Novice Working Test
Chattisham Lane Hintlesham Sunday 16th October 2022
RESULTS:
1st Place for the Essex Area Autumn Cup Atikonak Bulkrush -LRD Anthony Peters
2nd Place Troaclis Tillie -LRB Carol Ford
3rd Place Brindlebay Ulla -LRB Kim Prentice
4th Place Winners Avenue of Sirenbirch -LRB Roy Jarman
Certificates of Merit Pigeonman Belle Starr -LRB Mari Jackson
Hullabaloo Thunder -LRD Vince Thorby
Elder Athos Trophy for the Highest Placed Novice Handler Mari Jackson with Pigeonman Belle Starr
This test was a new and late addition to our programme of events, having very kindly been offered the use of the ground by Kevin Doughty of Highseas Gundogs we were not sure whether this would be a success…..with an almost record number of entries it left us in no doubt!
Yet again we were fortunate with the weather with a very warm and lovely autumn day and on a great and varied ground four exercises were set. Our lovely judges were Glynis Hillier, Liz Ingram, Keith Foster and Mick Elsey.
Test one was with Glynis which consisted of an outward run downhill for a mark over to the right crossing over a shallow ditch and up the bank into the field, once retrieved there was then a shot for a blind to the left again the dogs had to run downhill then up onto the bank for the dummy.
Test two was judged by Liz which was a mark down into the woods in vegetation which appeared to be nettles but was not, this was followed by a blind with shot which was a bit deeper in from where the dog first picked but in a similar area requiring the dogs to hunt.
Test three was in rough ground with Keith, and was a double mark in front, one to the right then one to the left with the first thrown becoming a memory, the dogs had to hunt in the long grasses and the handlers needed to be quick on the whistles so they didn’t lose sight of the dogs if they strayed from the area.
Test four was with Mick and had three elements, starting with a short walk up testing the dogs heelwork, then judge and handler stopped, a shot fired and a mark in front landing in the area of a dead fallen tree, once retrieved another short walk up and then the handler had a blind retrieve off to the left. This test caught a few dogs with poor heel work, and if the dogs didn’t straight line for the blind the handlers then had difficulty getting the dog to the area which was through a gap in the hedge.
We had some excellent helpers throwing dummies all day, along with our placer and dog stewards who all pitched in where needed to set up and clear up, make teas etc and we are indebted to them all as without people prepared to give up their day the tests could not run, thank you all.
Our Sponsors are Skinners dog foods who supplied vouchers for the winners, and also Sporting Saint for some goody bags for the winners, our grateful thanks to them and our host Kevin Doughty and all our judges.
As this was a new test we didn’t have any trophies so we now have a new trophy which after deliberation is simply named the Essex Area Autumn Cup and our worthy winner was Anthony Peters, and for the highest placed Novice Handler the Elder Athos trophy was donated which was won by Mari Jackson.
Mari receiving the highest placed Novice Handler award.
