Nestle Purina
German Shorthaired Pointer Handler of the Year Awards Program
(Rev Jan.1, 2026)
Nestlé Purina PetCare Company is pleased to sponsor the “German Shorthaired Pointer Handler of the Year Awards Program.” The award is designed to reward and recognize the Open Handler and Amateur Handler who accumulates the greatest number of points in qualifying trials as determined by the Handler Awards Committee. The committee will consist of four members (two each selected by the GSPCA and the NGSPA) and will approve qualifying trials and modify guidelines as appropriate. Program points will be accumulated during the calendar year.
HANDLER QUALIFICATIONS
Open Handler: Points accumulated in Open Shooting Dog, Open Gun Dog, Open Limited Gun Dog, Open All Age, Open Limited All Age, and all Grand Open Limited Stakes.
Amateur Handler: Points accumulated in handling dogs that they themselves or immediate family members own, or are within the allowable limits of amateur handled dogs (currently 2 for NGSPA and 3 for AKC) in the following stakes: Amateur Shooting Dog, Amateur Gun Dog, Amateur Limited Gun Dog, Amateur All Age, Amateur Limited All Age, and all Grand Amateur Limited Stakes. AKC Pointing Breed Gun Dog Championship, AKC Walking Gun Dog Championship, and GSPCA Open events will permit amateurs to choose to count wins only toward amateur points if no amateur event is held.
QUALIFYING TRIALS
- NGSPA Nationals, Invitationals, and all NGSPA Championships, including Regionals and Species.
- GSPCA Nationals, the AKC Pointing Breed Gun Dog Championship, and the AKC Walking Gun Dog Championship. GSP placements only.
- One American Field Trial will be included – the German All Breed (NGPDA).
- 15 GSPCA member clubs will be selected to host an additional 15 Purina Qualifying Trials. They may designate up to two stakes, each requiring a minimum 3-Point Major. One Amateur stake, one Amateur Limited stake, one Open stake, one Open Limited stake, one Grand Amateur Limited stake, one Grand Open Limited stake, one Regional Grand Open Limited stake, or one Regional Grand Amateur Limited stake. The selected clubs will be evenly divided between the East, Central, and West sections. The events will be held throughout the field trial season.
TIE BREAKER SYSTEM:
In case of a tie, the winner would be the handler:
1) with the highest point total in national events;
2) who defeated the highest number of dogs;
3) with the highest number of placements in recognized trials.
If the tie remains unbroken, co-winners would be declared.
HANDLER OF THE YEAR PRESENTATION / PRIZES
The “Purina German Shorthaired Pointer Handler of the Year Awards” will be presented at a Nationals’ banquet hosted by Nestlé Purina Company.
The Open Award Winner will receive a Special GSP Handler of the Year Custom Montana Silver Smith Belt Buckle, $1,000 in cash, and 12 bags of Purina Pro Plan product. The cash award will be doubled if the winning handler is an active Purina Pro Club member, with redemptions within the past six months. All prizes awarded by the Nestlé Purina Company.
The Amateur Award Winner will be awarded a Special GSP Handler of the Year Custom Montana Silver Smith Belt Buckle, and 12 bags of Purina Pro Plan product. Purina will deposit 25,000 points ($250 value) in their Pro Club Account and will double it to 50,000 points ($500 value) if they are a “Purina Feeder” with redemptions within the past six months.
HOST CLUB’S RESPONSIBILITIES AND BENEFITS
The Nestlé Purina Company will provide GSPCA and NGSPA clubs hosting qualifying trials with product for winners, banners, and other applicable items. Host clubs benefit from the prestige of this Program and are responsible for providing a report to the individual designated by the Award Committee to be responsible for tabulating and publishing results.
HANDLER AWARD POINTS FOR EVENT
| Winner | RU | 3rd | 4th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NGSPA National | 775 | 450 | ||
| NGSPA Invitational | 725 | |||
| NGSPA Species | 450 | 300 | ||
| NGSPA Championships | 300 | 200 | ||
| GSPCA National | 775 | 450 | 300 | 225 |
| GSPCA (AKC) 30 or 45 min. | 200 | 125 | ||
| GSPCA (AKC) Grand/Regional Championships 60 min | 300 | 200 | ||
| AKC Pointing Breed Gun Dog Championships (GSP Placements) | 775 | 450 | 300 | 225 |
| German All Pt. Breed Nat'l (NGPDA) | 775 | 450 |
ADDITIONAL AWARD POINTS (adds to Event Points)
| POINTS BASED ON DOGS ENTERED | |
|---|---|
| Champion/1st | 8 points x dogs entered |
| Runner-Up/2nd | 4 points x dogs entered |
| AKC Nationals/3rd | 3 points x dogs entered |
| 4th | 2 points x dogs entered |
| Invitational Championship | 8 points x dogs entered each day (day1+day2+day3) |
| Wild Bird Trial Bonus | 50 Bonus Points for Event |