Western Canadian Championship Guidelines & Criteria

Western Canadian Championship – Guidelines & Criteria (Updated April 2013)

Historical Purpose and Geographical Inclusion

The Western Canadian Sheepdog Trial (WCST) is a rotation annual Open trial, intended as a forum to promote excellence in competitive stockdog handling. The competitors will be members of the respective provincial stockdog associations (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba) who have the eligibility criteria.

Organizational Process

Historically held in the Autumn, the event rotates annually between the provinces. In 2011, BC hosted, 2012 Manitoba - declined (AB was offered, but declined, SK hosted), 2013 Sask. Future hosts: MB 2014 BC 2015 AB 2016 SK 2017 If a province declines to host the WCST when offered in the rotation, that province will then wait until their turn in the rotation next occurs. A province has until January 1 of the year that the trial is to be hosted to confirm that they will be hosting the event.

Efforts will be made so that the WCST dates do not conflict with other major trial events and these dates will be approved by the Western Canadian Committee (WCC)

Committee Role

Every year, two representatives are selected from each province creating the Western Canadian Committee (WCC) of eight. These eight representatives will then communicate and assist the local organizers with the planning of the WCST. The local trial host is encouraged to initiate contact with the WCST.

Course

The trial itself consists of a standard ISDS style Open course consisting of two runs for all competitors with a sudden death double lift final. Selection for the double lift will be determined by the top 4 aggregate scores and top 3 runs per round. No more than 15 dogs shall compete in the double lift finals. (Note: the number of dog/handler teams

1 moving through to the double lift final will ultimately be decided by the trial organizing committee.) The draw to determine the running order will ensure that each handler has run one dog before those having second dogs have run. An annual driving contest will be held in conjunction with the WCST, with each province’s handlers choosing one representative to compete for a perpetual trophy. Entry fees and payout for placings, additional prizes and sponsorship is left to the discretion of the organizing hosts.

Handler Eligibility In order to compete at the WCST, all handlers must have been a paid member of a provincial association at the time they qualified in an Open sanctioned trial within any Western province. Membership cannot be applied retroactive to placings achieved at a prior event. Members of provincial stockdog associations may not necessarily reside in the province; thus membership not residency determines eligibility. Eligibility will take place January 1 of the year preceding the WCST and end thirty days prior to the WCST. For example, if the WCST is to be held August 15 2013, the qualifying time would be January 1, 2012 to July 15, 2013.

Dog Eligibility A dog is required to have had a minimum of one placing in the top fifty percent of a sanctioned open trial hosted by one of the four provinces within the eligible time frame (see Handler Eligibility). Should the dog be sold after having qualified, his new handler may run the dog providing they are also a paid member of one of the provincial associations. A handler who qualifies a dog cannot substitute another dog in its place. A handler is eligible to compete with as many dogs as have met the qualification criteria. The eligibility criteria cannot be changed without the consent and approval of all four stockdog associations. The local trial organizers are expected to check that dogs & handlers meet the eligibility requirements. For the Nursery trial, dogs must meet the age requirement: A dog is eligible for the Nursery Finals if its third birthday falls on or after July 1 of the year in which that Nursery Final is held.

Specific Criteria 1. Diagram/description/pictures of proposed WCST site including parking will be submitted to the WCC 2. Suitable areas for exhaust and set-out pens. 3. Adequate space for handlers’ parking site and availability of local motels and RV sites within reasonable distance of trial field. An airport close by would be desireable.

2 4. A large (100 +) of healthy, fit sheep, preferably from the same flock, approved by at least one member of the WCC. 5. Toilets/sanitary services 6. Scoreboard – score breakdowns are NOT to be posted until all daily runs are completed. Posting of overall run score during the day is acceptable. 7. Water source for sheep and dogs. 8. Set out crew and dogs are to be approved by at least one member of WCC. 9. First aid & veterinarian services available. 10. Tents available in case of inclement weather 11. Trial dates approved by WCC 12. The WC board will approve the final bid 13. The Judge is to be approved by the WCC 14. An itemized financial statement must be submitted to a member of the WCC within 60 days of completion of the WCST. 15. Funds remaining at the completion of the WCST will be returned to the host provincial association to be used towards a future WCST.

Awards

The host trial organizer will be responsible for ensuring that the following awards are present and awarded at the WCST. Additional prizes can also be awarded at the discretion of the host trial organizer.  Western Canadian Open Champion (perpetual trophy)  Del’Mar Driving Trophy (perpetual trophy)  Missing *** International Shedding trophy  Top Scoring BC Dog (perpetual trophy)

Please contact the WCC if other awards are available but not listed.