Field Trials

What Is a Field Trial?

For pointing breeds like the GSP, field trialing is a sport in which dogs compete against each other to demonstrate their ability to search for, find, point and retrieve birds back to their handler. Dogs are run in pairs called a "brace". Depending on which competitive category (stake) is entered, each dog is judged on specific abilities and then ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. There may be up to six stakes offered at a field trial for both amateur and open classes. Successful placements earn the dog points toward a Field Champion or Amateur Field Champion title. Although some clubs host walking field trials, the Nutmeg club's field trials are conducted on horseback. Judges, handlers, scouts and gallery are all mounted except in the amateur puppy and derby stakes where the handler must walk. Please see the AKC pointing breed field trial history, test procedure manual, and field trial rules for a more in-depth explanation of this sport.

Nutmeg German Shorthaired Pointer Club, CT, Field Trial, Dog, Horse

Where Are Field Trials Held?

All of our filed trials are held at the Dr. John E. Flaherty Field Trial Area on Tromley Road in East Windsor, CT. It is a 500 acre managed wildlife grounds owned by the State of CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and maintained by the Flaherty Field Trial Clubs Association specifically for these types of events.

From North or South, take Route I-91 to Exit #44 (Route5). Turn Right at end of exit onto Route 5. Go about 1 mile to the light at Tromley Road. Turn Left onto Tromley Road. Continue approximately .9 miles to the Flaherty Field Trial Area entrance on the left. There is no Postal address, but the driveway is located immediately west of house number 85.

GPS Coordinates: N 41.90352 W 72.59758

Interactive Map

Aerial View

Wildlife Management Map

Nutmeg German Shorthaired Pointer Club, CT, Field Trial, Dog, Horse, Bird, On Point

Next Field Trial Event

Please see below and the event calendar for our next field trial date. A complete listing of all field events held at Flaherty and other CT field trial areas can be found on the CT DEEP website.

Event Secretary

Questions and inquires should be directed to the field trial event secretary, Stephanie Ellars.

Premium

The entry forms for field trials are called "premiums" and will be posted here when they become available.

Field Trail Premium November 1-3, 2024 PDF

Running Order / Brace Sheets

Dogs are run in braces (pairs) and in a specific order based on how they were chosen in a lottery drawing of all entries. Brace sheets will be posted here as soon as possible after the lottery, which is usually held on the Wednesday evening prior to the filed trial.

Nutmeg Field Trial Running Order 11/1/24 FRIDAY
Nutmeg Field Trial Running Order 11/2/24 SATURDAY
Nutmeg Field Trail Running Order 11/3/24 SUNDAY
Nutmeg Field Trial Running Order All Three Days 11/1/24 thru 11/3/24 - PDF

Results

Results of the field trials will be posted here when they become available.

September 2023 Regional Grand Open Limited Gun Dog Championship Results and Field Report
October 2022 Field Trial Results
April 2021 Field Trial Results
November 2019 Field Trial (Event Cancelled)
November 2018 Field Trial Results
April 2018 Field Trial (Event Cancelled)
April 2016 Field Trial (Event Cancelled)
November 2015 Field Trial Results
April 2015 Field Trial Results (No Event Held)
November 2014 Field Trial Results