convened.
III. CLASS DEFINITIONS
1.
HANDLER
a.
An Open Handler is a National style competitor who has competed
in a TSDA, USBCHA, ISDS Open Class, or a comparable Open Class
worldwide.
b.
This handler is eligible to compete in the Open, Open Ranch and
Nursery Classes.
c.
This handler cannot move down nor run any Open dog in the Open
Ranch Class.
2.
DOG
a.
An Open dog is any dog that has competed in the Open Class
worldwide, regardless of winnings.
b.
This dog may not compete in any other Class with an Open handler
except for the Nursery Class.
c.
This dog does not accumulate lifetime points.
3.
COURSE
a.
In a field trial, the dog will run a full course with a shed or
single. These trials are judged with a time limit for completing the
course. The course may be modified to include, for example, a chute or
Maltese cross. These obstacles may be in addition to the full course or
may replace a phase of work such as the shed or pen.
b.
In an arena trial, the dog may run a full course or may run a
pattern as determined by the trial committee. The trial may be judged,
timed, or a combination of judged and timed.
1.
HANDLER
a.
An Open Ranch Handler is any handler who has competed in the Open
Ranch Class, but has not competed in the Open Class worldwide.
b.
This handler is eligible to compete in the Open Ranch, Ranch, and
Nursery Classes.
c.
This handler may compete in the Open Ranch Class with a dog that
may have been advanced from the Ranch or Novice Classes.
d.
This handler may compete in the Open Ranch Class with a dog that
has a history of Open Class competition.
e.
This handler cannot move an Open Ranch dog down to the Ranch
Class.
f.
This handler may exhibition and Open dog.
2.
DOG
a.
An Open Ranch dog is any dog that has competed in Open Ranch
Class competition.
b.
This dog may be a dog in training, handled in competition by an
Open Ranch or Open handler c.
This dog may have been started in the Open Ranch Class or
advanced from the Ranch Class by point system requirement or by choice
of the handler.
d.
A Novice Class dog may advance to the Open Ranch Class by choice
of the handler.
e.
All Open Ranch dogs earn lifetime points using the same
point system as Dog of the Year points. A dog brought into the Open
Ranch by b, c, or d (above) may earn no more than 56 points before being
required to move to a “higher” class. Points remain for the lifetime of
the dog with two (2) exceptions.
1.
The dog moves to the Open Class.
2.
Ownership of the dog changes and the dog is moved, by the new
owner, back to the Ranch Class.
i.
Under this exception, should the dog move back to the Open Ranch
Class, it retains all previously accumulated Open Ranch points.
f.
An Open Ranch handler, under the following provisions, may move a
dog from the Open Class to the Open Ranch Class.
1.
The handler both owns and runs the dog.
2.
Once the dog earns 16 points, it is no longer eligible to compete
in the Open Ranch Class.
3.
COURSE
a.
In a field trial, the dog may be required to run a full course,
excluding the shed or single. The dog is never required to shed or
single. The outrun and drive are usually shorter than an Open course.
These trials are judged with a time limit for completing the course.
The course may be modified to include, for example, a chute or Maltese
cross. These obstacles may be in addition to the full course or may
replace a phase of work such as the pen.
b.
In an arena trial, the dog may run a full course or may run a
pattern as determined by the trial committee. The trial may be judged,
timed, or a combination of judged and timed.
1.
HANDLER
a. A Ranch Handler is any handler who has competed in the Ranch Class,
but has not competed in the Open Ranch, NURSERY, or Open Classes
worldwide.
b. This handler is eligible to compete in the Ranch classes.
c. This handler may compete in the Ranch Class with a dog that has a
history of Open Ranch Class competition.
d. This handler cannot move down nor run any Open dog in the Ranch
Class.
e. Any handler may exhibition a dog.
2. DOG
a. A Ranch Dog is any dog that has competed in the Ranch Class that has
not competed in an Open Ranch, Nursery or Open Class worldwide.
b. A Ranch handler, under the following provisions, may move a dog from
the Open Ranch Class to the Ranch Class.
1. The handler both owns and runs the dog.
2. Once the dog earns 16 points, it is no longer eligible to compete in
the Ranch Class
c. All Ranch dogs earn lifetime points using the same point system as
Dog of the Year points and are required to move to a higher class when
35 points are earned.
d. Ranch dogs will no longer retain any points from the novice class.
e. Any dogs already running in ranch at the time of this rule change
will have all novice points dropped.
3.
COURSE
a.
In a field trial, the dog is not required to run a full course.
