Puppy award winners and judges with prizes of Alpha. L-R: S McBride, S Tucker, D Bellamy, C Hewison, G Stewart, G Ellis, F Newton, N Metcalfe, T Richards.
The United Retriever Club (North Midland Area) held Puppy and Novice Tests on 30th June 2013 at Welbeck, Nottinghamshire by kind permission of The Welbeck estate. The judges were David Bellamy, Trefor Richards, Gill Stewart and Fred Newton. The prizes were sponsored by Alpha The Food of Champions. It was a hot day but the large lake allowed several water retrieves to cool the dogs.
Puppy Test
The Puppy test comprised four tests, judged by Gill Stewart and Fred Newton. There were13 entries with 3 breeds competing. The tests started with two exercises testing obedience. Simon assessed a heeling exercise passing through a gates pen. Gill’s test involved two marked dummies, one to be picked by the dog and one by the handler. The next pair of retrieves were sited near the lake, one involving a water retrieve. The high standard of work was emphasised by the six awards.
| Position | Name | Breed/sex | Handler |
|---|
1st
|
Venus in Transit over Casblaidd |
FCR D |
C&C Hewison (H=Caroline Hewison) |
| 2nd |
Tanyrhallt Gamalt |
LR B |
Stephanie McBride |
| 3rd |
Lowforge Istabraq |
LR D |
Gary Ellis |
4th
|
Garronpoint Fane |
LR D |
Simon Tucker |
| COM |
Warrenbank Goose |
LR B |
Nigel Metcalfe |
| COM |
Eylarose May |
LR B |
Sara Royle |
Novice Test
The 47 dogs entered for the Novice Test started with morning exercises judged by Trefor Richards and David Bellamy. For David a mark over a post and rail fence into a wood was followed by a blind in the same area. Trefor judged in the pasture, a long mark across a broad valley being followed by a blind along the valley.
Novice award winners and Judges with prizes of Alpha. L-R: J Cardno, P Birkbeck, D Bellamy, G Stewart, R Hodgen, F Newton, G Ellison, T Richards, M Peacock.
After lunch Gill and Fred judged at a drive with four dogs in line. Beaters and guns progressed along a valley through rolling grassland. During the drive each dog had the opportunity of both a mark in front of the guns and a blind to their rear. Meanwhile David judged at the water, with the dogs sent from a wooded bank into the lake. At an adjacent lake Trefor judged a blind in woodland, with a distraction on the water. After a run-off to decide the places the following awards were made:-
| Position | Name | Breed/sex | Handler |
|---|
1st
|
Leacaz Larch |
LRB |
Russell Hodgen |
| 2nd |
Ollersett Sparling Nymph |
FCR B |
Julie Matthews (Handler = Gary Ellison) |
| 3rd |
Warrenbank Fen |
LRD |
Paul Birkbeck |
4th
|
Kilnpotlees Harris Hawk |
LRB |
John Cardno |
| COM |
Rondix Basha |
FCR D |
Malcolm Peacock |
| COM |
Braidenvale Ribble |
LRD |
Linda Partridge |