Could a friend take over my gundog to finish a test or trial?

GUNDOG TESTS AND TRIALS
Paul Rawlings
The regulations are very clear that there shall be no substitution of handler once a stake at a field trial has commenced.

Though the awards are won by the dog, it is a combination of dog and handler that is competing and that partnership should not alter once the competition has begun.

The regulation is there to make sure that the competition is absolutely fair for every one of the competitors taking part.

A change of handler can make an amazing difference to how a dog is performing and if substitution was allowed then it could be perceived to be a very unfair practice.