Our tests were held at Hall Farm, Raithby, by kind permission of Mr Robert Hall-Jones and Mr Alistair Hall-Jones. The weather was fabulous. The sun shone and shirt sleeves were the order of the day but there was a gentle breeze to help the dogs. Our judges were Casper Jonsen and Julie Campbell and our Chief Steward was Sue Hales-Lowe. We thank them, our helpers and our sponsors (Skinners and Samantha Whyte of Gundog TV).
Four interesting tests for The Novice Dog/Novice Handler competition were completed in the morning and the Intermediate dogs had four similar tests in the afternoon.
Test 1 A shot was fired to the right and a mark was thrown onto rough grass. The dogs were turned to face the water, a shot was fired and another mark thrown. The dogs had to retrieve the one from the water and then the mark on the grass.
The Intermediate dogs started from further back from the water and the mark on rough grass was further away. The mark on the grass was picked first.
Test 2 in the morning was a short one dog walk up with the judge. A shot was fired down the field to the right. The dog had to pick one of three blinds in an area. After walking on again, a shot was fired and the dog had again to go back to the same area to collect another dummy
It was a two dog walk up for the Intermediates. A shot was fired to the right and another to the left for a dummy to be thrown on the edge of a crop field. The first dog had to pick a blind from the first right hand shot. The second dog picked the mark. The dogs changed places and the exercise was repeated.
For test 3, a mark was thrown along the edge of the water over rough ground. After the dog had picked the mark, it returned for a second dummy that had been thrown out to the same place as the dog came back.
The Intermediate test was over a greater distance.
Test 4 was a double mark into rough ground. Novice dogs retrieved the last dummy down first and the Intermediate dogs picked the first dummy down first.
Results:
Novice Dog/Novice Handler
1st Marstonmoor George LDR D handled by Anne Fotherby *
2nd Mystical May Blossom LDR B handled by Sarah Skelton
3rd Lowsommer Mulberry LDR D handled by Kathy Appleyard
4th Jobeshill Paloma LDR B handled by Carol Barrett
CoM Kenaiteen Skilian Lemon LDR D handled by Nick Stevenson
CoM Calafountain Aphrodite Tealilly LDR B handled by Sally Watton
*awarded the Christine Goodman Shield and the Gibson Shield for the highest placed Lincs Area member
Intermediate
1st Flommor Foxglove LDR B handled by Rachel Pugh-Lewis*
2nd Hanrebor Barley Sugar at Griffontee LDR B handled by Tina Bateman
3rd Geordieland Tilly LDR B handled by R Warner
4th Willsocra Yowaka LDR D handled by Josh Wright
CoM Snipe Sister LDR B handled by Paul Buckenham
CoM Vilendal Mercedes LDR B handled by Alison Cook
*awarded the Ortolan Shield and the Ortolan Trophy for youngest dog in the awards