Welcome
The Utility Gundog Society is divided into four autonomous branches spread throughout the Home Counties and East Anglia, these are Eastern Counties (EC), Herts, Beds and Bucks (HBB), Kent and East Sussex (K&ES) and Surrey, West Sussex and Hampshire (S,WS&H).
The Parent Body is responsible for the Society administration and each year hosts Spaniel Events including The Open English Springer Spaniel Field Trial, The Open Cocker Spaniel Field Trial, and two Novice Spaniel Field Trials.
The branches take turns to host the annual Two Day Open Field Trial, the inter branch All Age Field Trial Finals and the Team Working Test Finals each year. The branches also organise a series of Retriever Field Trials and Working Tests. Training events, classes and seminars are also occasionally available, see the individual branch pages for more information.
Non-members can enter any advertised event, but members will get preference in the draw. Please note that membership of one branch does not confer membership of all branches and there is a separate joining fee for each branch. To participate and gain preference in Spaniel events, membership of only one branch is required.
We hope you enjoy visiting our site and look forward to welcoming you at one of our events.
Branch event secretaries are always in need of volunteers to help during tests, trials and training events. Contact a branch for more information.
Society News
- 10 April 2022 – HBB Special Puppy, Novice Test
UGS HBB held a Novice and Special Puppy Working Test on Sunday 10th April at Easneye Estate, Ware by kind permission of The Buxton Family.
Judges: Rodger Ketley, Mark Polley, Sue Berman and Charlotte Wilkinson.
We were very kindly sponsored by Skinner’s Field and Trial and Sporting Saint. A big thank you to the landowner, judges and helpers for all your hard work and for a great day.
Special Puppy
1st place – Jessica Webster with Lucky Billy Boy
2nd place – Jane Trowell with Ingdalehowel Himalayan Musk Of Janfran
3rd place – Roy Jarman with Winners Avenue
Novice
1st place – Tammy White with Birdsgreen Lyric
2nd place – Gill Davies with Fleetbelmont Calla Lilly
3rd place – Andy Ince with Naughtland Popcorn
4th place – Jacqui Crew with Casblaidd Chizel
COM – Fay Drewry with Think Twice One Shot - EC – Judges Training Weekend
In memory of Peter Johnson, who left us a legacy, the UGS Eastern Counties branch are running a judging weekend on the 20th and 21st August.
The Saturday will be a practical day “in the field” at Hintlesham by kind permission of Kevin Doughty and will be a “scenario” based day giving “trainees” the chance to experience “sending”, “decision making” and “assessing” a number of usual and unusual situations that may occur when judging.
The day is aimed primarily at non panel judges (but panel judges will be welcome to attend), especially those about to start their judging career. This day will be overseen by seven experienced A panel “educator” judges, Kevin Doughty, Steve Polley, Phil Askew, Sara Gadd, Mike Tallamy, Rodger Ketley and Phil Highfield.
The Sunday will be a presentation and examination of the J Regs by Kevin Doughty and will be held at Woolpit Village Hall at a cost of £30. Applicants can choose to do one or the other or both. There will be spaces for 36 trainee judges on the practical day at a reduced cost of £20. Current members of Eastern Counties Branch will have preference.
We will also need 16 dogs and handlers of a good standard (at least open WT award winners) that are able to “hunt” their dogs in a specified area. Dogs\Handlers will be free of charge but will be able to listen in on the discussions but without input.
Please contact me, by email on julia.nigel@btinternet.com if you are interested. Help on the day would be appreciated especially if you’re a good dummy thrower!!
- 25 Jan 2022 – Novice AV Spaniel Trial
Novice AV Spaniel Stake held at Shotesham Park, Norfolk
Judges: Martin Deacon & Dave Gosling
First Place & Gun’s Choice: Mark Stephens – Shiveck Boss of Wateravens
Second Place: Marion Emery – Palmarrion Promise
Third Place: Peter Avery – Deepfleet Malin
Fourth Place: Julie Cracknell – Julzcrackers Moana
CoM: Paul Rogers – Purlodge Cherry Pip of Tippasheath - 18 Jan 2022 – Novice Cocker Spaniel Trial
Utility Gundog Society Novice Cocker Spaniel Trial at Shotesham Park Estate, Norfolk.
Judges for the day were Wayne Greig and Arthur McGregor
First Place and Gun’s Choice: James Luxford’s Howesyke Silk
Second Place: Mark Page’s Uncleby Matilda
Third Place: Derek Lee’s Sky of Wellbank handled by Will Clulee
Forth Place: Martin Deacon’s Woolpitts Lossie
CoM: Jonathan Nightingale’s Heathcroft Candy
CoM: Mike Rivett’s Peanut Toffee - 30-12-2021 – UGS All Aged Retriever Finals
UGS Kent & East Sussex Branch held The All Aged Retriever Finals Trial on the 30th December 21 at Wotton, Dorking, by kind permission of Laurence Matthews & Keeper David Smart. We were very privileged to be invited to join the shoot syndicate on their fabulous ground.
We started with a heavy drive on mostly open ground, which meant a lot of birds in area’s that needed skilful handling to pick the right bird. The second drive saw the eventual winner pick a fantastic 250 yard runner, which was a over a ditch & where the dog had to work his nose onto the scent first. We finished on a woodland drive, with the remaining 6 dogs needing to hunt in some very thick bramble cover & where the judges were able to conclude the trial.
My special thanks go to Judges Robert Worrall, Barbara Kuen, James Bailey & Louie Robertson & to all our amazing team of helpers, you certainly make my role a much easier job. Thank you to Laurence & David along with your guns & helpers, we are extremely grateful to all of you for allowing us to be there & for making us feel so welcome. Also congratulations to all of the competitors for qualifying for the stake & showing us some brilliant dog work, it was lovely to spend the day in your company. We were also very lucky to have keen photographer Tony join us for the day who will forward photographs once he has had chance to go through them all.
With a lot of silver ware up for grabs the awards were as follows –
- First Place to Isleoman Gorse of Wylanbriar handled by Di Stevens also winning Trophies for The Best Labrador, Best Retrieve of a Runner, Best Game Finder of the opposite sex to the best game finder & Best Lady Handler at the trial
- Second Place to Ftch. Brockaghs Forba handled by Jim Collins also winning the Trophy for Best Looking Labrador competing in the finals
- Third Place to Annington Bay Maddi May handled by Mell Brooks also winning Trophies for The Best Opposite Sex Dog to the Winner & The Best Game Finder at the trial
- COM to Hollowgate Red Grouse of Rufriver handled by Allie Hogsbjerg
- COM to Ftch. Ticefield Dazed N’Confused handled by Reuben Corbett
