Committee
President | Phil Allen |
Chairman | Jim Collins jim@grenville.uk.com |
Secretary | Tamsin White tamsinwhite2@gmail.com |
Treasurer | Jackie Bone |
Membership Secretary | Jonathan Desmarais jonde99@yahoo.com |
Working Test Secretary | Harriet Newcombe harriet.newcombe94@gmail.com |
Field Trial Secretary | John Keegan geordieland@icloud.com |
Event Coordinator | Abbie Reid outdoorchick99@outlook.com |
Spaniel Secretary | Nicki Hunter spaniel.sec@utilitygundogsociety.com |
Committee Members | Louise Bailey, Jackie Bone, Steve Coxell, Roy Jarman, Sharon Smith, Vince Thorby. Josefine van der Dussen, Andrew Wright |
Event Schedule
HBB – Puppy, Novice Dog Novice Handler and Veteran Working Test
HBB – Open Walked up on FT Line
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
2015/09/08 – 16 Dog All Age Stake for AV Retrievers
16 Dog All Age Stake for AV Retrievers on the 8th September 2015 at Brook Farm, Cuffley, Hertfordshire by kind permission of Mr Dave Thomas and The Brook Farm Shoot
Judges: Barbara Kuen, Dave Barnes, Jane Sizer and Mike Rollinson
The club has been holding a trial at this ground for well over ten years with some of the guns shooting for the club on every occasion. This year was no different and although there were a few new faces in the team, every one shot at the high level we have come to expect from them.
The first drive of the day produced birds, which dropped in woodland and a newly landscaped area around an existing lake. This provided very testing first round retrieves for the dogs, which had to hunt thick cover or pick from water. Sadly we lost seven dogs by the end of the second round.
The remaining nine dogs were taken on to the next drive, which saw the guns lined out on a stubble field. The terrain and distribution of fallen game on this drive allowed the judges to test the dogs handling ability. Three dogs were dropped at this point, with the judges taking six through to the final drive.
The last drive saw the dogs sat some 200m behind the guns with the birds falling in deep grass or tall game cover. The first two dogs were asked to pick a bird from the game cover, which they completed successfully. The next dog was sent to the same area, but after much hunting, failed to pick. A second dog was tried and that also failed. Rodger Ketley’s dog Highroost Hollywood was sent, disappearing from view into the game cover, and within seconds reappeared with a bird. Highroost Hollywood had done some good work all day and a good two-dog eye wipe on his last retrieve lifted him into first place.
My thanks go to all the people that helped to make the day go smoothly, including stewards, bird markers, game carriers and Louise Bailey for supplying cakes and sandwiches at the end of the day.
Results | ||
---|---|---|
1st | Highroost Hollywood | Rodger Ketley |
2nd | Levenghyl Silvercloud of Drakeshead | Mike Moran |
3rd | Kenine Pacifica of Ashlevel Guns’ Choice | Kieth Bianchi |
4th | Garrethall Ouka | Liz Ingram |
2015/08/31 – Open Sugar Beet Working Test
Open Sugar Beet Working Test on the 31st August 2015 at Termitts Farm, Terling, Essex by kind permission of Lord Rayleigh
Judges: Jim Collins, Tom Lowe, David Barnes and Josefine van der Dussen
Results | ||
---|---|---|
1st | Kayteens Kentucky | Mick Elsey |
2nd | Overthwarts Berwick | Andrew Wright |
3rd | Birdsgreen Moses of Rowansbourne | Alan Ward |
4th | Garrethall Ouka | Liz Ingram |
CoM | Tullysedge Matchmaker | Helen Burnie |
