BY-LAWS
RUNNING RULES AND REGULATIONS
1998
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
NATIONAL FOXHUNTERS ASSOCIATION
BE IT KNOWN, that these Articles of Incorporation made and entered into this the 24th day of July, 1929,
are to evidence that S.L. Wooldridge, Robert J. Walker, J.W. Turner, Jno M. Branham, Robert Rodes, L.B.
Shouse, Woods Walker, W.K. Herrin, have associated for the purpose of establishing an having a
corporation or association, pursuant to Chapter 32, Article 8 Kentucky Statues, as follows:
ARTICLE I
The name of the said corporation shall be, NATIONAL FOXHUNTERS ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE II
Its principal office in the State of Kentucky is located at the City of Lexington, County of Fayette, and
State of Kentucky.
ARTICLE III
The objects and purposes of the corporation are to promote and aid in any manner among and
between its members, wholesome and healthful outdoor sports and pastimes in season as follows:
A. Field Trials for Foxhounds
To conduct, enter into or engage in field trials, a trial of foxhounds in actual performance in the
hunting fields; to hunt, chase, run under pursuit with hounds, fox or other quarry on foot or on horse or
mount, which are considered worthy of pursuit by sportsmen and to do any and all things pertaining to
the act or practice of hunting with hound and horse.
To hold and conduct, enter into or engage in field trials for the purpose of testing the qualities of
foxhounds in hunting, trailing, endurance, speed, gameness, skill and ability to hunt, find and drive a
fox, having in view the development and improvement of the foxhound, and to encourage judicious
breeding.
To enter hounds in contests, to test their physical or mental ability to hunt, find and drive a fox,
according to set rules, an undertaken for amusement or recreation or for winning a stake.
B. Bench Show
To show, exhibit, display foxhounds on the bench for prizes or awards for the best hound in show, or
any number of hounds, according to set rules; to determine the best type of hound, having in view the
development and improvement of the foxhound and to encourage judicious breeding.
ARTICLE IV
The general welfare of society or club, not individual profit, is the object for which this Charter is
granted, and hence the member are not stockholders in the legal sense of the term, and no dividend or
profit shall be divided among the members. Since there shall be no private or pecuniary porofit or gain
derived by its members or the club, there shall be no capital stock.
ARTICLE V
The name and place of residence of each incorporation is SL Wooldridge, Versailles, KY; Robert
Rodes, Bowling Green KY; Robt. J. Walker Paint Lick Ky; LB Shouse, Lexington, Ky; JW Turner,
Greenwood, Miss; Jno M. Branham Nashville Tn; Woods Walker Paint Lick Ky; and WK Herrin, Clarksdale
MS.
ARTICLE VI
Said corporation shall commence upon the filing and recording of the written Articles and the
approval of same by the Secretary of State of Kentucky, and shall continue in existence for a period of
ninety-nine years.
ARTICLE VII
The highest amount of liability or indebtedness the corporation may incure at any time shall not
exceed Ten Thousand ($10,000.00) Dollars.
ARTICLE VIII
The said corporation shall have the right in its corporate name to purchase, lease, acquire, receive
and hold such properties, real or personal, as may be necessary or proper to carry on and promote the
objects of the corporation, and may sell, dispose of, mortgage or convey such property at pleasure and
shall have the right to sue and be sued, contract and be contracted with, in its corporate name, and may
have and use a corporate seal and alter same at pleasure.
ARTICLE IX
The private property of the incorporators or the members shall not be subject in any respect to the
payment of the debts or liabilities of the corporation and shall be exempt from corporate liability.
ARTICLE X
The affairs and business of the corporation shall be conducted by a Board of Directors to be elected
by the active members, at a regular annual meeting of the members. The number of directors of the
corporation shall be specified in the By-Laws. Any such number may from time to time be increased or
decreased in such manner as may be prescribed by the By Laws.
ARTICLE XI
In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by Statute, the Board of Directors is
expressly authorized to make, alter, amend or repeal the By-Laws of this corporation, without any action
on the part of the members, but the By-Laws made by the directors and the powers so conferred may be
altered or repealed by the directors or members.
The Board of Directors may adopt such By-Laws and Rules and Regulations for the Government and
conduct of the corporation as it may deem proper, and which are not inconsistent with the within
Articles or the laws of Kentucky. The By-Laws so adopted shall prescribe the duties of the officers of
the corporation; shall provide for the time and place of the regular meetings of the corporation, the
manner and method of calling special meetings; the terms and conditions on which and the manner in
which persons may be selected as members of the corporation, and for the manner and method of
conducting all elections provided for herein. They shall further be empowered with the authority to
make Rules and Regulations governing the entries of hounds or of horses in their respective contests,
and shall make Rules and Regulations governing the awarding of prizes or premiums. None except
members shall participate in any election or vote on any proposition, and no person shall become a
member of the corporation until he has been duly elected, in accordance with the By-Laws which may be
provided for such purposes.
The By-Laws shall prescribe the manner and method the initial fees and other dues and charges are
to be paid by the respective members of the corporation, and may provide for such additional officers
and employees of the corporation as may be necessary to conduct the affairs of the corporation.
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
Meetings
(a) Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of this Association shall be held during the week of the
annual field trials, the time and place to be designated by the president.
(b) Quorum. A majority of the members present shall constitute a quorum.
(c) Amending Constitution, By-Laws or Rules. The Constitution, By-Laws or Rules may be amended by
a two-thirds vote of the members present in good standing at any annual meeting of the Association
ARTICLE II
Officers
(a) Officers. The officers shall be president, first and second vice presidents, secretary and treasurer
and a Board of Directors of not less than nine or more than forty.
(b) Two offices may be held by one person.
(c) Election. Election of officers shall be held during the annual meeting of the Association. The
president and vice presidents shall be nominated and elected from the floor. A secret ballot must be
taken for all contested elections.
(d) The directors shall be nominated by a committee of three appointed by the president at each
annual membership meeting and be elected at the next annual meeting of the Association by a majority
of the members present.
