Eastern Counties

16 Dog All Age Stake for AV Retrievers on the 10th September 2016 at Black Notley Hall, Black Notley, Essex by kind permission of Peter Cole and the Black Notley Syndicate

Judges: Andrew Wright (A2617), Len Herbert (B1875), Dough Laflin and Julia Reed

Trophies: The Posterngate Trophy for the winner, The Southernwood Trophy for the runner up, The Sam Taylor Trophy for the Best Dog of The Opposite Sex and The Saham Perpetual Trophy for the Best Marking Dog.

Results

Open Sugar Beet Working Test on the 13th August 2016 at Tendering Hall, Stoke By Nayland by kind permission of Mrs E Holden

Judges: Phil Askew, Doug Laflin

Novice Sugar Beet Working Test on the 16th July 2016 at Loose Hall, Hitcham by kind permission of Loose Hall Farms Ltd.

Judges: Liz Ingram, Peter Hammond

Our Novice Sugar Beet Test was held at Loose Hall, Hitcham, by kind permission of Loose Hall Farms Ltd. Peter Hammond and Liz Ingram judged the day and there was a very good standard of dog work to enjoy. The retrieves were gradually made more testing making use the white grass and trees along side the beet to encourage the dogs to hunt and show what they could do. This was a very enjoyable day.

Open Finals Working Test on the 18th June 2016 at Woolney Hall, Creeting St Mary, Stowmarket by kind permission of Terry and Jenny Prentice

Judges: Glynis Hillier, Tom Lowe

We were very fortunate to once again go to the lovely setting and exciting grounds of Woolney Hall, Creeting St Mary by kind invitation of Terry and Jenny Prentice. The day was made even more special as Roger and Wendy Skinner were able to join us. Glynis Hillier and Tom Lowe were our judges and each took two teams to complete in two tests before they swapped over. They all came together thereafter for the water challenge, at which each team came up separately and decided which dog would take one of 4 blinds in turn across different parts of the water, varying in difficulty and length. At the end of this everybody enjoyed a lovely lunch organised by Sarah Bond. Wendy Skinner did us the honour of presenting the awards and a bag of dog food was generously donated by Skinners for each of the competitiors

Special Puppy, Novice and Veteran Working Test on the 9th April 2016 at Nacton Decoys, Nacton, Ipswich by kind permission of John Norris

Judges: Peter Fulcher, Peter Elmy and Phil Askew

The ground at Nacton covers everything, woodland, grassland, reeds/watermeadow and water, making the tests challenging. One particular “mark” in the woods was the undoing of several dogs.

Judged by Peter Fulcher, Peter Elmy and Phil Askew, a good field of 10 Special Puppy, 21 Novice and 7 Veterans did well to brave the weather on what was a very wet day!!

Thanks to all that helped, made cakes etc and a special thanks to John Bowtell who made the lunch. Also to our sponsors, Skinners and Sporting Saint.

Open Qualifier Working Test on the 19th March 2016 at Nacton Decoys, Nacton, Ipswich by kind permission of John Norris

Judges: Phil Askew, Jenny Hankey, Gary Vidler