Once again, we are grateful to the Lunnon family for arranging beautiful weather on their farm at Wookey Hole on Sunday, 6th August, when we held our end of Summer Training Fun Day and Picnic.
18 dogs with handlers, supporters, friends and family, met up to compete for the coveted trophies, certificates and rosettes presented in each of the 3 training classes.
It is a great opportunity to get to know each other, as during the Thursday evening training sessions held fortnightly from April each year, there is limited time to chat and socialise.
The puppies and less experienced dogs were set 3 tests by Colin Selwood, assisted by his able dummy thrower Jill.
Test 1. Heelwork and Recall - Walk the dog to heel, sit dog, walk away, a distraction dummy thrown and call the dog back to you.
Test 2. Steadiness and Delivery - Dummy thrown, dog waits to be sent and then retrieves dummy to hand.
Test 3. Seen Retrieve and Blind - Over a longer distance, the dummy is thrown out and as the dog returns with it, another dummy is thrown in the same place for the dog to go back and retrieve.
Jill also ran a 'Just for Fun and Bonio Biscuits Scurry' assisted by Will, which was won by Keran Shaw and her Springer Snipe, but as they had to go before the awards, the Bonios went to John Dugay's Labrador who had been a close second.
Paul Smith set up and judged 3 tests for the other 2 training classes; dummies were thrown by Ian Wilson and Mark Parsons, and Evie stewarded.
Test 1. A seen followed by a blind to shot at right angles to the seen. For the Novice dogs, the shot for the blind was fired after the completion of the seen. For the Open dogs, the shot was fired just after the seen dummy had landed.
Test 2. A seen through a gateway. The Open dogs had a longer retrieve.
Test 3. A long seen for the Novice dogs. The Open dogs had to go through a hedge to find the long seen.
We retired to the barn for picnic refreshments whilst the scores and placings were agreed; this is not a kennel club rules event and some dogs were 'not for competition'. It is all about giving handlers practice and the judging is always positive; the dogs must succeed and the handlers should enjoy it.
We thanked our hosts and land owners, our Trainers, Paul Smith, Colin Selwood and super sub Geoff Shore. Our dummy throwers and stewards, Ian Wilson, Mark Parsons, John Dugay, Will and Evie, Jill Selwood, Tash Smith, and Alsion Wilson for all they do behind the scenes.
For new members, Alison explained a little about the opportunities the club offers to see more, watch and learn by supporting the club at the many events that take place throughout the year. Experience is not essential, but volunteers gain knowledge from watching tests and trials, and can pick up tips before competing with their dog at the next level. It also helps to make sense of the training classes, why certain things are very important and others considered less so by Judges.
Colin presented Alison with a lovely bouquet from the Group for organising the training.
The Mendip Training Group continues throughout the Autumn with sessions once a month on Sunday mornings; see the website for details or contact Alison Wilson if you would like to join us. Everyone is most welcome.
THE RESULTS
Puppy/Beginners
1st - Linda Newnes and Freyja
2nd - Linda Flower and Tosh
3rd - Vickie Prichard and Nell
Novice
1st - Vickie Prichard and Cracker
2nd - Linda Newnes and Freyja
3rd - Dee Jamieson and Peach
Advanced
1st - Adella Jackson and Jilly
2nd - Ken Spratling and Twiggy
3rd - Jeanne Burnett and Sanchez
Linda Newnes and Freyja also received the Cup for The Best Retrieve in all sections.
Jan Rodd and Bert were awarded the Shield for The Most Improved Handler in all sections.
