Field Trials have developed to test the working ability of Gundogs in competitive conditions. Trials resemble, as closely as possible, a day's shooting in the field and dogs are expected to work with all manner of game, from rabbits and hares, to partridges and pheasants. For the Breeds which hunt, point and retrieve (HPR's), the trials are designed to test the ability of the dogs to quarter the ground systematically in search of quarry, to point game, to flush on command, to be steady to flush, shot and fall, and to retrieve tenderly to hand on command from both land and water.

 

 

Gundog Working Tests

The first sort of competition most people enter will be a Gundog Working Test. These competitions are for members of the organising club only, and are designed to test good, sound, gundog work and encourage dogs' natural working ability, but do not involve shooting live game. Work instead is done with dummies, and these friendly competitions are a natural extension of the training you will already be doing with your dog. It is difficult, however, to assess pointing through artificial tests and there are limitations to how this can be done in a Gundog Working Test.

 

The Hungarian Vizsla Club organises both field trials and gundog working tests and details can be found on these pages.

If you are new to working your dog, or fancy trying your hand at training for gundog work, then you may find Margo's Blog(on these pages) an interesting and useful read. Our Secretary is currently training her young bitch, Tara, having had no prior experience of training a gundog for field work. She will be writing regular updates as training progresses, with all the trials and tribulations she encounters along the way.

The Hungarian Vizsla Club held a working test on 31st May 2010.

Report by Rachel Herbert:

HVC WORKING TEST
GRANGE FARM, OVER WORTON, OXON
31ST MAY 2010

This year saw us at a new venue and with it came a change in weather - for the last few years we have been a bit unlucky in the weather department but this year we had perfect weather for a working test, dry all day, a light breeze and just enough cloud that dogs and handlers weren’t sweltering in the heat. Our hosts Richard and Jenny Schuster enjoyed themselves immensely and spent some time walking round and spectating, then later awarded the prizes.
We had a replacement judge for novice as Penny Simpson was hospitalised due to an unfortunate accident, so Jim Field stepped into the breach, this meant that Richard Herbert had to take over as Chief Steward for the day. I am sure we will be joined by everyone in wishing Penny a speedy recovery and we all hope to see her out and about soon.
After a few years absence we once again had Graham and Rosemary Frost doing the catering, and superb it was, and we would like to thank them for all their hard work, by the small amount of left over’s I am sure it was all appreciated.
Ruby Field once again did a sterling job of the conformation all afternoon and had a lot of people wanting their dogs assessed, this is always a popular part of the day. Ruby and Jim had a terrible loss recently when their lovely young bitch Deepthatch Lexi was run over and killed whilst Jim was assessing the ground for the test. Ally Bamford, who is a dear friend of theirs and has helped and stewarded for us for many years, kindly donated a cup, the Jim & Ruby Field Llexi cup, to be awarded to the highest placed GSP in open, in her memory. The presentation proved a bit emotional and I am sure we all feel for Jim and ruby. Unfortunately Royal Canin declined to sponsor us for this event so the club had to purchase the prizes this time, so they had to be limited to the winners only.
For the first time we had 2 potential Championship show judges attending, this was to fulfil the new KC requirement of attending a working event, either a field trial or open working test. Anne Knight and Helen Sutton spent the day with open judge Allan Hender, and both commented on how helpful Allan was, and how interesting they found the day.
With a large entry of 88 dogs we had to keep the day rolling along smartly and we had a super band of helpers from the beaters and Mark, Karen and Molly, the keeper and his family. None had ever attended such an event before but all really enjoyed the day and want to do it again. Comments from most competitors were that it was a super ground, they all enjoyed the day and we had no complaints at all. We had a slightly later finish than we had hoped for but by 6pm we were making the awards. We had an entry of 24 vizslak in total so it was lovely to see some of them in the awards.

Puppy, Judge Larry Wilks (19 Entries, No Absent).
1st Seehof Englacey at Swifthouse (GSP)   Madge Simons
2nd Normbar Bruichladdich   (GWP)  Ian Thorneycroft
3rd  Moricroft My Choice  (HWV)   Michael Caine
4th Seehof Finesse    (GSP)    Jen Hurley
Highest Placed HV   Prettypoints Bod   J Singh

Novice,  Judges Sue Hender & Jim Field (46 Entries, 10 Absent)
1st Debian Dietrich   (HV)  Paul Boosey  
Highest Placed HV  In Novice  & Highest Placed HV In Test
(This couple live in central London and have 2 small twins so just goes to prove that there is no excuse not to get out there and do it!)
2nd Arany’s Evi   (GLP)  Brenda Moss
3rd  Russetmantle May At Daxpack  (HV)  Ped Barnard
4th Andiamo Braken ‘S Beauty  (GSP)    A Bishop

Open,  Judge Allan Hender  (24 Entries, 2 Absent)
1st Wirewolf Goshawk   (GWP)  Graham Jack
2nd Jennaline Ello Jibble  (GSP)   Jo Izard  
Winner Of The Lexi Trophy
3rd Kenocto Bremen    (GWP)  Ian Thorneycroft
4th  Blenheim Sweet Lady Of Bastillian   (Weim)   N Wroe
Highest Placed HV  Kizvarda Karoly  (a very estactic!) Lynn Eales

Details of all upcoming field trials and working tests will be posted here when finalised.

