The United Retriever Club (North Midland Area) held Retriever Working Tests Tests on 4th June 2017 at Welbeck, Nottinghamshire by kind permission of Mr W Parente and the Estate. Several competitors joined us from neighbouring URC areas. The judges were Elaine Welburn. Sue Corden, Alan Richardson and Philip Robinson. There were classes for Puppy, Novice Handler and Novice. The prizes were sponsored by Alpha The Food of Champions.
The Puppy and Novice Handler tests comprised five exercises, judged by Alan and Elaine. There were 18 Puppies and 9 Novice Handlers entered, with 3 breeds competing. One test stressed basic obedience, with the dog at heel through a gated pen with a send back for a retrieve. There were two marked retrieves, one in water, one in grassland. A walk up at heel along a grassy track, was followed by a shot and a blind along the track. After lunch the better puppies were tested with the first of two marked dummies to be picked. The finale for the Novice handlers was a mark on the right of a bracken bank, with a distraction landing in water further left.
Puppy Awards.
1. Moscargrange Copper GR B Anne Crookes
2. Mattaponis Tainn at Lateshift CBR B Andy Kinta
3. Lowforge Pebbles at Jollybrow LR B Steve Burns
4. Belmesthorpe Ferne LR B S Bourne