Open Working Test
Standon Lordship, Hertfordshire
by kind permission of Geoffrey Pearman and Philip Smith
Sunday 26th April 2009
Judges: Kevin Doughty and Vernon Peck

It was quite an exciting start to the day as cows and calves were
yet to be moved to another field before the test could commence
and they didn’t want to pass the cars to go through the gateway.
We therefore had to help the farmer by moving our cars and then
doing our “rounding up” bit to help move the herd. Following this,
our Chairman’s wife had freshly cooked bacon rolls available for all
which were most welcome with a nice cuppa.

Phil Allen must be congratulated on the tests he had set making
good use of the variety of terrain that was available and stretching
the dogs accordingly. Three tests were set for the morning, the first
being a long mark into a bomb hole with a shot fired. Liz Ingram with
Garrethall Myrrh was the first to go on this test, scoring a perfect
20 and although some also scored full marks, there were some that
struggled.

Test two was a downwind blind retrieve amongst some rough ground
under a big tree, again with shot. Dogs were sent from the top of a
hill over undulating ground and this again proved a testing retrieve
for some.

Whilst these two tests were being judged by Vernon, Kevin Doughty
was marking a double. A mark was thrown into a reed bed which the
dogs picked first, followed by a blind retrieve also in another part of
the reed bed. This proved quite a testing retrieve for some dogs
who failed on one or other of the dummies.

After lunch we had a blind retrieve over a fence into a reed
plantation and a semi-blind retrieve on water where the dogs heard
only a gun shot and a splash, the dummy landing round the end of
an island.

Our committee worked tirelessly and there was a tremendous
atmosphere throughout the day. We all worked hard to ensure this
test was a huge success on this lovely ground. Of course, after all
the prevaricating by the weathermen regarding heavy showers for
the day, we were blessed with absolutely brilliant sunshine. Thanks
must go to all those involved in this test in any way.

Our thanks must also go to Skinners Dog Foods who generously
sponsored our test with vouchers for dog food.

1st – Mrs E. Ingram’s Garrethall Myrrh (Lab bitch)

2nd – Mrs K. McCarthy’s Castlemans
Running Game (Golden Ret dog)
3rd – Mrs J. Baveystock’s Baveybuilt Tiffontoo (Golden Ret bitch)

Judges and award winners at Standon – Kevin Doughty, Karren McCarthy,
Liz Ingram, Jean Baveystock and Vernon Peck


Puppy/Novice/Veteran Working Test
Wrensley Farm, Wadesmill, Hertfordshire
by kind permission of Mr Michael Johnson
Sunday 5th July 2009
Judges: Val O’Brien, Louise Bailey and Vincent Mitchell

Once again our Puppy/Novice/Veteran Test proved popular with an
extremely high number of entries so Vincent Mitchell kindly stepped
in as an additional judge.

Three tests were set up for the morning session all involving two
retrieves each. Two were marks with blinds and the third a nice
picking up test in a wood which gave the dogs some welcome shade.
The weather having been so hot previously meant that we were
unable to use the water which was covered in weed and had
evaporated somewhat!

After lunch there was a long mark for one test and the other two
judges tested the steadiness of the dogs on a mock drive, 4 in line
at once, after which dogs were asked to retrieve a dummy.

After a run off for first place in the Novice and Veteran Tests,
rosettes and Skinners Dog Food Vouchers were awarded as follows:

Puppy Test
1st – Mrs E. Ingram’s Garrethall Ouka (Lab bitch)

2nd – Miss A. Strachan’s Hannan’s Good As Gold (Golden Ret bitch)

Novice Test
1st – Mr and Mrs Mattock’s Almshoebury Echo (Lab bitch)
Handled by Mr P. Mattock

2nd – Mr C. Wilks’ Brockaghs Blamhac (Lab dog)
Handled by Mrs Wilks
3rd – Ms J. van der Dussen’s Fyrewalk Sam (Lab dog)
4th – Mr J. Collins’ Brockaghs Bran (Lab dog)

Veteran Test
1st – Mr W. Parrot’s Dixon Harry (Lab dog)

2nd – Mrs E. Ingram’s Gillygaben Tara (Lab bitch)

Judges and award winners at Wrensley Farm

We had a wonderful day with a splendid atmosphere and judges and
helpers enjoyed a very relaxed lunch in the sunshine. Our thanks to
our judges, those who set the tests, our band of excellent helpers
and to Skinners Dog Foods for generously donating dog food
vouchers.

In particular a big thank you to all those who kindly donated prizes
and helped to make our raffle such a huge success.

Open Sugar Beet Test
Lord Rayleigh’s Estate, Fairstead, Essex
by kind permission of the Lord Rayleigh
Monday 31st August 2009
Judges: Phil Askew and Jane Lintott

As always the head keeper had allocated three splendid fields of
sugar beet on which to hold our test. The day commenced with all
24 dogs walking up and retrieving a marked dummy and then a
memory. The judges then swapped dogs for the second part of the
walk up which was a blind retrieve behind on the headland of the
field with a memory thrown in front of the line.

It was a very hot day and by the time this was completed the
handlers were pleased to find some welcome shade for their dogs
and themselves!

After lunch the handlers were divided into two groups for static
tests in two different fields. One field was undulating and this was
used for a double mark. Some rough cover at the edge of the other
field provided an excellent spot for a blind with handlers having to
push their dogs across the field through the sugar beet and onto
the headland. A distraction was thrown which had to be retrieved
afterwards.

The awards were as follows:

1st – Ms M. J. Opie’s Endacott Jaffa (Lab bitch)

2nd – Mr J. Collins’ Brockaghs Aodhan (Lab dog)
3rd – Mr J. Bailey’s Mansengreen Fletcher (Lab dog)
4th – Mrs H. Sully’s Charway Cornstone of Quabrook (Lab dog)
CoM – Mr D. Laflin’s Garrethall Usher (Lab dog)

Judges and award winners at Fairstead

Once again all our helpers must be thanked for working tirelessly
and standing out in the hot sun. Our raffle was also a huge success
and prizes brought by competitors greatly appreciated.

Skinners Dog Foods have generously provided dog food vouchers
for all our Working Tests this year and are kindly doing so for our
Field Trials as well.

I must mention Jean Gale who has contributed the most delicious
food and cakes at all our working tests for our judges and helpers
this year. In particular she makes the best Pavlova which means we
have no problems in getting helpers for our tests!