The dog is never required to shed or single. Typically the dog is
required to do an outrun, lift, fetch, partial drive, and pen. The
handler may not walk with the dog during any phase of work except to
pen. The outrun and drive are usually shorter than an Open Ranch
course. The outrun is approximately 150 yards or less. The fetch may
or may not have fetch panels. The drive may have three (3) legs of
approximately 35 to 50 yard each; or may be through or around an
obstacle then to the pen. Drive points may be earned by completing the
entire drive or to each leg of the drive.
These trials are judged with
a time limit for completing the course. The course may be modified to
include, for example, a chute or Maltese cross. These obstacles may be
in addition to the prescribed course or may replace a phase of work such
as the pen.
b.
In an arena trial, the dog may run a modified course or may run a
pattern as determined by the trial committee. The trial may be judged,
timed, or a combination of judged and timed.
1. PURPOSE
a. To give a beginning level handler and
dog the experience necessary to be competitive at a higher level.
2. HANDLER
a. a Novice handler is any beginning level handler who has not
previously competed in the Ranch, Open Ranch, Nursery or Open classes
worldwide.
b. a Novice handler may earn no more than 28 points (whether with one
dog or a combination of dogs) before being required to move to a higher
class.
3. DOG
a. A Novice dog is any dog that has not competed in a Ranch, Open Ranch,
Nursery or Open class worldwide.
b. A Novice dog may earn no more than 28 points before being required to
move to a higher class.
c. A Novice handler, under the following provisions, may move a dog from
the Ranch class to the Novice class:
1. The handler both owns and runs the dog;
2. Once the dog earns 14 points it is no longer eligible to compete in
the Novice class;
A. Should the dog move back to the Ranch class, it retains all
previously accumulated Ranch points toward compulsory advancement.
4.
COURSE
a.
In a field trial, the dog is not required to run a full course.
The dog is never required to shed or single. Typically the dog is
required to do an outrun, lift, fetch and pen. The handler may not walk
with the dog during any phase of work except to pen. The outrun is
approximately 75 to 125 yards. The fetch may or may not have fetch
panels. The fetch may be straight to the pen, to the handler, or to a
designated spot on the field.
b.
In an arena trial, the dog may run a modified course or may run a
pattern as determined by the trial committee. The trial may be judged,
timed, or a combination of judged and timed.
1.
HANDLER
a.
Any Open, Open Ranch, or Ranch handler may compete in the Nursery
Class.
1.
A Novice handler may compete in the Nursery Class, but will lose
his/her Novice standing.
b.
The handler must submit a copy of the dog’s registration
certificate prior to going to the post.
1.
Certificates not available at that time have a thirty (30) day
grace period.
2.
Imported eligibility documents should be included with
certificates.
2.
DOG
a.
Any dog that meets the age requirement is eligible to compete in
the Nursery Class.
1.
A Ranch or Novice dog that competes in the Nursery Class will
lose their eligibility to run in both the Ranch and Novice Class.
2.
Nursery dogs are treated as Open Ranch dogs regarding movement
from one class to another.
b.
Age Requirement:
1.
A dog must be less than 3 years old (36 months) on June 30th
of the Finals year.
2.
Dogs imported younger than one (1) year of age may compete in the
Nursery Class.
c.
A dog begins the trial year with zero (0) Dog of the Year
points. All points are dropped after the Finals Trial
3.
COURSE
a.
In a field trial, the dog may be required to run a full course,
excluding the shed, or as directed by the presiding judge. The dog is
never required to shed or single. The outrun and drive can be the same
an Open course, or may be shortened. These trials are judged with a
time limit for completing the course. The course may be modified to
include, for example, a chute or Maltese cross. These obstacles may be
in addition to the full course or may replace a phase of work such as
the pen.
b.
In an arena trial, the dog may run a modified course or may run a
pattern as determined by the trial committee. The trial may be judged,
timed, or a combination of judged and timed.
1.
HANDLER
a.
Any youth ten (10) years of age or younger may enter the Youth
Class with a helper at the post.
b.
This class does not compete for prizes or money.
c.
The TSDA fee is waived. However, other fees, as set by the trial
committee, can be charged, e.g. stock charge.
d.
Handlers in this class are drawn and compete within the Novice
Class.
e.
The judge scores the Youth Class.
f.
Token prizes/certificates may be awarded.
g.
A youth may choose to run in the Novice Class, with no helper,
to compete for prizes and money.
1.
A youth competing for prizes and money pays the Novice Class
entry fee.
2.
DOG
a.
Any dog may run in this class: Open, Open Ranch, Ranch, Novice,
or Nursery.
3.
COURSE
a.
In a field trial, the dog is not required to run a full course.
The dog is never required to shed or single. Typically the dog is
required to do an outrun, lift, fetch and pen. The handler may not walk
with the dog during any phase of work except to pen. The outrun is
approximately 75 to 125 yards. The fetch may or may not have fetch
panels. The fetch may be straight to the pen, to the handler, or to a
designated spot on the field.
b.
