Events

The German Shorthaired Pointer Club run a number of events throughout the year for those people that work and show their GSPs.

Field Trials

Field trials take place during the shooting season which commences on the 12th August and ends on the 1st February.  The GSP Club organises a full programme of trials each year and these take place up and down the Country.  They are run in accordance with Kennel Club Rules and Regulations and consist of Novice Stakes, All-Aged Stakes and Open Stakes.  Two first prizes in Qualifying Open Stakes gives a dog the coveted title of Field Trial Champion.

Shows

The GSP Club organises one Championship Show and two Open Shows annually.  The Championship Show is generally held in June and the two Open Shows are normally held in April and October.  They are run in accordance with Kennel Club Rules and Regulations.  Three Challenge Certificates at Qualifying Championship Shows gives a dog the coveted title of Show Champion.

Pointing Tests

Spring Pointing Tests were first introduced to the HPR Group by the GSP Club in 1983 and later Guidelines were formulated and agreed as to how they should be run.  They are not competitions, their aim being to test and grade the natural working ability of HPRs on open ground, assessing ground treatment, hunting and pointing.  As such they do not need to be licensed by the Kennel Club.

Spring Pointing Tests take place in March and April when partridges are pairing up prior to nesting.  Grouse Pointing Tests are also held in some parts of the Country either in the spring when the birds are pairing or in early August just prior to the start of the shooting season.  Separate Guidelines for Grouse are in operation.

Working Tests

Many people, particularly those who do not come from a shooting background, begin competing with their dogs in Working Tests.  These are held out of the shooting season, usually between the end of February and the beginning of October.  They are organised by all the HPR Breed Societies and in particular by our individual Branches/Groups.  Schedules for working tests can be obtained from Branch and Group Secretaries and other HPR Societies throughout the summer.  There are usually Puppy, Novice and Open Classes and sometimes Intermediate categories such as Graduate or perhaps a class for anyone who has never competed in a test before.