About Working Trials
The Bloodhound Club runs two Championship Working trials each year, one in Spring and one in Autumn. Each trial consists of four stakes, which become progressively more difficult as the hound wins its way through.
Bloodhounds hunt natural human scent (known as ‘clean-boot”) and no drag or artificial scent is used.
How Trials Work
At a trial, a ‘’runner’ leaves an item of clothing or similar, on a white flag, and then walks a predetermined route using a map, and then at the allocated time, the hound is set off to hunt the runner.
The hound is followed by a judge who has a map of the line taken by the runner.
Before entering the trial the hound must gain a working permit, and this is a two part procedure which can also include a livestock test. Those with the stock test are then able to hunt their hounds free, but those with just the basic hunting test must hunt their hound leashed.
(Note that to compete at Senior stake level, a hound must have a stock test although its at the handlers discretion whether they hunt free or leashed in the trials)
Different Stakes
Novice stake is 1 mile long line on half hour cold scent.
Junior stake is 2 miles long on one hour cold scent.
Intermediate Stake is 2.5 miles long on one and a half hours cold scent.
Senior Stake is 3 miles long on a two hour cold scent.
From the Senior Stake, a hound can win a KC Working trial Certificate and with two of these awarded, becomes a Working trials Champion (WTCh).
Other criteria have to be met to be awarded a Certificate, such as successfully identifying the runner form a line up of three people at the end of the line.
Novice Stake - Judge Ann Freer
1st - Whiteside's Houndseeker Constance plus I/D Cup
2nd - Wallace's Sherlock Jackson
3rd - Priestley's Maplemead Malazar of Quikotic
Trophy for an outstanding performance (not necessarily placed in the stake) - Sands' Marksbury Nevada
Club Spoon for handler who has never won, or been awarded a spoon previously at a bloodhound Club trials - Iain Cruickshank
Stan's Boot for walker of the winning line - Iain Cruickshank
Junior Stake - Judge Peter Whiteside
COM - Freer's Maple Bay Northern Star
Intermediate Stake - Judge Keith Long
No Awards
Senior Stake - Judge David Scrivens
1st - Cook's Rache Centurion
(KC Working Trial Certificate not awarded)