Bluegrass Classic SDT

Masterson Station Park
3051 Leestown Road, Lexington, KY 40511
May 15-19, 2024

2023 Handler Information

Entry Open Date: March 7, 2023 Enter online at the Handlerspost
Open Entry Fee: $250.00 per dog, 2 dog limit (Entry for both rounds; no single round entries accepted)
Entry Fees Per Class: Nursery – $45; Open Ranch – $55; Pro Novice – $50; Novice – $40 (per dog/per run)

Classes Offered:

• 2 Open trials over 4 days; 130 dogs per trial; USBCHA Sanctioned
• 4 Nursery trials over 4 days; USBCHA Sanctioned
• 2 Open Ranch trials over 2 days
• 2 Pro Novice trials over 2 days
• 2 Novice/Novice trials over 2 days

View Class Descriptions

Open & Nursery Judges: Michael Davidson & David Wallace
Open Ranch Judge: To be announced by May 1, 2023
Pro-Nov & Novice Judge: To be announced by May 1, 2023
Trial Coordinator: Marianna Schreeder

Handlers entered in the 2023 Bluegrass Classic will be held accountable for knowledge of the
“2023 Entry Guidelines and Trial Information”.
Failure to read such is not defensible for failure to comply.

2023 Bluegrass Classic Entry Guidelines & Trial Information

1. Entries Due –

• Entries open March 7, 2023.
• Entries will be accepted through Handlers Post, www.handlerspost.com.
• The initial window for entering the 2023 Bluegrass Classic SDT will be March 7-9 (noon through noon EST)
• All entries submitted during that time will be prioritized first and processed as “initial entries” regarding the draw and waiting lists. Entries submitted after that time, until the closing date, midnight on April 24th, will be placed at the bottom of any wait lists.
• 1st open dogs will be drawn prior to 2nd open dogs.

 2. Payment –

• Checks must be postmarked within 3 (three) days of entry submission. Failure to do so may result in entries dropping to the bottom of waiting list(s).
• Please send separate checks for each Open dog entered, do not combine Open entry checks with lower class checks, merchandise purchases or KBCA memberships.
•  Payment information and the mailing address for checks will be on the printed entry forms.
• Upon receipt of checks & entries, email confirmations will be sent. If you do not get a confirmation for receipt of your check in a reasonable amount of time, please contact Tresa Laferty at Tresa Laferty.

 3. Refunds/Withdrawals –

• Accepted Entries: Checks will be deposited on April 25th. There are no refunds for any accepted entries after midnight on April 24th, regardless of wait lists.
• If accepted entries and wait list entries are combined in one check, checks will be deposited, and refunds will be issued no later than thirty (30) days after the trial.
• Wait List Entries: If an entry does not move off the Wait List, in any class, the check will be destroyed, or the entry refunded no later than thirty (30) days after the trial.

 4. Important Dates –

• March 7: Entries open
• April 4 – 6: Open entry and wait list published.
• April 11 – 13: Novice Field entry and wait list published.
• April 21: Merchandise pre-orders & Program ad deadlines
• April 24: Cancellation deadline (midnight) for full refund of “accepted” entries; no refunds after this date.
• April 25: Checks cashed for all “accepted” entries.
• April 28: Deadline for Dog Sponsorships.
• May 5-7: Running orders posted.

 5. Open Field Information –

• Judges will always follow a lack of progress policy.
• Handlers may not leave the post to walk up the field to assist their dog in locating the sheep.
• The KBCA Board will evaluate standards and make modifications as the need arises.
• Judges have the authority to call off any dog/handler team if the dog appears to be overheated.
• Course Directors, with Judge approval, have the authority to call off any dog/handler team if the dog appears to be overheated.
• The KBCA Board will have the authority to remove any overheated dog from competition.

 6. Entry Changes –

• Changes for canceling a dog, swapping an Open wait-listed dog with an accepted dog, or changing the class of a Novice field dog may be made online, prior to the trial. Go to your online entry and make the changes. If the change requires payment, print the new entry, and send it with a check.
• Please follow any changes by email to HandlersPost or tlaferty@icloud.com for confirmation of change.
• Open handlers may change the dogs they are running up until 7:00 pm on Tuesday evening, May 16th (Open 1) and 7:00 pm on Thursday evening May 18th (Open 2); afterwards, no changes are possible. Health emergencies will be considered.
• Novice Field handlers may change the dogs they are running up until 7:00 pm the evening before their scheduled class. If a handler has multiple dogs in a class, the handler may not swap the order of dogs.
• Wait listed entries will not be added to a class after 7:00 pm the evening before the scheduled class.

