NACSW Cummington, MA June 9-11, 2023

Official NACSW™  

NW3, ELT, ELT Trials 

June 9, 10, 11, 2023 

 

 

TRIAL LOCATION: Cummington Fairgrounds, 97 Fairgrounds Road,  Cummington, MA 01026 

 

It is not appropriate to contact or visit the trial location prior to the trial date, nor should training take place on trial grounds once an event is approved/announced. Our locations are real life search environments where people work, go to school, etc. Pre-trial contact or visits risk the host losing the opportunity to use the location again in the future. 

 

Trial Host: Lucky Dog Events 

 

[NW3]: Friday June 9, 2023 

[Elite]: Saturday June 10, 2023 

[Elite]: Sunday June 11, 2023 


NW3 Entry Form

Elite Entry Form

Volunteer Sign Up


NW3 Waitlist

Elite Waitlist

 

Certifying Official:  ELT- Kathe Baxter

NW3 Kathe Baxter & Holly Roche

 

Judges: Martha Campbell, James Helems 

 

Entry Cost 

NW3: $175 per dog and handler team 

Elite: $185 per dog and handler team 

 

Number of Entries 

NW3: 38 entries 

Elite: 30 entries 

 

One dog per handler per level/element. 

 

 

TRIAL ENTRY INFORMATION  

 

Trial Entry Open and Closing 

 

 

 

Entry Method 

 

All entries will be on-line via the link provided to the NACSW trial entry form. Paper and phone entries will not be accepted. Completing the form is not a guarantee of entry. You will receive a confirmation from luckydogevents@gmail.com to let you know if your entry has been given a space in the trial. 

 

 

Entry Requirements & Selection 

 

A Qualified Entry is one that meets all the following criteria: 

 

Qualified entry for NW3 – Dog has earned a NW2 title level and has not yet earned a NW3 elite title. 

Qualified entry for Elite – Dog has earned a NW3 elite title and has not yet earned an ELT-CH title. 

 

Trial spaces will be determined in the following manner: 

 

You will be notified via e-mail of the results of the random draw by 10:pm EDT May 4, 2023.  

 

If you have a spam blocker on your email account, please configure it to allow email from luckydogevents@gmail.com in order to ensure delivery of confirmation and information about this trial.  

 

You will then have 5 days to complete your payment to confirm your space in the trial. Trial payments are payable to Lucky Dog Events, 56 Wendell Rd, New Salem MA 01355 by check.  

 

A waiting list for alternates will be started as soon as entries fill. 

 

Alternates will be contacted when a space opens.   

 

Depending on last minute trial logistics, we may opt to not fill all canceled spaces. 

 

NACSW reserves the right to cancel a trial if minimum entry numbers are not met. 

 

Be sure you read and understand the guidelines for this trial before entering. By submitting a registration for this NACSW Trial, you acknowledge that you have read, understand, and accept the policies and liability information of NACSW. 

 

CANCELLATION POLICY 

The following cancellation policy applies: 

 

All cancellations must be emailed to luckydogevents@gmail.com. 

 

For cancellations that meet the above guidelines, refunds will be issued within 30 days of the request and no later than 14 days after the trial date.  

 

Entry fees shall not be refunded if a dog or handler is absent, disqualified, or excused by the NACSW official or judge. 


This cancellation and refund policy applies to competitors that must withdraw for any reason including but not limited to injury, illness, emergency, and personal or work-related reasons. If the trial cannot take place or be completed by reason of fire, civil disturbances, an Act of God, public emergency, or any other cause beyond the control of the trial organizers, then the trial host will make their best effort to provide partial refunds after recouping their expenses. 

 

LOCATION DETAILS 

 

Modeled after real-life detection work, NACSW trials are held in many different locations, with a variety of terrain, under varying weather conditions. Dogs and handlers need to be able to safely negotiate a variety of surfaces, including, but not limited to, tile, linoleum, carpeting, gravel, asphalt, uneven surfaces, and slippery footing. Handlers should be prepared to deal with a variety of weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain and snow. Trials frequently require covering extensive distances to get to and from the parking area to each of the search areas and generally require that this be done across natural, uneven surfaces. Handlers should be prepared for the physical demands and must be able to navigate the terrain with their dog accordingly. Participants should expect to spend most of the day outside or in their vehicles as there are rarely indoor crating options at trials. Please be prepared for you and your canine partner to deal with all of these varying environmental challenges. Handlers should familiarize themselves with potential regional risks and health concerns that may affect themselves or their dogs.  Handlers agree that they are entering this trial at their own risk.  

 

ADA Site Specific Conditions 

This trial location is a country fairgrounds. The parking lot, pathways and search areas may require you to navigate rough terrain in wooded areas. There will be long walks to the search areas that will involve moderate elevation changes. Due to unforeseen conditions, such as weather or change in availability of areas at the location, these conditions may be modified at the last minute. 

 

Parking 

The parking lot will be dirt and grass with limited shade. Due to unforeseen conditions, such as weather or change in availability of areas at the location, this policy may be modified at the last minute. 

