Puppy, ND/NH & Vet @ Bullock Down Farm 16th July 2023
The United Retriever Club’s Southern Area on 16th July 2023, held a Puppy Test, a Novice Dog/Novice Handler Test and a Veteran Working Test at Bullock Down Farm, Eastbourne, by kind permission of Philip & David Fenner. Although we have been invited to this Farm before, today’s venue involved a substantial trip across the South Downs to a completely different part which, coupled with the gale-force summer wind made for very testing conditions in a beautiful valley.
The judges were Julia Smith, Sophie Mills and Charlotte Hammick who made awards as follows:
There were 3 competitors in the Puppy Test, the top two needing a run-off resulting in:
1st Andrew Steggles’s Lab (B) Troddenmills Kriss Cross
(this little bitch’s second win in two days)
2nd Carly Madgwick’s Lab(D) Mitforton Voulez Vous
3rd Jane Carnaghan’s Lab(D) Geordieland Yarrow Marcher
ND/NH’s totalling 12 entries, awards as follows:
1st Samantha Barter’s Lab(B) Troddenmills In A Tizzy
2nd Jules Wilson’s Lab(D) Aylesfield Oak
3rd David Tyrrell’s Lab(D) Higgscroft Seiko
COM: Rose Setten’s G/R(D) Golden Hour
And although showing his age, but still producing what it takes, the only entrant in the Veteran Test taking home the Veteran Shield was:
1st Roger Wade’s Lab(D) FTCH Lendown Gorse of Wadeshot
As will be seen, the entries were unusually low for these tests and there were at least 10 withdrawals and drop-outs making extra work for our WT Secretary.
All remaining dogs thoroughly enjoyed their day and very much appreciated the helpers who came to throw, place, cater or support the Club. What would we do without you. Thank you.
Oh, and the Yellows ruled the roost today – well almost!