Regional Invitationals | International Invitationals

Each year the ASFA will sanction a series of lure field trials, the purpose of which shall be to promote and further test those hounds that have attained a certain number of points toward their ASFA Field Championship, and those hounds that are ASFA Field Champions or Lure Coursers of Merit of record. These lure field trials consist of the ASFA International Invitational and a series of Regional Invitationals, held in the various ASFA regions. Information regarding the ASFA International Invitational is available from the Corresponding Secretary.

 

Regional Invitational Policies
(As approved by the Board of Directors, March 2002)

Requesting permission
The club submits a request to its Regional Director at least 4 months prior to the proposed date. This request should include:

  • Name of the club
  • Proposed date
  • Location of trial and description of grounds
  • Entry fee
  • Additional activities (if any)

Date
A date that has already been approved by the Scheduling Chairman for a trial in that region, or is a priority date in effect for a club, cannot be used unless the club(s) holding the date notifies Scheduling, in writing, that it will relinquish the date for the Regional Invitational. The club(s) relinquishing the date would retain priority for the following year. After a date has been approved for the Regional Invitational, no other trial shall be held in the region on the same date. A Regional Invitational may be held any time from January to December, but there shall be only one each year in each region.

Entry limits
There shall be no entry limits without prior approval from the Regional Director.
Location and grounds. The trial must be held within the regional boundaries. The grounds must be adequate to accommodate a large trial for the region. Course lengths must be within rule specifications (500 yards or more), but a length in excess of 750 yards is recommended. The grass must be a length that allows the lure operator clear visibility of the lure. Consideration should also be given to accessibility, lodging, refreshments and rest room facilities.

Entry fees
Minimum entry fee is $10.00 for pre-entries; if late entries are accepted, minimum is $15.00.

Additional Activities
Activities such as banquets, seminars, dog shows, awards, etc., (if offered) should be listed.

Eligibility
Any hound that has earned at least one ASFA point, or equivalent point in its country of residence, or is a Field Champion of record, is eligible to enter. Proof of non-ASFA title and non-ASFA points for hounds should be in the form of a photocopy of the certificate, or page of formal printing, and included with the entry. An eligible hound may be entered in any number of Regional Invitationals. Miscellaneous Class breeds are eligible to compete in Regional Invitationals.

FAN publication
One full page will be available for each Regional Invitational provided the host club submits ad copy at least 90 days before the trial. Two full pages (including photos) will be made available after the trial. The article and photos should be submitted as soon as possible after the trial to ensure timely publication. There is no charge to the host club for these publications.

Per capita fees to ASFA
A per capita fee of $5.00 per hound will be forwarded to the Records Coordinator with the trial results.

Rosettes and Trophies
ASFA provides rosettes for all placements and ASFA medallions for each Best of Breed winner; the host club must request these from the Regional Director at least 60 days before the trial. The host club may offer additional trophies at the club's own expense or through donations.

General
The premium list shall include both host club and ASFA Officers and Board Members. Judges should be regularly licensed for the breeds that they judge. Equipment provided by the host club should be adequate to handle a large entry for the region. A veterinarian should be on call or at the trial site.
Each year, the Regional Director will review all proposals received from clubs requesting to host a Regional Invitational. The Regional Director shall notify, in writing, the Scheduling Chairman and each club that submitted a proposal after the decision is made.
All additional requirements and exceptions to the ASFA rulebook relating to Regional Invitationals are noted; all ASFA rules shall apply to Regional Invitationals. The ASFA Board of Directors must approve exceptions to any of the above policies.
Consult the ASFA Corresponding Secretary or your Regional Director for more information.

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International Invitational Policies
(Operational Policy 217)

(As approved by the Board of Directors, August 2008)

Each year the ASFA will host the International Invitational. The purpose of which shall be to promote and further test those hounds that have attained a certain number of points toward their Field Championship and hounds that have earned the Field Champion or Lure Courser of Merit titles. When hosting the International Invitational, the ASFA will endeavor to abide by established regional rotation schedules but reserves the right to locate the event in alternate geographical areas as the ASFA deems appropriate.

