14 Dog Novice Stake for AV Retrievers
at The Batworth Park Shoot, near Arundel, West Sussex
Saturday 6th December 2008
Judges: Mrs Heather Bradley (2431), Mr Robin Watson (2394),
Mr Ricky Moloney (2783) and Mr Leigh Jackson (3024)

This was a new ground for us and our host Roger Tall could not have
made us more welcome. The guns shot well providing plenty of birds
to retrieve on a cold bright day.

All dogs sat steady in the first drive, and were sent to retrieve birds
on open ground. When the judges sent them to jump a stock fence
with a straight wire on top we lost seven dogs.

The second drive produced retrieves into woodland and from ditches
on partridge and pheasant, the last four dogs handled well but failed
to pick aspecific runner.

A big thank you to Roger Tall and guns for giving us this day on a
super ground. Thanks also to my helpers, Dee Ambler, Paul Jennings,
Mike Steer and Jenny Parker.

2nd – Chris Damon with Brecon of Batemoor
Winner of the Hobhearn Challenge Cup
3rd – Gary Vidler with Leadburn Arron of Oysterbed
CoM - Jane Tydeman with Roundcopse Bellis
CoM - Trish Watson with N’debele Fundi

Judges and award winners at Batworth Park


12 Dog All Aged Stake for AV Retrievers
at Castle Goring, near Worthing, West Sussex
Thursday 11th December 2008
Judges: Mr Jim Gale (44), Mr Dave Barnes (2197),
Mr Robert Worrall (3032) and Mr Dave England (2946)

We returned to this impressive ground by kind invitation of Fitzroy
Somerset Esq. It was a cold dry day, with a light breeze. The
syndicate of Guns shot really well for us, giving us plenty of
pheasants to work the dogs on.

Nearly completing the first and second rounds on the first drive,
where three runners had been picked in the drive. We lost three
dogs before the second drive. Here plenty of birds fell into the
woods, looking for handling control judges asked for a bird in a
ditch, we lost four more dogs here.

With four dogs in the last drive, two were sent for runners in the
drive again, while the remaining two were sent for birds in cover
around a frozen lake. The standard of dog work was good, the top
dogs deserve their place in the finals on 17th January and I wish
them lots of luck.

1st – John Barnes with Trioaks Fyfe via Deerbridge
Winner of the Gregson Challenge Cup

2nd – Beth Rayner with Hobhearn Comet
Winner of the Ochlenchlager Perpetual Challenge Cup
3rd – Chris Marshall with Bedgebrook England Skipper
4th – Chris Damon with Brecon of Batemoor
Winner of the Charrington Cup for the highest placed Novice Handler,
the Nookshot Trophy for the best looking dog in awards
and the Lochmoy Perpetual Challenge Bowl

Judges and award winners at Castle Goring

I would like to thank our host Fitzroy Somerset for giving us a great day. The judges for their time, and my helpers, Dee Ambler, Kim Van den Bogaerde, Jenny Parker and Lise Lavery.

14 Dog All Aged Stake for AV Retrievers
at The Wiston Estate, Findon, West Sussex
Tuesday 27th January 2009
Judges: Mr Ron Jeffery (2293), Mrs Helena Sully (2376),
Mrs Gwen Butcher (2609) and Mr Gary Vidler (2722)

We returned to this quality shoot on the South Downs by kind
invitation of Harry Goring Esq.

It was a dry day with a light breeze and Harry with his team of
Guns shot brilliantly providing plenty of birds. All 14 dogs sat on the
first drive. One ran in and two dogs where eyewiped by the judges
on a live hen pheasant sitting tight on a fence line. The first and
second rounds were completed here and by now eight dogs had
gone. The judges then decided to drop three more.

We had three dogs in the second drive which was of partridges
shot on stubble. All dogs completed the third round and then only
‘Abney Acer’ managed the last retrieve. The judges decided only to
award CoMs.

Thank you to our judges for giving us their time and thank you to
Mark Ansel for running the day so perfectly for us with a big smile!

CoM – Isobel Whitford and Abney Acer
CoM – Ken Green and Hoffbanks Mr Chips
Winner of the Meadowmill Tap on Wood Tankard
for highest placed Novice Dog/Novice Handler
CoM – Nick Potts and Misty Morning Dawn

Award winners at The Wiston Estate

The end of another season and I have enjoyed being with you all. I would like to thank my support team of Dee Ambler, Kim Van den Bogaerde, Lindsay Williams, Mike Steer, Sheila Rapley, Jenny Parker, Paul Jennings and Clare Wood. I could not do it without you!

Sue Cradock