RETRIEVING TRIAL RULES UPDATE

[Peter Butterfield]

Posted on behalf of National RAFT Chairman Paul Littlejohn...

RULES UPDATE

Well after a very long and drawn-out process the Rules for Retrieving Trials for Gundogs have been completed, ratified and released. Please read the document.
I have the NRAFT to thank for the effort to obtain what is believed to be a set of rules that can work for both COLD and ARTIFICAL trials.
Where States are forced by law to move away from cold game the variation which is summarized below will not be too great but still have the essence of what was developed some 70 years ago.
The rules are a work in progress and as such NRAFT expect there will be the need to amend and change rules, if done in the correct manner it will ensure that the retrieving sport will foster and improve.
I must thank the two Victorian delegates from the 2024 NRAFT who have worked continually to make this document possible.
The following is a summary of some of the changes, all of which you will find have been summarized on Page 5 of the rules but for ease I’ll list those changes impacting the rules for running of the trials here. There were a number of changes that were made to correct and update grammar and punctuation, simplify wording to plain English and there was the insertion of headings for clarity I will leave them out of this document as they have no impact on the rules.
Let’s get to the elephant in the room, Artificial Game, it was acknowledged at the National RAFT meeting that there is a necessity for rules using artificial game however the majority of the NRAFT delegates (voted upon by you the triallers) agreed that it should be run under a different set of rules. This has been achieved by Appendix A – Artificial Game Retrieving Trials for Gundogs. The key points are as follows
➢ Artifical Game may be used by a club within the following strict guidelines: -​
• No blending of traditional (cold) game and Artificial game on any run excluding diversionary items
• A club may choose to run all stakes on Artificial game including diversionary items
• The ‘Artificial game’ retrieving trial must be advertised accordingly
• Artificial game must be provided by the club
• A retrieving trial schedule and advertisement must indicate if Artificial game will be used.

➢ The retrieves are primarily the same however there have been some retrieves removed from the rules or amended to suit Artificial Game i.e. through or among decoys – all decoys shall be silhouettes

➢ Titles – any titles awarded on Artificial Game in 2024 will stand HOWEVER moving forward any titles awarded using Artificial Game will be identified with an AG i.e. NRDAG, Rt Ch AG

➢ Any title awarded on Artificial Game, on the winning of a trial on Cold Game at the level at which the Artificial Game title has been awarded that title can be amended to that of a Cold Game title i.e. NRDAG to NRD etc.

➢ Any dogs competing in Artificial Game trials with the relevant qualifications under the Retrieving Trial Rules for Gundogs 41 & 42 will be eligible to enter any Cold Game Championships

➢ A Championship cannot be run on Artificial Game – refer Retrieving Trial Rules for Gundogs 41 (c)

Moving on to the changes in Retrieving Trial Rules for Gundogs which for ease I’ll list in numerical order:

➢ 7 – (b) The relevant legislation applicable to Animal Welfare, Firearms and Game where the trial is held

➢ 8 – (b) Associate Gundog – a variety accepted by a Member Body as a Gundog (also refer 34)

➢ 8 – (l) Game – Grouse and Ptarmigan have been removed

➢ 8 – (r) Hide - An area clearly defined by the Judge in which to leave the dog. Where possible it is recommended that the Hide be part of the natural terrain or be constructed of natural materials

➢ 11 – NEW RETRIEVE (c) Bolting Rabbit – This will be when a rabbit leaves and area (Squat) and moved away quickly for a distance. The rabbit will be clearly visible to the dog for the majority of the travel of the Rabbit and will not be more than 60 metres from the dog. The dog if ordered to do so will then retrieve a fresh rabbit left int its stead. This is not a wounded game retrieve but be be the initial part of a wounded game retrieve. The retrieve is to be treated as a marked/sighted retrieve

➢ 19 – NEW RETRIEVE (b) A Triple Blind Retrieve shall consist of three separate blind retrieves. The items of game may be cast at different angles and may include land and water and must be separated in accordance with the specification in Rule 12. One retrieve must be at a short distance

➢ 28 – BLIND FIND RETRIEVE - ADDITONAL WORDING (JUDGING THE RETRIEVE) - A dog that holds the initial line provided by the handler all the way to the bird has demonstrated ultimate control. If further handling is required, then points should be deducted based on where they are given and whether they are obeyed.

➢ 30 – CHANGE TO MAXIMUM DISTANCE FOR A MARK IS NOW 130 METRES - The maximum distance for any mark retrieve will be 130 metres. The maximum distance for a Blind Retrieve will be 150 metres. In Novice Stakes and Beginners Stakes, runs shall not exceed 100 metres

➢ 34 – ASSOCIATE REGISTERED GUNDOGS WITH AN ORA TITLE CAN NOW COMPETE - Associate Registered Gundogs who have achieved an Open Retrieving Ability (ORA) title shall be permitted to compete in Retrieving Trials up to and including Restricted Stakes

➢ 35 – NEW RULE - A trial committee may elect to conduct any trial using cold or artificial game but not a mix of the two. The same types of cold game or replica game must be used for each dog completing the retrieves comprising a Stake

➢ 41 – NEW RULE – Championship Stakes (c) Must not include artificial game

➢ 42 – NEW RULE – National Championship Stakes (c) Must not include artificial game

➢ 52 -NEW RULE – (f) Before being eligible to judge a National Championship Stake that person must have completed, to the satisfaction of the Member Body, at least on (1) State Championship appointment

➢ 98 – NEW RULE (c) Place cards must be issued for all Stakes

➢ 109 – NEW RULE - The title of Retrieving Trial Champion (Rt Ch) may be awarded to a dog that has gained at least twelve (12) Championship Points in Retrieving Trials including a minimum of 6 points awarded in Stakes conducted on ‘game’; these may be awarded in any combination of points awarded in accordance with Rule 96.

Link to the updated rules effective 1/4/2025

https://dogsaustralia.org.au/media/1031 ... s-2025.pdf