Date . International Invitational priority dates will be the 3rd weekend of the year (January) or the 22 nd weekend (end of May or beginning of June) following the AKC Corresponding Date Table, unless the 22nd weekend is Memorial Day weekend. In such cases, the spring date shall be on the 23rd weekend.

The International Invitational may be held at any time from January to December, except that any club with a corresponding priority date for a trial to be held within 150 miles of the International Invitational site at the time of scheduling the International Invitational must agree, in writing to the Scheduling Chairman, to relinquish the date for the holding of the International Invitational. Any club relinquishing the date would retain priority for the following year.

Additionally, any club holding a priority date for a trial to be held at a site more than 150 miles from the International Invitational site in any year which chooses not to hold that trial on the same dates as the International Invitational that year would retain priority for that date for the following year.

No other trial shall be held on the same weekend within 150 miles of the International Invitational. Both Saturday and Sunday will be reserved for the event.

Evaluating proposals . The following system will be used by the Regional Directors when evaluating proposals.

Location. Sections are defined as:

WEST - Regions 1, 2, 3 and 10

CENTRAL - Regions 4, 5 and 6

EAST - Regions 7, 8 and 9

Rotation schedule calendar:

2009 – West 2010 – Central 2011 – East

2012 – West 2013 – Central 2014 – East

2015 – West 2016 – Central 2017 – East

2018 – West 2019 – Central 2020 – East

2021 – West 2022 – Central 2023 – East

Any club(s) in the appropriate section of the country for that year may submit a proposal to co-host the International Invitational. This proposal should be submitted by the conclusion of the ACOD, two calendar years before the trial date in question. The co-host club(s) will be chosen with consideration to the following:

      • the overall economics of the proposed event
      • appropriate section of the country for that year
      • the club(s) deemed most likely to co-host the highest quality event
      • timely receipt of proposal

If, in the opinion of the Invitationals Committee and/or the ASFA Board, no viable proposal is received from the section with priority by the conclusion of the ACOD, two calendar years before the year of International Invitational, any club(s) in the country may submit a proposal to co-host the International Invitational. This proposal should be submitted by the ACOD one calendar year before the trial year in question. The co-host club(s) will be chosen with consideration to the following.

      • the overall economics of the proposed event
      • the proposal that appears to be likely to result in the highest quality event
      • the region that has hosted an International Invitational least recently
      • club(s) status (member, longevity, etc.)

 

When a proposal is submitted to the Invitationals Committee, such proposal will be provided to the CFO. The CFO will be responsible for reviewingthe overall economics of the proposal and, as appropriate, discuss alternative terms with the proposing club(s) prior to any submission of the proposal to the Board.

The Scheduling Chairman, Records Coordinator, Membership Chairman and the respective Regional Director shall be asked for comments regarding the potential co-host club(s) and field committee members before a final decision is reached. The co-host club(s) will be approved by the Board of Directors, following the order of preference stated above, no later than December 1st, two calendar years before the event in question, if possible, and each of the club(s) submitting a proposal shall be advised of the decision.

If no proposals from club(s) are received by the beginning of the fall board meeting one calendar year prior to the year of the International Invitational in question, the Board of Directors will assume the responsibility for hosting the event. At its discretion, the ASFA Board may negotiate a co-hosting arrangement.

Each year, the Regional Directors will review all proposals received from club(s) requesting to co-host an International Invitational. The Regional Directors will present their recommendation to the Board of Directors. After a decision has been made, the Corresponding Secretary shall notify the Scheduling Chairman and each of the club(s) that submitted a proposal of the decision. The appropriate Regional Director shall serve as a liaison between the co-host club(s) and ASFA Board.

