Our Acting Field Trial Secretary is Derek Whitfield. If you have any questions about working your Vizsla, then Derek will be happy to help.

Email: whitfieldvizslas@aol.com

Tel:01455 846108

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Shot Over Day

The HVC have organised a shot over day for novice dogs and handlers on 21st January 2012.

The day will be held at Tooley Park Farm, Peckleton, Leicestershire, LE9 7RF. Spaces will be very limited so early booking is essential, the cost for the day is £30 and it is hoped each pairing will get to hunt, point and retrieve at least a brace of pheasants.

If you are interested please contact Derek Whitfield on 01455 846 108.

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Report on the HVC Training Days

A brief report of our sucessful training days can be found by clicking on the "Training Days" tab above.

Field Trials have developed to test the working ability of Gundogs in competitive conditions. Trials resemble, as closely as possible, a day's shooting in the field and dogs are expected to work with all manner of game, from rabbits and hares, to partridges and pheasants. For the Breeds which hunt, point and retrieve (HPR's), the trials are designed to test the ability of the dogs to quarter the ground systematically in search of quarry, to point game, to flush on command, to be steady to flush, shot and fall, and to retrieve tenderly to hand on command from both land and water.

 

 

Gundog Working Tests

The first sort of competition most people enter will be a Gundog Working Test. These competitions are for members of the organising club only, and are designed to test good, sound, gundog work and encourage dogs' natural working ability, but do not involve shooting live game. Work instead is done with dummies, and these friendly competitions are a natural extension of the training you will already be doing with your dog. It is difficult, however, to assess pointing through artificial tests and there are limitations to how this can be done in a Gundog Working Test.

 

The Hungarian Vizsla Club organises both field trials and gundog working tests and details can be found on these pages.

If you are new to working your dog, or fancy trying your hand at training for gundog work, then you may find Margo's Blog(on these pages) an interesting and useful read. Our Secretary is currently training her young bitch, Tara, having had no prior experience of training a gundog for field work. She will be writing regular updates as training progresses, with all the trials and tribulations she encounters along the way.

Working test in aid of GSP Rescue and the Polymyositis fund.

Congratulations to Rachel Herbert who organised a highly successful Charity Test of Work at Grange Farm, Over Worton, Oxfordshire, by kind permission of Mr Richard Schuster; all proceeds to be equally split between GSP Rescue and the HVC Polymyositis Fund.

Rachel writes:

“Well what a day. We had tremendous support from the working community and drew a record entry of 100 dogs, 20 in puppy, 48 in novice and 32 in open! This meant that I had to draft in extra judges so the final line up was Chris Guest judging puppy, Nigel Dear and Ray Davies judging Novice and Keith Scattergood and Penny Simpson the open dogs. Poor Peter Guest then had the mammoth task of judging all the dogs at water; no mean feat!The day was kind in that we had only one little shower and the rest of the day was overcast and breezy but dry. The members of the shoot had helped by erecting the tent for us and we set up the tests and put out all the signs on the Friday and Saturday; once again Mark the keeper put us up and looked after us brilliantly. Also many of the beaters from the shoot gave us their invaluable help on the day by stewarding and dummy throwing; we couldn’t have managed without them!

It was wonderful that Louise and Chris were able to come and spend the day with us and they bought along Archie, a PM pup, so everyone could see why we were doing this. They sold all the raffle tickets and educated a lot of people, many thanks to them. Also due to the huge entry we had set the tests on the easier side, otherwise I think we would have been finishing in the dark; as it was we were doing the awards by 5.10pm. Mr Richard Schuster kindly gave the awards and we are so grateful for to him for allowing us to use his lovely grounds; he said to me at the end that we need to think what we can do to be ‘bigger and better’ next year!

While we were doing the ‘totting up’ our nephew Christopher ran a scurry to keep everyone amused; we awarded a small cash prize and this was won by Paul Boosey with Debian Dietrich in a fantastic 32 seconds. Ruby Field once again did a sterling job of judging the conformation and I must also praise Graham and Rosemary Frost for once again providing the catering. I think the ‘chilli jackets’ sold right out, always popular!

Puppy results were: 1st Alsziv English oak, handled by Spencer Digby; 2nd Vizellven Ocean Zanta and M Jones; 3rd Harrigoss Talulah (HWV) and Lucy Apps; 4th Galilean Moon and M Grobelny. In Novice: 1st Sanjon Aramis (GSP) and Jon Roberts; 2nd Warrendown Angel (GSP) and Allan Hoyle; 3rd Daxpack Thornbird and Ped Barnard; 4th Willidaw Mischief and Jeannie Smith.

Open results were: 1st Seehof Englacey at Swifthouse (GSP) and Madge Simons; 2nd Huwling Dragonfly (GSP) and Simon Kirby and Seehof Finesse (GSP) and Jennifer Hurley; 4th Swifthouse Crusader (GSP) and Jennifer Hurley. A joint second was awarded as their marks were identical so couldn’t be split!

Just for fun Richard and I added up the top three scores in each test for all the breeds and came up with the following: overall first were the GSPs with 1060; but a very close second with 1046.5 were the vizslas, proving that they are starting to be equal and sometimes beat the far more numerical GSPs at this game! Third were the GWPs followed by HWVs; the other breeds did not have enough dogs in each test to really score. Maybe this will spur them to make more of a representation next time?

I am still waiting for a invoice for the loo and a few small payments to come in but it looks like we have raised approx £500 for each cause. I had thought it was nearer £600 but had omitted to deduct the bill for the catering, and hadn’t accounted for the loo (a real necessity with over a hundred people on site) so apologies to anyone that I told this figure to. Still I feel that this is a really good result and hope the funds will help in raising awareness of both issues. Will we do it again next year? Looks like we don’t have a choice...see you there, same weekend, same place 2012!

