Held at Fonthill Estate, Fonthill Bishop, Wiltshire, Sunday 7 July 2013
| Position | Area | Points |
|---|
| 1st |
Hants and South West |
325 |
| 2nd |
Essex |
308 |
| 3rd |
Bucks |
298 |
| 4th |
Border Counties and Cotswold |
297 |
| Top Individual |
Mr G Leeson with LR D, Killyrudden Drumlin of Styleside |
116 |
| Runner Up |
Mr I Ford with LR D, Lamblodge Matador |
115 |
| Best Newcomer |
Mrs V Sheppard with LR B, Swarthahill Sorrel |
106 |
| Best Individual in Host Area Team |
Mr T Davies with LR B, Taynton Kiliholm |
111 |
 |
 |
| The Winning Team |
The individual winner |
The 2013 Inter-Area Finals was hosted by the Border Counties and Cotswold Area at Fonthill Estate, Fonthill Bishop, Wiltshire, by kind invitation of The Baron Margadale of Islay and permission of the Keeper Mick Lewis. Teams of 3 dogs and handlers from each of the nine Areas of the United Retriever Club competed. The judges were Judy Rainey, Heather Bradley and Nick Coates.
Fonthill Estate offers a superb setting for a working test with a magnificent lake, marshy stream, rolling parkland and woodland. We needed the shade given by the woods as this was a very hot day and as the lake and stream were infected by blue/green algae, we could not risk using the water.
There were six challenging tests,Teams went to each test as a threesome, with varied retrieves making for interest for handlers and spectators. In the morning Heather judged two blinds and a remembered mark in woodland. Nick judged a marked retrieve for each dog, with dummies difficult to spot among the tree trunks. On open parkland Judy tested the dogs with a walk-up in line, and two contrasting marks for each dog. For the second phase Heather judged three marks in parkland, each team selecting which dog to send for each one. Nick’s retrieves were a blind across a rape field, and two marks in long grass. Meanwhile Judy described the location of three blinds in a rushy meadow. Each team chose which dog to send for which blind, and which order to work. This was a tricky test, where team tactics played a crucial role.
We were delighted that Lord Margadale spent some time with us during the morning and that his aunt Miss Mary Morrison was able to present the awards at the end of the day. As in 2012, we finished with an excellent hog roast, the crackling was to die for!
 |
 |
| Highest placed newcomer |
The Judges |
With seven retrieves for each dog, by mid-afternoon the test was completed without needing any run offs between teams or for the individual places. Everyone then repaired to the marquee to enjoy the hog roast, and the presentation of the awards. The day was generously sponsored by Skinners Dog Foods and Frampton Country Fair.
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| The individual award winners and the 4 highest placed teams |
 |
 |
| Our Hosts Mick and Sharon Lewis who provided the URC with superb support leading up to and at the Finals |
The winning dog |
The host for the Area Finals 2014 will be Bucks Area.