Working Test Program 2024
The preferred method of entry and payment is via FTMS at https://www.fieldtrial.info/
Entry fees are £10.00 per dog per Test, and £12.00 per dog for the Walked-Up Test.
Paper entries will be accepted with the relevant payment attached – cheques should be made payable to URC Hants & SW. The draw will be emailed to competitors unless a Stamped Address Envelope is included.
Paper entries should be sent to Judy Venables, URC(H&SW) Working Test Secretary, 49 Ladysmith, Gomeldon, SALISBURY, Wiltshire SP4 6LE. Only fully paid-up members of the URC, including those from other Areas, are eligible to enter URC Tests
As a general principle late entries will not usually be accepted.
Except for the definition of the Junior Handler Working Test, the definitions given below are taken from the URC Working Test Definitions/Regulations which can be found at the back of the Yearbook and which are, in turn, based on the Kennel Club J Regulations which govern the conduct of Field Trials and Working Tests.
OPEN WORKING TEST – SATURDAY 23 MARCH 2024
LOCATION: BISTERNE, RINGWOOD
CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES: SUNDAY 17 MARCH 2024
Open - Definition: Preference in any draw will be given to dogs of members which have qualifications and which make them ineligible to run in any other category of test. Preference in the draw will be given to Host Area members.
Note: URC(H&SW) members are reminded that our teams for 2024 team competitions will be selected from the top dogs in this Test. In addition, the 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd place award winners, regardless of which URC Area they are a member, will be eligible to be nominated for the England Retriever Team selection process. This Test will only be run with a minimum of 20 entries.
NOVICE DOG/NOVICE HANDLER, INTERMEDIATE, VETERAN AND JUNIOR HANDLER WORKING TESTS - SUNDAY 21 APRIL 2024
LOCATION: TO BE CONFIRMED
CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES: SUNDAY 14 APRIL 2024
Novice Dog/Novice Handler - Definition: (Unclassified). Neither dog nor handler to have won any award, including COM at a Field Trial, or 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd or Reserve in an Open or All-Aged Working Test or 1 st in ANY Working Test.
Intermediate - Definition: (Unclassified). A dog of any age not having won:
a) A 1 st in any Intermediate, Open or All-Aged Working Test;
b) A 1 st , 2 nd or 3 rd in any Field Trial.
EXCEPT for a Novice Dog/Novice Handler Field Trial where 1 st only would be
excluded.
Veteran - Definition: (Unclassified). Open to all dogs aged 8 years of age or over on the day before the test is run.
Junior Handler – Definition: (Unclassified). No written definition. Open to dogs of any standard but restricted to the handler being 17 years of age or under on the day of the test.
PUPPY, SPECIAL PUPPY AND NOVICE WORKING TESTS - SUNDAY 19 MAY 2024
LOCATION: KNIGHTON, SALISBURY
CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES: SUNDAY 12 MAY 2024
Puppy - Definition: By age. A Puppy is any dog which is less than 18 months of age on the day of the test.
Special Puppy - Definition: (Unclassified). By age. A Special Puppy is any dog which is less than 24 months of age on the day of the test.
Novice - Definition: Any dog of any age not having won:
a) A place or COM at a Field Trial
b) A 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in any Open Working Test
c) A 1st in a Novice Test (A 1st in a Puppy Stake or a 1st in a ND/NH is discounted for this purpose).
OPEN WALKED-UP WORKING TEST ON FIELD TRIAL LINES – SATURDAY 10 AUGUST 2024
LOCATION: INPARK FARM, CATTISTOCK
CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES: SUNDAY 4 AUGUST 2024
Open - Definition: Preference in any draw will be given to dogs of members which have qualifications and which make them ineligible to run in any other category of test. Preference in the draw will be given to Host Area members.
This is a classified Test and numbers will be limited to 24 dogs.
MAJOR COMPETITON TEAM DATES FOR 2024
INTER COUNTIES TEAM COMPETITION – SATURDAY 20 APRIL 2024
LOCATION: STORRINGTON, WEST SUSSEX
This is an invitation-only event which, in 2024, is being hosted by Arun & Downland Gundog Society having won this competition in 2023. The Team of 3 dogs/handlers will be selected from the top dogs that are owned by Hants & SW
Area members in our Open Test on Sat 23 Mar 24. Travelling expenses are paid.
SHERBORNE RETRIEVER TEAM CHALLENGE – MONDAY 27 MAY 2024
LOCATION: SHERBORNE, DORSET
As we are not guaranteed a run in this 4-dog team event there will be no specific team selection day. However, if you would like to be considered as a team member for Sherborne, are available on that day and have an Open level dog,
please register your interest with Judy Venables: tel.07745 746207 or jvenables@testvalley.net. A team will be selected taking into consideration the current form and results of the dogs. Travelling expenses are paid.
SOUTHERN INTER-CLUB MATCH – SUNDAY 16 JUNE 2024
LOCATION: ISENHURST, KENT
The Team for this Match consists of one Open level dog/handler, one Novice level dog/handler and one ND/NH level dog/handler. Team members are selected from the highest scoring dog owned by a Hants & SW member in our Open and Novice
Tests, and the highest scoring dog (other than if placed 1 st ) owned by a Hants & SW member in our ND/NH Test. Travelling expenses are paid.
URC AREA FINALS – SUNDAY 30 JUNE 2024
LOCATION: SNOWSHILL, CHELTENHAM
The Team for the URC Area Finals consists of 3 Open level dogs owned by Hants & SW members and are selected from those who enter our Open Test, plus a Reserve. In 2024 the event is hosted by URC (Border Counties & Cotswolds).
Travelling expenses are paid.