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Retrieving Trials in
Australia
An Explanation By Robert
Tawton
Should readers require any additional
information, the author may be contacted at the
following e-mail address:
rtawton@webone.com.au
What is a Retrieving Trial?
A Retrieving Trial is an event at which
competitions for the working of registered Gundogs are
conducted, both on land and in or through water, to
determine their relative merits in the field under
conditions that simulate, as closely as possible, those
that may be found while hunting, but at the same time
bringing the work of each dog within an ambit of
equality where assessments can be fairly made. In other
words, Retrieving Trials are designed to promote and
evaluate the style of work that a gundog may encounter
during a typical day out duck hunting.
In Australia, the term Field Trial is
reserved for a group of events conducted separately for
Spaniels and Retrievers, Pointers and Setters and the
Utility Breeds of Gundogs. These events are conducted
during local game seasons under typical up-land hunting
conditions with an emphasis on game finding ability,
pointing and flushing, as the case maybe, steadiness to
shot and the handler is expected to shoot all game found
by his or her dog.
Back Ground
Prior to 1939 Field Trials for both
Pointers and Setters and Spaniels and Retrievers were
conducted on a regular basis. During World War II access
to sporting ammunition was so constrained that field
shooting was nigh on impossible. This situation prompted
Rail Bridgford and Hilda Lascelles to develop Water
Tests in an effort to test the retrieving ability of
their Labradors. These Water Tests consisted of two
retrieves, one from water and the other across-water,
both cast as single marked retrieves. As servicemen
returned from the war and ammunition became available,
the Victorian Gundog Club's annual Water Test became
very popular as it was held the weekend preceding the
opening of the Duck Season, which for many years, was
the 3rd Saturday in February.
The Victorian Retriever Club was founded
in 1952 and the following year was renamed the Labrador
Retriever Club (LRC) of Victoria. In 1954 the LRC
sponsored the development of the initial set Retrieving
Trials Rules and two "trial" events were conducted,
under the watchful eye of the Kennel Control Council
(KCC) of Victoria. The KCC then approved the concept and
the first "official" Novice Trial was held on June 1,
1957, judged by Mr Robert (Bob) Maver. Bob subsequently
judged the first "Open" held June 13, 1957 and the first
KCC Victorian State Retrieving Trial Championship held
in 1958. During this period similar, but quite
independent development, was taking place in New South
Wales (NSW) with much of the organisational credit due
to (the late) Mr Len De Groen and his brother
Harry.
One of the founding members of the
Victorian Retriever Club was Charles Behrendt, owner of
Ensign Dry Cleaners. Charles was a regular visitor to
the USA and on one occasion brought back a set of AKC
Field Trial Rules, which were subsequently blended into
the existing rules developed by both Victoria and New
South Wales. The upshot of this activity was that the
Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) ratified the
Rules for the Conduct of Non-Slip Retrieving Trials for
Gundogs in 1966. In 1999 the term "non-slip", which was
included to signify that the dogs were required to work
"off lead or slip", was removed leaving the current
formal title as; Rules for the conduct of Retrieving
Trials for Gundogs, effective Jan.2000.
Retrieving Trials in Australia
Today
All competitors in Australian Retrieving
Trials are amateurs as there are no professional
handlers, trainers or judges and trophies, sashes,
honour and glory are the only rewards. Most
owner/handlers compete with only one dog. A few have two
dogs and it is almost unprecedented to see a handler
competing with three dogs, especially at All Age and/or
Championship level.
Clubs holding events must be affiliated
with their State Controlling Body and it in turn must be
affiliated with the ANKC. Annually each State is
permitted to conduct one State Retrieving Trial
Championship and on a rotating basis the selected State
hosts the Australian National Retrieving Trial
Championship. The winner of an All Age Stake is awarded
6 championship points and the winner of a State or
National Championship is awarded 12 points, while the
2nd placed dog in a Championship receives 6 points. To
be awarded the title of Retrieving Trial Champion (RT
Ch) a dog must earn a total of 12 points. Most events
are adjudicated by a single judge. The National and most
State Championships make use of two judges, who may
either independently judge alternate Runs (or Series) or
may choose to co-judge one or more Runs (or series) .
For example in a seven Run (Series) State Championship,
Judge A may choose to adjudicate Runs 1, 3 & 5 while
Judge B officiates on Runs 2, 4 & 6 and they both
co-judge Run 7 (the last series).
In Australia there are generally four
levels of competition.
A Novice Stake
is a stake confined to Gundogs that have
not won any other stake other than two Novice Stakes. A
typical Novice Stake involves three separate single
marked retrieves, with a land mark, and in-water mark
and an across-water mark retrieve.
A Restricted
Stake
is a stake
confined to Gundogs that have not won three Restricted
Stakes or an All Age Stake or have been place first or
second in a Championship Stake. At this level of
competition multiple retrieves are introduced which are
usually designed to test a dogs understanding of basic
concepts as a precursor to the more advanced work
required at All Age and Championship levels.
An All Age Stake
is a stake confined to Gundogs that have
won a Novice Stake or have placed first, second or third
in a Restricted Stake. A "blind" retrieve must be
included. A typical All Age Stake involves three Runs
(Series) each requiring three items of game to be
recovered. The differing scenarios may include, but not
be limited to, combinations of the following:
A Single Mark
Retrieve
shall be a
retrieve where only one object of game is cast and is to
be retrieved.