 7. Novice Field Information –

• Novice Field classes may be limited to 2 dogs per handler.
• All handlers’ meetings will take place prior to each class, with the exception of Open Ranch 1. This meeting is scheduled for 5pm on Tuesday, May 16th.
• Entries will be allowed to enter by class. For example, a Nursery dog will be allowed to be entered in two (2) classes. It is not mandatory to enter all four (4) classes.
• All entries are subject to a random draw. It is possible for a dog to be accepted in one (1) class and on the wait list in another.
• Entries for the Novice Field will be drawn at random with any 3rd dogs being drawn at the end of the wait list.
• If a dog cannot locate the sheep with several attempts, handlers will be excused by the Course Director & Judge.
• Handlers may not leave the post to walk up the field to assist their dog in locating the sheep.
• If a handler persists in ignoring the Course Director & Judge, the handler may be asked to forfeit future run(s) in current or future classes at the discretion of the KBCA Board. The forfeiture may apply to any class at the Bluegrass Classic.
• Handlers may enter separate dogs in Open Ranch & Pro Novice, or they may enter separate dogs in Pro Novice & Novice. Handlers may not enter dogs in all three (3) of these classes.Please read Class Descriptions at www.bluegrassclassicsdt.org.
• Novice/Novice handlers are required to wear, not drive. Please read Class Descriptions at www.bluegrassclassicsdt.org.
• A lack of progress policy will be in effect at all times.
• Judges have the authority to call off any dog/handler team if the dog appears to be overheated.
• Course Directors, with Judge approval, have the authority to call off any dog/handler team if the dog appears to be overheated.

8. Tie Breakers – If two or more competitors stand equal in points, the judge and the KBCA Board will settle their priority: 1) by the combined points for the gather, 2) by each subsequent phase of the trial [i.e. the drive, shed & pen], and 3) by going back to the individual points of the outrun, then the lift, then the fetch. If the tie is not broken by this process, then run-off for 1st place will occur if daylight permits.

 9. Double Lift Final –

• The top 20 combined Open scores will advance to the Double Lift Final on Sunday.
• Appropriate attire is suggested for the double lift finals. Collared shirts for men, blouses for women; no sandals, shorts, t-shirts or athletic attire (i.e. sweats). Suitable outerwear is allowed, weather permitting.

10. Weather – Please note the weather in Lexington during the month of May can vary greatly from day to day. There is a high probably the temperatures will be in the 80’s with high humidity. All handlers are encouraged to protect their dogs from overheating at all times and in all classes. There will be multiple water stations on both fields for this use.

11. Dog Sponsorships – NEW THIS YEAR! As a pilot program, the trial will be offering dog sponsorships for the 130 Open dogs. Information will be listed at www.bluegrassclassicsdt.org. If sponsorships are popular, lower-class sponsorships may be available in the future. We look forward to handler friends and family cheering on their favorite teams! Information will be posted at www.bluegrassclassicsdt.org after entries open. 

 12. Merchandise –

• Apparel can be ordered via the Entry Form, after printing, or at www.bluegrassclassicsdt.org via PayPal
• Shipping options are available on line, or you may pick up your order at the trial. Samples of merchandise will be located on www.bluegrassclassicsdt.org.
• Please pre-order to ensure size and style preferences.
• Deadline for all pre-orders is April 21, 2023.
• Merchandise will be available for sale at the trial. Quantities will be limited. Post-trial orders are not available.

 13. Volunteers –

• Please consider lending us a hand as a volunteer!! Please consider at least ONE shift per handler!!
• There are an overwhelming 161 three-hour volunteer shifts that must be filled.
• Please contact Sherry Smith for the volunteer spots or visit http://www.bluegrassclassicsdt.org/volunteer/.
• When contacting Sherry, please let her know when you will arrive at the trial, depart and which classes you have entered.

 14. Camping – Request Camping Here

• All campers must fill out and submit the Lexington Parks Camping Form no later than May 11, 2022.
• Receipt of the Camping Form will be required prior to parking at the trial.
• Campers will not be allowed to park at the trial site until 12 pm (noon) on Tuesday, May 16^th, without exception.
• Generator quite hours are 10pm to 5am, unless required for medical reasons. Large, unmuffled, very loud generators are not permitted. Violators will be asked to relocate to the KY Horse Park.
• Camping at the trial is reserved for handlers entered in the trial only. Volunteers & spectators may park their campers at the KY Horse Park.
•  The KY Horse Park provides potable water & dump stations, free of charge for use before or after the trial.
• Camper dumping & Potable water will be provided on-site for $20 each per camper on Thursday & Saturday.

15. 2023 Schedule –

• Tuesday, May 16th
  • 5:00 pm Open Ranch 1 Handlers Meeting
  • 6:00 pm Open 1 Handlers Meeting
• Wednesday, May 17th
  • 6:30 am – Open Field: Dogs 1 – 65
  • 6:45 am – Novice Field: Open Ranch 1, Nursery 1
• Thursday, May 18th
  • 6:30 am – Open Field: Dogs 66 – 130
  • 6:45 am – Novice Field: Nursery 2, Open Ranch 2
  • Open 2 Handlers Meeting – TBA*

• Friday, May 19th
  • 6:30 am – Open Field: Dogs 1 – 65
  • 7:00 am – Novice Field: Nursery 3, Pro Novice 1, Novice 1
• Saturday, May 20th
  • 6:30 am – Open Field: Dogs 66 – 130
  • 7:00 am – Novice Field: Novice 2, Pro Novice 2, Nursery 4
  • 8:00 pm – Handlers Dinner, Awards Ceremony & Top 20 Draw (30 minutes after last open run)*
• Sunday, May 21st
  • 7:45 am – Double Lift Handlers Meeting
  • 8:00 am – Double Lift Final
  • 10:30 am (approximately) – Presentation of Handlers
  • 4:00-5:00 pm – Double Lift Awards Ceremony (30 minutes after last run)

  *subject to change

 16. The KBCA Board of Directors reserves the right to prohibit any individual from attending this event and review special circumstances as they arise.