• 111th Field Trials

The use of live ammunition is forbidden and any violation will result in immediate dismissal from further competition.

Only safety blank ammunition provided by the club can be used. This ammunition emits white smoke only from the barrel, which can be verified by the judges.  

Shotguns will not be used as a flushing tool.

Shotguns will be fired up and away from the gallery and judges at all times.

Solid barrel pistols will also be allowed.

 

 

Continental Field Trial Club

The Continental Field Trial Club is one of the oldest in the nation, the first meeting being held March 6, 1895 in Chicago with seventy-five charter members. In September of that year the first trial was held in Morris, Man., on prairie chickens.  There were 19 derby and 24 All-Age stake contenders.  Gerald Livingston, founder of Dixie Plantation, was inducted into the club in 1933 and within two years was elected its president.  He was instrumental in bringing the trials to their present site of Dixie Plantation in 1937 where they have been held since.  

In a letter to the American Field Publishing Company dated March 25, 1895, it was stated “Purses of sufficient size were arranged to guarantee a satisfactory number of entries”. Minutes of the May 10, 1912 Continental Field Trial Club Board of Governors meeting note that the purses would be $1000 in both the Derby and the All-Age stakes ($500 to first, $300 to second and  $200 to third), an impressive amount of money in1912. Today's winning continue to be impressive.  The handlers of the All-Age winner and runner-up receive $8000 and $4000.  In addition, the owner(s) of the winner receives an oil painting of the winning dog valued at approximately $2000.  Purses for the derby stakes are a little less.  The handler of the winner is awarded $3000; of the runner-up $2000.  Engraved silver bowls go to the owners of these winners.  In addition, the owners of the winners of both the All-Age and Derby Championships enjoy rotating trophies for the following year.  The All-Age trophy will become the permanent property of an individual who has three winners.  The Billy Lane Family, in memory of Mr. Lane who contributed so much to these Continental trials, donated a beautiful punch bowl as the rotating trophy for the winner of the Derby stake.  

Not only does this event offer prestigious competition for the best birddogs in the nation, there was ample opportunity to relax and enjoy the company of fellow sportsmen after hours.  Social events included a fish fry the first Friday at lunch sponsored by Purina and Plantation Security and a dinner for field trail participants the first Friday night,.  Long-time friends of Dixie Plantation, usually host such activities as a western dance, a low-country boil, etc. during the trial .  For further information about these events, you may call Dottie at the Dixie office, 850-997-1957.

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