There are three levels of Road Trial Competition. The "Coaching Certificate" test evaluates the Dalmatian's ability to coach. The "Road Dog" class evaluates coaching ability and moderate endurance. The "Road Dog Excellent" class evaluates coaching ability and extended endurance. Road Trials demonstrate Dalmatians' ability to behave in public places, such as riding trails, in the presence of other dogs, in a manner that will reflect positively on the sport and on purebred dogs. The performance of dog and handler over the Road Trial course must be accurate and correct, and must conform to the requirements of these Regulations. It is also essential, however, that the dog demonstrates willingness and enjoyment of his work throughout.

SECTION 2. Risk.
The owner or agent entering any dog and/or horse in a Road Trial does so at his own risk and agrees to abide by the rules of The American Kennel Club, the Dalmatian Club of America, and these Road Trial Regulations. Activities involving horses involve an inherent risk, which is acknowledged by each participant by signing the entry form. The host club, group, or individual, its Road Trial Committee and any/all of its members or officers, the owner(s) of the site, the Dalmatian Club of America and its members, shall not be responsible for or assume any liability in the event of any accident or misfortune to either dogs, horses, exhibitors, escorts, or spectators participating in any DCA sanctioned Road Trial.

The host club, individual, or group shall reserve the right to determine an exhibitor's riding ability before allowing him to compete in their Road Trial. Should it be determined by the Host that a rider might present a safety hazard to himself, his horse, or to others, the rider may be excused from competition, and his entry fee shall be refunded.

It shall be the exhibitor's responsibility to determine which medical inoculations are deemed necessary for his dog(s) and horse(s) for the geographic area of a particular Road Trial. He may be required to show veterinary certificates of certain inoculations, as specified in each Road Trial's premium list.

SECTION 3. Equipment.
Exhibitors, escorts, and the Mounted Judge shall be required to wear ASTM approved safety riding helmets, and riding boots or shoes with at least a ½ inch heel.

SECTION 4. Use of Collar and Leash.
Dogs should be kept on a leash when not competing. Dogs may be brought to the starting line on a leash if the handler chooses. The handler will remove the leash before crossing the starting line. There shall be collars and leashes available at the Mid-Point Veterinarian check for exhibitors to use on each dog during his gaiting and veterinary examination.

No dogs shall be allowed to run on the course wearing a choke, prong, shock, or any other type of training collar. A plain buckle collar may be worn at the handler's discretion. If wide, color-coded collars are used as the means of identifying each dog, the fabric should be lightweight and breathable, or may be made of a cooling material, and should be fastened with Velcro™ or other such fastener that would yield should the dog become entangled on the course. It is advisable that each dog wears some means of identification, such as a tattoo, tags, or microchip.

SECTION 5. Road Trial Hosts.
An all-breed dog show club may be granted permission to hold a Licensed or Member Road Trial in conjunction with its Dog Show; and a Dalmatian specialty club, any other group of Dalmatian fanciers, or individual may also be granted permission to hold a Licensed or Member Road Trial if, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Dalmatian Club of America, such club, group, or individual is qualified to do so. Such a group or individual may apply to host a Road Trial by writing to the Dalmatian Club of America Board of Directors.

A club may hold a Road Trial on the same day as its AKC Show and/or Performance Event, and the Road Trial may be announced in the premium list for the Show and/or Trial, and the Road Trial entries may be included in the Show and/or Performance Event catalog. If the entries are not listed in the catalog for the Show and/or Performance Event, the club must provide at the Road Trial several copies of a typewritten sheet or sheets (the Road Trial Pamphlet), giving all the information that would be contained in the catalog for each dog.

If the Road Trial is to be held within 7 days of the Show and/or Performance Event, the entries may be sent to the same person designated to receive the Show and/or Performance Event entries, and the same closing date should apply. If the Road Trial is not to be held within 7 days of a Show and/or Performance Event, or if the host club chooses a different organization/person to receive entries, the club will name the person/organization to receive the entries in the premium list, and may specify a different closing date for entries.

SECTION 6. Host Road Trial Committee.
The Trial Host must appoint A Road Trial Committee, and this committee shall exercise all the authority vested in a Dog Show's Bench Show Committee. If the Host holds its Road Trial in conjunction with a dog show and/or other performance event, then the host Road Trial Committee shall have sole jurisdiction only over those dogs entered in the Road Trial and their handlers and owners and only on the day of the Road Trial.

SECTION 7. DCA Sanction.
Dalmatian Club of America sanction must be obtained by any club/host that holds a Road Trial in order for entrants in that trial to be eligible for existing challenge trophies and or DCA Certificates of Participation and DCA Certificates of Title.

SECTION 8. Dog Show Rules.
All of the American Kennel Club Dog Show Rules, where applicable, shall govern the conduct of Road Trials, and shall apply to all persons and dogs participating in them, except as these Road Trial Regulations may provide otherwise.

SECTION 9. Un-entered Dogs.
Only dogs entered in the Road Trial, or being used for the Road Trial, shall be allowed within the show precincts. This shall include dogs being used for the Distraction exercise and dogs acting as official mascots, such as to escort the carriage or vehicle carrying judges and stewards to points along the course. The Host may designate a specific crating area for un-entered dogs, away from the judged exercises.

