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2/21/07 ECSCA FTC Minutes
Telephone Conference Call

The meeting was called to order by Chair Vicky Thomas at 5:30.

Members present:  Rumi Schroeder, Barbara Haupt, Martin Bell, Sue Rose, Paul McGagh, Tawney Crawford
Also present:  Tom Calabrese and Nancy Murphy

Tom reviewed the latest version of the Field Trial Gun Captain function description.  Some excellent comments and suggestions were received were received from outside of the committee and they will be incorporated into the final version which follows:
 Final  2-15-07

Function Description

Title: Field Trial Gun Captain

Reports to: Field Trial Committee Chair

Purpose
The position is responsible for the management and function of the Field Trial Gun Team in accordance with the guidelines of the ECSCA and the AKC.   The position provides the leadership that fosters safety and maximizes the contribution of the Gun Team toward a successful field event.  This Gun Captain manages all aspects of the field trial gunning, and works in conjunction with the field trial management, judges, planters and handlers to ensure a successful event.

Primary Function and Responsibilities

• The Gun Captain is responsible for the gun team personnel, utilizing a positive and motivating approach that maximizes each gunner’s contribution to the field trial.  This responsibility includes the selecting the gunners for the event, on-site review of gun performance and discharging team member(s) as necessary.
• The Gun Captain functions as a mentor to the gun team participants.  He/She sets a trial plan, oversees the gun team activities and makes recommendations for the improvement of gun participants.
• The Gun Captain offers support to the Field Trial Committee in course design focusing of event safety, and fostering a shooting environment which allows for the Cocker’s field trial evaluation.
• The Gun Captain records the gunners and stakes in which they participated with the Field Events – Field Trial Committee.
• The Gun Captain makes constructive recommendation(s) to the Field Trial Committee for the improvement of the trial and/or future trials with regard to gunning safety.
• The Gun Captain is responsible for many other trial gunning issues. Some include coordinating with Field Trial Committee and advising his/her gun team regarding the local regulations and game laws,  reviewing the expected number of entries to establish manpower requirements, selecting appropriate shells and shot size, coordinating the acquisition of shells with field trial committee, team rotation schedule and instructing the gun team on the proper “zones of fire.”

Knowledge and Skill Guidelines

• Have a minimum of ten years of spaniel experience in hunt tests and/or field trials.
• Have completed the Spaniel Field Trial Gun Safety Seminar.
• Have extensive trial gun experience.
• Be knowledgeable of ECSCA green book
• Be knowledgeable of AKC Rules and Regulations for Field Trials.
• Have good management skills including outstanding leadership, competence in oversight and supervision of guns, and ability to communicate confidently.

END

Some of the committee either did not receive or did not have time to study the field trial gunner function description, so that discussion will be postponed until the next meeting.
The Gun Committee membership is still not official as some prospective members have yet to confirm.

We discussed an official complaint sent to AKC regarding a recent cocker trial.   The committee appreciates having this brought to our attention and hopes to be advised of any official actions pertaining to cocker trials in advance of notification from AKC.  However, since this was neither an ECSCA trial, nor an ECSCA club, it would be inappropriate for this committee to become involved until the AKC acts upon the complaint. 

Nancy presented us with the Hunt Test Committee’s final version of the Hunting Style of the English Cocker Spaniel that has been sent to the Board of Directors of the ECSCA.  There was much discussion over this.  Martin was concerned that a lot of the description was trained ability, but not so indicated.  Rumi indicated that this version was, by far, the most acceptable since the first draft.  Both she and Barbara contributed a great deal, and were pro active in the write up.  Rumi suggested that any future input come from the committee as a whole to avoid any individual conflict.  Tawney questioned that if it had already been presented to the board, would any revisions be accepted.  Both Nancy and Sue Rose said that, until it was adopted by AKC, all suggestions would be considered.  The Hunt Test Committees description follows:

ENGLISH COCKER SPANIEL – HUNTING STYLE

HISTORICAL  

In England, the (English) Cocker Spaniel was selected for its small stature, sturdy, compact build and excellent scenting abilities to accommodate the hunting of woodcock in the dense cover where these birds are found. They excel in locating scent trapped at ground level in thick brush.   The English Cocker is often described as ‘a big dog in a small package” due to the power, stamina and sheer “heart” that drives it to do the work of a considerably larger dog.

The official 1988 Breed Standard states: “The English Cocker……… is alive with energy; his gait is powerful and frictionless, capable both of covering ground effortlessly and penetrating dense cover. Its enthusiasm in the field and the incessant action of its tail indicate how much he enjoys the hunting for which he was bred.” 

HUNTING MANNER

The English Cocker Spaniel exhibits a merry temperament and hunts with enthusiasm. The breed is characterized by an animated “bustling” manner accompanied by a “busy” tail as the dog works through cover.  The dog should cover the ground thoroughly changing pattern and speed when appropriate The English Cocker uses air scent and foot scent with equal skill.

The speed of the English Cocker is generally moderate with changes of pace as required for conditions. His gait is characterized more by drive and the appearance of power than by great speed. His range will vary depending on the cover, but in general, the English Cocker will hunt relatively close to its handler.  When it is apparent the dog is getting closer to the bird, the dog's tail wags more vigorously and the level of animation increases

FLUSH

The English Cocker Spaniel should make a smooth determined flush; however certain game or cover situations may allow for a slight hesitation.  Both hard and soft flushes are acceptable for this breed.

MARK & RETRIEVE

The English Cocker Spaniel is a good marker; though its smaller size may be a disadvantage in tall cover.  Some steady dogs will “hup” where they have a clearer view, or stand on their hind legs in order to follow the mark, though they should not move forward from their location until sent by the handler.

On the retrieve pick-up the English Cocker Spaniel, being a smaller dog, may require a moment to position the game in its mouth – particularly live birds – for optimum grip and ground clearance before returning with it. They should have a firm, but gentle mouth with all game.

WATER WORK

Developed as an upland hunter and not as a duck dog, the English Cocker Spaniel is capable of handling water retrieves as might be necessary on an upland hunt. While some dogs will leap into water with great enthusiasm, the breed generally is inclined to enter the water in a more reserved business-like manner.  The dog should demonstrate focus and determination to perform the task.

END

There are more scheduling difficulties and we again discussed the possibility of scheduling field trials within regions so that double dating would only be an issue if it were requested within the same region.  This might have repercussions with smaller entries, at least initially, but there are so few weekends in the fall between the times when the weather is acceptable and the Nationals.  One benefit might be that competition for entries might make for better trials.  Rumi says that double dating with Springer trials is more of an issue than double dating with cocker trials because it makes it more difficult to get gunners and judges.  Sue cautioned that clubs hosting ECSCA cocker trials would not be able to double date with other ECSCA trials.  

A proposal was received from the Cranefield English Cocker Society to host the 2008 Cocker National Championship in Bozeman, Montana. October 23-26.  It was beautifully written and prepared by Dominique Savoie who would co-chair the event with Bob Crawford.  Paul expressed what a beautiful setting this would be for a National.  As the proposal was received the same day as this meeting by most committee members, it too will be tabled until the next meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:30 with plans to re-convene on Wednesday, March 7th.

Respectfully submitted,
Tawney Crawford
2/24/07