Committee

PresidentRoger Wade
Chairman (Acting)Ian Whitfield
harvey2256@yahoo.com
Vice ChairmanSarah Nickels-Hawkins
ugskestraining@outlook.com
SecretaryMarianne Copp
mariannecopp@aol.com
TreasurerIan Vaughan
iansvaughan@gmail.com
Membership SecretaryJeanette Lithgo
ugskesmembership@outlook.com
Field Trial SecretaryDiana Stevens
Wylanbriarlabs@aol.com
Working Test SecretaryGill Sweeting
gillsweeting61@gmail.com
Spaniel SectionVicky Payne
vicky@holisticvetsussex.co.uk
Training OfficerSarah Nickels-Hawkins
ugskestraining@outlook.com
Spaniel Field Trial SecretaryNicki Hunter
spaniel.sec@utilitygundogsociety.com
CommitteeJacqueline Mason, Hayley Mack, John Grace, Matthew Hawkins

Event Schedule

2024 Field Trial Schedule
Field Trial Entry Form

November 2024
No event found!

Please forward news and results to update@utilitygundogsociety.com

Training 2024

Location: Grovelands Farm, Biddenden, Kent, TN27 8JQ by kind permission of Roger and Shelia Wade.
Dates: 14 May, 28 May, 11 June, June 25, 9 July, 23 July, 6 August, 13 August.
Times: Arrive by 6.30pm for 6:45pm start.

£10 per handler per session. Please bring along 2 clean and named large canvas dummies.
Open, Intermediate, Novice and Puppy and Spaniel sessions.

See the Training Programme for dates and details of individual sessions and special training days.

Contact Sarah at UGSKESTraining@outlook.com with any questions.

News and Results

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/

1stHerts, Beds and Bucks and winning the Halday Cup

Lesley Crompton with Catcombe Cygnet
Andrew Wright with Wadesmill Kite
Mike Lawrence with Brockaghs Fianait
David Sworder with Mistybrook Ebony

2nd Place – Surrey, West Sussex and Hampshire

Rob Smallman with Caitlin Primrose
Sue Jordan with Tullysedge Incas Gold
Jacqui Crew with Hanans Kertis
Beth Rayner with Abbey Affinity

3rd Place – Eastern Counties

Peter Abbs with Howeparks Starstruck At Scarningvale
Stewart North with Northglen Crumble
Jim Crooks with Brindlebay Mika
Keith Foster with Overthwarts Bilton

4th Place – Kent, Surrey and Sussex

Beverly Baldwin with Keepersholme Texas
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.

1 August 2021 – KES NDNH, Special Puppy and Veteran Test

UGS KES held the ND/NH, PUPPY & VETERAN test on 1st August at beautiful Isenhurst by kind permission of the landowners, Mr Clive & Mrs Gilly Nickols.

Huge thanks to our most wonderful judges, I’ve had lovely comments from so many competitors praising your advice and helping our newbies feel relaxed. They were Diana Harrison who came on board at very short notice, Mell Brooks, Jo Voke, Marianne Copp and 1st time trainee judge John Grace.  Also huge thanks to all helpers so many your first time helping, you were all great!

ND/NH
1st Cristine Haggstrom with Garrenwell Tirol
2nd Cynthia Thackwell with Lovatnoir Ouzel
3rd Angela Bridgeman Keraroc Hathor
4th Fay Drewry Isleofman Gretel
COM David Terrell Higgscroft Seiko

SPECIAL PUPPY
There was a tongue biting run off for
1st Michael Crutchley Mitforton Teal
2nd Beth Rayner Rookhollow Dahlia
3rd Penny Morris Kynigos Lily
4th Sarah Burnell Rossclyde Highland Mist at Rotherburn

VETERAN
1st Jane Tydeman (handler) owner Gwen Butcher Hatchfield Larch at Broomwood
2nd Bren van Laun Twitchett Nymph

27 June 2021 – KES Novice and Puppy Test

UGS KES held the novice and puppy test on 27 June 2021.

Wounderful day! Challenging Tests! Thanks to Chris and Sue Ellis allowing us to use this fabulous ground. Huge thanks to the judges. Very challenging tests set.

Judges: Louie Robertson, Jane Fenner, David Breech, James Bailey and Bill Gardiner.

Novice

1st Sarah Hawkins, Nevilldown Jelly Bean
2nd Sophie Taylor, Starspring Solo
3rd Penny Heath, Fletchingly Tulla
4th Jennifer Thomas, Gwidigada Ivy
COM Jacqueline Mason, Lovatnoir Raven

Puppy

1st Mell Brooks Anningtonbay Enchilada
2nd Mell Brooks, Anningtonbay Ellellicious

Huge thanks to our lovely tossers and bangers, as we always say we really really couldn’t do this without you. Ian our lovely vice chair and Covid Officer. Huge thanks to behind the scenes Bren and Lesley. Thank you for lovely pics Charlotte Hammick.

