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CLUB PROCEDURE
1. Any AKC recognized Irish Setter Club, recognized by and registered
with the Irish Setter Club of America, Inc., shall be eligible to
conduct Versatility Tests provided the club complies fully with all
portions of the Procedures, Rules, and Requirement tests.
2. All tests shall be witnessed either by a Board Member of ISCA or a
local club Board Member who is approved by ISCA and is thoroughly
familiar with the rules and regulations. This Local Club Board Member,
in conjunction with the Testing Committee, shall be willing to vouch for
the accuracy, honesty and compliance with regulations and conduct of the
tests.
3. The Local Club shall appoint a Test Committee consisting of a
Chairman, Test Secretary, Field Representative, Obedience
Representative, and Conformation Representative who shall be
knowledgeable in their areas. The Club Board Member may be any one of
the Committee. The Test Committee shall be responsible for the entire
running of the Tests and the selection of the judges.
4. The Secretary of the Local Irish Setter Club desiring to conduct the
Versatility Test(s) shall make a written request to the ISCA Recording
Secretary using the VC Application form and postmarked at least three months prior to the first day of the
proposed test. Each request shall include:
a. Date or dates with the starting time of the event
b. Exact location
c. Names of the Judges. At least two (2) Judges are required for the
field test and one for the obedience and conformation tests. They shall
be selected by the Test Committee and shall be in good standing with the
AKC.
d. In the test for field, types of birds to be used must be indicated.
e. Names and addresses of the Club Test Chairman, Secretary, Committee,
and the person who is a Local Club Board Member or ISCA Board Member.
ELIGIBILITY OF DOGS
1. Any AKC registered or ILP Irish Setter who has reached the age of
six (6) months on the first advertised day of the test(s) may
compete for any or all tests offered.
2. Bitches in season are not permitted to participate in the Obedience
Test.
3. Spayed bitches and neutered dogs shall be eligible for all tests.
RULES
1. The Versatility Program is an ISCA event. Results of all tests shall
be sent to the Versatility Chairman who shall be a member of the Board
of Directors of the Irish Setter Club of America, Inc.
2. All ratings are to be Pass or Fail and no rating is to be considered
official until confirmed by ISCA. Aside from Pass or Fail, Judges may
make recommendations, and/or suggestions.
3. Applications to hold a Versatility Test, entry forms, and judging
sheets will be issued by ISCA.
4. Entries must list the registered name of the dog, sex, AKC
registration number, whelping date, sire and dam, breeder, test(s)
entered, name of handler if different from the owner, and name and
address of owner.
5. Entry may be made as many times as necessary to complete the
Certificate, but no dog may be entered twice for the same test(s) in any
one event.
6. Entries for all tests must be received by the Test Secretary at least
one week prior to the test date.
7. The Versatility Test(s) may be conducted at Field Trials and
Specialty Shows, but for more practical purposes a special day should be
set aside by the local club for the running of the test(s).
8. The Field, Obedience, and Conformation Tests may be conducted on the
same day or may be conducted separately whichever is convenient for the
Local Club. If they are conducted in conjunction with any AKC event,
their scheduling must not interfere with the programming of the licensed
show or trial and AKC permission will be required in advance.
9. An entry fee may be charged by the Local Club to offset the expenses
of running the event.
10. When a Field VC Test is conducted in conjunction with a Field Trial,
the Drawings should be concurrent. Drawing for an independent Field VC
Test should be no later than the Wednesday preceding the test date.
11. No entry or substitution can be made after the draw.
12. The Field Test shall be conducted as in the judging of the Derby
Stake with each dog in the brace evaluated separately and marked Pass or
Fail with recommendations permitted.
13. The Obedience Test shall consist of four exercises. At least fifty
percent (50%) of each of the four (4) exercises must be completed in
order to pass. The entry shall be marked Pass or Fail on the obedience
test in its entirety with recommendations and reasons permitted.
14. The Conformation Test shall be conducted on the format of a regular
class in a point show with no placements made. The Judge shall mark his
book Pass or Fail and may state his reasons or recommendations. There
shall be two age groups: (Division by age optional.)
a. Novice: Twelve (12) months (on the first day of the test) and under
two (2) years of age.
b. Open: Two (2) years and older on the first day of the test.
15. The required information on each dog qualifying in a test must be
recorded in duplicate on forms provided by ISCA. The original copy must
be received by the ISCA Versatility Certificate Chairman for review and
issuance of Certificate letter within fourteen (14) days after
completion of the test(s). The Test Secretary shall submit a report of
the event on a form provided by ISCA.
