These are taken from Roberta Williams’ original rules, as modified by changes made during the 2017 rules revisions for Gun Dog and Puppy of the Year.  New information on Master, Senior, Junior, and Advanced Junior stakes were added for completeness in 2020. 

In-Club Rules for SINGLES CLASSIC stake:

• Two (2) Single long marks.  Marks are at least 100 to 200 yards subject to the judges’ placement.  The dog that runs the straightest line OUT to pick up the bird wins the stake.  The line BACK to the judges is not scored.  Judges should draw the line taken by the dog on the judge’s score sheets and grade the retrieve on a 1 to 10 basis with 10 being the best. 
•  Judges should draw accurate diagrams of the retrieves because several dogs may be in competition for the placements and First Place.
•  Entered dogs must be steady on the line and cannot break.  Young dogs may be run and held by the buckle collar or lead but no ribbons are awarded.  One judge should call “DOG” to release the dog at the line.
•  All dogs must deliver to hand without touching the dog.  The handler should then hand the duck to the judges. 
•  Dogs are placed First Place, Second Place, Third Place, Fourth Place, and JAMs.  A JAM is a Judges Award of Merit where the dog completes the retrieve but does not place First, Second, Third, or Fourth.  Green club ribbons are awarded for completions; colored placement ribbons are awarded for first through fourth place.
•  No points are awarded for Singles Classic towards Gun Dog or Puppy of the Year Awards.

In-Club Rules for PUPPY STAKES:

• There are two separate classifications of the puppy stakes.  Junior puppies are from ten weeks through six months (27 weeks of age).  Senior Puppies are from seven months to one year (28 weeks to first birthday).   Junior puppies should be run first so as not to confuse them with scents and other factors.  Junior marks are two (2) singles thrown in the lowest cut grass available at 20 to 30 yards.  Senior marks are extended out to 50 to 60 yards or more.
• Judges are strongly encouraged to set up different marking tests for the Junior and Senior puppy tests. A water mark should be included in the Senior puppy stake. Lack of suitable grounds, cold weather, and time may prohibit this suggestion but all efforts should be made to adhere to it.
•  A running line is established by the judges using a stick or marker to start the dogs from.  Handlers may hold Junior puppies any way they want until one of the judges says the word “DOG” to release the pup.  Judges should release the pup to retrieve as soon as the bumper or bird hits the ground.  The puppies are judged on the straightest line OUT and BACK because the hardest thing is to get the puppies back to the handler.
• Puppies must get the bumper or bird back across the line to earn placements or points.  Junior or Senior puppies do not have to deliver to hand.  Judges should draw diagrams on the judge’s score sheet so as to grade the puppies’ performance.
• Bird technicians should stand quietly and still after throwing.  The judges may ask the bird tech to help the puppy find the bumper or bird after the puppy has gotten out of the area of the fall.
• Placements of First, Second, Third, Fourth Place and JAMs (Judges Award of Merit) ribbons are awarded for each division.  Points for Puppy of the Year are as specified in the current rules for that award.

In-Club Rules for MASTER, SENIOR, JUNIOR and ADVANCED JUNIOR stakes:

• All stakes may be run on a single setup, or on separate setups.  Factors in deciding how many and which setups to use will be made based on availability of land and water and number / qualifications of member judges.
• Master Stakes will include at least one series that involves both land and water if at all possible.  Two series may be used, any combination of land and water, if space and time permit.  At least one triple mark and master-level blinds will be included in the Master setup.
•  Senior stakes will include at least one series that involves both land and water if at all possible.  Two series may be used, with one land and one water, if space and time permit. At least one double mark and two blinds will be included in the Senior setup. 
• Advanced Junior stakes will include at least one series that involves both land and water if at all possible.  Two series may be used, with one land and one water, if space and time permit.  Advanced Junior marks are doubles, but there are no blinds. 
• Junior stakes will include at least one series that involves both land and water if at all possible.  Two series may be used, with one land and one water, if space and time permit. At least two single marks will be included in the Junior setup, but no blinds.
• No points are awarded for Advanced Junior stakes towards Gun Dog or Puppy of the Year Awards. 
• No electronic collars or other training devices are permitted if the dog is being presented for completion ribbons or awards points.  However, a handler may declare the dog is being presented for training only and will be allowed to run the stake and be judged for information and advice for improvement.
•  Green club ribbons are awarded for completions.