Nocton is a perfect ground for this competition, which features a mixture of youth and experience in terms of both dogs and handlers. We thank Mr & Mrs R Howard for allowing us to work our dogs over their farm and Thomas Bell Country Store of Brigg for sponsoring the event.
There were 32 entries in total and Chief Steward, Martin Eveleigh, had set four interesting tests in sugar beet and on water for each section. Thanks to him and our judges, Miss S Braithwaite and Mr J Iacono.
Special puppies had to be between 6 and 12 months on the day of the test.
Their first three tests were in sugar beet and the fourth dummy was in the lake.
Test 1 involved the dog walking to heel in the sugar beet. A dummy was thrown to the left and picked. After walking a little further a dummy was thrown to the right and picked.
Test 2 was two retrieves: a short mark down the hill, followed by a dummy put in the same place as the mark as the dog returned to the handler.
For Test 3 the dog retrieved a mark thrown to the left before a mark was thrown to the right.
Test 4 was a mark on the water and a mark on the bank. Again the first dummy was retrieved before the second was thrown.
Puppies were less than 18 months old on the day of the test.
Test 1 for the puppies was a 2 dog walk up in sugar beet with dummies thrown to the left and right. Each dog retrieved the mark on its side before changing places and repeating the exercise.
Test 2, 3 and 4 were similar to those for special puppies, except that both dummies were thrown at the same time for the last two tests.
Competition was fierce in this group and there was a run off for 1st and 2nd places and then a second run off for 3rd, 4th and certificate of merit.
Veteran dogs were 8 years or over on the day of the test.
Test 1 was a mark (with shot) on water and a blind on the bank. The blind was picked first.
There were four blinds out in the sugar beet in front of some trees for Test 2. One shot was fired to pull the dogs to the area. 2 of the 4 blinds had to be retrieved.
Test 3 was a 2 dog walk up. There were two posts about 20 yards apart out to the right with a blind at each one. A shot was fired and a dummy thrown to the left. The dog on the left picked the blind at the nearer post and the dog on the right retrieved the mark. The dogs changed places and the exercise was repeated.
Test 4 was a mark on the lakeside and a second dummy put in the same place as the dog returned with the mark.
Junior Handlers were under 16 and here it was the handling that was judged rather than the dog work.
Test 1 was a mark on the land and another (picked first) in the water.
The other 3 tests were like those for the veterans, except that both dummies were marks in the walk up (test 3).
Results:
Special Puppy
1st Clarksbush Teasle LR B Vicki Strawson (awarded the Fleetbank Shield)
Puppy
1st Hanrebor Blackcap LR D Andy Slingsby (awarded the Melnola Shield)
2nd Laurinco Red Diva LR B Stephanie McBride
3rd Dobson Prince of Thieves LR D T Dobson
4th Donascimento Peres FC Ret D Casper Jonsen
CoM Kelmagra Ace LR D Mike Birchall (awarded the Lincolnshire Shield for Novice Handler Puppy)
CoM Monwodelea Cabochon LR D Ann Blake
Junior Handler
1st Robbie Slingsby running Harmston Harrier at Hanrebor (awarded the Marayong Trophy for Junior Handler)
2nd Michael Magee running Swainedentanum of Saffronlyn
3rd Emily Bristow running Solgate Lottie of Bellspaddle
4th Summer Slingsby running Brackreef Mocha
Veteran
1st Kinderton Black Pepper LR B Ann Blake (awarded the Winston Shield)
2nd FTCh Lowsommer Willowfean Swift LR D Sue Lowe
3rd Brunbois Larch Leaf LR D Will Hales
4th Deltas Night LR B M Dodson