After the wind and rain of the Saturday before, the weather on the day was a treat. Our thanks to the landowner for allowing us to use this pretty ground for testing our dogs, young and old. We also thank our judges, Sue Lowe and Martin Abbott and Chief Steward, Will Hales.
Test 1 for Special Puppies was a short one dog walk up. The handler threw a dummy, both handler and dog walked back to the start and the handler sent the dog. When the dog was back a mark was thrown out which the handler picked. The puppies had a straight mark, followed by a blind in the same place. Veteran dogs had a similar test, but there was a shot for the mark and the distance was greater.
Test 2 A mark was thrown to the left for the special puppy. This was picked and, after the dog had returned, a mark was thrown to the right for the dog to retrieve. The puppies had a double mark, picking the last one down first. The veterans had a double mark with shot, retrieving the first dummy down first.
Test 3 was in a wood. The Judge, handler and dog stood in the wood. For special puppy, it was a mark followed by one in the same place. Puppies had a mark to pick first then they turned to pick a short blind. The veterans had a mark with shot but had to pick a further away blind first.
Test 4 Special pups stood on a track with the Judge. A mark was thrown on the track into longish grass. After the dog had returned with that, a mark was thrown to the right into longish grass for the dog to retrieve. Puppies had a 2 dog walk up, walking about 100 yds. There was a mark out on the track which the first dog picked. When it had returned, there was a mark into long grass for the second dog to pick. The dogs swapped over and exercise was repeated. The veterans had the same retrieves, with shot, but at a greater distance.
Results:
Special Puppy
1st Moscargrange Danielle Mr S Crookes*
2nd Kenaiteen Bilbao Mr R Newell
COM Humbershot Tweed Mr J Day
*Awarded the Fleetbank Shield
Puppy
1st Hollowgate Red Sparks Mrs J Sayer**
2nd Red Rubystone Mr L Priestley
3rd Lonicerium Mace Mr B Emms***
CoM Ettinsmoor Final Edition Ms J Parsons
CoM Kenaiteen Marvel Mr D Houghton
CoM Heather Plesant Company Miss E Benfield
** awarded the Menola Shield
***awarded winner of the Lincolnshire Shield for Novice Handler (Puppy)
Veteran
1st Lowsommer Trail Blazer Mr C Albone****
2nd Kendeci Severn Mr C Johnson
3rd Brackenwood Willow Star at Ridsom Miss C Pont
4th Lowsommer Colombo Tarf Miss E Jonsen
****awarded the Winston Shield