GHC CLASSIC RULES

The race will generally be scheduled for the 1st Friday in Dec. from the 315 mile station.

All members of the Tampa concourse are eligible to handle birds for the GHC Classic.

Any member of the Tampa concourse desiring to handle Classic birds placed by rotation must notify the Classic Chairman prior to 1 Feb. Upon receipt of birds, without designation of handler, the Classic committee will contact the breeder to determine if the birds were intended for a particular handler. If no handler was designated by the breeder the birds will be distributed by rotation. Distribution of these birds will be recorded and posted at the GHC Clubhouse. Any handler who refuses a bird will be removed from the rotation list and will not be eligible for any additional rotation birds.

No handler may handle birds of his own breeding or from the breeding of any relative who is a member of the Tampa Concourse. Handlers may not receive birds from any loft with an affiliation of any kind with their own loft. All breeders must be a member of a recognized racing pigeon organization. Handlers may receive only 75 total entries. Once a handler has received 75 entries the classic committee shall not place any additional birds with that handler.

No birds may be transferred from one handler to another handler prior to the deadline for receiving replacement birds. After the deadline a handler may petition the classic chairman to transfer an entry if the bird consistently traps into another handler’s loft. The classic chairman shall contact the breeder and the receiving handler and the bird shall only be transferred after receiving approval of the both parties. The original handler forfeits all rights to the bird and prizes.

Birds may be entered 1 Jan until 15 June. Birds may be replaced until 30 June. Once a bird is replaced the original bird can only be reactivated by payment of an additional entry fee. If the replacement is lost and the original returns it still can only be reactivated by paying an additional entry fee prior to the deadline for replacement birds. In the event a breeder is unable to replace a lost entry the handler “with the breeder’s permission” may solicit a replacement from local flyers. This replacement must be approved by the classic committee chairman.

All birds must be processed at the GHC Clubhouse by the classic committee. All birds must be mailed or hand delivered to the classic committee by the breeder. “NO BIRDS ARE TO BE MAILED OR DELIVERED DIRECTLY TO ANY HANDLER.” Double nominated birds, such as “Little Belgium, received by the U-Ten club,” shall be brought to the GHC clubhouse for processing prior to distribution to the handler. Birds must be received prior to dropping their 1st flight.

Flying partnerships of any kind must be declared to the Classic Chairman in writing and signed by all parties. This declaration must be submitted prior to receiving of any birds.

Handlers shall not enter into any agreements with a breeder different from the GHC Classic Rules. There shall be no conditions (such as a greater handler split) placed upon the acceptance of any bird for the GHC Classic. This is a GHC Classic and no handler has authority to change or modify in any way the terms of the GHC Classic as established by the GHC membership.

If any handler or breeder knowingly violates any GHC Classic rule, or the intent of any rule, they may be banned from the race and all entries may be disqualified. All claims of an alleged infraction shall be in writing and signed by the accuser. All claims done verbally or anonymously shall not be given consideration. Disciplinary actions shall normally be limited to the scope of the GHC Classic race and shall not extend into other club races or activities unless the infraction is of a degree as to warrant such action, in which case the recommended disciplinary action is subject to the normal GHC process for disciplinary action. All proposed disciplinary actions must disclose the nature of the infraction and the substantiating evidence, to include the names of all parties involved. All proposed disciplinary actions shall be given to the alleged offender in writing and the alleged offender shall have 10 days to submit a written response to the Classic committee. The Classic committee shall respond in writing within 5 days of receipt of response.

Disqualification of a single entry due to registration error or like circumstances is not considered disciplinary and is not subject to the above rule.

Alleged infractions by the Classic chairman or committee may be grieved to the GHC board of directors. The GHC board of directors may impose disciplinary action to include the replacement of the Classic chairman and/or members if the alleged infraction is found to be valid.

Entry fee shall be $100 per bird or 3 birds for $250 and should be sent with birds. Entry fees for all birds must be paid prior to 30 June or birds will be disqualified. High Roller entry shall be an additional $1000 for one primary and two back ups. Back up birds must be designated as “1st back up” and “2nd back up”. All three birds must be entered in the regular GHC Classic race. Entry fees are non-refundable.

The race shipping will be handled by the GHC race committee with liberation being done by the normal liberation committee. The Classic committee shall assure the birds are accompanied by two individuals at all times from time of shipping until release.

The GHC will retain 15% of normal entry fees and 10% of high roller entry fees. The number of prizes for the GHC classic will be based on 5% of the total number of entries. Prizes (with the exception of high roller) will be paid on a 60% breeder, 40% handler split; no handler shall negotiate any other split with the breeder. The High Roller prizes will be based on 1 per 15 high roller entries and will be paid on a 90% breeder, 10% handler split, no handler shall negotiate any other split with the breeder.

All race protests must be submitted in writing to the Classic Chairman within 48 hours of the clock closing. All protests shall be resolved by the Classic Race Committee and all rulings are final.

The GHC Classic committee reserves the right to toss any bird and call for an AU drug test of any bird.

Any changes to these rules must be presented to, voted upon and approved by the general membership of the GHC.

Approved by the GHC Membership 8 Jan 2003

Footnote: Any bird entered in the GHC classic may be upgraded to high roller until 30 Jun.