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It is most important
that each group or club make every effort to have officials that are well
trained. The officials can come from other clubs or can all belong to the club
offering the race meet. The important point to remember is that no race meet is
better than the efficiency and honesty of the officials in charge. It is
important to plan in advance the duties to be assigned to each official or group
of officials. |
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The Race Secretary is
solely responsible for the conduct of the race meet. Should there be a change
of the local Race Secretary on the day of the race meet, an announcement so
stating the change must be made at the time of Inspection. The local Race
Secretary will appoint qualified people to perform the necessary details of the
race meet, and will act as coordinator of these individuals and/or committees
and will assume responsibility only when true emergencies arise.; If the Race
Secretary deems it to be necessary, there may be an Assistant Race Secretary
appointed. The local Race Secretary will write the Official Race Report as soon
as possible after the race meet is concluded, and within two (2) weeks. This
report will then be sent to the NRD, the Regional Race Secretary, and the
Registrar/Recorder. The local Race Secretary is responsible for the enclosure
of the sponsoring Club’s check for the Per Capita Fee. (Number of Whippets that
began the meet x the Per Capita Fee set by the WRA Board of Directors). |
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It is the responsibility
of the local Race Secretary to select an
Inspection Committee of three qualified people
for each approved race meeting. The Race
Secretary, or his/her appointee, will officially
check-in those Whippets that qualify to
participate in the meet. This person can
also be the “Timer for Measuring Procedure.”
The purpose of this committee is: |
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To measure and inspect all
Whippets following procedures described in section 3.2.2
(Measuring) |
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To check and inspect all
Whippets for all characteristics that might disqualify them from racing. |
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To check muzzle of each
racer for safety. |
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These are all done
before the racing begins. |
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This committee of
three should not include the RRC or the NRD. However, if the RRC or NRD is
present, he/she may step in to help only after allowing the host club reasonable
time to solve a situation. |
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3.2.1 |
Disqualifications |
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If the Inspection
Committee finds a Whippet which measures over or under the allowed size limit,
or possesses a disqualification listed below, that particular Whippet will not
be allowed to run at that race meet. All Whippets racing in WRA meets must be
inspected at each meeting, except in cases where two race meets are held on the
same weekend, by the same club and at the same location. In such instances, the
inspection committee may choose to inspect for disqualifications only those
Whippets who did not compete in the first day’s meet. All Whippets must be
inspected each day for soundness and bitches checked for evidence of being in
season. |
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● |
BLUE OR
CHINA-COLORED EYES |
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UNDERSHOT JAW |
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OVERSHOT JAW
(ONE QUARTER (1/4) INCH OR MORE |
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A WHIPPET MORE
THAN ONE-HALF (1/2) INCH ABOVE OR BELOW THE
MEASUREMENTS SPECIFIED UNDER "SIZE". |
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COAT OTHER
THAN SHORT, CLOSE, SMOOTH AND FIRM IN
TEXTURE. |
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Those
disqualifications covered by the Whippet Racing Association program are:
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MONORCHIDS (A
MALE WITH ONLY ONE VISIBLE/PALPABLE
TESTICLE). |
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MONORCHIDS (A male with only one
visible/palpable testicle normally descended
into the scrotum.) |
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CRYPTORCHIDS
(A MALE WITH NO VISIBLE/PALPABLE TESTICLES). |
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CRYPTORCHIDS (A male with n visible/palpable
testicles normally descended into the
scrotum.) |
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MONORCHIDS (A
MALE WITH ONLY ONE VISIBLE/PALPABLE
TESTICLE). |
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CRYPTORCHIDS
(A MALE WITH NO VISIBLE/PALPABLE TESTICLES). |
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3.2.1.1 |
Puppies that are monorchids or cryptorchids should be allowed to
run as puppies. When entered as a FTE adult they must be
neutered. |
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WHIPPET BITCHES IN HEAT OR
SEASON |
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A WHIPPET THAT SHOWS