There shall be no benching, offering for sale, breeding, or displaying of un-entered dogs. If a Host wishes to allow the presence of un-entered dogs in a designated crating area, these dogs shall be subject to all rules relating to health and conduct. The owners or agents shall be responsible for the care and safety of such dogs.

SECTION 10. Escorts.
For his safety and enjoyment, an exhibitor entered in the RD or the RDX classes is encouraged to choose an un-entered companion to ride on horseback or in the carriage/cart with him on the course. This escort may not at any time give commands or signals to any of the entered dogs, and must ride and behave in such a way as to not interfere with the exhibitor, his dog(s), the cart or carriage, the Mounted Judge or the Mounted Judge's line of vision; or the Course Judge or the Course Judge's line of vision during any portion of the Road Trial. In the RD and RDX classes, a passenger or escort riding in the carriage/cart may not drive the carriage/cart or control the horse or dog(s) at any time. It is preferable that any mounted escort or passenger escort remains at a predetermined waiting area during the judging of the Exercises. The escort may join the exhibitor team after the judging of the Exercises has been completed. Except in extenuating circumstances, or when a waiting area is not available, any mounted escort for a particular handler shall remain at least twenty feet behind the Judge, and shall make certain not to interfere with any dog, exhibitor, Judge, or Judge's line of vision during any exercise.

This escort shall be subject to act in accordance with these Regulations and the AKC Rules and Regulations governing Dog Shows. If rental horses are offered, the needs of the exhibitors shall be met regarding rental horses before such horses are made available to escort riders. In the event of a shortage of rental horses, an escort rider using a rental horse may be required to forfeit the use of such rental horse to an exhibitor if an exhibitor needs it.

If a rented carriage/cart and driver are available for the Coaching Certificate Test, the driver shall not at any time give commands and/or signals to any of the entered dogs, and must drive and behave in such a way as to not interfere with the exhibitor, his dog(s), and/or the Judge.

SECTION 11. Identification.
No badges, club jackets, coats with kennel names, or other identifying logos, markings, names, or ribbon prizes may be worn or displayed by an individual when exhibiting a dog at a Road Trial. Multiple dogs on a team shall be identified on the course solely by either color-coded lightweight jackets, or wide, color-coded collars. Handlers shall be identified by a large number worn on their backs. Identification worn by dogs and handlers shall be clearly visible to the Judges and Veterinarians. The catalog or Road Trial Pamphlet shall indicate both handler numbers and colors assigned to each of the dogs on a team. The numbers or colors assigned by the Road Trial Committee for each member of each team shall be printed in the Show Catalog or Road Trial Pamphlet. In the case of an exhibitor handling a single dog, the number displayed on the exhibitor may serve as sufficient identification for the dog. If wide, color-coded collars are used, the host may provide Cool™ Collars, or collars made of a cooling material for all dogs entered.

SECTION 12. Multiple Entries.
Each handler may enter up to six dogs on a single team in a Road Trial, and may enter up to two teams. If a handler enters two separate teams, each team must be submitted as a separate entry and drawn by lot in accordance with Chapter 1, Sections 13 and 15. If a team has an entry of 3 or more dogs, the Judge(s) may choose to judge the dogs in the Exercises in groups of 2 or less.

SECTION 13. Limitation of Entries.
The number of entries in a Road Trial shall be limited according to the starting time of the Trial, and the number of hours of daylight during the Trial, with teams leaving at approximately 20 - 30 minute intervals. This number shall be calculated by figuring the maximum number of teams which the Host can accommodate, with the last RD team leaving the starting line at least 3 hours before the expected time of dusk, or the last RDX team leaving the starting line at least 6 hours before the expected time of dusk, and the last CC team to be judged at least 30 minutes before dusk. In a Road Trial, RDX teams are judged first, then RD teams, then CC teams. Dusk is defined as 1 hour after sunset.

After determining the maximum number of entries, this number shall be designated in the premium list. After the closing date has passed, the Host shall count the number of eligible entries. If this number exceeds the maximum number of entries allowed, as designated in the premium list, the following protocol will be followed:

Priority will be given to dogs entered in RDX classes that have not yet earned the title RDX, and to dogs entered in RD classes that have not yet earned the title RD. A drawing will be held, if necessary, to determine which entries shall be eligible to compete, plus five alternates. Dogs that have not yet earned an RDX or RD title in their respective classes will be drawn first. If there are any remaining time slots available, another drawing shall be held to determine which of the "titled" dogs shall be eligible to compete, and which dogs shall be named as alternates. If there are any CC entries, these will be judged after the last RD team has been judged. This will be at least 3 hours before dusk. If there are more CC teams entered than can be accommodated during that time, a drawing will be held to determine which CC teams may compete, plus 5 alternates. Alternates shall be eligible to compete in the Road Trial should any entrant cancel or fail to appear by 7 AM on the day of the Trial.

Those entrants selected to compete, and the alternates, shall be notified by mail or phone within 5 days of the closing date for entries, and entry fees for all other entries shall be refunded. Entrants are encouraged to notify the Road Trial Committee as soon as possible if they cannot compete so that an alternate can be notified as far in advance as possible. If an entrant should cancel after the closing date, no entry fees shall be refunded, except where an alternate has been selected and shall compete in their place, in which case one-half of the entry fees shall be refunded to the original entrant. Entry fees shall be postmarked as return to the alternates within 5 days of the Trial should the alternates not have the opportunity to compete.

