The 2017 Great Houston Barn Hunt
Ten Barn Hunt Trials
Wednesday PM and Thursday through Sunday AM and PM
Presented by DogJoy Training LLC
Wednesday July 19, 2017
Thursday July 20, 2017
Friday, July 21, 2017
Saturday, July 22, 2017
Sunday, July 23, 2017
NRG Center at NRG Park 1 Reliant Pkwy
Houston, TX 77054
Judge 1: Liz Carter of Sparks, NV (BHAJ-108A)
Judge 2: Darla Lacey of Acworth, GA (BHAJ-106A)
Judge 3: Gordon Roberts of Pomona Park, FL (BHAJ-130A)
Judge 4: Eva Raczka of Central Square, NY (BHAJ-113A)
Permission has been granted by the Barn Hunt Association, LLC for the holding of these Barn Hunt Trials under BHA rules and Regulations.
Open to all breeds and mixed breeds, ages 6 months or older. Dogs MUST be registered with Barn Hunt Association (BHA) to participate in Trials.Opening Date / May 6, 2017
Closing Date / July 8, 2017 (entries must be post marked by this date)
No refund of Pre-Entries withdrawn after the closing date.
Classes Offered / Instinct (AM Trial Only), Novice, Open, Senior, Master, Crazy 8s (Wed-Sat only for Crazy 8s)
Entry Limit / Entry Limits: Maximum 8 hours per judge PER DAY
We reserve the right to limit entries in certain classes based upon overall entries and work day/hours for judges’ benefit.
Entry Fees / Pre-entry: $10 for Instinct, $15 for Novice and Open, $20 for Senior and Crazy 8s, $25 for Masters
Late/Day Of Show: $20 Instinct, $25 Novice, $25 Open, $30 Senior and Crazy 8s, $30 Master
Day of Show entries WILL be accepted at this trial
Trial One DOS accepted 7-7:30am and Trial Two DOS accepted 11-11:30a. Entries for the next day will also be accepted the previous trial day as well.
Directions to the NRG Center at NRG Park (
From the North / From the SouthTake I-45 (south) or Hwy. 59 (south) to Hwy. 288 (south)
Take Hwy. 288 (south) to 610 Loop (west) Take 610 (west) to Fannin or South Main exit
Exit and turn right on Fannin or South Main
From Fannin turn left on Naomi or Holly Hall
From South Main turn right on McNee Enter main gate at NRG Park / Take I-45 (north) or Hwy. 288 (north) to 610 (west) to Fannin or South Main exit
Exit and turn right on Fannin or South Main From Fannin turn left on Naomi or Holly Hall From South Main turn right on McNee
Enter main gate at NRG Park
From the East / From the West
Take I-10 (west) to 610 (south)
Take 610 (south) to Fannin or South Main exit
Exit and turn right on Fannin or South Main
From Fannin turn left on Naomi or Holly Hall
From South Main turn right on McNee Enter main gate at NRG Park / Take I-10 (east) to 610 (south)
Take 610 (south) to South Main or Fannin exit
Exit and turn left on South Main or Fannin ' From Fannin turn left on Naomi or Holly Hall From South Main turn right on McNee
Enter main gate at NRG Park
Barn Hunt Trial Organizers
Trial Chairperson / Elizabeth Robison
Trial Secretary/Awards / Elizabeth Robison /
Tentative Trial Schedule
Start Times / 7:00-7:30am / Measuring, Check In, Day of Show Entry
7:45am / General Briefing
7:50am / Judge’s Briefing for first class
8:00am / First dog on the line
Class order / Three rings will be used. Trials will run concurrently, allowing for move-ups between divisions. Instinct, Novice 1 and 2, Open 1 and 2,
Senior 1 and 2, Master 1 and 2, and Crazy 8s T1 and T2 will be offered. Final class order will be sent out after closing date based upon actual entries and maximum efficiency.
Leveling and Ring Balancing WILL be used as needed.
Running order / Small to Large Wednesday, Friday, Sunday Large to Small Thursday and Saturday
Conflicts with other rings and sports will be accommodated as able.
Multiple dogs with the same handler will be placed in separate blinds by show staff.
Blinds
Dogs handled by the same handler in the same class will be blinded separately. Masters level blinds will be 3 per blind and the other classes are 5 per blind. Blinds are assigned at the gate steward board by the Chief Ring Steward and will be followed throughout that class. Gate sheets are for check in only and do not necessarily reflect the run order.
Handlers with multiple dogs will be spread out to accommodate the blinds and conflicts with other events will be honored provided you are there during the running of the class at some point and can make a blind. No class will be held up for conflicts.
Payment and Entry Information: Incomplete forms, nonpayment, and returned checks do not constitute a valid entry. Entries will not be considered valid without a signed Release Agreement Form. There is a $35.00 fee for all returned checks. Entries accepted on a first come/first served basis. A maximum of 10 different dog entries per envelope is allowed. Online entries/payment are taken via during the entry time frame.
