Open Working Test at Rothwell on Saturday 26th April 2025

The sun shone all day at our new ground at Rothwell by very kind permission of Mr E Nickerson of Robert Nickerson and Son. We also thank Skinners Dog Food for sponsoring the event.

Thanks are also due to our judges: John Day, Julie Campbell, Jim Christon and Daryl Boarder and our Chief Steward Keith Parker. Our helpers were fantastic, thanks to them all.

Twenty-three dogs ran over four tests during the morning:

Test 1: was a blind near a tree with a shot, followed by another blind in the same place (without a shot).

Test 2: started with a shot to herald a mark about 30 yards along the ridge. But picked first was a blind, with shot, some 80 yards on a path round a wooden fence. The dogs had first to go down a steep incline such that the handlers could not see them until they were down the slope. On return the dogs retrieved the mark.

Test 3: the handler and dog stood 20 yards from a horse jump that had to be jumped to retrieve each dummy. There was a shot and mark thrown into cover to the left. After retrieving this, the dogs went straight in front along the hedge for a blind.

Test 4: A shot was fired for a blind near trees on the far side of a valley, but before retrieving it, the dogs had to pick a blind behind a tree in the bottom of the valley.

After lunch, 8 dogs went through to a two dog walk up. After walking about 10yards along the base of the valley, there was a shot and mark to the right. This was a distraction. Each dog had a mark with a shot to the left after walking on a little further.

Results:

1^st Hectorkirk Garsdale of Flypatch handled by Tim Brain*

2^nd Cornstraw Axis of Flypatch handled by Tim Brain**

3^rd Morskye Electra of Snowdell handled by Anne Austin

4^th Ingdalehowl Athena handled by Jane Mayes

CoM Kentwone Polar Flame handled by Liam Priestley***

CoM Hollowgate Rising Flame handled by Charlie Albone

CoM Moscargrange Copper handled by Anne Crookes

*awarded the URC Lincs Area Shield for the winner and the Riaghyll Black Shadow Shield for the youngest dog in the awards

**awarded the Ansoncha Shield for the Runner up

***awarded the Glebespray Tankard for the highest placed Lincs Area member