ARROWHEAD SLED DOG SLED RACE 2005
2005 18 MILE EVENT DRAFT RULES

Final Revisions will be out prior to the race.

1. PRE RACE PROCEDURE

    A. Sign-up Deadlines TBD

    B.  Entry Fee - $55.00

    C. Substitution of drivers or dogs deadlines  - TBD

    D. Musher Qualifications

          1. Age Limits

          2. Prerequisite for Participation (Qualifying Races) 

          3. Members in Good Standing

          4. No convictions of animal abuse or neglect or barred from other races

     E. Purse Breakdown

     F. Food drop requirements at each checkpoint and deadline for drops.

    G. Dog Limits Maximums/Minimums

 2. Drivers Meeting

    A. Time and Date - TBD

    B. Understanding of the rules

    C. Introduction of Officials

    D. Specifics about the trail and trail markings

    *  SAFETY OF DOGS AND DRIVERS SHOULD DECIDE THE TRAIL

 3. Veterinary Pre Race Examination

    A. Proof of current Rabies, Parvo and Corona Vaccination

    B. Examination to insure healthy sound dog

    C. The Chief Veterinarian has absolute jurisdiction of every dog from the Vet Check until the dogs are removed from the race area after competition of the event.

 4. Race Start - Designated time and place

 5. Race Timing - Should be explained to include Start differential, mandatory layovers etc.

 6. The Race Marshal SHALL be the final authority to interpret the rules of the Race and make decisions regarding specific problems and incidents.

 7. An official finish is determined by the nose of the first dog to cross the finish line providing the driver is on the sled. A team without a driver finishes when the driver crosses the finish line.

 8. Race Officials are responsible for enforcing the rules of the race.

 9. Protests - Procedures for filing a protest should be established with guidance for deadlines and hearing procedures outlined.

10. Penalties

      Rule infractions may result in issuance of warnings, monetary penalties, time penalties, censure, or disqualification. Usually the Race Marshal may issue a warning. A three member panel of race officials  may decide on the other penalties. The Chief Veterinarian will be included in all cases involving cruel or inhumane treatment

     A. Disqualification’s: Mushers shall be disqualified for rule infractions involving physical abuse of a dog, such as kicking, or beating, or for cheating  or deliberate rule infractions which give a musher an unfair advantage over another musher. Mushers may also be disqualified for other acts involving cruel and inhumane treatment.

11. Cruel and Inhumane Treatment: There will be NO cruel or inhumane treatment of dogs. Cruel or inhumane treatment involves any action or inaction which causes preventable pain or suffering to a dog.

12. Injured, fatigued or sick dogs shall be dropped from the race at a checkpoint and cared for by handlers or race checkpoint officials. Attention should be given these animals to speed their recovery.

13. Expired Dogs  - Any dog that expires on the trail should be transported to the next checkpoint in the sledbag and presented to the race official at that checkpoint. A necropsy and cause of death should be determined.

14. Hauling of Dogs - All dogs hauled on the sled should be hauled in a humane manner. This includes covering the dog if it is cold, securing it where it cannot jump off the sled and injure itself, and keeping its head and legs out of the danger of obstructions. Never should a dog be allowed to run behind on a line fastened to the sled.

15. Mandatory Items:

     A. Bib - If bibs are required state where they must be worn.

     B. Sled - A sled capable of hauling the required items plus dog food and injured dogs shall be equipped with a brush bow and good braking system.

     C. Mandatory items may include:

          1. Cold weather sleeping bag

          2. Ax

          3. Snowshoes (optional)

          4. Promotional material

          5. Booties

          6. Cook pot for melting snow (optional)

          7. Knife

          8. Headlight

16. Unmanageable Team  - Mushers may seek the aid of others to control an unmanageable team.

17. Driverless Team - Each team and driver must complete the entire race trail. A driver may recover his loose team by any means available.

18. Pacing is not allowed.

19. Drug Use - No ingestable oral or topical drug which may suppress the signs of illness or injury may be used on a dog. No other drugs or other artificial means may be used to drive a dog or cause a  dog to perform beyond it’s  natural ability.

PROHIBITED DRUGS:

      1. Analgesics

      2.  Anti-inflammatory drugs

           a. Cortico-steroids

           b. Anti-prostaglandin’s

           c. Non-steroids

           d. Salicylates

      3. Central Nervous System Stimulants

      4. Cough Suppressants

      5. Anesthetics

      6. Diuretics

      7. Anabolic Steroids

      8. Muscle Relaxants

      9. Injectable Anti-cholinergics

    10. Antihistamines

Dogs are subject to the collection of urine or blood samples at the discretion of the Chief Veterinarian at any time.

20. Musher Conduct

     a. A musher should not be penalized for aiding another musher in an emergency.

     b. No musher should interfere with another mushers dogs, food, gear or interfere in any manner with the progress of another team.

     c. Sportsmanship - Mushers shall conduct themselves in a civil, sportsman like manner throughout the race.

     d. Use of drugs and alcohol as defined by State law is prohibited.

     e. Passing - When one team approaches to within fifty (50) feet of another team, the team behind shall have the immediate right of way upon demand. The musher ahead must stop dogs and hold them to, the best of their ability for a maximum of one (1) minute or until the other team has passed. The passed team must remain behind at least fifteen (15) minutes  before demanding the trail.

     f. Head  On Passing- The down hill team has the right of way. The home bound team has the right of unless it is going up hill.

     g. No mans land should be pre-designed.

      h. Litter - No litter of any kind may be left on the trail at camps or at checkpoints.

Revised 04/04 2004