Refunds are ONLY allowed if requested before the July 8, 2017 closing date. No event fee will be refunded if the event cannot open or be completed by reason of riots, civil disturbances, fire, an act of God, public emergency, act of a public enemy, or any other cause beyond the control of the event committee. Entry fees will not be refunded in the event that a dog is absent, disqualified, sick, excused, or barred from competition by action of the Event Committee. In the event a dog is injured or too ill to compete, a veterinary note as proof of inability to compete will be accepted and refunds will be issued for that dog less a $5 handling fee.
Waitlist
A waitlist will be maintained if necessary and will be filled from cancelled entries PRIOR to the trial but AFTER the closing date. Waitlist entries will be considered in the order they arrive.
Notice to Participants
It is expressly understood that participants alone are responsible for the behavior of their dogs and/or children. Any participant whose dogs and/or children create an unnecessary disturbance or repeatedly engage in unsafe or disruptive behavior may, at the discretion of the event committee, be asked to leave the event site. In such case, no refund of any fees paid will be made.
DogJoy Training and its agents, employees, etc., will assume no responsibilities for any loss, damage or injury sustained by participants or spectators, or to any of their dogs or property and further assumes no responsibility for injury to children.
Bitches in season are eligible to compete but will be required to be kept separate from all other dogs and run in panties/britches at the end of their class, regardless of height. Entry fees for bitches that come into season will be refunded until date/time of closing of the trial, if you wish to withdraw. If bringing a bitch in season, please inform the Trial Secretary prior to the trial. You must also make sure the Judge informs all exhibitors at the briefing. A separate crating area is available for BIS competitors.
Collars and Leashes Per BHA rules, electronic collars/devices are not allowed anywhere on the site – this includes electronic bark collars as well as citronella collars. Head halters and Flexi style leashes are also not allowed at BH trials. Prong collars may be used on the site while walking dogs, but are not allowed while the dog is competing. Approved collars include flat snap or buckle collars of solid construction and leather or nylon leads. Limited slip martingale and single piece slip collars/leads are allowed. Harnesses are allowed. Dogs may not be brought to the gate in a prong collar or on a Flexi-lead. Dogs MUST run “naked,” without a collar/harness. Dogs should be brought to the ring with collars/harnesses which can be easily and quickly removed and replaced. All dogs must be on leash at all times except when in the ring.
Facility
NRG Center is a huge, busy, and loud climate controlled convention/event facility. There will be thousands of dogs competing and thousands more spectators and their companion pets. Please be aware of all the activity and help your dog do their best. Spectators ARE allowed to be right at the ringside so please be aware that person of all ages doing all sorts of activities will potentially be in the area (especially on Saturday). We will police the “no dog zones” for persons with dogs but cannot ask people to stop normal random activities ringside unless it violates BHA rules per the 2016 rule book.
Exercise areas are provided by the AKC committee and there are outdoor areas too. Public restrooms are available in the building as well as food/concession vendors. OUTSIDE FOOD IS NOT PERMITTED! RV parking is available but needs to be done via the NRG site or the AKC premium. Parking is all paid and multiday in and out parking passes are available via the AKC premium. Grooming/crating areas are available by reservation in the conformation area (see the AKC premium), in the obedience area by first come, and we will have limited crating available in our immediate area. No expens, tents, etc. in our area please. We reserve the right to request crates be stacked, moved, and the like to ensure we have plenty of crate space near our event. OUTSIDE OF THE BARN HUNT AREA, AKC RULES ARE IN EFFECT!
Move Ups
Move ups are accepted at the trial and any difference in entry fee must be made at the time of move up. Please contact the Trial Secretary immediately upon title completion and before the start of the PM trial classes for that day. You may also request move ups during morning check in as well. BEFORE the trial weekend, please email the Trial Secretary at least 48 hours prior to the event. Exhibitors are responsible for knowing if their dog is eligible to move up or not, the trial staff does not have the ability to look up previously earned legs. This information can be checked on the Barn Hunt Register at .
Conflicts
Rings are stacked to minimize conflicts with other events at this huge event and within the barn hunt classes as well. Each ring will run a set series of classes rather than a whole trial (Ring 1 may run Instinct, Novice 1, and Novice 2 and Ring 2 may have Open 1, Open 2, and Senior 1 for example). Competitors with conflicts need to check in at the start of their class(es) as having a conflict and will then show up when they can before the end of that class and they will be assigned a blind as soon as possible. Anyone with a conflict not arriving before the end of that class to show will forfeit their run (rings will not be held up for anyone).
If you have a conflict with OTHER sports or ANOTHER Barn Hunt ring, please follow the following steps:
- Check in at your class(es) either yourself or have an agent do so. Put a “C” next to your dog(s) name(s).
- You need to show up as soon as possible around your conflicts but BEFORE the end of the class. Classes/course builds will NOT be held up for conflicts.
- When you arrive with your dog to run, we will put you in the first AVAILABLE blind. This does NOT mean the very NEXT blind, but the next blind that you can be run in but as soon as possible. The DogJoy staff at the gate will determine this with the help of show staff.
