Our annual Charity Working Test in aid of Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance was held on Sunday 17 March at Raithby, by kind permission of Robert and Alistair Hall-Jones, Martin Reeve and the Mavis Enderby Shoot. Just as last year, the weather forecast had not been promising, but the rain held off until the tests had been completed and everyone had enjoyed the hog roast – then the ‘heavens opened’! We would like to thank our hosts and Mr & Mrs P Gibson, Chandlers of Horncastle, Thomas Bell & Sons of Brigg and Crawfords Shooting Supplies for sponsoring the prizes.
Our judges for the day were Sue Lowe, Gilly Bell, Doreen Spencer, Gill Stewart and Casper Jonsen and Will Hales made his debut as Chief Steward.
There were five tests: Test 1 was a mark on plough and a blind on the reservoir bank. Novice dogs picked the mark first and open dogs the blind. Test 2 was a two-dog walk up with straight marks followed by crossing marks. The distances for the open dogs were greater than for the novices. Test 3 was a mark in rough grass alongside a wood, followed by a blind put out in the same place. Again open dogs covered a greater distance than novice dogs. Test 4 was a mark over a hedge followed by a blind in a wood beyond grassland and a dyke. Test 5 was a picking up exercise where the dogs had to pick two of the three blinds out.
After the serious part of the day, competitors, friends and families enjoyed the hog roast and yummy puddings before Will Hales turned auctioneer to sell more than forty lots including a dog bed, a thumb stick, bags of potatoes, bags of dog food, photo shoots and chocolates – all donated by members along with thirty or more raffle prizes A huge ‘thank you’ must go to everyone who contributed to this magnificent total by donating raffle prizes, money and auction lots, by buying raffle tickets and auction lots as well as, of course, the helpers who gave their time to make this such an enjoyable day. Because everyone was so generous, together we raised finally £860 for the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance. Thank you!
Novice Results
| Position | Name | Breed/sdex | Handler |
|---|
| 1st |
Retswerb Sloe Gin |
LR B |
Ian Reed* |
| 2nd |
Lynabbian Ebony Princess |
LR B |
Jackie Walker |
| 3rd |
Brackreef High Flyer |
LR B |
Jessica Burrows |
| 4th |
Grovery Charm of Arduinna |
LR B |
Sue Hewitt |
*winning the ‘Remembering Jim Cochrane’ Shield presented by Mrs Jean Cochrane
Open Results
| Position | Name | Breed/sex | handler |
|---|
| 1st |
Melanie Jayne |
LR B |
Peter Wadsworth* |
| 2nd |
Nevillebriar Golden Plover |
LR D |
Andrew Slingsby |
| 3rd |
Knottsberry Kestrel |
LR D |
James Walgate |
| 4th |
Haverholme Park Phoenix |
LR D |
David Wheatcroft |
*winning the Gibson Shield presented by Mr & Mrs Peter Gibson