Southern Inter Club Team Event 4th July 2015
Our team for this year’s Southern Inter Club Team Event was Keith Foster as Open dog and also our Team Captain, Andy Ince was running as the Novice dog and myself as Novice Dog/Novice Handler. We also had Andy’s brother in law Alan as team cheer leader! The event was again hosted by the Guildford Working Gundog Club at Windsor. It was a very hot and sunny day, and in the same location as last year, and what a fabulous location too. Six tests, with six judges and the day ran very smoothly and efficiently, with some very slick organisation, it was an excellent day.
Our first test was with Heather Bradley, which consisted of a short walk-up, with a mark on the track and then a blind in the same spot. ND/NH went first then we walked on further and Novice dog had the same exercise to the right on a track, then Open dog did the same in the opposite direction with the distance increasing each time. Test 2 was with Di Harrison, in a small area of young saplings, again a short walk up then a mark, followed by another mark in a similar area. Again the exercise was repeated for Novice and Open with the length of the retrieve increasing each time. Andy did a particularly good job on this test and did not drop a point.
We then walked down to the woods, and our next test was with Chris Rose, which was a blind straight out in front, another short walk up then the Open dog was sent first, then we walked on and the novice dog was sent then walked on a bit closer and the ND/NH then went back to the same area. All of us succeeded well on this test. Next we had three marks which became memories, and we discussed between us who took which retrieve, John Stubbs reminded us we were a team and particularly for me as a novice handler it was great having some guidance from my team mates.
Tests 5 and 6 were in another area but again in the woods, which was welcome relief for ourselves and the dogs to be in some shade. Dave England was judging a double mark for us all, taken one at a time and in different areas. Our final test was with Nick Coates, there were three blinds with a shot, and we discussed which retrieve would be suited to which dog.
The day finished with a delicious hog roast after the prize giving. We did not feature in the awards, however we did not disgrace ourselves by any means and finished seventh overall. As a team we worked well together and thoroughly enjoyed the day.
Congratulations to UGS HBB who won and will be hosting the event next year.
Cath Elsey