ADMINSTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS OF HOLDING WC AND WCX TESTS

 

Directives and Eligibilities

FCRSA authorizes licensed Retriever Field Trials, Hunt Tests, and Working Certificate and Working Certificate Excellent tests at its National Specialty as well as events sponsored by FCRSA affiliated regional clubs and FCRSA members. The tests must be conducted and judged under the rules, regulations, and policies set forth here by the FCRSA.

 

All dogs entered:

• Must be at least 6 months of age on the day of the test, and
• Have an individual AKC registration number, foreign registration number, or an ILP number.  (A dog with an AKC pending number will not receive a certification until the individual AKC registration number is acquired.), and
• Cannot be owned, co-owned, trained, or handled by the test judge or any of her/his immediate family within the last 6 months.  (See exceptions under “Judges.”)

 

It is the sole discretion of the hosting club and test committee to allow other retriever breeds to enter these tests.

 

WC and WCX tests are not AKC recognized and as such cannot be held at the same location on the same date of either an AKC Field Trial or Hunt Test or at least until all AKC events have concluded.  They can be held at a different location/grounds simultaneously with AKC events.

 

 

If bitches “in season” are permitted to run, they should run at the end of each WC or WCX test series. In addition, if bitches “in season” are permitted to run in a WC or WCX and that WC or WCX test is being held on a day adjacent to an AKC Field Trial or Hunt Test, then the WC and WCX must be held after the completion of the AKC events.  Be aware that bitches “in season” are not permitted on the grounds during the AKC field event.

 

The Test Committee

TEST CHAIR

The Chair of the Test Committee must be an FCRSA member in good standing and meet the following requirements:

• Have successfully organized at least one FCRSA WC/X test, or
• Have successfully served as chair or co-chair for a FCRSA or GRCA WC/X test, or
• Have successfully served as either chair or co-chair for an AKC Licensed Retriever Field Trial or Hunting                  Test, or
• Have successfully served as either chair or co-chair for an AKC Sanctioned Plan “A” or Plan “B” Retriever Field Trial or Hunting Test.

It is recommended that clubs appoint co-chairs to its test Committee, thereby broadening its pool for future chairs.

 

TEST COMMITTEE MEMBERS

There shall be a minimum of three (3) FCRSA members in good standing on the committee, any of whom may serve as co-chairs.  Because at least three members of the committee shall be in attendance on the grounds during the hours of the test, the committee must be large enough to ensure minimum committee attendance on the grounds the entire time.

 

If for some reason the test chair is unable to procure three qualified members of the Society to serve on the committee, he/she may appeal to the FCRSA WC/WCX Subcommittee for permission to appoint non-Society members to the committee. The test chair shall submit to the WC/X Administrators a letter setting forth the reasons and the circumstances for the request and shall list the proposed appointees together with their qualifications.  The WCWCX Subcommittee will promptly consider the request and advise the test chair of its final decision.

 

If Golden Retrievers are invited to enter the test, there must be one additional member on the committee who is a GRCA member approved by GRCA.   If one of the test judges is a GRCA member in good standing, he/she may, under unusual circumstances, also serve as the GRCA committee member, if approved by the Field Committee. Rules and policies related to the GRCA can be found at:  www. GRCA.org.

 

Requirements

DEADLINES

At least sixty (60) days prior to the test, the chair (or a committee member) shall complete and submit the following to the WC/WCX Administrators:

• Application Form to Host a FCRSA-Sponsored WC/WCX Test
• Insurance Information Form for FCRSA-Sponsored WC/WCX Test
• WC/WCX proposed income/expenses report or budget

 

See the FCRSA website (www.FCRSA.org) for forms and information or contact the WC/WCX Administrators listed in the FCRSA newsletter.

 

After reviewing the test request from the Test Chair(s), the WC/X Administrators shall submit the test information, with his/her recommendation, to the FCRSA Recording Secretary for approval.  Once approved the WC/X Administrators will notify the Test Chair(s) as well as the FCRSA Insurance Officer.

