held at Shepherds Fold Farm, Snowshill, near Broadway WR12 7JT
The weather was extremely kind to us again for our working test held at Snowshill by kind permission of Mr & Mrs T Booth. This is the second time we have held a working test on this beautiful ground.
Our judges for the day were Mrs Helen Chatterton, Mr Phil Bruton and Mr Reuben Mort. The day comprised three tests in the morning and a further two tests in the afternoon.
Test 1 – judge Helen Chatterton
This was a blind to shot in a small, round copse with a post and rail fence around it and an open gate. The dogs were sent from the field above the copse, through an open gate, down a grass track, over a small waterfall and up a hill through the gate into the copse to pick the blind from an area of clear ground. Those dogs who kept a straight line seemed to pick easily, but other dogs ran the fence.
Test 2 – judge Phil Bruton
This was a double mark saluted by shot on undulating parkland. The mark to the left fell behind a small rise which meant the handler lost sight of the dog and couldn’t see the dog pick. The mark up the hill in front necessitated the dog taking a good line and the handler not letting the dog deviate too much and get out of sight.
Test 3 – judge Reuben Mort
This was a blind, no shot, in woodland. Although the retrieve itself wasn’t long there were a number of natural bunkers to distract the dog off the line. The dogs were sent from halfway up a hill diagonally down, over a ditch to an area left of the track the dogs had walked along. Pulling back to the track proved too tempting for a number of dogs.
After a short break the day continued with a further two tests.
Test 4 - judges Phil Bruton & Reuben Mort
A two dog walk up. The handlers walked along the fence line at right angles to a silver birch copse. There was a shot to the left amongst the saplings and a mark thrown. The dog was then asked to pick a blind in front, followed by the mark. Again, letting their dog pull a long way out of the area proved the downfall of some handlers.
Test 5 – judge Helen Chatterton
This was a water test with a mark in the water saluted by shot and a blind across the water. The dogs were sent from the path running alongside the water. The mark was in the water fairly close to the edge and just in front of some overhanging shrubs to the right and the blind was diagonally across the water to some reeds on the far bank. The mark was picked first then the blind.
At the end of the day the dogs had sorted themselves out and we had a worthy winner. The results were:
1st Mrs J Coley with Mekoro Shot Marker of Waterford
2nd Mrs L Harris with Hawksthorn Explorer
3nd Mr R Smallman with Caitlin Primrose
4th Mr R Smallman with Mitforton Tuscany
COM Mrs T Lawrence with Hawksgarth Sirocco
COM Mr J Morgan handling Mrs G Wright’s Lochandaimh Pippin of Greyhill
COM Mrs J Dimmock with Millerise Leo at Lyanmoreshot
David Godding with Kaliture Nero's Flame received the award for the highest scoring golden retriever.
Our grateful thanks go to Mr & Mrs Terry Booth for allowing us to use the ground and inviting us back again! To their shepherd, Tom for moving his sheep around to accommodate us. To our sponsors Skinners dog food and Barbury Shooting School for their support.
We are deeply indebted to Kate & Paul Green for all their help prior to the test, on the day itself and clearing up afterwards.
Thank you to our judges Helen, Phil and Reuben for giving up your time to help set the test and to judge them on the day.
Last, but not least, all our helpers for generously giving up their time to help make the day a success - Michelle Sutton, Bill Tu, Paul Green, Debbie Smith, Pete Bradford, Betsy Bradford, Steve Cook, Alex Cox and Vivienne Gatter and Aileen Jones for the catering