The URC Border Counties & Cotswolds area held their Open Qualifier at The Elms Farm, Rockhampton on Sunday, 14th May by kind permission of Mr and Mrs Mike Goode.
After a short sharp shower, the weather was kind to us all day but with a fierce south westerly wind, which was challenging at times for both the organisers and the competitors.
Our Judges were Nick Coates and Craig Perry.
Our constraints in setting the tests were that the mowing grass has not been cut and these fields could not be used, and the pond was fairly weedy. Mike Goode was very kind and left some game cover for test 3 and some ploughed ground for test 5. We had the following tests:-
Test 1 - The longest swim we had clear of weeds was to an island. So we had a blind in a stand of ash saplings over the water with the dogs being sent from a corner of grass, across a track to the island. Judge Nick Coates.
Test 2 - There was a shot to a dummy which was not to be collected. A dog was sent, stopped at the hedge, 2nd oak tree, directed right through the hedge over a dry ditch to find a blind a little way into the field. Judge Craig Perry.
Test 3 - Long double mark, sending from behind a gateway; both marks had a shot. First thrown onto grass behind game cover. Second thrown over an embankment into a dry pond. The competitor was able to choose order of collection. Judge Craig Perry.
Test 4 - The dogs were sent from the corner under a willow tree beside a pond. A seen was thrown into the water to the right of the small island; this was collected and the dog was then sent for a blind on the far side of the jump tucked into the grass right under the jump. Judge Nick Coates.
A very nice Lunch was then served by Jill Gardner.
Test 5 - Short Walk up followed by a Drive. There were two guns and four dogs, positioned as in a trial. We started the walk up and the competitors were told that you never knew if there might be the odd bird about, and to be aware that there was a gun in the wood, so mark everything. Walking towards the ploughed square, there were two shots in the wood, but unfortunately there was no game in the field.
The drive commenced, each gun fired a shot and a dummy was thrown into the air for each shot, landing out of sight over the brow into the plough. This was repeated for another shot for each gun. In order, the dogs picked a bird, and there were plenty. Remembering the shots in the wood, there was a bird in the wood through the gap. The dogs were sent in turn from the right hand side of the plough, along the line of dogs, through the gap and into the wood to collect the bird.
Both judges were on the test judging heel work.
After the drive, one judge sent and one judge made sure the dogs did not swap dummies when they were out of sight of the plough. Then one judge went into the wood to judge the hunting ability, and the other judge sent each dog in turn along the line of dogs into the wood.
After tea, the landowner and judges were thanked and given their gifts.
The stewards Jean and Trish, and the guns and dummy throwers and placers John, Mike, Bob, Jean, Alison and Ian, were thanked and given small gifts to show our appreciation of their hard work. We could not run our competitions without them. The awards were announced and the prizes were presented by Mrs J Gardner.
The 1st placed dog received the Lonelinar Shield. There were also awards for the best Labrador and the best Golden Retriever.
Awards
| Position | Name | Dog Breed/Sex | Dog Name |
|---|
| 1st |
Mrs J Dimmock |
Lab D |
Millerise Leo at Lyanmoreshot |
| 2nd |
Miss C Baker |
Lab B |
The Windbreakwhisper of Arcklebear |
| 3rd |
Mrs A Shearman |
GR B |
Hickorywood Heart of Gold |
| 4th |
Mrs K Green |
Lab D |
Ford Bank Oaksey |
| COM |
Mr N Jordan |
Lab D |
Hollowbrook Saker |
Taking it easy.......
