I - REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE
A. November 4th thru September 30th
II - MEMBERSHIP
A. No membership fees, everyone is welcome! Failure to follow APA Code of Conduct & Ethics,
Harassment Policy or Rules & Regulations will result in
disciplinary action against the person by the APA Board Of
Directors. This can include immediate dismissal, suspension or being banned
from participation in APA sanctioned events.
B. Per dog fees are collected at event prior to dog(s) running
C. Entry fees may not exceed $10.00 for regular season runs.
III - CHAMPIONSHIPS
A. Eligibility - If your dog has competed at five APA Mill Race events during one
season it may compete in the APA Championships.
IV - RACE AREA
A. Holding Area
1. Dogs competing in a height class must stay in the holding area while the class is competing.
2. Dogs that are not competing are not allowed in the holding area.
3. No dogs allowed within 20 feet of the mill other than the competing dog. Dog must have left mill area before next dog is brought up.
B. Surface Under Mill
1. Mill must be on packed dirt, carpet, grass or concrete. For sand, large gravel or other surfaces, the chief judge may use his discretion.
2. Mill legs must be solidly grounded.
3. Mill may shake while dog is running but shouldn't wobble.
V EQUIPMENT
A. Slat Mill
1. Wood or metal framing. Must be dog propelled. Motors are not permitted.
2. Slats may be made of wood or plastic.
3. Carpet, or belt mills without slats are not permitted.
4. Must be equipped with hardware for attaching the dog's harness/collar.
5. Must have side panels.
6. Odometer must read to the thousandths of a mile/KM ie) 0.000.
7. Mill must be equipped with brake or manual pressure applied.
B. Dogs Equipment
1. Each dog must have an acceptable
crate
2.Only flat buckled collars or appropriate fitting walking harnesses may be used. Must be in good condition and cannot be in need of repair.
3. 4 foot leash must be used when dog is not on mill.
4. Water is permitted at all times in holding area.
C. Bait
1. Each contestant is required to have their own bait for their personal dog to use.
2. All bait used by contestants CAN be checked by judge, prior to use.
3. No live or dead animals aĺlowed (hide from game animals, cows, rabbits is acceptable provided it is NOT still part of the animal and has been dried).
4. Acceptable examples of bait include; ball, frisbee, tug, hide, plastic bag etc.
VI - MILL OFFICIALS
A. Judges
1. A list of APA approved Judges
is listed on the APA website
2. Are responsible for upholding
the rules and regulations of the APA as established in writing, and for adhering
to the APA Code of Ethics.
3. The Chief Judge is responsible
for supervising the event, handling disputes, and their decisions are final unless there is an APA Representative or Board Member present. The APA Board Members decision will take precedence over the Organizer, Chief Judge and Representative if everyone can not come to an agreement. If no Board Member is present the APA Representatives decision will be final.
4. Any judge in violation of the
rules, regulations, or code of ethics may be removed or disciplined by the Board of Directors
by way of a majority vote.
5. Judges cannot disallow a person
to compete because of personal reasons.
6. Judges’ decisions are
final. If you disagree with a decision a grievance can be filed. (see Complaints/Grievances).
B. Mill Steward
1. There CAN be two officials, one chief judge and one mill steward.
2. Mill stewards assist with paperwork and timing.
VII - ELIGIBILITY
A. All dogs competing for points must be 9 months of age.
B. All dogs must be current on immunizations
C. Handlers with more than two dogs in a class must have harnesses/collars for all the dogs and will not delay the event.
D. The use of performance altering drugs are prohibited.
E. No females in heat are allowed on the event grounds.
F. No pregnant or lactating females are allowed to compete.
G. An APA entry form must be completed and entry fees submitted before the dog can race.
H. Control of dogs/handler conduct.
1. You must keep your dog under
control at all times
2. You will promptly clean up
after your dog
3. Vicious dogs
a. Any
dog showing unprovoked aggression towards another dog or person will receive
one warning. If the aggression continues, the handler will be asked to remove
the dog from the area and it will not be allowed to compete.
b. If
a dog attacks another dog the handler will be asked to remove the dog from the
area immediately. If it has not yet run, entry fees will not be refunded.
If it has run it will neither earn nor contribute points that day.
c. Any
dog that bites or attempts to bite a person will be immediately DQ’d by
the judge and asked to leave the mill site.
4. Animal abuse or aggressive behavior, including verbal abuse
will not be tolerated. The judge will use his discretion and you will be DQ'd.
5. A handler can and will be asked
to leave for any misconduct in or outside the running area/grounds. Misconduct
includes failure to comply to APA Code of Conduct & Ethics, Harassment Policy,
APA Rules and Regulations,
rude, disruptive, unsportsmanlike conduct, or interfering with another
dog running or the judge. Slander and or Liable of the APA is not permitted and will be subject to
immediate disciplinary action.
I. We must actively strive to promote a positive image of the sport and the dogs involved at all times. All dogs competing in the APA must be in good health. No dog will be allowed to participate at an APA show that is determined to be too thin. A dog will be defined as being too thin when there is one or more of the following; hip bones clearly protruding, over pronounced spine, or a sunken in head. A slight outline of the hip is acceptable. If your dog is determined to be too
thin you will not be allowed to compete in the mill race for that specific weekend. Photo documentation will be taken whenever possible of any dog denied entry into a
mill race. No grievance can be filed by any owner that refuses to allow a picture taken of their dog when they have been denied entry.
