Field Trials in South Africa (Photos added to newest post)

[bhulisa]

About South African field trials.

I’m going to concentrate on our pointing trials, as that is what some on the forum have expressed an interest in. I am a qualified judge of Pointer/Setter trials, HPR trials, as well as being a Retriever and Spaniel trial judge. Hopefully I have a reasonable grasp of field trialling in SA, particularly the pointing breed trials. I have seen a couple of field trials in the US (AKC and NSTRA), as well as NAVHDA events, and have also attended the German tests in Germany (Solms, VGP, 2000 Kleeman).

In SA, we follow the European designation of our breeds and trials, so, the Pointer/Setter trials are referred to as “British Breed” trials, and the retrieving trials for the continental or versatile breeds are referred to as “Continental Breed” or HPR (hunt, point, and retrieve) trials. For simplicity I’ll refer to this in the rest of the text as “Pointer” trials and HPR trials. Both types of trials are run solely on wild birds. In a few instances in the past, released ringneck Pheasants were tried, but it is even harder to run and organize these trials than to run on wild birds! The present trials are all natural game trials.

Field Trials for pointing dogs has quite a long and rich history in South Africa. The first Pointer field trial was held in 1908, and in fact the South African Field Trial Club is celebrating its Centenary Trial this year in June! The Border Field Trial Club is over 50 years old, with 3 other clubs being established in the last 25 years. Setter dominated these trials for many years; since the ‘80s however, Pointers are the main winners. HPR trials were a long way behind and only really got going in the mid ‘80s with the establishment of the Transvaal HPR Field Trial Club. The first HPR trial was held in 1985. The last 10 + years has seen significant growth in the HPR trials, and two other HPR field trial clubs have been established in other areas of the country. The HPR trials are by far dominated by GSPs, and I’d reckon at least 90% of the entries are GSPs. Each club may only hold 1 championship qualifying trial per year, so there are limited opportunities to enter trials and to make up a field champion. People travel huge distances to enter the few trials! There are 5 Pointer trials per year (plus the National Championship) and 4 HPR trials in all of SA.

A British Breed (Pointer) Field Trial Champion is made up by winning one of the clubs’ Championship Stake. The Championship Stake is a qualified entry stake that must have at least 14 participants to count for Championship status. A dog qualifies by having placed or won a certificate of merit in a Maiden stake (or another stake judged to championship standard). The Maiden stake is open to any dog that has not previously won a place in a Maiden. A Continental Breed/HPR Field Trial Champion is made up by having won 2 club Open Stakes. The Open stake is not a qualified stake, but to count for championship points at least 8 dogs must be entered. A dog must win 2 of these and only a win counts – no points may be earned for less than 1st place.

SA trials are similar to the US trials in some ways, and quite different in others. What is the same is that dogs are run in braces and judges (3) evaluate the dogs. 1st – 3rd place and up to 4 certificates of merit may be awarded when, in the judges’ opinions, they are merited. The judging system is one of subjective evaluation rather than a numeric system of points earned. We have Derby stakes (2 years and under), Maiden stakes (for dogs that have not previously been placed in a Maiden or Open stake), and the Championship or Open stakes previously discussed. Puppy stakes are usually run completely separately from the main trials. Birds are not shot in the Pointer trials and the handler carries a gun loaded with blanks, which he fires when birds are flushed from his dog’s point. In the HPR trials, birds are shot on “course” by two appointed gunners, and the handler is free to handle his dog without carrying a gun.

The standards required in the stakes of both types of trials are appropriate for the age and experience of the dogs. Anything goes in the Puppy stake and there are no eliminating faults except lacking ability. A Derby competitor is judged as a young and inexperienced dog in which the main abilities and manners are already in place, but perhaps not yet perfected or completely reliable. A Maiden dog is judged as an experienced dog capable of producing well and in which all manners are evident. Since the Maiden stake is a qualifying stake for the Pointer trials, Maiden dogs should be steady to wing and shot, require no commands after the flush, and should back without command. In the HPR trials, Maiden dogs are given some leniency in being steady to shot, and do not have to be eliminated for this alone, but will be penalised for breaking or for a controlled break. If a dog steals another dogs retrieve, he will be eliminated regardless of the circumstances or other work done.