(e) The secretary and treasurer shall be elected at the annual meeting of the Board of Directors, by a
majority of said board.
(f) All officers and directors shall hold office until the conclusion of the trials next following their
election. All the officers shall be ex-office members of the board of directors. The president of the
Association shall be ex-officio chairman and the secretary shall act as secretary of said board at all its
meetings.
(g) “It shall be optional for officers of the National Association or officers of its affiliates to enter
hounds but they are urged to do so.”
ARTICLE III
Directors
(a) The Board of Directors shall have charge of all business of the Association and decide all
objections, protest, and all questions concerning the interpretations of the Constitution, By-Laws and
Running Rules and all appeals from the decisions of the judges at the Trails.
(b) The Board of Directors shall adjudicate all complaints against judges, filed in writing by any
member of this Association, in person.
(c) The directors shall meet annually during the week of the annual fiend trials. Special meetings may
be called at any time by the president or upon the request of seven of the directors. Notice of special
meetings shall be given each director by mailing the notice to his last known address at least ten days
before such meeting.
(d) Quorum. Seven directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
(e) The board of Directors shall elect an executive committee consisting of three members of the
board, and the president and secretary shall be ex-officio member. The president shall be chairman and
the secretary shall act as secretary.
ARTICLE IV
President
(a) The president shall preside at all meetings; shall authorize the call of special meeting. He shall be
required to call special meetings of the directors upon request of seven of the directors and exercise
the usual functions of presiding officers. He shall be ex-officio chairman of the board of directors. He
shall appoint, subject to the approval of the board of directors, the Master of Hounds, Assistant Master
of Hounds, referees and stewards. The president shall have the privilege to fill any vacancy.
(b) The president shall approve all bills, including all necessary expenses of the secretary and
judges while attending the National. He shall arrange all expenses of the judges.
(c) As soon as possible after his election the president shall appoint various committees which will
assist the president in carrying on the affairs of the Association during the week of the annual meeting.
ARTICLE V
Vice-President
(a) Vice presidents. The vice president shall fill the office of the president in his absence in the order
as they rank.
ARTICLE VI
Secretary
(a) Secretary. The secretary shall keep minutes and records of the proceedings of the Association;
conduct the correspondence and shall present a written report at all meetings. He and his assistants
shall receive memberships, entries and assign numbers for the field trials. The secretary shall furnish
the M.F.H. a list of numbers of hounds entered in the field trial before roll call.
(b) The secretary of this Association shall have the power to issue a license to any field judge
appointed by the directors and approved by the Executive Committee of the National Foxhunters
Association.
(c) The Secretary of The National must write to the secretaries of the affiliated Associations and
remind them to have their annual dues paid up to the National and to send annual reports to the
National Foxhunters Associations.
(d) The secretary shall keep on file the entries and records of all field trials, bench shows, horse
shows, and any other events of the National Foxhunters Association. The secretary shall require a
receipt for all challenge trophies. He shall notify all persons holding challenge trophies when to return
them.
Assistant Secretary
The Directors shall appoint two Assistant Secretaries to assist the Secretary and President toward
the efficient running of the field trials. One Assistant Secretary shall be placed in charge of the kennels.
The other Assistant Secretary shall help the Secretary in his regular line of duty in the taking of entries
and other clerical and stenographical work.
ARTICLE VII
Treasurer
(a) Treasurer. The treasurer shall receive and have in charge all money, bills, notes, bonds and
similar property belonging to the National Foxhunters Association and shall do with the same as may be
ordered by the Board of Directors. He shall pay all bills approved by the president, including all
necessary expenses of the judges. His books shall be kept at all times open to the inspection of the
Board of Directors. He shall present a written report at any meeting called by the president or seven of
the Board of Directors, detailing all financial transactions, the number of members, detailing all financial
transactions, the number of members, the delinquents, and all matters of general interest.
(b) The books of the Association shall be audited at least once a year by three members of the Board
of Directors and that report be read at the annual meeting of the Association.
(c) The treasurer shall be required to furnish a bond of not less than $20,000.00 and the premium
upon said bond shall be paid by the National Foxhunters Association, Inc.
ARTICLE VIII
Executive Committee
(a) At the same meeting at which the Secretary and Treasurer are elected, the Board of Directors
shall elect an Executive Committee consisting of three member of the Board of the President, Second
Vice President and Secretary shall be ex-officio members. The president shall be chairman and the
secretary shall act as secretary. A member of the executive committee shall not serve more than three
years continuously; shall not be eligible for reelection to the board until he has remained off the board
for at least one year.
(b) During the intervals between the meetings of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee
shall possess and may exercise the powers of the Board of Directors. All actions by the Executive
committee shall be reported to the Board of Directors at the meeting next succeeding such action and
shall be subject to revision and alteration by the Board.
(c) Quorum. A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, and in every case the affirmative
vote of the majority of the members present shall be necessary for the passage of any resolutions. The
Executive committee may act by the written resolution of a quorum thereof, although not formally
convened. It shall meet from time to time as may be required or at the call of the chairman.
(d) The Executive Committee shall select as soon as possible after the annual meeting of the
Association, the time and place of the next trials, ans shall report to the Board of Directors for their
approval.
ARTICLE IX
Application for Individual Membership
(a) The applications for individual membership must be made to the Secretary of the National
Foxhunter Association, Inc. This application to be used whenever the Executive Committee considers it
to be for the best interest of the National Foxhunters Assn. The applicants will be allowed to become a
member subject to the approval of the Executive Committee.
“All persons desiring voting rights must purchase a membership.”
(b) If two or more persons are running one hound, or hounds, in their combined names, each must
become a member of the association.
(c) Annual dues shall cover the period from business meeting to business meeting of the National.
Dues must be paid to be eligible to vote at the business meeting. Annual Dues are $25.00 per year.
(d) Any one in arrears two years or more shall be dropped from the list of members of this
Association.
