Held at Welbeck, Nottinghamshire on 6th May 2018
The Open Test for 2018 was held on Sunday 6th May 2018 at Welbeck, Nottinghamshire by kind permission of Mr William Parente MBE and the Estate. Our guests included Margaret Rowson, the dog handler on the estate. 31 dogs were entered, 22 Labradors, 7 Goldens and 2 Flatcoated Retrievers. Prizes were generously sponsored by Alpha – the food of Champions.
The weather was very warm and sunny as it seemed summer had truly arrived. The three judges were Arthur Hewer, Charlotte Jeffrey and Charlie Albone. Two large lakes and surrounding woodland and farmland provided varied ground. The retrieves were planned to reflect working dogs on the shoots on the estate.In the morning Arthur judged a long mark on the water of the upper lake. Meanwhile Charlotte judged a two retrieve pick-up in a Cat Hills Wood, resplendent with a carpet of bluebells amongst the deciduous trees. A long mark falling in the edge of Nightingale Plantation required a long outrun uphill across cereal drilling assessed by Charles. After picnic lunches in the sunshine the tests resumed. This time Charles judged a water retrieve, which involved a diagonal swim across the lower lake for a blind in rushes on the far shore. Meanwhile Arthur judged a long blind involving a long outrun across drilling to the lake shore, aiming for a specific retrieve rather than other “birds” lying further left. Undulating grassland bordered by mature woodland was the setting for a walk-up with three dogs in line. Charlotte judged this, which involved a mark falling across a tricky boundary, with a horse jump, a section of fence and a five barred gate. This led to varied routes to success or failure. Secondly a long blind up the edge of the field was required by each dog. To conclude a run-off was required to split the two top dogs. After counting up the points and adjusting the arithmetic there were five Labradors and two Golden Retrievers in the awards, with visitors from the Midlands and Lincolnshire claiming 4 of the places. Margaret Rowson from the estate presented the awards, trophies and Alpha dog food.
1st Neil Dutton’s LR D Tanyrhallt Teddy of Artistryn (Mids area)
2nd Mick Newsam’s LR D Delfleet Baron of Maswen
3rd Carol Probert’s LR D Turpingreen Acuna of Corsemalzie (Mids)
4th Geoff Dobb’s LR D Woodcockhill Hirola
Certificates of Merit: Phil Wagland’s GR B Funnyline Fieldquest Kelbrook
Dan Higgs’ LR D Higgscroft Avenger (Lincs)
Dan Higgs’ GR D Abbotshall Pioneer of Higgscroft (Lincs)
Best member’s dog in Water : Christina Robinson’s LR D Kinagar Steddie Eddie