National Shoot to Retrieve Field Trial Association, Inc. (NSTRA) was conceived by a group of hunters in the late 1960s as a way to extend the normal upland bird hunting season from a few weeks to a longer period of time.
Their common goal was to foster the growth of walking style quality type field trials for all pointing breed dogs. Incorporated in 1978, NSTRA is a non-profit association with service to the members and sportsmanship as its goal.
Over the last 40-plus years, NSTRA has developed as an organization that sponsors field trials across the United States and Canada.
More than 1,000 local field trials are held annually for seasoned competitors and dogs as well as amateurs.
Points earned in these trials are accumulated to earn championships for the dogs as well as qualify them for regional and national competitions.
Judging seminars are held annually by instructors “who actually compete in our sport” to train our judges in a fair and consistent manner. The rules are easy to understand and points are scored for each find and retrieve, ground coverage, obedience and backing. Using this points system, the dog with the most points wins.
Depending on local weather conditions, trials are held all year long in various locations. People can check out your local trialing information on our website at www.nstra.org and click on NSTRA regions/all region schedules.
Trials are held either by clubs or individuals. Each region elects officers to make sure that all trialing is held to NSTRA standards. Seasoned members often take on the role of mentor for new members.
The Purina Endurance Classic is one of the national trials. This year, the trial will be hosted by the Iowa Gun Dog Club in Osceola from Sept. 9-12, at 1541 180th St.
Dogs qualify by earning points during a specified period. This trial will allow 128 dogs to compete in a unique format called “beat your brace-mate.” One of the most popular formats, each dog advances by out-scoring the other dog competing in their brace. Starting with 128 dogs, the trial is reduced by half though each round until the winning dog is produced.
Participants from all over the United States and Canada may attend this event and it provides for friendly competition and the opportunity to visit with and learn from other members. All trials are open to the public at no charge and spectators are welcome!
The field trial format consists of up to 32 dogs which compete in pairs. Dogs are blind drawn to compete in 30 minute “braces” to find birds which have been previously placed in the field. Each dog is scored on its ability to find and point the birds, retrieve the downed bird to its owner, cover the entire field, obey its owner’s commands, and honor a find made by its brace-mate. The scores are then totaled and the top three dogs with the highest scores earn points.
The trials are held in family-friendly environments. Many families take advantage of the reduced membership pricing for associate members (spouses and children, 18 years of age and under still living at home). There are several young members who own and run their own dogs. The minimum age to be in the field is 10 years of age. To gun for oneself, you must be 16 years of age and hold a current Hunter’s Safety Course card.
NSTRA dogs earn points by placing in the top three of local trials or the top four of national and regional trials. For every 18 points (nine of which must be first place points) a dog earns another championship. These is an amateur program established in several regions that allows a dog to earn an amateur championship before going on to compete in open trialing.
Each region holds a championship trial at the end of their trialing season. Qualified dogs are allowed the chance to participate for a regional championship and to qualify for our premier national trial, the Dog of the Year.
NSTRA holds five national championship trials annually. Two of these (Trial of Champions and Dog of the Year) are held in our home location at the Conservation Bird Dog Club in Amo, Ind. The other three trials are held elsewhere throughout the United States.