This year the UGS All Aged Cup Finals was organised by the Herts,
Beds & Bucks Branch.

This event brings together the first, second and third placed dogs
from the four branches All Aged Field Trials held earlier in the
season, and returns the previous year’s winner to defend its’ title.

It is one of the oldest competitions and the vast amount of silver
trophies available to win date back to the 1920’s. It originally
provided the gentry an arena in which to compete – the IGL
Championships was the preserve of the professional dog handler -
the All Aged Cup Finals became affectionately known as the
‘Amateur Championships’. With such history it was fitting that this
year – the 85th Cup Final – should be held at one of the finest
estates in Hertfordshire.

All twelve dogs (one dog having withdrawn), were called into line
for the first drive that allowed birds to drop into heavy cover, open
grassland, woodland and water. With birds drifting into the bank
making scenting difficult, the water retrieves were very uninviting
for a couple of dogs. Birds landing close together in the woods or
out in the open made even the ‘easiest of retrieves’ difficult as dogs
were sent for individual birds.

The second drive, in the woods, allowed the judges to test the dogs over natural obstacles.

All the remaining seven dogs were taken into line for the final drive
in light woodland with dogs being given retrieves across brambles
for specific birds. The quality of the trial was endorsed by seven
dogs in the final awards including three Field Trial Champions.

1st – Mr K. Bedford’s FTCh Pryanduke Fenmark Quest (Lab bitch)
Winner of The Lord Ludlow Perpetual Challenge Cup
The Quintin Dick Challenge Cup for Best Labrador
R. Sharpe Founder Member Cup

2nd – Mrs S.Gadd’s FTCh Mansengreen Diesel
of Birdsgreen (Lab dog)
Winner of The Liphook Game Farm Kennels Cup for second place
The Spratts Patent Ltd Challenge Cup for best opposite sex to the winner
Champion Ash Hussar Cup for Best Looking Labrador
Gate Court Cup for Best Lady Handler
3rd – Mr J. Bailey’s Mansengreen Fletcher (Lab dog)
CoM – Mr K. Broomfield’s FTCh Maverick's Goose (Lab dog)
CoM – Mrs M. J. Opie’s Endacott Jaffa (Lab bitch)
CoM – Mr M. Tallamy’s Brindlebay Butler (Lab dog)
Winner of The Wheler Galton Perpetual Challenge Cup for Best Runner
R. Sharpe Memorial Cup awarded to the best game finder at the meeting
CoM – Mr C. Marshall’s Bedgebrook England Skipper (Lab dog)
Winner of The Camfield Cup presented by HBB Branch for Guns’ Choice

Judges and award winners

Our field trials have been very successful and we are very much
indebted to our hosts for the use of their grounds where we have
been made most welcome. Our thanks must also go to the guns
who have so generously shot for us and again contributed to the
success of our trials.

We also thank all the people who give up their days to judge or
come along to help at these events and make them run smoothly.