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(updated
01/01/06, supercedes 01/01/05) |
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PDF version
of Section 3 |
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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 normally descended
into the scrotum.) |
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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: 1/2inch to 1inch plywood 24 inches wide, 44 inches to 45
inches 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 1/2inches or over 22 1/2 inches; bitches under
17 1/2inches or over 21 1/2inches. 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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For
every race, there should
be three thoroughly
qualified judges who
understand what
constitutes intentional
fouling by a Whippet or
Whippets. 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
races, 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 Race
Secretary prior to
discussion of the foul
with any other person,
including other foul
judges.
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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.
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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
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.
This method is
to be used ONLY
when there is a
clear
discrepancy
between all line
judges. First
and foremost,
there should
always be an
attempt to
discern whether
there is any
agreement on
placements by a
majority of
judges. This
may require the
head line judge
or race
secretary to
simply list the
order of each
dog, as describe
above without
assigning any
points and
closely look at
it.
In addition,
this method can
only be used, if
all judges have
all placements.
Point
assignments
cannot be made
to dogs that
have no
placement, thus
this method
cannot be used
without all
placements by
all judges.
(exception: If
there are 6 dogs
in the race and
all judges have
5 or more
placement, then
this method may
be used; or all
judges have 4 or
more placements
in a 5 dog race,
etc.)
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 |
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