16 Dog All Aged Stake for AV Retrievers
at Brook Farm, Cuffley, Hertfordshire
by kind permission of Mr David Thomas
Tuesday 7th September 2010
Judges: Mr Malcolm Thwaites, Mr Dave Barnes,
Mr Ronnie Gent and Mr Trevor Souster

Weather was perfect for this first trial with a light breeze and only
one short sharp shower throughout the day. Birds were driven over
a hedge onto a large stubble field with a dip in the middle. All dogs
were in line for the first drive standing well back from the guns.
We had our regular team of guns who put enough game on the
ground to complete both first and second rounds in this field.

As it was an All Aged Stake with all dogs running having previously
had Field Trial awards, the judges sent for long retrieves at the
outset and we were able to admire some excellent work with dogs
hunting the stubble behind the gun pegs. Sue Cole with Waterford
Endeavour had a particularly nice retrieve on a pigeon.

We then went to another drive which produced an adequate
amount of game to complete the third round. Birds this time were
dropped into deep grass. The standard was proving to be extremely
high with some excellent hunting but these little partridges tucked
right in and this proved to be the downfall of several dogs.

Tim Brain’s bitch Griogaraich Linnet had already impressed with
stylish hunting but worked and worked following other dogs on the
very last partridge in this area. Just as she was working her way
back the partridge flipped giving her the retrieve.

So we went to the last drive which was very heavy and dogs were
in a real hot spot. This proved to be very testing and after
retrieving birds from either thick cover or again on stubble we were
left with just four dogs in the awards.

The head keeper and his team of beaters produced quality birds
for our guns to shoot. Four of our club members who attend our
training classes had volunteered to mark down and they did an
absolutely superb job as did the stewards and other helpers.

Our thanks to Skinners Dog Foods who kindly donated vouchers for
dog food.

1st – Mr T. Brain’s Griogaraich Linnet (Lab bitch)

2nd – Mr J. Gale’s Earnsfield Kestrel (Golden Ret dog)
3rd – Mr R. Jeffery’s Faircotelabs Benriach
of Gablescroft (Lab dog)
4th – Mrs S. Cole’s Waterford Endeavour (Lab dog)

The first three dogs automatically qualify for the
Utility Gundog Society All Aged Cup Finals


16 Dog Novice Stake for AV Retrievers
at Perry Green Farm, Bradwell, Essex
by kind permission of Mr R. & Mr T. Speakman
Friday 7th January 2011
Judges: Mr Keith Bedford, Mr Len Herbert,
Mrs Gwen Butcher and Mr Chris Marshall

Our first Novice Stake of 2011 was held at Perry Green Farm, and
as always we were made most welcome at this lovely ground. The
weather can only be described as extremely wet but the guns did
a magnificent job backed by Tom Speakman to ensure enough birds
on the first drive completing the first round. We were disappointed
not to see Tom’s father Robert out with us shooting as he usually
does and wish him a speedy recovery from his illness.

Dogs were lost for various reasons but it also appeared that scent
was affected by the wet conditions. However, 11 dogs went
through to the second round including one handled by 16 year old
Kate Opie who was competing in her first field trial with her yellow
bitch Audi.

Our second drive by the quarry produced some excellent birds
which were dropped in the wood, the lake and in the reeds behind
the line. The judges were able to really stretch the dogs on this
undulating ground for the third round with all remaining dogs
picking from the wood whilst Keith and Gwen went forward to
watch them working.

1st – Mr M. Polley’s Labcrown Kite of Yettolley (Lab dog)
Winner of the Jason Memorial Trophy

2nd – Mrs A. Strachan’s Hanans Good as Gold (Golden Ret bitch)
Winner of The Geoff Hicks Memorial Trophy and
Raynton Park Trophy for Guns’ Choice
3rd – Mr & Mrs R. Gent’s Olivertash Briar at Mistigri (Lab dog)
handled by Mr R. Gent
4th – Mr J. Gale’s Barkmadbury Emma
at Kirkmoor (Lab bitch)
CoM – Mr C. Pelham’s Norlands Black Swan (Lab bitch)
CoM – Mrs C. Heasman’s Merryway Olivia (Golden Ret bitch)

Judges and award winners at Perry Green Farms


16 Dog Novice Stake for AV Retrievers
Hatfield, Hertfordshire
Saturday 22nd January 2011
Judges: Mr Phil Garton, Mr Godfrey Lowe,
Mrs Mary-Jane Opie and Mr Paul Wintersgill

We have been coming to this stunning estate now for many years
and it is an event that our hosts, the guns, the keeper and all the
beaters always thoroughly enjoy and take a keen interest in.

Dogs were asked to retrieve mostly in woodland, but also across
water and some long retrieves across the undulating ground which
proved tricky for some! Nine dogs were taken into the third round
and six into the last with the guns also taking a keen interest in a
dog that had impressed them from the outset.

1st – Ms S. Larsson’s Searover Day One (Lab dog)
Winner of the Earnsfield Teal Memorial Trophy and
Camfield Cup for Guns’ Choice

2nd – Mrs L. Dearlove’s Levenghyl Dove
of Wendearose (Lab bitch)
Winner of the Pintallin Cup
3rd – Mr J. Keegan’s Geordieland Geordie Boy (Lab dog)
4th – Mr P. Askew’s Upcountry Mist (Lab bitch)
CoM – Mr J. Collins’s Brockaghs Cathal (Lab dog)

Judges and award winners at Hatfield

As always I thanked our host, judges, guns, the keeper, beaters,
pickers up and splendid helpers who play such a large part in the
organisation of the day. But I must also mention and thank the
competitors who remained at the trial and even though they were
no longer competing, were more than happy to hunt their dogs
through the wood at the end to retrieve any remaining game.

Thank you also to Skinner’s dog foods for generously sponsoring
our Field Trials this season with product prize vouchers.