SECTION 14. Change in Judges.
If for any reason an announced Road Trial judge is unable to complete his assignment, an alternate judge shall be named. Notification of this change shall be promptly made to the owner of each entry. The owner shall be permitted to withdraw such entry within seven days prior to the day of the show, and the entry fee shall then be refunded. Should the change occur any time within 7 days of the Trial, withdrawn entries shall also be allowed, and the entry fee(s) refunded.

SECTION 15. Order of Running.
After the closing date for entries has passed and the entries and alternates have been chosen, and prior to the printing of the Show Catalog or Road Trial Pamphlet, the Road Trial Committee shall draw by lot the order in which handlers shall begin the Trial with their dog(s). Numbers, colors, and judging times shall be assigned accordingly, as much as practical, with the following considerations:

Each handler wishing to run two separate teams of dogs shall have submitted two separate entry forms indicating the grouping of dogs as he plans to run them. The order of running shall allow him sufficient time to complete each course before being required to start with a subsequent group.

Carriage entrants competing on the 25-mile course shall be run first, followed by horseback entrants competing on the 25-mile course, followed by carriage entrants on the 12 ½ mile course, followed by horseback entrants on the 12 ½ mile course, followed by Coaching Certificate entrants. The Coaching Certificate Test shall be conducted after all entries for RDX and RD have completed the judged exercises. At the discretion of the Host, the Mounted Judge or the Course Judge may serve as the judge for the CC Test, or another judge with the same minimum qualifications as provided in the Regulations (Chapter 6, Sec. 1A & B) for a Judge may be used. Judges must be named in the premium list.

Bitches in season, whether competing in the RDX or the RD class, shall be run last, and in keeping with Chapter 1, Section 19 of these Regulations.

SECTION 16. Catalog Order.
Dogs should be judged in catalog or Road Trial Pamphlet order. It is the responsibility of each exhibitor to be ready with his dog(s) and horse at the Start/Finish veterinary checkpoint when required, without being called, and allowing time for the starting veterinary checks to be completed before his scheduled judging time. The final veterinary check of dogs that have completed the course shall take precedence over dogs on teams that are just starting the course. At the discretion of the Start/Finish Veterinarian, the Veterinarian may request that an exhibitor whose dogs are ready and waiting at his checkpoint be examined ahead of an exhibitor who is causing a delay. Once the starting veterinary check has been completed on each team, it is the responsibility of each handler to proceed immediately to the course starting line and await instructions from the Mounted Judge or the Start/Finish Steward. At the Mounted Judge's or the Start/Finish Steward's discretion, and if agreeable to the Exhibitor, the Judge or Steward may request that an exhibitor who is ready and waiting at the starting line be judged ahead of an exhibitor who has delayed proceeding to the starting line. At the Mounted Judge's or the Start/Finish Steward's discretion, and if agreeable to the Exhibitor, a team may start out on the course before the approximate twenty minute to half-hour interval from the departure of the preceding team has elapsed. Such early departure by a team shall not necessitate subsequent teams' being at the starting line before their scheduled start times.

SECTION 17. Purebred Dalmatians only.
As used in these Regulations, the word "dog" refers to either sex but only to Dalmatians that are purebred, and eligible for registration in the American Kennel Club studbook, or a limited registration. An eligible unregistered dog for which the American Kennel Club has issued an ILP number may also be entered. Any dog that is registered in the official registry of another country as a purebred Dalmatian may also be entered in a Dalmatian Club of America Road Trial.

SECTION 18. Dogs That May Not Compete.
For each individual Trial, no dog belonging wholly or in part to a Trial judge, Trial veterinarian, the Road Trial Secretary, Show Superintendent, or to any member of such a person's immediate family or household, shall be entered in that Road Trial, nor may any of these officials handle or act as agent for any dog entered in the Road Trial at which such person officiates or is scheduled to officiate.

No dogs shall be entered or shown under a judge at a Road Trial if the dog has been owned, sold, held under lease, handled in the ring, boarded, or has been regularly trained or instructed, whether professionally or as amateurs, by the judge or by any member of his immediate family or household within six months prior to the date of the Road Trial, and no such dog shall be eligible to compete.

If the Road Trial is held within 7 days of a Dog Show or other Performance Event given by the same Dog Show or Performance Club as gave the Road Trial, the Road Trial Judges, Veterinarians, and officials shall be eligible to compete in such Dog Show and/or Performance events.

No dog less than 6 months of age on the day of the Trial may compete at any Road Trial. No dog less than 12 months of age may compete in the RD classes. No dog less than 18 months of age may compete in the RDX classes.

SECTION 19. Disqualification and Ineligibility.
A dog that is blind or deaf or that has been changed in appearance by artificial means other than neutering may not compete in any Road Trial, and must be disqualified. Blind means without useful vision. "Deaf" is defined as without useful hearing.

When a Judge finds any of these conditions in any dog he is judging, he shall also obtain the opinion of one of the Road Trial Veterinarians, or when a Veterinarian finds any of the conditions in any dog, they shall disqualify the dog, marking the Judge's Book or veterinary sheet "Disqualified", and stating the reason. The dog shall then be excused from further competition. In the case of a disagreement, the opinion of the Road Trial Start/Finish Veterinarian shall carry.

