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AKC Field Trials

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 2:49 pm
by Dakotazeb
I am trying to find out information on AKC Field Trials (horseback and walking) for pointing dogs. I've never seen one and would like to learn what a dog must do in these trials, etc. Thanks for the help.

Re: AKC Field Trials

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 3:16 pm
by slistoe
Broke manners on game.
Hunt continuously to the front.

The best thing to do would be to attend one and follow as many or all of the braces, then stay for the placements and see how the judges "saw" the performances.

Re: AKC Field Trials

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 4:21 pm
by Dakotazeb
Is there a directory or something that shows when and where these trials are held? I've never heard of any in my area (South Dakota). I've just run NSTRA but my trainer is saying that my young dog would do great in horseback trials.

Re: AKC Field Trials

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 5:54 pm
by deseeker
You need to go to the AKC web site. Once there click on events search. On that screen click on field trials--on the same screen click on all future events--again on that same screen click on every state you are interested in---then click search. It will show you every field trial coming up in those states in the next 3 months, You'll have to sort thru what is listed and pick out the pointing breed trials(the list also includes flushers and retreivers). The nearest will probably be at Branched Oak down by Lincoln. The 2 Nebraska clubs(Nebraska Britt & Mo Valley Britt both have trials in September). There will be a field trial at Branched Oak every week end starting in late August and going into early October(just different breed clubs putting them on). There are also trials by Mineoplolis MN. and in southern IA. Once there, talk someone out of their horse for a few braces otherwise you won't see much other than the break away area. To get to a walking trial you need to get to eastern IA. or IL---they have more walking trials in those areas. Union County State Park in SD. used to have Britt and GSP field trials up there but the park shut out the field trial people around 2000 :roll: .

Re: AKC Field Trials

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 6:46 pm
by Steve007
Correct information from deseeker, but you'll find hunt tests at the same AKC site. They are walking --not horseback-- but if there's one in your area, it's worth a look.

Re: AKC Field Trials

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 8:25 pm
by bustingcover
Depends on the stake but in broke dog stakes your dog needs to be completely broke on game, steady to shot, run to the front, handle, not cast back and chase old finds, always moving forward.

You can find the field trial handbook on the akc site and look that over. Theres also a listing of events and their locations on the AKC site you can look up. I also recommend checking a few out and walking braces to get and idea of what you're in for. Its a different world than the shoot to retrieve games.

Re: AKC Field Trials

Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 6:57 am
by jetjockey
Here's the Brittany trial schedule, and also a link to the premiums when they get posted. The closest Brittany trial to you will probably be the Chicken Championship in Sept. You will see most of the best Brits in the country at that trial. It's held at Bassett NE. The next two trials will be the Region 19 Amateur Championship and then the Pheasant Championship, both at Valentine NE. These are 1hr Championship trials vs 1/2hr weekend trials. The closest weekend trials will most likely be held at Branched oak in Lincoln.

Sounds like she's doing a pretty nice job! She definitely has the breeding for it.

http://clubs.akc.org/brit/Calendar/2017Fall.htm

Re: AKC Field Trials

Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 8:11 pm
by Dakotazeb
I guess I should have added that my dog just turned a year old. She is currently with a trainer in Colorado. He said she is definitely ready to run Derby.

Re: AKC Field Trials

Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 10:29 pm
by deseeker
Dakotazeb wrote:I guess I should have added that my dog just turned a year old. She is currently with a trainer in Colorado. He said she is definitely ready to run Derby.
Since your pup is just 12 months you can run in both puppy & derby stakes(puppy stakes 6 thru 14 monthes & derby stakes 6 thru 23 months). The German Shorthair club of Lincoln is having a trial at Branched Oak (Raymond NE.)Sept1 thru Sept3(open to all pointing breeds). They are having AM walking puppy--walking amateur handlers only, Am walking derby---walking amateur handlers only, Open Puppy--horseback or walk handlers, and Open Derby--horseback or walking handlers. You could run your pup 4 times that weekend if you like. This club doesn't put out birds for puppy stakes but they do put them out for derby stakes. If the puppy stakes are run on a course that earlier had birds put out for a different stake, you might run into birds in the puppy stakes. You could probably borrow or rent a horse for the open stakes(can see more and you have a better chance of not getting left behind if you are walking). Their trial is the only one this Fall at Branched Oak that has 2 stakes that are completely limited to walking handlers.

Re: AKC Field Trials

Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2017 5:33 am
by Dakotazeb
Thanks deseeker, I'll have to think about coming down for that. I'm sure the folks would help a newbie. I'd probably have to run her in the walking Derby since I don't have a horse and haven't been on a horse in years. Is there information on that trial someplace? Times, location, cost, entry info, etc.

