2024 Multi-Day Masters Leaderboard Rules
There are only three highlighted changes for 2024:
1. Keep the Trial Grade levels but eliminate the current Entry # ranges for all trials (50-74 entries = .70, 100-174 entries = 1.00, etc.) for points factors and calculate points based on the exact number of entries up to maximum multiplier. Entries: Multiplier for Pen trials:
Multiplier will be the # of hounds entered in each class (derby & AA).
Example:
If 55 hounds are entered into an event or class (derby/AA), the multiplier is .55
If 123 hounds are entered, the multiplier 1.23
If 147 hounds are entered, the multiplier is 1.47
a. The maximum multiplier is 1.50. If 310 hounds are entered, the multiplier is 1.50
b. All outside field trials will have a multiplier of 1.0.

2. The requirement for trials/affiliates to sign a “pre entry” Franchise agreement for a proposed upgrade in points and the $2 payment has been eliminated. Trials will be automatically upgraded based on their total number of entries per class (Derby & AA) and what region they currently fall in shown below.
a. Region 1 (125 entries) -VA, NC, SC, GA, FL
b. Region 2 (100 entries) -AL, MS, LA, AR, TN, TX, MO, IL, IN, KY, WV, OH, OK, CAN
3. For 2024 Kennel registration, all registration rules still apply except two separate Kennel names can no longer be combined together to recognize a “group” of people as a single kennel.
a. Meaning- a kennel must choose a single name to be identified by within the Leaderboard program and cannot combine names for the registry by using a / or using “and”.
** Example: Low Rider Kennel/Coming at Ya Kennel is no longer allowed. A Plus Kennel & Sleepy Eye Kennel is no longer allowed. Each of these examples represent two separate kennel names. In both examples, only one of the names can be chosen, but not a combination of both. If individuals want “recognition” for their “kennel” or individual accomplishments, then they are encouraged to register separately or choose a “new” name.

3. Masters Hunts must post Top 10 Hounds individual score sheets at all Leaderboard qualified hunts. Corporate Hunts will continue to post Top 20 Hounds individual score sheets.


2024 LEADERBOARD RULES for the
FOXHOUND AWARDS PROGRAMS
of the Masters Corporation

This program was established as an extra incentive to improve and promote quality breeding of field trial hounds, as well as being an informative tool for those interested in statistics. The majority of the work is done on a voluntary basis and it is the responsibility of the hunter’s to review and follow-up on field trial result posting’s to ensure correctness.

Key sponsors and supporters of the Leaderboard program consist of The Hunters Horn Magazine, Pride Dog Feeds, Showtime Dog Feeds, Specialty Dog Feeds.

The top 20 hounds and kennels, in the following 4 categories, are recognized each year at the headline Masters Banquet and periodically in the Hunters Horn magazine.
HOUND OF THE YEAR

SIRE OF THE YEAR

DAM OF THE YEAR

KENNEL OF THE YEAR


LEADERBOARD RULES & AWARDS COMMITTEE

1. Oversight of the rules listed here-in and year end awards will be the responsibility of the Leaderboard Rules and Awards Committee. Unavoidable situations or disputes may arise and upon review, judgment will be determined by majority vote of the leaderboard advisory committee members.

2. All field trials must be advertised/published in the Hunters Horn magazine on a minimum of ¼ page for points earned from placings to be included in the HOY, SOY, KOY, DOY standings.
a. ALL trials must be advertised/published IN THE Hunters Horn magazine AT LEAST 1 month PRIOR to the 1st day of cast of hounds (1st day of running).
b. **Note** The PRIOR month rule applies to ALL TRIALS, whether hounds are cast on the first day OR the last day of the month. (i.e., Field Trials casting hounds on March 1st, must have advertised no later than the February magazine. Field Trials casting hounds on March 31st, must have advertised no later than February magazine).
c. Any association MISSING any of the PRIOR month(s) publications, for any reason, and wanting to participate, must still place a ¼ page ad in the Hunters Horn magazine within the actual month the hounds will be cast or running occurs, BUT will also be required to pay a late fee or penalty to the Leaderboard association for participation. The late fee is required in addition to the standard required $30/$50 leaderboard participation fee.
i. First offense- $120 late fee and standard $30 or $50 fee to the leaderboard.
ii. Second offense – $220 late fee and standard $30 or $50 fee to the leaderboard.
iii. Third offense – Forfeiture of participation by individual association in Leaderboard for 1 year.

