Gerald’s Own Criteria (With a Little Help from His Friends)
Updated 12-22-2023:
What would have Gerald done? The tradition established by Gerald Richards since 1975 lives on. Of course we can’t know how Gerald would have evolved the Sky Trials. What we do know is that he was always tinkering with all aspects of the Sky Trials. It is certain that it would not have stayed the same as it was in 1994 when Gerald passed. He would have been curious to see how new technology, or different methods could make the Sky Trials even better. We will do the same.
Judges/Judging:
Judging has always been a challenge. Our judges do their best to be fair, and consistent. Consistency is paramount. We have no instant replay cameras to review. But what is important is that the judging is consistent for every flight and all birds are measured against the same standard.
It is both challenging and rewarding to be a judge. They have the best seat in the house, but are occasionally treated like referees at a professional sports games, when the call doesn’t agree with coaches or players. Gerald began this competition to have a little fun at the end of the flying season; we appreciate your respect for the judges and for not letting the competitive nature of the event supersede the fun we intend to have.
When does Judging start? The judged sequence of each flight is determined from the time the falcon is cast off the glove to the time it catches or gives up on the competition pigeon, and the falconer has reported to the head judge that his or her falcon back on the fist.
How much time does each Falconer have? A total of 20 minutes is allowed for this flight. Contestants will have one point deducted for each minute beyond this time limit. (Time will be rounded up according to universal rounding rules: 20:01 total flying time will be deducted 1 point. 21:02 will also be deducted 2 points.)
What will the Falcon be Judged on? During the flight, the falcon will be judged on pitch, stoop and the pursuit after the stoop.
How many Judges will there be? There will be 2-3 judges out in the field. They will consult with one another and determine how best to monitor time, watch the GPS data and watch the stoop/pursuit.
The Sky Trials is a one shot deal. No second flights for any reason. Every time we fly we risk the interference of unpredictable quarry, wild prairie falcons, eagles, etc. (This rule may in a rare, extreme circumstance be mitigated by unanimous consent of the judges.)
The judges may call no contest if they feel the Sky Trials is compromised by unfair manipulation, intentional or otherwise. The judges’ decisions are final. No contest means no contest, no awards, no refunds. It is in the best interest of everyone to work to see that the event is fair to all. Only the Judges can make this call.
Pigeon selection. The contestant will pick the 2 pigeons he or she wants for the flight, but will not touch the pigeons at any time. Each falcon will be served 2 pigeons simultaneously. This gives the pigeons a much higher level of confidence and they will fly much better as a result.
Contestants entering more than one bird. Contestants entering more than one bird will present their falcon for the judges to read the band number and must match the number with the assigned time slot. Contestants entering more than one bird are not allowed to interchange their time slots between their birds or with other contestants. (No exceptions.)
First flights 8:00 am Sharp! Both Days. In order to accommodate those falconers who wish to fly early as well as the wishes of the pigeon provider, the judges will be ready in the field as will the falconer at 8:00am ready to fly. If the falconer scheduled to fly at 8:00 am is not there by 8:10 am they forfeit the time slot and the next falconer will proceed with their flight. The assigned 8:00 am falconer can choose to fly after all other assigned slots are done flying for the day.
Friday is qualifiers day. The top 10 scoring birds will fly on Saturday. Scores will be reset and the scores only from Saturday will be considered to determine the winners of the event.
Pitch (1 point for every 50 feet of height)
Pitch represents the height the falcon reaches when the falconer calls for the serve. The judges will use the GPS transmitter to determine the height of the falcon when the falconer calls for the Pigeons to be tossed. The falcon will receive 1 point per 50 feet flown rounding down. (example a bird is served at 695’ would score 13 points and a bird that is served at 651 feet would also score 13 points)
Each contestant will be required to attached a provided Marshal GPS transmitter to their falcons. In the unlikely event the falcon cannot be measured with the GPS, the judges will collectively agree on their best estimation of the height of the bird.
No drones, balloons, RC planes, kites, audio or other stimuli to get the bird in the air will be allowed. That includes recordings of drone noise, etc.
NOTE: No falcon will be served under 500 feet. To give the pigeons the same head start advantage they may have flying in the wild, the falcon must be at least 500 feet high (not away) before the pigeons are served.
Stoop (20 points)
It is especially during the stoop, the free-fall pursuit of the falcon towards the pigeons, that the art of the competition is measured. Gerald’s scoring criteria for the technical segment are as follows:
Catches the pigeon = 20 points.
Feathers the pigeon = 16 points.
Pursues with considerable force, but no contact = 12 points.
Intent on the pigeon, but not close = 8 points.
Some interest = 4 points.
No interest = The bird will score 0 points and not be in the running for the finals unless there are open slots for Saturday Finals then the judges will look at the highest pitch scores to fill in the missing slots for Saturday. On Saturday no interest birds will not be eligible for prizes.
Pursuit (20 points)
Pursuit points are earned as the falcon makes additional threatening passes/attacks at the quarry. There is a degree of difference in a crafty pigeon offensively dodging a pursuing falcon who is well behind it and one that is forced defensively to dodge an immediate impact. The pigeons flown in the Sky Trials are often bred as competitive racers and are often well out ahead of the falcon, juking and maneuvering the falcon who is trying to keep up. Falcons that get full pursuit points close the gap quickly and force the pigeon into defensive lifesaving maneuvers (turns).
If you are new to the Sky Trials, we as falconers are cheering for our well-bred pigeons as much as we are our falcons. Good strong racing homers have evolved to evade well the stoop of a falcon. These pigeons evade clever attacks from wild falcons every time they fly. 20 points available 5 points are awarded for each time the falcon forces the turn of the pigeon. (Up to 4 turns awarded). 20 points are awarded if the pigeon is caught in the pursuit. If the pigeon is caught while putting in at the judges table, under a car, etc., the bird will score for the number of turns it caused the pigeon to take prior to the put in.
Speed (1 point for 70 miles per hour and 1 point for every 5 MPH over that. )
Speed will be rated using the Marshall GPS. In the stoop starting at 70 MPH there will be 1 point awarded with an additional 1 point for every 5 mph over that rounded down. Example 79 MPH scores 2 points and 81 will score 3 points.
Additional Rules
All dogs must be kept on a leash. The only exception will be the dog of the falconer that is competing during his allotted time slot.
Live Lures: You can use your own pigeon (One will not be provided) or other bird to be flashed near the judges in the event a bird flies off or doesn’t want to come down AFTER the pigeons are served. This pigeon will be secured on a leash and will be flashed to get the falcon’s attention back on the falconer and his or her lure. IT IS NOT TO BE USED AS THE LURE. You are not to use a live lure where the falcon comes down and allow the falcon to kill the live lure unless you are beyond a mile and you feel your bird is at risk. The live lure pigeon will be secured away immediately as soon as the falcon begins its descent.
No Exhibition flying after flight. With respect to other contestants anxious to get into the field, no lure flying is allowed after the pigeon is served. Contestants are asked to exit the field as soon as their falcon is picked up. (Exhibition flights are welcomed after all the flights are completed and an announcement will be made for the spectators if needed.) The organizer reserves the right to make an exception to this rule, if for example there are open slots before the next scheduled flight.
