Committee
| President | Phil Allen |
| Chairman | Jim Collins |
| Secretary | Tamsin White hbb-sec@utilitygundogsociety.com |
| Treasurer | Jackie Bone |
| Membership Secretary | Jonathan Desmarais hbb-mem@utilitygundogsociety.com |
| Working Test Secretary | Harriet Newcombe hbb-wt@utilitygundogsociety.com |
| Field Trial Secretary | Gill Davies hbb-ft@utilitygundogsociety.com |
| Event Coordinator | Abbie Reid hbb-evt@utilitygundogsociety.com |
| Spaniel Secretary | Nicki Hunter spaniel.sec@utilitygundogsociety.com |
| Committee Members | Louise Bailey, Jackie Bone, Steve Coxell, Lyndsay Hudson, John Keegan, Amanda Sherriff, Sharon Smith, Josefine van der Dussen, Andrew Wright |
Event Schedule
2023 Working Test Entry Form
2023 All Aged Stake Schedule – AA Entry Form
2023 16 Dog Novice Stake Schedule (Ampton) – Entry Form
2023 12 Dog Novice Stake Schedule (Standon) – Entry Form
UGS – Area Finals
SPANIELS – 16 Dog Novice Cocker Spaniel Stake
SPANIELS – 16 Dog Open Qualifying AV (ex Cockers) Spaniel Stake
SPANIELS – 16 Dog Novice AV Spaniel Stake
Please forward news and results to update@utilitygundogsociety.com
Training 2023
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: 3 May, 17 May, 31 May, 14 June, 28 June, 12 July.
Times: 18:00 for 18:15 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
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
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!
HBB 2023 Trial Schedule Now Available
Please see details of Utility Gundog Society Herts, Beds & Bucks AV Retriever Field Trial Schedule for 2023/24
We have two confirmed trials currently (see below), with a 3rd being planned.
16 Dog AV All Aged Retriever Trial; Tuesday 12thSeptember 2023 at Cuffley, Herts. Judges Andrew Wright, Liz Taylor, Sharon Coby and James Brindley
16 Dog AV Novice Retriever Trial: Thursday 26thOctober 2023 at Ampton Estate. Judges Steve Polley, Julia Reed, Craig Jackson and Stewart North
All entries accepted via FTMS and post by closing dates. Schedule to be listed on FTMS and Website shortly. Schedules will be posted or emailed only on request via gillrdavies@icloud.com
Good luck in the current working test season and I look forward to seeing you during the shooting season.
Retriever Field Trial Secretary Gill Davies
11 March 2023 – HBB Open Qualifier
UGS HBB held our Open Qualifier on Saturday 11th March 2023 at Easneye Estate, Ware by kind permission of The Buxton Family.
Judges: Barry Taylor (A1633), Chris Marshall (B3232), Liz Taylor (B3536) and Sue Berman (NP3094).
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.
2nd place – Anthony Peters with Atikonak Bullrush
3rd place – Steve Coxell with Brockaghs Ilan
4th place – Lanesie Gould with Elkshead Skye Of Heatherbound
COM – Glynis Hillier with Lannakers Quest Of Tofts
Congratulations to all those in the awards!
1st – 4th qualify for the UGS Area Finals team event.
10/11 October 2022 – UGS Two Day 24 Dog Open Stake
Held at Ampton Estate, Great Livermere
The first day of the trial involved a damp start, a scorching sun, some difficult scenting conditions and impressive eyewipes from Laura Hill’s Ft Ch Stauntonvale Lemon Posset and Jon Halsted’s Buccleugh Bridgeknowes of Chatsworth. The 9 dogs left in the trial continued into day two.
On day two the 9 remaining dogs melted down quickly to the 4 dogs in the awards. Credit was given to some good eye wipes in thick cover. Laura Hill’s Ft Ch did a fabulous retrieve that will stay long in our memories! And the dog work that Buccleugh Bridgeknowes of Chatsworth produced over the 2 days was absolutely fantastic.
Results:
The Manymills Salver and President’s Trophy to
The winner – Buccleugh Bridgeknowes of Chatsworth Handled by John Halsted
Second – Brindlebay Mead Handled by Michael Tallamy
Third – Ft Ch Mistigri Finn of Featherfly Handled by Phil Highfield
Fourth – Ft Ch Stautonvale Lemon Posset Handled by Laura Hill
Skinner’s Trophy to the Best Marking Dog
Ft Ch Stauntonvale Lemon Posset Handled by Laura Hill
UGS (K&ES) Shield for the Guns’ Choice
Buccleugh Bridgeknowes of Chatsworth Handled by John Halsted
Meadowville Cup for the Best-Looking Retriever in the Awards
Brindlebay Mead Handled by Michael Tallamy
The Berry Trophy for the Best Retrieve of the Day
Ft Ch Stauntonvale Lemon Posset Handled by Laura Hill
We are grateful to:
Peter Rushbrook for allowing us to have a trial at the Ampton Estate, Allan Hammond for thoughtful management of the line. And I’m sure he’s grateful for Sue Stonebridge’s mentioning his fruit pastilles in her trial report! Our judges Phil Askew, Roger Ketley, Jo Rollinson and Julia Reed for being dedicated and fair. Our guns organised by John Keegan who all shot superbly. Thank you again for supporting our sport. Our sponsor Dale Watson from Sindermill Dog Food who came to watch the trial on the 2nd day. Our photographer Jordan Brooking. Our Game carriers: Craig, Arron, Alistair, Gill, Amanda and Jenny. Our judges steward: Tammy White. Our dog steward, red flag, first aider: Gill Davis.
