Our thanks to Charlie ad Judith Albone for allowing us come to this lovely ground, perfect for these tests. Fortunately, the car park field was very large as we had the cars of 38 competitors, our judges and our helpers to accommodate!
We also thank Skinners for sponsoring the event and our judges Sue Hales-Lowe, Charlie Albone and Bill Emms. We must not forget our Chief Steward, Keith Parker and our brilliant helpers who happily threw dummies, placed blinds and stewarded.
There were four tests for all the dogs, the difficulty reflected the experience of the dog.
Test 1 was a mark and a memory for novice dog/novice handler. Puppies and special puppies had a mark and a short blind
Test 2 was a double mark for all at appropriate distances.
Test 3 was along a dry grassy strip. For special puppies, this was a short walk up and a mark in front. Handler and dog then turned for a mark behind in front of a fence. Puppies faced the fence and a mark was thrown just in front of the fence. Handler and dog turned and walked away a short distance for a mark in front. Handler and dog turned to pick the original mark. The novice dogs walked up for a longer mark in front, walked up then turned for a blind behind just in front of the fence.
After lunch, all the dogs sat for a drive. The dummies were thrown at a distance of about 30metres with shouts and, except for the special puppies, with starting pistol shots. The five special puppies were rock solid. One group of puppies stayed put, but two of the other group found the drive too exciting. The three groups of novice dogs were all steady.
Finally, two dogs in each of puppy and novice dog/novice handler had a long mark run off.
Results:
Special Puppy
1st Hookamslade Enua LDR B handled by Dean Tidswell
Awarded the Fleetbank Shield
2nd Bellspaddle Mighty Oak LDR D handled by Godfrey Lowe
3rd Ravenstag’s Javan LDR B handled by Laila Curtis-Noonan
Puppy
1st Poison Ivy Cove LDR B handled by Anne Austin
Awarded the Melnola Sheild
2nd Etomanal Vermont LDRB handled by Claire Carvis
3rd Plumpark Campbell LDR D handled by Ian Glover
4th Dusty Chinook LDR D handled by Suzie Hefford
CoM Midgewater Best Buddy LDR D handled by Tracey Dodds
CoM Greatstortun Artemis von Ravenstag LDR B handled by Lissy Hawkins
CoM Hanrebor Woldnewton Goosy LDRB handled by Jane Lidster
Novice Dog/Novice Handler
1st Fiduscanis Spencer LDR D handled by Emma Finch
Awarded the Christine Goodman Shield and the Gibson Shield for the highest placed Lincs Area member
2nd Botchergyll Honey LDR B handled by Alison Foster
3rd Pixalot Honour LDR B handled by Lisa Atkins-Brooke
4th Crieve Chestnut LDR B handled by Christine Southern
CoM Sweet Sunny Sunshine LDR B handled by Rachel Johnson
CoM Saxthorpe Ribble of Shinde LDR B handled by Cara Holmes