Working Test Results 2025

OPEN WORKING TEST
On Saturday 8th March we held our first test of the season at Marston Lodge, Marston Trussell. We were invited once again to this estate by the very kind permission of Mr Patrick and Mrs Charlotte Clackson and their Estate Manager Mr Chris Thresh. The grounds of this beautiful estate provide challenging woodland landscape. We were blessed with sunshine and a slight breeze. We are very grateful to our sponsors, Muntjac Trading, who provided gifts for the prize winners.
This Open Test also included the winner and second place to be invited to the England Selection Day together with the selection of the URC Midland Area Team at the Area Finals.
Thank you to our judges Steve Richardson, Tim Brain, Sharon Kitson & Kevin Turner.
33 dogs ran in 4 static tests in the morning utilising the banks and gullies contained on the ground which made for some interesting retrieves. Following a cut at lunchtime 8 dogs were taken through to a walk up. The final results were.
1st Laura Hill with Jarailstar Hogan of Stuantonvale winning the Midland Area Open Cup
2nd Leigh Jackson with Blackgrass Dougal winning The Wagtail Misty Trophy for the highest placed black labrador
3rd Callum Raywood with Pinfeathers Exclibur
4th Gill Awty with Cleestangate Majestic at Maddistream
COM'S
Carol Probert with Etomannii Ludo of Corsemalzie
Simone Barratt with Highroost Oak
Matthew Shetliffe with Brisingamen Arthur of Bobernwood
The prizes were presented by Chris Thresh.
Our committee worked tirelessly in the build up to this event and on the day were supported by a fantastic team of helpers consisting of: Ben, Tony, Alan, Cheryl, Angela, Kate & Josie. The raffle made a very generous amount of £95.
NOVICE WORKING TEST
On Sunday 9th March we held our second test of the season at Marston Lodge, Marston Trussell. We were invited once again to this estate by the very kind permission of Mr Patrick and Mrs Charlotte Clackson and their Estate Manager Mr Chris Thresh. The grounds of this beautiful estate provide challenging woodland landscape. We were blessed with sunshine and a slight breeze. We are very grateful to our sponsors Muntjac-trading.myshopify.com who provided gifts for the prize winners.
This was a Novice Test and the judges were Karen McCarthy, Shane Gilliver, Ian Glover & Gary Rogers and we are very appreciative of them giving up their day for us. Sunday was a special day as The Corsemalzie Trophy donated by Carol Probert and the Late Dave Probert was awarded for the first time to the winner. The trophy is beautiful and any competitor would be proud to display it on their mantlepiece.
34 dogs ran in 4 static tests in the morning utilising the banks and woodland resulting in some challenging retrieves. Following a cut at lunchtime 8 dogs were taken through to a walk up. These dogs were challenged by the terrain but a worthy winner was found. The final results were:
1st Dan Higgs with Reedmoor's Brave Higgscroft winning the Corsemalzie Trophy together with the Steamrise Ally-Ann Trophy for the highest placed golden retriever in the awards.
2nd Jane Burton with Elbrus Spruce
3rd Carol Probert with Kensduo Bohemian Rhapsody of Corsemalzie
4th Laura Marsh with Roseshire Legolas
The prizes were presented by Chris Thresh.
Our committee worked tirelessly in the build up to this event and on the day were supported by a fantastic team of helpers consisting of: Ben, Paul, Will, Alex, Gemma, Jason & Josie. The raffle made a very generous amount of £109.

ALL AGED WORKING TEST

The Club held its All Aged Walked Up working test at Cransley, Northamptonshire on Saturday 9th August.

Many thanks go to our generous host, Mr David Knight, who continues to support our club every year by allowing us to hold tests and training days on this wonderful ground.

