Herts, Beds & Bucks

The Utility Gundog Society Herts, Beds and Bucks Branch will be holding it’s Annual General Meeting on Sunday the 2rd March 2025 at 10am at Brewhouse, New Street Farm, Standon, Ware, Herts, SG11 1PJ.

Please contact Tammy to let us know if you will attend. hbb-sec@utilitygundogsociety.com

You can view the available tests through the branches “Events & Results” page.

Note, the HBB will be accepting online entries through a new online portal. Our tests will not be available on FTMS this year.

Instructions on how to use the platform are available on the home page.

Note: if you are entering multiple events, before paying you can add more items to your shopping cart by clicking “events & results” again and adding additional entries.

1/2 November 2024

After two fabulous days at Little Pixhall farm with plentiful steady flow of game in front of some excellent guns. Thanks to Franie Briley and his team.

Thanks to our judges Barry Taylor, Roger Wade, Jason Mayhew and Liz Taylor giving time and opportunity to the dogs to show some fabulous dog work.

Thanks to Skinners for their sponsorship as always – we are so grateful for this support. My thanks to everyone who helped bring my first 2-day trial to fruition.

1st Paul Truby with Greenbriar Sorceror of Millershook
(Subject to KC confirmation he has made his dog up).
2nd Sharon Dingle with Bellspaddle Mungo
3rd Kelvin Nettleingham with Luddesdowne Ebony

COMs to
Lesley Crompton with Hanwoodgold Breeze
Mike Jones with Ffynongain Buzzard of Wauniago

All the very best of luck to Paul and Merlin at the Championships.

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.

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

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