ARTICLE X
Sustaining Membership
Sustaining Member. A sustaining member is a member whose goodness of heart prompts him to give
$50.00 or more to become a member of the National Foxhunters Association.
ARTICLE XI
Official Organ
The Chase magazine, published at Lexington, KY shall be the official organ of the Association.
ARTICLE XII
Affiliated Associations
(a) Any association desiring to become affiliated with the National Foxhunters Association, Inc, shall
make application for membership to the secretary of the National Foxhunters Association and the
applicant shall be allowed to become affiliated if approved by the Executive Committee.
(b) Each affiliation affiliated with the National Association must pay to the Secretary of the National
Association a fee of $25.00 due January 1st of each year and must be paid by the date of the annual
meeting in mid April. Any association paying their dues late can pay a penalty of $250.00 within 30 days
after notification and still be eligible for a championship for the said year, if qualified. Unless this
requirement is fulfilled, no championship will be awarded the winner of the association’s trial.
(c) Each Affiliated Association shall conduct all its trials according to the rules and regulations
provided for by the National Association.
Affiliated Associations must select their own judges an Master of Hounds. They may have any number
of officers they desire.
(d) The secretaries of all Affiliated Associations are required to forward to the Chase Publishing
Company a certified copy of the Judges’ Report of the Field Trials.
Each Affiliated Association will be fined $250.00 or not be issued an affiliation for the following year if
the report is not sent in on time (90 days).
(e) The directors on the National Board of Directors representing an Affiliated Association are
required to make a report at the Annual Business Meeting of the National Foxhunters Association on
the conditions the Association he represents.
(f) Each Affiliated Association will be represented on the Board of Directors by the President of the
Association or a person designated by him in writing to the secretary of the National Association prior to
the business meeting held at the championship trials. A representative may represent only one
affiliated association.
(g) Winners of H.G.A. In the all-Age and winners of the Bench Show at the Championship Trials and/or
Bench shows of any Affiliated Association shall be given their starting fee at the National Field Trials
that same year.
(h) The winner of the Best in Show at an open bench show of an affiliated association which does not
hold field trials shall be eligible for a Bench Championship when there are twenty-five or more total
entries competing in four classes.
(i) An audit committee consisting of three member of each affiliated hunt to be appointed by the
President of each Association to serve for a period of three years and to report to the membership of
their Association annually the status of their financial affairs.
ARTICLE XIII
Seal
The corporate seal of this association shall be circular and have the following words shown thereon
by the impression thereof: “National Foxhunters Association, Incorporated,” “Good Fellowships” in the
outer circle and the drawing of a hunting helmet, crop an hunting horn within in the circle. The seal of
the National Foxhunters Association, Inc., is copyrighted.
ARTICLE XIV
Order of Business Meeting
1. Roll call and reading of the minutes.
2. Reading of reports and statements.
3. Unfinished business.
4. Reports of the Affiliated Associations.
5. Nomination and election of president and vice presidents.
6. Nomination committee for the election of directors.
7. Election of directors.
8. New or miscellaneous business by permission of the chair.
FIELD TRIAL RULES and REGULATIONS
ARTICLE 1
Master of Hounds
(a) The Master of Hounds shall be appointed by the president, subject to the approval of the board of
director.
(b) Master of Hounds shall call all meetings of the judges and act as their secretary. The President, at
his option and under his power of appointment, may appoint a qualified person to assist the Master of
Hounds in the Judges Meeting. Such person shall work only under the specific instructions of the
Master of Hounds.
(c) The Master of Hounds shall give the handlers any information they may need as to direction to
enable them to keep within reasonable distance of the hounds. He shall instruct handlers and outsiders
not to converse with, or in the hearing of judges, about the work done, or the merits or demerits of any
of the competing hounds. It shall be the duty to any and all infringement of this rule to the president.
The offenders will be subject to a fine or an expulsion from the grounds in the discretion of the
Directors. The M.F.H. may ride to the hounds, and shall direct the handler and assist the judges in every
proper way possible.
(d) It shall be the duty of the Master of hounds to notify, by conspicuously posting at headquarters,
the evening before, the hour and place of starting the following day. He shall blow his horn at the end of
each day’s hunt signaling that the hunt is called off according to the rules governing same.
(e) The Master of hounds shall have the authority to order removed from the hunting ground, any
hounds affected with a contagious disease or any bitches in season.
(f) In case some judge’s mount is disabled or becomes unfit during a days trial, the Master of Hounds
shall provide a mount as soon as possible.
(g) He shall see that the numbers are painted or dyed distinctly on the entries and shall call off the
number, or have them checked in by the judges under his supervision at or before each cast.
(h) He shall strictly prohibit all persons from blowing horns on any pretext whatsoever, until the hunt
is called off.
(i) He shall place the judges to the best advantage in his discretion.
(j) The Master of Hounds shall have no voice in any question in regard to scores or eliminations in
the meeting of the judges. He may be consulted on all questions in general but shall not offer any
suggestion in any particular case until after the score is given and no score shall be changed on his
account.
(k) The Master of Hounds must not allow judges to compare notes one to another at any time. Any
discussion of hounds must be after number is called in the meeting by the Master and no hound shall
be discussed by the judges before this.
(l) The Master of Hounds must be accurate in setting down scores at the meetings.
(m)The Master of Hounds may score hounds in the field, but he shall not enter hounds in either stake
nor be interested in any way in any hound so entered.
(o) It shall be the duty of the Master of Hounds to see that these rules are strictly followed and trials
shall be judged under these rules and not what any Master or judge feels the rules should be. It shall
be mandatory for the Master of Hounds to review the running rules and regulations at a judges meeting
prior to the beginning of a field trial.
(p) In case of extreme emergency such as hounds on dangerous highways or irate landowners which
endanger the safety of a large number of hounds or the safety of the general public, the Master of
Hounds and the president of the association may jointly order the hounds picked up under the
supervision of the Master and recast at that days casting grounds under the Master’s supervision.