Re: AKC Field Trials

Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 3:46 pm
by Gertie
Here is a link. You can narrow it down by state and date. https://www.apps.akc.org/apps/event_cal ... _year=2017

You also might want to check out American Field as they also run horseback and some walking trials. Good luck and have fun! https://americanfield.villagesoup.com/calendar/

Re: AKC Field Trials

Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 5:46 pm
by deseeker
George--
If you get on the event search page of the AKC web site. Click on field trial, click on future events, click on Nebraska, then click search. That will bring up field trials in Nebraska. About the 2nd one down on the list is German Shorthair Club Of Lincoln. If you click on their name, it will bring up stakes offered, their cost, the field trial sec's name, and the judges for the stakes(they haven't picked their judges yet). Trial sec is Tresha Moorberg. If you send her an e-mail at lincolngspc@gmail.com asking to be put on the mailing list for their field trial. About a month before the trial she will e-mail out premiums. The premiums will state the order of the stakes to be run and which side of the grounds the stake will be run on IF they are running 2 stakes at a time(either club house side or across the creek side of the grounds--area #9). Fill out the entry sheet and send to them before closing date(also listed on premium). Entry for their Am walking puppy is $35(6 thru 14 months old on the day of running). Entry for their AM walking derby is $45(6 thru 23 months old on the day of running.). :D

Re: AKC Field Trials

Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 6:46 pm
by Dakotazeb
Thanks deseeker. Is there a Walking Derby each of the 3 days? Can you enter all 3 days? Since I don't have a horse nor am I much of a horseman I best do the Walking Derby if I attend.

Re: AKC Field Trials

Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2017 5:29 pm
by deseeker
The walking derby will only be on 1 of the 3 days--you won't know which day until the premium comes out about a month ahead of the event. Moorberg the trial sec might be able to tell you if you e-mail or call her. If your pup is 6 thru 14 months old, I'd run the walking puppy too---she would be one of the older pups in puppy and that can be an advantage. They don't put out birds on puppy so it is mostly about run, hunting objectives, and staying to the front(usually the farther out the better :D ). That way you would have 2 runs in those 3 days. Get your pup use to being around horses because the judges will be riding them---if you don't have her use to them, she might just watch the horses the whole brace instead of hunting. You'll have a bracemate too, so get her used to running with another dog--keep her from playing or chasing around the other dog. The judges want to see an independant dog that seeks objectives to the front and doesn't follow :!: Good luck

Re: AKC Field Trials

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 6:49 am
by Dakotazeb
She is going to be borderline for the puppy. She was 1 year old on July 6th so she will be just shy of 14 months on that weekend. Looks like she'd be okay as the rules state "under 15 months".

Re: AKC Field Trials

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 8:26 am
by bustingcover
Dakotazeb wrote:She is going to be borderline for the puppy. She was 1 year old on July 6th so she will be just shy of 14 months on that weekend. Looks like she'd be okay as the rules state "under 15 months".
I wouldn't mess around with puppy at that age. Waste of money

Re: AKC Field Trials

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 8:29 am
by Dakotazeb
[/quote]

I wouldn't mess around with puppy at that age. Waste of money[/quote]

I understand what you are saying, but for me it's a learning experience. So the cost to run once in the Puppy is worth it. Heck, with the cost of driving over 600 miles round trip, meals and lodging, the entry fee is pretty minor.

Re: AKC Field Trials

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 1:36 pm
by shags
It will be a learning experience for the pup, too. They learn about all the hustle and bustle of trials, being around the horses and running with bracemates and other handlers hooting and hollering. They learn the grounds. If nothing more, look at it as an expensive training session, one that's well worth it because you can't replicate trial conditions in your back yard.

And who knows, if the pup is a little firecracker, she might earn points toward an FC/AFC.

Good luck to you and the pup, go and have a blast.

Re: AKC Field Trials

Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 6:57 pm
by deseeker
Dakotazeb---
The premiums for the trial were e-mailed out today for the GSP club of Lincoln. The walking am puppy starts Sunday morning(sept. 3) on the east course(Area 9) and is followed by walking am derby on the east course. If you haven't received the premium, got ahold of the trial sec(Moorberg) and have her e-mail you one if you are planning on going. good luck if you go :D

Re: AKC Field Trials

Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 7:27 pm
by Dakotazeb
deseeker wrote:Dakotazeb---
The premiums for the trial were e-mailed out today for the GSP club of Lincoln. The walking am puppy starts Sunday morning(sept. 3) on the east course(Area 9) and is followed by walking am derby on the east course. If you haven't received the premium, got ahold of the trial sec(Moorberg) and have her e-mail you one if you are planning on going. good luck if you go :D
I got the email from her. Thanks.

