Novice Working Test at Thorganby on Sunday June 6th 2021
How wonderful it is to be able to run our dogs over this superb ground by kind permission of Mr and Mrs J Milligan-Mamby. We thank Skinners Dog Foods for sponsoring the test.
As always, we very much appreciate the time and expertise given by our judges, Sue Lowe, Paula Cullis and Charlie Albone, our Chief Steward Gilly Bell and our brilliant helpers.
The day started out warm and sunny with three tests for the twenty-eight competitors.
Test 1 was an interesting mark and blind. There was a shot and mark in front beyond a gap in the hedge line with a stream to be crossed once through the hedge. This was followed by a blind along the hedge line to the right.
Test 2 was a mark thrown into the long grass forty yards along a track between field and stream. A blind in the same area, but slightly off the track was to follow.
Test 3 was a double mark with shot into long grass in front of trees. Handlers had to nominate which dummy was to be retrieved first.
After a stop for lunch, the judges made a cut to fourteen for another two tests. At this point, the rain that had unexpectedly been threatening for a while arrived and stayed until the tests were complete.
Test 4 was a picking up exercise. The dogs had to cross a fast-moving stream and run up the hill into the wood to retrieve two of three dummies.
Test 5 was a four dog walk up. Each dog had a mark and a blind, both crossing.
Results
1st Snowdell Spartan LDR D handled by Stephanie Smith*
2nd Port Royal Peppa LDR B handled by Richard East
3rd Lowsommer Mulberry LDR D handled by Kathy Appleyard
4th Humbershot Tweed LDR D handled by John Day
CoM Kenynteen Under a Cloud at Ronorabrook LDR D handled by Tom Sagar
*awarded the Rasenfield Shield for the winner and the ‘Remembering Jim Cochrane’ Shield for the highest placed Lincolnshire Area Member