(q) No game shall be released at that days cast after the cast has been made
(r) The Master of Hounds may order crated a scratched hound in the immediate area of major
highways, railroads or a population center that could endanger the lives of other hounds or people.
ARTICLE II
Assistant Master of Hounds
The Master of Hounds at his option may appoint two Assistant Masters of hounds whose duties shall
facilitate in every way the running of the field trials and they shall work on specific instructions from the
Master of Hounds. Assistant Master of Hounds shall further have the duties and rights accorded judges
in scoring or eliminating hounds.
ARTICLE III
Field Trial Judges
(a) Judges: Each year the directors of the affiliated associations through their president shall submit
names of three (3) judges to act at the National and the National Field Judges shall be selected each
year by the National Executive Screening Committee and presented to the board of directors for
approval from the names submitted by the affiliated Associations. No president of any hunt will be
allowed to recommend himself or herself or any member of his immediate staff to judge the National
trials (excluding directors of his association).
(b) The President of the association may appoint from day to day one or more Field Masers, whose
duty it shall be to handle the field hunters to the best advantage of the Hunt.
(c) The judges shall not be less than five. No field judge can enter hounds in either stake nor be
interested in any way in any hound so entered.
(d) No person shall act as judge at the field trial of the National Foxhunters Association unless he or
she has formerly acted as judge at a field trial run under the rules of the National Foxhunter Association.
(e) The judges will be subject to the general rules of the Association and report for duty each day to
the Master of Hounds.
(f) Should an appointed judge be unable to fill his engagement or become disabled, the president
may or may not fill the vacancy, as he sees fit.
ARTICLE
Running Rules and Regulations
(a) The stakes and the order of their running shall be as follows: A Derby and an All-Age stake.
(b) No entries can be made except by a member of the Association in good standing.
(c) Any person owning an interest in any hound entered must be a member of the National
Foxhunters Association, Inc.
(d) All entry fees must be paid at time of entering hounds.
(e) Every hound entered at any trial held under these rules must be the bona fide property of the
person or partnership making such entry.
(f) No change in a hound’s name, number, or breeding shall be permitted after the first days cast of
any stake.
(g) The breeder of a hound is in the individual or partnership owning or leasing the dam at the time
of her being bred.
(h) Each entry shall be issued a collar with a name plate attached. The same name and address must
appear on the collar of every entry. A red collar will be used for the All-Age and a blue collar will be used
for the Futurity, with a $2.00 charge to be made on each collar. A personal collar may also be run with a
National collar.
(i) All hounds must carry plainly painted or dyed numbers on both sides with the number
corresponding with that drawn at entry desk.
(j) As soon as the final entries for the field trial close, the secretaries shall make up a numerical list of
the entries.
(k) Objections, or protests, to any hound entered must be made to the directors in writing. Should
any objections be made that cannot at the time be sustained or disproved, the hound may be allowed to
run under protest, the Association retaining his winnings, if any, until the objection has been decided.
Should the hound be disqualified, the others shall be placed the same as if the hound had not been in
the stake.
Any person making false charges against officials, members or hounds shall be fined or suspended
by the Board of Directors at their discretion. The fine is to be not less than $5.00 or no more than $25.00.
(l) The Board of Directors may refuse any entry they think proper to exclude and no member who has
misconducted himself in any manner in connection with the National Foxhunters Association, Inc., shall
be allowed to compete in any trials that may be held under the auspices of the Association, or shall
become a member in good standing, unless apology is made, then the Board of Directors has
discretionary power to reinstate each member.
(m) Any member of the National Foxhunters Association who approaches a judge or judges and
recommends certain hounds should be scored or eliminated, such action will be considered misconduct
and said member shall be fined or suspended at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
(n) No hound can be withdrawn without the express permission of the Master of Hounds. Any hound
withdrawn or crated without his permission forfeits his score in the field and his winning on the bench.
THE DERBY
The Derby stake for Affiliated Associations or any association running under National Rules is for
hounds under 2 years of age. The Chase Futurity is for hounds whelped on or after the first of January
of the year preceding the field trial.
(a) The Board of Directors shall have power to substitute the Chase Futurity in place of the Derby in
any year.
(b) The winner of this stake shall be the hound receiving the highest general average in the four
classes.
THE ALL-AGE
The All-Age stake is for hounds of any age.
Any hound scratched in the Derby for interfering with the chase will not be permitted to compete in
the All-Age stake at the same trials.
Persistent rabbit running is considered one form of interfering with the chase.
Any hound is eligible for this class whether registered or not
(a) The entry fee will be $35.00 for each hound entered.
(b) Upon the winner of the highest general average in the four classes of the All-Age Championship
Stake will be conferred the title of National Field Champion.
ROLL CALL
Any hound failing to answer Roll Call on the first day of any stake, Derby or All-Age shall be
eliminated. The Daily Score Sheets to show-Failed to Answer.
On second day ALL hounds must answer Roll Call or make a satisfactory report to Master of Hounds
at Roll Call. If no report is made at Roll Call they will be marked as Failed to Answer and eliminated. Any
hound reported LOST on the second day will retain his score and remain eligible to compete.
On the third or last day, all hounds must answer Roll Call or they will be eliminated. All hounds that
answer or report LOST to the Master of Hounds will be eliminated, showing LOST in the notes Column.
This does not apply to derby stake of Affiliated Associations running only 2 days. A hound reported
lost to the Master of Hounds on 2nd day of a two day derby shall retain any score of previous day and if
such hound joins in the chase, may be scored.
Tail gating or casting from trucks and trailers shall be permitted at the National Foxhunters
Association Trials and at affiliated association trials all days excepting the last day which must be cast
from a leash.
ARTICLE V
Hound Owners and Handlers
Any member allowing a hound to get loose and join in a chase in which he has not been entered, or
from which he has been eliminated, may be fined at the discretion of the Board of Directors, not less
than $5.00 or more than $25.00 for each offense.
