We enjoyed another great day at Thorganby, by kind permission of Mr and Mrs J Milligan-Manby
Our judges for the day were Paul Hasney, Andrew Curtis and Casper Jonsen. Sue Lowe was Chief Steward.
All of the dogs had three tests in the morning:
Test 1 was a picking up exercise in trees down a slight slope. A shot was fired to attract the dog before it was sent. The exercise was made more testing as the dog disappeared out of sight for a couple of seconds before appearing in the area of 2 dummies to be collected.
Test 2 was a mark and a blind. A shot was fired and the mark thrown to the right in an area around trees. This was picked before retrieving a blind placed down the field beyond a tree in a grassy area.
Test 3 was a double mark on parkland. Shots were fired for both the left and right. The right-hand dummy fell down a slope. The first thrown dummy was picked first.
The Judges then had a cut to 12 dogs.
Test 4 was another picking up exercise. This time 3 dummies were put out in to a wood which was reached via a fast-flowing stream and a large rough grass area. A shot was fired and 2 dummies had to be collected.
Test 5 was a two dog walk up along a valley. A long mark saluted with shot was thrown, this was picked by the first dog. A blind had already been put down by a placer who was walking in the wood. The second dog retrieved the blind, again having to go over a fast-flowing stream. The dogs then changed places and the exercise was repeated.
The dogs and handlers found the windy conditions a challenge. Only 2 dogs completed all 5 exercises and no first place was awarded.
Results:
2nd Lowsommer Mulberry handled by Kathy Appleyard*
3rd Port Royal Peppa handled by Richard East
* awarded the ‘Remembering Jim Cochrane Shield’ for the highest placed Lincs member