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Working Test Results 2011
Prizes sponsored by ALPHA Dog Foods - the food of Champions
Open at Shirebrook Country Park - 8th May 2011
Award winners and Judges
Click on image to enlarge
An Open Working Test for Any Variety Retriever was held on Sunday 8th May 2011 at Shirebrook Wood Country Park, by kind permission of Nottinghamshire County Council and Forest Enterprise. 28 dogs were entered including Labradors, Golden Retrievers and Flatcoats. Prizes were generously sponsored by Alpha – the food of Champions.
The weather was cloudy and warm, but cooler than earlier in the week. The judges were Arthur Hewer, Brian Holmes and Cherry Wood. The reclaimed colliery spoil heap is planted and intersected by broad grassy rides, with a chain of ponds along a valley. Unfortunately the intervention of the Wildlife Trust meant that we were given short notice that we could not use any of the water, so some of the tests had to be altered from those planned. In the morning there were two retrieves at each station. Arthur judged a very long marked retrieve falling on a grassy hillside. This was followed by a blind placed at the edge of conifers. Both retrieves involved a jump over a wire fence. Further on Brian judged a pick-up with two dogs in line, the handlers being told there were six birds down, in a broad basin with scattered willow bushes. The dogs were then sent alternately to pick two dummies each. Meanwhile Cherry’s test involved two blind retrieves from cover or bushes and undergrowth, simulating a gun shooting rabbits.
After lunch, Arthur judged a walk-up with four dogs in line, and a marked retrieve each at intervals. The outrun was across rough grass, over a shallow ditch, then over a wire fence into the edge of pine trees. Two judges assessed the dogs sitting in pairs for a mock drive, followed by two blind retrieves. Brian nominated a tricky blind down a narrow ride through conifers for the lower numbered dog, whilst Cherry judged the other competitor for another blind towards a gun stood on a broader ride. With two dogs being handled simultaneously it created a situation more normal when picking up than in a trial or test..
Dogs had been well tested on nine retrieves, with a heavy emphasis on blinds. This led to the following results, with handlers from other Areas vying with those from the North Midlands, with Ann Blake winning for the second year in a row.
| 1st | Kinderton Black Pepper |
LR B | Mrs Ann Blake |
| 2nd | Hamford Wig | LR D | Mr David Brown (Midlands) |
| 3rd | Lowforge Amelia of Russjancoe | LR B | Mr Russell Hodgen |
| 4th | Saxaphone Brown Ale of Lincswolds | LR D | Mr Richard King (Lincs) |
| COM | Creazanbre Gypsy | LR D |
P&J Bills, handler Mr Peter Bills |
| COM | F.T.Ch. Garonpoint Rye of Lincswolds | LR D | Mr Richard King (Lincs) |
| COM | Hamish of Deer Meadow | LR D | Mr Ian Glover (Lincs) |
Veteran and Intermediate at Carlton Towers - 22 May
Veteran and Intermediate award winners and judges
Click on image to enlarge
The United Retriever Club (North Midland Area) held Intermediate and Veteran Tests on 22nd May 2011 at Carlton Towers, North Yorkshire, by kind permission of Cartlton Towers estate, and the co-operation of Head keeper Jonathon Cox. Prizes were kindly sponsored by Alpha, The Food of Champions. The judges were Alan Richardson, Anna Wagland and Phil Wagland. A supply of pigeons and rabbits and other game meant the dogs could be thoroughly tested on cold game. The tests utilised some natural shooting ground on the estate, with pasture, set aside and a cover crop surrounding a small pond. An early shower was followed by cloudy skies, with a strong breeze.