In an arena trial, the dog may run a modified course or may run a
pattern as determined by the trial committee. The trial may be judged,
timed, or a combination of judged and timed.
1.
All TSDA sanctioned trials are judged according to the following
sections found in the ISDS Rules and Guidelines.
a.
Section 5 ‘i’ through ‘vi’
b.
Section 19
c.
Notes for the Guidance of Judges
2.
Judges should be familiar with these rules and these rules should
be available for review while judging.
3.
Only a secretary, clerk, and/or timekeeper may sit with the
judge.
4.
The judge should describe the trial field boundaries.
5.
Distractions to the judge should be limited.
6.
The judge has the authority to retire any entry that may be
abusing the livestock and/or dog.
7.
All decisions of the judge are final.
8.
Judges determine reruns.
9.
Judges determine the manner in which ties are broken and have the
following options available to him/her.
a.
Split the premiums.
b.
Use the highest scoring gather (total outrun, lift and fetch
points)
i.
If the gather is tied, each single phase of work is compared
until a higher score is found, thus breaking the tie.
1
Phases or work are compared in the following order: outrun,
lift, fetch, drive, pen, shed/single
2
If a course has been modified so it does not include one or more
phases listed above, the “other” phases will be compared in the order
they occurred during the run.
c.
Have a run-off.
10.
Judges are not paid by the TSDA for judging, except for the
Finals Trial.
11.
A judge may call for a personal break at any time during the
trial.
12.
If a judge is unable to perform his/her duties, it is his/her
responsibility to find a replacement. S/he may call the TSDA secretary
for suggestions.
13.
It is the trial committee’s responsibility to provide a clerk and
a secretary.
14.
A judge may run a dog in a class s/he is not judging.
1.
The trial committee, TSDA secretary, or trial sponsor may appoint
a course director.
a.
If more than one person is designated course director, they
should:
i.
Carry out all duties at different times during the trial.
ii.
Carry out the specific duties that have been divided among or
between those designated.
iii.
Carry out duties as directed by the trial committee.
2.
The course director’s duties include, but are not limited to:
a.
Handling complaints.
b.
Maintaining the run order.
c.
Determining the method of exhausting stock. The course director
may:
i.
Appoint someone to exhaust.
ii.
Require competitors to exhaust the run that follows them.
3.
The course director should be available at all times during trial
hours.
4.
All complaints must be filed with the course director. If s/he
is unwilling or unable to handle the complaint, it may be filed with the
Board in writing.
1.
Any dog may compete regardless of breed, age, or color. A dog is
not required to be registered or purebred.
2.
There are restrictions as to the equipment a dog is allow to wear
on the trial field premise and during competition. Non-adherence to these
restrictions may result in disqualification, as well as loss of fees,
prizes and premium monies.
a.
A dog may be equipped with any standard collar.
b.
Restricted devices include, but are not limited to:
i.
Any remote controlled device on premise..
ii.
Dummy or weighted collars.
iii.
A leash or rope not detached before the dog is cast.
iv.
Any device used to distract or cause pain to a dog.
c.
The judge and course director have the right to inspect a dog for
any violation to this rule.
3.
All dogs should be kept securely tied, on a leash, or in a crate
while not competing.
4.
Dogs that are competing should be kept off the trial field prior
to their run.
1.
A handler is limited to the use of a crook or stock stick while
competing.
2.
A contestant shall not enter the trial field at any time with any
kind of training device.
a.
The trial committee, representative, or judge may disqualify a
contestant if s/he enters the trial field with any such equipment.
3.
A handler is responsible for injury to livestock and property,
both on and off the trial field, that results from a dog being loose
and/or out of control.
4.
Handlers should always demonstrate sportsmanlike conduct.
5.
Assistance from sidelines may subject a handler to
disqualification.
6.
Handlers may walk the trial field prior to the trial.
7.
Upon leaving the post area during a phase of work that does not
include the pen, shed, chute, or other similar work, it is assumed the
contestant is retiring and, therefore, no points are awarded.
8.
When the allotted time for a run has expired, points are awarded
through the last completed phase of work.
9.
If the judge signals “off course”, the handler will quickly
retire from the post. No points are awarded.
10.
If the judge signals “thank you”, the run has been disqualified
and the handler will quickly retire from the post. No points are
awarded.
11.
A handler should be ready to run whenever his/her name is
called. Failure to come to the post when called is cause for
disqualification of that run.
1.
Every competitor prior to competing in a TSDA trial, effective
May 22, 1997, must sign a Statement of Responsibility. This statement
is renewed annually.
2.
