Landowner and Trialist Information
✅ What a Spaniel Trial Involves – Information for Landowners
The Working Spaniel Club and the South Island Working Spaniel Club run a small number of controlled, low‑impact working‑dog trials each year.
These events rely on the generosity of landowners who allow access to suitable ground.
This handout explains what a trial involves and what you can expect if one is held on your property.
✅ Landowner Assurance
We deeply value the privilege of accessing private and managed lands for our Spaniel Natural Game trials.
To maintain trust and uphold the highest standards of conduct, the following guidelines and assurances are provided for landowners.
We understand the importance of protecting your property, stock, and privacy.
As a club, we commit to the following:
Strict Control of Trial Activities: All trials are conducted under the supervision of designated officials to ensure responsible and respectful use of the grounds.
No Entitlement Beyond the Trial: Club membership does not grant any member the right to return for shooting, hunting, or recreational access outside the trial event.
Designated Communication Contact: Each trial ground will have a single appointed liaison responsible for all communications with the landowner or property manager. This ensures clarity, accountability, and respect for your time. Safety Plan: We ensure every trial has a safety plan, and conditions of entry will be included in the schedule. All participants sign an indemnity form that they enter the trial and property at their own risk. Dog Dosing: All dogs, whether participating or not, will not be let out onto any property until a current sheep measles dosing certificate is sighted by the trials captain. Our Commitment: We are committed to fostering a respectful and professional relationship with every landowner and manager who supports our trials. Your trust is essential, and we will always act to preserve it.
Strict Control of Trial Activities: All trials are conducted under the supervision of designated officials to ensure responsible and respectful use of the grounds.
No Entitlement Beyond the Trial: Club membership does not grant any member the right to return for shooting, hunting, or recreational access outside the trial event.
Designated Communication Contact: Each trial ground will have a single appointed liaison responsible for all communications with the landowner or property manager. This ensures clarity, accountability, and respect for your time. Safety Plan: We ensure every trial has a safety plan, and conditions of entry will be included in the schedule. All participants sign an indemnity form that they enter the trial and property at their own risk. Dog Dosing: All dogs, whether participating or not, will not be let out onto any property until a current sheep measles dosing certificate is sighted by the trials captain. Our Commitment: We are committed to fostering a respectful and professional relationship with every landowner and manager who supports our trials. Your trust is essential, and we will always act to preserve it.
✅Trialist Responsibilities
This notice explains expectations of all participants at a spaniel trial
Respect the privilege of access—this is not a right, and it is not to be exploited.
Participation in this trial, organised by your club, does not grant you permission to independently contact or negotiate access with landowners or land managers. All access arrangements are handled by the club for the purposes of the event only.
Follow the conditions as stipulated in the Trials schedule.
This includes having all your dogs currently wormed for sheep measles.
Follow all instructions from the trial steward and designated liaison. Leave the grounds as you found them—clean, undisturbed, and with gratitude.
Follow all instructions from the trial steward and designated liaison. Leave the grounds as you found them—clean, undisturbed, and with gratitude.