There were 6 entries for the Veteran test, and 38 for the Intermediate/Novice, with Labradors, Goldens and Flatcoated Retrievers competing.In the morning there were three marked retrieves, one under each judge. Anna judged in a pasture surrounded by hedges. Two dogs were in line observing a forward gun. Each new dog had to wait its turn for a marked retrieve, either to the right or the left of the gun. This tested steadiness and two of the dogs ran in. Marking was mostly accurate, and there were many good scores including 8 with full marks. Alan also had two dogs in line. A walking gun alongside a wood saluted retrieves for each in turn. Once again the standard was good, with 12 dogs scoring maximum points. Meanwhile Phil assessed a pigeon shooting situation, near the pond. The handler was asked to stand in a hide, with the dog either in the hide, or sat outside. A gun out of sight in another hide dropped a pigeon in an area of weeds. This could be marked by the handler, and by dogs outside the hide. However this was not always the case, as dogs were sometimes more interested in staring at the handler in the hide. Tactics varied with some handlers casting the dogs while they were still in the hide, and others moving to the side of the dog. The result that marking by both dogs and handlers was very variable and a broad range of points made it a discriminating test. Only one dog scored a maximum.
After lunch Anna and Phil judged a walk up in an extensive area of set-aside, with cover of chickweed and groundsel. Tall rapeseed formed a cover crop at one end, and a rough field boundary with scattered trees stretched along one side. There were four dogs in line, for forward marks saluted by gunfire, and blinds backwards or sideways into cover. As dogs completed their second retrieve they were replaced in line by the next available number, field trial fashion. With one exception heeling was satisfactory. Marking was often good, but some dogs overshot the bird, suggesting a tendency to train on unnatural long retrieves. As is usual the best work on blinds showed good rapport between dog and handler. Dogs were also tested at a drive in an undulating meadow, with clumps of rushes and reeds. A volley of shots for each group of dogs saluted a bolting rabbit running along a track. Each dog in turn was nominated to pick a rabbit placed at widely spaced locations in the clumps of cover. This tested the dogs for steadiness and whining during a drive and while other dogs were working. They also needed to handle where directed, ignoring where they had watched other dogs finding. This test produced a sprinkling of failures.
The six tests had yielded a clear result for the Veterans, but the top six Intermediate/Novice dogs were called in for a finale, with blind retrieves of pheasant or teal confirming the places. The awards and prizes of Alpha dog food were then presented by our Treasurer Mrs Janet Allsop.
Veteran Results
| 1st | Staftly Topi of Woodcock Hill (8 years old) |
LR B | Geoff Dobb |
| 2nd | Moondrifter Willow (10) | LR B | Eunice Read |
| 3rd | Wydcombe Daniel of Moscargrange (8) | GR D | S&AM Crookes, handler Anne Crookes |
| 4th | Tortrix Flash of Dunmar (8) | GR D | Duncan Matthews |
| COM | Cumberwood Cracka (11) | FCR B |
Cherry Wood |
Intermediate Results
| 1st | Tawnyway Devenny at Dalesprings |
LR B | Geoff Dobb |
| 2nd | Moondrifter Willow (10) | LR B | Eunice Read |
| 3rd | Wydcombe Daniel of Moscargrange (8) | GR D | S&AM Crookes, handler Anne Crookes |
| 4th | Tortrix Flash of Dunmar (8) | GR D | Duncan Matthews |
| COM | Cumberwood Cracka (11) | FCR B |
Cherry Wood |
Puppy at Welbeck - 3 July
Judges and Puppy award winners
Click on image to enlarge
The United Retriever Club (North Midland Area) held Puppy and Novice Tests on 3rd July 2011 at Welbeck, Nottinghamshire by kind permission of The Welbeck estate. The judges were David Haycock, Peter Bills, Mandy Minshall and Simon Tucker. The prizes were sponsored by Alpha The Food of Champions. It was a warm sunny day but the large lake allowed several water retrieves to cool the dogs.