Any owner or his handler may handle a hound but it must be one or the other. When the owner has
deputized another person to handle for him he must not interfere.
All damage done by a hound, or by a rider to hounds, at any field trials help by this Association, must
be made good by the owner of such hound or by the individual doing such damage; but in the event of
the owner, or individual in question, refusing or neglecting to make good such damage, the Directors
shall if convinced of the facts, expel the member from the Association, and direct the Treasurer to make
good the damage.
When hounds are entered at the National Field Trials, the owner of hounds or handlers of such
hounds will be issued their numbers at the entry desk before midnight. Numbers will be obtained by
drawing and shall not be in sequence unless drawn. No numbers shall be reserved at the National.
Numbers may be reserved at affiliated association at the option of the President.
The owner of hander hunting a hound must not speak to or urge him on in any manner.
Should any owner or his handler injure or purposely interfere with an opponent’s hound, he will be
expelled from the Association and all his entries barred.
ARTICLE VI
Challenge Cups
All challenge cups not won outright must be returned to the Secretary on or before the first day of
the Stake. Members shall have the cups properly marked at their own expense, an it must be uniform
engraving.
ARTICLE VII
General Rules
There must be no hunting of any description by the members of this association other than the trials
during the week of the trials within the limits of the field trial territory.
Lunch wagons, luncheons, or picnics of any description are forbidden on the hunting grounds during
the trials. Cooking on the hunt grounds are prohibited.
ARTICLE VIII
JUDGING IN THE FIELD
(a) Hounds will be allowed five minutes after the cast on the first day, three minutes after the cast on
the second day, and two minutes after the cast on the third day in each stake before any may be
reported by the judges for babbling.
(b) A hound left on a “jump” or thrown out “on a loss” shall not be penalized if it works diligently to
“get in” an succeeds in a reasonable time.
(c) Every All-Age hound mouthing tracks other than fox, deer, bobcat or wolf tracks shall be reported
by the judges at their meeting. Hounds may only be eliminated by a majority vote of the judges.
(d) Persistent rabbit running shall be classed as one form of interfering with the chase.
(e) A “gun-shy” hound shall not be penalized for being cowed by gunfire.
(f) Any hound shall be scratched for babbling. Babbling is defined as giving false tongue to the
extent of interfering with the chase.
In case of a hound babbling to the extent of interfering with hounds or the chase and seen by two or
more judges who agree that such is the case, that hound can be ordered tied up or crated by such
judges.
A hound shall not be considered as babbling should he be running as much as thirty yards down-
wind from a track; or should he continue to give tongue a few times on a run over; or should he give
one or two eager mouths at a bad fence when harking to running hounds. Except that, if a hound remain
at a fence and continue to give tongue, then, he shall be scratched.
Hounds guilty of such actions as running stock, stock paths, hound or horse tracks, back-tracking, or
running a covered track, babbling at a stream or indiscriminate babbling, shall be scratched.
Hounds running deer must not be scratched nor can they be scored. Judges must do all within their
power to break up a deer race. Hounds must be given reasonable time to hunt on or after being scolded
when spectators or judges are breaking up a deer race.
(h) A hound that shows no inclination to hunt may be reported for loafing by the judges at their
meeting.
(I) In conjunction with the rules specifically mentioned herein, a hound may be eliminated for any
misbehavior in the field when in the opinion of the judges such misbehavior is a fault which would mar
the characteristics of an ideal filed champion or which might become detrimental to the chase.
(j) Judges shall use due discretion in scoring or scratching hounds and where reasonable doubt
arises of either the good work or faults of hounds, shall question the score of such hounds until such
time as the judges may become convinced of the value of the work.
At no time should more than two judges ride together, unless following a pack of hounds running in
full cry.
(k) The hunt must be called off automatically after running a minimum of five hours hunting each day
or sooner upon vote in the field of the Master of Hounds and majority of judges.
If, before the five hours are up, the M.F.H. finds that due to unfavorable conditions, hounds cannot
trial or run a fox, he should try to contact a majority of the judges and call off the hunt.
(I) Judges’ watches must be synchronized with that of the M.F.H. each day (preferably at the time of
the cast).
(m) When work or faults in the field are observed by a judge the exact time must be recorded and
reported along with his recommendations based on these observations. The importance of recording
correctly both the exact time and the quality of the work observed cannot be overstressed.
(n) Should a pack become divided, the judges must separate and carefully note the work of each
pack.
(o) The judges should follow the hounds after the cast as closely as they can but they must not carry
the hounds off or out of the territory they wish to hunt.
(p) When a hound cries a cold track, other hounds that cast wide, hunting for the warmer scent of the
fox may be scored for Hunting. The judge must give time when recording a hound’s work
THE FOUR CLASSES
(a) The four classes for scoring hounds may be defined as follows:
1. Hunting. Hound that persistently hunts a fox or a wolf as the case may be.
Note: A harking, following or drifting hound should not be scored as a hunting hound.
2. Trailing. When a trail is struck and the hounds start working the line, hounds must give tongue. No
hound should be scored for trailing a track without crying it and steadily progressing on track. Hounds
shall be scored for hunting if it quits tonguing the track and hunts for warmer scent.
3. Speed and Driving. When fox is started and the pack is running, the judges should endeavor to get
to the pack and score all hounds showing Speed and Driving.
4. Endurance. Endurance is one of the important characteristics of a good foxhound.
HOME PLATE JUDGE
The Executive Committee shall select from the list of proposed judges a Home Plate Judge, to be
approved by the Board of Director. This judge is to take the number of any hound returning to the
casting grounds, the time it came and how long it stayed. He should take notes on the actions of such
hounds and report same to the judges in their meeting.
Should a hound return to the casting ground before the hunt is called off, it should be the duty of
this judge to urge such a hound to continue hunting. The judge should in all fairness to the hound and
owner, call the hound away from the crowd and horses and give him every opportunity to recast. If the
hound then refuses to hunt it is the duty of the Home Plate Judge to recommend to the judges that the
hound be scratched.