A Judge or Veterinarian must disqualify any dog that attempts to attack any person or horse on the grounds, and the dog shall be immediately removed from the course. It is the handler's responsibility to immediately remove his excused dog from the course, and he must do so before continuing to compete with any other dog(s) on his team. A judge or veterinarian may excuse a dog that attacks another dog or that appears dangerous to other dogs on the course and require that this dog be immediately removed from the course. He shall mark the dog "Excused", and state the reason in the Judge's Book or on the veterinary sheet, and shall give the Superintendent or Show or Trial Secretary a brief report of the dog's actions which shall be submitted to the DCA with the report of the Trial.

All awards made to any disqualified or excused dog at the Road Trial shall be canceled by the Dalmatian Club of America and the dog may not again compete in DCA sponsored events unless and until, following application by the owner to the DCA Road Trial Committee, the owner has received official notification from the Committee that the dog's eligibility has been reinstated. Dogs that have been excused because they are lame or unsound do not need such reinstatement of eligibility.

Spayed bitches, castrated dogs, monorchid or cryptorchid males, and dogs that have faults which would disqualify them under the breed standard for Dalmatians, may compete in Road Trials if otherwise eligible under these Regulations.

A dog or a horse that is lame or otherwise unsound may not compete in a Road Trial. It shall be the responsibility of the Start/Finish Veterinarian to determine whether a dog or horse is lame or otherwise unsound before he starts out on the course, and after he has completed the course. It shall be the Mid-point Veterinarian or Vet Tech's responsibility to determine whether a dog or horse is lame, or otherwise unsound, after the animal has completed approximately half of the course distance.

If, in the Start/Finish Veterinarian's opinion or the Mid-point Veterinarian or Vet Tech's opinion, a dog or horse is lame or otherwise unsound, the animal shall not be allowed to compete or to continue to compete, and the official judge's book shall be marked "Excused-lame".

The Mounted Judge and the Course Judge may also at any point make a determination that a dog or horse is lame or otherwise unsound, and shall immediately excuse the dog or horse from further competition.

Bitches in season shall be allowed to compete if scheduling permits them to be run last, but they must be run last, and at the owner's risk. It shall be the handler's responsibility to notify the Road Trial Committee by 7 AM on the day of the Road Trial if his bitch is in season. If, in the opinion of either Veterinarian or Judge, any bitch is in season whose handler has not notified the Road Trial Committee by 7 AM on the day of the trial, that handler and dog shall be barred from the competition, and the Official Judge's Book shall be marked, "Excused, in season, not reported."

No dog less than 6 months old may compete in the Coaching Certificate test. No dog less than one year of age may compete in a Road Dog class. No dog less than one and one-half years of age may compete in a Road Dog Excellent class at a Road Trial. .

SECTION 20. Disturbances.
Either of the judges or veterinarians of a Road Trial must remove from competition any dog or horse which its handler cannot control, and may excuse from competition any dog or horse which he considers unfit to compete. The handler shall be immediately advised verbally that his dog or horse has been excused, and that the dog or horse shall not be allowed to continue to compete. If a dog or horse has been excused, the reason shall be stated on both the particular judge or veterinarian score sheet who excused the dog or horse, and on the aggregate score sheet.

If a horse has been excused or removed from competition, the exhibitor shall be allowed to substitute another mount if such substitute mount is available within a reasonable time frame. The clocking of the exhibitor's time shall stop, and be re-started when a substitute mount has been obtained. It is not the responsibility of the Host to provide substitute mounts, however, and exhibitors should be advised that if their mount is excused, they might not be able to finish the course.

Either judge or veterinarian may excuse from competition any handler who interferes willfully with another competitor or his dog or horse on the course, or any exhibitor who displays behavior contrary to the principles of good sportsmanship. Foul or abusive language by any exhibitor or exhibitor's escort in a Road Trial shall not be tolerated. Any Judge, in cases where a dog has been excused during the Road Trial as described in Chapter 1, Section 19 or Chapter 1, Section 20, shall immediately advise an exhibitor and his escort that the exhibitor, escort, dog(s) and/or horse has been excused, and, in these cases, the dog(s) and/or exhibitor and/or escort shall be immediately removed from the course.

If a handler is expelled or excused by a Judge or a Veterinarian, the reason shall be stated in the Judge's Book or in a separate report, and the exhibitor shall be prohibited from competing in future Road Trials until the matter has been resolved to the satisfaction of the DCA Road Trial Committee.

SECTION 21. Misbehavior. Any unusual display of fear or nervousness by the dog, or any uncontrolled behavior of the dog such as snapping, barking (excepting for a bark that warns of an impending danger), or running away (excepting if a dog starts after game encountered on the course but willingly returns on command), whether it occurs during a specific exercise or anywhere on the course, must be penalized according to the seriousness of the misbehavior. The Judge or Veterinarian may subtract points from the dog's total score, or may excuse the dog from further competition. If such behavior occurs during an exercise, the penalty must first be applied to the score for that exercise. Should the penalty be greater than the value of the exercise during which it is incurred, the additional points shall be deducted from the total score under Misbehavior. If such behavior occurs before or after the judging or between Exercises, the entire penalty shall be deducted from the total score.

