On what was looking to be one of the hottest days of the year so far, our stewards were challenged in setting achievable tests, keeping the dogs welfare in mind along with trying to keep competitors in some shade. The judges and dummy throwers were not quite so fortunate but we had a break after two tests to give everyone chance to cool off.
We have not used Black Notley for a working test before, although we have been here for trials, and we are very grateful to Philip Ratcliffe and family along with the keeper Danny for making us very welcome and allowing us access to the ground.
Our grateful thanks go to our four lovely judges Peter and Karen Hurst, Kelvin Smith and Nikki Stranks for kindly giving their time to judge for us, and with no complaints and a smile and time for every dog, despite the heat!
A big thank you too, to our wonderful band of helpers, Gordon, David, Rob, Nick, Liz and committee Jackie and Paul for throwing or placing dummies, and not forgetting Barbara for lunch along with all the committee behind the scenes making these events happen, and finally thank you for the ongoing support to our sponsors Skinners Dog Foods.
Our stewards Keith and Lee set four tests, which all appeared very straightforward, but each had its only stumbling block which caught some of the dogs out. A few people pulled out ahead of the test due to the heat, but we still had a good if smaller than usual field of dogs competing.
Nikki was judging a long mark with shot which dropped just over the brow of the hill, before the dogs were sent there was a second shot which was for a blind under a big tree in the long grass which was the second retrieve.
Karen was judging a double memory mark, the first dummy fell behind the hedge line and the second at a right angle appeared to land in the long grass but actually fell onto a short grass. The first retrieve meant pushing the dogs through a gap in the hedge into the next field but hopefully stopping the dog to collect the dummy before going too deep. The order of collecting the dummies was reversed for the special puppies.
Kelvin had a double blind downhill into the long grass, one to the far left and one far right, both with shot, this test also had a distraction mark to the far right with a dummy thrown out to shot down the hill which was not to be picked.
Peter was judging a long mark, with a downhill run through the gap in the hedge then uphill into the opposite field; the second retrieve was a blind to shot down in the long grass on the ditch line.
So despite the heat, the day ran very well, the mood was excellent and everyone had a good day, culminating with the customary homemade cakes along with a cuppa. We had winners in each class and it was lovely to see some new faces in the awards.
Novice:
1st Teywillow Queen Bee LRB Geoff Allen winning the Challenge Cup
2nd Sealeway Daisy LRB Steve Wright winning the Crosspath Cup
3rd Kentwone Opal Luster LRB Arthur Cook
4th Asgarby Yellow Boy LRD Chris Johnson
CoM Linhead Bloom LRB Sara Kelly
Special Puppy:
1st Quag's Quintessence Loyal Gold GRD Pawel Zygadlo winning the Oysterbed Trophy
2nd Carrigvale's Paddy LRD Robert Collins winning the Fobbingacre Trophy
3rd Sirenbirch Enngrdale Head LRD Roy Jarman winning the Cortian Trophy
Veteran:
1st Lannakers Quest of Tofts LRD Glynis Hillier winning the Hassenbrook Trophy
2nd Tildaross Byron LRD Chris Johnson
3rd Brockaghs Fianait LRB Mike lawrence
4th Fenton Black LRD David Mayes
Rising Star Cup for the highest placed Novice Handler with Novice Dog Steve Wright with Sealeway Daisy
Kelhatch Trophy for Best Essex Novice Entry Geoff Allen with Teywillow Queen Bee
Elmbrook Cup for Best Opposite sex to Novice Winner Chris Johnson with Asgarby Yellow Boy