POSITIVE EVIDENCE OF SICKNESS OR ABNORMALITY (ie,
LAMENESS) THAT COULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE
WHIPPET OR TO OTHER WHIPPET RACERS. |
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THE USE OF ANY DRUG,
STIMULANT OR NARCOTIC |
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The purpose of
Measuring is to determine through the use of the wicket whether the Whippet is
within the height limits as described in the Whippet Standard of the Breed, “19
to 22 inches for dogs”; “18 to 21 inches for bitches” as measured across the
shoulders at the highest point. More than One Half inch above or below the
above stated measurements will disqualify. |
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The measuring site
will be picked by the local Race Secretary. This site will be located away from
“traffic” and other disturbances. Only the Whippet being measured and handler
will be allowed in this area. During the measuring procedure, there will be NO
activity on the track, no testing of boxes, no lure machines going, or
loudspeakers speaking! We must do everything possible to maintain “quiet,” so
to avoid distractions that could “trigger” the racing personality, thus making
the “natural, relaxed stance” harder to obtain. The place of inspection will be
a level, hard, even surface, into which the legs of the wicket will not sink,
that is not smooth so it will give good traction to the whippets when standing
on it. There will be an inspection board, generally made to these
requirements: 1/2” to 1” plywood 24” wide, 44” to 45” long, and will be flat
over its entire surface. The board may be unpainted, but if painted, only
nonskid paint will be allowed. The Race Secretary, or an appointee, will
check-in each entrant on the program that, after the measurement and inspection,
is acceptable, and will be responsible to time each measuring attempt. The
wickets for measuring each entrant will be approved by the NRD. Approved
wickets are available through the WRA. |
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Each Whippet handler is entitled
to two (2) measuring procedures,
of three (3) minutes each. In
the event a Whippet does not
measure properly on the first
attempt, the handler may return
for a second measurement before
the Committee closes. To
eliminate wasted time with this
procedure, the owner and/or
handler is encouraged to train
the Whippet at home, so all
become familiar with the
exercise! The Inspection
Committee will not speak other
than answering questions from
the handler, or to request that
the handler properly position or
handle the dog for inspection.
The Committee will not touch the
Whippet on the board except to
perform individual inspection
duties. Any Whippet whose
shoulder touches the crossbar of
the wicket and either, or both
legs of the wicket fail to touch
the surface on which the Whippet
is standing will, at the second
measurement, be disqualified for
that particular WRA meet. The
entry fee will not be returned.
Any Whippet that has the
crossbar of the wicket touch the
shoulder and the legs of the
wicket still touch the surface
on which the Whippet is standing
is qualified to run in that
particular meet. |
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3.2.2.3.1 |
Proper Positioning |
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The Whippet being
measured should be walked or placed on the measuring board, and the
handler should ready the Whippet for the wicket. The Whippet will be posed
in a naturally alert position, with the head up, but not stretched
upward in an exaggerated position nor will the top of the head be lowered
below the level of the top of the shoulder blades; its feet should be well
under it, and its forelegs vertical, ie, the front legs must be
perpendicular to the board, and parallel to each side of the wicket, as
viewed from front and side. The front legs cannot be spread far apart,
nor can they be angled or stretched in front of the Whippet’s head. The
hindquarters may not be pulled back, and hocks must be at a right angle to
the board. ABOVE ALL, the handler is not allowed to push, poke, pinch, slap,
or in any way attempt to alter or change the height of the Whippet. (Stroking
or scratching will be allowed only to relax the Whippet.) If two (2) of the
three (3) inspectors on the Inspection Committee agree a handler is
attempting to alter the height of the Whippet, the handler will be excused
and thereby forfeit one turn.
Once the handler feels
he has attained the proper pose, the call is made for the wicket. A member of
the Committee then brings the wicket quickly from behind the Whippet, over the
back and lowers it so that the crosspiece comes directly over the highest point
of the shoulder blades. That is the moment the majority (2 of 3) of the
Inspection Committee must agree that the Whippet is within or outside of the
limits as covered by the Breed Standard. A Whippet is disqualified if above or
below a certain height, ie, dogs under 18 1/2” or over 22 1/2”’; bitches under
17 1/2” or over 21 1/2’. It must be noted that the wicket should never be
allowed to hang or rest temporarily in place to see if the Whippet will
“settle-down.”
