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
EC – Judges Training Weekend
In memory of Peter Johnson, who left us a legacy, the UGS Eastern Counties branch are running a judging weekend on the 20th and 21st August.
The Saturday will be a practical day “in the field” at Hintlesham by kind permission of Kevin Doughty and will be a “scenario” based day giving “trainees” the chance to experience “sending”, “decision making” and “assessing” a number of usual and unusual situations that may occur when judging.
The day is aimed primarily at non panel judges (but panel judges will be welcome to attend), especially those about to start their judging career. This day will be overseen by seven experienced A panel “educator” judges, Kevin Doughty, Steve Polley, Phil Askew, Sara Gadd, Mike Tallamy, Rodger Ketley and Phil Highfield.
The Sunday will be a presentation and examination of the J Regs by Kevin Doughty and will be held at Woolpit Village Hall at a cost of £30. Applicants can choose to do one or the other or both. There will be spaces for 36 trainee judges on the practical day at a reduced cost of £20. Current members of Eastern Counties Branch will have preference.
We will also need 16 dogs and handlers of a good standard (at least open WT award winners) that are able to “hunt” their dogs in a specified area. Dogs\Handlers will be free of charge but will be able to listen in on the discussions but without input.
Please contact me, by email on julia.nigel@btinternet.com if you are interested. Help on the day would be appreciated especially if you’re a good dummy thrower!!
04 Jan 2022 – Novice Stake
UGS Herts, Beds and Bucks held a novice trial on the 4th January 2022 at Ampton Shooting Estate.
In Allan Hammond’s capable hands we were let through Fodder Raddish which kept the birds tight and brought them in a perfect position for the guns to shoot. The guns shot solemnly for the dogs and with challenging marks we took 9 dogs into the third round.
Longer retrieves and an unfortunate 4 dog eye wipe by the judges left us with the award winning 3 dogs.
Our gratitude goes to: the guns, the judges, Jim Gale, Phil Allen, Peter Fulcher and Jim Collins. Tammy White was judges-steward, Alistair Todd, Len Herbert and Chris Guest were the game carriers. Nicki Hunter was our picker upper!
Winning the Jason Memorial Trophy and also Gun’s Choice
Second: Ghostwood Cruiser @ saxthorpe handled by Karen Hurst
winning the Geoff Hicks Memorial Trophy
Third: Highroost Cedar handled by Roger Ketley
25 Nov 2021 – HBB Novice Stake Results
Landowners Phillip Smit and Jeffrey Pearman have been generous to the club for allowing us to have working tests. This year was the first for a field trial. Slightly apprehensive at the start, but both men loved the day!
After dramatic and spectacular dog eye wipes, a judges eye wipe followed. It left Arthur being the last man standing and needing 3 retrieves to finish the trial. His dog chased a bird through thick cover and picked and then had 2 more retrieves in white grass.
Our gratitude goes to our judges, Colin Pelham, Brian Chesser, Lee Hayman and Charlotte Wilkinson, to the guns, Ben Smith and his team, to the helpers, Phil Allen, Claire McLaughlin, Tamsin White, Steve Coxell, David Sworder, Jim Collins, the beaters who got the birds in the right place and of course Phillip Smith and Jeffrey Pearman!
Gun’s Choice to Wadeshot Kriss of Tudorcourt handled by Phil Hopper
6 Sept 2021 – HBB All Age Stake
Results for the HBBs first trial of the season, an All Age stake held at Cuffley on the 6th September.
2nd – Jim Collins with FtCh Brockaghs Forba
3rd and gun’s choice – Keith Townsend with Elmertown If I May
4th – Jason Mayhew with Berryshot Wigeon
COM – Michael Tallamy with Brindlebay Brigands
Our gratitude goes to our judges: Glynis Hillier, Mark Polley, Hayley Drew and Adam Holmes
Our helpers: Alistair Todd, Len Herbert, Louise Bailey, Jeanette Martin, Tammy White and Ken Byron.
The land owner from Brookfarm in Cuffley: David Thomas The keeper Dan Serduik
All the guns who shot so well. And everyone else involved!
Photos by Ray Hood.
https://www.country-trail-images.co.uk/p/70277hhg/ugs-aged-v-retriever-trial-6-9-21
21 August 2021 – UGS Area Finals
UGS Area Finals 2021 held by UGS HBB on Saturday 21st August at Woodhall Park, Watton-at-Stone by kind permission of Mr Abel Smith.
Judges: John Stubbs and Nick Clitheroe.
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. Thank you to Ray Hood for the fabulous photos! https://www.country-trail-images.co.uk/
1st – Herts, Beds and Bucks and winning the Halday Cup
Andrew Wright with Wadesmill Kite
Mike Lawrence with Brockaghs Fianait
David Sworder with Mistybrook Ebony
2nd Place – Surrey, West Sussex and Hampshire
Sue Jordan with Tullysedge Incas Gold
Jacqui Crew with Hanans Kertis
Beth Rayner with Abbey Affinity
3rd Place – Eastern Counties
Stewart North with Northglen Crumble
Jim Crooks with Brindlebay Mika
Keith Foster with Overthwarts Bilton
4th Place – Kent, Surrey and Sussex
Susan Hedge with Castlemans Cook
Marianne Copp with Pointhill Peregrine
Jo Voke with Priesthill Diamond Harry
Top Dog winning the Westernash Trophy: Lesley Crompton with Catcombe Cygnet.
Judges Choice winning the Tilly Trophy: Rob Smallman with Caitlain Primrose.
2021/22 HBB Field Trial Schedule Posted
The HBB branch is happy to confirm two trials for this season, an All Aged and a Novice. We hope to confirm a second notice soon. Please visit the branch events page for more details.
