When dog and man bond and work as a team
About thirty dogs will be seen in action for the event.
Parys this week once again has the pleasure of hosting the Natal Field Trial Club’s Derby and Maiden event with the young dogs competing today, Wednesday 10 July and Thursday 11 July, and the championship to be held on Friday 12 July and Saturday 13 July
The sport of field trialing involves finding ground game birds with dogs. Birds are found and pointed out by working dogs like pointers and setters. The dog owner then claims the bird by shooting a blank.
No birds are shot, injured, or killed – it is simply the find that matters.
Dogs take part according to random draws of braces containing two dogs per brace.
Competitions usually run over one or two days.
The winner is the dog /owner team with the most finds, quality finds and backing.
The winning dog is selected by a process of elimination by a panel of experienced judges.
For this week’s event about thirty dogs will be seen in action. Among them Dr Johan Wessels from Parys Dierehospitaal together with participants from all over the country, and as far as the Eastern Cape, Zimbabwe, Zululand in the north and Kokstad in the south.
Prize giving is on Saturday evening at Dome Inn.
People interested in the sport are more than welcome to join the convoy leaving at 07:00 from Dome Inn on the Kopjeskraal road. You must have your own bakkie as the terrain is not suitable for cars. It is advisable to wear comfortable walking shoes and long pants as participants will be in the veld, and trailing involves a lot of walking.
Remember to take something to eat and drink with if you are planning to spend the day in the veld with them.
Refreshments are also provided at reasonable rates.
An amazing sport where you will be able to enjoy the veld and the beautiful birds seen in the Parys area.
Field trailing is a good indicator of biodiversity and veld health as good populations of game birds need sustaining.
