This year we returned to Glewstone, a major fruit and arable farm near Ross on Wye, by the enthusiastic invitation from owners Andrew & Heather Jackson. It might be worth noting that around forty years ago, the then newly formed area held its first working tests here and subsequently have held many tests, including Area Finals, on one of the variety of grounds available at the time (once in a field of strawberries; how distracting!).
Steve Cullis and Lisa Harris were our judges for the day, presiding over the novices in the morning and open dogs in the afternoon. Iris Wright, acting as Steward of the Beat, brought the 2016 version of her 'cunning plan' whereby she instructs her team of dummy throwers via muted radios, of the next retrieve required, such that neither judges nor handlers know what retrieve is coming next. This keeps everyone on their toes, forcing handlers to mark everything and the judges to respond to occasionally complex situations, just as in a trial.
The first four novices were lined out in a recently cut but not yet baled field of spring barley, and commenced walking along the rows of straw; the first round of two retrieves comprising random marks from throwers positioned beyond the end of the line. It soon became obvious that retrieving across the rows of straw meant that good marking and/or a good nose was required, as the dummy could not be seen once on the ground. One dog was lost in the first round when it dropped the dummy at the handler's feet, and another dog sent by the handler before being told by the judge. By the end of the second round and the judges huddle, a total of five dogs had been lost.
It is our tradition, in our novice test only, that at this time those dogs which are out are offered up to three retrieves, out of competition, on ground already used. This allows for every dog to have a minimum of three retrieves and hopefully prevents handler frustration of going home without the dog having a 'bird' in its mouth. The 'trial' continued and saw the eventual winner pick behind two dogs that had failed. Turning 90 degrees, the remaining retrieves used the field boundary comprising of an unfenced line of trees with grassy cover beneath. Finally, with four dogs left in, the judges called for a two dog run off for second and third places, before closing their books.
With a predominance of labs and goldies, it was a pleasant change to see an Irish Water Spaniel running and doing well with its particular style, and to finish in the awards.
Novice Awards
| Position | Name | Dog Breed/Sex | Dog Name |
|---|
| 1st |
Mrs J Dimmock |
Lab D |
Millerise Leo at Lyanmoreshot |
| 2nd |
Mrs L Pittaway |
Lab D |
Kestrelway Bertie |
| 3rd |
Mr I Glover |
Lab D |
Bearbrace Gloveian |
| 4th |
Mrs M-R Barrington |
IWS B |
Fynder Bunty Lawless |
After the novice presentation and excellent buffet lunch, the open dogs were taken to a similar field but which had been baled, with large round bales scattered around the field. The dogs were immediately having a grand mixture of marks, blinds, crossed retrieves, shots from both ends of the line in quick succession, shots from one end while a dog was working at the other end, the occasional missed 'bird' and the odd dead 'rabbit' which tucked itself hard against a bale. This all put a premium on handlers getting their dogs turned quickly to get a good mark, and also on the judges to offer promptly and also maintain the correct order of picking. The tempo gradually increased with Iris turning the screw even tighter. We saw many examples of excellent dog work on long retrieves; the dogs having to maintain their mark whilst negotiating the bales, and also good team work getting the dog to hunt for those awkward 'rabbits'.
Seven dogs went into the fourth round, however three failed, and the judges decided they had a result at the end of that round and declared the trial over.
All involved returned to base for tea and superb cakes, and the awards were presented. After these presentations, Ian Wilson, Working Test Secretary, made a presentation on behalf of the BCC area to Jennie Dimmock, on the occasion of her last working test prior to her standing down as BCC Chairman at the next AGM. Ian reminded the gathering that Jennie has held that position since 2005, was Secretary for seven years previously, and committee member for some years before that. She has now taken over as General Secretary of the URC parent body.
We look back on another successful day to round off our test season, and express grateful thanks to landowners, judges and all the helpers, without whom handlers would not have the chance to compete.
Open Awards
| Position | Name | Dog Breed/Sex | Dog Name |
|---|
| 1st |
Mrs L Pittaway |
GR B |
Karnoosty Fairway Flyer |
| 2nd |
Mr N Jordan |
Lab D |
Hollowbrook Saker |
| 3rd |
Mr I Glover |
Lab D |
Mistigris Cabe |
| 4th |
Mr P Bruton |
Lab D |
Movenne Blake |
The Judges Debating