We returned to Layer Mills for our second Special Puppy, Novice, Veteran Working Test of the year and were again made very welcome by the Hughes family.
We had a lovely warm and sunny day, but luckily the competitors and dogs had some shade amongst the trees.
Two of our judges were not so lucky to be in the shade! Phil Askew was in full sun on a hillside, for his exercise, which comprised of a mark landing behind nettles, which became a memory for the Novice dogs then an unseen with a shot into some woodland in the opposite direction for the first retrieve.
Liz Ingram fared better with her test being in the woods, a straightforward mark into an area of the woods, followed by a blind in the same area.
Our third judge was Brian Chesser, who also was in the open, his exercise comprised of a short walk up in pairs, followed by a hunt-up, with each handler having to pick two unseen dummies from an area in long grass, this enabled the judge to see the dog’s hunting ability and tested the handlers faith in their dog as most of the time you couldn’t see your dog.
The day finished with a water exercise, with a mark into the river, with the novice dogs, having a longer distance to reach the water’s edge. For the dogs it was a nice way to end the day with a cool-off.
It was a good day, and after a run-off for 1st place for the Novice dogs, the customary tea and cakes was enjoyed, followed by the raffle, then the awards were presented.
We must thank Masters Dog Foods for their continued sponsorship, with a bag of food given to the winner of each category. We also thank Sporting Saint for donating prizes for our award winners. Photographs taken by Ray Hood are ready to view on his website www.country-trail-images.co.uk
Results
Novice
1st Alistair Mitchell Birdsgreen Issac LRD
2nd Peter Elmy Spiralline Chardonnay LRB
3rd Andy Ince Fencing Fiona LRB
4th Holly Copsey ChilliwackGeorgina LRB
CoM Andy Ince Sunrise Is Golden LRB
CoM Ginny Wallis-Miller Redbeards Hero LRB
CoM Jackie Smith Alshahania Redknapp of Chilliwack LRD
Special Puppy
1st Jim Collins Brockaghs Eoin LRD
2nd John Cameron Loushaw Maria LRB
3rd Geraldine Thompson Louie LRD
4th Kate Turner Chishillhyde Toast GRB
Veteran
1st Mick Elsey Elder Athos LRD
2nd Jim Collins Brockaghs Aodhan LRD
Other awards
Elmbrook Cup Best Novice Opposite Sex to the Winner Peter Elmy Spiralline Chardonnay
Kellhatch Trophy Best Essex Entry Jim Collins Brockaghs Eoin
Rising Star Cup Novice Dog/Novice Handler John Cameron Loushaw Maria
Mandy Trophy Best Golden Retriever Kate Turner Chishillhyde Toast