14 Dog Novice Stake for AV Retrievers
at The Firle Shoot, near Lewes, East Sussex
Friday 9th October 2009
Judges: Mr Ron Jeffery (2293), Mr John Barnes (2198),
Mrs Liz Barnes (2551) and Mr Gary Vidler (2722)

We were at the Firle Estate by kind permission of Michael Rees and
John Coldman with an excellent team of Guns generously provided
by Brocke Van Den Bogaerde.

The weather was dry with an easterly wind.

Seven dogs sat on the last drive, when heavy rain came in. Here
both pheasants and partridges were shot on grassland and plough.
One dog was dropped, the six dogs in the awards had competed strongly all day making it a good trial.

1st – Sarah Miles with Lomcovak Barka of Meonvalley
Winner of The Theale Challenge Trophy

2nd – Chris Damon with Brecon of Batemoor
Winner of the Hobhearn Challenge Cup
CoM – Ken Green with Hoffbank Mr Chips
CoM – Ron Taylor with Norlands Ruby
CoM – Roger Wade with Faybourne Drew of Wadeshot
CoM – Isobel Whitford with Abney Acer

Sue Cradock, Brocke Van Den Bogaerde and Sarah Miles

A special thank you to Peter Setterfield and keeper David Moore,
who provided us with a perfect day.

14 Dog All Aged Stake for AV Retrievers
at Castle Goring, near Worthing, West Sussex
Thursday 3rd December 2009
Judges: Mrs Sarah Olner (1903), Mr Frank Wright (2973),
Mr Peter Scott (2577) and Mr Martin Dance (3060)

We were made very welcome on this spectacular shoot, once again
by kind invitation of Fitzroy Somerset Esq.

Luckily it was a dry day a rare event this season. The first drive
provided plenty of high birds being skilfully shot, some in woodland,
ditches and open ground. We lost one dog in this long drive,
completing the third round here. When the judges decided to drop
five dogs and sadly Graham Roberts withdrew his dog due to a
muscular spasm. One more dog picked the wrong bird with four dogs
left, we went to the last drive over the lakes. Here sadly another
dog ran in and the last three all had water retrieves. Then two dogs
failed leaving our winner to achieve on a bird in the water near the
island, well done!

1st – Diana Harrison with Yettolley Inca of Hatchfield
Winner of the Gregson Challenge Cup
and the Nookshot Trophy for the best looking bitch in awards

Sue Cradock, Judges and award winner at Castle Goring

I would like to thank Kieran and Martin the keepers for a great day.

Also Julie Elborough for her wonderful pate and hot sausages and
Gay for her famous fruit cake.

Good luck to our top dogs in the Finals.

14 Dog Novice Stake for AV Retrievers
at Northchapel, West Sussex
Wednesday 6th January 2010

Cancelled due to the snow and adverse weather

Unfortunately it has not been possible to re-arrange
the trial on another date this season

Sue Cradock