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Road Trials

Chair
Peggy Ann Strupp

What is a Road Trial?

The purpose of a Road Trial is to demonstrate the history and heritage of the breed. A Dalmatian Road Trial is a Performance Event “in the field” where the Dalmatian is tested in off-leash obedience while following a handler on horse-back or a horse-drawn carriage.  Upper levels of competition also test endurance and speed as defined by the AKC Dalmatian Standard. For more information, click on the links below.

There are several DCA titles you can earn with your Dalmatian – RD (Road Dog Dog), RDX (Road Dog Excellent), RDCH (Road Dog Champion), RDXCH (Road Dog Excellent Champion), and CC (Coaching Certificate). These titles may be earned “mounted” or in a carriage, and owners may apply to have the titles recorded by the AKC.  Additional “optional” titles are awarded by the DCA & can be found in the Regulations. The list of Road Trial titles earned since 1989 is available for viewing under About Dalmatians / Notable Dalmatians / Road Trial Dals.

 

What to Expect at a Road Trial

A visual depiction of what happens at a Dalmatian Road Trial including pre-trial preparations, practice ride, judge’s briefing, quarter-mile warm-up, judged exercises, mileage requirements, rest stops, verification of mileage, and awards.

Additional Road Trial Videos

Road Trial Exercises

DCA 2009, Judge Danielle LaVangie
    DCA 2009, part 1 –  Peggy Strupp and Ch Koira Redrk Radagast The Brown CD
    DCA 2009, part 2 –  Susan Zimmerman and JLS Believe It Or Not RE CGC TDI
    DCA 2009, part 3 –  Rosie Branaman and Ch Choco Chip Mystic Moon CD RA OA OAJ;
Rebecca Montgomery and Ch Cimarron Snow Bunny
    DCA 2009, part 4 –  Ronna Hill and Ch Whirlwind’s Walk This Way CD

DCA 2014

What to Expect at a Road Trial

A visual depiction of what happens at a Dalmatian Road Trial including pre-trial preparations, practice ride, judge’s briefing, quarter-mile warm-up, judged exercises, mileage requirements, rest stops, verification of mileage, and awards.

Additional Road Trial Videos

Road Trial Exercises

DCA 2009, Judge Danielle LaVangie
    DCA 2009, part 1 –  Peggy Strupp and Ch Koira Redrk Radagast The Brown CD
    DCA 2009, part 2 –  Susan Zimmerman and JLS Believe It Or Not RE CGC TDI
    DCA 2009, part 3 –  Rosie Branaman and Ch Choco Chip Mystic Moon CD RA OA OAJ;
Rebecca Montgomery and Ch Cimarron Snow Bunny
    DCA 2009, part 4 –  Ronna Hill and Ch Whirlwind’s Walk This Way CD

DCA 2014

Road Trial Rules and Regulations

Road Trial Regulations, updated 2021

Forms
– Excusal by Event Committee 09/2021
– Excusal by Judge 09/2021

– Disqualification by Event Committee 09/2021
– Disqualification by Judge 09/2021

 

Interested in hosting a Road Trial?

Responsibilities of the Host Club

Road Trial Host Application

Road Trial Site Selection

Road Trial Site Preparation

Interested in becoming a Road Trial judge?

Road Trial Judge Application

 

Upcoming Road Trials

Use the club’s Event Calendar to find future road trial events. Select the list option for viewing, then enter ‘road trial’ in the search field. The calendar will return listings of upcoming road trial events.

AKC Title Recognition

The AKC’s Parent Club Title Recognition Program will recognize DCA’s Road Dog, Road Dog Excellent, Road Dog Champion, Road Dog Excellent Champion, and Coaching Certificate titles after you submit the application for your Dalmatian, along with the appropriate fee, to AKC. To learn more about this AKC program, visit Parent Club Title Recognition Program.

The application can be found by following their link titled ‘Application to Record a Parent Club Title’ on their Parent Club Title Recognition page, or by clicking on this link – Application to Record Parent Club Title.