3. The Leaderboard Committee and its members, individually; the Masters Corporation and its owners, management and Board of Directors including individual members; and The Hunter's Horn magazine and its owner(s) as well as the Leaderboard sponsors including the sponsors' ownerships management shall not be held liable for any association missing EARLY publication dates and being penalized via late fees for participation.
4. All late fee monies paid to the Leaderboard will be added to the standard participation fee of $1 per entry and paid back as part of the annual year end awards in HOY, SOY, KOY and DOY.
a. Advertising two trials in the same ad shall not be allowed. Advertising two trials on ½ page, three trials on ¾ page or 4 trials on a full page shall be allowed.
5. In order for points to be counted, each field trial must pay an annual affiliation fee to the Masters or National FHA and run under the National Rules, Masters Rules or July National Rules.
6. All new trials/affiliations, Masters or National associated, that will cast hounds on or after September 1st must be registered prior to July 31st, in order to be eligible for leaderboard points within the current year standings. Trials not registered prior to July 31st, will not be eligible for leaderboard points within that year.
7. A participation/recording fee of $1 per entry for Open (one class trials) or two class (Derby/AA) trials must be paid by each association to the Leaderboard committee for their trial to be included in the Leaderboard standings. The mailing address is listed below and make sure you write on the check what specific trial the fee is for and please write "Leaderboard" example: MidSouth Masters Leaderboard, Texas State Leaderboard.

TBD

8. All monies received will be accounted for by the Corporate Secretary and deposited into the Masters account. After expenses are paid all remaining monies (each year) will be used to sponsor the AWARDS for the four LEADERBOARD categories.
9. All 2024 field trial results and related information (location, dates, number of entries, etc.) should be posted on www.Masterfox.net or www.Speeddogs.net within 30 days from the last day that the trial was run so that information can be reviewed for correctness and standings kept current. Anyone not having access to a computer can mail results and all field trial information within the 30 days to the contact below. Information received via mail will also be posted on www.Masterfox.net or www.Speeddogs.net for review.
TBD
Post field trial results under:
**MASTERFOX---

** 2024 ** Field Trials Graded 1-6---RESULTS ONLY---
4 days, 5 hours~~3 days, 5 hours~~2 days 8&7~~2 days, 5&5~~1 day, 8 hours-
10. When posting or sending in field trial results, make sure everything is included or complete. Make sure duals, combination winners, classiest hound, best mouth, and especially Sire and Dam are included for all. ENTRY NUMBERS separated by Derby and AA are very important. The date the trial was ran, where it was ran and the month the ad was in the horn. Remember: MAKE CLEAR THE NAME OF THE TRIAL WHEN SENDING IN LEADERBOARD FEES and posting results because many field trials have similar names and some associations have multiple trials. Please list if the trial is a 3 day (5hr), 2 day (5hr), 2 day (8&7hr), etc.
11. Field trial results not posted or received within 30 days may be disqualified from being eligible for that year’s annual awards. Disqualification of any field trial is at the discretion of the leaderboard committee. Mistakes must be corrected within 30 days from being posted or results will stand as posted.
12. Trials/ hunters/hounds will not receive points if Leaderboard fees are not paid, if trials are not advertised in the Hunters Horn magazine and if trial results are not posted, published or sent to the contact and address listed above. Bonus Points will be lost if trials fail to turn in combo winners, dual champions, classiest hounds, and best mouth.
13. Once a field trial is advertised in the Hunters Horn to be held on specific dates, regardless of the venue, that trial should be held on those dates. If there is a mistake made in the advertising or if the trial finds the need to change those dates for any reason the trial must make any and all effort to notify the public by running a new Hunters Horn ad, if time allows, or if not then via Masterfox.net and Speeddogs.net at least 30 days prior to the field trial in order for the trial to be counted in the Leaderboard points standings.
14. Any field trial wishing to participate in the Leaderboard program must not use any judge currently on the Master’s banned list. Any trial using “banned” judges will not be eligible for points.

15. The LEADERBOARD COMMITTEE strongly recommends that a field trial use any of the following computer scoring programs to figure scores so that the trial can be reviewed by the Joint Masters/National review committee in the event a protest is initiated:
a. the MASTER’S GRAND TOTAL POINTS or HGA computer scoring program (2024 Top 10 hounds individual Score Sheets must be posted, Corporate Hunts must post Top 20)
b. the MASTER’S NATIONAL computer scoring program
c. OR DAVID WRIDES 7 D’s NATIONAL computer scoring program

16. It shall be the responsibility of the person(s) entering the hounds to present to the trial Secretary a correct entry sheet, which includes a hound’s Sire and Dam. Hounds entered and results posted with NO Sire or Dam given will remain and recorded as “Not Given”. Misspelled names can be corrected but information cannot be added.

