Retriever Trial Rules
All rules stated below will be in effect for the remainder of the 2007/2008 Super Retriever Series. The Super Retriever Series is a made-for-television event. All decisions made by the tournament director and/or tournament officials will be final in all matters. The tournament director and/or tournament officials may make a change to these rules when the safety of a competitor or team is in question.
We are judging the "teams" ability to:
1. Handle all test & trial scenarios
2. Marking & Memory
3. Line/Blind Manners
4. Control
Basic Rules
• Retriever will walk at heel, off of lead, to and from the line.
• Handler will signal when ready to judges before each test begins.
• Handler is not to touch his or her dog after the ready signal, within reason.
• Hand, voice, or whistle commands may be utilized by the handler at the line.
• Handler will not point out wingers prior to a mark being thrown.
• Training aids will not be permitted on the event grounds. This includes collars, transmitters, whip, prods, canes, and treats.
• Upon completion of each run (if designated) the team will proceed, to honor the following retriever. You are being judged, and deductions will be added if negatives are assigned.
• The use of hand, excessive voice, or whistle commands will not be permitted when honoring.
• The handler should consider the judges as a hunting companion, and may ask questions, but this does not relieve the handler of his responsibilities of the marks.
• The handler must carry, and aim the shotgun in a safe position. YOU MUST TRACK, AND AIM AT THE (BUMPER/MARK) AND FIRE. "Please make this look as realistic as possible."
• Judges' decisions are final. There is no governing body for appeals.
• Dogs in season are not allowed to compete in events
• Should a competitor attempt to bring a dog in season to the line, that team will be immediately disqualified and the handler and all dogs will be barred from competing for the remainder of the year including the Crown Championship
5 Point Major Faults
• Controlled Break - Retriever moves across the line before being cast
• Whistle Refusal - Retriever does not respond to handlers sit whistle all casts will be preceded by a "sit whistle"
• Avoidance - Handler does no attempt to challenge the test set fourth by the judges
• Handle to the Area - Retriever has to be handled to the area of fall on a mark
• Leaving the Area of Fall - Once the Retriever has made the area of fall/AOF, the retriever is expected to hunt within the AOF until the bird has been picked-up
• Wandering - Retriever is allowed to wander/hunt outside the area of all.) (Unnecessary disturbance of cover--This penalty may also be applied if a retriever is out of site for an extended period of time
• Bird out of Order - If judges should deem the order in which the birds shall be retrieved
• Re-Cast - Retriever has a "no-go", and must be sent/cast again
• Excessive Verbal Commands - handler is intimidating towards the retriever
• Unsafe Gun Handling - Handler uses gun in a manner that threatens the safety of those around him/her
• Excessive Vocalization - A retriever is expected remain quiet at the line
• Handling Box Violation - Handlers are expected to handle the retriever from within the boundaries of the box
2 Point Minor Faults
• Whistles - every whistle before a bird has been picked-up with the exception of a "come in" whistle which shall be judged as a cast)**(All casts will be preceded by a "sit whistle")
• Cast Refusals - Retriever must improve their position to the target whether a mark or blind retrieve) All casts will be preceded by a "sit whistle"
• Unsteady - A retriever is expected to remain still--other than repositioning to view a mark as well as expected to walk closely, and calmly at heel to the line-- Commonly referred to as creeping, and or forging to the line)
• Popping - A retriever turns to the handler for help-prior to a whistle being blown)
• Poor Line - A retrievers line to a mark or blind is untrue)
• Poor Gun Handling - A handler is expected to operate the gun in a safe, and comfortable manner)
These penalties may be applied in succession depending on the severity of the error.
Automatic Disqualification
• Uncontrolled break
• A retrieve of a poison bird out of order
• Sportsmanship unbecoming
Mandatory Competitors' Meeting
All competitors are required to attend the competitors' meeting the night before the competition begins. At this meeting, they will draw numbers to determine their running order and will be required to sign an indemnity and liability waiver. If a competitor draws two consecutive numbers, SRS Officials will place them strategically to keep the test moving.
SRS Scenarios
An SRS Event is a hybrid event. We have nothing set in stone on distances. There are no parameters on where a bird will fall in hunting scenarios, so we don't back ourselves in on anything like that.
• The longest mark ever in a SRS was a true 535 yard single.
• Lots of short birds at 3 feet.
• Lots of blinds on boats, in boats, from boats, from blinds, some at 400 with outgoing diversions, some at 15 yards.
• We have thrown at least one "quint" - 5 birds without a delay. We have had just about everything imaginable at one point or another.
Dress Code
• All handlers must wear attire suitable for national television.
• All handlers should wear a green or tan shirt with a collar. Button-up shirts are preferred.
• Camouflage or white coats cannot be worn.
• Handlers may put reasonably-sized sponsor names or logos on shirts or caps.
• Pants should be some form of slacks, or brush pants; no blue jeans, please.
• Jackets may not be worn, unless there is inclement weather. In the event of inclement weather, please have a suitable jacket that is neither white nor camouflage.
• "The Line" bring proper footwear - be ready for anything.
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