A FIELD OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE
CVVC HUNTING DOG COMPETITION
SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 2010

CVVC Standing Field Trial Committee is pleased to announce the Club’s Hunting Dog Competition will be held Saturday, June 19th.

The event will take place as the first day of a weekend series of events, followed by the summer Fun Day on Sunday, June 20, Both events will take place on the main grounds at Flaherty Field Trial Grounds.

The Hunting Dog stakes are open to vizslas, only, over the age of 6 months.  It is exactly what it says, a hunting dog competition. It is done on foot and closely resembles an actual hunting experience or an AKC hunting test.  (The handler carries a blank pistol, as in a hunt test, to fire following the flush of a bird. A club pistol is available to entrants at no charge.) NEWCOMERS ARE ENCOURAGED!  The event is open to anyone, club member or guest, so spread the word to fellow vizsla owners.

It is designed for the great hunting companion, the birdy vizsla, the eager junior hunter, the active adult hunter, the retired gun dog that can still strut its stuff. 

The criteria for BOTH stakes are: the dog must be a companion to a foot hunter, must work in a forward pattern, independent of its handler but of common mind.  It must handle kindly.  It must seek objectives likely to hold game.  It must work within reasonable range to be effective to find and shoot game. It must demonstrate enthusiasm for its mission.  It must find game.  Judges are instructed to recognize the productivity of a dog, not only in quantity but in quality of finds (that is, not just birds in plain site, but the ones that have truly taken cover in the most wonderful of hiding places!)  Intensity of purpose is to be rewarded. And style.  Style:  the dog that points chest high tail immobile; the dog that bends over itself, pretzel-like as it catches scent behind itself  in mid-stride;  the dog that looks like a perfect right angle, with head lowered, caught at the bottom of its stride, frozen in place by the scent of its prey.  They are all beautiful to see…and will be what the judges will be looking for – as well as subject for handler conversations through out the day.

So what is the difference between Hunting Dog and Hunting Dog Excellent?

Well, in Hunting Dog, (HD),  judgment ceases at the flush.  So the HD dog is expected to be steady only until that point.  If the dog chases the flushed bird, it is not a mark down or a disqualification. Dog who have a Senior Hunter title, a Master Hunter title, a Field Championship or and Amateur Field Championship OR a first place in a field trial gun dog (broke dog) stake MAY NOT ENTER the Hunting Dog competition.

In Hunting Dog Excellent, (HDE), the dog is expected to show a more finished performance, including a retrieve.  In additional to all the hunting criteria mentioned above, the HDE dog must be steady to wing and shot: the dog may not break at the flush, and may not chase the bird when the starter pistol is fired.  Unlike a senior or master hunter hunt test evaluation, the HDE dog is NOT REQUIRED to demonstrate an honor (back), but must do so if the opportunity presents itself.  In other words, the dog may not ignore or “blink” its standing bracemate.  There is no penalty or mark down if the dog does not encounter an opportunity to back (honor.)  Further, the honoring dog may be collared during the honor, once the honor is established.  Likewise, any dog that has “stood” its bird through the firing of the pistol may be collared (controlled by the hand of the handler) away from the find and forward on the course.  The HDE contestant must also retrieve a shot bird on the course in the designated shooting area.

Dogs may enter one or the other, but not both competitions.

 “Professionals” may enter and handle dogs. So if you are a show handler, obedience handler, hunt test trainer, you are allowed to enter.  Remember, the spirit of this event is not “professionally competitive”, but intended for owners to show off the hunting skills of their vizslas in a friendly and encouraging atmosphere.

Handlers may handle additional dogs that they do not own. (So if you have a friend who can help you out, that is great!)

CVVC takes care to choose judges with actual hunting experience, either as a handler, a guide or members of hunting parties that use dogs.  They frequently are also hunt test judges.  They know their stuff. And they know our breed. We also choose judges who know this is not the field trial environment.

