Great Maplestead
Novice
1st for Challenge Cup Mike Tallamy Brindlebay Boconnoc
2nd for Crosspath Cup Keith Foster Riverorwell Snow
3rd Stephen Turff Tiny Icebox Storm
4th Chris Brown Tuscanni Winston of Fobbingacres
CoM Alistair Tod Causing Mayhem of Gainswillow
Elmbrook Cup best opposite sex to winner ; Alistair Tod Causing Mayhem of Gainswillow
Special Puppy
1st Oysterbed Trophy Russell Gooding Spireview Romeo of Teybrook
2nd Fobbingacres Trophy Andrew Cooper Copperwheat Harvey
3rd Coritan Trophy Paul Wheeler Willowrise Jess
4th Keith Foster Overthwarts Bilton
Veteran
1st Hassenbrook Trophy Brian Chesser Gunnerheath Amethyst
2nd Liz Ingram Garrethall Ouka
3rd Lindsay Hudson Kayteens Dina
4th Liz Ingram GarrethallMyrhh
Kelhatch Trophy for Best Essex Entry Brian Chesser Gunnerheat Amethyst
Rising Star Cup for highest placed Novice handler handling a Novice dog; Stephen Turff Tiny Icebox Storm
Special Puppy/Novice/Veteran Working Test
Lucking Farm Great Maplestead
Sunday 30th July 2017
It’s raining, and I am on the A12. However, the weather forecast suggests an improvement and it turned out to be a perfect day. On arrival at the ground it was heartening to realise that we had lots of support despite clashing with the Game Fair.
Lucking Farm offers an exceptional ground for our Stewards, Doug Laflin and Paul Cooper to set interesting tests to challenge competitors. Four tests were set, three completed before lunch and the fourth run in the afternoon. Our four Judges, Mark Polley, Sue Berman, Arthur Cook and Simon Willett were each allocated their test, competitors briefed and the day began at around 9.30.
Test I - judged by Simon Willet consisted of a double mark to shot. The competitors were located in the valley and the retrieves landed on top of the steep incline testing marking ability.
Test 2 – judged by Arthur Cook was a seen to shot along a track with open fields one side and woodland to the other. When the seen had been retrieved, and the dog was returning a blind was thrown slightly forward in front of a tree which gave the handler a clue for the area. The dog was then asked to retrieve the blind.
Test 3 – judged by Mark Polley. A blind was set to the edge of the lake, but the dogs were not required to enter the water to retrieve it, this caught out many dogs! There was a shot fired with a mark which became a memory. The dogs were then sent, but had to be stopped short to retrieve the blind first. The test was set along a track with a lake on one side and woodland on the other. There was no water retrieve due to swans having sygnets which we would not disturb.
Test 4 – judged by Sue Berman consisted of two blinds into woodland without a shot.
We finished at around 3.00. Whilst the marks were being calculated the raffle was drawn and everyone tucked into tea and cakes which was thanks to Tom Lowe our Chairman who always manages to magic wonderful food.
Before the results were announced there were runoffs for the Veteran and Novice places.
Upon completion of the presentations to the winners, thanks were given to our Judges, Peter Master’s dog foods for sponsoring the event, Sporting Saint for providing prizes to the winners, and to all the helpers, especially the wonderful dummy throwers.
Last but not least thanks must go to Andrew Newton for opening his farmland without which the competition could not take place.
Till next time. Valerie Stanton
