Our first test of the season was held at Langford Grove, Maldon, by very kind permission of Mr & Mrs Cant, on Sunday 6th April 2014. Our judges were Roger Ketley, Glynis Hillier, Graham Stanley & Caroline Heasman. Our long standing sponsors Masters Dog Food, kindly donated bags of dog food to the winners and Sporting Saints also kindly donated extra prizes. We also had Ray Hood of Country Trail Images on hand to take the most stunning photos, take a look at his web site www.country-trail-images.co.uk
The day got off to a fairly miserable start with heavy downpours, however this did not dampen the spirits of some 40 plus competitors. The tests were set mostly in beautiful bluebell woods, which tested the hunting ability of the dogs and the skill of the handlers.
The first test judged by Roger Ketley was a blind with a shot and a marked retrieve onto water. The Special Puppies were sent for the mark first then the blind, the Novice & Veterans were sent for the blind first and then the mark/memory.
Glynis Hillier judged test 2 which was a test of the dogs hunting ability. There were four blind retrieves in an area of woodland, a shot was fired and the dog had to pick two of the four retrieves.
Test 3, judged by Caroline Heasman was a short two dog walk-up testing the dog’s steadiness and a mark retrieve into bracken. With a dip in the ground and heavy cover, what looked like a very straight forward exercise, proved to be very challenging for some.
The final test was judged by Graham Stanley, a seen retrieve in woodland and a blind in the same area, some dogs wanted to pull left along a track which was not seen by the handler, again a test of the handlers ability to keep the dog in the area.
There was a four dog run-off for the veterans for 1st to 4th place, which Mike Tallamy with Calderhay Adder made easy work of, going on to win the veteran section.
Special Puppy
| Position | Name | Breed/sex | Handler |
|---|
| 1st |
Birdsgreen Taggart |
LRD |
Mike Tallamy |
| 2nd |
Chishillhyde Toast |
GRB |
Kate Turner |
3rd
|
fencing Fiona |
LRB |
Andy Ince |
4th
|
Malshinga Atom |
LRD |
Sue Ellis |
Novice
| Position | Name | Breed/sex | Handler |
|---|
| 1st |
Websend HandyHarry |
LRD |
Tom Lowe |
| 2nd |
Brockaghs Brighid |
LRB |
Susan Cooper |
3rd
|
Chilliwack Georgina |
LRB |
Holly Copsey |
4th
|
Leadburn Ozzy of Ragmere |
LRD |
Bob Babel |
Veteran
| Position | Name | Breed/sex | Handler |
|---|
| 1st |
FTCh Calderhay Adder |
LRD |
Mike Tallamy |
| 2nd |
FTCh Hamford Zealot of Oysterbed |
LRD |
Gary Vidler |
3rd
|
Elder Athos |
LRD |
Mick Elsey |
4th
|
Leadburn Arron |
LRD |
Gary Vidler |
Best Golden Retriever Chishillhyde Toast Kate Turner
Judges Choice Chishillhyde Toast Kate Turner