Committee

PresidentPhil Allen
ChairmanJim Collins
jim@grenville.uk.com
SecretaryTamsin White
tamsinwhite2@gmail.com
TreasurerJackie Bone
Membership SecretaryJonathan Desmarais
jonde99@yahoo.com
Working Test SecretaryHarriet Newcombe
harriet.newcombe94@gmail.com
Field Trial SecretaryJohn Keegan
geordieland@icloud.com
Event CoordinatorAbbie Reid
outdoorchick99@outlook.com
Spaniel SecretaryNicki Hunter
spaniel.sec@utilitygundogsociety.com
Committee MembersLouise Bailey, Jackie Bone, Steve Coxell, Roy Jarman, Sharon Smith, Vince Thorby. Josefine van der Dussen, Andrew Wright

Event Schedule

2024 Working Test Entry Form

April 2024
July 2024
August 2024
No event found!

Please forward news and results to update@utilitygundogsociety.com

Evening Training 2024

This spring and summer you can train and test your dog on the prestigious and purpose build Rickneys Dog Training Ground in Bengeo, hosted by the Herts, Beds and Buck branch.
Several classes run in parallel, with handlers and dogs grouped into appropriate levels for Spaniel and Retriever. We welcome new handlers. Dogs require at least basic obedience: walk to heal, sit and stay and must be at least 6 months to attend.
Costs are £10 per session. No booking required, just show up. Enjoy some tea, coffee, cake and a chat after the class!

Contact Louise at louisebailey24@icloud.com with any questions.

Dates: 1 May, 15 May,29 May, 12 June, 26 June, 10 July.
Times: 18:00 for 18:30 and usually continues for about 2 hours light permitting.

From the A10 take the Ware exit. Head towards Stevenage on the A602. Take the first exit at the roundabout towards Hertford on the B158. The entrance is half a mile on your left, directly after the ‘Crouchfield’ sign.
From the A414 take the B158 at Hertford towards Bengeo. Over a small roundabout and entrance is after 0.5 mile on the right.
Postcode SG14 3LP.
Google Maps “Rickneys Dog Training Ground”.

For heath and safety reasons we ask that all attendees observe the current health safety guidelines for safety of both attendees and organisers.

News and Results

17 March 2024 – HBB Open Qualifier

UGS HBB held our Open Qualifier on Sunday 17th March 2024 at Easneye Estate, Ware by kind permission of The Buxton Family.

Judges: Nick Clitheroe (A2450), Joy Venturi-Rose (B1930), Lesley Crompton and Jennifer Thomas.

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.

Awards:
1st place – Michael Crutchley with Mitforton Teal
2nd place – Anthony Peters with Atikonak Bullrush
3rd place – Ellena Nunneley with Swiftlands Briar
4th place – Robert Small with Troddenmills If Only
COM – Abbie Reid with Lyebreach Golden Eagle Of Riverlily
COM – John Keegan with Geordieland Wolfie

Michael Crutchley with Mitforton Teal winning The Marlborough Trophy and The Rayleas Cup.
Anthony Peters with Atikonak Bullrush winning The Edrith Cup to the Runner up.
Jacqui Crew with Hanans Kertis winning The Leanchor Cup for The Best Golden Retriever.

Congratulations to all those in the awards!

1st – 4th qualify for the UGS Area Finals team event.

23rd Nov 2023 – HBB 16 Dog Novice Stake

Utility Gundog Society – HBB Branch held their 12 Dog Novice Dog Stake on the 23 November 2023 at The Smith-Pearman Shoot, Standon, Hertfordshire by very kind permission of Mr Philip Smith and Mr Jefferey Pearman.

The trial was very kindly judged by Jim Gale, Phil Allen, Julian Williams & Jim Collins.  We really appreciate your dedication, skills, and experience to make this trial flow and arrive at the right decision.     This trial was also the final judging Appointment of Jim Gale, who has been actively involved in Field Trials for over 40 years, Jim, we wish you well in your retirement.

It was a real family affair as the steward of the Beat was our Host, Philip Smith and the team of guns was ably led by Philip’s son Ben.

This was a walked-Up trial over a wide variety of cover crops including artichokes.    The weather was sunny with a light breeze.  

The dogs and handlers were presented with some challenging retrieves especially when the birds fell beyond the dense cover and deep ditches on the headlands.  The judges gave the dogs time to demonstrate their natural ability however, we sadly lost five dogs in the first round.

A further two dogs were lost during the second round.   The 3rd round saw some fabulous dog work, including Daniel Higgs’ Golden Retriever Reedmoor’s Ares of Higgscroft who picked a lively runner in dense woodland when tried as second dog. 

The fourth and final round started with four dogs, however another was no longer required leaving three dogs to feature in the awards. 

A very worthy winner and awarded The Earnsfield Teal Memorial Trophy was Daniel Higgs’ Reedmoors Ares Of Higgscroft        

Second and awarded The Pintailen Cup was Kinagar Fire and Ice, owned and handled by Judith Curtis, who ran a great trial.

Third was Andrew Wright with Wadesmill Rosesdale, another Golden Retriever. 

The Guns choice, who awarded The Raynton Park Trophy was Lindsay Hudson’s Labrador Retriever Bancyboblen Whisper At Howlandwood 

I would like to thank our host, Philip Smith, Jeffery Pearman, the Keepers and Beaters, the Judges, the Guns, Judges Stewards Tammy White & John Keegan, Game Carriers, Steve Coxwell & Josephine van der Dussen  and the committee of UGS HBB for all their support and guidance during my first season as Field Trial Secretary. 

