2012 Korthals Cup Rules | Entry Form

AWPGA Korthals Cup 2012

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2012 AWPGA Korthals Cup Test Entry Form

The American Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Association’s Korthals Cup is to recognize and award the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon who demonstrates the highest level of abilities in field and water in a friendly competitive event. It will be judged on a competitive basis in a natural setting using a standard of performance. The dog with the highest cumulative scores in field work will advance to compete in the water series. The overall event winner will be the dog with the highest combined score from all series. The Korthal’s Cup is divided into two series: Field and Water.

Entry Prerequisite
The 2012 AWPGA Korthals Cup entry requirements will be limited to dogs who have completed one of the following:

American Kennel Club (AKC) Master Hunter title
Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) Field Dog Excellent title
North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA) Utility Prize II or Prize I
NAVHDA Versatile Champion.

Entry Requirements
Entry to the Korthals Cup will be for current American Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Association members only. Entries will be limited to the number of dogs which can run in daylight hours. Entries will close when the limit is reached if this occurs prior to the closing date and time. Bitches in season may be entered. In season bitches will run at the end of every series. Every effort will be made to find a suitable bracemate or bye dog. Only plain buckle collars to be worn by entered dogs. Hunter orange hat and/or vests must be worn while in the field by all participants.

Judges
Each series, Field and Water, will be scored by two well qualified judges. The decisions of the judges shall be final with respect to the running and placement of the dogs and in all questions concerning the merits of the dogs. Full discretionary authority is given to judges to withhold any placements.

Prizes
The overall event winner will be the dog with the highest combined score from all series. Placements will be awarded first through fourth place. A Gunners prize, Judges Award of Merit and special prizes may be offered.

Field Work

Purpose
Dogs will be expected to search, find and point birds staunchly, be steady to wing, shot and fall and on command retrieve promptly and tenderly to hand. They will also honor their bracemates point and retrieve. Dogs will be judged on a competitive basis and will simulate as nearly as possible the conditions met in a natural hunting situation using a standard of performance. Dogs earning top scores in field work will advance to the next series: Water

Field Work
Dogs will be run in braces with handlers hunting together as a team for a minimum of 30 minutes over typical hunting terrain. Dogs will be provided opportunities to find and handle game properly which may include “stop to flush” situations. Braces will be run on a designated course with a minimum of 4 to 6 chukar partridge planted throughout the course for each brace. During the field search the handlers will carry an unloaded, break-open shotgun. On flushed birds the handler will close and swing the gun as if shooting. Two experienced gunners will accompany the handlers into the field.

Scoring
Each dog will be judged by two qualified judges on foot. They will use a scale point system from 0-10 (10 being the highest score possible) in each category in field work. Those categories are as follows:

Search
Dogs must show an eager, keen desire to hunt and have sufficient independence to demonstrate not only intelligence in seeking objectives but the ability to find game.

Pointing
Pointing shall be convincing, intense and productive.

Steadiness
Steadiness shall be displayed on all pointed game. Dogs shall demonstrate steadiness throughout the flushing sequence; flush, wing, shot and fall and shall remain steady until commanded by it’s handler to retrieve or to continue to search. Manners, stop to flush, expected on all wild flushes.

Honoring
Honoring is expected upon observing a brace mates point, without command from its handler, and remains steady throughout the retrieve.

Retrieve of Shot Game
The retrieve shall be quick, direct and willingly delivered tenderly to hand.

Cooperation
Dog must show a willingness to work for his handler at all times.

Desire to Work
Each dog is expected to demonstrate a determination in all his work. He should show a firm, determined enthusiasm and persistence to get the job done.

Nose
A dog must display he has a high-quality nose and show he knows how to use it to find game. He should make evident intelligent use of the wind and the capability to positively locate game.

Water Series

Purpose
The water series will be comprised of a natural heeling course into and out of the water retrieve area, honoring a working dog retrieve and retrieving a double mark. The water series will be judged on a competitive basis and will simulate as nearly as possible the conditions met in a natural hunting situation using a standard of performance. This competitive water series will only be for those dogs that have advanced from the field work and will further put to the test the merits and abilities of those dogs. The overall event winner will be the dog with the highest combined score from all series.