The Home Plate Judge hall score hound work which comes under his observation in the field.
The Home Plate Judge shall kennel in a truck provided for that purpose, or turn over to their owners,
all hounds loafing around the casting grounds, when said judge becomes firmly convinced that such
hounds shall be eliminated for loafing.
ARTICLE IX
JUDGES’ MEETING
(a) The judges shall hold their meeting daily as soon as possible after each hunt. No person other
than the judges and the Master of hounds shall be present t their meeting unless specifically
authorized by the President of the Association.
(b) The majority rule shall apply in all cases. The M.F.H. shall preside as secretary at judges’
meetings. He shall keep in his possession the score sheet, one other than the one that is posted. His
private score sheet should be scored with indelible pencil. The M.F.H. shall call for scores and register
on score sheet the majority vote of the judges.
There shall be kept an individual daily score sheet, upon suitable forms provided by the Secretary of
the Association, showing the number of the hound ,the name of the judge, or judges, who scored or
scratched the hound, the various times the hound was scored, his total possible score and the score
finally voted by the judges. These sheets shall be kept by the Master of Hounds in his custody and
confidential. Immediately upon the posting of the final score sheet, he shall deliver all such sheets to
the Secretary, who must also keep same confidential. If, within twenty-four hours from the time of
posting the final score sheet, no formal protest has been filed with the Secretary then the Secretary
shall destroy then; otherwise they shall be preserved for such action as the Board of Directors may take.
The final decision must be rendered in writing to the President and Secretary, who shall announce
the result and make awards.
(c) When the Daily Score sheet is finished the Master of Hounds shall post it on Bulletin board at
Headquarters after the judges’ meeting each day. This sheet must state the score of each hound up to
that time.
SCORING IN THE JUDGES’ MEETING
Decision: The decisions on both stakes are to be made under four headings, as follows: Hunting,
Trailing, Speed and Driving, and Endurance. Ten places are to be awarded in each of these four classes.
Scoring: The scoring must begin with a minimum of 10 points and may be increased consistently in
multiples of five (5).
Scores shall be called for by the M.F.H. on hounds in the order of roll call a follows:
“No. 1. Is there any reason why you judges would eliminate this hound?”
If the majority of the judges vote to eliminate No. 1, M.F.H. rules a line across score sheet. The cause
for elimination is recorded in the column for that purpose In case No. 1 is not scratched M.F.H. then
asks for this hound's score in Hunting.
The number of points in each hound’s score is determined by a majority vote of the judges. Each
judge’s vote is not necessarily added to the other. Each judge having observed the hound,
recommends the highest score he thinks this hound should have, and the highest score agreed upon
by the majority of the judges will be the hound’s score in the Hunting Class for that day. Trailing, Speed
and Driving scores are then taken up in the order mentioned and decided in an identical manner.
No one judge can give a merit or demerit to any hound in any class. It takes the majority vote of the
judges to score either way.
Hunting Class. No hound, during the first hour of Hunting in any one day’s hunt shall be voted more
than 10 points for his work done within that hour; no more than 15 points for Hunting during the second
hour; no more than 20 points for Hunting during the third hour; no more than 25 points for Hunting
during the fourth hour; and no more than 30 points for Hunting for any succeeding hour during the day’s
hunt. The perfect hound can only score 100 points in Hunting in any one day.
Trailing. Hounds shall not be scored in Trailing more than thirty points in any one interval of twenty
minutes. No hound shall receive maximum of 30 points at any one interval unless it produces fox or
wolf. Speed and Driving and Endurance are scored in the following manner.
Speed and Driving. The hound leading the pack shall be scored 35 points, the second hound shall be
scored 30 points, the third hound shall be scored 25 points, the fourth hound shall be scored 20 points.
Other hounds in the pack shall be scored fifteen points each. No hound shall be scored more than 35
points in any one interval of ten minutes. Hounds shall only be scored for their best position during a
ten minute interval.
A hound running a fox alone may be scored a maximum of 20 points if so recommended. If at any time
a judge fails to get the first hound running a fox at a crossing he must disregard that crossing and ride
to score the hounds at another crossing. Whenever a judge fails to get the number of any hound in the
order of that hound’s position at a crossing-he must stop with the last hound scored successively and
ride for another crossing.
When the Derby and All-Age Stakes are run together, hounds must be scored in Speed and Driving
on any crossing exactly as if running in a separate stake.
1. Only one All-Age and one derby running a fox. Each only get 20 points.
2. Two or more All-Age and one derby running a fox. All-Age hound scored according to position.
Derby hound gets only 20 points.
3. One all-Age and two or more derby hounds running a fox. All-Age hounds gets only 20 points.
Derbys scored according to position.
4. Two All-Age hounds and two derby or futurity hounds are caught at a crossing. The first derby or
futurity hound gets 35 points, second derby or futurity hound gets 30 points; first All-Age hound gets 35
points and second All-Age hound gets 30 points, etc.
Endurance. All hounds that finish a field trial and that have scored in either Hunting or Trailing AND
have also scored in Speed and Driving during the entire hunt, with a sun total of 40 points or more, will
automatically earn an Endurance Score of ¼ of his or her total score across the board, beginning with
ten points, adding in multiples of five where permissible-to be computed only on the final day on the
hounds that have finished the trials. Each day’s score will count, but figured on the last day and the total
posted on the Daily Sheets in the Endurance column before making sum total of all scores and before
starting to figure the Highest General Average.
The results: Each hound getting an Endurance score will have received it from his other classes. No
hound, therefore, can have an Endurance score, he or she has not earned from other scores.
To get an Endurance score, hounds must have scored in either Hunting or Trailing, as well as, having
scored also in Speed and Driving, during the entire trial. No hound, therefore, can have an Endurance
score which he or she has not earned.
EXAMPLES
Hound No. 5-10 in Hunting, 10 in Trailing, 15 in Speed and Drive. This hound has scored across the
board but he has less than the sum total of forty (40) points, so is not eligible for an Endurance score.