The Puppy tests comprised four tests, judged by Mandy Minshall and Simon Tucker. There were13 entries with 3 breeds competing. The tests started with two marked retrieves, one in the lake and the other in adjacent woodland. In the parkland Simon tested the puppies on basic obedience, as they were heeled to a gateway in a sheep pen where they had to sit as the gate was opened, then continue at heel and complete a send back for a dummy. Meanwhile Mandy sent the dogs for a mark near some brashings in the grass, followed by a blind in the same area. After one run-off the judges agreed these awards:-
| 1st | Dykesmarsh Englander |
LR D | Kitson & Barrett, handler Sharon Kitson |
| 2nd | Pebbletoft Primrose | GR B | PJ Wagland, handler Anna Wagland) |
| 3rd | Libris Kimball At Leerambler | GR B | JA & PE Illingworth, handler A Illingworth |
| 4th | Warrenbank Eagle | LR D | Bel Grundy |
| Best Young Puppy |
Bassington Bracken | LR D |
Neil Stanley |
Novice at Welbeck - 3 July
Judges and Novice award winners
Click on image to enlarge
The 35 dogs entered for the Novice Tests were given two marked retrieves in the morning. Dave Haycock judged a mark over an obstacle into a grassy trackway. Dogs could jump either a gate or adjacent fencing, or find a gap to wriggle under. Meanwhile Peter assessed a water retrieve with dogs sent from the retaining dam wall into the upper lake.
After lunch all four judges assessed all the dogs on four more retrieves. Dave and Peter conducted a walk up site in a dry valley in the parkland, with four dogs in line. At intervals two marks were thrown one forward and the other behind. Dave sent a dog for the forward mark, whilst Peter sent his dogs in turn for the memory retrieve behind. As the dogs changed judges they were well tested for heeling and marking. Mandy judged at the lakes sending dogs from the top of the dam down to the water, and across a corner of the lake for a blind. Nearby in the cool of the woodland Simon judged another blind under trees, with a distraction on the lake to ignore.
Eight dogs were clustered together with 111 to 113 out of 120 points. These were called in to face a simulated duck drive on the dam to the upper lake. Three dogs were eliminated. Five then attempted a blind, involving handling along the dam into light cover at the far end. One failed and four succeeded in varying styles to conclude the test.
| 1st | Coatesholme Fennel |
LR B | D&M Pye, handler David Pye |
| 2nd | Ritas Rose of Garrenwell |
LR B | Daryl Boldy (Novice Handler Shield) |
| 3rd | Swaine Paiju of Peniglen |
LR B | Ian Whittle |
| 4th | Lenyam Martins of Churchwood | FCRR D | T&A Sparkes, handler Terry Sparkes |
| Best Puppy |
Derrity Spice | LR D |
Charlotte Smith |
Hope Valley Show Gundog Event - 29 August
The winning team
Click on image to enlarge
The Hope Valley Show took place on August Bank Holiday on the attractive show ground in Derbyshire. Despite clouds and showers there was a good crowd and The Inter-Breed Team Test organized by the North Midlands Area once more drew many spectators. Seven teams took part, with 2 Novice dogs and 2 Open dogs in each team.
The Judges were David and Roz Bellamy from Nottinghamshire. Anne Crookes provided an informative commentary throughout and scores were immediately relayed to the crowd. The event was sponsored by “Alpha – The Food of Champions”. Each team came into the arena as foursome, with a variety of marked and blind retrieves on ground with rough grass, clumps of fir trees and a fence to jump. During the lunch break Paul Birkbeck brought several Labrador puppies in the ring and younger spectators were invited to come and meet them.
As the tests resumed teams faced a walk-up, with a bolting rabbit causing problems for some of the dogs. The black Flatcoats put in a good challenge, but the three teams of Labradors were vying for the honours. There were winning individual performances by Graham Slater’s Chocolate Labrador Baron of Harefile at Oakshot (Best Novice), and Phil Wagland’s Golden Retriever Moscargrange Barley of Pebbletoft (Best Open dog). The team scores were much closer than in previous years. However the most all-round team was the Black Labrador team, Which took the Esmoro Trophy for the second year in a row. The prizes were kindly presented by the Show President and his Lady.