SECTION 22. Training On the Grounds.
There shall be no drilling nor intensive or abusive training of dogs on the grounds or premises at a Road Trial. Special training collars shall not be allowed on the grounds or premises at a Road Trial. The judge shall not permit any handler to train his dog by excessive verbal commands or by moving toward the dog to correct it in any way, except in the case of aggression, and shall excuse from further competition in the Road Trial any dog whose handler does either. Exhibitors shall be allowed and encouraged to ride/drive their horse on the course the day before the Trial without dogs. Exhibitors shall be allowed to ride/drive their horse with dog(s) at hock in an area away from the judged Exercise area, if such an area is available. These requirements shall not be interpreted as preventing a handler from moving normally about the grounds or premises with his dog at heel on leash or at hock, nor from giving such commands or signals in a normal manner as would be necessary and usual in everyday life. Physical or abusive verbal disciplining of dogs shall not be permitted, except in the case of an attack on a person or another dog. Likewise, physical abuse of a horse shall not be permitted. A dog whose handler disciplines it on the course must be immediately reported by the Judge to the Host Road Trial Committee for action under Chapter 1, Section 26. The Superintendent, Road Trial Secretary, and the members of the Host Road Trial Committee shall be responsible for compliance with this section, and shall investigate any reports of infractions.

SECTION 23. Abuse of Dogs or Horses.
The Host Road Trial Committee shall investigate any reports of abuse of dogs or horses or severe disciplining of dogs or horses on the grounds or premises of a show. Any person who, at a Road Trial, conducts himself in such manner or in any other manner prejudicial against the best interest of the sport, or who fails to comply with the requirements of Chapter 1, Sec. 21, shall be dealt with promptly, during the Trial if possible, after the offender has been notified of the specific charges against him, and has been given an opportunity to be heard in his own defense in accordance with Chapter 1, Section 26. Any abuse of a dog or horse on the course must be immediately reported by the Judge or Veterinarian/Vet Tech to the Road Trial Committee for action under Chapter 1, Section 26, and the exhibitor shall be excused from competition.

SECTION 24. Decisions.
At the Road Trial, the decisions of a judge or veterinarian shall be final in all matters affecting the scoring and the working of the dogs and their handlers. The Host Road Trial Committee shall decide all other matters arising at the Trial, including protests against dogs made under Chapter 19 of the AKC Dog Show Rules, subject, however, to the Rules and Regulations of the American Kennel Club.

SECTION 25. Stewards.
The Judges and Veterinarian/Veterinary Technicians are in sole charge of their particular area of judging. Stewards shall be provided to assist each Judge and Veterinarian/Veterinary Technician, but they may act only on the Judge's or Veterinarian/Vet Tech's instructions. Stewards shall not give information or instructions to owners and handlers except as specifically instructed by the Judge or Veterinarian/Vet Tech, and then only in such a manner that it is clear that the instructions are those of the Judge or Veterinarian/Vet Tech.

25A. Start/Finish Steward. A Start/Finish Steward shall be provided who will, acting on the Start/Finish Veterinarian's and the Mounted Judge's instructions, be responsible for maintaining an orderly flow of teams into the Start/Finish Veterinary Check Point and then onto the course. The Start/Finish Steward shall also record the time each team crosses the starting line and the finish line, and, if possible, the time each team leaves for the endurance portion of the course. The official start time of the endurance portion of each team shall be recorded by the judge as defined in Chapter 2, Sec. 1, and shall be marked on the judge's score sheet and reported to the Start/Finish Steward. It is the responsibility of the Start/Finish Steward to record the time each team crosses the Finish Line, and transfer that record into the Official Judge's Book. After the Judges and Veterinarian have entered their scores into the Official Judge's Book, the Start/Finish Steward will verify the addition of scores.

SECTION 26. Discipline.
The Dalmatian Club of America shall have the right to suspend any person from the privileges of DCA for conduct prejudicial to the best interests of pure-bred dogs, Road Trials, or the Dalmatian Club of America, alleged to have occurred in connection with or during the progress of its Road Trial, after the alleged offender has been given an opportunity to be heard.

Notice in writing must be sent promptly by registered mail or hand delivered by the Road Trial Committee to the person charged, and a duplicate notice giving the name and address of the person charged, and full details as to the reasons for the chargees, must be forwarded to the Dalmatian Club of America within seven days.

An appeal may be taken from a decision of the DCA Board of Directors. Notice in writing claiming such appeal together with a deposit of twenty five dollars ($25US) must be sent to the DCA within thirty days after the date of suspension. The DCA Board of Directors may itself hear said appeal or may refer it to a committee of the Board, or to a Trial Board to be heard. The $25 deposit shall become the property of the DCA if the decision is confirmed, or shall be returned to the appellant if the decision is not confirmed.

SECTION 27. Official Judges' Book.
The Official Judges' Book shall be kept by the Road Trial Chairman and shall contain an aggregate score sheet for each team entered in the Road Trial. The aggregate score sheet for each team shall indicate each dog's score for each exercise, each dog's pass/fail status for the Start and Mid-Point Veterinary Checks, each dog's score for the Final Veterinary Check, the official start time of each team, the official finish time of each team, and the time required for the Mid-Point Veterinary check. The time required for the mid-point Veterinary Check shall be deducted from the total time for each team. This Official Judge's Book shall be made available for each Judge and Vet/Vet Tech to transfer their scores once they have completed their area of jurisdiction. The Judge(s) shall also copy the official start time of each team into the Judges' Book, and shall copy the official finish time of each team from the Start/Finish Steward's sheets into the Judge's Book, and shall deduct the Mid-Point Veterinary Check time from the total time, and enter this on each team's aggregate score sheet. The entries and computations will then be verified by the Start/Finish Steward, and re-verified by the Judge(s) before prizes are awarded.

