The UGS 12 Dog Open Stake for AV Retrievers, organised by the
Surrey, West Sussex & Hampshire Branch, was held on Wednesday
7th January 2009 at Frithfold Farm, Northchapel, near Petworth,
West Sussex. Judges for the day were John Birkett, Peter Cole,
Peter Castleman and Phil Askew.

The Branch is grateful to Mr Peter Locke for his generosity in
allowing us to again hold a trial on this lovely ground. The Keeper,
Kevin Rudd and his team of beaters provided an ample supply of
birds and some excellent shooting ensured that there were enough
birds to test the dogs.

Thank you to the judges and particularly to John Birkett for
stepping in at short notice to take Sarah Olner’s place. We hope
that Sarah will soon be fully recovered from her flu.

The day was grey and bitterly cold but still and dry. The lakes and
rivers at Frithfold were all frozen so the judges sensibly decided
that the risks were too great to ask the dogs to cross the ice to
retrieve. However, one dog did slip off a bridge onto the ice and
his handler bravely jumped in to help when the dog was unable to
get out.

2 dogs were lost on the first drive and birds were successfully
retrieved from woodland cover and along rides. The standard of
dog work was good and 8 dogs were taken through to the
afternoon which began with another drive and plenty of birds shot.
7 dogs successfully completed another retrieve and in the late
afternoon with the temperature dropping 3 dogs were called forward.

A partridge shot during the drive had fallen into a shallow gully in
long grass. Chris Marshall and ‘Bedgebrook England Skipper’ and Mike
Tallamy with ‘Brindlebay Butler’ were given the opportunity to pick
the bird. Both dogs worked their hearts out and held the area well
but were unsuccessful. The judges then walked out and having
found the partridge brought the trial to a close.

Congratulations to Phil Highfield whose dog worked well all day and
having been placed first was made up to Field Trial Champion – a
well deserved bonus!

1st – Phil Highfield and Levenghyl Bee of Featherfly
Winner of the Manymills Salver and Presidents Cup

CoM – Sue Berman and Suthcharic Inti
Winner of the Berry Trophy for the best retrieve
CoM – Chris Marshall and Bedgebrook England Skipper
CoM – Mike Tallamy and Brindlebay Butler
Winner of the UGS Shield for Guns’ Choice and
the Meadowmill Cup for the best looking dog in awards
CoM – Andrew Wright and Archie Charlie of Wadesmill
CoM – Henrik Vilendal and Saint Cyres Rufus

Judges and award winners at Frithfold Farm

On behalf of the Branch I would like to thank all those people who
helped to make the day an enjoyable one including our judges,
Graham Searle, the Society Chairman who acted as Chief Steward,
all our wonderful helpers who stewarded and marked and, of course,
Sue Cradock, our hard working Field Trial Secretary who does
everything so efficiently including cooking us all a delicious hot
lunch which was just what was needed on such a cold day!

Pat Dingemans