The Novice award winners and three judges
The Novice Tests were held in conjunction with the Puppy and Novice Handler tests. The ground at Welbeck, Nottinghamshire was used by kind permission of Mr W Parente and the Estate. The judges were David Bellamy, Fred Newton, Anna Wagland and Phil Wagland. The prizes were sponsored by Alpha The Food of Champions.
The 33 dogs entered for the Novice Test faced tests simulating work on the Welbeck shoot. In the morning David Bellamy judged a mark in one of the large lakes, such as might occur after a duck flight. Meanwhile Fred Newton assessed work on a long mark in a field of maize. After lunch there were four more retrieves. Fred and Phil judged a walk-up in the dry valley of Nightingale drive, with a mark and a blind for each dog. David judged for a blind near to a gun's pegin the maize field. At the wood-fringed lower lake Anna judged a mark on water, with a distraction as the dog returned. Three breeds featured in the awards. The trophies and other awards, including prizes sponsored by Alpha were presented by Margaret Rowson, representing the Welbeck estate.
Novice Awards
1. Derrity Thor LR D Charlotte Smith
2. Hanrebor Blackcap LR D Andrew Slingsby
3. Mistybrook Maive of Moscargrange GR B S&AM Crookes (H=Anne Crookes)
4. Eleanor Sapphire LR B Eric Hulme
CoMs: Kenine Can’t Go Back GR D Chrissie Thomas
Lowsommer Dark Sika LR D Shaun Eadson (H=Sharon Eadson)
Venus in Transit over Casblaidd FCR B Caroline Hewison