No person other than one of the Judges or Vet(s)/Vet Tech may make any entry in the Official Judges' Book. Officials may enter into the Judges' Book only the information assigned to them by these Regulations. All final scores must be entered in the Official Judges' Book by the Judge(s)s and Vet(s)/Vet Tech, checked by the Start/Finish Steward, and verified by the Judge(s) before prizes are awarded.

SECTION 2. Qualifying Score.
In the RD and RDX classes, a qualifying score shall be required to earn a title. A Qualifying Score shall be comprised of Pass Ratings (51 - 100) on each of the exercises (Recall, Hock, Hock With Distraction, Long Sit or Down, Speed); PLUS a Pass Rating by the veterinarians/Vet Tech at each of the course's start, mid-point, and final vet-check, PLUS the dog's having completed the endurance portion of the Trial within the designated time limit. In the Coaching Certificate Test, no scores shall be recorded, but a Pass Rating must be received from the judge in each of the exercises for the dog to be awarded the CC title.

SECTION 3. Hands.
In all exercises on the course, the handler's arms and hands shall be in a natural riding or driving position.

SECTION 4. Commands.
Whenever a command is mentioned in theses Regulations, a single verbal command by the handler is preferable, although extra commands may be permissible. Any extra commands, if needed to keep the dog(s) under control, will be scored accordingly. A handler may praise his dog(s) during an exercise, or use a voice correction, but this should not be excessive. Delay in following a judge's order to give a command must be penalized, unless the judge, because of some distraction or interference, directs the delay. Any unusual noise or motion may be considered a correction.

Each dog's name may be used once immediately before any verbal command. Excessively loud or gruff commands by handlers to their dogs create a poor impression and should be avoided. Commands, which in the judge's opinion are excessively loud or gruff, will be penalized.

SECTION 5. Praise and Food.
Verbal praise is allowed during, between, and after exercises. A handler may not carry or offer food for his dogs on the course, but may arrange in advance for a snack for his dog(s) to be at the Mid-Point Veterinary Check, or the Host may offer a snack for dogs at the Mid-Point Veterinary Check.

SECTION 6. Hock Position.
Hock Position as used in these Regulations for a Horse/Rider team means that the dog shall be straight in line with the direction in which the handler and horse are facing, within one horse's length of the horse, at any point in a semi-circle behind the horse's head, as close as practicable without crowding or obstructing the horse's motion.

Hock Position for a Carriage/Cart team shall mean that the dog shall be straight in line with the direction in which the carriage and driver are facing, either directly behind the horse(s)' heels and under the carriage/cart, as close as practicable without crowding or obstruction the horse(s)' or carriage/cart's motion, OR within on horse's length of the horse or carriage/cart at any point in a semi-circle behind the horse(s)' head. For either a Horse/Rider team or a Carriage/Cart team, the dog(s) shall not go ahead of the horse(s)' head during the Hock or Distraction exercises.

Dogs on a team with multiple entries shall not be penalized for allowing space for other dogs in Hock Position.

SECTION 7. Orders and Minimum Penalties. The orders for the exercises and the standards for judging are set forth in Chapter 8. The list of faults is not intended to be complete, but the more common and serious faults are specified. There is no maximum limit on penalties. A dog that makes none of the errors listed may still fail to qualify or may be scored zero for other reasons that were not specifically stated in Chapter 8, but these faults shall be described on the Judges' score sheets.

SECTION 8. Mode of Transportation.
In these Regulations, "horse" shall be defined as a horse, pony, or mule. Exhibitors in the RD and RDX classes shall compete while mounted on horseback, or shall compete while driving a horse or horses and carriage/cart. Exhibitors competing in the CC Test may be mounted on horseback, may drive a horse(s) and carriage/cart, or may ride in a carriage/cart that is driven by someone else. If a CC exhibitor chooses to ride in a carriage/cart driven by someone else, the driver of the carriage/cart may not give commands to the dog(s) or interfere in any way with the proceedings of the Trial, as described in Chapter 1, Section 10.

In all classes, the exhibitor may own the horse(s), or the horse(s) may be borrowed or rented at the exhibitor's expense and liability. The Dalmatian Club of America and the Host assume no responsibility for the financial arrangements of rental horses. The DCA and the Host also assume no liability for the use of any horse(s) at any Road Trial, or for any damage that may be caused by such horses.

SECTION 2. Warm-Up.
A starting line and a finish line shall be designated. After leaving the starting line and before beginning the Exercises, each team shall be allowed approximately a one-quarter mile warm-up stretch to allow the dog(s) and horse(s) to settle. This warm-up distance shall be measured as part of the overall distance.

SECTION 3. Overall Course Layout.
The length of the CC course shall equal the length of the judged exercises for the RD and RDX course. The length of the course for the RD classes shall cover a total distance of 12 ½ miles. The length of the course for the RDX classes shall cover a total distance of 25 miles.