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The Inspection Committee
is then ready to check
bites, and in dogs, check
for testicles and in bitches
look for evidence of being
in season (any sign of
discharge or swelling.)
In doubtful cases regarding
bites, the bite can be
measured by cutting a light,
thin piece of wood, stiff
paper, or a piece of
cardboard not wider than one
inch. Make a line
one-quarter (1/4) of an inch
from the end of the measure.
If overshot, place end of
the measure against front
teeth of lower jaw. If
the point of the front teeth
of top jaw “touch or exceed”
the quarter-inch mark, the
Whippet is disqualified. |
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No Whippet may be
scratched by its owner after the racers have been regrouped for the next racing
program, unless the Whippet is injured or ill. Late scratches must be
approved by the Inspection Committee. Owners scratching a sound, healthy
Whippet after racers are regrouped, are subject to have all their Whippets
disqualified from further competition at that event.
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There should be three
thoroughly qualified
judges who understand
what constitutes
intentional fouling by a
Whippet or Whippets in a
race. Judges
should stand in
appropriate locations on
opposite sides of the
track, along the side of
the track. The
first judge should be
approximately 50 yards
from the front of the
box. However, the
first judge may be the
box operator if
qualified. The
third judge should be
standing in the general
area of the finish line
for either puppy or
adult, and the second
judge should be
approximately halfway
between the first and
third judge. This
should provide the best
possible vantage points
for certainty when an
intentional fouling
occurs. |
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Two or more, (a majority), of the three foul judges must agree that a Whippet or
Whippets has committed an intentional foul. The foul judges will individually
report the blanket number of the Whippet or Whippets creating the intentional
Foul to the Racing Secretary prior to discussion of the foul with any other
person, including other foul judges. The Race Secretary discusses the foul with
the foul judges before it is publicly announced that a Whippet has been
disqualified for intentional interference. If a minority of the foul judges
call a foul the owner of the Whippet will be told that a minority of the foul
judges called a foul on their Whippet, that it is not disqualified, and there
may be a problem that the owner would wish to address to prevent a future
disqualification. Only the Race Secretary or the Assistant Race Secretary
should appoint replacement foul judges in the event
they have a dog in a race. If the Race Secretary feels it is necessary, he may
supply a list of qualified persons to his Head Foul Judge who can then replace
needed judges from this list. Only persons whose names are on this list should
be used in the foul judge positions. |
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3.4 |
Finish Line (Placement)
Judges |
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The Race Secretary
will appoint a head Finish Line Judge, who, in turn, will select the necessary
finish line judges for each race. Judges must be thoroughly qualified to
honestly place all dogs in each race. Whippet owners may act as judges, but
must ask to be replaced when their dogs are competing. |
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There should be six (6)
placement judges with a
minimum of four (4) for
High Point Races, Adult
or Puppy, and four (4
placement judges, with a
minimum of two (2) for
all other races.
Each judge will write
placements by number on
the finish line report
form immediately after
each race and give this
information to the Head
Line Judge. Care
must be taken to see
that spectators are not
blocking the placement
judges view of the
races, and that there is
“quiet” with the judges
until all placement
reports are submitted to
the Head Placement
Judge. Owners and
judges should learn to
call races BY BLANKET
NUMBERS ONLY, not by
color of blanket.
The color can be helpful
to judges, but should
not be relied upon in
lieu of the actual
number on the blanket.
At no time should the
numbers or colors of
racing blankets be
called out loud as this
may confuse the other
judges. Placement
judges should decide
quickly about placement
in order not to confuse
the owners of dogs
racing. Should
there be a disagreement
on a placement the
decision of a majority
of the judges will make
the placement decision
official. Any
questions or complaints
regarding placement or
order of finish should
be directed to the local
Racing Secretary only!
Judges, under no
circumstance, should
discuss placement with
owners or spectators.