PROCEDURE FOR REQUESTING THE VERSATILITY CERTIFICATE
1(a). Upon successful completion of the three tests, Field, Breed and
Obedience requirements, the applicant must submit proof of his dog’s
qualifications to the V.C. Chairman of the ISCA. Copies of the following
will be accepted as verification of the dog’s eligibility.
a. Photocopy of AKC Certificates for Bench and Field Championships,
Amateur Field Trial Championships, Obedience Trial Championships, and
Obedience Titles, or copies of pages from the AKC Gazette indicating
that these titles have been awarded.
b. ISCA Breed, Field and Obedience Test Certification letters of
acknowledgement from the Versatility Chairman of ISCA.
c. Photocopies of GAZETTE pages indicating appropriate placements in
Field Stakes and All Breed Specialty Show classes.
1(b). ILP dogs competing their VC requirements will receive a
certificate that says VC Certificate, ILP.
2. The Irish Setter must be living as of the effective date of the
program. No retroactive certificate shall be awarded.
3. After issuance of the Versatility Certificate by the ISCA, the
letters V.C. may be used after the dog’s name.
Judge’s selection for
Conformation: Any person approved by AKC to judge Irish Setters.
Judge’s
selection for Field Trial Test: Any AKC field trial judge, but the
judges for the field test must have judged a combined total of five (5)
AKC pointing dog trials (regular stakes). Comparable Hunting Test
judging experience may be substituted.
Judge’s selection for Obedience
Tests: Any person approved by AKC to judge licensed Obedience Trials.
FIELD REQUIREMENTS
1. Three Passes under three (3) pairs of different judges at field
tests. The test shall be run as a modified AKC Derby Stake. The
modification is in the time limit of the stake and the age eligibility.
Any dog twelve (12) months of age or older shall be eligible.
Derby Stakes: Derbies must show a keen desire to hunt, be bold and
independent, have a fast, yet attractive style of running, and
demonstrate not only the intelligence in seeking objectives but also the
ability to find game. Derbies must point but no additional credit shall
be given for steadiness to wing and shot. If the handler is within
reasonable gun range of a bird which has been flushed after a point, a
shot must be fired. A lack of opportunity for firing over a Derby dog on
point shall not constitute reason for non-placement when it had game
contact in acceptable Derby manner. Derbies must show reasonable
obedience to their handler’s commands. Each dog is to be judged on its
actual performance as indicating its future promise. Stake shall be
limited to fifteen (15) minutes.
OR
2. Any three (3) placements under three different pairs of judges in
regular stakes at licensed or Member Field Trials. Puppy stake
placements do not count.
OR
3. A combination of the above requirements which total three.
OR
4. Any dog who has obtained an AKC Field Championship or Amateur Field
Championship shall qualify automatically.
OR
5. A Junior or Senior Hunter pass qualifies as a VC pass.
GUIDELINES FOR CONFORMATION VERSATILITY JUDGING
Versatility Conformation judging should be based on the present Standard
which emphasizes the make and fit of all the parts and over-all balance.
You are not attempting to determine whether the dog is of championship
caliber in conformation but whether the specimen reflects the qualities
of a pure-bred Irish Setter. A Versatility Pass should be withheld only
if you would withhold a ribbon at a regular AKC Breed Show.
Dogs will be presented in a condition that will allow for the adequate
evaluation of coat, color, structure and movement.
CONFORMATION REQUIREMENTS
1. Three Passes under three (3) different judges in conformation tests.
ILP dogs will only be able to get passes in the conformation portion at
events where the pass/fail is offered.
The judging will be guided by the following scale of points:
Head 20
Body 20
Running Gear 30
Coat 5
Size, temperament, and General appearance 25
OR
2. Three (3) placements under three (3) different judges in all breed or
specialty shows in a regular class of six (6) or more. In addition,
defeating a total entry of six (6) or more of the same sex by going
Reserve or Winners or by defeating six (6) or more of the Opposite Sex
by going Best of Winners. Best of Breed constitutes defeating all dogs
entered, minimum of six (6) entered required. Best of Opposite Sex
included all dog defeated of the same sex as outline in the AKC Rules
and Regulations, minimum of six (6) required. Puppy classes do not
count.
OR
3. A combination of the above requirements which totals three.
OR
4. A minimum of three (3) single points won under three (3) different
judges.
OR
5. AKC Champions of Record shall qualify automatically
OBEDIENCE REQUIREMENTS
1. Three passes under three (3) different judges in Obedience Tests on
the following commands:
Heel Free 40
Stand, Stay 20
Recall 20
Down, Stay 20
STANDARD OF JUDGING FOR OBEDIENCE TEST:
At least fifty percent (50%) of each of the four (4) exercises must be
completed in order to Pass. The entry will be marked Pass or Fail on the
Obedience Test in its entirely with recommendations or reasons
permitted. A minor deduction shall be from one-half point to two and
one-half points. A substantial deduction shall b at least three points.
HEEL FREE: This exercise shall be executed on a simple “L” pattern.