17. If you are in charge of a field trial, you can send in your Leaderboard fees to the secretary EARLY for every trial your association intends to have during the year. The fees can be paid as far in advance as you like. Reminder- write a note or on the check write the name of the trial(s).
18. ANYONE WISHING TO PROTEST A FIELD TRIAL MUST DO SO IN WRITING WITHIN 10 DAYS OF THE LAST DAYS RUNNING. ANYONE WISHING TO PROTEST THE RESULTS AS POSTED ON MASTERFOX.NET OR SPEEDDOGS.NET MUST DO SO within 10 days of the POSTING OF THE RESULTS. All PROTEST MUST BE SIGNED BY THE PERSON(S) MAKING THE PROTEST.
a. The person filing the protest, must have been an active person who entered hounds and was in “actual” attendance at the event.
b. The written protest must be specific about the situation, describing what has happened with names and objective evidence included on the protest letter.
c. PROTEST MUST HAVE THE CONTACT INFO FOR THE TRIAL PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY.
d. Note: IF THE “PROTESTED” FIELD TRIAL’s DIRECTORS (President, Secretary, BOD etc.) FAIL to cooperate with the LEADERBOARD OR THE JOINT REVIEW COMMITTEE and its INVESTIGATION, THE TRIAL WILL AUTOMATICALLY FORFEIT THEIR RESULTS BEING COUNTED FOR THAT YEAR.
e. Protests must be mailed, e-mailed or given directly to a LEADERBOARD COMMITTEE PERSON OR MEMBER OF THE JOINT MASTERS/NATIONAL REVIEW COMMITTEE.
f. THERE WILL BE A $50.00 FEE CHARGED TO PROTEST A TRIAL OR THE POSTED RESULTS. THE $50.00 FEE HAS TO BE SENT WITH THE WRITTEN PROTEST. IF THE PROTEST REVIEW PROVES TO BE VALID, THE FEE WILL BE RETURNED. IF THE PROTEST PROVES TO BE INVALID, THE FEE GOES INTO THE LEADERBOARD FUND THAT THE COMMITTEE CAN USE AT ITS DISCRETION.

19. ANY questionable activity such as: Kennel partner’s or immediate family members judging & running in the same field trial, Borrowing of dogs for KOY points, Improper contact with judges during trials, purposeful listing the incorrect breeding on Sires and Dams, etc., etc. must be brought to the attention of the leaderboard committee IN WRITING within 10 days after the end of the event in order for items to be reviewed. These complaints will be forwarded to the new Joint Masters / National review committee lead by Sky Scott. The Leaderboard committee will follow their direction as to the findings and any impact on the Leaderboard points and standings.
Contact Information:

Sky Scott
1 (850)-272-1983
sscott@bgctr.org

To clarify “questionable” activities, several examples are provided below:
a. KENNEL PARTNERS OR IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS such as FATHER/SON, HUSBAND/WIFE, BROTHER/SISTER ETC. RUNNING HOUNDS, JUDGING THE FIELD OR ENTERING SCORES IN THE COMPUTER (except when following the Master’s Rule Book, Article II, General Rule #6, b & c) OF THE SAME FIELD TRIAL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. IMPORTANT NOTE: The Leaderboard Committee understands there may be a limited availability of judges and unavoidable situations may arise for a hunt to exist or continue. If any of the above listed activities occur and are in direct violation of the Master’s Rule Book, the INVOLVED HUNTERS MAY RISK HAVING LEADERBOARD POINTS DENIED UPON THE JOINT REVIEW COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS.
b. BORROWING OF DOGS IN ORDER TO OBTAIN AN ADVANTAGE IN KOY POINTS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED –ANYONE TRYING OUT A DOG AND PLACING THAT SAME DOG MUST COMPLETE THE PURCHASE OF THE DOG AND RETAIN OWNERSHIP FOR THE DURATION OF THE YEAR IN ORDER TO RETAIN THE KOY POINTS.
c. THE USE OF CELL PHONES TO CONTACT JUDGES DURING A FIELD TRIAL IN ANY MANNER INCLUDING TALKING, TEXTING, PICS OR E-MAIL EXCEPT FOR A PROVEN EMERGENCY IS PROHIBITED. HUNTERS COMMUNICATING WITH JUDGES RISK HAVING LEADERBOARD POINTS DENIED, UPON THE JOINT REVIEW COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS.
d. If DISPUTES ARISE AND DNA TESTING, ETC., IS PERFORMED, THE COSTS WILL FALL ON THE PARTIES INVOLVED TO CLARITY THE PROBLEM.
20. Kennels or any members of a Kennel found guilty of an entry or any running rules violation or questionable “un-sportsman like” activity will, at a minimum, forfeit all leaderboard points for the trial in question.
21. Kennel registry shall consist of a maximum of 4 members based on residency. No more than 4 individuals can register as a single kennel, who have separate or different mailing addresses/residences. (Note- Members spouses, kids etc., do not have to be counted as part of the 4 memberships since they live at the same address. They will all be recognized as one).

