What are the Principal Stakes?
DERBY: For dogs over 6 months of age and not yet two years of age. A good place to get your feet wet. The marks are the easiest of any of the stakes. Generally two marks in a series, a long memory bird 250 plus yards and a shorter go bird 150 yards cover and terrain are moderate. The top four dogs are awarded points. There is no title given for Derby competition. QUALIFYING: Dogs over six months are eligible and who have never won first, second, third, or fourth place, or a Judges Award of Merit (JAM) in an Open All-Age, Limited All-Age, or won first second, third or fourth place in an Amateur All-Age stake two first places in Qualifying stakes. This is the intermediate stake between Derby and the Major Stakes. AMATEUR ALL-STAKE: Open to dogs over six months of age and handled by nonprofessional trainers only. OPEN ALL-AGE: For dogs over six months and handled by either pro or amateur trainers. The Limited Stakes are open only to dogs who have been placed or awarded a JAM in an Open Al
