Open Working Test
Southpark, Bletchingley, Redhill
by kind permission of Mr Erik Wetter
Sunday 29th March 2009
Judges: Keiran Smith, Lindsey Warren and Gary Vidler

The day started earlier than usual as the clocks went forward the
night before, so the gathering was somewhat bleary eyed. The
weather was not promising but undaunted the start was on time.
There were four tests which appeared straightforward but were
found to be deceptively tricky.

Lindsey Warren judged two ‘blinds’, one in rough ground to the
right, the second down a track with a left hand bend, the handler
to nominate the order of picking. There didn’t seem to be any
advantage in the order as some of the dogs struggled in the rough
terrain and others were uncertain about the bend. Gary Vidler
judged a ‘mark’ with shot down a track with a blind over a small
jump to the right, the ‘blind’ to be picked first. A majority of dogs
managed the blind, but some then forgot the position of the
original ‘mark’ and went back over the fence.

Keiran Smith had the water test, which was a ‘blind’ across the
lake with shot. Some of the dogs were reluctant to get into the
water and at least four refused. It was a cold and dank day and
the lake area was quite gloomy, which might have been the cause.

The fourth test was a ‘walk-up’ in two fields with a hedge between;
the dogs having to retrieve, through the hedge, from the opposite
field. To some this presented no problem at all, but if the dog
made the wrong choice of gap in the hedge they struggled to get
the dummy back through.

They were all very good well-set tests, which stretched all the
dogs. Thanks must go to all the organising team especially Julia
Smith who puts her heart and soul into these days and does an
excellent job. Thanks also to Sheila and Roger Wade for the
catering, in difficult conditions, and all the transporting and hauling
of the equipment. Thanks to Dan Higgs for obtaining permission for
the club to use these lovely grounds.

1st – Diana Harrison with Yettolley Inca of Hatchfield
Winner of the Stubbledown Tankard

2nd – Diana Paterson with Kenmilquin Lisbon Lion
Winner of the Ghilliedown Trophy
3rd – James Wyld with Tarrantsway Cassia
4th – Gay Marshall with Thealefarm Brave

Judges and award winners at Southpark


Novice and Special Puppy Working Test
at Broad Oak Farm, Turners Hill, West Sussex
by kind permission of Mr John and Mrs Gill Dawson
Sunday 26th April 2009
Judges: Sheila Pomfrett-Wade, Gay Marshall,
Bryan Kent and Dan Higgs

This was the first test to be run at Broad Oak Farm so the ground
was new to all the contestants. The weather was stunning, with no
sign of the predicted showers and with entries of over 40 we were
set for a good day.

Five tests had been set for both categories with shorter distances
for the puppies – a ‘mark’ over a jump into water with shot; two
‘marks’ with shot, with a backdrop of tall dense trees, handler to
nominate which dummy to be picked first; a straight ‘blind’ in
woods, with shot for the puppies; a ‘mark’ with shot down a track
cut into rough grassland, followed by a ‘blind’ at a shorter distance
on the same track and finally a four dog ‘walk-up’ in rough
grassland criss-crossed by mown tracks.

Although the tests appeared straightforward there were one or
two unforeseen snags, such as the mown tracks and the backdrop
of trees, which tested some of the younger dogs.

Thanks to John and Gill Dawson for the use of their lovely grounds,
to all the Judges, especially to Sheila who had a nasty fall that
morning, but insisted on soldiering on and of course to Julia Smith
and all the other helpers without whom enjoyable days like this
would not happen.

Novice Result
1st – Pat Wright with Chyngton Teasel
Winner of the Stubbledown Trophy

2nd – June Davies with Samleacott Beau Gordon
3rd – Trudy Williams with Yaffleswood Rani
4th – Sue Cradock with Hobhearn Sandpiper

Special Puppy Result
1st – Sue Chapman with Tayfordswoods Bella Colora
Winner of the Stubbledown Tankard

2nd – Helen Burnie with Merryway Maximum
3rd – Andy Ward-Smith with Lochnabo Glorious Golden
4th – Stirling Davis with Fyrlewalk Grace

Judges and award winners at Broad Oak Farm


Novice & Open Working Test with water
Allington Farm, Offham, East Sussex
by kind permission of Phil and Vicky Botting
Sunday 21st June 2009
Judges: Diana Harrison, Ron Jeffery, Roger Wade,
David Breach and Chris Marshall

Not a very promising sky greeted us in the morning, overcast and
gloomy, with quite a bracing breeze. This changed, as the day
progressed, into a gloriously warm sunny day.

There were 22 entries in the Novice competition and 24 in the
Open. Five tests were set; the first judged by Roger Wade, was a
‘blind’ down a track, the dummy off the track to the right in heavy
cover. This required a good stop whistle and hand signals.

The second was a water test judged by Ron Jeffery, a ‘blind’ along
the side of the lake with a distraction in the water. The ‘blind’ to
be picked first. A good test of the back command and handling at
a distance.

Test 3, judged by David Breach, was a long ‘mark’, with shot, over stubble. The hedge behind distorted the perspective and masked
the dummy somewhat, and some dogs overran.

Diana Harrison judged test 4 which was a double jump diagonally
across the corner of a field. The dogs to return across the jumps,
but with distractions on the path if any did run round. A tricky
but interesting test.

Chris Marshall was in charge of the 2 dog ‘walk up’ with a
difference. The retrieves were all ‘rabbits behind’, with shot for
the Novices. A good test of heeling and turning the dogs.

The day ran through and once again, due to the excellent
organisation, all dogs were finished by 2.00pm. Julia Smith, with
her wonderful band of helpers, has the running of the working
test days down to a fine art.