Championship and Open standards require a polished performance without major fault. In the Pointer trials, dogs must be steady to wing and shot, without command, back on sight and without commands, and display a polished hunting and finding performance that is pleasing to the judges. In order to be placed, the dog must have backed. No places can be awarded if a dog does not back or has not had the opportunity. If the dog has not had an opportunity to back, the judges will then give a Certificate in recognition of the dog’s performance. In the HPR trials, dogs must do all these things as well as be steady without command, only retrieve on command, and if honoring or backing must also be steady to the other dog’s retrieve. He should retrieve gently to hand and also show that he will retrieve from water. My understanding is that what we require of our dogs in terms of manners and what is accepted by way of commands you can give to the dog, is similar to the AKC Master Hunter level, excepting that we also require the water retrieve.

Here is where SA trials differ from the main US trials:

Our trials are entirely on foot. Everyone, judges included, walks the entire day or days until completion of the stake. All competitors follow with their dogs in tow. Most stakes take approximately 1 ½ - 2 days to complete, and that is a lot of walking. The only exception to this is the blessed driver of the beer and drinks “wagon”!

There is no professional handling allowed at all. Period. The trials are seen as purely an amateur sport.

Because the trials are run on wild birds, an effort is made to allow dogs to run (if possible!?) under similar conditions during the trial and to give them every opportunity to encounter birds during their time in front of the judges. Therefore, the rounds are very short, from 5 – 15 minutes per brace. Several rounds are drawn and run throughout the course of the stake, and each of the braces in any of the rounds will only get the same, short time to run. The time allotted depends on the number of braces, the bird density and the terrane and ground available, and is decided upon by the judges in consultation with the club steward. Provided the dog is not eliminated, he continues to be drawn in subsequent rounds, and may run up to 6 rounds or more over a 1 ½ to 2 day period. While this does not test for the sort of stamina that a one or two hour brace would, it does test the general fitness of the dog towards the end of the stake, especially if the judges require one of the final rounds to be 15 minutes in length. This system has its pros and cons, but it’s the one we use. Occasionally the judges will put a dog on “ice”, that is, retire it from further running if they know where they intend to place the dog. If a dog is put on “ice” it is usually the clear winner and has already shown the judges what they want to see and has had multiple finds. By continued running it’s got only one way to potentially go – down!

Another big difference you will find is the difference in pointing styles and the emphasis that our judges place on it. Mainly because of the European influence, and in part because of the way our trials are run, the judges here do not place a great deal of emphasis on the stance a dog takes when he is pointing. In fact, at least one National Champion and a few Champion Pointers lie down on occasion when on point! Setters still “set” for the most part. HPRs vary widely in pointing style as well, although one seldom sees them setting. So bear this in mind when you see photos or read about our trials.

Once a dog has established point, it is free to relocate whenever it choses, provided birds are not flushed during relocation. A dog that can keep in scent contact with moving birds is highly regarded. It may do so with head high or low, and even use foot scent to produce birds. Handlers may go forward and attempt to flush birds, as you do in the States, or the dog and handler may go together, with the dog literally “leading” the handler to the exact location of the bird, which then flushes under pressure of the handler/guns arriving. Some handlers may even have their dogs flush the birds on command.

The backing dog is also free to relocate if the pointing dog moves, again, provided birds are not flushed in the process. If the pointing dog is uncertain, and relocates slowly or hesitantly, or several times, the backing dog may even take over the point, passing the pointing dog and pinning the birds. This can be a really hairy situation, and sometimes degenerates into a “race” to the birds. Should this happen, and birds are flushed, one or both of the dogs would be eliminated. A sticky dog can be a nightmare to be braced with, particularly if you have a very positive dog that finally decides it’s brace mate doesn’t have a clue how to nail birds!


I’ve tried to give a broad overview and some history, and to highlight similarities and differences between our trials. To go into more detail at this point will end up a dissertation! I’ll end by pasting the preamble to our judging regulations, below. This sums up our trials. One thing that does not come through is the comraderie and friendships that characterize the trials. Sure, we have politics and bad sportsmanship, but in the main, the trials are a Sportsmans (ie. gentlemans) game.

If you have specific questions about the birds we run on, the dogs, the judging, the terrane, HPR or Pointer, fire away! Answering questions will probably be more enlightening.

