Open Cold Game Test at Fenhouses on Sunday 15 September 2019

The sun shone, there was a gentle breeze and sugar beet as tall as a dog.  All was set for a great day of dog work and the field of 25 didn’t disappoint. 

Our thanks to the Laird Family for allowing us to return to Fenhouses, the home of our Open Cold Game for the last 18 years.  Our judges for the day were Samantha Morley-Riches and Julia Reed.  Sue Lowe was the Chief Steward. 

At the start of the day, we held a minute’s silence in memory of Alan Penney who had often taken part in our events and had won our open cold game test two years ago. 

Also, we were pleased to present a cheque for £800 raised at our Charity Day in May to Rosemary and Joyce, representatives of Hearing Dogs for the Deaf. 

opencoldgame19

 

The competition started with a four dog walk up in the sugar beet. 

In the first round two birds were thrown on one side and retrieved by the two dogs on that side.  The sides were alternated so that each dog had the opportunity for two retrieves.  The second round was a crossing retrieve along the line which proved difficult for a number of the dogs.  At the end of the second round, the field was reduced to eleven.  The judges decided at this point that the dogs had been well tested in the sugar beet and we transferred to a stubble field. 

The third round was a drive.  About forty yards away from the line of all the competitors, birds were thrown and left on the ground. 

In round four, four dogs were in line.  Each one picked one of the birds from the drive and later turned to retrieve a blind (with shot) just over a dyke about forty yards in the opposite direction. 

Results 

1st           Hitowngreen Falcon                       LDR D                    handled by Jane Sawyer*

2nd          Teeshot Macey                              LDR B                     handled by Gill King**

3rd           Cuckavalda Nin                             LDR D                    handled by Martin Abbott

CoM      Hawksigg Bellisima                          LDR B                     handled by S Probert***

CoM       Tildaross Byron                               LDR D                    handled by Chris Johnson

CoM       Lowsommer Trail Blazer                 LDR D                    handled by Charlie Albone 

*awarded the Ferndown Shield

**awarded the Sweep Parker Memorial Trophy for the highest placed Lincs Area member other than the winner and the Lintran Challenge Trophy for the best retrieve of the day other than the winner.

*** awarded the Springflight Trophy for the highest placed yellow.