KCLC SHOWS COUNCIL MEETING TO BE HELD AT THE KENNEL CLUB ON WEDNESDAY 20 APRIL 2016 AT 11.00AM
AGENDA
ITEM 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
ITEM 2. TO ELECT A CHAIRMAN FOR THE TERM OF THE COUNCIL
ITEM 3. TO ELECT A VICE-CHAIRMAN FOR THE TERM OF THE COUNCIL
ITEM 4. TO ELECT A MEMBER FOR THE SHOW EXECUTIVE SUB-COMMITTEE FOR THE TERM OF THE COUNCIL
ITEM 5. PRESENTATION TO THE COUNCIL ON KENNEL CLUB STRUCTURES AND PROCEDURES
a. The Office will give a presentation to Council representatives giving details of the Kennel Club and Liaison Council structure and procedures and the role of Council representatives.
ITEM 6. TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 13 APRIL 2015 (Attached)
ITEM 7. RESULTS OF RECOMMENDATIONS - MEETING 13 APRIL 2015
a. Judges Lists - Publishing online
The Shows Council agreed that a press release should be issued reminding breed clubs of the importance of updating and circulating their judges lists. It would also be helpful if clubs could ensure that up to date judges lists were available on their websites.
Outcome
The Kennel Club issued a press release stressing the importance of breed clubs keeping their judges lists up to date and circulating them efficiently by posting them on their websites. (Annex A refers)
b. Removal of 4 entries per class requirement to organise two Open Shows.
The Shows Council noted that the Dog Show Promotion Working Party was looking into issues facing Open Shows, and how to encourage new exhibitors into dog showing. Mr Greaves and Mrs Stannard emphasised that due to their own direct involvement in the running of Open Shows, they were well aware of the issues involved and would ensure that the Working Party was made aware of the Council's deep concerns and of its strong feelings in relation to the wishes of show societies.
There was some discussion as to whether the Working Party should be requested to review each of the issues separately, i.e. suspension of the four dog per class average rule, and the eligibility of judges not on a B list to judge more than 3 classes (5 for Band E breeds) or whether the two issues should be taken together. It was agreed that Mr Greaves and Mrs Stannard would have discretion to represent the Council's views in the best way possible.
Outcome
The Dog Show Promotion Working Party will be reviewing how to better support Open Shows and this will be a matter of priority in 2016.
c. Baiting Dogs - Press Release
That the Kennel Club issues a Press Release concerning the baiting of dogs in the show ring.
Outcome
The Sub-Committee agreed that excessive baiting presented a problem in the ring, particularly when the judge was in the process of examining the dog. It requested that a Press Release be issued in due course, and after consultation with the Training Board.
ITEM 8. PROPOSALS FROM SOCIETIES
The following proposals will be presented by a North East Representative:
a. Proposed: North East Area Regional Meeting
'That the Working Party be applauded for its action on the revision of the harsh handling of exhibits and suggest that this may be taken further in the stringing up by the neck whilst being shown.
"Those attending the North East Regional meeting expressed their views on the harsh treatment of dogs and were pleased to note that the regulations concerning the lifting of exhibits by the tail and neck be revised. Could this be further considered in the stringing up by the neck when being stacked or moved, therefore distorting the outline of the neck for the judge and causing distress to the exhibit in many cases, particularly when being shown on a very thin lead."
b. Proposed: North East Representatives
'That other similar awards could be arranged for exhibits which have already achieved JW or Sh. CM, giving exhibitors an incentive to continue to show their older dogs at the Open Show Level'
"It was suggested that the Kennel Club could offer an Open Show Certificate of Merit or Senior Warrant (SW) the dog could then progress to a Veteran Show Certificate of Merit or a Veteran Warrant (VW). These awards would not go on the dog's record but would simply be an accolade of the dog's showing career."
c. Proposed: North East Representatives
'That the Working Party is asked to help societies organising Open Shows to find a system whereby Non CC judges be allowed to judge breeds and the group'
"The Representatives feel that in many cases a judge is capable of judging all the breed classes in a group without having awarded a CC, but is not considered capable of choosing the Best of Breed winners to give a group winner. This results in the Group often being judged by someone that awards CC's in a breed that doesn't belong in the Group"
d. Proposed: North East Area Regional Meeting
'That the basic judging criteria for 'C' list judges be increased from 3 to 4 classes'
"This would give C list judges more experience and help Societies to schedule puppy classes, thereby encouraging exhibitors with more choice of classification
e. Proposed: The Southern Golden Retriever Society
'Requested that the Kennel Club introduce the following show regulation
(F): No exhibitor and / or handler shall publically impugn the decision of the judge or judges'
A comparison of the KC's Show Regulations (F) to most other competitive activities has identified that there may be a Regulation gap. Listed below are what other disciplines have in their explicit Regulations as well as what is in the Show Regulations. As you will see 7 of the 9 disciplines are covered by an adequate regulation".