 

If Golden Retrievers will be invited to enter the test, the test chair must also apply to Golden Retriever Club of America (GRCA) at least 90 days prior to the test date to secure its approval of the test.  (Also, see the GRCA website for test forms and information.) GRCA will send forms to be completed that must be returned at least 60 days prior to test date.  Golden Retrievers passing the test will not receive credit if the test has not been approved by GRCA.  Note:  GRCA may impose a fine if its deadlines are not met.

 

 

 

PREMIUMS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Until the test chair(s) have been notified by the WC/X Administrators that the test has been approved by the WC/WCX Subcommittee, any advertising or information about the test must include the phrase, “Pending FCRSA approval.”  Once approval is granted, the phrase “FCRSA-Sponsored” or “Sponsored by FCRSA” shall be used in the premium list, the catalog, and all references to the test.

 

Notice of the upcoming FCRSA-sponsored test (pending or approved) should be published, whenever publication dates permit, in at least one issue of the FCRSA newsletter.

 

The entry information or premium list should include the following:

• The scope of the test ( WC and/or WCX) including fees
• Exact location of the test
• Date(s) on which test(s) will be held
• Starting time of the event
• Judges’ names
• Name and location of where entries will be received
• Closing date, time, and location
• Names of committee members including the chair(s) and test secretary
• Allowances of other retriever breeds entering the test(s)
• List of ribbons and prizes
• Type of birds used
• Allowances for bitches in season running in test (This is especially important if Golden Retrievers are permitted to enter this event. GRCA does not permit bitches in-season to run in a WC/X test.)

 

Entries for each dog should be submitted on a standard entry form that contains:

• the name of the dog,
• its registration number,
• the names of the sire and dam,
• the name(s) and addresses of the owner(s),
• the name of the handler, and
• the test(s) entered.

 

 JUDGES

Two judges are required for each test. (An additional set of judges will be needed if a large number of entries warrant splitting the test.)  The requirements for each set of judges shall be an aggregate of three (3) qualification points.  One (1) point will be earned for each of the following:

• Any judging assignment at an AKC Licensed Field Trial,
• Any judging assignment of an Open or Amateur All-Age stake at a Sanctioned Plan "A" trial,
• Any judging assignment at an AKC Licensed Hunting Retriever Test at the Senior or Master level,
• Any two (2) judging assignments at a FCRSA or GRCA WC/X test (except only one point may come from this category for each set of judges).

 

To ensure qualified judges, the judges selected by the WC/X Test Committee must have the minimum number of points between them, i.e. 3-point minimum total between both judges.  If their points, as shown in the AKC’s “Directories for Retriever Field Trial and Hunting Test Judges,” are insufficient, the test chair shall provide the needed information: Judge’s AKC number, stakes/trials/tests judged, dates, names of clubs, etc. to substantiate each judge's qualifications.

 

The test chair or secretary should provide each judge with a set of WC and WCX requirements. It is expected that the judges shall become completely familiar with the requirements of the WC/X tests prior to the test date.  In addition, a review of AKC's "Regulations and Guidelines for AKC Hunting Tests" and "Retriever Field Trial Rules and Standard Procedure" is required, with special attention to the sections pertaining to the Derby and Qualifying stakes.

 

Note:  At times, a judge may request permission to enter and handle his/her dog in the test.  If the test committee wishes to honor the request, they shall submit to the WC/X Administrators the name of a qualified judge as a substitute judge for that particular dog and owner.  The WC/WCX Subcommittee will consider the request and advise the test chair of its decision. 

 

BIRDS 

For number of birds needed for the test, the following estimates may be helpful:                                          

            WC land series:         1 bird per dog (1.5 birds if using a flyer)            

            WC water series:       1 bird per dog 

            WCX land series:       1.5  birds per dog           

            WCX water series:     1 bird per dog 

Birds used in the land series shall be pigeons, ducks, upland game birds (pheasants, chukhars, or guinea hens).  All birds used must be of the same species in a given series.  If Goldens are entered in the test, pigeons or upland birds must be used on land, except in an emergency situation with notification to the GRCA.

 

Birds used in the water series must be ducks.

 

[Also, see each test explanation for specific guidelines on the use of the birds.]