The course trail must be marked with trail markers that are bright, legible, and tamper and weather resistant. The course must be marked with a minimum of one directional marker per mile, and two directional markers per every crossroad, fork, or path. The course must also be marked with distance markers (i.e. "Mile 1", "Mile 2", "Mile 3", etc.) a minimum of every 2 miles. Water must be available for dogs at a minimum of every 2 miles.

Course layout is at the host's discretion, and any portion of the course may be repeated in order for exhibitors to fulfill the required distances. It shall be the responsibility of the Host to attempt to secure a site that is appropriate for both horse under saddle and carriages/carts. A separate course for the endurance portion of the Trial may be provided for carriages/carts if the available horse trail will not accommodate carriages/carts, and an appropriate carriage/cart course is available. All entries will still be required to perform the same judged exercises, in the same designated area, and to complete the required distance for their respective classes. If, in the opinion of the Host Road Trial Committee, an appropriate trail or alternate trail for carriages/carts cannot be secured, the Host may suggest that exhibitors ride horse under saddle. Such a suggestion must be printed in the Premium List for the Road Trial.

SECTION 4. Course Layout, Mounted Judge Exercises.
A specific area shall be designated by the Road Trial Host for the Mounted Judge to conduct the exercises under his jurisdiction. It is preferable, but not required, that the portion of the Road Trial under jurisdiction of the Mounted Judge be as close to the starting line as possible to still allow for the required ¼ mile warm-up.

For the CC and RD classes: for the HOCK exercise, there shall be yellow-flagged course markers on either side of the trail indicating the measured distance is near, followed by green-flagged trail markers indicating the start of the two-hundred yard distance, followed by red-flagged trail markers indicating the completion of the HOCK distance. The Hock Exercise for the CC and the RD classes shall follow an approximate straight line, as much is practicable, if the terrain permits. These markers shall serve as a general guide, and the Mounted Judge's orders shall in all cases take precedence over the location of the trail markers.

For the RDX classes: for the RDX HOCK exercise, the exercise shall consist of a figure 8 for a total distance of 200 yards, when practicable, or a 200 yard distance with at least two turns. The RDX HOCK exercise shall be marked and flagged at the start, turns, and Finish, at the discretion of the Host. These markers shall serve as a general guide, and the Mounted Judge's orders shall in all cases take precedence over the location of the trail markers.

For all classes: In the DISTRACTION exercise, each team must continue past the distraction for about 20 yards. The start and finish of the RECALL, DISTRACTION, and STAY exercises shall be at the discretion of the mounted judge.

SECTION 5. Course Layout, Speed Exercise.

A specific area of the course shall be designated for the SPEED exercise. If the Mounted Judge is to be the only judge, as provided for in Chapter 6, Section 1A & 1B, the SPEED exercise must be located within or directly adjacent to the area provided for the other exercises. If a second Judge (Course Judge) is provided, it is preferable, but not required, that the portion of the Road Trial course designated for the SPEED exercise be as close to the section of the course that was used for completion of the Mounted Judge exercises as possible.

For the SPEED exercise, there shall be green-flagged trail markers indicating the start, and red-flagged trail markers indicating the finish of the one hundred-yard distance that the exhibitors are required to traverse. This 100-yard stretch shall not go downhill, but shall be flat, or cover a gentle upward slope. The ground shall be as smooth as possible, and free of holes or other hazards.

The Judge of the SPEED exercise shall be situated in such a way as to not frighten the horse, preferably at a mid-way, elevated point, and his steward(s) shall be instructed to remain quiet and still during this exercise.

SECTION 6. Spectator Area.
The Host must designate and mark an area for spectators that will allow the spectators to watch without enabling them to distract or interfere in any way with the performance of the exhibitors or their dogs or horses while they are being judged.

SECTION 7. Course Check Point(s).

There shall be at least one steward or sign-in sheet posted along the course at whatever point(s) deemed necessary by the Trial Host in order to verify each team's completion of the required distance.

SECTION 8. Review of Course.
Whenever possible, the Host shall conduct a review of the course with the exhibitors, judge(s), and, if possible, Veterinarian(s)/Vet Tech on the day before the Road Trial, and shall notify the exhibitors of the time and date of this Course Review within two weeks of the date. It shall be the exhibitor's responsibility to arrive at the Road Trial site in time to attend this Course Review, and the Host shall not be required to conduct subsequent reviews for exhibitors who fail to attend the scheduled review.

Exhibitors are encouraged to ride their horses (personal or rental) in the judging area without dogs on the day before the Trial. Exhibitors are encouraged to warm up their dogs with horses in an area away from the judged exercises the day before the Trial, and the morning of the Trial if an area is available. If rental horses are available, the supplier of the rental horses should be requested to make the horses available to ride with dogs on the day before the Trial, at the expense and liability of the exhibitor(s). As per these Regulations (Chapter 1, Sec. 22), no intensive training methods, special collars, etc., will be allowed during this pre-Trial Review of Course.

The Coaching Certificate Test shall be conducted after all entries for RDX and RD classes have completed the judged exercises, as described in Chapter 1, Section 13. At the discretion of the Host, the Mounted Judge or the Course Judge shall judge the CC Test, or another Judge with the same minimum qualifications as provided in Chapter 6, Section 1A or 1B may be provided. All exercises are to be judged Pass/Fail. Handler shall be mounted on horseback, or driving a carriage/cart, or riding in a carriage/cart with a driver, as provided in Chapter 2, Section 8. Handlers may compete with up to six dogs on a team. No veterinary checks are required, but the Judge may excuse a dog as provided in the Regulations Chapter 1, Section 19.

