It was good to be back at the lovely ground at Well, by kind permission of Mr and Mrs J James. We also thank Mole Valley Country Store for sponsoring this event at which our team for the United Retriever Club Area Finals was decided.
Twenty-eight dogs came before our judges for the day who were Tim Brain, Peter Goddard and Tom Sagar. Sue Lowe was our Chief Steward
The competitors could be forgiven for thinking they were on a Sunday hike as the tests in the morning were set around the far side of the lake, accessed by a very picturesque walk, including crossing a small waterfall.
Test 1 was a long mark with shot to be picked after a blind in an area around a tree to the right.
Test 2 was a mark, with shot, on land across the water. Another shot was fired and a dummy launched a distance to the side of the dog as it had been swimming back with the first retrieve for about three metres. The dog had to ignore this dummy and return to hand the first mark before being sent for the distraction.
Test 3 was a long double mark, with shot, in rough pasture grass. Dogs had to pick the first dummy thrown first.
After a cut to 14 dogs there was a 4 dog walk up, each dog getting a mark and a blind in varying places.
Results:
1st Malsan Green Light for Jogolo owned by Godfrey Lowe*, handled by Lucie Adkins**
2nd Laurinco Just Ace LDR D handled by Stephanie McBride***
3rd Berrylaw Aberfeldy LDR D handled by Charlie Albone
4th Buskettslawn Astrid LDR B handled by John Cardno
Com Barweston Osprey LDR D handled by Brian Barker
CoM Laurinco Red Glow of Hollowgate LDR B handled by Janette Sayer
CoM Abbotsleigh Fusilier LDR D handled by Sarah Coomber-Smith
CoM Arkglass Taylor LDR D handled by Andrew Slingsby
CoM Teeshot Nickel LDR B handled by Doreen Spencer
* awarded The Glebespray Tankard for Highest placed Lincs member
**awarded The Lincolnshire Area Shield
***awarded The Ansoncha Shield for the runner up and the Riaghyll Black Shadow Shield for the youngest dog in the awards.