Smith Setters if my memory is correct were mostly AF Shooting Dog Stakes not Open All Age like at the Nationals .

I grew up going to field trials at the Foss Farm in Carlisle, Mass. We stayed on the Foss Farm with the Foss family. Those were the years!

Field trial Springers make great hunting dogs

I hunted all my NSTRA dogs that I trialed with. The NSTRA trials most closely resemble actual hunting. Dogs must point, back, retrieve, handle, and cover the ground well. Handlers must be afoot, with judges on a horse or four wheeler. I seldom saw a judge use a horse. I have heard of some people that said that their NSTRA trials were held on five acre fields. I have never heard, or seen anything like that. I started NSTRA trialing to give my dogs more bird work.

William, out here in the hinterlands, shoot to retrieve — NSTRA — trials were, in my (I’m sure biased) opinion, the lower form of field trial. Guys would nearly run to points (running not allowed)and they knew that if they got one good retrieve, they could pull out their bag of tricks to play the system and keep their dogs from being penalized for poor retrieves. I only participated in one trial and refused to participate again. It’s good to know that my experiences were not universal.

Ever participate in the National Birdhunter trials?

The idea of judging from anything other than a horse is blasphemous.

Yep AF trials and steeplechase horse races were the hobbies of the genteel southern gentleman :cool::whistle:

A judges job is to observe and evaluate. The dogs run is a critical part of this, as well as being steady to wing and shot, and backing when the opportunity arises. You CAN NOT adequately observe or evaluate a Field Trial dog's performance from the eye level of a golf cart or four wheeler. This can ONLY be done from the back of a horse. If you've ever competed in a walking trial, you know the judge on horse back often sees your dog when you can't and has a much better vantage point. The AKC kicked around the idea of allowing pointing dog trials to be judged from golf carts, etc. The concern being that it was becoming too difficult to find judges with horses. The concept was roundly rejected. They do allow judging from vehicles in Hunt Tests.

Congratulations to the 2025 National Champion Erin's Perfect Storm. Ran in the 1st brace on day 1 and had 7 finds.

Mr. Gordon, No, I never participated in the National Bird Hunters trials. I witnessed a couple around my area, but had the same feeling you did of the NSTRA trials.

Mr. Davis, While I preferred a judge to be on horseback in the NSTRA trials, they were few and far between in our area. The NSTRA trials I participated in were in open fields and the dogs were almost always within eyesight of the handler. I had a bird dog friend that judged and ran horseback dogs. He once one the championship for the red dogs. He was a pointer man. His name was Don Jones. Did you know Don?

William, I think we’re just subject to the individuals who run and foster the trials we participated in. I certainly did not mean to besmirch an entire organization over my experience. Glad to know your NSTRA experiences have been good.

No offense intended or taken. As they use to say, "I have no dogs in this fight". I haven't participated in an NSTRA trial in about fifteen years now.