NBHA Executive Committee Press Release
NBHA Executive Committee Press Release 2/11/2020
On 2/5/2020 the NBHA Executive Committee held a conference call to discuss allegations and events regarding the recent Futurity, Puppy Classic and Open Invitational Championship. Discussion and actions taken included:
A. A vote passed to recommend the NBHA Board of Directors (Board) initiate formal disciplinary action per the NBHA By-Laws against Toby Tobiasson for abandoning his assignment as judge during the running of the Breeder�s Championship.
B. The committee voted to provide written notification to handler�s Gary Malzone and Sean Melvin that their actions at the trial toward judges and trial officials were not acceptable and will not be tolerated at NBHA events in the future. These actions could be considered in violation of Chapter 5, Article I, Item 12 of the NBHA By-Laws. This warning was unanimously approved by the Executive Committee. However, it does not preclude any NBHA member from making a formal complaint pertaining to the named handler�s conduct at the trial
C. The group reviewed information for six dogs that were run in the Breeder�s Championship stake but whose qualifications had been challenged prior to the trial. Based on this review, it was determined that all dogs that started the championship were indeed properly qualified as per the NBHA guidelines. The Futurity Directors discussed several proposed changes regarding how to make future qualification verifications less time consuming and more transparent. The committee fully supports these efforts.
D. Bruce Mercer agreed to resign as NBHA President but remain as Futurity co-Director if the Executive Committee felt it would be in the best interest of the organization. His resignation as president was accepted. Both Bruce Mercer and Brian Casey will remain as Futurity co-directors.
E. Although other allegations regarding the trial were briefly discussed, all were subjective in nature and not determined to be deserving of further discussion or action.
In summary, based on the number of dogs run, the number of participants and general excitement regarding the event, the 2019/2020 Futurity, Puppy Classic and Breeder�s Championship should be considered a resounding success. Bruce Mercer, Brian Casey and other club officials worked diligently to put on a quality event and should be congratulated. It�s unfortunate that a few specific decisions or actions whether occurring before the trial, as part of the trial or afterward by the committee has created such turmoil for the individuals involved and the NBHA organization. We trust that regardless of our differences, we can eventually come back together for the good of the sport.
Sincerely,
NBHA Executive Committee
Ken Black � Interim President
Jacob Starnes � 2nd Vice President
Shawn Bevel � 3rd Vice President
Tim Penn � Secretary
Ray Brown � Treasurer
Bruce Mercer � Futurity Co-Director
Brian Casey � Futurity Co-Director
