On Sunday 12th October we held our final Working Test of the year at Gardeners Farm, Springfield, Chelmsford, by kind permission of our host, Mr Robert Bucknell.
Our thanks also go to SKINNER’S dog foods for sponsoring the day.
We were fortunate to have an abundance of experience in our team of judges in Liz Ingram, Caroline Heasman, Mike Lawrence and Keith Foster. I’m sure many handlers benefitted today from your advice, comments and encouragement, so thank you all.
We salute our helpers for making the day possible. A special thanks to Alice, Geoff, Charlie and Harley, our non-committee helpers who gave up their time to make the day run so well.
The Stewards, Cathey Elsey and Jackie Smith set out four tests for the twenty-three competitors.
Test 1 being set up on the higher ground, was a two dog walk up with a memory and a mark, with the right-hand dog being sent first for the mark and then the left-hand dog for the memory. The handlers then swapped over for the second retrieve.
Test 2 saw the dogs being sent downhill and through a narrow passage in the belt and out the other side to a mark with shot. A blind was then set out in the same area as the dogs returned.
Tests 3 and 4 were set lower down the valley where the scenting conditions appeared more challenging.
Test 3 was a shot to a blind which was positioned across the open meadow into white grass. That shot was followed up by another with a mark thrown out into the meadow at 45 degrees. The mark was retrieved first and then the blind which required the dogs to hold a straight line to get into the right area.
The final test was a single dog walk up adjacent to a thin hedge line with a shallow dry ditch. A mark with shot was thrown into the meadow out to the right which became a memory. That was followed by a shot along the hedge line where a blind was already placed in the edge amongst white grass. The blind needed picking first with every handler no doubt praying the seen dummy was not too much of a draw! Most resisted the temptation but scenting the blind proved challenging for many of the dogs who needed a fair amount of handling.
As is generally the case, the dogs sorted themselves out throughout the day. We witnessed some excellent work particularly from the dogs in the awards but there were some memorable moments throughout the field. Susan Cooper is unlikely to forget the flawless performance on test 2!
The top two dogs needed a run-off to split them.
We finished the day with the customary tea and cake then drew the raffle.
RESULTS:
1st Place for the Autumn Cup Carrigvale’s Paddy - LRB - Rob Collins
2nd Place Kentwone Opal Luster - LRB – Arthur Cook
3rd Place Geordieland Yamaha Queen – LRB – Tammy White
4th Place Caulaincourt Cledwyn – LRD – Clare Webb
CoM Linhead Bloom – LRB – Sara Kelly
Highest placed Novice Dog / Novice Handler (Essex Area Member)
The Elder Athos Trophy was awarded to Linhead Bloom – LRB – Sara Kelly