The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10
HOLD FIELD TRIALS
IN OLD VIRGINIA
The Sportsmen Of the State
Organize an Association
to Provide Good Sport
and Dogs to Hunt for
Fame.

The recent organization or the Nir-
ginia Field Trials Association is the
launching of movement which Is re-
ceiving the heartiest commentator
among sportInen in every section OF the
state Field trials have never been held
in Virginia under strict rules, though,
there are owned in the Old Dominion
many of the most famous dogs in all the
country The spoTtmeu members OF this
organization are of the truest type, be-
ing men who love the gun and field, and
are authorities upon hunting dogs.
This association had its origin in Rich
,iond and now has established head
quarters in the city with View 10 max
ing a success Of the undertaking. BY
laws governing the trials have been
adopted and while q committee from the
organization has in charge the matter
OF increasing its membership another is
casting about for suitable territory where
the trials may he held The trials Will
he held some time between November
18th and December 18th. Among the
ulaCcs now under consideration are
brakes Branch. in Charlotte county.
Buffalo Springs, and splendid tract Of
country near Blackstone.
To decide between these and others
which may be offered committee Will
visit the different sections, taking into
consideration the abundance of game,
hotel and livery accommodations In fof1n-
ing this decision.
MUST RETRIEVE.
IN the bylaws of the State Associat-
ton :. departure has been made from
the national rules in that all dogs Will
be required to retrieve. This is not usual,
hut at a meettn of the executive COM
:nittee this requirement was decided
upon
Mr.. Charles S. Cooke of the Real Es-
tate Trust Company, and secretary of
the State organization. is most en-
,husiastfc spo,tman and dog-owner. He
is the owner of Championships Boy,
and at his home on the Hermitage Road
has many hlgh-bred dogs. Amongs the
other gentlemen of Richmond who own
dogs OF value are, Governor a. j. Monta-
que. Adolphus Dill. o. II. Berry, 5 6.
Atkins, j. r Anderson, Barton II.
tsrundy, A z. Williams, Polk Miller,
CAPTAIN Whitiock, w. 7. Hancock, and
NJ. T. Oppenhimier.
TURN RULE. { .....- ..........
20 sY1IuIel stUos QllM eu!lu S! lrq.L
ElELD TRIALS.
To the average sportsman the name
field trial has no meaning, because he
does net understand what a field Jlal Is
and the subject is given less attention
because it pertains TO dogs = name
which carries with il all kinds - loIi
there are good dogs and there are bad
dogs; there are cheap dogs and high
priced dogs. This article has TO zeal wiili
the latter.
The field trials of the present date are
run under very strict rules. rules th:.t
have been studied, and in time lave be-
come practical instead of a mere Theory.
First class field trials should he con-
Quoted with Just as much business nan
ngrnput aS IF G H.
Quoting horse show, cattle show. poui-
try show and other exhibitions of this
character. There is no sport more eNhil-
araunG or exciting than that or running
I: field trial with high class dogs. In or
der that one may get sorne idea OF what
a held trial is | Will give you little
idea of how they are conducted
SELECT GROUND.
In the first place, after an organization
OF sportsmen is formed the first thing
10 do is to select a committee to inyes-a
ticate different localities and select
grounds fitted for the purpose These
grounds must comprise from ten thou
sand to fifteen thousand acres OF land.
well watered. open and easily ridden over
on horseback. They must also contain
o,enty OF birds, in order to give the dogs
nlenty of work on game. In selecting the
Grounds Ii is also necessary that they be
located near IG. some. good town with
ho,e! and livery facilities. as every one
rides on horseback or in bugsies to and
from the trials. Then 1t is necessary tc