WHAT IS THE TRIPLE CROWN?

The American Pointing Labrador Association (APLA) Triple Crown is the pinnacle of pointing Labrador Retriever hunt tests. Dogs who have achieved the 4x Grand Master Pointing Retriever (4XGMPR) title and have passed two qualifying Master level tests during the previous twelve months are invited to compete at this prestigious, three-day, national-level event which showcases the skills and training of these versatile hunting retrievers. 

Purebred Labrador Retrievers from across the United States compete in a series of six tests over the three-day period: one retrieving test followed by an upland hunt each day. The three retrieving series include a land series, a water series and a land-water series. At least two series have triple marks, and all series have either a single or double blind, and one series includes an honor. At the conclusion of the retriever series each day, any dog called back then moves on to the upland series. Each upland series consist of a 20-minute hunt, where dogs must hunt for four chukar planted in a 5-10 acre field. Dogs must point the chukars and be steady to wing, shot, and fall. They are not permitted to chase any moving bird and are released to retrieve downed birds by the judges.

Dogs must pass each series to move on to the next. To earn the prestigious 4XGMPR-TC title, the dog must earn a passing score on each of the three days. Passing the Triple Crown also serves as part of the qualifying requirements for the APLA Hall of Fame.

The Triple Crown is held in September of each year.  The first event was held in Higginsville, Missouri in 2021. The event is now rotated among three regions of the US including the Pacific/Mountain region, the Central region, and the Eastern region. The Triple Crown was held in Divide, Colorado in 2022, Lenore, Idaho in 2023, and Freeman, South Dakota in 2024.  The 2025 event will be held in Fenwick, Michigan.