Walked up Tests - Sunday, 30th August 2015
This year we were back at Myrtle Farm, Wookey Hole near Wells by kind permission of Mr & Mrs Ted Lunnon and Mr Mark Lunnon for our novice and open walked-up tests run on field trial lines. Our hosts very kindly cleared a barn for our use and set up a large table and bales for our use; something that was very welcome as we had intermittent drizzle for most of the day.
The 12 novices were run in the morning with judges Judy Rainey and Annie Wales taking them into a shallow sloping field where Steward of the Beat, Iris Wright, put into action the 2015 version of her 'cunning plan' in which the guns/throwers who were wired for sound, threw dummies apparently at random, such that neither handlers nor judges were aware of what was coming next! Thankfully, for the first two rounds, Iris had already said that no ground game would be shot (resulting in a few quizzical handlers' faces until she explained that it meant no blinds).
The majority of dogs got off to a sound start. However, 3 dogs were eliminated over the first two rounds. During the judges' huddle, these dogs were taken by Iris and given the chance to have at least three retrieves outside of the competition. Recommencing, the line was stretched and more use of rough boundary and hedges was incorporated, together with crossing retrieves to gradually increase the challenge. Some very good work was seen during these retrieves. The final retrieves of the morning were a memory retrieve for each of two dogs to allow the judges to make their final placements; not an easy task due to the very high standard of dog work shown. The 'trial' having been declared over, we all returned to the barn for refreshments and awards plus a little something extra....
This year is the 40th Anniversary of the founding of Border Counties & Cotswold Area of the URC. As this meeting was nearest to the actual date, the occasion was celebrated with an iced cake, suitably decorated and provided by Iris (photos below), who was amongst the first members of the Area; the delightful mouthful being washed down by a glass of fizz. The toast to the Area was made by Jennie Dimmock, current Chairman, who gave a short history of the area.
The open dogs were then taken onto adjacent ground which sloped across the line, incorporating undulations, cattle scrapes, gateways, a rutted track and woodland, eventually widening significantly to allow a long line and long crossing retrieves, with Iris' cunning plan making full use of terrain and features. An excellent standard of dog work, including natural hunting, was seen during the afternoon which more than made up for the limited entry of 9 dogs; the display was also much appreciated by the helpers who generously gave up their time. After some stiff competition, the judges closed the 'trial' to return to the barn for an 'action replay' of cake, fizz and awards. The judges later commented on their difficulty in splitting so many good dogs.
Our grateful thanks to our hosts Ted & Barbara Lunnon and their son Mark; to Judy and Annie our judges who had to cope with the unknown retrieves just as in a trial; to Iris for once again executing her cunning plan superbly; to our stewards, guns and dummy throwers; to our superb caterer, and last but not least to Ian Wilson the major organiser which is in addition to all his work as Working Test Secretary.
Our helpers on the day were:-
| Organiser |
Ian Wilson, Dick Dimmock |
| Judges |
Judy Rainey, Annie Wales |
| Steward of the Beat |
Iris Wright |
| Stewards |
Helen Cripps, Jill Selwood, Jean & Mike White |
| Guns/Throwers |
Mike Anderson, Ron Dawson, Colin Selwood, Dick Dimmock |
| Caterer |
Alison Wilson |
Novice Awards
| Position | Name | Dog Breed/Sex | Dog Name |
|---|
| 1st |
Mrs J Tomlinson |
GR D |
Chishillhyde Rumble |
| 2nd |
Mr A Moodie |
Lab D |
Ladyshot Saturn |
| 3rd |
Mr G Lambert |
Lab B |
Leaworthy Jenny of Wickmoor |
| 4th |
Mr D Godding |
GR D |
Kaliture Cathmor |
| COM |
Mr K Spratling |
Lab D |
Hemingtons Noggin |
| COM |
Mr R Stacey |
Lab D |
Somerset Barney |
Open Awards
| Position | Name | Dog Breed/Sex | Dog Name |
|---|
| 1st |
Mr N Jordan |
Lab B |
Hollowbrook Hosta |
| 2nd |
Mr N Jordan |
Lab D |
Hollowbrook Saker |
| 3rd |
Mr K Green |
Lab D |
Autumn Willow Tag |
| COM |
Mr R Edwards |
Lab D |
Lord Rye of Knowle for Lovehayne |
And our 40th Anniversary Cake ........
Iris Wright & Jennie Dimmock Cutting the Cake!