A competitor may enter three (3) dogs per class. Each trial
host has the option to limit entries to two (2), or fewer, dogs per
handler.
3.
Entry fees are payable to the person designated in the newsletter
or web site.
4.
No entries are accepted after the cut off date for trials that
require pre-entries.
a.
Entrants may be put on a waiting list.
b.
The trial host may make an exception on a case-by-case basis.
5.
Entries are not accepted once a class is underway.
6.
The TSDA secretary will furnish scoreboard sheets and a time
clock. A run order may be furnished if requested by the trial
committee.
7.
The complete run order must be drawn prior to the first entry in
a class proceeding to the post.
8.
No entry may be pulled after the draw.
a.
The handler is liable for the entry fee.
b.
The trial host may allow substitutions.
9.
A draw in a run order consists of a dog/handler team
a.
An entry must run in order drawn.
b.
A handler cannot name the order in which his/her dog shall run.
10.
A random or rotation draw by the trial committee or someone
appointed by the trial committee determines the run order.
a.
Should a handler’s entries be drawn back-to-back or with only one
draw between runs, entries are drawn and inserted so the handler has two
draws separating his/her runs.
i.
If it is not possible to separate a handler’s runs by at least
two (2) draws, that handler is allowed enough time to put up one dog and
get the other to the post without the risk of forfeiting his/her run for
being tardy to the post.
b.
All classes are drawn in this manner.
11.
Score sheets are checked and posted by the trial secretary in an
area not readily accessible to the judge.
a.
Total scores only are posted as soon as practical after run.
b.
Point deductions are filled in after the last contestant in a
class has run.
12.
Once a class starts, the method of spotting livestock cannot be
changed. It may be changed at the start of another class.
a.
Should it be necessary to change the method of spotting livestock
before the end of a class, all competitors who ran using the first
method must be given the option of a re-run.
13.
The TSDA secretary must receive the original score sheets, as
filled out by the judge and clerk, for every sanctioned class run during
a trial.
a.
A trial may use its own score sheet or the form found in the
newsletter and web site.
14.
Each entry fee will include a $3.00 TSDA fee (office charge) to
be paid to the TSDA.
15.
The division of the premium money is at the trial host’s
discretion. It should be included in the trial application or properly
advertised in the newsletter or web site.
16.
Any dog may run in a jackpot class without affecting their TSDA
class standing. No Dog of the Year points are awarded.
17.
Deviations from TSDA guidelines may result in disqualification as
a sanctioned, trial loss of points for entries, etc.
18. A limit of $100.00 for sheep
loss/damage (per head) unless otherwise stated on web or newsletter.
19.
In all
arena trials a trial host may limit the number of entries in each class
– if the trial host does limit entries it must be listed in newsletter
and web site,
1.
Rule changes and/or new rules made during the trial year
will go into effect 30 days after the
rule change is approved, unless the change will affect
year end issues such as DOY, lifetime
points or handler status. In those cases the rule will go
into effect with the first trial of the next
trial season
2.
In case where the number of handlers placing in a class is less
than the number of places paid, the l
trial committee has discretion as how to distribute the remaining
payout funds. They may:
1. Split all remaining funds between placing
handlers.
2. Place disqualified and retired handlers by the
work completed (i.e. add all points earned).
A.
The WTSDA operates under the same by-laws and trial guidelines as
the TSDA.
B.
The WTSDA must have the same number of officers and Board of
Directors as the TSDA.
C.
The TSDA must receive one half (1/2) of the WTSDA membership
fees.
D.
The TSDA must receive one half (1/2) of the association fee,
which is $1.50
E.
WTSDA members receive each TSDA newsletter.
F.
The WTSDA may have added classes but will not receive Dog/Year
points.
H. WTSDA is exempt from by-law Article 4.2, so they may
elect Directors outside of Texas, and Article 6.1, President must be
elected from the Board of Directors
VI.
CATTLE DOG RULES & GUIDELINES
Cattle dog trials sanctioned by the TCDA must meet the
following requirements:
- The
TSDA Rules and Guidelines that have been in effect for many years must
be followed when applicable.
- There shall be three (3) cattle dog classes for the TCDA:
Open, Pro-Novice, and Novice.
A Nursery Class, sanctioned by the USBCHA, can be included in
the Pro-Novice Class (a class within a class) and the handler only
pays the USBCHA fee of $2. The
Nursery can be run as a separate class with a separate entry fee from
which the $2 will be paid. The
Nursery class will not be a class at the Finals.
- A
dog or handler’s classification in sheep trials has no bearing on
their classification in cattle trials.
A.
DOG
DEFINITIONS
1.
OPEN
a.
Any dog that has run in an Open Cattle Class anywhere in the world
since May 31, 2002.
2.
PRO-NOVICE
a. | 
