Competitors

The 2027 Trophy

The very best of gundog working tests

An Elite Gun Dog Competition for the UK’s Leading Retrievers

The 2027 Trophy represents the inaugural year of The British Retriever Trophy, setting a new benchmark for elite-level gun dog competition in the United Kingdom. Designed exclusively for top-performing retrievers and experienced handlers, this event brings together the very best of gundog working tests under a highly competitive and prestigious format.

Positioned at the pinnacle of working tests for gundogs, the Trophy combines traditional standards with modern ambition, delivering a competition that is both exacting and rewarding in equal measure.

competitor information

Qualification

rules & regulations

FAQs

A Clear Pathway to Elite Competition

Qualifying Through Open Working Tests for Gundogs

The principal route to qualification is by winning a Kennel Club-affiliated AV (Any Variety) Open Working Test.

These are established working tests for gundogs, organised by gundog clubs and societies throughout Britain. As such, handlers do not need to seek out new or unfamiliar competitions; the qualifying opportunities already exist within the current gun dog competition calendar.

  • Key Qualification Criteria
    • The event must be a Kennel Club-affiliated AV Open Working Test.
    • The handler and dog must win the qualifying stake.
    • The win must occur within the qualification window (see below)

This ensures that all competitors in The British Retriever Trophy have demonstrated proven success at Open level in recognised gundog working tests.

the british retriever trophy

How Clubs Nominate Qualifying Events

Gundog clubs across Britain play an important role in the qualification process.

  • Clubs hosting one AV Open Working Test per year
  • The winner of that test will automatically qualify.
  • Clubs hosting multiple AV Open Working Tests per year
  • The club will nominate one test as its official qualifier for The British Retriever Trophy.

Where a club is required to nominate a qualifying event, this will be coordinated directly by David Latham or David Thomas, ensuring clarity and consistency across all affiliated clubs.

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the 2027 trophy

prize fund

A defining feature of the 2027 Trophy is its exceptional prize structure, placing it among the most financially rewarding gun dog competitions in the UK.

A Leading Prize Fund in UK Gun Dog Competition
Total Prize Fund

£25,000

The scale of the prize fund reflects both the prestige of the event and the calibre of its competitors.

With six handlers receiving prize money, the Trophy offers significant recognition for excellence across the final standings, further elevating its status within the world of gundog working tests.

Prize Allocation

champion's prize

£10,000

2nd Place

£6,000

3rd Place

£4,000

Diplomas of Merit
(5th & 6th Place)

£1,000 each

Rules & Regulations

Apley EstateA premier venue for working tests for gundogs. The 2027 Trophy will take place at Apley Estate, a distinguished Shropshire venue widely respected for its suitability for high-level gundog working tests.

The estate provides a diverse landscape of parkland, woodland, and natural features. Varied terrain to challenge marking, handling, and game-finding ability and a setting that reflects the heritage and professionalism of elite gun dog competition. Apley Estate offers the ideal environment to test retrievers to the highest standard, and a dedicated venue page will be available to provide further details.

Find out more

Qualification window

for the

2027

trophy

For the June 2027 British Retriever Trophy, the qualification period will be:

Calendar Year: 1 January 2026 – 31 December 2026

Only wins achieved within this timeframe will be considered valid for qualification. Handlers competing in GWTs throughout 2026 should remain aware of which events have been designated as official qualifiers.

FAQs

  • What is The British Retriever Trophy?

    Spectators can expect:

    • Multi-day competition with progressive scoring
    • Live scoring and leaderboard updates throughout the day
    • Advanced retriever work, including marking, blinds, and handling
    • A knowledgeable and passionate audience
    • A traditional countryside setting aligned with the heritage of gun dog competition
  • How do I qualify for the 2027 Trophy?

    Spectators can expect:

    • Multi-day competition with progressive scoring
    • Live scoring and leaderboard updates throughout the day
    • Advanced retriever work, including marking, blinds, and handling
    • A knowledgeable and passionate audience
    • A traditional countryside setting aligned with the heritage of gun dog competition
  • What type of competition format is used?

    Spectators can expect:

    • Multi-day competition with progressive scoring
    • Live scoring and leaderboard updates throughout the day
    • Advanced retriever work, including marking, blinds, and handling
    • A knowledgeable and passionate audience
    • A traditional countryside setting aligned with the heritage of gun dog competition
  • Are the rules the same as standard gundog working test rules?

    Spectators can expect:

    • Multi-day competition with progressive scoring
    • Live scoring and leaderboard updates throughout the day
    • Advanced retriever work, including marking, blinds, and handling
    • A knowledgeable and passionate audience
    • A traditional countryside setting aligned with the heritage of gun dog competition
  • Can any retriever gun dog compete?

    Spectators can expect:

    • Multi-day competition with progressive scoring
    • Live scoring and leaderboard updates throughout the day
    • Advanced retriever work, including marking, blinds, and handling
    • A knowledgeable and passionate audience
    • A traditional countryside setting aligned with the heritage of gun dog competition
  • Can I qualify more than once or run multiple dogs?

    Spectators can expect:

    • Multi-day competition with progressive scoring
    • Live scoring and leaderboard updates throughout the day
    • Advanced retriever work, including marking, blinds, and handling
    • A knowledgeable and passionate audience
    • A traditional countryside setting aligned with the heritage of gun dog competition
  • How many dogs will compete in the Trophy?

    Spectators can expect:

    • Multi-day competition with progressive scoring
    • Live scoring and leaderboard updates throughout the day
    • Advanced retriever work, including marking, blinds, and handling
    • A knowledgeable and passionate audience
    • A traditional countryside setting aligned with the heritage of gun dog competition
  • Is this considered a national gundog championship?

    Spectators can expect:

    • Multi-day competition with progressive scoring
    • Live scoring and leaderboard updates throughout the day
    • Advanced retriever work, including marking, blinds, and handling
    • A knowledgeable and passionate audience
    • A traditional countryside setting aligned with the heritage of gun dog competition
  • What makes this different from other gundog working tests?

    Spectators can expect:

    • Multi-day competition with progressive scoring
    • Live scoring and leaderboard updates throughout the day
    • Advanced retriever work, including marking, blinds, and handling
    • A knowledgeable and passionate audience
    • A traditional countryside setting aligned with the heritage of gun dog competition
  • Are international handlers able to compete?

    Spectators can expect:

    • Multi-day competition with progressive scoring
    • Live scoring and leaderboard updates throughout the day
    • Advanced retriever work, including marking, blinds, and handling
    • A knowledgeable and passionate audience
    • A traditional countryside setting aligned with the heritage of gun dog competition