PRESTON – The first field trial of Grouse Ridge Kennels’ 2011 season took off last week under mostly sunny skies. A field of 14 English Setters raced down wild birds along the various fields of the 2,000 acres course from Wednesday through Friday.

It was the 21st annual running of the Grand National Grouse & Woodcock Invitation. The competition pits the United States’ 14 top coverdogs, selected by a point system awarded the previous year, head to head against each other. In the event, all of the dogs run one hour per day for two days then the final two, four or even six contestants are called back on the last day. Their owners, handlers and judges follow along on foot or ride horseback.

No birds are actually killed. The winning Setter is scored on various performance aspects, including the physical ability to strike and hold a point with such boldness and confidence as to pin the bird. Noses are pointed; tails held straight up.

The Grand National venue rotates to three regions: Lake States, Mid Atlantic and New England. There were dogs from New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Louisiana and Virginia in the competition.