Worlaby Farmland is typical of the picturesque Lincolnshire Wolds. Our test setters thoroughly enjoyed planning a variety of situations for our handlers on this lovely ground which includes a number of lakes. Our thanks to Mr T. Lamyman for allowing us to work our dogs here.
Sue Lowe was our Chief Steward and Casper Jonsen and Martin Eveleigh judged the sixteen entries.
Test 1 was a picking up exercise. The peg was at the bottom of the hill and three dummies were put out at the top of the hill, 100m away. The dogs had to pick two of the three dummies.
Test 2 was a mark and a blind. The blind was 50m away over grassland in the corner of a wood to be picked before a mark that had been thrown into one of the lakes to the right. This proved to be a very tricky test as the dogs found it difficult to see the dummy bobbing in the choppy water.
Test 3 was a double mark. One mark was thrown onto the grassy path between a lake and a wood and the second mark was thrown into the water from the other side of the lake. The first mark was picked first.
Test 4 was a two dog walk up. A shot was fired towards a blind left on the grassy path between a lake and plough in front and a mark was thrown behind into grassland, landing out of sight over the brow of a mound. Each time the first dog picked the mark and the second dog retrieved the blind.
After a break for lunch all dogs completing the four morning tests went on to two more tests.
Test 5 was another mark and blind. A mark was thrown into a dip on the right hand side of the valley 100m from the peg, but the dogs had to first pick a blind under a tree in the valley floor. Although the mark and blind were only about 30 m apart, none of the dogs pulled towards the mark when retrieving the blind.
Test 6 was in the adjacent valley. A mark was thrown from the top so that it bounced down the valley side 100m away. After retrieving the mark, the dogs had to go back for a blind in the same place.
Results:
1st Greenbriar Wyre at Annsfarm Lab D handled by George Longden*
2ND Arkglas Taylor Lab D handled by Andy Slingsby
3rd Keyholme Farm Sea Lavender Lab B handled by David Toombs
4th Leadburn Lowrie of Repeter Lab D handled by Peter Bell
CoM Brackreef High Flyer Lab D handled by Jessica Burrows
CoM Kendeci Severn Lab D handled by Chris Johnson
*awarded the Ortolan Shield