Kent and East Sussex

The Southern Interclub team event took place at the picturesque Isenhurst Estate, generously hosted by Clive and Gilly Nickols. Despite predictions of extremely hot weather earlier in the week, the day turned out to be pleasantly warm, complemented by a refreshing breeze.

Sixteen clubs from across Southern England attended the event, each vying for the prestigious Arun Downland Shield. In addition to the main team competition, awards were also presented for the highest scores in each of the three categories of dogs competing within each team.

Diana Stevens had set 5 excellent tests which included 3 tests over water for 1 or all of the dogs. They produced a range of scores as they were not necessarily as simple as they first appeared to be.

After the tests were completed there was a hog roast, strawberries and cream and Pimms!

Results:

1st – Southern Golden Retriever Society

Mary Hogg – Open; Charlotte Love – Novice & Jane Edwards – Nd/NH

2nd – Isle of Wight Gundog club

Ben Starns – Open; Sarah Cox – Novice & Steve Hobbs – ND/NH

3rd – Southern Eastern Gundog Society

John Scott – Open; Carly Madgwick – Novice & Tracey Johnson – ND/NH

Top Dog – John Scott with Abbotsann Firefly

Top Novice – Amy Jobson with Bellaroyal’s Fire Cracker

Top ND/NH – Simon Ascott with Briwed Unsung Hero

Guns Choice – Jane edwards with Rothaygarth Sovereign

Our sincere thanks go out to

• Clive and Gilly for allowing us to use their wonderful land
• Our brilliant judges; John Stubbs, Alan Buckland, Colin Pelham, Kelvin Nettleingham and Mandy Smith
• Di Stevens for setting some great tests
• Muntjac Trading for donating prizes for all award winners
• Gamekeepers Goods; Acme whistles, Bella & Duke, Brown Bag Crisps, Skinners for goody bag items
• Skinners for certificates
• Jenny Cleaver for engraving the glass trophies for the category winners
• All the wonderful helpers who gave up their time to make it happen.

Haxted Mead Farm , Edenbridge

1st – winning the UGS Challenge Cup – Bellspaddle Archer Of Wallershaven handled by Samantha Kirkham.

2nd – Jocifers Storm handled by Tim Pain.

3rd – Burrendale Noah handled by Phil Goulden.

COM – Hillgrove Golden handled by Janet Mcilwraith.

COM – Gwidigada Atlantic Spirit handled by Jennifer Thomas.

Haxted Mead Farm , Edenbridge

Two years ago, the Young Handler (YH) class was introduced after six-year-old Daisy Farley expressed her interest in participating. Daisy had been training her mother’s dog alongside her mum and asked if she could run the dog in a test. As the only Young Handler competing that year, the tests were adapted to provide her with a fair opportunity.

Following this initial success, it was decided to make the Young Handler class a regular feature of the test season. Daisy further contributed by generously donating a trophy for the class. Now, for the second consecutive year, the Daisy Farley Trophy has been awarded to recognize the best Young Handler.

This year the Awards for Young Handler were

1st – Troddenmills In a Tizzy handled by Charlotte Barter

Com’s were awarded to the other 4 competitors

Lottie, handled by Emily Smith

Cymddraig Olive at Daisycreek handled by Daisy Farley

Jenberry Mystery Heritage handled by Finlay Wiltshire Leospring sweet on you handled by Evelyn Mills

Special Puppy

1st winning the Stubbledown Tankard – Lonningend Lady Flora handled by Bryony Hamilton.

2nd winning the Shepedor Trophy – Jenberry Colquhoun at Colwellbay handled by Amanda Wiltshire

ND/NH

1st winning the Luddesdown Trophy – Mead Kings Heather handled by Sarah Porter

2nd Kenzdue Lord Astor handled by Steve Hobbs

3rd Dukesholt Dancer handled by Jenny Cleaver

Haxted Mead Farm , Edenbridge

1st place, winning the Nick Potts Memorial Trophy, – Quag’s Quintessence Loyal Gold handled by Pawel Zygadlo.

The Novice test had a very close result with the top 4 dogs within one point of each other, 79,78,77,76 and two Coms both on 75.

1st Place, winning the Stubbledown Trophy -Homelandsnew Gadwell handled by Sue Steven.

2nd Place winning the Edensway Tankard- Wauniago Geoff Wheel of Hawknick handled by Sarah Nickels Hawkins

3rd Place – Anningtonbay Loyal handled by Cynthia Thackwell

4th Place – Hardhamhouse Pineau handled by Paul Dunningham.

Com – Abbotsann Brightwater handled by John Scott.

Com – Klato Kittiwake handled by Pauline Tiplady. Judges: Chris Marchall, Alistair House, Marianne Copp, Tim Pain

Grovelands Farm, Biddenden, Kent

1st Place and winning the Stubbledown Tankard – Holmside Goose at Sunshimmer handled by Jennie Knight.

2nd Place and winning the Ghilliedown Tankard – Easthoath Beatrix handled by James Brindley.

3rd Place – Rockhollow Dahlia of Woodlandway handled by Beth Morgan.

4th Place – Tullysedge Lone Star handled by Jon Debnam.

Com – Valleyend Kamalane handled by Liz Taylor

Com – Nevilldown Jelly Bean handled by Sarah Nickels-Hawkins

Judges: Roger Wade, Reuben Corbett, Graham Stanley

All our tests for the summer season are now on FTMS; we look forward to receiving your entries.

8th March – UGS Interbranch Qualifier – Biddenden, Kent.
12th April – Novice & Puppy – Edenbridge
10th May – Special Puppy, Young Handler, ND/NH – Edenbridge
23rd August – Open Walked up on FT Lines – Edenbridge

We would welcome as many Young Handler entries as possible to encourage the next generation of handlers into the sport and have a lovely new trophy to award which has kindly been donated by Daisy Farley.

We are also running the Southern Interclub team event on 22nd June at Isenhurst so invitations will be going out soon to Southern Area clubs.

As always we NEED helpers to make it possible to run these tests so if you are available at any of the above tests, and especially the Interclub, then please contact me: gillsweeting61@gmail.com

Look forward to seeing as many of you as possible during the season.