 

EQUIPMENT

The following is a suggested list of equipment that may be needed for successfully holding a WC and/or WCX test:

• Single shot shotguns or popper guns, 1 per station. (It is a good idea to have at least one extra popper gun in case of a gun failure.)
• Shotgun stands (to hold the shotguns in a safe, firing position)
• Popper shells
• Live shotgun shells (clearly identified)
• Wingers or mechanical throwing device (WCX only); only a manual release winger is permitted and a foot-release winger is recommended
• White jacket, shirts, coats, etc. for “bird boys” at each station
• Buckets or bags for holding and carrying the birds
• Duck drying rack
• Chairs for the judges and “bird boys”
• Holding blinds
• Marking (survey) ribbon
• Orange spray marking paint
• Refreshments for judges and workers
• Directional signs
• Decoys (WCX test)
• Judges’ scoring books
• Ear protection for “bird boys”
• Boat with all state regulated safety equipment
• Test dog
• “Pick-up” dog

 

 

ENTRY FEES, TEST BUDGETS, ACCOUNTING    

The test committee shall prepare a budget outlining its estimated income and expenses and submit it with the application to host a test.  Test entry fees (plus any other sources of income) should be calculated to cover all anticipated expenses.  The test committee shall be diligent in planning its budget to avoid a loss from the test.

                                                                                   

The local hosting club will handle all accounting.  Checks for entry fees shall be payable to the hosting club and all expenses shall be paid from its treasury.  Any profit will go to the hosting club. Any loss will be assumed by the FCRSA.

 

Following the test, two copies of a detailed Income/Expense report shall be submitted promptly to the WC/X Administrators.  The WC/X Administrators shall forward one copy to the FCRSA Treasurer for the record and for reimbursement in the case of a loss.

 

 

THE DRAW

The Test Secretary shall be in charge of conducting a draw to determine the order of running as set forth in the AKC’s “Retriever Field Trial Rules and Standard Procedure.”

 

The running order shall not segregate dogs based on their breed.

 

REPORT TO WC/X ADMINISTRATORS

Following the test, the test chair or his appointee shall, in timely fashion, send to the WC/X Administrators the following:

• A marked catalog of those dogs that qualified,
• All entry forms for those Flat-Coats passing the test,
• The judges’ signed verification of the clearly identified passes (see “Judges Certification” form below), and
• Two copies of a detailed Income/Expense report.  (See “Test Budgets” section.)
• Any other information requested by the WC/X Administrators or the FCRSA Field Committee.

The following certification should appear in the official catalog following the last dog listed in each test:

  

 

AWARDS

Although encouraged, it is at the discretion of each hosting club and test committee to provide awards such as ribbons or other prizes for qualifying dogs and handlers.

 

If ribbons are awarded to each dog deemed to have qualified, each ribbon can be any color or color scheme except solid orange and should include the following information:

• Logo of the FCRSA
• Name of the stake
• Name of the hosting club
• The words “Qualifying Score”

 

Once the verified information is received and processed, the FCRSA’s WC/X Administrators will send a certificate to each qualifying Flat-Coated Retriever owner within 60-90 days.

 

TITLES

The titles for Working Certificate and Working Certificate Excellent tests are recognized by the FCRSA only and are not recognized by the AKC.

• Any eligible Flat-Coated Retriever that passes the Working Certificate test will receive the title WC.
• Any eligible Flat-Coated Retriever that passes the Working Certificate Excellent test will receive the title WCX.

 

DISPUTES AND PROTESTS

The test committee shall be governed by the rules and regulations set forth in “Field Trial Rules and Standard Procedure for Retrievers” and “Regulations and Guidelines for AKC Hunting Tests for Retrievers”.  Except as specifically stated otherwise, all regulations that govern those events shall apply to FCRSA-sponsored WC/X tests.

 

If a dispute or incident should occur during the test, the test secretary shall, within five (5) days,  submit a report of the incident and the action taken to the FCRSA’s WC/X Administrators who shall submit the matter to the Field Committee for review and, if need be, a recommendation to the FCRSA Board of Directors for further action.