2019/11/23 – Novice Stake for 14 AV Retrievers

Novice Stake for 14 AV Retrievers on the 23rd November 2019 at Horsefrith Farm, Blackmore, Essex by kind permission of Mr Simon Polley and Courtesy of The Horserith Farm Syndicate

Judges: Mr P Allen (A3), Mr G Vidler (B2722), Mrs J Van der Dussen (NP3490), Mr K Nettleingham (NP2993)

Prizes: The John Forsey Guns Challenge Cup for the winner of the Stake, The O’Brien Trophy for the runner up, The Banner Trophy for the Guns’ Choice

On Saturday the 23rd November, we held our last trial of the season which was a Novice Stake at Blackmore. Huge thank you to our judges Phil Allen, Gary Vidler, Josefine Van Der Dussen & Kelvin Nettleingham who did a great job. Also thanks to Keeper Sid & his team who produced plenty of game & the syndicate shoot who got them on the ground for us. To all my helpers, you were amazing & I couldn’t run the day without all of you to support me.

Results

1stIsleofman Gorse Of WylanbriarDi Stevens
2ndPackmores PintailBarry Harvey
3rdLeospring TayJoy Venturi Rose
Guns’ ChoiceFlintsfield Forever FriendMandy Smith

2019/10/21,22 – 2 Day Open Stake for 24 Dog AV Retrievers

2 Day Open (Qualifying) Stake for 24 Dog AV Retrievers on the 21st and 22nd October 2019 at The Crown Estate, Windsor By Gracious permission of Her Majesty The Queen and The Crown Estate Commissioners By kind invitation of Mr Gary Vidler and Guns on 21 October and By kind invitation of the BASC Guns on 22 October

Judges: Mr K Doughty (A32), Mr R Wade (A1704), Mr G Stanley (B1920), Mrs D Stevens (B3483)

Prizes: The Manymills Salver and President’s Trophy for the Winner
Skinners Trophy for the Best Marking Retriever
UGS (K & E Sussex) Shield for Guns’ Choice
Meadowmill Cup for the Best Looking Retriever in the Awards
Hoopwick Trophy for the Dog taking the Best Runner
The Berry Trophy for the Best Retrieve of the Day

What a wonderful 2 days UGS K&ES had at Windsor for our Open Qualifying Stake held on 21st & 22nd Oct 2019. We had a steady flow of game thanks to Head keeper Peter & his under keepers, with some great shooting from Gary Vidler & his team of guns on the first day & Clive Gibbons & his team of BASC guns shooting for us on the second day. After 11 dogs went through to day 2, we finished on 8 retrieves for the final dogs. Huge Thank you to my judges Kevin Doughty, Roger Wade, Graham Stanley & Di Stevens. Special thanks to Lorne Kentish for being Chief Steward for both days & also to the rest of my amazing team of helpers who were very efficient & made the days run so smoothly. It was also lovely to see our Vice President Gwen Butcher, who came to hand out the awards.

Results

1st, Best Marker & Guns ChoiceCopperbirch RossLee Hayman
2ndNorthglen CrumbleStewart North
3rdMistigris Finn of FeatherflyPhil Highfield
4thMitforton OnourLouie Robertson
CoMTagabea Pretty Thing of LuddesdowneKelvin Nettleingham
CoM, Best Looking Dog in the awardsLannakers Quest of ToftsGlynis Hillier
Best RetrieveBerryshot BernieJason Mayhew

2019/09/11 – 16 Dog All Age Stake for AV Retrievers

All Age Stake for 16 AV Retrievers on the 11th September 2019 at Mousden Farm Tunbridge Wells Kent by kind permission of Roy Sammons and courtesy of Darren Flood and his Guns

Judges: Mrs H Sully (A2376), Mrs J Venturi-Rose (B1930), Mrs E Barnes (NP2551), Mrs J Tydeman (NP3367)

Prizes: Winner – THE VICE PRESIDENTS CUP, Runner up – THE BRANCH CHALLENGE CUP

Being early in the season, the drives were not producing the amount of birds expected despite a lot of hard work from the keeper & beaters. The day was long, but we were able to get enough game on the ground for the judges to reach a decision. I would like to say a huge thank you to my judges Helena Sully, Joy Venturi Rose, Liz Barnes & Jane Tydeman, who dealt with the day efficiently & in good spirits. To the keeper Roy & his team for all their efforts, Darren & his guns for shooting so well & last, but by no means least, to my brilliant helpers, I couldn’t do it without you. Well done to everyone, it was a pleasure to watch your dogs work, hope you all enjoyed the day.

Results

1stBerryshot BernieJason Mayhew
2ndTicefield Redwing of AnningtonbayMell Brooks
3rdPolihale Vodka SurpriseKeith Broomfield
4thLowtrey Lexi of WadeshotRoger Wade
CoMNorthglen CrumleStewart North
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