The Field Futurity program was launched by the Weimaraner Club of America (WCA) in 1956 (and is combined today with the Bench Futurity and Maturity Program) to encourage and reward the breeding of Weimaraners who most closely conform to the approved AKC breed standard and its intent.
Speaking of the breed standard, the Weimaraner should “present a picture of grace, speed, stamina, alertness, and balance…” and “conformation must indicate the ability to work with great speed and endurance in the field.”
The 2022 National Field Futurity stake ran on Tuesday morning under Judges Raul Pineda and Jeff Wallace. Nine (9) dogs ran in 30-minute braces. The morning began with low fog that morphed into a still morning, devoid of wind.
Page 11 of the Field Futurity rules (last revised May 12, 2021) indicate that “judges are to use the current AKC standard for judging a Derby stake as the basis for Field Futurity judging; however, each brace or bye will run for one half hour. Four placements may be awarded at the discretion of the judges. The First Place dog is the Field Futurity Winner.”
Page 38 of the Field Trial Rules and Standard Procedure for Pointing Breeds (amended to August 2020) state that “Derbies must show a keen desire to hunt, be bold and independent, have a fast, yet attractive, style of running, and demonstrate not only intelligence in seeking objectives but also the ability to find game.” The paragraph goes on to state that derbies must establish point and show reasonable obedience to their handlers’ commands. A dog is to be judged on its actual performance as indicating its future promise as a high class bird dog for Gun Dog or All-Age stakes (and preference should not be given to one potential or another.) Application is more important than range, and the paragraph concludes with the final statement that “ALL PLACED DOGS MUST HAVE ESTABLISHED POINT.”
Unfortunately, and due to extenuating weather circumstances, none of the entries in the day were able to demonstrate all of the required elements. Per the judges, there were two exceptional dogs that showed a keen desire to hunt, were bold and independent, had fast and attractive running styles and also sought objectives. Sadly, neither found game or established point.
Both judges were hopeful for a positive workaround and outcome for these two dogs, but then severely disappointed to learn that the existing Futurity rules did not provide any leeway for that to happen. Both judges agreed that there were no other dogs in the stake that demonstrated enough merit to earn First Place and simultaneously, the title of Field Futurity Winner.
Thus, all 2022 National Field Futurity placements were withheld.
Is this a case of, “it is what it is, no one can control scenting conditions, better luck next year?” Should the rule book be amended to clarify what is meant by the word “basis” so that the judges are explicitly allowed to use their discretion to apply additional or alternative criteria to the Futurity Stake standard? Should language be added or deleted to clear up any vagueness? Do we still want our Futurity dogs to find birds on course? Is it okay for judges to call dogs they like back to point birds if they didn’t find them on course? Should this discretion only be permitted when the weather is foul? What is the scope of discretion, anyway?
Page 10 of the 2022 NFT catalog states that the performance standard was adopted by the WCA Board of Directors in July 1983. Almost 40 years ago, when the finale to M*A*S*H aired, Sally Ride launched into space and Reagan was our President. We’ve also graduated from cassette tapes to iTunes, so really, isn’t it time we looked at the Field Futurity standard, even if it’s just to clear up some language?
– Kim (Burnell) Fowler, 2022 NFT Stake Manager
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