Open Working Test at Well on 29th May 2022

Our Open Working Testwas held at Grove Well Farm, Well on 29th May 2022 by kind permission of Mr & Mrs James.

We thank our judges: John Day (B) and Tom Birchall (np), our sponsors Skinners Field and Trial and Thomas Bell Country Store and our Chief Steward Sue Lowe

The day started with four tests:

Test 1 was a long double mark in long grass.  The first thrown dummy was picked first.

Test 2 was a mark thrown out (with a shot) from behind a tree guard.  There was a blind (no shot) to the right down a long grass avenue of trees, which was to be picked first.  The handler needed to keep the dog in sight.

Test 3 Dog and Handler stood on the track next to the lake.  There was a long mark into the water.  After this had been picked, the handler and dog turned for a blind situated at the bottom of a bush on the edge of the lake.  Handlers had to keep their dogs in the area or the dog would become unsighted and they also had to keep the dog out of the lake!

Test 4 was a double picking up exercise without shot. There was a long run down to an area where two dummies were out. 

The judges cut to seven dogs at lunch time.  These seven went into a four dog and a three dog walk up around the park.  A long mark with shotgun shot was to be picked by the first dog and the second dog retrieved a long blind which was behind, to the left of the line and over the barrier of a private roadway.  This was repeated on other side of the line.  The line carried on and the dogs had the pick the retrieve they had watched the first time round.

1st        Hanrebor Jack Snipe   handled by Andrew Slingsby*

2nd        Jogolo Dark Magic       handled by Godfrey Lowe**

3rd        Cuckavalda Nin            handled by Martin Abbott*** 

4th        Tarnedge Condore       handled by Claire Carvis****

Certificates of Merit were awarded to
Lonicerium Mace                                             handled by Bill Emms
Kenynten Under a Cloud of Ronorabrook      handled by Tom Sagar
Gunners Peg Artemus                                     handled by Mollie Lord

*awarded the Lincolnshire Area Shield and the Glebespray Tankard for the highest placed Lincolnshire Area member, a Skinners Field and Trial voucher and a £10 gift voucher from Thomas Bell Country Store

** awarded the Ansoncha Shield for the runner up and a Skinners Field and Trial voucher

***awarded a Skinners Field and Trial voucher

****awarded the Riaghyll Black Shadow Shield for youngest dog in awards