Working Spaniel Club
An Organisation Dedicated to Natural Game Trials for the Working Spaniel
The Origins and Evolution of the Working Spaniel Club
The Working Spaniel Club (WSC) was established in 1988 in the Bay of Plenty, North Island, New Zealand. Its formation was driven by three accomplished spaniel pigeon trialists—enthusiasts of simulated land and water game events—who were also avid hunters of rabbits and upland game birds. Their shared vision was to create trials that closely mirrored real rough shooting conditions, a concept that laid the foundation for the club. The club membership is from all over New Zealand; however, all club trials and activities are mainly held in the North Island.
Inspired by UK Spaniel trial regulations, the WSC adopted similar rules, however, allowing handlers to shoot over their dogs. As the club matured, regulations evolved to mandate the exclusive use of independent guns during trials. The provision for handlers to shoot over their dog, however, remains in the regulations. Three demanding trials in Whanganui in 2025 suited the option for the handler to shoot over their dogs alongside independent guns.
Before seeking affiliation with the New Zealand Gundog Trial Association (NZGTA), the WSC had to demonstrate its capability to host not only Spaniel Natural Game Trials but also all pigeon trial disciplines—All Breed, Retriever, Pointer &Setter, and Spaniel. This was a significant challenge for a small group of dedicated spaniel trialists spread across the North Island, but their passion made the effort worthwhile.
Club records show that WSC achieved NZGTA affiliation in 1989, with its first annual report submitted in 1990. That same year, the July Trial made front-page news in the Bay of Plenty Times. The club’s first president was Bill Taylor, with Chris Bierre serving as secretary. The other founding member and stalwart of the club was Gary Hayes. Unfortunately, on 03 March 1998, Gary was tragically killed in a car accident. A fitting trophy donated by the Hayes family, The Gary Hayes Memorial Trophy is awarded each year for the winning dog at a nominated Spaniel Natural Game Championship.
On 12 November 1989, the WSC held its first Open Spaniel Live Game Trial at Tumunui Station. This was followed by the Working Spaniel Club Spaniel Natural Game Championship Trial on 16 September 1990 at Tapsell Farm, Papamoa, Tauranga, which drew 11 entries. Peter Hagan’s bitch, Ral of Serah Sela, earned the first-ever challenge point for a Spaniel Live Game Trial, as recorded in the club’s minute book.
Due to NZGTA regulations at that time, the club could host only one Championship Spaniel Natural Game Trial per year. However, it supplemented this with rough shoot training days and additional open (non-championship) Spaniel Natural Game Trials. A reciprocal arrangement with the Pointer and Setter Club allowed each to host the other’s allocated trial, now having two Championship Trials. This fostered great collaboration and camaraderie with both clubs.
By 1996, interest in pigeon trial championships waned with the members, leading the WSC to discontinue running them and focus solely on Spaniel Natural Game Trials. As game became scarcer in the North Island, the emergence of game preserves in the mid-1990s provided new opportunities. Club members actively supported these preserves by assisting with beating and pick up work, which helped secure venues for trials—typically held in the final week of the shooting season.
Today, it has become tradition for North Island Spaniel Natural Game trials to be conducted on pheasant preserves, usually in the last week of the shooting season.
The Working Spaniel Club is a club member of: NZ Game & Conservation Alliancewww.nzgca.com info@nzgca.com
(The NZ Game & Conservation Alliance is a membership-based incorporated society, established to promote and safeguard sporting game shooting across the country)
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Gary Hayes
Alex Henderson with FCh Arddun Jonquil, Recipient of the Gary Hayes Memorial Trophy, 2022
WSC Inaugural Open Spaniel Natural Game Trial 12th November 1989, Tumunui Station, Rotorua
WSC Open Spaniel Natural Game Trial 1990, Rotoiti, Rotorua District
(Early trials were either Open or Championship)
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