Hound No. 20 could have no Hunting, no Trailing, 200 points in Speed and Driving, therefore he could
have no Endurance score.
Hound No. 30-10 Hunting, 20 Trailing, 15 Speed and Driving, a total of 45 points in the entire hunt. He
would get the closest ¼ of his entire score-10 points in Endurance.
Hound No 40-60 Hunting, no Trailing, 90 Speed and Driving, a total of 150 points for entire hunt. His
endurance score would be 35 points.
Hound No. 50-No Hunting, 50 Trailing, 125 Speed and Driving, a total of 175 points. The closest ¼ in
round figures-40 points in Endurance.
Hound No. 60-95 Hunting, 65 Trailing, 200 Speed and Driving, a total of 360 points. This score rounds
out in ¼ to 90 points in Endurance.
All hounds get the Endurance they earn. They must earn the score they are allowed. This same
scoring method shall be followed as many days as judges order stake to continue to final decision.
When the judges are ready for final decision the highest scored hound in Hunting is winner of the
Hunting class. The highest scored hound in Trailing is winner of the Trailing class and likewise in Speed
and Drive and Endurance.
Hunting class shall be finished before starting on Trailing then Speed and Driving and then
Endurance in this order as one class has no bearing on any other class.
IN CASE OF TIE IN CLASSES
Ties shall be untied completely through the ten place in each of the four classes. Should two or more
hounds be tied with the same score in any one class, the hound having the largest total daily score in all
classes shall be adjudged the winner of that class; the hound having the next largest total score shall
be second, and so on. Should a tie exist between two or more hounds it shall be untied in the manner
as prescribed for untying the Highest General Average.
No tie shall be unties by a vote of the judges except in case of a tie where to or more hounds are tied
in all four classes, then a vote of the judges shall untie the tie.
H.G.A
After all four classes have been finished for each hound the Highest General Average shall be
figured. The highest general averages of the hounds for the first ten places shall be determined as
follows:
The hound scoring highest in each class shall receive a weight or point of 100. The hound scoring
second in each class shall receive a weight or points of 90. The hound scoring third in each class shall
receive a weight or points of 80. The hound scoring fourth in each class shall receive a weight or points
of 70. The hound scoring fifth in each class shall receive a weight or points of 60. The hound scoring
sixth in each class shall receive a weight or points of 50. The hound scoring seventh in each class shall
receive a weight or points of 40. The hound scoring eighth in each class shall receive a weight or points
of 30. The hound scoring ninth in each class shall receive a weight or points of 20 and the hound
scoring tenth in each class shall receive a weight or points of 10.
Each hound’s general average shall be arrived at by adding together the points received by the
hound in each class. For example, consider the first hound on your daily score sheet. If he won Hunting
he starts with 100 points. If he is second in Trailing he gets 90 points additional; third in Speed and
Driving, 80 points; second in Endurance, 90 points additional. Therefore, the No. 1 hound scores 360
points towards H.G.A.
Suppose No. 3 hound scored fourth in Hunting, fourth in Trailing, first in Speed and Driving and third
in Endurance. He would then receive 320 points towards H.G.A. Thus the scores for the H.G.A. are
figured all the way through for the first ten places, the hound with the highest points being given first
place, next highest second place and so on to the tenth place. Revert to Daily sheets for scores in
untying all ties.
IN CASE OF TIE FOR H.G.A.
In case of tie, the highest scored hound in the Hunting class of hounds tied shall be the winner. If
they remain tied in Hunting, then Trailing shall untie the tie. In the event said hounds remain tied in
Trailing, then Speed and Driving shall untie the tie. In the event there is no Speed and Driving score,
there will be no Endurance Score. But in the even t said hounds remain tied in Speed and Driving, then
Endurance shall untie the tie. In this event said hounds remain tied in Endurance, the latest hound
scored in hunting shall untie the tie; if still tied, the latest speed and driving score shall untie the tie.
The perfect score is 400, which means first in each of the four classes.
ARTICLE XII
Bench Show
(a) The Bench Show of the National Fox Hunters Association shall be held at the discretion of the
president, during the week of the annual Field Trials.
(b) The President shall appoint one judge, subject to the approval of the board of directors, who shall
make the awards.
(c) No entrance fee is charged in the regular classes of the Bench Show. Only hounds actually
competing in either the Derby (Futurity) field trial or the All-Age field trial are eligible to be shown in the
Bench Show. All hounds to be shown on the bench must be duly entered in their appropriate filed
classes and all fees paid before being shown on the bench in their corresponding classes.
At a field trial where no Derby stake is run, but Derby Classes are included n the Bench Show,
hounds shown in the Derby Class must complete in the All-Age Field. In all open field trials only two
classes can be shown on the bench; male and female. (Pertains to field trials with only one stake)
(d) Classes in the Bench Show are judged in the following order; First, Derby dogs; Second, Derby
bitches; Third; All-Age dogs; Fourth. All-Age Bitches; Fifth, Best Couple; Sixth, Best Two Couples;
Seventh, Natural Carriage.
(e) Finally the two winners, Derby female and All-age make, are shown together with the judge
selecting the Best Male. Next the two winners, Derby female and All-Age female, are shown together
with the judge selecting the best female. Then the Best Male and best Female are shown together, with
the judge then selecting the Best in Show and Best Opposite Sex. Best in Show shall be knows as
National Bench Champion.
(f) In each of the first four classes, the Judge shall make ten awards, if sufficient entries permit.
(g) The hounds shown as couple or as two couples must be owned entirely by the member or kennel
entering them. No combinations are allowed to be made on the day of the show.
(h) In judging a couple or couples neither age nor sex is essential. The judge must take into
consideration the individual excellency as compared to the bench show standard, but also the
“matching-up” of the couple or couples as to type, size, etc. Award shall be made on the basis of 50% for
individual excellency and 50% for the collective “matching-up”.
