22 handlers enjoyed working their dogs on this superb ground. Our thanks to Mrs G James for allowing us to hold our open test here.
Handlers, especially those who are less experienced, appreciated the support and friendliness of our judges, Dave Probert and Hayley Drew. Sue Lowe was Chief Steward.
Test 1 was a mark over a brow into grass and a mark in water. The mark on the land had to be picked first.
Test 2 was a picking up exercise without shot. The dogs had to go a goodly distance diagonally across the field. Two dummies were out by a fallen tree near the water. Both dummies had to be picked.
Test 3 was a straightforward mark and a blind. The blind, which had to be picked first, was tucked in an area around a corner by a tree guard.
Test 4 A shot was fired and a dummy thrown out into long grass from behind a tree (so that the thrower could not be seen). There was only one retrieve as the dogs had to swim across a wide stretch of water.
The judges made a cut after lunch.
Test 5 was a walk up with both judges. There was a mark in front for one dog and a blind tucked in the reeds near the water for the other.
Three 3 dogs went through to the last cut and had to retrieve a long blind which was through a gate and under a tree.
Results
1st Arkglas Taylor LDR D handled by Andy Slingsby*
2nd Hansongreen Light of Jogolo LDR D handled by Godfrey Lowe**
3rd Tilderross Byron LDR B handled by Chris Johnson
4th Kendeci Severn LDR D handled by Chris Johnson
CoM Flossmill Eliott LDR D handled by Bel Grundy***
CoM Abbotsleigh Fusilier LDR D handled by Sarah Coomber-Smith
CoM Emmanygan Sena of Barweston LDR B handled by Mr B Barker
*awarded the Lincolnshire Area Shield, the Glebespray Tankard (for the highest placed Lincolnshire Area Member)
**awarded the Ansoncha Shield for the runner up
***awarded the Riaghyll Black Shadow Shield for the youngest dog in the awards