INTERMEDIATE & NOVICE COLD GAME TEST 2015
The United Retriever Club (North Midland Area) held a Cold Game Test on 9th August at Strines Moor, Yorkshire by kind permission of Mr & Mrs Hunt. The judges were John Benyon, Kevin Jackson and Scott Marland from Lancashire. The tests were based on natural shooting situations with retrieves on pigeons. The weather was warm with a light breeze, and there were spectacular views across the moorland towards nearby reservoirs.
There were 28 dogs running in the Intermediate/Novice section, with Labradors, Goldens and Flatcoated Retrievers competing.
In the morning Kevin judged a static test, a gun below a steep slope saluting a marked retrieve falling in rushes. Meanwhile John and Scott were busy with a walk-up across the moor, with four dogs in line at a time. Dogs were given two marks under one judge in the first round, and one in the second under the other judge. The afternoon tests were sited on the steeper edge of the moor. Kevin judged a long mark downhill, followed by a blind in a similar area. A picking-up exercise was assessed by Scott, with two pigeons to find in bracken. It was John’s test that caused most problems. A gun across a valley saluted a blind followed by a mark. Only the blind was required, but many dogs were fixated on the mark. Controlled handling across the rough, vegetated slopes proved difficult and greatly influenced the results.
The awards were presented by Vice=President Elaine Welburn, with prizes of Alpha dog food greatly appreciated by the competitors, with three breeds vying for honours.
Intermediate/Novice :
1st Kitson & Barrett’s LRD Arkglas Tash H=Sharon Kitson
2nd and Best Novice Tankard Alan Richardson’s GRD Gortons Roaring Thunder
3rd Jessica Burrows’ LRB Brackreef High Flyer
4th Garry Ellis’ LRD Lowforge Istabraq
CoM: P&A Robinson’s LRD Kindgar Steady Eddie (H=Christina Robinson)
CoM : Charlotte Smith’s LRD Derrity Thor
CoM : C&C Hewison’s FCRD Venus in transit over Casblaidd (H=Caroline Hewison)
Photos show Judges and Award winners.