Paddock

Paddockmaster & Field Clerk

Paddockmaster

Field Clerk

At trials where large entries are expected or if there are enough trained volunteers, the Field Chairman may assign an assistant to help the Huntmaster. This auxiliary position carries the title of Paddockmaster.

(The "paddock" is the area in proximity to the start/finish of the field where hounds and their handlers gather to await their turn to run.)

The Paddockmaster is responsible for assembling these hounds in the paddock area at least one course, but no more than two courses, ahead of time. Because the Huntmaster cannot leave the field during a course in progress to assemble the hounds competing in the next course, the Paddockmaster can provide this time-saving service, and is authorized to announce the call names of missing hounds anywhere on the trial grounds other than the field as appropriate and without disturbing the judging or the hounds competing in a course in progress.

The position of Field Clerk completes the list of possible volunteer assignments available at our club's formal lure coursing events and which collectively comprise the Field Committee. Unlike the positions of Inspector, Huntmaster, and Paddock-
master, which are all "outdoor" assignments, the position of Field Clerk is an "indoor/outdoor" assignment, which can be highly desirable at a trial where the weather is cold or rainy, as has often been the case at our club events!

The duties of Field Clerk revolve around the trial paperwork, which fortunately for both American Sighthound Field Association (A.S.F.A.) and American Kennel Club (A.K.C.) trials, is recorded on standardized forms, as will be discussed below. Because keeping a trial running on schedule is of the utmost importance, having more than one Field Clerk to assist both the Field Chairman and the Field Trial Secretary, minimizes the time lapse between the actual run of an individual hound and the posting of that hound's score for the exhibitors, who in turn use this information to prepare for their hounds' subsequent competition later in the day. Delay in making this information available constitutes the most common complaint voiced by exhibitors at lure coursing trials, a problem every coursing club must avoid in order to remain attractive to future entrants. Our club's reputation for prompt and accurate score posting has been excellent in the past, thanks to our efficient and well-trained volunteers.