Re: AKC Field Trials

Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 8:28 pm
by Dakotazeb
Are there only trials on Friday and Sunday? Nothing on Saturday?

Re: AKC Field Trials

Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2017 2:33 pm
by deseeker
[quote="Dakotazeb"]Are there only trials on Friday and Sunday? Nothing on Saturday?[/quote
The west course(club house side) starts 7:30 on Friday and runs all 3 days. The west course will run in the order listed on the premium---It will start with Ltd Gun dog followed by open derby, followed by etc,---they don't know how many dogs they will have in each stake until all the entries are in on the closing date, so they have to list it as this stake followed by that stake, followed by this stake followed by that stake, until all the stakes are run. The club house side will basically run constantly for all 3 days. The only things run on the east course(area 9) are am walking puppy & am walking derby and they don't start until Sunday.

Re: AKC Field Trials

Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2017 4:13 pm
by Dakotazeb
There is a NSTRA trial in Waverly the same weekend. I was hoping to run my dog in the NSTRA trial on Saturday and then do the Puppy and Derby on Sunday, but the NSTRA trial is full. Not sure what I'm going to do. Long ways to come for two short runs on Sunday.

Re: AKC Field Trials

Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 10:45 am
by oldbeek
I know you know NSTRA but Is your pup steady enough for NSTRA? Some poor flying birds could really put the pup back in training. Talking from experience. done that and been there. My reason to start early was: I am getting old and may not be here next year. #2. drought in CA and no wild birds to hunt. I personally do not like AKC. Still can not figure why they want dog to ( run ahead). My dog found to many birds and that is what I want from her, not running head long into the wilderness.

Re: AKC Field Trials

Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:57 am
by Dakotazeb
oldbeek wrote:I know you know NSTRA but Is your pup steady enough for NSTRA? Some poor flying birds could really put the pup back in training. Talking from experience. done that and been there. My reason to start early was: I am getting old and may not be here next year. #2. drought in CA and no wild birds to hunt. I personally do not like AKC. Still can not figure why they want dog to ( run ahead). My dog found to many birds and that is what I want from her, not running head long into the wilderness.
I know what you are saying but I just got her back a week ago from spending two months with my trainer in Colorado. When I picked her up she was very steady on point. I could kick the brush and walk around her and she didn't move. She also remained steady to the flush and shot with a starting pistol. I'll check with my trainer before I enter her in a NSTRA trial. I can get her in one with a Novice division at the end of September that's being held in Waverly, NE.

Re: AKC Field Trials

Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 3:16 pm
by oldbeek
sounds great. Good luck with her. Nstra is always fun and the folks in it are great. We are on summer break here in So. Cal. Training a new shorthair for my son. I will train steady to shot and fall before I run him. He is a hand full for an old guy.

Re: AKC Field Trials

Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 3:30 pm
by Dakotazeb
I text my trainer today and he didn't feel it would be a good idea to run her at this time. Didn't give me any reasons just said he wouldn't do it. My previous dog I started running in NSTRA when she was 1 1/2 years old. She had no formal training and I had never been to a NSTRA event. We both learned on the fly and she became a Champion. But she was truly a natural. Earned her championship without any formal training or any field trial training by me. She just did it on her own. Now this pup is another story. I think Bree is going to take some work but she did make a lot of progress during the 2 months with the trainer. He had her running big fields, finding her birds and holding steady. My problem is I have no place to train and no access to birds. All I can do is run her on state land and hopefully find a pheasant now and then.

What do you think about running her in a Novice trial as this point?

Re: AKC Field Trials

Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2017 8:43 pm
by oldbeek
Training is one thing, but you know NSTRA. Another dog competing for the bird. Maybe stealing point,, or just back ing close. Bird will not fly and runs between pups legs while you try to flush it..Ect! I don't pay for training so when I get set back it is just another challenge for me. A friend with a hot Brittany is on his third trainer and finally got a champion last fall. 3 month before the dog was just picking up the birds. Very frustrating when they work perfect around the trainer, have perfect manners going to the line. Stand and make you proud till you blow that start whistle. Then all heck breaks loose.

Re: AKC Field Trials

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2017 5:14 am
by bustingcover
I'd personally skip the Novice trials and train on your state land with a basket of pigeons. You don't need much space to get your yard work dialed in.
oldbeek wrote:]A friend with a hot Brittany is on his third trainer and finally got a champion last fall. 3 month before the dog was just picking up the birds. Very frustrating when they work perfect around the trainer, have perfect manners going to the line. Stand and make you proud till you blow that start whistle. Then all heck breaks loose.
Thats unfortunately the problem with running a dog on too many junk planted birds. They don't learn respect and they just become scented bumpers.