Club(s) Proposal . The club(s) submits a proposal to the ASFA Corresponding Secretary. This proposal should include at a minimum:

  • Name of the Club(s)
  • Proposed date including appropriate weather and daylight statistics
  • Approximate location of trial and description of the grounds
  • Entry fee
  • Additional activities (if any)
  • Proposed budget
  • Financial terms of the co-host arrangement
  • Grounds . The grounds must be adequate to accommodate an entry of 300 or more hounds. Course lengths must be within rule specifications (500 yards or more), but a length in excess of 750 yards is recommended. The grass must be a length that allows the lure operator clear visibility of the lure.

Consideration should also be given to accessibility, lodging, refreshments and restroom facilities. A description of grounds should include dimensions of running area, either by yards or acres, and should include aerial photographs of fields from Google Maps or other internet source. It also should include a statement regarding the expected footing on the grounds for the dates proposed.

  • Budget. The final budget and/or financial arrangements shall be approved by the Board.
  • Entry limits . As this event is to promote competition of exceptional hounds, the entry shall not be limited and shall be open to all hounds eligible to compete. The ASFA Board of Directors must specifically approve any entry limitation.
  • Additional activities . Activities such as banquets, seminars, dog shows, awards, etc., (if offered) should be listed.

Eligibilit y . Any hound that has earned at least 20 ASFA points, or equivalent points in its country of residence, or is an AKC or equivalent foreign Field Champion of Record in another lure coursing field trial-sanctioning organization or has placed in a Regional Invitational (with competition) is eligible to enter. Proof of non-ASFA title and non-ASFA points for hounds should be in the form of a photocopy of the certificate, or page of formal printing, and included with the entry. For a Limited breed to be eligible, the entry must have one first placement, or two second placements, with competition in the Limited Stake. For a Provisional breed to be eligible, the entry must have one first placement, or two second placements, with competition within its breed. All points or placements must be earned by the entryclosing date of the event.

FAN publication . One full page will be available for announcing each International Invitational provided the co-host club(s) submits ad copy to the editor at least 160 days before the trial. Three full pages (including photos) will be made available after the trial. The article and photos of each Best of Breed, Best in International Invitational and winner of the Gillette Stake should be submitted as soon as possible after the trial to insure timely publication. There is no charge to the co-host club(s) for these publications.

The co-host club(s) may also circulate the premium list with FAN provided the club(s) submits a copy of the premium list to the editor within the deadlines to ensure timely distribution.

General . The sample premium list should be mailed to the Scheduling Chairman and the Regional Director at least 120 days before the trial and should include both co-host club(s) and ASFA Officers and Board Members. The approved premium list shall be distributed to each club(s) delegate, each judge for the event, and all ASFA Board Members. Judges shall be fully licensed for the breed(s) that they judge.

Equipment provided by the co-host club(s) should be adequate to handle an entry of 300 or more hounds per day. The co-host club(s) is encouraged to recruit lure operators and other members of the field committee and judges from outside the area, whenever possible. A veterinarian should be on call or at the trial site.

After the trial . Within a reasonable time after the International Invitational, the field trial secretary shall forward the following to the ASFA Corresponding Secretary:

  • a copy of the premium lists
  • catalog (if any)
  • a completed and signed I.I. Perpetual Trophy Return Agreement for each perpetual trophy winner.

The Corresponding Secretary shall forward the return agreements to the next International Invitational field trial secretary; the other information shall be forwarded upon request.

Three sets of International Invitational banners will be passed on to each International Invitational. The current field trial chair will be responsible for getting the banners to the next year’s field trial chair.

All additional requirements and exceptions to the ASFA rulebook relating to International Invitational are noted; all other ASFA rules and policies shall apply to International Invitational. The ASFA Board of Directors must approve exceptions to any of the previously listed invitational policies.

Consult the ASFA Corresponding Secretary or your Regional Director for more information.

Rosettes and trophies . Rosettes will be awarded for all placements including Best of Breed, Kennel and Breeder stakes, Gillette stakes, and Best in International Invitational winners. Medallions will be awarded for Best of Breed, Gillette Stake and Best in International Invitational winners.

Rosettes should not be ordered until entries close or until 30 days prior to the first day of the trial whichever is earlier.

