Retriever trials using water as a component are an American idea generally credited to Eltinge Warner, publisher of Field & Stream. He organized the first “water” trial held in 1914 in East Hampton, NY on Georgica Pond. These informal water events continued until the advent of AKC retriever trials in 1932. The early informal trials were open to all breeds as this photo shows. 
        The ACC held its first AKC field trial in 1932 at Islip, NY and continued the emphasis on water tests. This emphasis is what ended up distinguishing the American trial scene from the British. In England, water work was incidental in the trials and land work accounted for bulk of the testing.