Ring Leveling and Balancing
Any of the Judges of Record for this event may be used to judge any of the classes at this event at the discretion of the Club under the rule provisions for Load Balancing, Relief Judging, and Splitting. Qualifying scores are assigned to the official Judge of Record for that class. In these circumstances, given the announcement in the premiumthat any of the judges may judge, no competitor can ask for a refund if the judge stepping in as a load balancing or relief judge or judging a split ring is one they don't want to show under. Credit for the competitor’s run goes under the Judge of Record for that course.
Late/Day of Show Entries
Late and Day of Show Entries are allowed at this event at an increased entry fee than the pre-entries. They will be taken at the information desk from 7-7:30am for Trial 1 and then 11-11:30a for Trial 2. You may enter the following day’s trial anytime throughout the current trial day at the information desk during show hours (today is Thursday and you would like to enter Friday, you can enter anytime on Thursday or during the aforementioned time slots ON the actual trial day (Friday)).
Trial Schedule/Workers Schedule/Class Estimated Run Times
All information about the trial will be organized into a Google spreadsheet that will be linked on the DogJoy Training homepage under the Great Houston Barn Hunt Portal as well as listed on the DogJoy Training Facebook page. Any changes in schedule during trial hours will be announced in briefings during the day and reported on Facebook for those not in attendance. Changes will be kept to a minimum but if they are required these are the methods of communication.
Awards
Placement ribbons are awarded for First through Fourth place in Novice through Master classes and in each division. Qualifying ribbons as well as New Title rosettes are available. Additional rosettes will be awarded to High in Class Novice, High in Class Open, High in Class Senior, and High in Class Masters (fastest qualifying time in those classes) at each trial. Large Champion rosettes and a prize are awarded to RATCH earners as well. Please contact the Show Secretary if you might be earning your RATCH at this trial!
Photographers
Chris Caviness will be at the NRG Center and is looking forward to taking ringside pictures again of our Barn Hunt pups. Contact him before or during the event if you want to make sure he stops by for your runs/class. Otherwise, he’ll pop in and out as he can and grab pictures then. All official title/win/judges photographs must be taken with the AKC photographer, Malinda Julien at the show photography booth.
Additional Sponsored Awards
High In Class Special Prizes
Special high in class awards are offered to the AM trial participants. In the event that the award is not awarded during Trial 1, it will be passed on to Trial 2. If no High In Class winners are awarded in that class in either trial that day, the prizes roll to the next day and will be awarded cumulatively. Example: If no High In Senior is awarded on Friday (Trial 1 or 2) but a team earns High In Senior on Friday Trial 2, they would get both Thursday’s and Friday’s prizes. Prizes are awarded at the conclusion of Trial 1 or as needed, Trial 2. Every effort will be made in between trials to have a HIC presentation after each class, but awards may be picked up from Trial Chair any time after the conclusion of the trial if you are unable to attend a presentation. Awards will not be mailed without prior arrangements.
Day and Prize (rolled to Trial 2 if not awarded during that day’s Trial 1) / Classes / Prize / Sponsored ByWednesday High In Class / Master
Thursday High In Class Trial 1 / Novice / Sexy Beast Dog Collar Bull Hide Leather Slip Leash
Open
Senior
Master
Friday High In Class AM Trial 1 / Novice / Run A Muck Custom Ombre Commemorative Flatback Bucket
Open
Senior
Master
Saturday High In Class AM Trial 1 / Novice / Run A Muck Custom Ombre Commemorative Insulated Tumbler Cup
Open
Senior
Master
Sunday High In Class AM Trial 1 / Novice / Chris Caviness
8x10 Print with Shipping / Chris Caviness
Open / Chris Caviness
Senior / Chris Caviness
Master / Chris Caviness
Breed Specific Awards
The following prizes are awarded to the dog of that breed/group with the most Qs between Wednesday Trial 1 and Sunday Trial 1. Awards will be presented at noon on Sunday or 15 minutes after the last run of Trial 1, whichever is later. If an award is not won at this event, it will remain a High In Trial award at future DogJoy events until won.
Class Handicap: / Number of Qs + Class Handicap per Q = ScoreTies are broken by % of used time available at that level
Instinct/Crazy 8s (Does Not Count Towards Breed/Special Awards unless noted.)
Novice +1
Open +2
Senior +3
Master +4
Award Name / Prize / Sponsored By
High In Trial Australian Shepherd
High In Trial German Shepherd Dog
High In Trial Parson Russell Terrier
High In Trial All American
High In Trial Herding Breed / Custom Rosette
High In Trial Terrier / Custom Rosette
Special Performance Based Awards
Award Name / Rules / Prize / Sponsored ByHigh Overall Master Dog
High Overall Senior Dog
High Overall Open Dog
High Overall Novice Dog
High Overall CZ8 Dog / Most Qs overallfrom all trials between Thursday Trial 1 and Sunday Trial 1 at that level. Ties broken by % time under maximum course time.
Non Qualifying Runs “Better Luck Next Time” Raffle