Pophleys Shoot, Kingston Blount, Oxfordshire.

Fordrock Scalloped Oak Certificate of Merit

By kind permission of Mr Stuart Macintosh and Mrs Angie Murrey

4th Cundriebrook Holly of Rydanlue

Judges:- Chris Thurston-Woolnough and Mr Gary Smith

On a cold and cloudy day Head Keeper Mark Williams positioned his Stops and the Trial started. The Guns soon warmed up and a steady supply of game started to come. Each dog had to work hard to put up these willy January pheasants.

Our thanks go to our hosts, their Keeper and the Stops who on this very cold day did a great job in containing these pheasants who had escaped the guns but not the Chiltern team of Guns.

1st Jane Smith sending Gatekeeper Ice of Nederscot for retrieve

At the end there was a run-off and the placings were sorted out.

1st Prize Chiltern Novice Cocker Trophy. Masters provided the dog food prizes.

1. Jane Smith with Cocker D Gatekeeper Ice of Nederscot
2. Terry Steadman with Cocker B Benbulben Ransom Love
3. Nick Cook with Cocker B Rowson Simone
4. Luke Russell with Cocker B Cundriebrook Holly of Rydanlue

Certificate of Merit:- Hazel Crockford with Cocker B Fordrock Scalloped Oak Steve Bolton with Cocker B Dashbrook Milly Martin Deacon with Cocker B Reomire Rose

Gun’s Choice:Terry Steadman with Benbulben Ransom of Love

Winners Hazel Crockford CofM,2ndTerry Steadman,1st Jane Smith,3rd Nick Cook,4thLuke Russell

Report:- Geoff  Ford

Photos:- Sandy Pond-Jones

Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxon
12th November 2009

By kind permission of Blenheim Palace Estate.

Winner’s line-up in a heavy downpour

L-R: Peter Jones, Judge Gordon Bowers, Anita Jones, Ben Randall,
Judge Steve Bates, G. West, Dai Ormond

Wirewolf Aster At Episcopi (1st)

We started in warm sunshine and ended the day at dusk in torrential rain. Game was hard to find and many dogs had very long hunts. The cover in many places was thick heavy bramble in woodland. The Guns were the Estate Keepers and they shot very well considering the lack of birds.

Our Judges Gordon Bowers and Steve Bates walked for mile upon mile and did a fantastic job. Our thanks go to the Stewards and game carriers for their hard work.

Rowston Serana (2nd)

1st Cocker B Wirewolf Aster At Episcopi Owner/Handler Anita Jones
2nd Cocker B Rowston Serana Owner/Handler Dai Ormond
3rd Cocker B Cheweky Housten of Beggarbush Owner/Handler Ben Randall
4th Cocker B FTCh Wernffrwd Mai Owner/Handler Peter Jones

Gun’s Choice G. West

11 Certificates of Merit

Report: Geoff Ford
Photos: Sandy Pond-Jones of SPJ Photography

Moor Farm, Lane End, Bucks
31st October 2009

by kind permission of Mr Seddon Cripps and Mr James Cripps

10th Open English Springer Spaniel Trial Winners and Judges

L-R: K.Powell, Wayne Greig, Judge Wendy Knight, Judge Lyn Randall, Simon Jones,
John Keegan, Bob Fryer, Ms S Jenkins

Winner: Skersmoor Kaos with Simon Jones

The day started very still and foggy with poor scenting. Gary the Keeper and his team of Stops ensured that the dogs had a steady supply of birds throughout the day and by 11.00am the wind got up, the fog cleared and the scent improved. The Trial was run in mature beech woods with bramble and stick piles under the trees, which still held many leaves. The four experienced guns shot with great expertise all being spaniel handlers themselves. The Trial finished by 1.30pm.

The two Judges Mrs Wendy Knight and Mrs Lyn Randall were very vigilant and tested the dogs to the full. They remarked that the standard was very high and picking a winner had been difficult.

1st Skersmoor Kaos ESS B Owner/Handler Simon Jones
2nd Shot to Fame in Geordieland ESS D Owner/Handler John Keegan
3rd Deepfleet Tealer ESS B Owner/Handler Wayne Greig
4th Beggar Bush Taff of Pantfarm ESS D Owner/Handler K Powell

6 Certificates of Merit awarded

Gun’s Choice:  Skersmoor Kaos ESS B Owner/Handler Simon Jones

Report: Geoff Ford
Photos: Sandy Pond-Jones