Entries Close: Monday, September 6, 2021 11:59:59 PM EST on Hunt Secretary
The Maryland Sporting Dog Association (MSDA), a group of dog owners and friends working for the good of all dogs, but especially sporting dogs, is hosting a unique AKC Spaniel Hunt Test Seminar for Judges and Handlers in conjunction with our September Hunt Tests. This event will be presented by Tom Meyer (AKC lead rep for Spaniel Hunt Tests/Field Trials) and will be a different format than the typical seminar for judges and handlers. The entire forum will be in the field and revolve around a licensed AKC Spaniel Hunt Test – Tom will conduct the seminar as he is judging the test with one other judge, and use the actual field set-ups and dog performances for teaching in lieu of a classroom lecture.
Participants may enter dogs in the Hunt Test if they would like or attend the seminar as a standalone event. Attendees will have two seminar registration options:
1. Register as an individual at a cost of $50 which includes a light breakfast, lunch and liquid refreshments throughout the day.
2. Enter a dog in the Hunt Test and subsequently register as an individual for the seminar at a discounted cost of $25 which includes a light breakfast, lunch and liquid refreshments throughout the day.
To achieve seminar certification, registrants must attend all three Hunt Test levels (junior, senior and master) to observe the dogs and hear scoring and rules commentary from the judges. Registrants not running a dog may participate as gunners, shaggers, bird planters, marshals or walk in the gallery as long they are in the field to hear Tom Meyer discuss each dog’s run. To enhance the educational experience, there will be no callbacks during the Hunt Test so all dogs will run in each series.
For the associated Friday, September 17 Spaniel Hunt Test entry, preference will be given to handlers who have registered for the seminar. The Hunt Test is limited to 20 dogs and open to all AKC eligible breeds (https://www.akc.org/sports/spaniels/hunting-tests/eligibility/). When the 20-dog limit is reached, a managed waitlist will become available. However, if the Hunt Test event is full and a handler who has registered for the seminar wants to enter the Hunt Test, MSDA holds the right to bump the last entered “non-seminar” dog and handler to the waitlist.
This seminar is required for anyone who wishes to become an AKC Spaniel Hunt Test judge, and is also required for any current judge to fulfill their obligation of attending a seminar every five years to maintain their eligibility to judge.
This seminar is also very useful for handlers, perspective handlers, workers and gunners. The seminar is designed to review and explain the regulations and guidelines for the AKC Spaniel Hunt Test program, and preview and highlight any upcoming changes or recent changes. Seminar participants will improve their understanding of the performance requirements and standards as well as additional AKC policies. Additionally, you will see how the judges are taught and what they should be looking for at all levels based actual dog performance and scoring discussion.
Each attendee will receive a copy of the AKC eligible breeds’ “Hunting Style” as well as the latest “Regulations & Guidelines for AKC Hunting Test for Spaniels” and “Dealing with Misconduct at AKC Events”. MSDA will provide Hunt Test scoresheets, for each dog entered in the Test, to all the seminar participants.
SCHEDULE AND FORMAT
7:45 am: Check-in; enjoy coffee and a light breakfast.
8:00 am: Introductory remarks by Tom Meyer.
8:30 am: Hunt Test begins.
12:00 pm (approximately): Lunch in the field.
3:30 pm: Seminar Q&A.
4:00 pm: Seminar ends.