Huntmaster
 | Lure Operator and Judges to see when they are about ready to start. |
| Position the lure at the Start point, as determined during course layout, then call out, "First/Next course to the Line". |
| Ensure that a handler handles only one hound in each course. |
| The hounds shall be placed as follows: |
YELLOW on the left,
PINK in the middle or to the right in braces,
BLUE on the right in trios.
| Check that blankets are tied and secure and that slip leads are in the slip position. |
| Explain release and retrieval procedures, before each preliminary course. |
Do not release your hounds until the T of Tally- Ho. There is a 1- to 5-point penalty from each judge for a Pre-Slip or Course Delay. Do not call out to or encourage your hound during the course. Do not retrieve your hound until I tell you to do so. I will ask the Judges if they are ready; I will ask the Lure Operator if s/he is ready; I will ask you if you are ready. I want a clear, audible response from you. We will not begin until everyone is ready. Do you understand?"
| Stand in close proximity to, but not in front of, the handlers and hounds. |
| Do not keep the hounds standing at the line an undue amount of time. If the judges or Lure Operator are not ready for some reason, tell the handlers that they came move their hounds around if they wish. Bring them back to the line as above when all appear ready. |
| Question, in the following order |
| Provide a hand signal to the Lure Operator to start the lure. |
| Give the signal "Tallyho" to release the hounds once the lure is about 10 yards in front of the hounds. |
| Hounds should not be slipped before the sound of the "T" in "Tallyho." |
| Notify the Judge and handler of any pre-slip at the end of the course. |
| Call for the lure to be stopped upon a pre-slip and restart provided no Tallyho has been sounded (pre-slip penalty will carry over). |
| If the Huntmaster fails to notify the Judge of a pre-slip, then for all intents there has been no pre-slip, but the Judge shall have the prerogative to question the Huntmaster if the release seems questionable. |
| If at any time you feel there is a potentially dangerous situation |
| Call for the lure to be stopped. |
| Signal the handler(s) to retrieve his or her hounds(s) when appropriate or when necessary for the safety of the hounds. |
| Instruct the owner(s) to retrieve the hound(s) if the hound(s) does not leave the start or returns to the start during the course. |
| At the end of the lure course, give the signal to "Retrieve your Hounds". |
| Immediately inform the handlers when a course is called a no-course or a course in which a dog is dismissed or disqualified. |
| Notify the Trial Chairman of any hound which appears lame. |
| Inform the judge(s) of any observed aggressive behavior during the course. |
| Once the hounds are under physical control and off the field, have the lure brought around and positioned before calling the next course of hounds to the line. |
| Inspect the lure before each course and replace it if needed. |
| Repeat this process, keeping things moving and making sure that you always have the next set of hounds ready to run. |
The HUNTMASTER (H/M) takes over responsibility from the Paddock Master for the safe, speedy flow of activity.
The Paddock Master will send out the hound(s) as listed for the next course from the Paddock Sheet. The H/M now has control of the Handlers and hounds.
The H/M must observe the hounds and the Judges during the course and has the authority to halt the course, have a hound retrieved, or take any action that will ensure the safety of the hounds. The H/M is also responsible to have a Handler retrieve or contain a hound who did not run, who is off course and who might interfere with other hounds, and makes decisions regarding pre-slips, hound field safety and may stop the lure if s/he sees an unsafe situation. The H/M must notify the Judges of a Pre-Slip, aggression at the line, Handler interference and/or other information deemed pertinent to the course just completed as soon as the hounds are under Handler control and off the field after the "kill".
If there is to be a re-run, if the Judges Excuse/Dismiss/Disqualify a hound, or if a hound appears lame after or during the course, the H/M is responsible for notifying the Handler(s) of the Judges' or Trial Chairman's decision and telling the Paddock Master which hound(s) to re-jacket for which course.
This crew assignment is one of the more important for hound safety and requires knowledge and understanding of the different attitudes and temperaments of the breeds. This is one of the three assignments with the authority to take an action concerning hound safety.
AKC Lure Coursing Regulations:
Section 5. Huntmaster
Is a member of the Field Committee.