Trudi

“THE STANDARD” OF PERFORMANCE OF POINTING BREEDS

(from the National Field Trial Association Constitution)

The performance is one where the very action of the dog denotes an interest in his work.

His work must be full of animation and at all times the dog must be hunting for game in an independent and intelligent manner by using the wind or lack thereof correctly and productively.

His performance must reflect a credit to his breed, and the dog should move with the least obvious exertion for the greatest effect.

The dog must have the desire to hunt and point game with the fire and intensity that makes his work spectacular or, at least, pleasing.

The dog must be adaptable and self-adapting, controllable and self-controlled.

The dog serves best when saving the hunters legs, and covering the most ground in the least time and he must use the different types of cover and conditions as he comes to them and negotiate each productively, going wide, far, fast, slow, close and/or narrow as the conditions dictate. The dog must do this of his own accord, naturally through training and experience.

The dog’s performance must be complete in every respect and must consist of a positive display of manners, game finding, controlling, pointing and holding abilities, staunchness and steadiness to shot and flush. He must also display a willingness and ability to acknowledge the flush of game and the finds and points of the other dogs by “backing” spontaneously and holding the “back” for as long as it is necessary without interference to the staunchly pointing dog or the game being pointed.

He must retrieve the shot game, on land and from water, on command in a quick and expeditious manner without unduly disturbing too much ground and should deliver tenderly to hand.

The dog must hunt and handle all the accepted species of indigenous game birds (See : Guide to Accepted Game Bird Species), and ABOVE ALL he must be in total harmony with his handler, for no other purpose than to give him the opportunity to shoot the pointed game in a manner befitting sportsmen – as there can only be one measure for a good dog and that is how well he serves the gun.

[snips]

Thanks Trudi for posting all that! Good to know how it is done in other places.

[Flush]

Thanks very much, that is very interesting. While I have never seen them, your trials sound quite similar to the those in Europe.

What species of bird/s do you trial on, and what type of habitat are they typically found in?

-Flush

[Hotpepper]

Trudi

Now we owe you a cold soda on a hot day for the information. I think your input is just wonderful and is good for all of us to know. Would be great to see and participate in as well. My old wheels are not too good anymore but it would be wonderful to compete.

Thanks for filing us in on the stuff. Stay with this forum as we will learn a lot more from each other. I have questions about the birds, what kind, dangers during the test such as snakes like in Texas and the west here. We can really open a can here with all of that.

Thanks again.

Pepper

[tasi devil]

thanks Trudi very similar to here in testing and dogs working style.
........tasi

[Trekmoor]

I enjoyed reading that. It sounds a little similar to British H.P.R. trials except that here only one H.P.R. is hunted at a time and if that dog points it must go forward on command to produce the birds, if the handler "helps" too much the dog will probably be eliminated.

Your steadiness requirements when a bird is shot sounds greater than ours. The backing dog being required to remain steady as the other dog retrieves must cause some "fun" at times.
Is the backing dogs handler allowed to move up to his dogs side to keep it steady during a retrieve or is the backing dog just left sitting possibly many yards from its' handler ?

Bill T.

[tasi devil]

bhulisa...
over here in Australia our 'utility' (HPR) dogs are run as a brace after a draw, they are run on Stubble quail , hares and rabbits if present, and occasionally on released birds (no championship points awarded tho). the handler also shoots. the dogs are expected to be steady to flush/shot/fall of game, and are also expected to 'road/relocate' moving game and 'flush' on command.the handler is not allowed to walk past the dog.the backing dog once 'proven' can be held or leashed (if you can get to it without disturbing the dog on point -not always possible) , it must remain steady until the pointing dog has completed it's task,if the backing dog steals the point or the retrieve it is eliminated.
due to the loss of two states game seasons in recent years trialling is diminishing, and in reality is only strong in one of the three remaining states with game seasons
........tasi

[Hotpepper]

Man, this is a good post, thanks to Trudi.

In the US, on open and amateur stakes, dogs are severly penalized for even moving a foot, relocating aon flush to turn and mark the bird is not the "great job" that standing dead still.

Let's keep it going. Tell us more.

The great part is that the out of the US stuff is all about hunting and achieving the taing of the game. Wonderful, I wish more of the judges in the country "still" hunted.

Pepper

[bhulisa]

Finally back on line for a while….

