The winning Black Labrador team and the individual winners
Despite summery weather for most of August, Bank Holiday Monday was miserable and wet. Nevertheless the Inter-breed Team Test at Hope Valley Show took place in our scenic arena in the Peak District. Once again there were eight teams, with 2 Novice dogs and 2 Open dogs in each team. It is good to see friendly rivalry between the handlers of Chesapeakes, Irish Water spaniels, Golden Retrievers, Flatcoats, Curly-coated Retrievers, and three colour varieties of Labradors. The Judges were Arthur Hewer and Paul Birkbeck, with commentary by Janet Allsop. Each team came into the arena as a foursome, to tackle a variety retrieves on ground with rough grass and rushes, clumps of fir trees and a fence to jump. With a walk-up, a mock drive, and varied types of retrieve fortunes fluctuated during the day, but the scores for the top few teams were exceedingly close, and the result was in doubt until the very end. The Trophies and prizes of Alpha” were presented by the Show President.
1st Black Labradors, 2nd Golden Retrievers, 3rd Chocolate Labs, 4th Flatcoated Retrievers, 5th Yellow Labs, 6th Chesapeakes Labradors, 7th Irish Water Spaniels, 8th Curly-coated Retrievers.
Winning Team of Black Labradors : Simon Tucker - Nevillbriar Dipper, Sharon Kitson - Koromas Bracken, Bel Grundy - Warrenbank Eagle of Lindygun, John Cardno - Kilnpotlees Harris Hawk. Top Open dog was Garry Ellison with Ollersett Sparkling Nymph (Flatcoat) and the top Novice dog was Dan Haynes : Mollatombola Twiglet Chocolate).