Dove Valley Working        Gundog Club.

     Results of Open A/V Retriever Trial at Norbury Park,          Tuesday 11th November 2008.
  By kind invitation of Mr and Mrs J Hall and Mr R Brooks. 

Our Retriever Trials at Norbury over the past 9 years have varied from good to truly memorable. Head Keeper Ray Brooks knows exactly what is needed for a successful day. This year, the Fodder Beet we usually start the day walking-up in had been lifted earlier than usual so we started, instead, with a walk-up on some rough, wet maize stubble before reaching a narrow woodland strip. This was difficult to negotiate with 3 judges as there were hedges and fences to cross which made life difficult for the dog steward. There was, however, lots of game about and good birds were shot into interesting places which gave the judges, Jim Gale on the right, Phil Allen in the middle and Vince Mitchell on the left, plenty of opportunities to give the dogs interesting shoot day retrieves. One of the guns had had his vehicle stolen during the night and was unable to be with us for the start, so we had only 5 guns during the morning but all 5 shot well with only the odd runner which was probably just as well as scent did not seem to be over good. Several dogs completed the first round here with good clean work. 11 o'clock arrived and the Last Post was sounded followed by a 2 minute silence whilst we remembered our fallen heroes on this Armistice Day. Following the Reveille, we lined out to walk-up some early rape with a hare and a few pheasant to test both guns and dogs. As we walked back down the crop, a Partridge was shot on the right. After a little confusion about which gun had shot it, Phil Allen tried both his dogs which made nothing of it. Jim Gale then tried his 2 dogs to no avail but all 4, due to the delay, survived, as the Judges had no luck either! The bird was picked after the line had moved on by the picker-up! Out of the rape and into some mature woodland on the way to lunch saw some excellent shooting with dog work to match. 4 dogs had been lost during the morning from faults ranging from a run in on a Hare to failing to find and picking 2 birds at the same time! Topped up with hot soup and cobs, and joined by our sixth gun, (whose vehicle had been speedily recovered by the Police!) we set off to walk-up in stubble turnips where game was sparse until we reached a pit hole for a mini drive. Several birds were shot to take the trial towards it's conclusion with long retrieves on drilling. The judges said they needed one bird to finish and after moving a short distance in failing light to a pond, an unlucky Mallard provided the last retrieve of the day. All in all a good Trial but very tiring for all. A true shoot day and dogs were judged with that in mind, which, of course, is exactly how it should be. 

1st Mottisfont Robin handled by Peter Orwin (Lab) winning The Flaxfire Trophy presented by Colin Walker.    

Dave Field with FT Ch. Artistryn Jay and Shelia Suzuki with Staftly Indiana under Phil Allen.


Get Back!  Shelia Suzuki's Staftly Indiana in the first round.............................................

....................and on the way back after picking this cock unsighted behind a hedge.

Reuben Corbett with Oakvalley Blackjack and Philippa Williams with Levenghyl Isle of Aran wait for the action in the first round with Jim Gale. Photo Kev Marriott.


Economical maybe, but Jim Christon's Hardill Penny bringing back 2 birds at the same time brought his hopes of making his dog up to an end. (The gun on the left thought it was funny!)

Gordon Hodgson handles Kilpen Jazz of Garagill, 4th dog down on the un-picked Partridge described above. This dog has won 2, 12 dog Open Stakes already this season.

Whilst Mottisfont Robin was hunting for a cock bird, this hen was shot and fell right under his nose so he is sent back (below) by Phil Allen.


Having won a 2 Day Stake this season, Ged Leeson is hoping to have the first UK  Field Trial Champion Chocoalte. Sadly, today was not his day.

Fernflight Pollyana delivers a cock bird to Richard Colbourne picked a long way out over a brow.

Colours on Parade!

Under Keeper Joe Gilbert - How the hell did I miss that?!

Mottisfont Robin hunts for a long Partridge towards the end of the Stake.

Central control to Major Kev! Can I have another dog please?

Winner, Peter Orwin sends Mottisfont Robin for a cock bird in the 1st round.


Gordon Hodgson sends Kilpen Jazz of Garagill in the Run-Off watched by Phil and Vince. Unfortunate failure on this bird demoted Gordon to a COM.

The Last Knockins! (But we need one more bird!)

And the Winners are - L to R  Richard Colbourne, Gordon Hodgson and Peter Orwin.


Head Keeper Ray Brooks, 3rd from left, and some of the "Dove Valley Team", the other side of a Pheasant Hot Pot, and a glass or two of Red!
A wonderful end to a wonderful day!.

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