Huntmaster

Huntmaster
Once the actual trial coursing competition begins, the Huntmaster assumes complete responsibility and absolute authority over all hounds and handlers on the field.

The overriding objective of the Huntmaster is to endeavor to ensure that each competing hound has a "safe trip" around the course. This is achieved on the part of the Huntmaster by anticipating potential dangers and resolving them BEFORE releasing each course of hounds with the responsibility-laden command of "Tally-ho." The Huntmaster must be on the alert for unauthorized persons, hounds, or objects coming onto the field and with which a competing hound could collide. This includes the Huntmaster's continual monitoring of spectators and hounds and their handlers awaiting their turn to course. Of particular concern are hounds not properly controlled or secured when they are not running (i.e., hounds left unattended in "x-pens" often in full view of the field). Once the Judge(s) and Lure Operator have taken their places on the field, the Huntmaster "calls up" the course of hounds by announcing the breed, the stake (i.e., Open or Field Champion), the number of the course in that stake (i.e., first, second, or third course), and the call names of the single, brace, or trio of hounds participating in that course, as indicated on the copy of the Draw Order Sheet made available for each breed to the Huntmaster by a Field Clerk. The Huntmaster confirms for each course that each hound is wearing a racing blanket whose color corresponds to the call names listed for each hound, that there is one handler assigned to each hound, and that each hound is wearing only authorized equipment in addition to its racing blanket: a "slip lead" and a racing muzzle (optional at the discretion of the handler). For what should be obvious safety reasons, once released in a course, no hound is allowed to wear a collar or any object around its neck. After lining up the hounds behind and facing the lure and on the side of the string opposite that of the lure and according to blanket color (yellow on the left, pink in the middle or to the right in braces, and blue on the right in trios), the Huntmaster explains release and retrieval procedures to the handlers. This may be accomplished by the recitation of this material from a card containing this information. The Huntmaster then questions, in a clearly audible voice and in the following order, the Judge(s), Lure Operator, and handlers: "___________, are you ready?" After receiving a signal response from the Judge(s) and Lure Operator and a verbal response from each of the handlers in the affirmative, the Huntmaster provides a hand signal to the Lure Operator to start the lure. The course has now begun for the purposes of determining any "pre-slip." After allowing the lure to advance a distance in front of the hounds appropriate to the relative speed of the breed being coursed, the Huntmaster shouts "Tally-ho" to signal the handlers to release or "slip" the hounds from their slip leads		A "pre-slip" occurs if a hound is released from its slip lead after the lure is activated, but before the Huntmaster verbalizes the "t" in "tally-ho." For this type of pre-slip, the course is allowed to continue and the penalty is reported to the Judge(s) by the Huntmaster after the conclusion of the course in question. If, however, the pre-slip occurs before the signal is given for the lure to start, the Huntmaster will allow a restart of the course after the pre-slipped hound is retrieved and returned to the starting line. During the running of the course, the Huntmaster as well as the Judge(s) have the authority to signal the Lure Operator to stop the lure if a hazard develops, such as when a competing hound becomes entangled in the string or catches the lure, or when a loose hound (i.e., one not part of the course) or other object enters the coursing field. (The Lure Operator also may independently stop the lure at any time and for any safety reason as the Lure Operator deems appropriate.) The course is considered finished only when the lure comes to a complete stop. It is the Lure Operator's responsibility, and not that of the Huntmaster, to stop the lure at least 20 yards away from the lure machine. Only when the lure has stopped will the Huntmaster shout "Retrieve your hounds" to the handlers, and until this verbal command is given, no handler may retrieve a hound competing in a course, primarily to prevent handlers from stepping on the still-advancing string and incurring injury and also to allow the judge(s) to be able to observe if any aggression or possessiveness of the lure by a hound occurs as the lure slows near the end of the course. It is a good practice for the Huntmaster to step down on the string as the lure nears the finish line to insure that the lure does not accidentally run into the area of the lure machine and pulleys, which could injure a hound sliding in on the lure at the finish. Stepping on the string also minimizes the stress to the string as the hounds tug at the "dead" lure. The Huntmaster and handlers alike should be alert to stay out of the path of the competing hounds as they come in on the lure to avoid a collision which could result in injury to both hound and human! Finally, once the hounds are safely secured by their handlers and moved away from the lure and the string and off the course, the Huntmaster (and/or Lure Operator) will shout, "Hold your hounds" while the lure is activated to return to its starting position in advance of allowing the hounds competing in the next course to approach the starting line. The Huntmaster, independently or on the advice of the Judge(s) or Lure Operator, must inspect the lure for damage after each course (replacing it if necessary), and must retrieve any pieces of lure (large or small) anywhere on the field which potentially could distract a competing hound during a subsequent course.