As the position of Field Trial secretary is currently vacant, further information can be had from the Club Secretary.

 

The Hungarian Vizsla Club

Field Trial Standing Instructions 2009/10 KC No 1278

All trials will be held under the Kennel Club Rules and Field Trial Regulations. Copies of these can be obtained from the Kennel Club, 1 Clarges St London W1Y8 AB.

All Field Trials are for breeds which Hunt, Point and Retrieve and are restricted to 12 dogs. Substitutions will not be accepted.

Entry Forms: As the position of Field Trial secretary these can be had from the Club Secretary.

Entries: These must be with the FT Secretary by the closing date stated for each trial. In Novice trials only one entry per owner will be accepted in the first instance. First choice dog should be indicated on the entry form. Entries for second dog will only be accepted if there is less than the prescribed number of runners for the trial or to complete the list of reserves. Where dogs are in joint ownership, two dogs may be entered in the draw providing a different handler handles each dog .If a partnership enters one dog then the partner shall be permitted to make a separate entry for a dog registered in their single ownership.KC Reg.J.8.b.(5) Should circumstances so dictate the HVC in consultation with the judges may alter arrangements as necessary.

Definition of member: Members are those that are fully paid up. Non members include those applying for membership or whose membership has lapsed and have not been before the committee for consideration.

Entry Fee: HVC members £22; non members £30.
Completed forms should be sent to the FT Sec by the closing date on the entry form with the correct fee. Entry fees will be destroyed to anyone drawing a reserve place, or is unable to run providing reasonable notice is given and a reserve can be substituted. (unless otherwise requested)

Draw: The draw will take place at the home of the FT Sec at approx 7.00pm on the dates listed. Competitors are invited to attend and may telephone between 7.30 and 9.pm for the results during the evening of the draw.

Stakes:
Novice: confined to dogs which have not gained the following awards prior to the closing date:

Priority in the draw will be given to HVC members, followed by non members.

All Aged: Preference in the draw will be given to dogs which have gained 1st, 2nd or 3rd in a Novice stake, with priority to HVC members with vizslas, HVC members with other breeds, then non members.

Meeting and Start Time: Competitors should report to the chief Steward by 8.45am. All field trials will start at 9.00am unless otherwise stated. The trial will be deemed to have commenced when the chief steward calls competitors and Judges together and makes his/her introductions. Reserves will be substituted for absentees at advertised start of the trial.

Young Dogs: Entries will not be accepted from dogs under twelve months old on the day of the trial.

Prizes: As listed against the Stakes. In the event of a 1st prize not being awarded, the trophy awarded at a Field Trial will be presented to the highest placed dog-excluding Cof M winners. The trophy is not to be engraved with the name of the dog or handler UNLESS a first place is awarded. Trophies will not be won outright.
FT Committee of the day will be appointed from the FT Committee and/or HVC members familiar with the FT rules and regulations.

Logistics: Directions will be sent with running order. All persons attending the trial do so at their own risk and must consider themselves under the control of the Judges and officials at all times. Only dogs entering the competition should be brought to the ground. Competitors may only exercise dogs on a lead in the prescribed area. No bitches in season on the ground.

Lunches: Competitors must make their own arrangements for lunch.

Liability: Neither the Hungarian Vizsla Club not the Host of the meeting will accept liability for any accident, damage, illness or injury to dogs, owners, handlers, spectators or any other person or property whatsoever. A full risk assessment will have been undertaken and will be pointed out to all involved.

Competitors should make themselves aware of KC Rules (J) Regs

Our secretary, Margo Robertson, has competed regularly in Obedience and Agility competitions over the last 20 years or so, firstly with Alsatians and then with her Vizslas, Teal and Tara.

However, Margo has recently found a new challenge for herself and Tara, and has begun training her to the gun.

This is a completely new venture for Margo, having no experience at all of training a gun dog. She has kindly agreed to provide a regular "blog" about the joys (and otherwise!) of her experiences- perhaps she will inspire others to do the same.

Read Margo's latest blog.

Previous blogs:

Number One.
Number two.