The USBCHA Board of Directors has recommended changing Open Dog qualifying criteria for the National Finals for the 2021 Trial Year beginning on August 1, 2020. Because this will require amending Article XI of the Bylaws of the Association, the proposed amendment must be presented to the membership, and by Article 10.2, a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the ballots cast is required to amend the Bylaws.
ARTICLE XI
QUALIFYING FOR THE NATIONAL FINALS – SHEEP & CATTLE
–
Alternative #1 (no change from prior bylaw
- 11.1 Open Dogs: The top placing 20% of all dogs competing in a sanctioned trial run on sheep/goats will acquire points based on the total number of dogs running in each trial. Dogs may accumulate points from their top five point placing trials in the qualifying year. After the cut off date, anyone may send their entry for the National Finals to the HA Secretary, who will accept the top 150 point earning dogs who enter. In the event of a tie, all dogs tied at the 150-dog level will be accepted. No more than two dogs per handler may be entered. Points will be based on the following chart:
|
# of Entries |
20 % |
# of Dogs |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
5th |
6th . . . |
|
10 |
2.0 |
2 dogs |
2.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
15 |
3.0 |
3 dogs |
3.0 |
2.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
|
|
28 |
5.6 |
6 dogs |
5.6 |
4.6 |
3.6 |
2.6 |
1.6 |
.6 |
*This chart is based on the following formula: (.2 times A) – (B) where A is the number of dogs in the trial and B is the number of dogs placing higher than the placing in question.
- 11.2 Nursery Dogs: Qualifying for the Sheepdog and Cattledog Nursery Finals shall be as set forth in the Association Rules.
- 11.3 Cattledog Finals: Qualifying for the Cattledog Open Finals shall be as set forth in the Association Rules
Alternative #2 – (allow the “carry-over” of a member’s top two points totals from the 2020 qualifying year to the present season)
- 11.1 Open Dogs: The top placing 20% of all dogs competing in a sanctioned trial run on sheep/goats will acquire points based on the total number of dogs running in each trial. Dogs may accumulate points from their top five point placing trials in the qualifying year. After the cut off date, anyone may send their entry for the National Finals to the HA Secretary, who will accept the top 150 point earning dogs who enter. In the event of a tie, all dogs tied at the 150-dog level will be accepted.
For the 2021 Finals only, the top placing 20% of all dogs competing in a sanctioned trial run on sheep/goats will acquire points based on the total number of dogs running in each trial. Dogs may accumulate points from their top five point placing trials in the 2021 qualifying year and the 2020 qualifying year, of which no more than two (2) of their top five point placing trials may be from the 2020 qualifying year. The Finals entry form shall provide for an opening date for entries and anyone may send their entry for the National Finals to the HA Secretary, who will accept the top 150 point earning dogs who enter. In the event of a tie, all dogs tied at the 150-dog level will be accepted. No more than two dogs per handler may be entered.
No more than two dogs per handler may be entered. Points will be based on the following chart:
|
# of Entries |
20 % |
# of Dogs |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
5th |
6th . . . |
|
10 |
2.0 |
2 dogs |
2.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
15 |
3.0 |
3 dogs |
3.0 |
2.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
|
|
28 |
5.6 |
6 dogs |
5.6 |
4.6 |
3.6 |
2.6 |
1.6 |
.6 |
*This chart is based on the following formula: (.2 times A) – (B) where A is the number of dogs in the trial and B is the number of dogs placing higher than the placing in question.
- 11.2 Nursery Dogs: Qualifying for the Sheepdog and Cattledog Nursery Finals shall be as set forth in the Association Rules.
- 11.3 Cattledog Finals: Qualifying for the Cattledog Open Finals shall be as set forth in the Association Rules.
Alternative #2 will permit two of the five-point totals counting towards the current qualifying year 2020-2021 to be from last season. Once those top two scores are migrated into the current year tally, they will be numerically ordered with point totals earned in the current season. A complete explanation of the bylaw amendment, with examples, can be found here. Members may vote for the amendment or against it which, in the latter case will leave Article XI of the Bylaws as is.
Note that the Bylaw amendment concerns Open dogs qualifying for the National Sheepdog Finals only. Qualifying for the Sheepdog and Cattledog Nursery Finals and for the Cattledog Open Finals is set forth in the Association Rules. For Nursery dogs, the Board voted leave the qualifying rules unchanged and as such, qualifying legs for the 2021 Finals must be gained in the 2021 Trial Year.
Further examples of how the proposed changes would affect qualifying are available here
Ballots may be submitted electronically or you may download a paper ballot, but ballots must be cast by October 23, 2020 to be counted by the Secretary. There shall be no voting by proxy for amendments to the Bylaws. Voting results will be posted on the USBCHA website immediately after the cutoff date.
Electronic Ballot page is here
Downloadable Ballot is here