22. Kennels, with all member names and contact information, MUST REGISTER on MASTERFOX.net Leaderboard forum post by January 31, 2024, to be eligible for any year end awards for the Leaderboard Kennel of the Year (KOY). In addition, NO NEW MEMBERS CAN BE ADDED AFTER JANUARY 31, 2024 UNTIL THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

23. Beginning, 2024, Two separate Kennel names can no longer be combined together to recognize a “group” of people as a single kennel.
a. Meaning- a kennel must choose a single name to be identified by within the Leaderboard program and cannot combine names for the registry by using a / or using “and”.
** Example: Low Rider Kennel/Coming at Ya Kennel is no longer allowed. A Plus Kennel & Sleepy Eye Kennel is no longer allowed. Each of these examples represent two separate kennel names. In both examples, only one of the names can be chosen, but not a combination of both. If individuals want “recognition” for their “kennel” or individual accomplishments, then they are encouraged to register separately or choose a “new” name.


24. The KENNEL registration period for each year will be from DECEMBER through JANUARY 31ST of the upcoming year. YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO RE-REGISTER EACH YEAR when we make the post on Masterfox beginning in DECEMBER of the current year and extending until JANUARY 31ST of the upcoming year.
SIMPLE-
1. LIST YOUR KENNEL NAME AND AN ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER TO GO WITH IT.
2. LIST ANY and ALL MEMBER/ MEMBERS OF THE KENNEL.
On February 1ST we will put together the registered list from the Masterfox post and those Kennels and those Kennels only will be eligible for awards for Kennel of the Year.
*NOTE- THIS REGISTERY IS FOR “KENNEL OF THE YEAR” PURPOSES ONLY!! It does not affect HOUND OF THE YEAR, SIRE OF THE YEAR OR DAM OF THE YEAR….
**Note- You may see your kennel listed in the periodic updates posted on Masterfox and Speeddogs or in the Hunters Horn during the year even if you are not registered, but unless you officially registered your kennel and members by January 31, 2024, your kennel will be eliminated at the end of the year when the final points are calculated for awards.
25. The person or kennel owning the hound as of the last day of the year will be eligible for the awards unless this committee is notified in writing of an agreement between two parties that gives awards rights to another individual a kennel or person will not be allowed to purchase hounds and transfer awards for the purpose of the KOY.
26. LEADERBOARD standings for HOY, SOY, DOY and KOY will be kept on an annual basis with periodic updates posted on www.masterfox.net and printed in the Hunters' Horn magazine (approximately every 2-3 months). The final standings will be posted in the April or May issue from the previous year and posted on the various websites. For the purpose of validation, the first day of running will constitute the start date of the field trial. The World Cup will be considered the last trial of the year and the last opportunity for hounds and hunters to obtain leaderboard points for any given year.
For clarification:
a. The “calendar” year for all Leaderboard programs will end on November 30th with the exception of the World Cup and American Invitational Running Hound Classic and begin on December 1st. Field trials casting hounds after November 30th of any calendar year, will have points calculated and applied to the “new” year.
b. Meaning, any field trial casting on December 1st or after will be considered the start or beginning of the “new” leaderboard year.

27. An association can have only one field trial for each affiliation paid, however an association can have as many trials as they pay for, provided they have different names and pay the affiliation fee of $50 for participation separate leaderboard fee’s for each one.
28. The Four Leaderboard Categories include:
HOUND OF THE YEAR (HOY)

SIRE OF THE YEAR (SOY)

DAM OF THE YEAR (DOY)

KENNEL OF THE YEAR (KOY)

1. HOY-

Individual HOUNDS earn points towards this award via the point/grades system outlined below. The points/grades for individual hunts can be reviewed yearly, when brought to the attention of the H, S, D, KOY committee.
HOY points will be limited to a maximum of four (4) Grade 3, 4, 4A or 5 field trials being counted from a single “home” pen PLUS any trial held in the same pen classified as a Grade 1-A, or 1. Example: Red’s Sam may place four times in Manning, SC in a Grade 2, 3, 4, 4A or 5 trial and in addition, have points counted for any trial such as the Masters, All American, or USO also being held in the same pen. This does not apply to SOY and DOY.
Hounds that earn points towards HOY, carry their points for the year, regardless of ownership
2. SOY-

Individual SIRES earn points towards this award via the point/grades system outlined below. The points awarding system can be reviewed yearly, when brought to the attention of the H, S, D, KOY committee.
Hounds that earn points towards SOY, carry their points for the year, regardless of ownership.

