We came to Claxby Grange by kind permission of Andrew and Sarah Lyle. Our judges were Julie Campbell and Helen Smith and Chief Steward was Sue Hales-Lowe. Our thanks to all of these, our sponsors Skinners, Sporting Saint and Will Hales and Sue Hales Lowe and all the helpers.
All the dogs had four tests. The veterans and Junior Handlers completed the same tests. It was so good to welcome five Junior Handlers to the competition.
Test 1
The Special Pups had a mark to the right and then a mark to left.
Puppies had a double mark, picking the last down first. For the veterans and Junior Handlers, the first dummy down was retrieved first.
Test 2
It was a short mark with a replacement for all the dogs, but at varying distances.
Test 3
Special Puppies had a short walk up with handler and Judge. A mark was thrown, the handler and dog walked back to the start before the dog was sent. Another dummy was put out for picking as the dog returned. Puppies did the same test, but over a greater distance.
Veterans and Junior handlers – a mark was thrown over a small dyke through trees and on to a grassy area. The dogs turned and walked a few steps with the judge. There was blind on a grass track that was to be picked first. Once this was retrieved, the dog was moved back to be sent for the original mark.
Test 4
For special Puppies, it was a short mark thrown just into cover to right. As the dog came back, a white topped dummy was placed upright in middle of the track to be retrieved. Puppies retrieved over a greater distance and had a normal dummy for the track. Veterans/Junior handlers had a picking up exercise with two dummies out. A shot was fired before both dummies were collected.
All but the special puppies went on to a water retrieve of appropriate distance.
Results:
Special Puppy
1st Asgarby Essex Gent handled by Chris Johnson
winning The Fleetbank Shield
2nd Humberflair Claxby handled by Casper Jonsen
3rd Griffontee Time Will Tell handled by Tina Bateman
4th Christoberry Baileys handled by Jim Christon
Puppy
1st Cleestangate Shadow of Nanclodie handled by Tom Unwin
winning the Melnola Shield
2nd Ollersett Duchess handled by Gary Ellison
3rd Ingdalehown Zivah handled by Jane Mayes
winning the Lincolnshire Shield for Novice handler in puppy
Veteran
1st Tildaross Byron handled by Chris Johnson
winning the Winston Shield
2nd Lowsommer Hundon Walk handled by Phillippa Emms
Junior Handler
1st Elodie Unwin handling Questeleet Persephone Dee
winning the Maragong Shield
2nd Ruby Jackson handling Syrtis Kensteen
COM’s
Lucy Lyle handling Lost in Snow Blizzard Maizie
Robert Christon handling Christoberry Ocean Colour Cooper
Noah Mills handling Kentwone Loving Lavender