CoM | FTCh Decies Dodge by Studebaker | Mary Jane Opie |
CoM | Wadesmill Snowdrop | Andrew Wright |
2015/07/05 – Novice Dog/Novice Handler, Puppy and Veteran Working Tests
Novice Dog/Novice Handler, Puppy and Veteran Working Tests on the 5th July 2015 at Bengeo, Hertfordshire by kind permission of Andrew and Julie Wright
Judges: Amanda Sheriff, Abbie Crawley, Jacqui Crew and Diane Heywood
Novice Dog/Novice Handler Results | ||
---|---|---|
1st | Overthwarts Olive | Mark Schiller |
2nd | Glenairh Silver Cloud | Lesley Compton |
3rd | Copperwheat Waterboy | David Green |
4th | Paddington Green | Linda Green |
Puppy Result | ||
1st | Serrara Santiago | John Iacono |
2nd | Serrara Sizzle | John Iacono |
3rd | Southsorion Asteria Light | Kate Blye |
4th | Kenquartz Yellow Rose | Heather Wellings |
Novice Dog/Novice Handler Results | ||
1st | Fetchacur Teal | Rod Herd |
2nd | Gameflight Naf | Mike Waldren |
3rd | Dipplelodge Bramleyapple | Marilyn Squires |
4th | Brockaghs Brighid | Susan Copper |
2015/05/23 – Special Puppy and Novice Working Tests
Special Puppy and Novice Working Tests on the 23rd May 2015 at Standon Friars, Hertfordshire by kind permission of Phillip and Judy Smith
Judges: Fiona Joint, Peter Childs, Alan Ward and Andrew Wright
Special Puppy Results | ||
---|---|---|
1st | Garrethall Quorell | Caroline Heasman |
2nd | Chilliwack Twister | Keith Foster |
3rd | Tideflight Glaze | Jo Izard |
4th | Birdsgreen Thembi of Spurgate | Brian Chesser |
CoM | Copperwheat Aston Cha | Ken Byron |
Novice Results | ||
1st | Brokaghs Eoin | Jim Collin |
2nd | Rambling Rosie Of Park Lane | Beverley Ward |
3rd | Highroost Maverick | Mick Higgs |
4th | Fetchacur Pacific | Rod Herd |
CoM | Siusigold Kite | Jim Gale |
2015/04/26 – Inter-Counties Team Event
Inter-Counties Team Event on the 26th April 2015 at Woodhall Estate, Hertfordshire
Judges: Phil Allen, Jim Gale, Barbara Kuen, Colin Pelham and Barry Taylor
Results | ||
---|---|---|
1st | Chiltern Gundog Society | Allie Hogsbjerg Maurice Fitch Sean McGrath |
2nd | Arun and Downland Gundog Societ | Di Paterson Helen Thornton Lindy Higham |
3rd | Kent, Surrey and Sussex Labrador Retriever Club | Judith Curtis John Read Alan Ward |
4th | Lincolnshire Gundog Society | Helen Burnie James Walgate Alan Harrison |
Awarded the Kelly Memorial Trophy
2015/04/04 – Open Qualifying Working Test
Open Qualifying Working Test on the 4th April 2015 at Standon Lordship, Hertfordshire by kind permission of Mr and Mrs Philip Smith and Mr Geoffrey Pearman
Judges: Keith Bedford, Richard Beckerleg and Glynis Hillier
A stiff breeze punctuated an overcast sky throughout the day as by kind permission of Phillip Smith and Geoffrey Pearman the UGS HBB held their Open Working Test Qualifier at Standon Lordship, Hertfordshire.
32 dogs competed in 6 tests designed by Working Test Secretary Jacqui Crew to get the very best performances from the competitors. Long distance marks and blinds, one including a fence to jump, a walk up with a difference and a very tricky retrieve over water were judged by Glynis Hillier, Keith Bedford and Richard Beckerleg.
The resulting Judges marks caused a run off to establish some places, but the winner was clear.
Results | ||
---|---|---|
1st | Ardexis Tom of Copperwheat | Ken Byron |
2nd | Overthwarts Berwick | Andrew Wright |
3rd | Faircotelabs Moss | Mark Polley |
4th | Merryway Maximum | Helen Burnie |
CoM | Liz Ingram | |
CoM | Mary-Jane Opie |