Tasi devil –
I think our trials are fairly similar, apart from the differences you pointed out (your handlers shoot their own birds, backing dogs are leashed and controlled once they back). Our steadiness requirements for the backing dog are quite rigorous! There are many good dogs that cannot quite get to this level due to the extra training required, and I wonder if we are not judging too negatively with these requirements. I think there is probably some room for improvement where the backing dog, having shown it backs spontaneously, could be given voice commands when the pointing dog is sent for the retrieve. Guess that’s debatable.

I can’t imagine having to shoot the birds and try to handle dogs in these trials! Also wonder how an overexcited handler might cause havoc and danger to himself, the dog, or the bracemate !

It’s a sad state about your bird shooting and trials. We all need to take a lesson from this and keep really vigilant for the ARs and greenies. A contact in Queensland (Don Nicol) tells me you all might be looking at introducing some trials in which game is not shot – at least that would let you keep trialling the dogs, even if you can’t shoot.

Trekmoor –
Yes, the steadiness and retrieving requirements of our trials are pretty close. David Layton judged at our Cape inaugural trial and did not have difficulties with the trial or his fellow judges. In many ways we all look for the same thing. The big difference between UK and SA trials are that we run in braces whereas you run singly. And the backing, as discussed above. The handler can move up to be near his dog and that does provide a presence that is there in the dog’s mind! Sometimes the dogs may only be a couple of meters apart, and it’s a huge temptation for the backing dog when the pointing dog is sent for the retrieve.

Our water retrieve is simpler than yours by a long way. It is a simple marked retrieve of a duck or gamebird, thrown about 40 meters into open water or water with very light cover or vegetation. Also, I think our judges would be more lenient with hardmouth. My understanding is that the UK judges are really strict (some might say to a fault?) about this. Maybe you can tell us more.

Trudi

[bhulisa]

Bird Species that we hunt and trial on in SA:
(I’ve provided links to some photos. Click on the link and it will take you to a selection of thumbnails. Click on one of the thumbnails to enlarge and then you can click on next to see the rest in the group. There are only about 3-5 per group).

Upland birds that are suited to working with pointing dogs are the indigenous Francolins and Partridges. Francolin (Swainsons, Natal, and Cape francolin) are largish birds that form medium to small size coveys. These birds are normally well-adapted to agricultural areas and require a fair amount of cover. They are found in draws between the agricultural lands and in riverine, savannah, and bushveld habitats. They tend to have a running habit, and are often found in ones and twos most of the time, instead of coveys. The Partridges (Greywing, Redwing, Orange River and Crested partridge) are smaller birds and form larger coveys. They usually sit tighter and afford more “purist” sport for pointing dogs. The partridges are found generally in grass lands or savannah and often in conjunction with other game and/or farmed animals that graze on the grass and low vegetation in the area.

Link to gamebird photos: http://www.bhulisa.co.za/index.php?page ... name=Birds

Since our field trials are held in the different regions or provinces of SA, the bird species in these trials are representative of the main hunted species in those regions.

The Greywing partridge is probably the cream of our upland birds and is found in the mountainous areas of the Eastern Cape known as the “Border”. This high altitude region is home to one of the fastest flying partidges in the world, and they provide tremendous sport both in terms of dogging and shooting. The Border is big sky country, and the incredible vistas, the Greywing and hospitality of the locals is something I look forward to every year. The Border Field Trial Club hold their Pointer trials here in June. This is classic Pointer country and the trial attracts a large entry every year – a typical entry in the Championship Stake is 45 – 60 dogs.

Link to Border field trial photos: http://www.bhulisa.co.za/index.php?page ... ame=Border

Some Greywing and Orange River partridge are found in the interior of the country in the Free State and Mpumalanga, and there are Pointer and HPR trials held here. Also found in this agricutural region is the Swainson’s francolin. The Greywing and Orange River partridge are found generally on unplanted slopes and hills, while the Swainsons francolin tend to be found near the planted areas in the intervening grassy areas, fallow lands, near livestock, or along rivers. There are currently 3 trials that are held here, and a typical trial will be run on Swainson’s and Greywing, or Swainson’s and Orange River. The Orange River partridge are notoriously difficult birds to work, as they carry little scent and the covey often splits up into two groups. Single Orange River are very difficult. Swainson’s are francolin and like all francolin they can run like stink. They are big birds and usually found in ones or twos rather than large coveys.

