WHAAAT???? ME Field Trial My Vizsla!!

By Joan Heimbach

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Yes! You can and should consider it if you have an interest in taking your vizsla afield!

Many CVVC members are unfamiliar with field trials and there is no time like the present – April 23, 24 and 25, to change that situation. Simply put, field trials are AKC sanctioned events in which purebred vizslas (spayed/neutered dogs may compete) demonstrate their natural talent for seeking and finding game birds. A full explanation of a field trial would be lengthy here, so let’s focus on the portions of the trial that are held especially to encourage entry level participants: the amateur walking puppy and derby stakes and amateur gun do .stakes. (A “stake” is a segment of the overall trial that is defined by age of dog and expectation of performance level.)

Amateur Walking Puppy - Open to VIZSLAS ONLY

This stake is for dogs 6 to 14 months. (Dogs may not have reached their 15th month birthday by the first day of the trial, April 23rd. ) The young dogs are released in “braces” (2 at a time). The dogs are guided over a course by their handlers, who WALK; they do not ride horses. It is usually a 15 minute course. It is very much like a “Junior Hunter Hunt Test” with fewer rules. Birds may be present from other events and additional birds may be released on that day. The young dogs are expected to be energetic about seeking game, independent of their handler, and smart enough to look for birds in the right places as they cover the course. They are NOT required to find a bird, they are NOT required to point and NO GUN is fired if a bird is encountered. If they DO find a bird, they are allowed to chase it from here to the horizon – which, in fact is expected!

What are the judges looking for? They look for an energetic juvenile dog that runs with enthusiasm and independence from its handler and seeks game in the places where birds would naturally be found.

So this is a total “no-brainer” for owners who love to run their dogs in fields, woods and wide open spaces. The puppy can do no wrong, in essence. (Although fighting or aggression is never allowed and a dog is “picked up” or eliminated from competition if this occurs.) The only caution is that too much playing or interfering with the brace mate (other dog) would be reason for the judges to have you put your dog on a leash and cease competing. However, the judges usually give you a caution first and you are encouraged to separate your dogs and put some distance between them and continue on.

The winner of this stake will take home the Saul Himmelfarb Memorial Trophy and hold it until the next field trial.

AMATEUR WALKING DERBY – Open to all Pointing Breeds

This stake is for dogs 6 to 24 months. (Dog may not have reached its 2nd birthday by April 23rd.) Again, the dogs are released in pairs. It is usually a 20 minute course. In this stake however, it looks very much like AKC Junior Hunter in that the dog MUST find game and MUST point a bird to receive a placement. The handler MUST fire a blank pistol when the birds are flushed. The dog does NOT have to be steady to wing and shot. In fact, the point must be a solid, intentional point, but if the dog breaks, it is okay after about 3 seconds of pointing. (A “flash” point is not acceptable.)

Again, if you have a birdy young dog that hasn’t reached its second birthday, this juvenile stake is for your pup!

What are the judges looking for? Judges want to see a dog that runs strong and boldly, seeks game, finds it and points it and is not gun shy. The winner and placements are given to dogs that show potential for becoming a high class bird dog as an adult.

Two questions are often asked:

1)  Which stake do I choose?

2)  Can I enter both?

The answer is: If your puppy does not yet point birds, then running in the Amateur Walking Derby might be good exposure, but unless your puppy decides to point that day, you will not be eligible to earn a placement. If your puppy has not been fired over, you should not do this for the first time at a field trial, so do not enter the derby. If your dog is under 15 months, it can be entered BOTH stakes if it points birds and is comfortable with the firing of a blank pistol.

Another question: What if I don’t have a blank pistol?

Answer: Our club has a “loaner pistol”. (This is commonly called a “blank” or “starter” pistol, and sometimes referred to as a “pop gun” but it is always a closed/solid barrel pistol. It must fire .22 caliber blank ammunition or equivalent. Some handlers use .32 caliber ammunition which makes a louder sound, more like a shotgun. The .32 caliber is not recommended nor seldom used in juvenile stakes, however it is not disallowed.)

AMATEUR GUN DOG – Open to All breeds

In this stake, horseback handling is allowed, which means you may handle your dog from horseback, and you can rent a horse by the brace from the wrangler, who brings horses to the event. HOWEVER, it is NOT REQUIRED that you ride a horse and you may walk and handle your dog on foot. The pace of the brace must accommodate the walking handler.

This is the stake for all vizsla owners who have aspiring Senior Hunters or Master Hunters! (They do not have to HAVE those titles to compete in a field trial; this refers to their level of training.) This stake follows a 30 minute course. It looks very much like AKC Senior Hunter Hunt Test. The dogs must show independence, run, and enthusiasm and must find game, point it and be steady to the flush. After the flush, the handler must fire a blank pistol. Then the handler may take the dog by the collar and move it forward on the course and release it to hunt again. (You may caution the dog as much as you wish, but understand the dog that handles with the least commands looks classier to the judges!) Your dog is also expected to stop to flush on wild flushes of game birds on course should they occur. Unlike a hunt test, your dog is not required to perform a back or honor UNLESS it finds itself in a position to do so. In other words, it may not refuse to honor if the situation presents itself. After the dog has shown intent to slow and honor it may be verbally cautioned. You may not restrain or collar the dog during an honor.

No retrieve is required in Amateur Gun Dog at the Spring 2010 Field trial. It is referred to as a “pop-gun stake.”

IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT…

These three events offer opportunities for CVVC Club Members to get their vizslas out – at various ages and at various skill levels. There will be CVVC members there to help answer your questions and advise you.

Everyone has had to take a “first step” somewhere in life and this is an ideal, comfortable opportunity for you to try out field trialing without going too far from home! Something you may not realize is the fact it costs approximately $6,000 to conduct a field trial such as the one our club holds. Events such as these are not readily available and we conduct only two a year. So much investment goes in to this event and this effort is made for members! While it is open to the public, we hope members will take advantage of this club sponsored weekend. Events like this fill up fast, so go get the entry form and send it along sooner rather than later.

BREEDERS, TAKE NOTE…

If you have puppy buyers who are not yet CVVC members or who might need a little encouragement with that wonderful pup you sold them, now is the time to contact them and suggest they participate! This article is available for email by contacting either Joan or Audra (contact information listed below). What better way to demonstrate the vizslas you bred are living up to their billing as “bird dogs.”

GET THE ENTRY FORM…

The “premium” or “entry form” will be available on the club website. www.ctvalleyviszlaclub.org

If there are any questions, please contact the Chairperson for Secretary for this event:

Audra Jaconetti FT Chairperson (508)885-0479

Deb Malachowski (401)884-2591

Even if you choose not to participate, it is a great event to watch and the club can always use volunteers. Contact one of the above individuals if you’d like to get involved.

SOCIAL HOURS

There will be a dinner on Friday night, as well as Saturday Night after the day’s running (included a raffle with great prizes.) All members are welcome to join us for these events which are priced nominally and always a good time!