AWMA National Championship — Trial Guidelines
Revised November 27, 2017
General Guideline
To avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, fraternization with judges should be limited to non-competitors until after the trial. No competitor should serve as a primary event host. This includes, for example, transporting the judge to or from the airport, the event venue, or interacting directly with the judge at meals or social events.
Draw Procedure
The draw must use marked ping pong balls in a bingo roller, box, or equivalent device.
The draw mechanism must be approved by the World Championship/National Events Committee at least two months prior to the event.
The draw process must prevent any prior knowledge of outcomes. Pre-arranged table selection is not permitted.
The draw mechanism will be stated on the host website.
Attendance
All competitors must be present at the draw.
Competitor Vehicle Sharing
No automatic accommodation will be made for competitors sharing a vehicle. After the first competitor draws, the trial secretary will assign draw positions for others sharing the vehicle.
It is the competitor’s responsibility to be present for each phase of the competition.
Withdrawals
If a handler withdraws from the trial, they may not re-enter as a competitor. No accommodations will be made for handlers or dogs unable to compete at their assigned draw time.
Flight Organization
Flight organization must be finalized prior to the draw.
If withdrawals affect the number of flights, adjustments will be made before the draw.
No flight order changes will be allowed after the draw.
Practice and Training on National Championship Field
The host will set official practice dates and times.
No competitor may train on the Championship field for two weeks prior to official practice, or during the event, except:
Bitches in season may practice after all other dogs have completed their phases, but before their own scheduled performance.
Use of Equipment
Before official competition (defined as handing in the scorebook at the draw), humane corrective devices and motivational items may be used during official practice.
After handing in the scorebook, no corrective devices may be used within view of the Championship venue.
Motivational items may be used up to entering the tracking field or stadium.
Tracking
The tracking coordinator will ensure all spectators remain at a designated distance to avoid interfering with competitors.
The tracking coordinator and judge will instruct tracklayers to lay uniform, consistent tracks. Tracklayers must not communicate with handlers or their teams.
All tracking lines must be marked with an identifiable, non-public marker (e.g., zip tie or equivalent).
Tracking order will be drawn at the tracking field using a random process.
Articles and flags must be numbered prior to the draw.
Tracking fields will be pre-designated by flight and held in escrow by the AWMA President or designee to prevent reassignment after the draw.
Helpers
Prospective helpers must submit videos and bios to the AWMA Secretary three months prior to the event (deadline publicized).
A committee (event host + AWMA Judges Committee members) will select three helpers at least two months prior to the event.
Selected helpers will be notified by the AWMA Secretary and must confirm acceptance in writing within one week, agreeing not to work any dogs entered in the event for 14 days prior to the event.
Try-Out
Selected helpers will participate in an on-site try-out. The try-out must be genuine, using high-quality dogs provided by the host club.
Final helper selection and phase assignments will be at the judge’s discretion.
Dog Identification
The host club must provide at least two chip readers (one for tracking, one for stadium).
Dog identity must be verified prior to each phase.
Trophies and Awards
Required:
High in Trial (HIT) – High IPO 3 team
High Obedience (IPO 3 only)
High Tracking (IPO 3 only)
High Protection (IPO 3 only)
Optional (host’s discretion):
High IPO 1
High IPO 2
Additional awards (suggested): Helper’s Choice, High HOT (Handler-Owner-Trained)
Eligibility
Eligible dogs include FCI-registered Belgian Shepherd Dogs with AWDF-recognized scorebooks, and any dog with an AWMA-issued AWDF scorebook listing the dog as a Belgian Malinois, regardless of FCI registration.
HOT (Handler-Owner-Trained) Criteria:
The dog must be owned and registered in the handler’s name.
No one else may have done a significant portion of the dog’s training without the handler’s involvement. The dog may not have been sent to a trainer for tracking, obedience, or protection.
The dog may not have been trained to pass a BH at the time of purchase.
Handlers may be required to sign a certification of compliance with these criteria when purchasing a scorebook.
Sanctions for False Claims:
Penalties for falsely claiming HOT status may include disqualification for unsportsmanlike conduct and possible suspension of AWMA membership via Board of Inquiry action.
Awards & Tie-Breaking for IPO 1–3, FH 1–2, IPO-FH
If competitors have identical scores:
1️⃣ Highest protection score determines placement
2️⃣ If protection scores are tied → compare obedience scores
3️⃣ If obedience scores are tied → compare tracking scores
4️⃣ If still tied → the dog earning the title for the first time ranks higher
5️⃣ If none are earning the title for the first time → youngest dog ranks higher
Charges (Rule Violations)
Anyone may bring charges for violations of these rules to a three-person committee: Trial Secretary, Trial Chair/Host, and attending AWMA Board officer.
The committee’s findings and disciplinary actions are final and not subject to appeal.
The committee does not handle matters under the jurisdiction of the trial judge(s).
Financial Support
(Revised December 2019)
As of August 11, 2008, a $25 fee from each Championship entry is allocated to fund the following year’s National event.
As of 2020, the AWMA base contribution to the National event is increased to $5,000.
Entries
AWMA National IPO Championship:
Open to FCI-registered Belgian Shepherd Dogs with AWDF-recognized scorebooks, and dogs with AWMA-issued AWDF scorebooks listing them as Belgian Malinois (regardless of FCI registration).
Handlers must be current AWMA members. (Approved July 20, 2011)
FH Championships (held with the National IPO Championship):
Open to any dog with a valid AWDF-recognized scorebook, provided the handler is a current AWMA member. (Approved July 21, 2011)
