CT Youth Field Trial & Hunting Dog Org

06/22/2026

The biggest blessing this day was.

We hope for this experience for so many more kids who don’t know how incredible this sport can be..

But we can’t do it without the help of others.

06/18/2026

Sept 12th is our fall field trial at Flaherty! We’re going to do all we can to make it a success.

These kids need it.
The sport needs it.

We’ll be looking for judges, volunteers, sponsors, entries as of July 1st.

Get your calendars out!

Pm us with questions or interest in helping!

06/01/2026

We’d love to hold an end of the summer training cook out in August if anyone’s interested in sponsoring some food items, helping out or bringing dogs out to train!

Would be hot dogs and hamburgers, watermelon, popsicles and dog training. From about 4-7pm. Free for all youth and new families.

I’m thinking some simple drills like whoa, backing and puppy bird intros.

Pm us to collaborate and to attend! 🇺🇸

05/22/2026

🇺🇸

05/04/2026

Gabe & Addie both competed in the Arcadia Field Trial Club’s spring trial today in RI.

Both are quite experienced for their age and have definite future handler/trainer potential. We saw some nice runs for them both!

Gabe walked away with some ribbons, congrats, kid! Great job. Addies win will come, we know it.

05/04/2026

Congrats all!!

Summerhill Field Trial Club
Youth Stake
Liam with Patch
Emilia with Sky
Paisley with River
Brooklyn with Woodie

05/03/2026

These dogs teach unlimited lessons.

Success
Failure
Hard work
Disappointment
Resilience
Happiness

It’s up to us to encourage all of the in between for these kids. The dogs do the rest.

05/01/2026

What it’s all about! 🙌🏻

Business on top, barefoot on the bottom… best dressed dog trainer I know. Preacher is just letting everyone know that he wants to look serious but he’s here to party too.. and probably take a nap later.

04/26/2026

This was a nice discussion point between a few folks today at the wonderful trial in Norton, MA.

As time passes, it is a clear judging preference on all levels to see a big running, forward moving, ground covering dog.

Several people through the years in conversation have expressed that it is difficult to impossible, as they age, to keep up on foot behind a big running dog.

Your gallery is also expectedly smaller or non existent, on any run on foot with a very forward dog. Eliminating the ability as well, for any smaller child to tag along and watch a brace, as they cannot physically keep up.

The choice is then- retire from trialing, have someone younger/quicker run your dog or join the horseback trial stakes. Which isn’t feasible or desirable for some.

However- there are several notable trainers/trialers in the south who are well into their 80s, still trialing and winning horseback. It’s inspiring to watch.

The point here I suppose, is that if you are new to trialing and do not own horses or an interest in riding-

It is not only important but essential to not only focus on training your dog but physically training yourself as well. You will be SORE after a weekend of walking trials. (Especially if the courses are at Flaherty! 😮‍💨😂😭)

Anyone walking or competing multiple walking braces a day, understands the level of athleticism required in this sport and it’s recognizable, in the least.