A new Working Trials stake – the Introductory Stake – came into effect on 1^st January 2010. This initiative is aimed at encouraging new competitors to enter Working Trial competitions and to provide a graduated step on the way to entering the existing qualifying stakes. The intention is to give participants the entire feel of the CD Open Stake but to ask them to do less, so as to give confidence to both the dog and the handler.

In summary

The exercises are based on the CD Open stake but with:

•        the inclusion of a maximum distance for the send away
•        shorter times for the stay exercises
•        reductions in the dimensions of the agility equipment
•        the addition of a fourth article in the search square but with only three articles required to be retrieved
•        the use of extra commands being permitted in heelwork, recall and retrieve.

The Introductory Stake can be held on its own or as part of a larger Open or Championship Working Trial, and existing societies are encouraged to organise an Introductory Stake as part of their training days and weekends during the coming months.

The Introductory Stake is a non-qualifying stake - it does not affect eligibility for other stakes