Winners in each stake receive a shadow-boxed first place ribbon and they take possession of a traveling trophy (plaque) to be held until the next event.  The winner’s name is engraved on the permanent, traveling trophy.  Rosettes also go to 2nd  through 4th places and awards of merit if appropriate.

So, are you getting even more excited to get your dog running? 

We hope to see you there!  Look for more information on our club website, www.ctvalleyvizslaclub.org.   You may also contact the Chair and Secretary of the event

Hunting Dog Championship Premium & Entry Form

Hunting Dog Championship Premium

 Connecticut Valley Vizsla Club, Inc.
Dr. John E. Flaherty Field Trial Area
Tromley Road,  East Windsor, CT

Saturday, June 19th , 2010

These are non-regular, non-AKC events.  No AKC points. 

Open to all handlers.   VIZSLAS ONLY, 6 months or older. Dogs may enter with either a litter registration number, AKC number or ILP number.  Bitches in season may run at the end of the stakes at the discretion of the committee.

Primary Closing is Tues, June 15, 2010 @ 6PM. Additional entries may be accepted if slots are available.  Drawing is not guaranteed unless entry received by closing.
Drawing will take place at:
FT Secretary’s home at 7:00 PM Tues June 15th, 2010

Checks payable to CVVC, Inc.

Entries must be sent to:
Amanda Tortora, 292 Woodland St, Bristol, CT 06010
(617) 571-7278 vizsla9208@gmail.com
Running Order will be posted at http://www.ctvalleyvizslaclub.org
On Wednesday June 16th 2010
Telephone inquiries for running order will be accepted.

• Submit a separate entry form for each dog, in each stake entered. 
• Include your telephone number and e-mail address on your entry.
• Incomplete or illegible entries will be returned to sender.
• Entries will be limited to the number of dogs that can be run during ALL available daylight hours.
• Overnight mailed entries MUST have signature waived.

STAKES, SCHEDULE, JUDGES AND ENTRY FEES

The event will start no earlier than 8:00AM and conclude when all dogs that may be run in daylight hours have completed the course

STAKES

• HUNTING DOG – Dog must hunt, point game.  Judgment ceases at the flush of the bird.  A blank pistol will be fired during bird work. Dog may not have a Senior Hunter title or equivalent achievement.  No first placements in a broke gun dog stake.  No extra credit awarded for steadiness to wing and shot.
• HUNTING DOG EXCELLENT  - Dog must hunt, point game, be steady to flush.  When working a bird to be shot and retrieved, dog may go with the shot.  While an honor is not required, if the situation arises, the dog must honor its brace mate on point.  Dogs may be collared off finds and collared while honoring a retrieve to avoid interference with the brace mate.  Dogs must stop to flush on wild flying game.  Quail or Chukar will be used for retrieve.
• Details and judging criteria available on the club website:    www.CTvalleyvizslaclub.org

COURSES AND BIRDS

• Stakes may run concurrently.  Depending on quantity of entries, levels may be run intermingled on the same course, with gunning only during Hunting Dog Excellent Braces. No bird field for hunting dog; bird field for retrieve in Hunting Dog Excellent.  Only official guns may shoot during retrieve.  A blank pistol shall be fired in bird work on course. Course will be 30 minutes.  All dogs will be handled on foot, no handling or scouting on horseback will be allowed.  
• Native game may be encountered; quail and chukar will be released. 

• Handlers and spectators are required to wear blaze orange vests in any stake where live ammunition is being used.
• No horseback handling or scouting is permitted in any stake

 COLLARS

• No more than two collars may be worn by the dog.  One must indicate top (orange) or bottom (yellow/green) dog.  AKC approved tracking collars may be used.   A bell may be used.  No other electronic devices may be worn by the dog or used by the handler, including but not limited to e-collars, GPS systems, “beeper” collars

PRIZES
First through fourth place awards will be made.  Winners in each division receive a shadow-boxed rosette and the dog’s name inscribed on a circulating plaque, held until the next running of the event.  Second through 4th places receive rosettes.  If awarded, rosettes will be given for Honorable Mention.