Our judges for the day were Mr Godfrey Lowe, Mr Reuben Mort, Mr Andrew Sweeney and Mrs Charlotte Wilkinson; many thanks to them for giving their time and expertise to judge for us.  And as always, we were supported by a brilliant team of Committee members and friends of the club: Chairman Maurice Fitch, Working Test Secretary Jane Samson and Chief Steward Mark Morton.  Also, Catherine Munn, Ruth Warner, Simone Barratt, Kevin Jones, Alan Towle and Will Armitt.

What an enjoyable day! This test was run in fodder beet, on field trial lines: the judges, steward and helpers planned a challenging day of varied and testing retrieves, intended to replicate shooting scenarios. A strong wind meant the dogs and handlers were thoroughly tested. The standard of work was very impressive, and a pleasure to watch for those in the gallery.

The results were as follows:

1st place, being awarded The Roy Wightman Trophy, was Cardueae Lilac, bred, owned and handled by Becki Thistle

2nd Drakeshead Finnigan of Tagabea, O/H Paula Cullis

3rd Etomanni Ludo of Corsemalzie, O/H Carol Probert

4th Jarailstar Hogen of Stauntonvale, O/H Laura Hill

Certificates of Merit were awarded to:  

Luddesdowne Finn Of  Tagabea, O/H Steve Cullis

Connisbrook’s Berneray of Rayardel, O/H Tommy Weekley

Hectorkirk Garsdale of Flypatch O/H Tim Brain

The Charlesworth Cup for the best retrieve of the day, was chosen by the Guns, and awarded to Jarailstar Hogen of Stauntonvale.

 

PUPPY, ND/NH AND VETERAN WORKING TESTS

Our Puppy, Novice Dog/Novice Handler and Veteran working tests were held at the Shortwood Estate, Northamptonshire, on Saturday 23rd August.

Many thanks to our very generous host, Mr Jonathan Farr;  who continues to support our Club every year by allowing us to hold our tests on this wonderful ground. Also to Keeper, Mr James Lacey, who was so helpful by undertaking ground preparations in advance of the day.

Our judges were Shelia Suzuki, Laura Marsh, Chris Winfield and Pat Dixon; many thanks to you ladies, for supporting our event.  Also, thanks to our generous sponsors, Skinner’s Dog Food and Acme Whistles.

As always, we were joined by an experienced and enthusiastic team of Committee members and friends of the Club, who ensured the day ran efficiently: Chairman Maurice Fitch, Working Test Secretary Jane Samson and Chief Steward Mark Morton.  Also  Catherine Munn, Ruth Warner, Simone Barratt, Alan Towle, Josie Towle, Sharon Watson, Paul Watson, Sally Plant, Ben Cosford, Alex Gayton and Tony Gilman.

 

The results were as follows:

Puppy

1st Winner of the Midland Area Puppy Cup: Diglake Ezra, B/O/H Dawn Scott

2nd Harrachtain Shepherds Moon, O/H Matt Ager

3rd Laggengill Loganberry of Oak Holland, O/H Lauren Elizabeth Oakes

4th Holly Berry Jen of Downfarm, O/H Moira Robertson

Certificates of Merit were awarded to:

Plumpark Campbell, O/H Ian Glover

Yewsbrook Neapolis, O/H Sarah Bailye

 

ND/NH

Despite some very good work seen by the dogs and handlers, no competitor completed all the tests, and so no awards were given.

 

Veteran

1st Winner of the Bramble Trophy: Turpingreen Acuna      of Corsemalzie, O/H Carol Probert

2nd Siyah Sambucas of Oncote, O/H Bob Clay

 

Many congratulations to all in the awards from everyone at URC Midland Area.

This event had previously been cancelled at fairly short notice, due to hot weather. As everyone knows, working tests involve many hours of dedicated preparation in the weeks beforehand. Therefore, a very special mention and thank you to Jane Samson, Maurice Fitch, Mark Morton and James Lacey; who each gave their time so generously to rearrange a second test day on new ground, so that members did not miss out on the opportunity run their dogs.  

This was our final working test of the season. Thank you to all the Club members who attended, making it such an enjoyable and successful day!