This year’s Utility Gundog Society 2 Day Open Qualifying Field
Trial was hosted and organised by the Kent & East Sussex Branch
and held at Knowle Game Farm, Ulcombe, Kent by kind permission
of Mr and Mrs Stephen King and at the kind invitation of Mr Mick
Clarke and and his team of Guns.

Judges were Tony Parnell, Ron Jeffery, Roger Wade and Barbara
Kuen and the trial was generously sponsored by Skinner’s and Orvis.

After heavy overnight rain the day, although cloudy, began dry and
mild and with the first 4 dogs in ‘line’, Judges Tony Parnell and
Barbara Kuen on the ‘right’ and Ron Jeffery and Roger Wade on the
‘left’, the ‘walk-up’ began in the fields of mixed game and cover
crops.

It wasn’t long before the first few birds were down, although it
soon became apparent that, with very little wind and the saturated
crop, scenting conditions were not ideal. Good marking, getting the
dog to the fall quickly and then holding and working the area was
essential in order to achieve and with the cover varying from knee
to waist height it was all to easy to lose sight of the dog. Although
several dogs failed to pick their misfortune did give the follow up
dogs the chance to shine and some smart work was seen.

Game also proved elusive and despite an initial flush at the start of
each area of crop tried and the Guns expertly dealing with what
did appear progress was slow. After a break for refreshments and
with several dogs still to be seen in the 1st Round it was decided
to move forward with a drive in the grassed fields and meadows.

All the remaining 16 dogs were asked to sit through the drive and
with a good mix of duck, pheasant and partridge on the ground the
Judges were able to steadily work their way through the dogs to
complete the 1st and 2nd Rounds. With game still available the
Judges checked their books and with 12 dogs remaining began the
3rd Round. Half the field were able to complete their 3rd Round
retrieves before it was decided to stop for the day with 11 dogs
being taken forward to the second day.

Gwen Butcher and ‘Yettolley Maple’

The second day began with low cloud, very little breeze and a thick
mist hanging over the crops. With dogs, Judges and Guns duly
positioned the ‘line’ moved forward and as on the first day, within
just a few steps, there were a couple of birds down. Unfortunately
two of the dogs failed to pick and so, when the ‘line’ was ready to
move on, just 9 dogs remained. The Guns continued to shoot well
with most of the birds flushed being brought to ground and by mid
morning, with the sun beginning to break through the thinning
cloud, the 4th Round had been completed.

The Judges, after checking their books, decided to take 5 dogs
forward and so with the Judges now all together and the remaining
dogs in ‘line’ the ‘walk-up’ continued with each of the dogs given
another retrieve. With only three successfully completing their
retrieve the Judges got together, decided they had seen enough
and declared the ‘trial over’.

All those in the awards ran well over the two days and deserve
congratulations. However, the winner, with two ‘eye wipes’ on the
second day, produced an impressive and consistent performance
and ‘top spot’ was certainly merited.

RESULT

1st – Gwen Butcher and Yettolley Maple (Lab dog)
Winner of the Manymills Salver and President’s Trophy
and the Skinners Trophy for the Best Marking Retriever

2nd – Gary Vidler and Leadburn Arron of Oysterbed (Lab dog)

3rd – Polly Dunckley and Brockweirblitz
of Smithsteads (Lab dog)
CoM – Sharon Coby and FTCh Fordleymoor
Whisky Mac (Lab dog)
Winner of the Berry Trophy for the Best Retrieve and
the UGS (Kent & East Sussex) Shield for Guns’ Choice
CoM – Tess Lawrence and Jagdens Gander (Lab dog)
Winner of the Meadowmill Cup for the Best Looking Retriever
in the awards

From left to right – Tess Lawrence, Polly Dunckley, Barbara Kuen,
Ron Jeffery, Gwen Butcher, Stephen King, Gary Vidler, Roger Wade,
Sharon Coby, Jane Tydeman and Tony Parnell

The Utility Gundog Society (K&ES) Branch would like to thank all
those who came along to help with ‘marking down’, game carrying,
catering and stewarding, and also the team of Guns who shot so
well for the Trial.

And of course, grateful thanks to the sponsors Skinner’s and
Orvis for their generosity.