Retriever Trial Rules

All rules stated below will be in effect for the remainder of the 2008/2009 Super Retriever Series.  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 team or the integrity of the Super Retriever Series 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.
• 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

10 Point Faults - Updated for 2009
• Avoidance - A handler does not attempt to challenge the test set forth by the judges.
• Controlled Break - A retriever leaves before showing steady.
• Handle to the Area - A retriever must be handled to the area of the fall.

5 Point Faults - Updated for 2009
• Excessive Creeping - Retriever moves across the line before being cast
• Excessive Verbal Commands - handler is intimidating towards the retriever
• Excessive Vocalization - A retriever is expected remain quiet at the line
• 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
• Popping - A retriever turns to the handler for help-prior to a whistle being blown
• Re-Cast - Retriever has a "no-go", and must be sent/cast again
• Unnecessary Disturbance of Cover - This penalty may also be applied if a retriever is out of site for an extended period of time
• Unsafe Gun Handling - Handler uses gun in a manner that threatens the safety of those around him/her
• Wandering - Retriever is allowed to wander/hunt outside the area of fall.
• Whistle Refusal - Retriever does not respond to handlers sit whistle all casts will be preceded by a "sit whistle"

2 Point Minor Faults - Updated for 2009
• 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"
• Handling Box Violation - Handlers are expected to handle the retriever from within the boundaries of the box
• Poor Line - A retrievers line to a mark or blind is untrue)
• 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)
• 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")

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 receive the running order and will be required to sign an indemnity and liability waiver.

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.

Amateur Qualifications - Updated for 2009
• Handler must not receive monetary compensation for retriever training.
• Handler cannot have been a professional retriever trainer within the last 3 years from the start date of the event.
• A professional retriever trainer may not be listed as owner or partial owner of a dog in competition.
• Handler must be listed as owner or partial owner on certificate of the dog in competition.
• Handler must own/owned the retriever in question a minimum of 6 months prior to the start of the event.
• An Amateur may run the dog of an immediate family member provided all other qualifications are met

Dress Code - Updated for 2009
• All handlers should wear attire suitable for National television.
• If a "white coat" is used by the judges in the field in a marking and/or blind scenario, then it is at the handler's discretion to also use a "white coat/shirt" while handling in that scenario.
• If handlers are required to operate from a "blind" (boat blind, ground blind, or stationary blind) then camouflage must be worn by the handlers during that series. Patterns typically used in a "snow environment" will not be allowed.
• Handlers will wear black, and or tan in all other testing scenarios.
• All caps and hats must be harmonious with the sporting lifestyle.
• Because you and your retriever may be tested in standing water, waders are recommended.

Other Rule Changes - Updated for 2009
• Entries are "open" to unlimited number of dogs
• Although both Professionals and Amateurs will run the exact same tests together, the Professionals will only compete against the Professionals and the Amateurs will only compete against the Amateurs
• 24 dogs will go to the Semis/3rd series. Top 12 Pro. scores and Top 12 Am scores
• 12 dogs will go to the Finals/4th series. Top 6 Pro. scores and Top 6 Am scores.
• More than 24 dogs for the semifinals and 12 dogs for the finals will move on if there are ties.
• Running order will be generated automatically 5 days prior to the event.
• The top 3 Professionals and top 3 Amateurs from each qualifier will advance to the Crown Championship
• The Crown Championship will have one winner in the retriever venue.
• The top 3 Professionals and top 3 Amateurs positions from each qualifier will receive $5500 for 1st, $1500 for 2nd, and $500 for 3rd. The remaining entry fees will be added to the Crown Championship pot with 10% reserved for the Avery Sporting Cup Champion and 5% for the Avery® Triple Crown.

Judge Requirements
SRS judges must be looked upon as knowledgeable and trustworthy and be in good standing in the hunting and retriever communities.

Scratch Policy - Updated for 2009
Entry fees will be refunded only if you can provide a vet slip to the marshal or other official prior to the competition.