Orders and scoring for the exercise shall be the same as written in the
AKC Obedience Regulations with the exception of the sit at the handler’s
halt which is not a requirement but which is allowed if desired, and in
place of which the dog may stand quietly at the handler’s left side..
STAND, STAY: Orders are “Stand your dog and leave when you are ready”,
“Back to your dog”, and “Exercise Finished”. There will be no further
command from the judge to the handler to leave the dog. On judge’s order
the handler will stand his dog by the method of his choice, taking any
reasonable time. When he is ready, the handler will give his command
and/or signal to the dog to “Stay”. Walk forward about fifteen (15) feet
in front of the dog, turn around and stand facing the dog. The judge
shall not approach the dog, but remain standing in his original
position. At the end of one (1) minute he shall then order “Back to your
dog”, whereupon the handler shall walk around behind his dog and return
to Heel position. The dog must remain standing until after the judge has
said, “Exercise finished”. The scoring of this exercise will not start
until the handler has given the command and/or signal to Stay, except
for such things as rough treatment of the dog by its handler or active
resistance by the dog to its handler’s attempts to make it stand. Either
of these shall be penalized substantially. A dog that displays any
shyness or resentment or growls or snaps at any time shall be scored
Zero as shall a dog that sits or moves away from the place where it was
left for one (1) minute. Minor deductions shall be made for a dog that
moves its feet at any time.
Recall orders and scoring for this exercise shall be the same as written
in the AKC Obedience Regulations with the exception that the dog may be
left standing or sitting and upon recall may stand or sit in front or at
the side of the handler.
DOWN, STAY: The handlers shall stand thirty (30) feet away from their
dogs. This shall be performed as a group exercise and shall be executed
and scored according to the AKC Obedience Regulations for the Novice
Class.
OR
2. An AKC Obedience Leg or Agility pass or Rally Advanced pass shall be
counted as an Obedience VC Pass.
OR
3. One CGC pass OR one Rally Novice pass shall count as an Obedience VC
Pass. (Since both of these tests are on leash, only one pass can be
counted.)
OR
Any dog who has earned a C.D. degree or better, Rally Advanced or
better, or any Agility title shall qualify automatically
As of January 1, l984, the Versatility Excellence Program became
effective and operational. The VERSATILITY PROGRAM, which is a Pass or
Fail program, has proven the Irish Setter’s credibility for duality. The
VERSATILITY EXCELLENCE PROGRAM should transcend the original V.C.
program in order to honor Championship-type Irish Setters who denote
excellent qualities and abilities. These new V.C.X. achievements will
attest the highest merits of Irish Setter duality inherent in the breed.
This new program is selective and difficult but not impossible.
Six credits or more must be earned; at least one credit must be earned
in each of three categories. If points and placements are earned on the
same day, they must be in separate events.
CONFORMATION
Bench Champion 3 credits
8 Ch. Points 2 credits
3 Ch. Points 1 credit
4 placements in AKC class of 6 or more 1 credit
OBEDIENCE
U.D 3 credits
C.D.X 2 credits
C.D 1 credit
2 placements in either Open or Utility 1 credit
Rally Excellent 2 credits
Rally Advanced 1 credit
2 placements in Rally Excellent or Advanced 1 credit
Agility Excellent 3 credits
Agility Open 2 credits
Agility Novice 1 credit
2 placements in either Open or Excellent Agility 1 credit
FIELD
Field Champion 3 credits
5 points 2 credits
2 placements in AKC Trials 1 credit
(any gun dog stake or higher)
3 passes (VCX tests) 1 credit
A Master Hunter pass is considered as a VCX pass.
BREED Only AKC titles, points or placements in a class of six or more at
AKC licensed shows will be credited.
OBEDIENCE Only AKC titles, degrees or placements in Open or Utility
classes at AKC licensed trials will be credited.
FIELD AKC titles, points, and placements in any Gun Dog Stake or higher
at AKC Licensed Trials or Local Club VCX Field Tests will be credited.
LOCAL CLUB V.C.X. FIELD TESTS
An application to hold a Club VCX Field Test must be mailed to the
Versatility Chairman at least three months prior to the test. The Test
shall be run under AKC Gun Dog Stake Rules. The Field Test may be run in
conjunction with an AKC Field Trial but the Test schedule must not
interfere with that part of the Field Trial. It may also be conducted
independently.
The Local Club shall appoint a Field Test Committee consisting of a
Chairman, Test Secretary, and a Field Representative who shall be
knowledgeable in that area. The Test Committee shall be responsible for
the running of the Test and the selection of the judges.
The AKC judges selected (2) must have judged a combined total of five
(5) AKC pointing dog trials (regular stakes). Master Hunter judging
experience is acceptable.
ISCA VERSATILITY CHAIRPERSON:
Mrs. Anne Marie Kubacz
170 South Hope Chapel Road
Jackson, NJ 08527-5020
(732) 367-9658 |