In addition, the following perpetual trophies are awarded each year to each breed winner:

Saturday Memorial Trophies

Afghan : Gary Forrester

Basenji : Merv Bauer

Borzoi : Locket

Greyhound : Michael Lorenzo

Irish Wolfhound : Kevin Bryson

Rhodesian Ridgeback : Marc Gembala

Saluki : Bill Henry

Scottish Deerhound : Bob Sellers

Whippet : Tom Leone

Sunday Memorial Trophies

Afghan : Bandit

Azawakh : Cinnamon

Basenji : Sheena

Borzoi : Pyerun

Greyhound : Fantasy

Ibizan : Flyer

Irish Wolfhound : Joshua

Italian Greyhound : “D”

Pharaoh : Bozo

Rhodesian Ridgeback : Ida

Saluki : Haseeb

Scottish Deerhound : Pyns

Sloughi : Bouty

Whippet : Betz Leone


The Lyle Gillette Memorial Trophy will be awarded to the Gillette stake winner on Saturday.

The American Whippet Club Perpetual Trophy is awarded to the Whippet representing the breed in the Gillette Stake.

The “Eterna” Perpetual Trophy is awarded to the Ibizan Hound representing the breed in the Gillette Stake.

Best in International Invitational. The President’s Cup , donated by Arnold Ross, will be awarded to the equivalent of a Best in Event winner on Sunday.

NOTE : When awarding these trophies, please refer to the I.I. Perpetual Trophy information sheet for assistance in their presentation.

With the ASFA Board’s approval, the co-hosting club(s) may award other rosettes and/or trophies as may be funded from trophy donations. These trophies shall not be in competition with the approved perpetual trophies (ie: they may be a breed flight winner or highest scoring bench champion for a particular breed).

The co-host club(s) at each I.I. is responsible for obtaining a completed and signed I.I. Perpetual Trophy Return Agreement from each individual who takes possession of a perpetual trophy.* The completed forms shall be forwarded to the Corresponding Secretary. The co-host club(s) is responsible for contacting the previous year’s winner of each trophy and arranging for the trophies to be on the trial site.

* A $100 fine will be imposed and all points and placements will be held on all hounds owned by an individual who does not return an I.I. perpetual trophy.

The Gillette Stake . The Gillette Stake is a premier event held annually at the International Invitational. This competition is to showcase form and function in our finest sighthounds and to honor the father of the sport of lure coursing in America, Lyle Gillette.

  • Eligibility . Entry shall be open to hounds that have achieved all of the following:
    • AKC or foreign bench championship, and
    • ASFA Field Championship, and
    • 20 or more ASFA points during the 12-month period prior to the closing date of the International Invitational.
  • Entry . Each hound must be entered in either the Field Champion or Veteran stake on Saturday of the International Invitational. The field trial secretary must receive a special entry form for the Gillette stake, and proof of bench championship, by the closing date of regular entries. There is no additional fee for an entry in this stake.
  • Competition . The Gillette stake competition will be run on Saturday, following the same procedures as a regular Best in Field. The eligible hound in each breed that receives the highest, qualifying, combined score during regular competition on Saturday will be randomly drawn to run in the Gillette Stake. Ties within a breed, if any, will be run off or forfeited prior to the draw. The hound receiving the highest score in this one course (more only if required by a tie) shall be the winner of the Gillette Stake.
  • Judges . One or two judges shall be selected from the ASFA all-breed licensed judges present. The judge(s) need not be published in advance.
  • Awards. The name of each year’s winning hound shall be engraved on the perpetual Lyle Gillette Memorial Trophy. An ASFA medallion shall be awarded for the winner to keep.
  • Decisions . The field trial chairman shall be responsible for any and all decisions regarding this stake, not specifically covered above, unless the chairman has a hound eligible to compete in this stake. Then, the field trial secretary shall make all decisions. If the secretary also has a hound eligible to compete, the field trial committee shall make the decisions.

The chair of the Invitationals Committee shall submit a copy of these current II policies to the internet liaison for publication on the ASFA web site.