The Winning Northern Team
URC Inter Area Finals Isenhurst 2nd July 2023
REPORT BY Fiona Milne
This year’s Area Finals was hosted by the Southern Area at Isenhurst Estate in East Sussex, by kind permission of Mr Clive and Mrs Gilly Nickols on Sunday 2nd July 2023. Twenty seven dogs took part – nine teams, each with 3 handlers.
Isenhurst is the most beautiful ground, with steep wooded slopes running down to a series of lakes which run through the valley. Bill Gardiner, on setting the tests, ensured that we covered the full length and breadth of the estate; each of the nine teams were stewarded around without any mishaps or lost competitors! The five tests covered a walk-up through bracken, challenging diagonal water retrieves, a glorious wood of chestnuts, and double jumps across gorse. Light winds and beautiful weather made a perfect day.
Many thanks to the five judges – Graham Stanley, Helena Sully, Colin Pelham, Louie Robertson and James Bailey – who were patient and fair – and the huge army of volunteers who kept everyone fed, watered and happy. Particular thanks must go to Pat Richards, who arranged the sponsorship and goodie bags for all helpers, Sam, for arranging the hog-roast and the rest of the Committee for virtually everything else. The generous sponsors included Skinners, Acme whistles, Sporting Saint, Chris Potter Country Sports and Sussex Guns.
And so to the results. The majority of teams had one slip-up, and a couple had a triple twenty – the highs and lows of any test! At the end of the day, the Northern team won both the team and individual top dog; and second were Border Counties & Cotswold, with the individual runner-up and top newcomer.
We were delighted that so many guests joined us on the day, a long trip for many to the midst of the Sussex countryside. Thankyou to everyone for coming, and see you in nine years’ time
Team Results
First Place: Northern Area, winner of the Anglia Cup for highest placed Area
Second Place: Border Counties & Cotswold Area, winner of the Bernard Hall Memorial Trophy for runner up team
Third Place: Midland Area
Fourth Place: North Midlands Area
Individual results:
Highest Placed Individual winner of the Atherbram Cup: Gary Collier (Northern) with Hawksgarth Black Magic
Individual Runner-Up, winner of the Shooting Times Trophy & Highest Placed Newcomer, winner of the H.W. Froud Trophy: Lauren Wright (Border Counties & Cotswold Area) with Norlands Tara
Highest Placed Host Area Individual, winner of the Casleton Trophy: Carly Madgwick (Southern) with Mitforton Quarrel of Cadenzahill
Team in Second Place Border Counties and Cotswold
Third Place Team Midland Area
Fourth Places team North Midlands
Highest Placed Individual winner of the Atherbram Cup: Gary Collier (Northern) with Hawksgarth Black Magic
Individual Runner-Up, winner of the Shooting Times Trophy & Highest Placed Newcomer, winner of the H.W. Froud Trophy: Lauren Wright (Border Counties & Cotswold Area) with Norlands Tara
Highest Placed Host Area Individual, winner of the Casleton Trophy: Carly Madgwick (Southern) with Mitforton Quarrel of Cadenzahill
