Jeff,
NAHRA is more similar to HRC than AKC, but along the same lines. At a NAHRA test, you see a bunch of hunting dogs run by their owners - almost zero pro involvement. It's a smaller organization with a family atmosphere, and the tests look very much like hunting. It's very common to run out of boats, off a dog platform, out of a mutt hut, etc. No kennel dogs here - NAHRA dogs HUNT!
Here's a link to the clubs - and yes, there are 3 clubs in California. I'm not sure exactly where in CA:
http://www.nahra.org/index.php/find-a-club Also a link to the rule book:
http://www.nahra.org/index.php/about-us/rule-bookIn a nutshell, there are 4 levels you can run:
STARTED - 5 single marks. 2 on water, 2 on land, and the 5th is up to the judge. Dogs can be restrained by a lead and must deliver in close proximity to the handler (much like APLA's Certified).
HUNTER - Water double, land double, and a trailing test. Dogs must be steady without being restrained, and must deliver to hand. The "trail" tests the dog's ability to scent trail a wounded bird.
INTERMEDIATE - Water double, land double, land blind, water blind, upland quartering test, and trailing test. Blinds are NOT incorporated with the marks.
SENIOR - Water triple, land triple, water blind, land blind, upland quartering with steady to shot, and trailing test. At least one blind must be incorporated with the marks (usually both are). At this level, you can expect to see just about anything: poison birds, diversions, honors, etc. It's also very common to combine multiple series. For example, at my last test, we quartered a field with a steady to flush/shot. At the end of the field, you sat your dog and ran a land triple with a blind. I've never been penalized in any way when my dog points in the upland.
4 Started passes = SR title
4 Hunter passes = HR title
4 Intermediate passes = WR title
5 Senior passes = MHR title
15 Senior passes = GMHR title
50 Senior passes = GMHRCH title.
The Invitational is an annual event. Dogs must have a MHR title to be eligible.
NAHRA and APLA are the only venues that require a dog to run upland and retrieving series in the same day. A very difficult concept that's not always appreciated by people who only run HRC or AKC.
Fritz, Off the top of my head, I can already think of quite a few APLA titled dogs from our region that will be eligible, so I'll be disappointed if there are only 5 entered. We also know of some nice PL's that are eligible but haven't run APLA.