The Manitowoc County Kennel Club has been conducting American Kennel Club Licensed Field Trials on its Valders property since the early l940's.  The club holds its annual field trial under the rules put forth by the AKC usually the second weekend in August. AKC registered breeds including Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Flat Coat Retrievers and Irish Water Spaniels are eligible to enter and compete.   The purpose of a field trial is to determine the relative merits of purebred retrievers in the field and, therefore, tests are laid out to simulate as nearly as possible the conditions met in an ordinary day's hunt.  The dogs are tested on both land and water, on marked and blind retrieves.   The function of the retriever is to seek "fallen" game and to retrieve any type of game bird under all conditions.  The dog should walk at heel and sit quietly when ordered to do so. On command, the dog should retrieve briskly and deliver gently to hand.  On marked falls a dog should need no help from his handler. Marking is essential and a dog that marks the fallen bird well, uses the wind, follows a strong cripple, and takes direction from his/her handler is of great value.   Dogs are judged for sagacity, attention, control, steadiness, nose, delivery, courage, preseverance and style. The dog must not be overly rough on game, not retrieve decoys, and not retrieve without having been ordered to do so.    A blind retrieve is a game bird hidden from view of the dog and in which only the handler has seen where the bird was placed.  The dog, on a blind retrieve, must obey his handler by taking a line, by stopping to the whistle, to take signals to move to the right or left, or to move back or return. The handler of the dog is also under judgment and must not kick, strike, or be rough on his/her dog in any way.    When retrievers have acquired a sufficient number of points as set forth by the American Kennel Club,  they become known as Field Trial Champions (FC for field trial champions and AFC for amateur field trial.  champions)   A National Championship Stake and a separate National Amateur Championship Stake are set up for dogs which by reason of wins previously made, qualify under special rules approved by the AKC. The National Championship is run once a year (November) and the National Amateur Championship Stake also once a year (June).  The winners are designated  "National Retriever Champion" and "National Amateur Retriever Champion"  respectively for that year.  Bulletins This is an announcement about the upcoming AKC Licensed Field Trial at the Valders grounds August 13,14, and 15.   MCKC's annual AKC Licensed Trial is the second full weekend in August. We will be looking for help as usual for all 3 days (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). The Derby and Open stakes are scheduled to start on Friday.  Amateur and Qualifying stakes (Qualifying at the conclusion of the Derby) are scheduled to begin on Saturday. The Amateur, Qualifying, and perhaps the Open will still be running on Sunday.  Details of the trial and information on entries are on WWW.rftentry.com. Entries can be electronically completed at that site or mailed to RFTentry's address.  Entries will close on August 4 at midnight.   As you are aware, you can earn work hours towards your 25 hour requirement by working at this event.  We need help all 3 days so let me know if you'll be able to participate 1,2, or 3 days. This event is a large revenue producer for the club and we count on club members' help to put this on. So please, even if you may have satisfied your work hours, join us out at the Valders grounds for this event.   Suggested items to bring with you include: bug spray, folding chair, white shirt or T shirt, and rain gear. Again as in the past, MCKC will provide lunch.   Please let me know of your availability by responding to my e-mail or calling me at 920-565-3441 or 920-918-4413 (cell).  I would expect you to on the grounds between 7 and 7:15 am. If questions, please call me or e-mail me.   Thanks, Jim Powers, Field Trial Chair