Rules for the Challenge event are as follows:
Entry into the Event:
• This event is open to retrievers and all versatile gun dogs
• Entries are not considered valid until payment has been received and verified)
Dress Code:
• All handlers must wear attire suitable for hunting
• Blue jeans, flip flops, and bright color clothing are examples of unacceptable attire for handlers
• This event will include simulated real-life duck hunting and possibly upland hunting situations; all attempts should be made to dress accordingly
• Hip boots/waders are suggested, but not required
• Handlers may have reasonably-sized sponsor names or logos on shirts or caps
• Handlers may wear gloves and hats
Basic Rules:
• Retriever will walk at heel, off lead, to and from the line except in upland scenarios where the dog will be released to quarter; dogs will have no collar of any kind
• Handler is not to touch their dog after the ready signal is given to the judges
• Hand, voice, or whistle commands may be utilized by the handler at the line
• The handler should consider the judges as a hunting companion, and may ask questions, but this does not relieve the handler of their responsibility of picking up marks or blinds; furthermore, any judge or bird boy in the field will be considered part of the test
• Primer Loads will be used in all tests where shooting occurs on the line. Poppers will be used in the field along with live ammunition.
• Judges decisions are final. There are no appeals as there is no sanctioning body to appeal to
• Once a dog is cast from the line to retrieve a mark or blind, the dog may not be recalled and cast again unless directed to do so by the judges. Any dog that returns to the line prior to retrieval of a designated bird may be disqualified at the judge’s discretion
Automatic Disqualification:
• Failure to complete a series, including if a handler chooses to pick up a dog before completion of a test
* An uncontrolled break (dog breaks and is not recovered before retrieving the bird). Controlled breaks will be judged as a handle and penalized accordingly.
• Sportsmanship unbecoming of a handler, especially when the handler is interacting with judges, spectators, bird boys, workers, or any dog
• Intimidation, cruelty, or discipline, at any time, of a dog will not be tolerated
Further Description:
Hunting is a dynamic game, so any event designed to emulate a hunt can and will be dynamic as well. There are no set parameters on distance of marks or blinds.
Boats, hunting platforms, dog stands, pit blinds, layout blinds or dog blinds, and the like can and probably will be used at this event.
Failure to complete any event will result in automatic disqualification and the retriever will not be allowed to continue in the competition any further. As long as the retriever successfully completes the event, they will earn a score for that portion and can be considered a candidate for advancement
Scoring:
Marks and blinds: Judges will score each mark and blind separately. Retrievers will be scored between 0 and 10 for each mark and blind at the judge’s discretion. The winner and other placements will be determined by the highest accumulated scores from all series.