Having won the Interclub team match in 2022 it was the turn of UGS K&ES to host it in 2023 at Brissenden Farm, Frttenden, Kent by kind permission of Dick Munton and his team who run the farm.
15 teams of 3 dogs & handlers ( Open, Novice and ND/NH) competed over 5 tests for the Arun & Downland Challenge Shield under the watchful eyes of our 5 wonderful judges John Stubbs, Colin Pelham, Alan Buckland, Kim Jinks and Kelvin Nettleingham.
After the tests were over everyone was invited to partake of a hog roast provided by Tim Bartleet from Blue Egg Catering followed by Strawberries and cream ( and a sneaky glass of Pimms!) whilst we added up all the scores.
We also held a charity raffle throughout the day for the PSP Association which raised a fantastic £635. Thanks go to all the competitors who generously supported this charity and to the many wonderful sponsors who donated a selection of fabulous prizes.
The weather Gods were good to us and, despite the forecast threatening thunderstorms, they held them off until the very end of our day just as people were leaving, allowing us to enjoy a relaxing lunch.
Thanks go to our wonderful team of helpers who gave up their valuable time to make events like this possible.
I would also like to acknowledge to generosity of our sponsors who contributed to Goody bags for all competitors and some amazing raffle prizes: Skinners, Sporting Saint, Acme Whistles, Gamekeepers Goods, Hecktorkirk Gundogs, Chris Potter Country Stores, RJS Gundog training, Diana Stevens & Stephen Malthouse, Biddenden Vineyard, Bill Gardiner, Loddington Farm, Ashdown Feeds and Brown Bag crisps.
Results:
2 teams tied for first place so rather than have a run off (by which time most people were full of hog roast and strawberries!) we decided to differentiate the teams according to who’s ND/NH dog had the highest score, therefore..
1st Place and the A&D Challenge Shield – Utility Gundog Society Surrey, West Sussex and Hampshire
Sarah Haskoll – Folkington Flyte – ND/NH
Sue Convery – Highholts Kitkat – Novice.
Robert Small – Troddenmills If Only – Open
2nd Place – United Retriever Club, South West & Hampshire
Lee Dunn – Bradley Green Eclipse Sue – ND/NH
Emma Mills – Oaklyfield Nugget – Novice
Mark Witham – Ettinsmoor Final Frontier – Open
3rd Place – South Eastern Gundog Society
Peter Aston – Larinco Calypso Spark – ND/NH
Bill Gardiner – Hazel of Cacklebury – Novice
Julia Smith – Laborie Miss Molly – Open
Top ND/NH – Peter Aston
Top Novice – Emma Mills
Top Open – Mark Witham
Judges Choice winning the Chris Potter Trophy – Peter Aston
