IFR-World Championship and the FCI circular 47/2016

Dear Friends,

We receive questions concerning the FCI circular 47/2016 stating that at the FCI-World Championship IPO there will be no softstick hits during the protection part.  This decision has only bearance on the FCI-World Championship, not on other IPO-trials !

This does not change the IPO-program and does not change the Regulations of the IFR : our Regulations clearly state that our IFR-World Championship is organized according to the IPO-program : with hits with the soft stick during the protection part.

These phases have indeed their meaning and their importance (!) in the context of the program and the goals of the program !

Unless and untill the IPO-Program is changed and/or legislation demands otherwise and/or the Meeting of IFR-Delegates would decide otherwise, there can and will be no deviation from the program at the IFR-World Championship : the IFR-World Championship IPO will be with hits with the soft stick.

Moreover, should there arise a question on the issue, it would be my strictly personal opinion that such a decision would rather have its place in a preparatory Meeting of Breed Wardens … .

With friendly greetings,
On behalf of the IFR-Board, D. Vandecasteele, President.