16 Dog All Aged Stake for AV Retrievers
at Brook Farm, Cuffley, Hertfordshire
by kind permission of Mr David Thomas
Saturday 13th September 2008
Judges: Mr Keith Bedford (2202), Mr Vince Mitchell (2633),
Mr John Keegan (2858) and Mrs Sue Berman (3094)

After all the rain we had experienced during the previous weeks, we
were blessed with a beautifully sunny day. The partridge were driven
superbly and John Keegan had arranged a skilful set of guns to shoot
some truly sporting birds for the dogs to retrieve. The birds landed
mostly in the open on stubble so we were treated to some very fine
dog work. We completed the first and second rounds on the first
drive, taking 10 dogs to the second drive for the third round.

This time birds were dropped on stubble and also in woodland where
two dogs fell by the wayside. The judges worked really hard to use
the birds to provide testing retrieves and were clearly having a job
to split the dogs in the final stages of the trial. They took the eight
remaining dogs into line together to give them all one retrieve.
By this time the weather had really warmed up and this final round
thoroughly tested the dogs to provide a satisfactory result.

1st - Mr J. Bailey’s Mansengreen Fletcher (Lab dog)

2nd - Mr M. Tallamy’s Brindlebay Butler (Lab dog)
3rd - Ms M. J. Opie’s Endacott Jaffa (Lab bitch)
4th - Mr C. Pelham’s Garendon Laura of Norlands (Lab bitch)
CoM - Mrs E. Ingram’s Garrethall Lucky Chance (Lab bitch)
CoM - Mr R. Ketley’s Highroost Slate (Lab dog)
CoM - Mr G. Roberts’ Wendearose Hector of Riversway (Lab dog)

Judges and award winners at Brook Farm

Our thanks must go to our host, the keeper and his beaters who
drove the birds so well, the guns who also took a keen interest in
the dog work and all our helpers, especially those competitors who
fell by the wayside and stayed to mark down.

The first three dogs automatically qualified for the Utility Gundog Society
All Aged Cup Finals which took place on 17th January 2009

16 Dog Novice Stake for AV Retrievers
at Brockett Park, Hertfordshire
by kind permission of Mr D. Masey
and kind invitation of Mr J. Sheriff
Thursday 11th December 2008
Judges: Mrs Robin Wise (155), Mr Robin Watson (2394),
Mr Leigh Jackson (3024) and Mrs Laura Dearlove (3082)

Brockett Park proved to be a superb ground for our first novice
stake. Julian Sherriff had generously invited us to hold a trial in
conjunction with his shoot day and had also organised some brilliant
guns to shoot for us.

All dogs sat in line for the first drive with birds being dropped on
stubble and in woodland behind us. The guns shot superbly and two
rounds were completed before we moved to the second drive with
seven dogs remaining. The dogs were stood behind the guns with
birds being dropped into reed beds, water and some variable cover.
These retrieves proved even more testing than those on the first
drive and several dogs fell by the wayside.

The trial over, it was gratifying to see competitors going with the
guns for the last drive to pick birds for them whilst the presentation
was being organised out in the field.

1st – Mr J. Stubbs’ Smale William (Lab dog)
Winner of The Jason Memorial Trophy

CoM – Mr V. Mitchell’s Levenghyl Forester at Kirkmoor (Lab dog)
CoM – Mr B. Van Praagh’s Faircotelabs Fern (Lab bitch)
handled by Mr R. Jeffery

16 Dog Novice Stake for AV Retrievers
at Perry Green Farm, Braintree, Essex
by kind permission of Mr R. and Mr T. Speakman
Friday 9th January 2009
Judges: Mrs Glynnis Hillier (2280), Mr Mike Jennings (1884),
Mrs Angie Musk and Mrs Mary Jane Opie (3040)

We were given a warm welcome by our hosts to this lovely ground,
in contrast with the icy conditions and fog which plagued us
intermittently all day.

The extreme weather meant that the lake was frozen and we could
not shoot one of the most spectacular drives. However, Robert and
Tom found us two excellent drives for the trial and even shot
themselves to ensure that we had sufficient game on the ground.
Of course scent was almost non-existent at times which meant we
lost some good dogs and the rape field proved particularly testing.

Our thanks must go to Glynnis Hillier who stepped in to replace Mike Skipper who had injured his back.

1st – Mrs G. Nickols’ Bedgebrook Harlequin (Lab dog)
Winner of The Earnsfield Teal Memorial Trophy

2nd – Mr G. Vidler’s Leadburn Arron of Oysterbed (Lab dog)
Winner of The Pintallin Cup

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.