Futurity
1. ANNUAL STAKE:
The Grouse Futurity shall be run annually in grouse cover, under the auspices and the jurisdiction of the Club, Successive Futurities shall be designated by consecutive numbering; thus First, Second, Third, etc.
Run at the same location as the Championship and the time to be selected by the Executive Committee (see Article VI of the By-Laws). The Stake Manager, appointed by the Executive Committee, shall have complete supervision of the Stake, including not only the actual running but also all arrangements for local publicity, entertainment, accommodations for visitors and dogs, hiring of horses, etc. The Stake Manager may appoint such assistants and/or local committees as he may consider necessary.
2. ELIGIBLE DOGS:
All dogs of pointing breeds that are registered in the Field Dog Stud Book or a registry recognized by the F.D.S.B., which have been born on or after January 1st of the preceding year, and whose Nominating, Forfeit and Entry fees have been duly paid in accordance with the prescribed method laid down by the Club, shall be eligible for competition in this Stake. Determination of the eligibility of any dog shall be vested in the Secretary of The Grouse Futurity or in his absence in the Stake Manager.
3. CLOSING DATE:
Entries shall be closed ten (10) days in advance of the running to enable the Futurity Secretary to determine eligibility of the dogs. Post entries, on payment of an additional fee set by the Board, will be accepted up to the time of the draw only if accompanied by proof that the dog is eligible.
4. WINNERS:
If there are less than sixteen (16) starters, three (3) winners shall be named; and if sixteen (16) or more, four (4) winners.
5. JUDGES:
The Board of Directors shall select the judges and decide on their numbers. So far as it is possible to obtain the acceptance of experienced men the judiciary shall represent as many geographical areas as there are judges. If a judge fails to keep his engagement a substitute shall be named by the Stake Manager.
The judges shall have full charge of the running of the dogs and control of the handlers, subject only to the By-Laws and Running Rules.
If the terrain and other physical aspects of the grounds make it practical, the judges and the official reporter may be mounted (see Championship Rules 5 and 12).
6. LENGTH OF HEATS:
The dogs shall run one half-hour in the first series, with all subsequent running discretionary with the judges.
It shall be the policy of the Club that all winners, and especially the first and second place dogs shall, if possible, have bird work. The Stake Manager shall, if such bird work has not been had at the conclusion of the first series, request the judges to continue the running until that objective has been obtained unless or until conditions become such as to make such attainment improbable.
No dog shall, without the consent of his handler be obliged to run twice on the same day.
7. SHOOTING:
No dog shall be placed in this Stake unless shot over under conditions which satisfy the judges that the dog is not gun shy. Shots may be fired from a pistol, rifle or shotgun, but nothing small than .32 caliber shall be used.
8. OUT OF JUDGMENT:
The disqualification of a dog for being out of judgment or for refusing to handle shall be left wholly to the discretion of the judges.
9. FAILURE TO BACK:
Failure to back shall not adversely affect a dog’s standing in this Stake.
10. GENERAL CONDITIONS:
The By-Laws and Championship Running Rules shall apply to The Grouse Futurity with respect to all pertinent matters not otherwise specifically covered by the Running Rules of The Grouse Futurity.
It shall be the duty of the Secretary-Treasurer of The Grouse Futurity to supply the judges with copies of all of the foregoing rules and regulations well in advance of the date of the trial.