At Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire on 10th September 2017
UNITED RETRIEVER CLUB OPEN COLD GAME TEST 10TH SEPTEMBER 2017
The Open Cold Game Test at Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire was held on 10th September 2017 by kind permission of Mr Robert Bealby and generously sponsored by Alpha Feeds. The judges were John Yarwood and Malcolm Peacock. The card of 27 included three breeds of retriever. The weather was sunny and dry with a stiff breeze. The ground consisted of 30 acres of sugar beet, a long rectangular field with a wood to the West and a hedge on the East side. In the morning the beet was walked up in line down a gently undulating slope. Each judge had two dogs in line at a time, with retrieves orchestrated by the signals of Chief Steward Anne Crookes. Guns saluted pigeons thrown at a distance for marks in front or behind in the first round. In the second round dogs were sent for retrieves down the line or for blinds. After three retrieves in the morning walk-up, 13 dogs were called in after lunch. This time the line walked up the field. Dogs were tested on two retrieves with a variety of diagonal marks and blinds. Long blinds towards a hedge proved easier than expected and most difficulties were caused by blinds behind into the middle of the beet against the breeze. The three top dogs were then called in for a finale. After the concluding refreshments the trophies, five awards and prizes of Alpha dog food were presented by Area President Elaine Welburn.
1st: Paul Birkbeck’s LR D Warrenbank Fen, 2nd: Geoff Dobb’s LR B Long Marsh Anna, 3rd: Sharon Kitson’s LR D Arkglas Tash, CoMs: Philip Robinson’s LR D Briffoaks Cerberus, Will Hales’ Lowsommer Allenton.
Photo shows Judges and Award winners L-R : Will Hales, Geoff Dobb, Paul Birkbeck, John Yarwood, Sharon Kitson, Malcolm Peacock, Phil Robinson.