THE NORTH WEST LABRADOR RETRIEVER CLUB KC ID 1319
NWLRC RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR FIELD TRIALS
1. The NWLRC trials are held under Kennel Club Rules and Field Trial Regulations. Should circumstances so dictate, the NWLRC in consultation with the judges may alter arrangements as necessary. Any changes will be reported to the Kennel Club.
2. Bitches in season will not be allowed at the trials.
3. The Club reserves the right to refuse entries Ref J7(d).
4. A Novice stake is confined to dogs which have not gained the following awards: first, second, third, or fourth, in a 24 dog Open Stake, or a first, second, or third in a 12 dog Open Stake, or first in an All Aged or Novice Stake
5. For the Open Qualifying Stake preference in the draw will be given to dogs which have gained a first, second, third, or fourth award in a 24 dog Open Stake, or first, second, or third in a 12 dog Open Stake, or first award in an All Aged or Novice Stake.
6. All Aged Stake, Open to all varieties of retriever. No Field Trial Award is required.
7. Entries must be made on the proper form by the appropriate closing date. The dog submitted for entry must be eligible and properly qualified for the stake entered.
8. All dogs resident outside the UK must be issued with a Kennel Club Authority to compete number before entry to the trial can be made. All overseas entries without an Authority to Compete number will be returned to the competitor.
9. Preference in the draw will be given to members. Any member whose subscription is in arrears will not receive preference in the draw.
10. Substitution of dogs will be allowed providing the substituted dog has an equivalent qualification for preference in the draw and is eligible for that stake.
11. An owner unable to run should notify the F.T. Secretary immediately by telephone.
12. If a stake is cancelled or void, all of the entry fee will be refunded.
The NWLRC cannot accept liability arising from or relating to the running of the trials.
13. After an applicant has been successful in the draw for a place in a Stake, or as a reserve has accepted an offer of a run, if the run is not taken up the applicant may become liable for the full entry fee if his or her place is not taken up by another competitor except:- (1) Where the applicant has qualified out of Novice Stakes (where applicable) or (2) Where the dog drawn to run has qualified for the Championship after entries have closed, or (3) On production of a Veterinary Certificate confirming that the dog entered for the Stake is unfit to compete, or (4) On production of a Medical Certificate that the applicant or the applicant’s nominated handler is unable to compete. (5) Where the dog drawn to run is withdrawn more than 7 days prior to the stake. (Regulation J7.f)
14. Award of trophies is restricted to members, who may hold them until the equivalent stake next season. Members are responsible for the cleaning and the safe return of trophies on time.
15. Preference in the draws in the novice stakes will be given to those members who have not previously had a run in any of the current season’s novice stakes.
16. Judges at a trial are prohibited from entering a dog which is recorded in their ownership or part ownership.
17. Videography and Photography will only be permitted with the express permission of the Chief Steward and the host.
18. DOGS IN CARS ON HOT DAYS. Your dog is vulnerable and AT RISK if left in a vehicle in high temperatures and even on days considered as slightly warm. Please take care of your dog. If your dog is found to be at risk forcible entry to your car may be necessary without liability for any damage caused.
19 WELFARE OF DOGS. A competitor whose dog is entered at a Kennel Club licensed event should take all reasonable steps to ensure the needs of their dog(s) are met , and should not knowingly put their dogs’ health and welfare at risk by any action, default omission or otherwise. A breach of this Regulation may be referred to the General Committee for disciplinary action under Kennel Club Rules and Regulations. 3
NORTH WEST LABRADOR RETRIEVER CLUB HEALTH AND SAFETY
Our General Policy is to:-
*Provide adequate control of the Health and Safety risks arising from our activities
*Consult with all those involved in the Field Trial on matters affecting their health and safety
* Provide information and instruction for all those involved in the Field Trial
* Ensure that all those involved in the Field Trial are competent to undertake shooting activities/tasks
* Ensure the safe handling and use of equipment, which may be hazardous to health
* Prevent accidents where possible
* Review and revise this policy at regular intervals
1. Responsibilities
Overall and final responsibility for Health and Safety is that of the Committee of the NWLRC.