CVVC wishes to recognize the generosity of the following donors:

Hunting Dog Excellent
Rosettes & First Place Shadow Box
In Memory of  "Cedar" Szikra's Colsidex in Red, MH VC
Owned by:  Audra Jaconetti, Alessandra & Patricia Folz
Offered by: Barb Joyal & Sue Johnson

Hunting Dog
Rosettes & First Place Shadow Box
In Memory of "Amber" Hennagold Amber Scamper, SH
 Offered by Joan K. Heimbach

Additional Donors
Patsy Dahlinghaus, Copper Creek Vizslas
Kim Himmelfarb, Pekogait Vizslas
Richard & Debra Loomis, Windy Hollow Vizslas

FOOD
Food and beverages will be available for purchase at the club house.

WATER
There are no electrical or water hookups available on the FT grounds.  Anyone camping on the grounds must be self-contained.  Drinking water is available at clubhouse.  Water is also available on courses.

EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION 

Police, Fire, and Ambulance:  Dial 9-1-1
Level 1 Trauma Center:  Baystate Medical Center (413) 794-0000
Vet on Call (24 hrs):  Connecticut Veterinary Center (860) 233-8564

PLEASE NOTE
Your participation in this trial indicates agreement with the following Waiver of Liability:

I agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Connecticut Valley Vizsla Club, Inc., its members, board of directors, officers, agents, employees, instructors, volunteers and members from any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of action or liability of any kind whatsoever, for death, bodily injury or property damage caused in whole or in part by our acts, omissions and/or negligence of any of our agents, servants, employees or assigns, or brought onto the premises by us, our agents, servants, employees or assigns.

The right of indemnification granted above will exist irrespective of whether the acts, omissions and/or negligence of the Connecticut Valley Vizsla Club, Inc. or the acts, omissions and/or negligence of any third person or party, also contributed to the loss and will exist as set forth above in all circumstances except where the loss was caused solely as a result of negligence of the Connecticut Valley Vizsla Club, Inc.

• Travel with current health records on all animals.

• No refund for scratches
• One club owned starter pistol is available for use by members
• The 5 minute-to-the-line line rule will be strictly enforced.
• Stakes may be run concurrently.
• CVVC Hunting Dog Stake Committee reserves the right to rearrange the order of stakes to achieve a successful running of the trial, should conditions warrant.

CLUB OFFICERS

Richard Loomis– President ¨ Kim Karkut– Vice President
RValerie Mendizabal–Treasure ¨ Linda Morris–  Recording Secretary
Joan Toepke– Corresponding Secretary

HUNTING DOG STAKE COMMITTEE

Richard Loomis - Chairperson
Andrew Campbell, Patsy Dahlinghaus, Joan Heimbach, Deb Malachowski, Lisa Potts, Audra Jaconetti, Rich Loomis

Head Marshal 
Deb Malachowski

Offical Guns 
Audra Jaconetti

HOTELS

Best Western, I-91, Exit 45                                             860-623-9411
Holiday Inn Express, I-91, Exit 44                                    860-627-6585
Connecticut Motor Lodge, Manchester, CT                       860-643-1555
Red Roof Inn, I-91, Exit 47E                                            860-741-2571
Enfield Motor Inn, I-91, Exit 46                                        860-741-3636
Motel 6, 1-91, Exit 47E                                                   860-741-3685
Clarion Inn & Suites, I-91 Exit 45                         860-623-9411

* Suggest calling hotel to confirm acceptance of dogs.

DIRECTIONS
Follow I-91 to exit 44 (Rt. 5 South).  Stay on Rt. 5 South approx. 1 mile to the 4th traffic light.  Turn left onto Tromley Road.  Follow Tromley Road for approximately .9 mile and Flaherty Field Trial Grounds will be on the left.

PLEASE CHECK-IN WITH HUNTING DOG STAKE SECRETARY UPON ARRIVAL AT THE GROUNDS.