9th September 2018 at Broomhill Grange, Edwinstowe, Notts
The Open Cold Game Test at Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire was held on 9th September 2018 by kind permission of Mr Robert Bealby and generously sponsored by Alpha Feeds. The judges were John Day and Alan Richardson. With Malcolm Peacock as Chief Steward directing operations. The card of 30 included three breeds of retriever. The weather was sunny and dry with a stiff breeze. The ground consisted of 30 acres of sugar beet, bordered by a field of Maize to the West and part of Sherwood Forest to the North. In the morning the beet was walked up in line gently uphill following the rows. Each judge had two dogs in line at a time, with retrieves saluted by guns on either flank. Forward marks either side or behind the line required dogs and handlers to concentrate on marking, with two or even three birds out at once or in quick succession. In the second round dogs were sent for cross retrieves or for blinds behind. After three retrieves in the morning walk-up, 12 dogs were called in after lunch. This time the dogs were tested on a long blind through the beet towards rough grass bordering a ride along the forest margin. This retrieve was into a stiff breeze and only five of the twelve retrieved successfully. After the concluding refreshments the trophies, five awards and prizes of Alpha dog food were presented by Area President Elaine Welburn.
1st: Susan Corden’s LR B Dalesprings Black Orchid, 2nd: John Cardno’s LR B Buskets Lawn Astrid, 3rd: Charlie Albone’s LR D Lowsommer Trail Blazer, CoMs Caroline Hewison’s FCR d Venus in Transit over Casblaidd, Harvey Richardson’s GR D Idonea Southdownway.
Photo shows Judges and Award winners L-R : J Cardno. C Hewison, A Richardson, S Corden, C Albone, J Day, H Richardson.