FIELD TRIALS FOR POINTERS AND SETTERS IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND AND THE IRISH KENNEL CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP FOR POINTERS & SETTERS

The following information provides an outline of Field Trials for Setters and Pointers in the Republic of Ireland. Further details can be obtained from the Irish Kennel Club www.ikc.ie

CATAGORIES OF COMPETITION

There are a number of different categories within which dogs may compete at Setter and Pointer trials. Entry to some trials is governed by age and others by qualification or breed.

Puppy Stakes: Youngsters born the preceding calendar year can enter puppy classes. Since this incorporates a 12-month time scale there can be huge differences in the maturity of the youngsters depending on whether they were a January pup or a December pup. The winner of a puppy stake automatically qualifies for entry in Open stakes and is thereafter not eligible for Puppy or Novice stakes.

Novice Stakes: Dogs that have not yet qualified for Open but are too old for the Puppy stakes enter the Novice stakes.

Breed/Restricted Stakes: The Breed clubs can run a trial restricted to dogs from their own breed, which is not restricted by age or qualification.

Open Stakes: Entry to Open stakes is through qualification. To qualify for entry to an Open stake a dog needs either a 1st, 2nd or 3rd (excellent) in either a Puppy or Novice stake. A first in an All Aged or Breed stake, or two seconds in an All Aged stake will also qualify a dog for Open. The qualification lasts for two years and must be maintained if the dog is to be eligible for Open stake competition after the two-year period has expired. In order to maintain Open stake qualification a dog must either win an Open stake or get two seconds in Open stakes. In addition a first in an All Aged or Breed stake, or two seconds in an All Aged stake will also maintain the dog's qualification to compete in Open stakes.

Judging Classifications for Open Stakes

The system of judging at Irish Setter and Pointer Open stakes provides the judges with the opportunity to make awards for 1st, 2nd or 3rd place within one of three classifications: Excellent, Very Good or Good. Points are awarded depending on the level of the award and its classification as follows:

· 1st Excellent 4 points - also called a Green Star

· 2nd Excellent 3 points

· 3rd Excellent 2 points

· 1st Very Good 3 points

· 2nd Very Good 2 points

· 3rd Very Good 1 points

· 1st Good 1 points

· 2nd Good 0 points

· 3rd Good 0 points

The points accumulated contribute towards a dog becoming a Field Trial Champion.

Field Trial Champion

In order to become a Field Trial Champion a dog must accumulate 12 points in the following manner:

· Under different judges

· Including at least one 1st Excellent and one or more 2nd or 3rd Excellent

· A dog may not be made up with single points only

· A dog must get a 1st, 2nd or 3rd in the show ring in either a Field Trial class, Limit, Graduate or Open.

International Field Trial Champion

If a dog becomes a Field Trail Champion in more than one country it becomes an International Field Trial Champion.

The Championship

In many ways the Champion Stake is run along the same lines as an Open stake except that dogs are required to qualify in order to enter. In order to be eligible to compete in the Champion Stake a dog must have won a first in an Open Stake, which would qualify them for life. There are a number of differences to Open stakes including the appointment of three judges, as opposed to two, and the event being run over two days as opposed to one. If the winner of the Champion Stake is awarded 1st excellent they automatically get 12 points and become a Field Trial Champion. The Champion Stake is organised by Tom Dunne the Setter and Pointer Field Trial Secretary of the Irish Kennel Club.

The Puppy Derby

The Puppy Derby is every year prior to the Champion Stake and the same judging classifications are used for it as are applied to Open stakes. As a result if the winner is awarded a 1st excellent they qualify to compete in Open as well as the Champion Stake.

TRIAL PERIODS

The following information provides an indication of the trial periods and locations but more detailed information can be obtained from either the Kennel Club or the various Setter & Pointer Clubs. Generally Irish Field Trials are run over weekends as opposed to circuits of one or two weeks as they are in England and Scotland

Irish Spring Trials on Grouse

Spring Trials on Grouse are run from February until the 31st March. They are always held on heather hill.

Irish Summer Trials on Grouse

Spring Trials on Grouse are run from 20th July until the 31st October, although they generally finish with the Irish Championship at the end of August. They are always held on heather hill.

The Irish Championship

The Championship is held over the last weekend in August.

Irish Autumn Trials on Pheasant, Partridge & Snipe

Autumn Trials on Grouse are run from the end of August until the 31st October. They are generally run on sugar beet, stubble, heather or rushy bog.