Winners, Open Retriever Trial, Culham Estate, 19/01/2010

By kind permission of Mr & Mrs Schwarzenbach.

Judges were Keith Bedford, Phil Parkins, Richard Beckerleg & Ronnie Gent.

Sponsors were Master Pet Foods.

1st & Gun’s Choice  Commando Scott Of Craigfelin  Lab D,  handled by Roger Tozer
2nd  Yetioley Inca Of Hatchfield  Lab B,  handled by Mrs D Harrison.

Again the weather caused a change of plane – with much of the rough ground by the river flooded we could not start the trial with a walked up round. However Mr. Andy Reed lined the guns in a self seeded barley field. The high birds and double banked guns meant long retrieves into a young crop but scenting was good and we got through the first round without the judges having to move more that a few feet! With fog rolling in Andy changed the second drive and the judges were able to give all the remaining dogs a retrieve through a rough strip onto grass or crop. The dogs were a joy to watch with a couple of classic eyewipes and spectacular long retrieves. Thanks must go to Andy who had to change a well planed day, to the judges who gave the dogs, handlers and spectators a great day and to my wonderful team of helpers ALL of whom came out two days in a row to help  Again the weather caused a change of plane – with much of the rough ground by the river flooded we could not start the trial with a walked up round. However Mr. Andy Reed lined the guns in a self seeded barley field. The high birds and double banked guns meant long retrieves into a young crop but scenting was good and we got through the first round without the judges having to move more that a few feet! With fog rolling in Andy changed the second drive and the judges were able to give all the remaining dogs a retrieve through a rough strip onto grass or crop. The dogs were a joy to watch with a couple of classic eyewipes and spectacular long retrieves. Thanks must go to Andy who had to change a well planed day, to the judges who gave the dogs, handlers and spectators a great day and to my wonderful team of helpers ALL of whom came out two days in a row to help.

It’s been a testing year as a FT Secretary, the fault of one thing – the weather! I would like to thanks our Hosts, Game Keepers, Guns, Judges and helpers who gave up their time and expertises and provided the society and competitors with such good sport. I have received many messages of thanks from competitors thanking me for all my ‘hard’ work – quiet frankly I enjoy the job! – but there are some unsung heroes, that if you get a chance, please could you thank them….my family and friends. It’s hard enough explaining to one’s family that you’re going to stand in a muddy, windswept field two days in row but its near impossible to face the look of utter horror from one’s dogs as, fully clad in ‘picking up’ clothes, you close the door and leave them behind!

Report:- Mary-Jane Opie         Photo:- David Friday

By kind permission of  Mr Richard and Sir William Benyon.

Judges: Tony Turner, B Kuen, Sue Searle and Sue Berman

1st & Gun’s Choice  Wendearose Bobin of Cantabrica Lab B, handled by Heather Walton
2nd  Hullabaloo Williegunn  Lab D, handled by Mrs G Thompson
CoM  Labdom Skye  Lab D,  handled by Wayne Mitchell

Painesend Farm, Tring, Herts
19^th December 2009

By Kind Invitation of Mr Peter Vallis and the Painesend Shooting Syndicate

JUDGES: Mrs J. Coley, Mr. R. Watson Mr. P. Bruton and Mr H. Vilendal (3077)

With the ‘cold snap’ and heavy snow fall the week preceding the trial, competitors were stranded in their homes and unable to take up the offer of a run. At 10 p.m. on the eve of the trial I had at last managed to fill the card but had offered a run to all fifty reserves and phoned more! The snow was still thick on the ground making the undulating ground very scenic and festive.

The Judges were able to try the dogs on a wide variety of retrieves and give each dog a retrieve over a stock fence into light scrub and trees. The top dogs handled the deep snow, long retrieves and fences with little consequence and the judges were able to award first and second.

My thanks to Mr. Vallis, the Guns, Mr. Hawkins and his team of beaters, the Judges and my team of helpers –The weather might have helped in making the trial so memorable – but the friendly atmosphere with between the estate, judges and competitors most definitely defined the day!

Retriever Novice Trial

1^st FOLLYOAKWOOD MAGIC lab. D  24/3/07
by FTCh Noiroche Aperitif, ex Olivertash Rosey of Follyoakwood

Owner / Handler : Mr. K. Broomfield

2^nd CHILEAN SPICE WITH HAWKSTHORN GR B  28/4/07
by Birdsgreen Stormcreak over Millgreen, ex Roanlodge Chili
Owner / Handler :  Mrs. L. Harris

Guns’ Choice: ABNEY ACER Lab D 15/3/05
by FTCh Tasco Rouble of Bedgebrook, ex Greyhill Russet of Abney
Owner / Handler : Mrs I. Whitford

Report: Mary-Jane Opie
Photos: David Friday