Winning Team of Black Labradors
Janet Allsop’s Blackharn Duffy of Anstonstones
June Brocklesby’s Anna Perenna of Oakshot
Ann Blake’s Kinderton Black Pepper
Amanda Minshall’s Burlington Bert of Belvedere
| 1st | Black Labradors |
505 |
| 2nd | Yellow Labradors |
500 |
| 3rd | Chocolate Labradors |
500 |
| 4th | Black Flatcoated Retrievers | 497 |
| 5th |
Golden Retrievers | 463 |
| 6th | Chesapeake Bay Retrievers | 453 |
| 7th | Liver Flatcoated Retrievers | 445 |
Open Cold Game at Edwinstowe - 11 September
Winners and Judges
Click on image to enlarge
The North Midland Area held an Open Cold Game Test at Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire on 11th September 2011 by kind permission of Mr Robert Bealby. The judges were Mr Philip Smithies and Mr Trefor Richards. The event was generously sponsored by Alpha.
The weather was cloudy and windy, but remained dry. There were three retriever breeds among the 26 runners. Run under Field Trial rules, the test commenced with a walk-up in a 20 acre field of sugar beet. There were two guns to salute thrown pigeons. In the first round, dogs were given two marked pigeons, either forward in the beet or towards a hedge on the left flank. A few problems resulted when dogs picked the wrong bird of two down. Proceeding down the field, undulating ground made for variety. For the second round, the line swung round and walked uphill with a wood to the left. Dogs were given either a blind behind or a diagonal retrieve on the opposite flank.
After lunch the judges called forward 13 dogs for a further walk-up and a more testing longer retrieve. The best ten dogs were then asked to sit through a simulated partridge drive, with the line facing a hedgerow. Initially, dogs were sent alternately to one of two distant locations across stubble behind the line. Handling at a distance caused problems for some and three failed at this stage. The top dogs then collected a further blind towards the weedy border of the beet field. After further retrieves to fine tune the places, the judges agreed on the following six awards:-
| 1st | Bedgebrook Harrier of Annsfarm |
LR B | Anita Beal |
| 2nd | F.T.CH. Lowsommer Willowfean Swift |
LR D | Sue Lowe |
| 3rd | Saxaphone Brown Ale of Lincswolds |
LR D | Richard King |
| 4th | Millcottage Diamond | LR D | Malcolm Peacock |
| COM |
Lowforge Amelia of Russjancoe | LR D |
Russell Hodgen |
| COM | Swaine Silicea | LR B |
Geoff Dobb |
Training Class Puppy and Beginners at Hathersage - 18 September
Winners and Judges
Click on image to enlarge
The Test was held at Cunliffe House, Hathersage, Derbyshire by kind invitation of Mr and Mrs R. Dickson. The Judges were Elaine Welburn and Cliff Higham. The prizes were generously sponsored by Alpha. The test took place on a day of sunshine and showers. Compact fields of pasture, divided by narrow belts of trees provided the setting for six tests. The difficulty was adjusted according to the three classes competing.
Cliff started with a mark over a fence. Elaine’s test involved some heeling and a mark, the puppies running singly and the Novice and Open with three in line. Next came a blind under each judge, one in a narrow plantation and the other alongside a meandering beck. The pups were also tested for obedience through a gate. After lunch there were two further tests, and run-offs to split the dogs where needed.
Four different breeds took part and three of them featured in the awards. Tea at Cunliffe provided a sociable conclusion to the training season, with a special cake to celebrate Roger and Pauline Dickson’s Diamond Wedding and Philip and Anna Wagland’s Golden Wedding celebrated in 2011.
| 1st | Rosie |
GR B | Anna Wagland |
| 2nd | Amber |
LR B | Daryl Boldy |
| 3rd | Kim |
GR D | Allan Illingworth |
| 4th | Yogi | FCR D | Fred Newton |
Training Class Novice at Hathersage - 18 September
| 1st | Winta | LR B | Brian Holmes |
| 2nd | Duffy |
LR B | Janet Allsop |
| 3rd | Rosie |
LR B | Daryl Boldy |
| 4th | Evie | GR B | Barbara Rumsey |
Training Class Open at Hathersage - 18 September
| 1st | Brig | GR D | Alan Richardson |
| 2nd | Brisk |
GR B | Anne Crookes |
| 3rd | Tilly |
GR B | Duncan Mathews |
| 4th | Hazel | GR B | Anna Wagland |