The wind was cold, but the sun shone as we worked our dogs over this wonderfully varied terrain by kind permission of Mr T Lamyman, Mr C Dennis and Mr N Swinn. We also thank Mr and Mrs M Strawson for sponsoring the event.
Our judges for both competitions were Mike Birchall, Julie Campbell, Martin Eveleigh and Casper Jonsen and Keith Parker was our Chief Steward.
There were four tests in the morning and marks for the Intermediate dogs were further away than those for the Novice dogs:
Test 1 was a mark down the side of the lake, followed by a blind in the same place.
Test 2 was a mark with shot to the right onto plough and a blind. The blind, which was picked first, was to the left in reeds and rough grass alongside an area of water.
Test 3 was a double mark. One mark was thrown into a small plantation of trees and the other was on short grass. The novices picked the last one down first and the Intermediate dogs picked the first down first.
Test 4 was a water test. A mark was thrown into the water and there was a blind at the side of the track running alongside the lake. Novice dogs picked the mark first and Intermediate dogs retrieved the blind first. The water retrieve certainly proved to be a problem for the novice dogs as they were keen to shake or put the dummy down as they got out of the water.
Only two Novice dogs completed the morning with a full set of scores. After lunch they went on to two more tests as did the seven Intermediate dogs that survived the cut.
Test 5 was a walk up. The two novice dogs went together and the Intermediate dogs were in groups of four. Each dog had a mark in front and a blind behind in a steep sided grassy valley.
Test 6 was a picking up exercise. Four dummies were out in rough cover up a steep hill. Each dog had to pick two of the dummies.
There was a run off for third place in the Intermediate section. Each dog was stationed in the grassy valley and had a long mark onto plough on the hillside.
Results
Novice Dog/Novice Handler
1st Lowsommer Blacksmiths Rose LDR B handled by Liz Woods*
*awarded the Lincolnshire Area Shield
Intermediate
1st Levendale Elm LDR D handled by Andy Brooks**
2nd Tullyah Hugo LDR D handled by Andy Brook***
3rd Jogolo Dark Magic LDR D handled by Godfrey Lowe
4th Brackenwood Willow Star at Ridsome LDR D handled by Caroline Pont
CoM Kentixen Side to Side LDR D handled by J Middlewood
CoM Woodfinch Fortissimo GDR B handled by Paul Williams
**awarded the Ortalan Shield
***awarded the Ortalan Trophy for the Youngest Dog in the Intermediate Awards