All those involved with Field Trial and shoot activities have legal responsibilities to take care of the health and safety of themselves and others and to co-operate in order to comply with the law.
ALL those involved with Field Trials have to: –
*Be co-operative on Health and Safety matters
*Not to interfere with anything provided to safeguard Health and Safety
*Take reasonable care of their own Health and Safety
*Report all Health and Safety concerns to a member of the NWLRC. Committee
2. Risk Assessment
Risk assessments will be undertaken by the Chief Steward and the Steward of the Beat before commencement of the trial.
3. First Aid
The First Aid box will be kept by the Chief Steward or a Committee member at the Trial. The Chief Steward will be responsible for reporting any accidents or dangerous occurrences to the NWLRC. Committee.
4. Anti-Field Sports Lobbyists
All those involved in the Field Trial should be observant at all times of the risk of malevolent action from anti-field sports lobbyists. If anything unusual is observed, the circumstances should be immediately reported to the Chief Steward, any member of the committee or Gamekeeper who will ensure that the appropriate action is taken, i.e. that the Police or other appropriate authority is contacted.
HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS
1 Car Parking and Transport
Where necessary, access to the meet of the Field Trial will be clearly marked with a sign. At all Trials there will be a certain amount of off road driving. At some Trials there may only be access by 4×4 vehicles and some competitors with their dogs, and spectators may be asked to share vehicles, or walk. All competitors and spectators must make their own transport arrangements and the NWLRC cannot accept responsibility for injury, loss or damage to person or property however occasioned.
2 Pre-Field Trial Briefing
The Chief Steward will be responsible for safety, supervision and discipline at the Field Trial.
The Chief Steward will be identified at the beginning of the Trial and will outline safety measures at the Pre-Trial briefing.
All persons attending a Field Trial meeting must consider themselves under the control of the Secretary, Chief Steward and Officials of the Association. Any member of the Committee or attendee must inform the Chief Steward if they see anything dangerous or potentially dangerous, during the course of the Trial.
ONCE THE TRIAL HAS STARTED NO ONE WILL BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE WITHOUT FIRST NOTIFYING THE CHIEF STEWARD.
It is expected that everyone present will comply with the highest standards of safety and sportsmanship with respect to quarry, wildlife and the countryside in general.
Any unsafe or inappropriate behaviour will result in the instant dismissal from the Trial.
Any person under the age of sixteen must be accompanied by an adult.
3. Weather
in the case of extreme weather conditions, eg. gale force winds, poor visibility due to fog or heavy rain, the Field Trial may have to be cancelled. In hot, dry conditions on heather moorland to minimise the risk of fire, there will be a request for No Smoking.
4. Topography
The ground used for our Trials is varied and challenging. Ditches, fences, stiles and streams have to be negotiated. The ground is often rugged and at times walking may be difficult.
There is thus an element of risk with slipping or tripping. It is recommended that suitable footwear is worn and appropriate clothes according to the shooting custom; also a reasonable level of fitness is required. The NWLRC cannot accept responsibility for injury, loss or damage to person or property however occasioned.
5. Gun Safety
Depending on which Trial is taking place, there will be 4-8 guns. The people carrying guns are very experienced in gun safety. It is the NWLRC policy that insurance cover and security of shotguns is the responsibility of the individual shooting at the Trial.
PLEASE NOTE- THAT BY ACCEPTING A RUN IN ANY TRIAL RUN AND ORGANISED BY THE NWLRC. YOU ARE DEEMED TO HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD AND ARE PREPARED TO ABIDE BY THE HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATIONS AS SET OUT ABOVE.
DATA PROTECTION
NWLRC member’s personal details, are held securely on a personal computer at the home of the membership secretary and are used only in accordance with GDPR – General Data Protection Regulation – 25/05/2018. Member’s details are ONLY used by the club to notify members of forthcoming events and are NOT given or sold to third parties outside the club. If you do not wish your details to be used for mailing or contact purposes, please notify the membership secretary – Gareth G Proctor – 07884320261