Trials - what you need to know!
2026 Trial dates are coming soon. We will be running 4 throughout the year.
What titles and what do we need to do to be able to qualify
Instinct (RATI) - This is an optional title, you do not have to complete it to gain your Novice (RATN) title.
Your dog must complete the tunnel and then identify the correct tube from 3 which will be placed in a cradle somewhere around the tunnel exit. This is your opportunity to show your dog understands the scent fully.
Novice (RATN) - You must complete three qualifying legs in order to gain your full title. You must complete these across more than one day and trial.
To get a qualifying leg you must complete all three elements of the run (climb, tunnel and find correct tube) in under 2 minutes.
You will be eliminated for calling the wrong tube, going over time, toileting in the ring or touching your dog
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Head to the usual booking diary and follow the normal process just choosing the trials instead of workshops
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This depends on the number of entries. However we don't expect to run much past lunchtime on both days this time around. Given that each run is either 1 or 2 mins long and will cut off at this point if you don't succeed unlike workshops. So turnarounds will be quicker. There will a gap between trials as we set up course but this shouldn't be longer than 30 mins.
More accurate timings will be released closer to the date when entry numbers are known.
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You can enter each trial twice but may not need to second run if you pass on the first. So your options are book two to be safe or risk a fail and not getting your legs by only having one shot at it.
The choice is yours. If you do pass on run one you can still take your second run, but it won't be refunded if you choose not to.
At this stage in the game while we run on financial shoestring we have to make sure we know our costs. Bear in mind every run pays fees to Barn Hunt international and every event to Barn Hunt UK! So if we just run on the day entries we could easily make a loss.
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Your dog needs to be registered with Barn Hunt International to compete in trials. You need to do this BEFORE you enter so we can get your numbers to submit.
Do this here
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Yes! You'l get ribbons for qualifying legs and rosettes for titles.
We will also award the fastest dog in each category a 'high in trial' award.
So all to play for.
Your titles will be registered with Barn Hunt International and your dog will officially have letters after their name.
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Instinct (RATI) - You need to pass this one once to get the full title and it's optional. You don't need to do it to enter Novice.
To give yourself the best chance put two entries in for the Instinct Trial.
Novice (RATN) - You need 3 qualifying legs over 3 separate trials to get the full title. You can do this in our first weekend. Enter all three of the novice trials and book two runs in each. That will give you the best chance of success. You could choose to take less runs in each if you are super confident you will get a pass, if you are going to hedge your bets then book more runs in the later trials as your dog is likely to perform better early on.