The following is a written account of the Picnic Trial Rules and Procedure as they currently exist. They are not intended to be an updated version.
Purpose
The philosophy of the VIRC Picnic Trial has been developed as a tool to provide members with a setting that, as closely as possible, resembles a CKC licenced field trial. As we are well aware, our trained dogs respond differently in a competitive atmosphere where there are no training tools in use, there is a judge behind the line, gamebirds are used, a gallery is in place, multiple holding blinds, and a marshal is present. For these reasons, a picnic trial is designed to provide as realistic as possible trial atmosphere for the competitor and their dog. For members who are new to the sport or have limited exposure, it also provides an experience that will give insight to the level of nerves they may have at a licenced event and how their dog may react under these circumstances that are unique from training.
Another consideration of what a Picnic Trial offers, and is of benefit to the Club, is the exercise in educating and practicing judging skills, developing an understanding of the marshal responsibilities, gallery placement, and the other organizational tasks that are required at a licensed event, albeit on a much smaller scale.
Historically VIRC has provided points and ribbons for placements in Puppy, Junior, Qualifying, and Open Stakes. The points are totaled from January to November and trophies are awarded at our annual general meeting recognizing the top dogs in each stake. These annual trophies are held in high regard and have names engraved with the best of the Club dog and handler teams since 1964.
The final Picnic Trial of the year is a Christmas fun event called “The Christmas Olympics”; this day is reserved for a fun celebration for members of the Club and their guests.
Guidelines
At the beginning of each year the Picnic Trial schedule is created and distributed to the membership via the newsletter and AGM. The schedule includes the rotation of members who will share the judging and marshalling duties. Generally, the Picnic Trial is held on the 2nd Sunday of each month however, when the Field Trial and Hunt Test season begins (April-October), the Picnic Trial dates are adjusted to avoid conflict with licensed events.
Rules
The basic rules of a Picnic Trial are mirrored from the current “Retriever Field Trial Rules and Regulations” with some * notable exceptions. Each Picnic trial will have one Judge and a Marshall.
Eligibility
All members and their dogs are eligible to attend Picnic Trials. Females in heat are excluded from entering.
Non-members may attend two Picnic Trials but will be considered “out of contention” and will not receive ribbons or points (passed by membership January 14, 2014 AGM.) Concurrent entry by a non-member should result in a membership for their next attended Picnic Trial.
Procedures
The use of e-collars, training aids, or threatening gestures, or equipment to steady a dog is not permitted.
All dogs should be given the opportunity to run as many of the tests as time and circumstances allow, and if completing the tests in a satisfactory manner, shall be awarded certificates of merit.
To the extent that time permits judges, especially in minor stakes, should be generous in their callbacks to additional series. Minor stake judges shall also invite Amateurs who have been eliminated from the competition to run additional series for experience, if time allows. No dog should be eliminated from further competition unless it is the consensus of the judge that it would be impossible for the dog to place in the stake, even though its work in all preceding series was perfect.
*In the Open Stake four dogs entered constitutes eligibility for points and ribbons. The entry fee is $15. An Open Stake should consist of one set of land marks, a land blind, one set of water marks, and water blind. An honour is at the discretion of the judge.
* In the Qualifying Stake three dogs entered constitutes eligibility for points and ribbons. The entry fee is $15. The Qualifying Stake is limited to five wins at which time the dog will be moved up to the Open Stake. A Qualifying Stake consists of one set of land marks, a land blind, one set of water marks, and a water blind. An honour is at the discretion of the judge. The Qualifying tests should carry a lesser degree of difficulty than the Open tests.
*In the Junior and Puppy stake one dog is sufficient for eligibility to earn points and ribbons. The entry fee is $10 for Junior and Puppies Stakes are free of charge. A Junior Stake is for dogs between six months and two years of age. The Junior Stake consists of two sets of land marks, and two sets of water marks; Junior marks are typically doubles. Water marks will take place only if weather and time permit. Singles can also be used if time and grounds are prohibitive. A Puppy Stake (for puppies up to six months) consists of two single marks on land and two singles marks in water.
SPORTSMANSHIP
9.1 Code of Sportsmanship (from the CKC Retriever Field Trial Rule Book)
9.1.1 Sportsmen always consider as paramount the welfare the dogs.
9.1.2 Sportsmen commit themselves to values of fair play, honesty, courtesy, and vigorous competition, as well as winning and losing with grace.
9.1.3 Sportsmen refuse to compromise their commitment and obligation to the sport by injecting personal advantage or consideration into their decisions or behavior.
9.1.4 The sportsman judge judges only on the merits of the dogs and considers no other factors.
9.1.5 The sportsman judge treats all handlers, trial officials or any other person present in any capacity at the event with courtesy, respect, dignity and impartiality
9.1.6 The sportsman refuses to compromise the impartiality of a judge.
9.1.7 The sportsman respects the bylaws, rules, regulations and policies governing the sport and conforms to the spirit as well as the letter of the rules.
9.1.8 Sportsmen find that vigorous competition and civility are not inconsistent and are able to appreciate the merit of their competition and the effort of competitors.
9.1.9 Sportsmen welcome, encourage and support newcomers to the sport.
9.1.10 Sportsmen respect the history, traditions and integrity of the sport
9.1.11 Sportsmen refuse to embarrass the sport or themselves while taking part in the sport.
9.1.12 Sportsmen are concerned with the behaviors of all involved in the sport.
9.1.13 Sportsmen take responsibility for their actions.
9.1.14 Sportsmen exhibit respect for the officials
9.2 Unsportsmanlike Conduct
9.2.1 It shall be deemed unsportsmanlike conduct if a person during the running of or in connection with an event abuses or harasses a judge, handler, trial official or any other person present in any capacity at the event.
9.2.2 Any participant, including any person serving in any capacity at an event who displays unsportsmanlike conduct or who is seen to kick, strike or otherwise roughly manhandle a dog while on the grounds of a Retriever field trial at any time during the holding of the event, may be expelled from the Picnic Trial.
9.2.3 The judge shall also have the authority to expel a handler from a trial if they observe unsportsmanlike conduct on the part of the handler or see the handler kicking, striking or otherwise roughly manhandling a dog while the event is in progress. It will be the duty of the judge to report promptly to the Picnic Trial Chair or Secretary and may result in the expulsion of a handler.
*9.2.4 The club shall investigate, at once, any instance of alleged unsportsmanlike conduct on the part of any participant, including any person serving in any capacity at an event, or any report that a handler has been observed kicking, striking or otherwise roughly manhandling a dog. If the Club, after investigation, determines that a person is in violation of this section, and that the incident, if proven, would constitute conduct prejudicial to the spirit of the picnic trial the club may exercise their authority to penalize the member from entry to future picnic trials.