To earn the Coaching Certificate Title, a dog must earn a "Pass" rating in all exercises. These exercises are Hock, Distraction, Long Sit or Down, Recall, and Speed. The exercises shall be performed on the same course as the RD and RDX classes, and shall be conducted in the same manner as the exercises for the RD classes.

SECTION 2. Road Dog-A Class; Eligibility.

The Road Dog-A Class shall be for any dog not less than 12 months of age on the day of the Trial that has not yet earned the Road Dog title, and is being handled by an exhibitor who has not previously qualified any dog for the RD title at any Road Trial.

SECTION 3. Road Dog-B Class; Eligibility.

The Road Dog-B Class shall be for any dog not less than 12 months of age on the day of the Trial that: 1) has already earned the title RD or RDX, and/or: 2) is being handled by an exhibitor who has previously qualified a dog for an RD or RDX title in a Road Trial. A dog that has already earned the title(s) RD and/or RDX may continue to compete in this class, but only if there ate time slots available, as described in Chapter 1, Section 13.

SECTION 4. Road Dog Excellent-A Class; Eligibility.
The Road Dog Excellent-A Class shall be for any dog not less than 18 months of age on the day of the Trial, that has earned the title "RD", but has not yet earned the title "RDX", and is being handled by an exhibitor who has not previously qualified any dog for the Road Dog Excellent title.

SECTION 5. Road Dog Excellent-B Class; Eligibility.
The Road Dog Excellent-B Class shall be for any dog not less than 18 months of age on the day of the Trial that has earned the title "RD", and: 1) has already earned the title RDX, and/or 2) is being handled by an exhibitor who has previously qualified a dog for an RDX title in a Road Trial. A dog may continue to compete in this class after it has earned the title RDX, but only if there are available time slots, as described in Chapter 1, Section 13.

SECTION 6. Road Dog A & B Classes; General Requirements.

Dogs entered in the Road Dog-A or Road Dog-B class shall be required to pass an initial Veterinary exam, perform five Judged Exercises, and complete a required distance of 12 ½ miles within a time limit of three hours minus the time required for the Mid-Point Veterinary Check. Dogs that complete the required distance shall also be required to complete a Final Veterinary Check. The five Judged Exercises shall be Hock, Distraction, Long Sit or Down, Recall, and Speed, as described in Chapter 8.

The owner or any other person may handle each dog in these classes. A handler may handle up to six dogs on a team, using a horse or horse(s) and carriage/cart as described in Chapter 2, Section 8. It is the responsibility of each exhibitor to properly condition each dog to compete at this distance within this time frame.

SECTION 7. Road Dog Excellent A & B Classes; General Requirements.
Dogs entered in the Road Dog Excellent-A or Road Dog Excellent-B Class shall be required to pass an initial Veterinary exam, perform five Judged Exercises, and complete a required distance of 25 miles within a time limit of 6 hours, minus the time required for the Mid-Point Veterinary Check. Dogs that complete the required distance shall also be required to complete a Final Veterinary Check. The five Judged Exercises shall be the RDX Hock, Distraction, Long Sit or Down, Recall, and Speed, as described in Chapter 8.

The owner or any other person may handle each dog in these classes. A handler may handle up to six dogs on a team, using a horse or horse(s) and carriage/cart as described in Chapter 2, Section 8. It is the responsibility of the exhibitor to properly condition each dog to compete at this distance within this time frame.

SECTION 8. Coaching Certificate Title.
The Dalmatian Club of America shall award the title "Coaching Certificate"(CC) to any dog that earns an overall "Pass" rating in a Coaching Certificate Test. Once earned, the letters "CC" may be used after the dog's name in all DCA publications. A Certificate of Title shall be prepared by the Host or the DCA, and shall be issued by the DCA. The Coaching Certificate title does not qualify as one of the required "performance" titles used in awarding any DCA "versatility" title.

SECTION 9. Road Dog Title.
The Dalmatian Club of America shall award the title "Road Dog" (RD) to any dog that has been certified by the Judge(s) and Veterinarian(s). Vet Tech to have passed all of the requirements for this title. These requirements are: a "Pass" rating at the Starting Vet Check, Mid-Point Check, and Completion of the Required Distance Within the Time Limit; a "Passing Score" (51-100) on each of the 5 Judged Exercises; and a "Passing Score" (51-100) at the Final Vet Check. Once earned, the letters "RD" may be used after the dog's name in all DCA publications. A Certificate of Title shall be prepared by the Host or the DCA, and shall be issued by the DCA.

SECTION 10. Road Dog Excellent Title.
The Dalmatian Club of America shall award the title "Road Dog Excellent" (RDX) to any dog that has been certified by the Judge(s) and Veterinarian(s)/Vet Tech to have passed all of the requirements for this title. These requirements are: a "Pass" rating at the Starting Vet check, mid-Point Vet Check, and Completion of the Required Distance Within the Time Limit; a "Passing Score" (51-100) on each of the 5 judged exercises; and a "Passing Score" (51-100) at the Final Vet Check. Once earned, the letters "RDX" may be used after the dog's name in all DCA publications. A Certificate of Title shall be prepared by the Host or the DCA, and shall be issued by the DCA.