Link to Free State field trial photos: http://www.bhulisa.co.za/index.php?page ... &name=Free

Another area that affords great wingshooting and trialling is the “Bushveld”. The first field trials for both Pointers and HPRs started in this area , which is to the north of Johannesburg. The Bushveld is quite unique and is loaded with wildlife of all kinds – game, birdlife and gamebirds. It is part savannah but with a lot of intervening low bushes and trees – really depends on how much the lands have been cleared and grazed. The main quarry in this area is the Swainson’s francolin and they have adapted incredibly well to the agriculture and game/cattle farming in this region. Typically, they will be found at the base of one of the thorn trees or distributed throughout the grass lands in between bush and planted areas. Crested partridge are also found in this area. They are a shy bird usually found in ones and twos and occasionally in a covey. They often run and dart through the undergrowth when under pressure, and I’ve seen one run around a tree several times as I tried to flush it, much to my dog’s confusion! The Bushveld is usually quite dry and the grass and veld can range from very thick and high to nearly no cover. Here you do not need a big ranging dog, in fact a bigger ranging dog would be something of a handicap if it did not adapt.

Link to Bushveld field trial photos: http://www.bhulisa.co.za/index.php?page ... e=Bushveld

The area that I live in is the Western Cape. Our trials are held about 2 ½ hours drive from Cape Town itself, where most of us live. This area has a unique assemblage of plants and grasses in which we find our gamebirds. This assemblage, the “rhenosterveld” (translated rhinocerous veld) holds both Cape francolin and Greywing Partridge. The rhenosterveld is very limited and there is precious little remaining of it today. Mostly it is found in the draws between the wheatfields (termed kloofs), and on hills and slopes that have not been planted. We hold our trials on numerous farms on which we have found large enough, continuous tracts of the rhenosterveld to hold a full morning or afternoon beat.

During the course of our Cape trials you may find yourself in waisthigh cover looking for your dog, or wading through a river to get to your dog on point on the other side in grass or fynbos. Our main quarry, the Cape francolin, was once classified as unsuitable for field trials for pointing dogs! The Cape francolin are beasts to work, as they run and duck and dive and do everything possible to avoid being trapped. The fynbos is usually thick at the top and thin at the base, so the birds can easily run in it. They finally sit when they run into bush or grass in which they feel safe or simply can’t run in anymore. The Capes are large birds that make a lot of noise when they flush, and often they run a couple of metres before they do. This unravels a lot of dogs, especially when they see and hear the bushes shaking as the bird runs and tries to break free and fly. The Greywing partridge are well-mannered birds with a rather delicate scent, and they sit well for pointing dogs. There are not a lot of them, because their habitat here is very limited, and coveys are relatively smaller than in other areas, but there are enough to provide a trial that has two species as quarry.

Link to Cape field trial photos: http://www.bhulisa.co.za/index.php?page ... &name=Cape

People travel long distances to the trials. Where I live, in the Western Cape, there are only 2 field trials a year. In addition, most of us have to travel 2 ½ hours to train on wild birds, on limited venues. It’s quite difficult to get our dogs competitive unless we travel to other areas to hunt and train. I’ll travel 12 – 18 hours to get to the Border, Free State and Bushveld trials. My dogs see more air time during the training and hunting before the away trials than they do in my own area. But it’s worth it since my trialling and my wingshooting coincide. I typically travel to 3 trials a year and combine these with 3 – 4 days wingshooting.

If one lives upcountry (around Johannesburg, in the north central part of SA), there are many more trials in close proximity, and of course, the wingshooting and training areas are also closer. The Bushveld, Natal, and Free State trials are within 3 hours drive, the Border trials are about 8 hours away.

In addition to the upland birds, SA has an excellent population of ducks and geese, in relatively mild conditions. We have some very big geese – the Spurwing Goose weighs in at 12- 22 lbs! The versatile dogs do fine in the water in our temperatures, particularly in the Western Cape, where temperatures rarely get much below freezing. There is also world class pigeon shooting throughout the country, and large populations of wild Guinea Fowl that may be walked up, driven, or worked with pointing dogs if you are lucky enough to split the flock up and get them into some cover. The average SA wingshooter chases a wide variety of birds, so our dogs have to do it all. They are often hunters as well, and many dogs are used on occasion for blood tracking.