Finally, a thank you to the competitors, in the gallery there was good camaraderie and appreciation of good dog work.

Gill Davies Retriever FT Sec UGS – HBB

26 Oct 2023 – HBB 16 Dog Novice Trial

Utility Gundog Society – HBB Branch held their 16 Dog Novice Dog Stake on the 26th October 2023 at The Ampton Estate by kind permission of Mr Peter Rushbrook.

The trial was very kindly judged by Godfrey Lowe, Julia Reed, Craig Jackson  & Josefine van der Dussen.  During the welcome speeches Julia Reed remembered the late Steve Polley, who had originally accepted the invitation to judge today.

The line was expertly run by Richard Dunn from Ampton Estate.    A fabulous team of guns shot at the trial, ably led by John Keegan

This was a walked-Up trial in tall rape.  The dogs and handlers were presented with some tricky retrieves,  the weather also played a hand, with patchy scent and intermittent rain for much of the day.  The judges gave the dogs time to demonstrate their natural ability however, we sadly lost six dogs in the first round.

During the second round we saw some fabulous dog work, which included Hydonsdown Echo who picked a lively runner with style. 

The third and final round started with eight dogs, however a number were lost, many leaving the trial due to the “first dog down” rule.  Eventually just two dogs remained.

A very worthy winner and awarded The Jason Memorial Trophy was Vino De Bacchus Leon Millot, owned and handled by Jan Rossmann.

Second and awarded The Geoff Hicks Memorial Trophy was Garrethall Toddy, owned and handled by Aaron Wright.

Guns choice was Ben Starns who handled Colquite Mary Poppins Of Blackenvoy.

I would like to thank our host, Peter Rushbrook and Team, the judges, the Guns, Keeper Alan Hammond,  the Beaters, Judges Steward: Tammy White, Game Carriers:  Deborah Goodman & Dan Eegan, & the committee of UGS HBB for their support and assistance.

Finally, a thank you to the competitors, in the gallery there was good camaraderie and appreciation of good dog work.

Gill Davies  Retriever FT Sec UGS – HBB

12 Sept 2023 – HBB All Aged Stake

The Utility Gundog Society – Herts, Beds & Bucks Branch held an All-Aged Stake at Cuffley on  12th September 2023 by kind permission of Mr D. Thomas.

The judges were Andrew Wright, Liz Taylor, Sharon Coby  & James Brindley.

The weather was cooler than the weekend, which was welcome. However, scent was limited on the first drive, which reduced the field by half.  The second drive was grassland before the final drive over the lake, with four dogs finishing the trial.

Many thanks to the following who helped make the day a success, Tammy White, Jacqui Crew, Josefine van der Dussen, Sharon Smith, Deborah Goodman & Anne Sabido.

1st: Winner of The Liphook Game Farm Trophy.  Peter Hurst’s  Pinfeathers Callista @saxthorpe    Labrador Retriever Bitch, handled by Karen Hurst

2nd Placed, not awarded.

3rd  Marianne Copp’ s Pointhill Peregrine, Labrador Retriever Dog

COM Karen Hurst’s Ghostwood Cruiser At Saxthorpe Labrador Retriever Dog

COM & Guns Choice – The Geordieland Cup.  John Keegan’s Geordieland Wolfie,  Labrador Retriever Dog

16 April 2023 – HBB Special Puppy and Novice

UGS HBB held our Novice and Special Puppy on Sunday 16th April 2023 at Cuffley by kind permission of Mr Dave Thomas.
Judges: John Keegan (A2858), Tom Lowe (A3187), Doug Laflin (NP3353) and Hayley Drew (NP3453).

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.

Awards:
Special Puppy
1st place – Lottie Randall with Lindeth Artemis Hurricane
2nd place – Sarah Nickels-Hawkins with Wauniago Geoff Wheel
3rd place – Paul Buckenham with Primrose Girlshine

Novice
1st place – Colin Pelham with Norlands Seren
2nd place – Paul Buckenham with Snipe Sister
3rd place – Roy Jarman with Winners Avenue Of Sirenbirch
4th place – Karin Hauxwell with Fieldmoreton Charlie
COM – Edward Abbott with Geordieland Warren

1 July 2023 – HBB Puppy, NDNH and Veteran Test Results

UGS HBB held a Puppy, Novice Dog Novice Handler and Veteran Working Test on Saturday 1st July at Rickneys Training Ground by kind permission of Andrew and Julie Wright.

Judges: Phil Allen (A0003), Andrew Wright (A2617), Jim Collins and Tammy White.

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.

Puppy
1st place – Penny Morris with Buckmotts Montague
2nd place – Beth Morgan with Hardhamhouse Moet
3rd place – Andrew Steggles with Troddenmills Kriss Cross

NDNH
1st place – Jacqui Horne with Alstroemeria Malachite
2nd place – Alice Watson with Bellesbank Seattle Grace
3rd place – Pearl Tickell with Pallingforth Mirabelle Of Artistryn
4th place – Kerry Gurman with Olanena Lusty Glaze Bay
COM – Linda Saunders with Rossclyde Vital Spark
COM – Debbie Cullen with Bobwalden Lillan

Veteran
1st place – Abbie Reid with Riverlily Angel Of Sunshine
2nd place – Sam Davis with Wildspirit Nilla
3rd place – Sally Pepper with Lilleburne Slopestyle Sand
4th place – Abbie Reid with Riverlily Spirit Of Destiny

Congratulations to all those in the awards!

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