2024 RAC Meeting

Retriever Advisory Committee Meeting

Friday, June 14, 2004

John Russell calls the meeting to order at 2:09 pm

Left to Right: Larry Morgan, Bill Goldstein, John Russell, 2 AKC Reps and Russ Reavis

John brings up that we’ve had an uptick in certain issues

• Gallery behavior and conduct - There are many complaints, comments that are overheard by event committee members, judges, etc. Good sportsmanship is paramount.
• John urges event field trial committee members to fully understand their responsibilities to deal with issues that come up during the event.

Scrapping of a Test

Weekend field trials follow National procedures

• If you scrap the test and will begin running the new test the same day, the dog that was in the last holding blind preparing to run the scrapped test will start the series.
• If you scrap the test and won’t start again until the next day, the dog that originally started the scrapped test will also be first to run the new test.

Scratches and Refunds

• The rules/policy related to scratches and refunds have not been seriously looked at since the 1930’s. 
• Currently, scratches due to bitches in season, injured or deceased dogs are due a full refund, minus small processing fees
• Should this policy still stand? Should clubs retain partial entry fee even if the dog is scratched due to injury, death or in heat?
• Retaining a partial entry fee would protect clubs from eating all the costs on a scratch
• If handlers scratch for an alternative reason to the above, clubs can formulate their own refund policies as long as it is posted in the premium. It was recommended that clubs retain the right to continue to create their own policy here.
• John opened the floor to discuss policies, stating several potential options for standardizing refund policies. 
• Concerns were voiced:
• It was stated that a refund minus 20% does not even cover a dog’s flyers
• Bitch in Seasons require a vet note to receive refund, which is often more expensive to obtain than the entry fee
• It was stated that some clubs are currently posting refund polices on EE that are in violation of above scratch policy. 

Derby Set Ups at Trials

Concerns voiced that in a couple recent derbies, 2 marks were placed in the field for series 1 and the running line was from the south. The 2nd series left the same marks in the field, and flipped the running mat 180 degrees, to the north. So the dog was running the same marks, just rotated their running line.

• Several discussions that this was not necessarily against the rules, but is not an optimal set up

Gunners in the Field

After the gunner throws a bird and sits down, should he sit facing the direction of the throw? It was brought up that at a recent derby a gunner was instructed to sit facing opposite direction of throw.

• While not addressed in the rules, it was suggested that we do not go out of our way to do this

Field Trial Committees Responsibilities

Blind markers must be conspicuous – Recently field trial committees received complaints about blind markers but brushed off these concerns

• RAC reminded us of the responsibilities of the committee
• If something happens at a field trial that needs to be addressed, you have the option to write a formal complaint 

• Original language of this rule stated that “blind markers must be conspicuous to the handler” but the current rule book states “blind markers must be conspicuous” – lots of 

AKC Judges

All judges will be required to take an online course from organization Darkness to Light, called Stewards of Children.

• The AKC Board has long talked about making AKC events available to youth, including $250,000 yearly scholarships, reduced entry fees, youth-only events, JR coordinators at events, etc

• AKC strives to create a safe environment for all, including youth

• Spring of ’24, FBI investigated and arrested an AKC Judge for activities related to child sexual abuse
• None of this happened at an AKC event, but he was an AKC judge
• AKC took this very seriously, and felt the responsibility to raise awareness to the issue of child sexual abuse.
• 22,000 AKC judges across all sports

• AKC has purchased 2000 seats in this Darkness to Light. 
• Will roll out to all AKC Conformation Judges that currently judge juniors.
• After July ’24, AKC will purchase more seats from Darkness to Light. 
• Will roll out sport by sport
• Course will eventually be required for all AKC judges
• Once notified by email, a judge will have 3 months to take the course
• If a judge does not take this course, currently scheduled judging assignments will be honored but new/future assignments will be blocked
• All new judges will take this course at time of their judging approval
• If you wish to take this course proactively, before it is rolled out to hunt test and field trial judges, you can do that
• Cost is $16
• This course must be updated once every 3 years
• It is 2.5 hours long