(I) No hound which has won the National Bench Championship will be allowed to be shown again at
any bench show of the National Foxhunters Association or the Bench show of any affiliated association.
(Exception see Special Classes)
(j) For shows where a Puppy Class is added, no entry in the Puppy Class is eligible to show in any
other class.
(k) In order to receive any bench show awards earned by a hound, the hound must compete in the
field trails unless permitted to be withdrawn by the Master of Hounds.
(l) The Master of Hounds may permit a hound competing in the Bench show to be withdrawn only on
evidence of accidental injury or sickness which would be detrimental to the hound if it continued in
competition in the field. Disability due to a hound not being in proper running condition before being
cast in the field does not constitute satisfactory reason for permission for withdrawing a hound.
Any hound that fails to answer Roll Call the first day or fails to answer or give satisfactory report to
Master of hounds at cast on any succeeding day shall forfeit all bench awards. Hounds marked Failed to
Answer, Crated, or Withdrawn without permission of the Master of Hounds, shall forfeit their bench
awards.
Hounds eliminated for field faults shall retain their bench wins. On the last day of the field trail for its
respective class, any bench show winner that is LOST shall be so reported at the cast to the Master of
Hounds. The hound will be eliminated from the field trial, showing LOST in Score Sheet Notes Column,
but will retain its bench winnings.
The bench show report will show “Forfeited (Reason)” where bench winner fail to meet field
requirements. No hound can be removed up to replace such forfeitures.
To be eligible for a Combination Winner, a hound must place on the bench and in one or more places
of the field trial. Each of the ten places on the bench and the ten places in the four field classes shall
have the corresponding points as are given class winners in the field, namely 100 points for first, ninety
points for second, 80 points for third an so on down through the ten places. The hound having the
highest combined total points awarded from one bench class and the four field classes is the winner. In
case of a tie, the hound is in the tie having the highest score in the field (from HGA) shall be declared
the winner.
SPECIAL CLASSES
Mason Houghland or Natural Carriage Class
There will also be a class called “The Mason Houghland” or “Natural Carriage” class, open to all
hounds, male or female, entered in either Derby or All-Age Stakes. Hounds are to be shown on leash
only and not to be otherwise touched or handled in the ring. The hounds are to be judged for
conformation under the rules as set out in the National Foxhunters Association Bench Standard. This
special class is to be judged by the judge for the show designated under (b) above. (This class is
optional with affiliated associations).
GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPION
NATION SHOW ONLY
After all regular classes have been shown, a class will be shown with entries limited to National
Bench Champions, including the current Champion. These hounds are otherwise ineligible for any other
competition. Winner of this special class will be declared “Grand National Champion.” An entry fee of
$5.00 shall be charged for each hound in the class, with the judging to be done by the regularly
appointed judge.
BENCH STANDARDS FOR AMERICAN FOXHOUNDS
Skull: The Skull should be fairly long with the cranium broad and full, slightly domed at occipital area
adjoining the neck.
Defects: A very flat skull; narrow across top; excess of dome.
Ears: Ears set on moderately low, long, reaching when drawn out nearly to the tip of the nose fine in
texture; fairly broad; with almost entire absence of erectile power; setting close to the head with the
forward edge turning in slightly towards the cheek; round at tip.
Defects: Ears short; set on high, or with tendency to rise above the point of origin.
Eyes: Eyes large, set well apart; soft and hound-like; expression gentle and pleading; any color.
Defects: Eyes sharp and terrier-like or prominent and protruding.
Muzzle: Muzzle of fair length; straight and square cut; the stop moderately defined.
Defects: Muzzle long and snipey; cut away decidedly below the eyes, or very short; parrot mouth or
undershot mouth; Roman nosed, or upturned giving a dishface expression.
BODY
Neck and Throat: Neck of medium length rising free and light from the shoulders, strong in substance
yet not loaded. The throat clean and free from fold of skin.
Defects: A thick, short, cloddy neck carried on a line with the top of the shoulder. Throat showing
dewlap and folds of skin to a degree termed “throatiness”.
Shoulders, Chest, and Ribs: Shoulders sloping; clean, muscular, not heavy or loaded, conveying the
image of freedom of action with activity and strength. Chest should be deep for lung space, narrower in
proportion to depth, 28 inches in a 23 inch hound being good. Well sprung ribs; back ribs should extend
well back; a three-inch flank allowing springiness.
Defects: Straight, upright shoulders; chest disproportionately wide or with lack of depth. Flat ribs.
Back and Loin: Back moderately long, muscular and strong. Loins broad and slightly arched.
FORE-LEGS AND FEET
Fore-Legs: Straight, with fair amount of bone. Pasterns short and straight.
Defects: Out at elbow. Knees knuckled over forward, or bent backwards. For-legs crooked.
Feet: Fox-like, pad full and hard. Well arched toes; strong nails.
Defects: Feet long, open or spreading.
HIPS, THIGHS, HINDLEGS AND FEET
Hips and Thighs: Strong and muscled, giving abundance of propelling power. Stifles strong and well let
down. Hocks firms, symmetrical and moderately bent. Feet close and firm.
Defects: Cow hocks or straight hocks. Lack of muscle and propelling power. Open feet. Any male with
less than two testicles must be automatically eliminated.
TAIL
Tail: Set moderately high; well developed, strong, carried well, with slight upward curve.
Defect: A long tail. Tea post curve or inclined forward from the root. Rat Tail, entire absence of brush.
Any hound with docked tail should be automatically eliminated.
COAT
Coat: A hard hound coat of medium length.
Defects: A short thin coat or a coat of soft quality.
HEIGHT
Height: It is preferred that dogs not be under 22 or over 26 inches and that bitches not be under 21 or
over 25 inches. If a hound is measured, the measurement should be made across the back at the point
of the withers, while the hound is standing in a natural position with his feet well under him. A foxhound
within the height standard shall be given preference over a hound outside the height standard, if the
two are equal in confirmation.
COLOR
Color: Any color