Will be in complete charge of all hounds and handlers.
Shall call up each new course as the previous course is completed.
Will ensure that a handler handles only one hound in each course.
Is responsible for checking that blankets are tied and secure.
Is responsible for checking that slip leads are in the slip position.
Must explain release and retrieval procedures, before each preliminary course.
Shall stand in close proximity to, but not in front of, the handlers and hounds.
The lure must be positioned in front of the hounds and in the direction in which it will travel before the signal is given to start.
As the hounds are facing
the lure, the hounds shall be placed as follows:
YELLOW on the left,
PINK in the middle or to the right in braces,
BLUE on the right in trios.
Shall question, in the following order, the Judges, Lure Operator and handlers saying "Are you ready," and after affirmative answers, the course is begun.
Provides a hand signal to the Lure Operator to start the lure.
Gives the signal "Tallyho" to release the hounds and the signal "Retrieve your Hounds" when appropriate. Hounds should not be slipped before the sound of the "T" in "Tallyho." Will notify the Judge and handler of any pre-slip at the end of the course. If the Huntmaster fails to notify the Judge of a pre-slip, then for all intents there has been no pre-slip, but the Judge shall have the prerogative to question the Huntmaster if the release seems questionable.
Will cause the lure to be stopped upon a pre-slip and restart provided no Tallyho has been sounded (pre-slip penalty will carry over).
Will cause the lure to be stopped in a potentially dangerous situation and signal the handler(s) to retrieve his or her hounds(s) when appropriate or when necessary for the safety of the hounds.
Will instruct the owner(s) to retrieve the hound(s) if the hound(s) does not leave the start or returns to the start during the course.
Will inspect the lure before each course and replace it if needed.
Shall notify the Trial Chairman of any hound which appears lame.
Shall immediately inform the handlers when a course is called a no-course or a course in which a dog is dismissed or disqualified.
Shall inform the judge(s) of any observed aggressive behavior during the course.
Section 9. Field
Committee
1. Field Committees may make additional regulations for the government of their events as
shall be considered necessary and proper, provided such regulations- or rules do not
conflict with, change or modify any Rules or Regulations of The American Kennel Club. Such
additional Regulations shall be printed and distributed with the premium list and
violations thereof shall be considered the same as violations of the Rules and Regulations
of the AKC.
2. The decisions of the Field Committee shall be final, conclusive and binding on all
parties, in all matters occurring on the day of the meet, except for matters coming within
the jurisdiction of the Judge(s). Such Committee decisions must be made in accord with the
general regulations and standard procedures that apply to the trial being held.
3. The decisions of the Judges in all matters relating to the course are final.
4. If it becomes necessary to replace an advertised Judge after the opening of the event
and no person on the eligible Judges list is available as a replacement, the Field
Committee may select a person whose name is not on the eligible Judges list provided such
person is in good standing with the AKC. The Field Committee must announce and post the
name of any substitute Judge before the draw for the stake at which he is to officiate.
5. If a Judge is unable to complete a judging assignment, a replacement may be
substituted. The Field Committee shall notify the exhibitors of the substitution. All of
the scores of the Judge who was replaced shall stand as recorded.
6. If a Judge is substituted, the owner or handler of a hound entered in that stake has
the option of withdrawing the hound before the draw and receiving an entry fee refund. If,
after the draw, a Judge must be substituted, no refunds shall be made.
7. In the event that an unadvertised Lure Operator must be used, the Field Committee must
select a substitute Lure Operator and must announce the name of that substitute before the
draw for the stake at which he is to operate the lure. If an unadvertised Lure Operator is
used, the owner or handler of a hound entered in that stake has the option of withdrawing
his hound before the draw and receiving an entry fee refund. If, subsequent to the draw, a
Lure Operator must be substituted, no refunds shall be made. The advertised Lure Operator
shall make every effort to complete his assignment.
8. The Field Committee shall handle all official protests on the day of the event as
specified in Chapter XIV.
9. At no time may the Field Committee overrule, change or reverse a judging decision
except in the case of eligibility as determined after a protest is filed, without the
express consent in writing of the Judge involved