Once the final
placements are
determined, under no
circumstances should
these placements be
reversed. This
information is then
given to the local Race
Secretary for official
scoring, and an
announcement of the
results will be made to
owners and the public. |
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There should be six
(6) placement judges
with a minimum of
four (4) for High
Point Races (Adult
or Puppy), and four
(4) placement
judges, with a
minimum of two (2)
for all other
races.
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3.4.1 |
Each Judge will
write placements by
number on the finish
line report form
immediately after
each race and give
this information to
the Head Line
Judge. Care must be
taken to see that
spectators are not
blocking the
placement judges’
view of the races,
and that there is
“quiet” with the
judges until all
placements reports
are submitted to the
Head Placement
Judge. Owners and
judges should learn
to call races BY
BLANKET NUMBERS
ONLY, not by color
of blanket. The
color can be helpful
to judges, but
should not be relied
upon in lieu of the
actual number on the
blanket. At no time
should the numbers
or colors of racing
blankets be called
out loud as this may
confuse the other
judges |
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3.4.2 |
Placement Judges
should decide
quickly about
placement in order
not to confuse the
owners of dogs
racing. Should
there be a
disagreement on a
placement the
decision of a
majority of the
judges will make the
placement decision
official. |
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3.4.2.1 |
HOW TO CALCULATE
OFFICIAL PLACEMENT
WHEN THE HEAD LINE
JUDGE FINDS NO
CONCENSUS BETWEEN
THE JUDGES |
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In the case of
judges
disagreeing in
such a way that
it is not
immediately
apparent which
dog or dogs are
in which
placements, the
judges sheets
will be given to
the Race
Secretary, who
will use, or
make sure that
the following
method was used,
to determine
official
placements. A
number is
assigned to each
placement 1st =
1, 2nd = 2 etc.
Then those
numbers are
assigned to the
blanket
numbers/colors
as the judges
have placed
them. In this
example the #1
dog was given
1st place by two
judges,
therefore it
gets 1 + 1 for
those two
placements. It
was put in 3rd
place by the
other two
judges, it gets
3 + 3 for those
two placements
for a total of
1+1+3+3 or 8.
Each dog's score
is calculated
using this
method, and then
the scores are
placed LOWEST TO
HIGHEST, for the
official
placement of
each dog.
ANY TIME THIS
METHOD IS USED
TO CALCULATE
PLACEMENTS, IT
MUST BE POSTED
PUBLICALLY ALONG
WITH THE
INDIVIDUAL
JUDGES SHEETS
FOR THAT RACE |
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Judge 1 |
Judge 2 |
Judge 3 |
Judge 4 |
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Placement
Score |
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1st place |
1 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
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1st = 1 pt |
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2nd place |
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
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2nd = 2 pts |
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3rd place |
3 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
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3rd = 3 pts |
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4th place |
4 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
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4th = 4 pts |
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5th place |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
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5th = 5 pts |
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6th place |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
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6th = 6 pts |
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Calculation |
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Official
Finish |
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red = 1 |
red = 1 |
red = 3 |
red = 3
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#1 blanket
1+1+3+3 = 8 |
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#1 is 1st |
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blue =2 |
blue = 2 |
blue = 4 |
blue = 4 |
#2 blanket
2+2+4+4 = 12 |
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#'s 3 & 4
are tied for
2/3 |
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white = 3 |
white = 3
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white = 2 |
white = 2 |
#3 blanket
3+3+2+2 = 10 |
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#'s 3 & 4
are tied for
2/3 |
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green = 4 |
green = 4 |
green = 1 |
green = 1 |
#4 blanket
4+4+1+1 = 10 |
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#2 is 4th |
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black = 5 |
black = 5 |
black = 5 |
black = 5 |
#5 blanket
5+5+5+5 = 20 |
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#5 is 5th |
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yellow = 6 |
yellow = 6 |
yellow = 6 |
yellow = 6 |
#6 blanket
6+6+6=6 = 36 |
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#6 is 6th |
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3.4.2.2 |
Once the final
placements are
determined,
under no
circumstances
should these
placements be
reversed. |
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3.4.3 |
Any Questions or
complaints
regarding
placement or
order of finish
should be
directed to the
local Racing
Secretary only!
