Our annual Novice & Open working tests, which are run on field trial lines, were held this year at a brand new test ground, Ashcroft, by kind invitation of Mr Ben Harford and with possibly a little persuasion from daughter Bea, a committee member who did the majority of the event organisation. The ground (see website photo) is in a quiet, secluded valley which is in the main uncultivated because of monster ant hills. Normally sheep are run in the valley to keep the vegetation under control, although this year they were late arriving. Luckily heavy rain a few days before reduced the height of the unkempt grass cover, the day being bright and sunny. The tests were both oversubscribed necessitating a draw for the 24 places in each test
After a prompt start Judges Mike Brown and Hilary Smith walked the line of four novice dogs forward to pick retrieves randomly orchestrated again by Iris Wright with a version of her “cunning plan”. Possibly not in the plan, one of the first retrieves fell into a small clump of nettles causing some problems for the dogs, three dogs were tried unsuccessfully, it being retrieved by the fourth dog. A wide variety of retrieves were arranged by Iris & her team of shooters & throwers throughout the morning and, as with the vagaries of the walked-up trial, retrieves were of varying difficulty which the experienced judges take into account.
At the end of a stiff morning’s competition the judges declared a result as follows:-
Novice Results
| Position | Name | Breed/sex | Handler |
|---|
| 1st |
Chishillhyde Lisa |
Golden Retreiver/ B |
Mrs J Tomlinson |
| 2nd |
Spiralline Pinot Noir |
Labrador/ D |
Mrs A Wales |
| 3rd |
Willowyck Tank from Streamcombe |
Labrador/ D |
Miss J Kelvie |
| 4th |
Willowyck Gable at Lyanmoreshot |
Labrador/ D |
Mrs J Dimmock |
1st. + The Derek Millward Salver
After a break to refresh judges and helpers the open competitors were taken lower down the valley side so that the opposite side could be incorporated in the retrieves, the two sides being divided bya low wire fence. Another version of Iris’s cunning plan was soon in action challenging the open dogs.
A number of “birds” which fell onto a slight plateau on the high side of the valley gave dogs a problem as it required the dog to be sent on a good line and then use its own hunting ability in a compact area. A wide variety of retrieves were made as the line progressed along the valley, a number falling on the other side of the fence. It was in these conditions as well as later that we were pleased to have excellent dummy throwers. A slow attrition of dogs was seen as we walked to the useable end of the valley and after the judges had a huddle the line was turned around & seven dogs were taken forward for final long retrieves on both sides of the valley. Each dog was given the chance to retrieve from both sides of the valley and as during earlier parts of the day some superb performances were seen. These included a number of dogs who were later to fail.
The judges finally declared a result as follows:-
OPEN RESULTS
| Position | Name | Breed/sex | Handler |
|---|
| 1st |
Hassycott Whistlefish Fin |
Labrador/ B |
Mr M Redpath |
| 2nd |
Brockweir Fleurie |
Labrador/ B |
Mrs A Wales |
| 3rd |
Charlcombe Rosa of Highshot |
Labrador/ B |
Mr B Smith |
| 4th |
Hollowbrook Hosta |
Labrador/ B |
Mr N Jordan |
| COM |
Tayfordwoods Dujardin |
Labrador/ B |
Mrs H Paterson |
1st. + The Beadles Trophy
Awards were presented by Mr Ben Harford.
At the end of a challenging and tiring day the BCC area & the day’s organisers were delighted to get so many positive comments on all aspects of the day.
However, without the dedication & enthusiasm of our helpers at this and previous tests BCC would not be able to put on events of this standard. So to the following who helped at these tests our heartfelt thanks- you are all stars.
Co-organiser, Bea Harford
Judges, Mike Brown & Hilary Smith
Cunning Plan, Iris Wright
W/T Sec, Ian Wilson
Stewards, guns, throwers, signing in, catering, car parking etc. (in no particular order):-
Alison Wilson, Mervyn Philpot, Marcus Langford, Deana & John Cornforth, Juliet Turrell, Adrian Tarling, Steve Price, Harry Hyde, Will Farmer.