A Walk-up Retrieve
is one where the dog is walking at heel;
the game is cast at which the handler "shoots".
Immediately the handler pauses to "shoot" the dog shall
sit, drop or remain steady until ordered by the handler
to retrieve.
Wounded Game
Retrieve which maybe
either a bird or rabbit. When a bird is used it is cast
as in a single mark retrieve, but the game is attached
to a line which is then used to drag it a distance of at
least 20 metres (25yds). The bird is then picked up and
a fresh bird is left in its stead.
A Blind Find
Retrieve is a
retrieve where a dog is placed in such position that the
flight, fall or placement of the game cannot be seen.
The Judge may direct that the dog be placed in a hide,
ideally made from natural materials, and in close
proximity to the Firing Point (Line).
A Double Mark
Retrieve
shall
consist of two marked retrieves that may include both
land and water.
A Double Blind
Retrieve
The game
will be located as in a double mark, with the both items
of game being placed so that the dog cannot sight
them.
A Double Rise
Retrieve
shall
consist of a retrieve where one object of game is cast
and two shots are fired (by the handler) in quick
succession at or near the apex of the cast. While the
dog is returning with the first object of game, a second
object of game is cast or placed within 10 metres of the
original fall, but at a distance greater from the Firing
Point. This second object of game is to be retrieved
immediately following the delivery to hand of the first
object of game. In other words, the dog must return to
the old fall and resume its hunt for the second item of
game.
A Two-Bird Retrieve
(A Bulldog Retrieve). The first item of
game is cast from concealed cover and one shot is fired.
While the dog is returning with this item of game, a
second item of game is cast and a shot is fired, so that
the dog may see or hear the fall of this game. The
second item of game should fall at least 20 metres from
the first item of game and at a distance greater than 40
metres from the Firing Point.
A Double Fall
Retrieve
The first
item of game is cast from concealed cover and one shot
is fired and the dog is sent to complete the retrieve.
While the dog is on its way out a second item of game is
cast and a shot is fired, so that the dog may see or
hear the fall of this game. The first item of game must
be retrieved before the second. The second item of game
shall be cast to land not less than 20 metres from the
line to the first and not more than 40 metres from the
Firing Point.
A Mark and Blind Retrieve
a Triple Mark; a Triple Retrieve with two
blinds and one mark; a Triple Retrieve with two marks
and one blind are some of the typical combinations.
A Championship
Stake
is a stake
confined to Gundogs that have been placed first in a
Restricted Stake or first, second or third in an All Age
Stake. A Championship Stake shall consist of no less
than four retrieves (series), with at least 9 items of
game to be retrieved. At least two blinds shall be
included and the dogs must be tested for steadiness from
a hide on at least one occasion.
A National Championship Retrieving
Trial
shall consist
of at least seven retrieves (or series) with at least 15
items of game to be recovered. At least two blinds shall
be included. A retrieve containing a blind leg is not
acceptable unless the dog is tested for steadiness from
behind a hide.
National Championships
The first National Championship was held
in 1969. Of the 33 events conducted so far and taking
into account First, Second and Third Places the sample
size becomes 99 dogs, of these one has been a Golden
Retriever, six have been German Shorthaired Pointers
(GSP) and the balance have been Labrador Retrievers. Of
the GSP's, National RT Ch and FT Ch Ruvalan Homah CD was
Runner-up in 1985 and was placed First in 1986 and again
1989. Homah completed the 1988 and 1990 Nationals,
missed one bird in the last series of the 1987
National.
Summary of the Major Similarities
and/or Differences between US Field Trials and
Australian Retrieving Trials
US Field Trials seek to simulate shooting
conditions where the competing dog and handler are faced
with the task of picking game up "shot" by the Guns in
the field. Whereas Australian Retrieving trials seek to
simulate a duck hunting scenario where the competing dog
retrieves game "shot" by its handler.
In the US competition is restricted to the
recognised breeds of retrievers whereas in Australia
competitions are open to all registered breeds of
gundogs.
White coats and black gloves are permitted
in both forms of competition.
Australian Judges usually specify the
order of pick-up in all multiple retrieves or series.
The maximum number of items of game to be recovered in
any Run (or series) is limited the three, although one
Poison Bird (game not to be recovered) may be
incorporated into any Run (or series). Dry Shots are
also permitted in Australian trials (at the Restricted
Stake, All Age and Championship level).
As in Canada, live game cannot be used in
Australian trials. Humanely destroyed feral pigeons are
almost exclusively used for all marked retrieves and
these are cast from "spear-gun" rubber powered catapults
(or "wingers") operating from concealed positions.
Rabbits are occasionally used for blind retrieves and
even less frequently native ducks are used and then only
when local game seasons permit. The maximum length of
any retrieve should not exceed 150 metres (165yds) and
at Novice Stake level it is recommended that retrieves
should be limited (terrain permitting ) to 100 metres.
The handler "shoots" all game using a 12 bore loaded
with blank cartridges but in recent times metal inserts
and "primers" have become the popular choice.
By Robert
Tawton
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