Water Series-Sequence Order
Heeling In
Honoring
Double Marked Retrieve
Heeling Out

Heeling In-
The handler will heel his dog off leash, when instructed by the judge, on a clearly marked natural path of approximately 35-50 yards to a designated area on the shore by a blind. The handler will carry an unloaded, break-open shotgun. This is a test of practical obedience. Dogs must demonstrate control and calmness while walking by its handler’s side to the blind.

Honoring-
A retrieving dog will be positioned on the shore to retrieve a marked double. The handler of the honoring dog will position his dog in a sit, down or standing position, approximately 18-20 yards from the retrieving dog, outside a blind. The honoring dog’s handler will be positioned in the blind. On signal from the judge the retrieving dog’s handler will fire one blank shot for each bird thrown for a total of 2 shots. The honoring dog is expected to remain steady by the blind through the retrieve of the first duck. Once the working dog has retrieved the first marked retrieve, the handler of the honoring dog may quietly leash his dog before the working dog is sent for the second marked retrieve. The honoring handler and dog must remain steady and quiet for the working dog’s completion of the retrieve and remain by the blind until the working dog has heeled out of the area.

Double Mark-
The double marked retrieve will represent a real hunting scenario where two ducks are shot and the dog is sent for the retrieve of each. The body of water should be of swimming depth. There will be six decoys spread near the line, but not in line with the marks. The handler will heel his dog from the honoring blind to a designated area on the water’s edge. Once positioned, the handler will be given two blank shells.
On signal from the judge the first mark will be thrown into open water at approximately 60 yards from the dog and handler. While the duck is in mid-air the handler will swing and fire one blank shot at the duck. Shortly after the first duck hits the water the second duck will be thrown approximately 30 yards (60 degrees between birds) from dog and handler. While the second duck is in mid-air the handler will swing and fire one blank shot at the duck.
Once the dog has demonstrated absolute steadiness to fall, the handler will send the dog to retrieve the second duck down. Once the dog has retrieved the duck, the handler will hand the duck to the judge, reposition the dog if needed and sends the dog to retrieve the first duck down. Both ducks must be retrieved to hand. Handling the dog to the duck is allowed but a dog that completes the retrieves efficiently with minimum handling will be scored more favorably. Handlers may not physically handle the dogs to position. Upon completion of both retrieves the handler, after a few brief moments to allow the dog to shake, will heel the dog out of the area.

Heeling Out-
The handler will heel the dog off leash on a clearly marked path of approximately 35 to 50 yards, away from the water retrieving area. The handler will carry an empty break-open shotgun. The handler may give one quiet heel command. This is a test of practical obedience.

Scoring
Two experienced judges will score each dog in the water series on a scale point system from 0-10 (10 being the highest possible score) in each category of the water series. The water series categories are as follows;

Heeling In/Out
A dog must exhibit a calm obedient demeanor while walking by the handler’s side.

Obedience
A dog must show a willingness to obey and follow the handler’s commands at all times.

Cooperation
Dog must show an eagerness and passion to work for his handler at all times.

Honoring
The dog is expected to quietly remain steady and in position during thrown birds, shots fired and for the duration of and completion of a working dog’s delivery of a duck to hand. The dog must show reliability and control while honoring a dog working.

Steadiness
A dog must display absolute steadiness during and after the shot, during and after the duck is thrown and lands on the water. The dog must exhibit absolute steadiness before being sent for a retrieve.

Steadiness at Blind
The dog must show reliability and control while honoring a dog working.

Desire to Work
The dog is expected to demonstrate a determination in all his work. He should show a firm, determined enthusiasm and persistence to get the job done.

Retrieve of Shot Game
The retrieve shall be quick, direct, willingly and tenderly delivered to hand.

Nose
A dog must display he has a high-quality nose and show he knows how to use it to find game, if needed. He should make evident intelligent use of the wind and the capability to positively locate game.