There were runs off in both the Novice and the Open and after
tea and delicious cakes the results were announced.

Novice Result
1st – Sarah Turley with Casblaidd Kaimi
Winner of the Dawson Hart Trophy

2nd – Kate Bollen with Longchamp Onyx
Winner of the Forest Trophy
3rd – Julie Elborough with Woodruff Wisp
CoM – Judy Steward with Trelynarks Fengel
CoM – Anne Strachan with Hanans Pure Gold

Judges and Novice award winners at Allington Farm

Open Result
1st – Mike Smith with Laborie Zulu
Winner of the Hatchfield Trophy

2nd – Gill Dawson with Teaser Teal
Winner of the Forest Trophy
3rd – Graham Home with Roundcopse Thistle of Ripplecourt
4th – Dan Higgs with Tudercourt Tiberius of Higgscroft
CoM – Reuben Corbett with Oakvalley Black Jack

Judges and Open award winners at Allington Farm


Open Walked-Up Test on Field Trial Lines
at Orsett, Essex
by kind permission of Mr Mark Polley
Sunday 16th August 2009
Judges: Peter Cole, Glynis Hillier, Tom Lowe and Martin Bagg

The ground at Orsett offers acre upon acre of wonderful open
stubble fields, ideal terrain for ‘walk-up’ tests.

It was a glorious August day, the sun turning the stubble into a
golden carpet.

Mark Polley ran the line, with two guns and dummy throwers in
front and two behind. The selection of retrieves was random, as it
would have been on a shoot day, with long marked birds, in front
and behind and some ‘blinds’.

In the morning the line was all in one field, but in the afternoon the dogs were split into two groups either side of a deep overgrown
ditch; the dogs having to retrieve long, marked, diagonal birds, in
front and behind, across the ditch.

The top six dogs were then given a deciding retrieve from the top
of the dam. A long ‘mark’ with shot was thrown into very long
grass at the base of the dam; the second retrieve was a ‘blind’ in
the water.

None of the dogs struggled with the water, they were so eager to
cool off; it was so hot that at one stage the handlers were
offering to go in as well! The winning dog, a Flatcoat, came back
so fast from the ‘mark’ that the ‘blind’ was only just put out in time.

1st – Robert Willatts with Gowran Indigo Extra
Winner of the Challenge Trophy

2nd – Darren Flood with Millstorm Blackberry
3rd – Paul Jennings with Swiftbrook Tan
4th – Ben Van Praagh with Faircotelabs Fern
CoM – Caroline Heasman with Highroost Jasmine
CoM – Robert Worrall with Tiger Josh

Mark Polley, Judges and award winners at Orsett

Appreciation must go once again to the Working Test Secretary,
Julia Smith, she has done an astounding job this summer, (only one
more test to go!) and to all her helpers who have proved their
dedication by always being there. A huge thank you to Mark Polley,
and his son, for running the line and for the use of his land, and
once again thanks to Roger Skinner Pet foods for their generous
sponsorship.

Novice Dog/Novice Handler
and Veteran Working Tests
at Orchard House, Matfield, Kent
by kind permission of Mr and Mrs Roger Wade
Sunday 13th September 2009
Judges: Sheila Pomfrett-Wade and Rene Neeves

The last working test of the summer, and the weather was certainly
reminding us of the coming Autumn.

All 27 dogs ran the same 6 tests which were a ‘mark’ into the middle
of a field up an incline; a ‘mark’ over a jump into rough grass
immediately followed by a ‘blind’ in the same area; a long ‘mark’
along a hedge; a ‘mark’ over a jump; a heeling exercise through a
gate with a ‘blind’ retrieve at the end of a barn and finally another
heeling exercise at the side of the lake, with the dummy thrown
into the water, with shot, the heeling to continue for a further
40-50 yds after which the dummy could be picked.

Most of the novice dogs attacked the tasks with gusto if not always
with style and control. The wiser more experienced veterans took
their time, they have seen it all before, but they all achieved and
certainly looked pleased with themselves.

The day, and Working Test season, ended with all competitors and
spectators treated to a Ben Van Praagh signature barbeque, which
was a fitting climax to very successful Summer.

A holiday atmosphere prevailed and a large crowd stayed for the
presentation ceremony.

Novice Dog/Novice Handler Result
1st – Pauline Chamberlain with Fennel Emperor
Winner of the Luddesdown Trophy

2nd – Leigh Sutton with Dandyamber Brook
3rd – Andy Wiles with Mahogany Blazer
4th – Barbara Mills with Millwater Muggle Puzzle
CoM – Suzy Hastings with Castle Warren Astle Galaxy

Veteran Result
1st – Jane Tydeman with Quabrook Fara
Winner of the Wadeshot Salver

2nd – Tracey Shewan with Wadeshot Buster
3rd – Wendy Harrison with Roytan Creme Caramel
of Chalvington
4th – Andy Snow with Earlsworth Northern Teal
CoM – Carole Goldsmith with Cavandia Sukha

Judges and award winners at Orchard House

Thanks must, once again, go to Julia Smith and all her helpers; they
have certainly excelled this year, organizing efficient, well run and
exceedingly enjoyable days, always looking for ways to improve.
Ben’s barbeques have set a standard which will be difficult to better,
and Roger Wade, our Chairman, is always on hand to solve any
major or minor crisis.

A big thank you to both Roger and Sheila for the generous use of
their land, not just for this test but also on every Tuesday evening
for training.

Also thank you to Roger Skinner Pet Foods for their continued
support of all these events.