by Diane McCann » Wed 26 Oct 2011 7:41 pm
Brett, the rules for utility gundog field trials were altered at the last rule change to allow for a handler, at time of entry, to nominate that they will use a shooter. The reason for the rule change was, in the main, to broaden the range of handlers able to be competitive in this sport to more than just very good shooters (who clearly also need to be very good dog handlers and have very good dogs), so that the sport may have more appeal and a longer life.
Not everyone was in favour of the change, and I am sure that there are some competitors who would still prefer that the change had not been passed, but in the whole it has been well received and I personally have benefited enormously by being able to compete with my dog. My lack of shooting skills would definitely have made my dog uncompetitive. Luckily for me there are plenty of handlers willing to shoot, very accurately , over my dog!
I can certainly understand why some judges and handlers are not thrilled with the change, as there is nothing better than watching a talented 'team' of dog and handler in the field with each of them upholding their end of the deal - and although I am unlikely to ever get there, this is to what I aspire.
I am not sure if the same rule applies to the other field trial disciplines Brett, and while it may not be exactly what you were referring to, we have made a step in that direction and thus opened our sport up to a wider range of potential compeitors.
Diane