Buck/antelope are everywhere and you just cannot have a dog that chases or it won’t be doing much bird hunting. Neither will you if the farmer sees it! Some of the buck can be dangerous if cornered, and a warthog or bushpig is extremely dangerous and can easily gut a dog.

Snakes can be a real problem in the summer, but we don’t do much field work in the summer. I haven’t seen a snake in a trial yet, and only twice when hunting. In the central and northern part of the country, pythons can be a problem, and the rinkhals (spitting cobra) is as well. There is a danger in the field, but people do try to stay out of it when it is hot and the snakes are active. A bigger danger are the snakes that come into your yards – not so bad where I am, but really bad in some areas. The dog decides to protect his property and gets nailed. I’ve heard of pythons going into a kennel to take a pup!

Trudi

[Trekmoor]

Trudi, that was fascinating! I found myself wishing I could be there. My sister lived for some years in S.A. and was always trying to get me out there too. I stayed where I was because for me nothing could equal working the pointers on the Scottish grouse moors.

You asked about British H.P.R. ( hunt-point-retrieve) trials. I have competed in and judged a few of these. Where hard mouth is concerned I belong to the camp that does not like it or excuse it. I moved from labradors to H.P.R.'s and was horrified at how many of these breeds were hard mouthed. The judges 20 years ago were inclined to let hard mouthed dogs continue in a trial, some of them even won and were of course bred from. Something had to be done for in Britain hard mouthed dogs are not usually welcomed on shooting estates, our breeds were getting a very bad name. The trial rules were not changed but they were tightened up on.

The K.C. sent out observers, these were mainly spaniel and retriever judges. They attended our trials and reported back to the K.C. on the possible inadequecies of the H.P.R. judges. No longer was hard mouth tolerated, our judges had to fall into line with the standards expected of lab. triallers and spaniel triallers. Personally I thought this was a good thing. Hard mouth is being very slowly bred out of our breeds. The hard mouthed dogs don't often win now and are no longer so freely bred from.

Thankyou again for your info on S.A. trials, it always interests me to hear how others do things and maybe to amend my own thoughts on dog training and trialling.

Bill T.

[bhulisa]

In the US, on open and amateur stakes, dogs are severly penalized for even moving a foot, relocating aon flush to turn and mark the bird is not the "great job" that standing dead still.

Hotpepper-

In our Pointer trials, on the flush or shot the dog should not move other than to sit or drop - no forward movement. A little more leeway is given in the HPR trials, where the dog may move to mark the bird better if it is unsighted behind a tree or bush at the shot. But the dog does have to stop in a reasonable distance, just enough to get around the obstacle to have a clear view.

Trudi

[Hotpepper]

Great stuff, I want to download some of the pcitures and save them to my dogd disk. Man have I got a lot of stuff on there. Will be good to add to it.

What are the titles that are achieved by the dogs. Here they are FC ()field Champion, AFC Amateur Field Champion, NFC National Field Champion, NAFC obvious and those are AKC.

American Field and the 1 hour stakes are designated as NFC and champion, 10 X champion would be 10 winner and runner ups.

NSTRA or National Shoot to Retrieve and marked with the number of times that have completed the points for an additional championship designate.

You guys would be in summer now, correct? When do you run the trials and how is the weather when you do.?

Pepper

[bhulisa]

Pepper,

You guys would be in summer now, correct? When do you run the trials and how is the weather when you do.?

Yes, we are in our summer now.

Trials are run mid May - early August. You can get very hot temperatures at our trial in May or you can get cold rain. The later trials can be very cold; at the Border it can be snowing or sleeting. In August, the weather is warming up some and it can be very hot and dry at the late Bushveld trials.

What are the titles that are achieved by the dogs. Here they are FC ()field Champion, AFC Amateur Field Champion, NFC National Field Champion, NAFC obvious and those are AKC.

FT Ch title can be acheived in either Pointer trials or HPR trials, no number to designate the number of times champion. The Pointer system also has a National Championship, so a Nat FC can be acheived. To date we have not run an HPR National Championship, but who knows in a few years maybe.

Trudi

[bean1031]

The Francolin Swainsons looks like a blue pheasent and the crested partridge looks like a large bob white quail!