 

Reactive Dog Parking 

There will be reactive dog parking at this trial for those who wish to park in this area, however the parking is tight and there will not be separate potty areas or warm up boxes. Due to unforeseen conditions, such as weather or change in availability of areas at the location, this policy may be modified at the last minute. 

 

Unentered Dogs 

Unentered dogs must remain in the competitor’s vehicle during the trial day. There will be ample potty areas, but unentered dogs should not be allowed to “play”, exercise, or train on the trial grounds. 

 

RV Parking 

There is space for RVs to park, but you may have a bit of a walk to search location. To reserve a space, you will need to contact the host after you receive a confirmation that you have received a space in the trial. Email luckydogevents@gmail.com to reserve RV space. There are no hook-ups – but you may dry camp overnight.    

Due to unforeseen conditions, such as weather or change in availability of areas at the location, this policy may be modified at the last minute. 

 

Running Vehicles or Generators in the parking lot 

There is ample parking and we will have a separate parking area for those wishing to run their vehicles or generators during the day. The parking space may change daily – it will depend on where searches are located. Due to unforeseen conditions, such as weather or change in availability of areas at the location, this policy may be modified at the last minute. 

 

Smoking 

Smoking is not allowed on this trial site, including the use of e-cigarettes 

 

Hotels 

A list of area hotels and directions will be provided with entry confirmations. 

 

 

DOG INFORMATION 

 

Dog Policies 

 

Females in Season 

Females in season will be allowed to run wearing “pants” at the end of each search after all other dogs have been judged. 

Handlers with females in season should park and toilet their dogs away from the other dogs if the location logistics permit. 

Handlers must contact luckydogevents@gmail.com so plans can be made for the dog.   

 

OTHER INFORMATION  

 

COVID-19 Information 

Event attendees are required to adhere to the NACSW COVID-19 Event Guidelines and Rules 

In addition to those guidelines the following changes and guidelines are in effect for this trial due to COVID-19. 

 

If there are any significant changes or updates after the draw period, entrants will be notified via email. Competitors are responsible for staying up to date on any jurisdictional requirements for their home location as well as the trial location including any travel guidance.  

 

Rules 

Complete rules are available at www.NACSW.net. It is the responsibility of each competitor to read and understand the current NACSW Rule book prior to participating in a NACSW event.   

 

Liability 

By registering for the trial, the competitor hereby assumes all risks of, and responsibility for, accidents and/or damage to her/himself or to her/his property or to others, resulting from the actions of her/his dog. The competitor expressly agree that the NACSW, Lucky Dog Events and its assignees or any other person, or persons, of said groups, shall not be held liable personally, or collectively, under any circumstances, for injury, and/or damage to her/himself, for loss or injury to property, whether due to uncontrolled dogs or negligence of any member of said groups, or any other cause, or causes. The competitor also agrees to assume all financial liability that may be incurred by the NACSW due to the actions of themselves or their dogs regardless of the cause. 

 

Sportsmanship 

All competitors/handlers and spectators are expected to follow the rules of the NACSW and demonstrate good sportsmanship. This includes making sure the hide placements are unknown to the handler prior to testing and kept secret from other competitors. Please do not discuss hide placement or any details of a dog's performance that may provide information or clues to other handlers or may be overheard. 

 

NACSW Results 

Results for each search and overall will be posted after all searches are completed and scores are verified for you to record your results for your own records. It is your responsibility to ensure your scores are accurate prior to leaving trial grounds. If a discrepancy cannot be verified at the trial, you may be instructed to submit a score card review request. It is not the responsibility of the host or NACSW  to return score sheets that are left behind or to mail ribbons that are not picked up. 

 

Spectators 

Spectating allowed with no group gathering limits: Spectating will be allowed at searches, space permitting and at the Certifying Official’s discretion. Spectators may not photograph or video searches. Children under 18 must always be directly supervised by a parent/guardian. No dogs will be allowed in the spectator area. No unentered dogs with spectators are allowed at the trial. Spectators are reminded that the hide placements must not be discussed nor should they speak with any competitors about what they saw until after the trial is complete. 

 

An adult accompanying a minor must be present during the searches.  

 

Everyone at the trial site must sign the waiver provided by the host and comply with all event requirements.  

 

Competitors are not allowed to watch the trial at any time. 

 

Videotaping and Photography 

At the host's discretion, a photographer and/or video service may be present during the trial to offer photos and/or videos for sale to the competitors. 

 

If the site allows public video to be taken, handlers may wear visible head or chest cameras to record their searches. You will not be allowed extra time at the start line to get your camera functioning. Please be sure it is ready to go prior to arriving at the search area. Videos may not be made public until completion of the trial day. 

 

As a condition of your entry, you agree to allow NACSW, or their agents, to video you and your dog during the entirety of the NACSW event. These videos are the property of NACSW. All competitors, through entry at any NACSW event, waive any and all rights relative to video broadcast or photography of such event. 

 

Questions 

All trial related questions, contact Kim Lewis, luckydogevents@gmail.com.