14 Dog Novice Stake for AV Retrievers
at The Firle Shoot, near Lewes, East Sussex
by kind permission of Michael Rees and John Coldman Esqs
Friday 7th October 2011
Judges: Andrew Wright (A), Dave Barnes (B)
Daniel Higgs (NP) and James Bailey (NP)

This downland shoot is spectactulary beautiful and we were lucky
with fine dry weather with a strong westerly wind.

The Guns shot four drives for us with great enthusiasm and interest
in the dog work awarding their guns choice to Neil Cornish’s ‘Tidefield Onyx’ running in his first trial.

A big thank you to Peter Setterfield once again for organising the
day, both David Moore, the keeper, and he know exactly what we
need for a very successful Field Trial.

Our first drive was on roots, then plough, stubble and downland.

It was a good competition with five dogs in the last drive.

1st – Jane Trowell with Janfran Princess Polly

CoM – Fiona Baird with Treunair Rhum
CoM – Neil Cornish with Tidefield Onyx
also winner of Guns’ Choice
CoM – Di Stevens with Bedgebrook Never Say Never
to Wylanbriar

Judges and award winners at Firle

I would like to thank everyone who helped to make it such a super
day and our judges for their time.

12 Dog Novice Stake for AV Retrievers
at Old Park Farm Shoot, Bosham, West Sussex
Tuesday 1st November 2011
Judges: John Birkett (A), Peter Castleman (B)
Ron Taylor (NP) and Richard Colbourne (NP)

Our host, Steve O’Brien could not have been more welcoming but
because of heavy overnight rain, mild temperatures and a lack of
Beaters, he struggled to produce birds in any quanity.

The Guns, kindly arranged by Kieran Smith, shot some wild duck on
the third drive and a pigeon. From then on we walked up, the day
had become warm and dry and sufficient game was shot to finish
the trial as darkness fell.

From the last four dogs in, three received awards, dogs had been
well tested on this ground with big ditches, hedges and shoreline.

Steve invited us all on to the terrace of his home for a break and
the awards, where we enjoyed the beautiful view.

It was ‘The Longest Day’, I thank everyone for their patience,
help and support.

1st – Tracy Flood with Brockweir Barley

2nd – Andy Snow with Necessares Raffle
3rd – Chris Simmons with Kittsmead Raven

14 Dog All Aged Stake for AV Retrievers
at Castle Goring, West Sussex
by kind invitation of J. Fitzroy Somerset Esq
Thursday 15th December 2011
Judges: Mr G. Roberts (A), Mrs H. Sully (A)
Mrs S. Berman (NP) and Mr R. Worrall (NP)

Once again we were invited to hold this trial at Castle Goring, near
Worthing by Fitzroy Somerset Esq. He is extremely generous to our
Society every year giving us this day and allowing us to use his
beautiful ground for Working Tests out of season too.

His keepers Martin and Kieran know what we need for a sucessful
trial and do a great job. Guns are challenged here with fast birds
over the tree line and we had a steady supply on a cold dry day.

Unfortunately, we lost 3 dogs in the first drive, 2 for picking the
wrong bird and one dog sent to retrieve from open ground ran into
the wood. 8 dogs sat in the second drive where birds fall into
woodland, here ‘Hobhearn Comet’ achieved an eye-wipe.

The last drive is around lakes and the birds were whistling over
head on the wind – luckily the Guns shot enough to finish the trial
here. With 5 dogs left the Judges sent over the lake and our winner
‘Oakvalley Black Jack’ did a smart retrieve beside the water taking
a straight line into a plantation to find.

Trial over with all 5 dogs in the awards – it was a good competition.

1st – Reuben Corbett with Oakvalley Black Jack
Winner of The Gregson Challenge Cup

2nd – Beth Rayner with Hobhearn Comet
Winner of The Ohlenschlager Perpetual Challenge Cup
3rd – Roger Wade with Quabrook Ket of Wadeshot
4th – Diana Harrison with Yettolley Inca of Hatchfield
Winner of The Nookshot Trophy
CoM – Tom Lowe with Websend Zeta

Judges and award winners at Castle Goring

A big thank you to all our trial Hosts and Judges and also to our
sponsors for their continued support – Skinners Dog Foods and
NFU Mutual. Lastly and most importantly to all the helpers – I could
not run the trials without you.

Sue Cradock