Judges, under no
circumstance,
should discuss
placement with
owners or
spectators. |
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3.5 |
Paddock Judges |
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This individual should
be thoroughly qualified to ascertain all racing Whippets are in the paddock area
on time, properly blanketed and wearing a safe, secure, and properly adjusted
muzzle. Any muzzle that allows a Whippet to grab the lure is a serious safety
threat to other Whippets and handlers, and therefore will not be allowed. The
Paddock Judge shall note each Whippet for any obvious indication of ill health
before each race and is empowered to recall the inspection committee to
determine if a Whippet, which has not been scratched, is lame, injured or ill
before the Whippet is allowed to run in a race. The Paddock Judge should work
closely with the local Race Secretary, or may be the local Race Secretary.
Either the Paddock Judge or Race Secretary may be the official announcer of the
race meet. All owners must enter the paddock area through the
provided entrance, report to the Paddock Judge, and exit onto the race track in
the area as directed, proceeding, AT A WALK, to the starting box as a group. |
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3.6 |
Lure Operator |
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The Lure Operator will
be trained to properly place the lure. The lure should be kept approximately 25
feet ahead of the lead Whippet for adults, and 15 feet for puppies, to provide
the best possible racing. The lure is to be pulled at a steady pace, rather
than a jerking motion, and continued at full speed for at least 20 yards beyond
the finish line. |
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3.7 |
Box
Operator |
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If possible, two persons should be assigned to work the starting box, but one
will suffice if a second qualified person is not available. The Box Operator
may serve as a foul judge also, if qualified. The lure should be placed ten to
fifteen (10-15) feet down track, directly in front of, and at the center of the
starting box. By watching the movement of the lure, and with practice, the
boxes should be opened the very instant the lure moves. A delay in opening the
box after the lure moves can cause Whippets to charge the door and be off
balance when the door opens, causing an unfair advantage. Whippets should be
placed (loaded) in the starting box in numerical order, one (1) through six (6)
after all entrants reach the boxes. The Box Operator should check all Whippets
and racing equipment as the dogs are placed in the starting box, it is the
responsibility of the Box Operator to see that all Whippets are muzzled and
jackets are on properly before the box is opened. The operator may assist
owners in placing Whippets in boxes when necessary. After all Whippets are in
the starting box, the Box Operator will tease the Whippets with the lure, and
ascertain at that time all racers are facing the front and have their blankets
and muzzles ON! The Box Operator will then place the lure in the center of the
area, at the front of the box, in the marked circle. Box Operators will not
delay the start of a race due to untrained Whippets that persist in turning
around in the boxes. If a muzzle is broken, or pulled off by a dog, or if the
jacket comes loose, the Box Operator must hold up the race until all problems
are corrected! If a delay of more than a few seconds is necessary, all Whippets
will be removed from the box by their handlers. |
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3.8 |
Timer |
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It is not necessary to
have a timer, but if one is available, it is most important to have a thoroughly
qualified individual with a stopwatch, or better still, an electric timer.
Ideally, two stopwatches would be averaged for more accurate results. Time is
irrelevant unless distance is exact, track conditions are thoroughly understood
and proper vision of the race is available for the trained person operating the
stopwatch. |
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3.9 |
Extra Officials |
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When possible, there
should be extra people who are experienced and available to assist in the actual
operation of the racing program. |
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EVERY EFFORT SHOULD BE
MADE BY THE GROUP OR CLUB HOLDING A WRA MEET TO USE ONLY QUALIFIED OFFICIALS.
Many people racing Whippets travel hundreds of miles to participate, and spend
countless hours training their Whippets for a WRA meet. Therefore, it would be
most unfair to use unqualified or opinionated officials that could influence
results on a negative basis. Officials must not be under the influence of
alcohol, or any other mind-altering substance (such as, but not limited to
illegal drugs), during the period they are acting in any official capacity. Any
Owner racing a Whippet in a WRA Meet will report any such violation(s) directly
to the local Race Secretary. |
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