 

HVC Training Days – 27 March & 9 April 2011

The HVC recently held 2 training days for novice handlers as an introduction into working their Vizslas on a shoot, working test or field trial. 12 Vizslas and their handlers attended either one or both days and hopefully all have learnt something and more importantly enjoyed the days.

Both days were held on Tooley Park Shoot in Leicestershire and a special thanks should be given to the owners, the Draycott family, for allowing us free range over the shoot and the use of the shoot’s lunch hut for refreshments.

The trainers were Penny Simpson, well known in Vizsla circles, Geoff Thompson, a very experienced handler and respected in GSP circles and Derek Whitfield, Acting HVC Field Trial Secretary.

The weather on both days has been extremely kind to us, especially on the 2nd day when we had glorious sunshine all day.

We started both days with a demonstration by Geoff Thompson and his 10 months old GSP, Max. All those present were astounded by his ability to stop at distance on the whistle and his prowess on retrieving both seen and blind dummies.

After this we were split into 3 groups with Penny teaching hunting, Geoff teaching retrieving and Derek teaching basic obedience and also explaining the working of the shoot and how we beat with our dogs through woodland. Some handlers were treated to a visit to one of the laying pens holding some of the more exotic pheasants.

The trainers felt that all of the dogs had some degree of ability and felt they could all progress and be a credit to their owners so hopefully this will just be a start to their working careers.

Also thanks to Queenie Whitfield for providing some delicious cup cakes.

A total of £435.00 has been raised for the Polymyositis Fund.

Details of all upcoming field trials and working tests will be posted here when finalised.

Further information can be had from the Field Trial Secretary.

 

Many other breed clubs regularly run working tests and field trials, and useful information on these can be found on the following website:

www.hprftinfo.co.uk

 

The Hungarian Vizsla Club

Field Trial Standing Instructions 2009/10 KC No 1278

All trials will be held under the Kennel Club Rules and Field Trial Regulations. Copies of these can be obtained from the Kennel Club, 1 Clarges St London W1Y8 AB.

All Field Trials are for breeds which Hunt, Point and Retrieve and are restricted to 12 dogs. Substitutions will not be accepted.

Entry Forms: These can be had from the Field Trial Secretary.

Entries: These must be with the FT Secretary by the closing date stated for each trial. In Novice trials only one entry per owner will be accepted in the first instance. First choice dog should be indicated on the entry form. Entries for second dog will only be accepted if there is less than the prescribed number of runners for the trial or to complete the list of reserves. Where dogs are in joint ownership, two dogs may be entered in the draw providing a different handler handles each dog .If a partnership enters one dog then the partner shall be permitted to make a separate entry for a dog registered in their single ownership.KC Reg.J.8.b.(5) Should circumstances so dictate the HVC in consultation with the judges may alter arrangements as necessary.

Definition of member: Members are those that are fully paid up. Non members include those applying for membership or whose membership has lapsed and have not been before the committee for consideration.

Entry Fee: HVC members £22; non members £30.
Completed forms should be sent to the FT Sec by the closing date on the entry form with the correct fee. Entry fees will be destroyed to anyone drawing a reserve place, or is unable to run providing reasonable notice is given and a reserve can be substituted. (unless otherwise requested)

Draw: The draw will take place at the home of the FT Sec at approx 7.00pm on the dates listed. Competitors are invited to attend and may telephone between 7.30 and 9.pm for the results during the evening of the draw.

Stakes:
Novice: confined to dogs which have not gained the following awards prior to the closing date:

Priority in the draw will be given to HVC members, followed by non members.

All Aged: Preference in the draw will be given to dogs which have gained 1st, 2nd or 3rd in a Novice stake, with priority to HVC members with vizslas, HVC members with other breeds, then non members.

Meeting and Start Time: Competitors should report to the chief Steward by 8.45am. All field trials will start at 9.00am unless otherwise stated. The trial will be deemed to have commenced when the chief steward calls competitors and Judges together and makes his/her introductions. Reserves will be substituted for absentees at advertised start of the trial.

Young Dogs: Entries will not be accepted from dogs under twelve months old on the day of the trial.

Prizes: As listed against the Stakes. In the event of a 1st prize not being awarded, the trophy awarded at a Field Trial will be presented to the highest placed dog-excluding Cof M winners. The trophy is not to be engraved with the name of the dog or handler UNLESS a first place is awarded. Trophies will not be won outright.
FT Committee of the day will be appointed from the FT Committee and/or HVC members familiar with the FT rules and regulations.

Logistics: Directions will be sent with running order. All persons attending the trial do so at their own risk and must consider themselves under the control of the Judges and officials at all times. Only dogs entering the competition should be brought to the ground. Competitors may only exercise dogs on a lead in the prescribed area. No bitches in season on the ground.

Lunches: Competitors must make their own arrangements for lunch.

Liability: Neither the Hungarian Vizsla Club not the Host of the meeting will accept liability for any accident, damage, illness or injury to dogs, owners, handlers, spectators or any other person or property whatsoever. A full risk assessment will have been undertaken and will be pointed out to all involved.

Competitors should make themselves aware of KC Rules (J) Regs

Our secretary, Margo Robertson, has competed regularly in Obedience and Agility competitions over the last 20 years or so, firstly with Alsatians and then with her Vizslas, Teal and Tara.

However, Margo has recently found a new challenge for herself and Tara, and has begun training her to the gun.

This is a completely new venture for Margo, having no experience at all of training a gun dog. She has kindly agreed to provide a regular "blog" about the joys (and otherwise!) of her experiences- perhaps she will inspire others to do the same.

Read Margo's latest blog.

Previous blogs:

Number One.
Number two.