A sire's best 12 field trial results will count towards the year end final total.
At year end, the 12 highest points trials will be tallied for the final standings. Only 6 of the 12 can come from one single pen for SOY. And to clarify, when a derby trial and an all age trial are run together - they are still 2 separate trials with different grades, etc.
3. DOY-

Individual DAMS earn points towards this award via the point/grades system outlined below. The points awarding system can be reviewed yearly, when brought to the attention of the H, S, D, KOY committee.

Hounds that earn points towards DOY, carry their points for the year, regardless of ownership.

A dam's best 12 trial results will count towards the year end final total.
At year end, the 12 highest points trials will be tallied for the final standings. Only 6 of the 12 can come from one single pen for DOY. And to clarify, when a derby trial and an all age trial are run together - they are still 2 separate trials with different grades, etc.
4. KOY-

Individual KENNELS earn points towards this award via the point/grades system outlined below. The points awarding system can be reviewed yearly, when brought to the attention of the H, S, D, KOY committee. Points for KOY will only be awarded to the individual kennel that entered the hound in a particular field trial if a particular hound changes ownership, the new owner/kennel that enters the hound will earn points the previous owner/kennel keeps points earned when they entered the hound. Individuals that enter hounds do not have to have “kennel” beside their name to count in the KOY re: (John Doe, somewhere USA) however the name as the dogs are entered is how the points will count towards the KOY, if an individual chooses to partner with another re: (John Doe and James Smith, anywhere USA) he will not be able to count these winnings with his or hers individual score. Scores cannot be transferred and each hounds points goes to the kennel that entered the hound in a particular hunt.

A kennel's best 12 field trial results will count towards the year end final total.

KOY points will be limited to a maximum of four (4) Grade 2, 3, 4, 4A or 5 field trials being counted from a single “home” pen PLUS any trial held in the same pen classified as a Grade 1-A, or 1. Example: Red’s Sam may place four times in Manning, SC in a Grade 2, 3, 4, 4A or 5 trial and in addition, have points counted for any trial such as the Masters, All American, or USO also being held in the same pen.

Note: Errors will undoubtedly be made, as different spellings of names occur on field trial results. While efforts are made to correct this when entering hounds in these awards programs, it is the final responsibility of the hound owner to point out any errors in a timely fashion.

29. Calculating HOY, SOY, DOY and KOY Points:

For purposes of points calculation, all trials are placed into one of the following seven stakes grades. The entry level for any newly established field trial will be no higher than Grade III. After the first year, an association may petition the Leaderboard Advisory Committee for a higher grade.

Hounds winning a combination and dual will ONLY receive points for one or the other; whichever is the greatest but NOT a combination of the two.

Grade 1-A consists of the following trials:

MASTERS
NATIONAL

Grade 1 consist of the following trials:

ALL AMERICAN
UNITED STATES OPEN
TOP GUN
WORLD CUP
AMERICAN INVITATIONAL RUNNING HOUND CLASSIC
INTERNATIONAL RUNNING HOUND CLASSIC
SOUTHERN STAR

Grade 2 consist of the Franchise Qualified trials as described in # 23 below.


Grade 3 consist of all (15 hour) All Age or Open trials.
ALL State Trials, FUTURITY and standard 3-day events

Grade 4 & 4-A consists of all two day (10 hour) - Derby trials.
All Derby Trials

Grade 5 consists of all one day 8 hour trials. (8 hour trials must be judged for 8 hours to qualify for points) - All age or derby trials.

30. “Franchise” Trial Qualification- Any “Single/One class” or “Open class” trial, whether for AA or Derby age alone, or “Two class” trial with Derby and AA run together and scored separately, is held within any of the Region 1 states and has an entry of 125 or more hounds or if a field trial is held within any of the Region 2 states and has an entry of 100 or more hounds, each class, AA or derby, with individual entries at or exceeding the minimum shown below, will automatically be upgraded (AA Grade 3 to Grade 2 or Derby Grade 4 to a Grade 4A class) in leaderboard points.
** There is no longer a requirement to sign an obligation form and pay an extra fee.

o Region 1 (125 entries) -VA, NC, SC, GA, FL
o Region 2 (100 entries) -AL, MS, LA, AR, TN, TX, MO, IL, IN, KY, WV, OH, OK, CAN

31. Masters Corporate trials such as the Southern Star, Breeders Cup, etc. which host or only consist