For Agility, Flyball, Obedience, Working Trials & Heelwork to Music
"No competitor shall impugn the decision of the Judge or Judges"
Ref's: Agility H (1) 3.139 - Flyball H (2) 3155 6f - Obedience G3.110 35j
Working Trials I 3.167 29g - Heelwork to Music L 3.223 11b
For Field Trials
"The KC's Codes of Conduct specify the sort of behaviour expected of those who take part in competitive gundog work. Participants should be aware of their contents and in particular should never publicly impugn decisions of the Judge or Judges. Neither should they criticise the host, ground or guns." J3.191 9b (13)
For Working Tests
"Those taking part in GWT's shall not openly impugn the decision of the Judges or criticise the host, ground or helpers. Any case of alleged misconduct must be reported to the KC in accordance with Regulation J14 (Fraudulent & Discreditable Conduct at Trials)…………." J (G) 3.211 4c
For Rallies
Judge's discretion prevails and Judge's decision in final
For Shows - All that is apparent is:
A Judge's awards shall be final except in the case of fraud or misrepresentation or where a bona fide mistake has been made by the Judge………….F(1) 3.77 21l. This does not adequately deal with bad behaviour on the part of exhibitors/handlers.
F 14….discreditable conduct…. incident, neither of which are defined
KC Code of Conduct ……a breach of which can be referred to the General Committee for a breach of KC regulations, but which is not actually embodied in KC Regulation
ITEM 9. PROPOSALS FROM INDIVIDUALS
The following proposal will be presented by Mr A Rowe:
- Proposed: Mr A Wadmore
'Requests that the Committee consider issuing a 'best practice' guideline to Show Society T&C's. This is to state that 'In the case of alternative judges being appointed, a full and unconditional refund should be offered to those exhibitors who find this choice unacceptable'
"It is felt that the cost of exhibiting a dog for competition was very high and that it was unreasonable for Societies to be able to refuse a refund when an exhibitor was no longer able to exhibit because of the actions of the society.
It was suggested that if the choice of replacement judge meant that your dog could no longer exhibit because you became ineligible, if for example the judge was the breeder of an entered dog or if the exhibitor feels there may be impartiality on the judges part because they have already judged the dog and therefore would not have entered under them initially then a refund should be offered.
It was also mentioned that many exhibitors would still be happy to enter under the replacement, it would only be a select few that would seek a refund and therefore it is unlikely to have a detrimental effect on the Societies revenue".
ITEM 10. DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. The Council is requested to give its 'consideration of how Open Shows could encourage new and sustain existing exhibitors'
The following discussion items will be presented by a North East Representative:
b. Proposed: North East Area Regional Meeting
'That the attention of the Working party be drawn to the article in Dog World regarding the plight of the Open Show and implore them to make this there most urgent priority'
(Annex B refers)
c. Proposed: North East Area Regional Meeting
'That it appears the Open Show Scene is 'on hold' in favour of the Championship Shows'
"It was felt at the North East area meeting that Championship Shows where taking priority over Open Shows. However open shows contribute large amounts to the show scene and it was felt that more consideration should be given to assisting Open Show Societies".
d. Proposed: North East Area Regional Meeting
'Open Shows should not be governed by Stud Book Bands'
"It was suggested that Societies should be allowed to organise their activities as they see fit without having to refer to Stud Book Bands for choice of classes and/ or judges. They would like clarification as to why it is necessary to use these as the deciding factor for how many classes can be judged or scheduled".
e. Proposed: North East Area Regional Meeting
'To discuss the revision of the Kennel Club's requirement that affiliated organisations are required to hold their dog shows in conjunction with the main organisation's annual event to allow dog shows held by affiliated organisations to be scheduled as separate events.'
f. Proposed: North East Area Regional Meeting
'To discuss the effects of the suspensions from Show Regulations introduced in 2015.'
ITEM 11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
a. Judging Lists
The Office has been asked to clarify whether Regulation C3.59 4 (Vi) is still required as part of a breed clubs (Maintenance of title and annual return) and if so are hard copies available to those secretaries who do not use computers?
Regulation C3.59 4 (Vi) states:
Breed Societies Only - Breed Club Judges List:
Registered Breed Societies (with the exception of Provisional Breed Societies) must produce a list of judges each year which must be submitted to the Kennel Club as part of the Societies' Annual Returns.
ITEM 12. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
THE KENNEL CLUB'S STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
"To raise the relevance of the Kennel Club in the eyes of the public at large, dog owners and those who take part in canine events, so as to be better able 'to promote in every way the general improvement of dogs.' This objective to be achieved through: -
- Ensuring that the Kennel Club is the first port of call on all canine matters.
- Improving canine health and welfare.
- Popularising canine events focusing on the retention of existing participants and the attracting of new.
- Encouraging the development of all those concerned with dogs through education and training.
- Achieving a widening of the Kennel Club membership base.
- Encouraging more people to provide input in the Kennel Club's decision making process. Notes:
Notes:
1. The Kennel Club will reimburse standard class return rail fares to all Representatives attending the meeting from their address as recorded at The Kennel Club. Claim forms will be available at the meeting.
2. Those resident in Northern Ireland or Scotland may apply in advance for authority to substitute shuttle air travel for standard class rail fares. Although, it is requested that tickets are booked well in advance to take advantage of any reduction in fares.
3. Please give notice of matters to be raised under Any Other Business. This assists the Office if research is required. These items are discussed at the discretion of the Council Chairman.
4. Kennel Club Liaison Council Regulations state that the Kennel Club will bear the cost of reasonable and externally incurred costs connected with a Council, if agreed in advance. Therefore, Representatives should apply to the Office of the Kennel Club for approval of any costs they might wish to claim prior to the expense being incurred.