Fantastic day at Garnons Farm in Wormingford, where as always we were warmly welcomed back.
Some brilliant and different tests set by Keith, on what turned into a very warm day.
Many thanks to our lovely hosts, our judges Phil Askew and Brian Chesser and of course our sponsors Skinners Dog Foods.
RESULTS:
1st Place for the Cresthaven Cup Brindlebay Mead -LRD Mike Tallamy
2nd for the Pathfinder Cup Pinefeathers Excalibur -LRD Callum Raywood
3rd for the Crosspath Cup Affric Charm -LRB Liz Ingram
4th Place Packmores Esk of Glenmarian -LRB Marianna Morris-Worrall
Certificate of Merit Marshepark Tramp -LRD Mick Elsey
Royanne Cup for the Best Essex Entry went to the winner Mike Tallamy with Brindlebay Mead
and the Oysterbed Cup for Judge's Choice also went to Brindlebay Mead handled by Mike Tallamy
We returned to Garnons Farm for our Open Sugar Beet test, and were as always made very welcome by our hosts Mr & Mrs Dobell, who came along during the day to watch some of the dog work and returned later to present the awards. We are extremely grateful to them for their continued support for the club.
Our two judges were Phil Askew and Brian Chesser who had kindly stepped in at short notice.
It has been a difficult year for many farmers with the very dry conditions not helping the beet, but Keith (as always!) set some tests which were challenging enough for the Open dogs, making use of the beet and surrounding terrain. The day was much warmer than forecast, but it is August!
The first test was a straight mark uphill with shot, which was collected first then a blind down a grassy track was tucked between two trees just off the track in a small wooded area, most dogs succeeded quite well with this exercise with just one or two taking a bit of a diversion into the trees.
Test two was a long double mark, with the second becoming a memory, it looked very straightforward but several dogs short marked and despite a breeze the scent didn’t seem very strong.
This warmed the dogs up ready for the cleverly thought out walk-up, if you have run in our sugar beet tests before set by Keith, you will know there is something other than a mark and a blind off the line! This was a four dog walk-up and the dogs were sent across the line for a blind and on their return a shot was fired with a dummy thrown behind the line, which was collected by the competitor at the opposite end of the line. All four competitors had the same scenario and the blinds were all carefully placed and at equal distance from shot on both sides of the line making it fair for all the handlers.
After lunch there was a final test, with our “ace” dummy thrower David throwing a high long mark over the hedge to land in a bit of a hollow. Brian stood with the competitor to see the dummy thrown and then they walked round the hedge to join Phil who gave the handler a mark on the area of the fall.
After the raffle and tea & cake the awards were presented by our host.
Thank you to the committee that were there helping and many thanks too for several non committee helpers, Gordon & David also Eddie and Lou and Rob for doing lunches.
We must thank our sponsors Skinners Dog Foods who have again supported us throughout the year.
Another successful day and one which had a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
David with the high mark going over the hedge!