J. Height Classes are as follows:
*a dog that measures between 8" and 9" will be in the 8" class*, a dog that measures between 13" and 14" will be in the 13" class ...*
8" Class: 8" class - 0-8"
13" class - 9-13"
18" class - 14-18"
24" class - 19-24"
28" class - 25-28"
33" class - 29-33"
Unlimited class - 34" +
K. Measuring
1. Must be within 24 hrs prior to the event.
2.
All dogs must be measured using the same wicket. Dogs to be measured and
height recorded to the quarter inch (round up to nearest quarter inch)
3. Dogs may only wear a regular flat buckled collar during measuring.
4. All dogs must be measured by an APA judge. Judges can not measure their own dogs unless it's witnessed by two separate people.
5. EXAMPLE *a dog that measures between 8" and 9" will be in the 8" class*, a.dog that measures between 13" and 14" will be in the 13" class ...*
VIII - RACE PROCEDURES
A. Handler must bring their dog up when called. Dogs will be notified when they are on deck.
1. Run order is based on height from shortest to tallest in a class. Run order may only be changed if a handler has back to back dogs then the taller dog may be moved to the end of the class.
B. Any dog showing illness or injury, at the chief judge’s
discretion, will be dismissed and will not be allowed to compete that day.
C. Any dog that relieves itself on the mill will be DQ'd.
D. The dog will be hooked by the mill steward or the handler.
E. When the dog is hooked the handler must ensure that the dog has enough slack to run safely. If the dog backs up on its own after being released it shall not be penalized. Walking is permitted.
F. The time will start when the handler and judge are both ready.
G. The judge can time the race himself or elect a "timer" before the race starts.
H. Dogs must spin the belt enough to record a distance. If they don't they will be recorded as a NO RUN.
I.
If you or your bait touch your dog unintentionally there will be no DQ. At
the judge's discretion a warning may be given. If the dog at any time grabs
and holds the bait with its mouth that will be an automatic DQ.
J. Brake/Manual Pressure MUST BE on when dog gets on or off the mill.
K. Poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated and you will be DQ'd at the chief judges discretion.
1. Any attempt to cheat and you will be DQ'd. This will be determined by the chief judge of the event.
L. Any dog that relieves itself on the mill will be DQ'd.
M. Winners of a height class are determined by the dog with the highest number using distance traveled in 2 minutes divided by height at the withers.
1. Ties will be broken by measuring dogs from point of shoulder to point of hip. The dog with the shorter body wins.
2. 2nd tie breaker if required: 30 second run off, winner is determined by the dog with the highest number using distance traveled in 30 seconds divided by height at the withers.
N. Reasonable concessions will be made for anyone with a disability.
O. It is the organizer's responsibility to send in the Entry Forms, Score Sheets, Results Forms and
$4.00 per dog within 7 days. If the organizer does not send in their paperwork on time, the first
time, they will be charged a $50.00 fee. The second time they will be charged a $75.00 fee and the run doesn't count for points or towards
Championships for their dogs. The third time they will be charged a $100.00 fee, the run doesn't count for points or towards Championships for their dogs, and they are suspended as an organizer for one year. Late fees must be paid before the results will be posted on the web site. If the organizer does not fill out the results forms correctly, the first time, they will be shown the correct way to fill them out and get a warning.
The second time they will be charged a $50.00 fee and the run doesn't count for points or towards Championships for their dogs. The third time they will be charged a $100.00 fee, the run doesn't count for points or towards Championships for their dogs, and they are suspended as an organizer for one year. Fees must be paid before another run will be sanctioned for that organizer. If they already have a run sanctioned they must send the fee in with the
results from that run or the run won't count for points or towards the Championships for the organizer.
IX - COMPLAINTS/GRIEVANCES
A. The chief judge has the right to reject someone from
competition. The reason must be known to the individual and a letter of why
they were refused must be sent in with the run reports.
B. All written grievances must be sent in with the run report to the APA.
C. Any grievance that is filed must be addressed to the judge
of the class. If a verbal complaint is given to the judge and the judge corrects
the problem immediately, no further action need be taken. A formal written
grievance can be given to the chief judge immediately following the run. If the issue can not be resolved by the Chief Judge, or if the Chief Judge is directly involved, the written complaint may be emailed to any current APA Board Member.
D. If a grievance is filed for activity outside the mill area,
it must be given to the chief judge. You can and will be asked to leave for
any misconduct in or outside the running area. No refund of entry fees will
be given in this instance.
E. No drugs or alcoholic beverages are allowed during competition.
F. If you are banned from running with
the APA, you may file a motion to reverse the decision after a year has passed. The letter must be
sent to the APA President and will be discussed by the Board of Directors. The
Board will vote and a final decision will be reached. You will be notified,
in writing, of the decision.
X - APA POINT SYSTEM
A. 1st place = 10 pts
2nd place = 7 pts
3rd place = 3 pts
.5 point for every dog you beat in your class
B. Most Distance Traveled 18" & Under = 15 pts
Most Distance Traveled 19" + & Over = 15 pts
**a dog that measures between 20" and 21" will be in the 20" & Under division*
**Championship MDT Over & Under = 30 pts
MILL RACE TITLES
100 Points STRIDE (certificate)
Every 100 pts after STRIDE2 STRIDE3 etc
STRIDE5 plaque at Championships
Every 5th title plaque at Champs
XI - APA World Records
A. All records will be set at the Championships.
XII - Drug Testing
A. The APA reserves the right to do random drug testing at any APA Sanctioned event.
Performance enhancing substances are Anabolic steroids, any/all stimulants, depressants, tranquilizers, local anesthetics, drugs or their metabolites, which could affect the health or performance of the dog. The testing will also look for any drug and/or substance that may interfere with the detection of the above.