Dove Valley Working Gundog Club.
on Sunday June 28th 2009. By kind invitation of Sir Richard Fitzherbert.  Judges, Scott Marland, left and Maurice Fitch, right, with Retriever Test Secretary, John Mee in the middle! |
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Tissington is a
wonderful place to be on sunny Sunday in June and we were so privileged to be able hold this Test there. Puppy numbers were down a
little on previous years, but given the current economic situation, I
don't think anyone was surprised. Veteran Tests always attract fewer
entries than Novice and Open Tests but our regular handlers turned out
and enjoyed some thoughtful Tests in the beautiful Derbyshire
Countryside. Seeing our old faithful friends retrieving dummies one
after the other in burning sunshine always brings a tear to my eye. All
those years of picking-up in the depths of an English Winter and then,
when all they want to do on a hot Summers day is lie down in the shade,
we take them to a Working Test!
Mind you, they do seem to enjoy it. The Tests started with Scott judging the Veterans. 2 dogs sat in line for a long mark and blind while Maurice judged the Puppies at a steadiness Test. The judges then alternated between the 2 groups. Test 2 for the Veterans was a picking-up exercise for two birds while the Puppies tackled a double mark. The third Test for both groups was a 2 dog walk-up with a mark in front and a blind behind. Test 4 saw the Veterans tackle a blind over a very muddy pond while the Pups had a saluted blind down a woodland ride. The last Test of the day tested the Veterans on a longer blind in the woodland with the Pups having a mark off the pond. After the scores were totalled, a run-off was needed for the Veterans. Another good day for Dove Valley in a Wonderful setting. And the Winners............ Veteran: First Chris Winfield with Birdstone Cherry of Avonford. Second Harvest Moon Magic, handled by Roy Dixon. Third Scotchhill Slipper, handled by Carol Goodes. Fourth Clare Organ with Grangemead Lane.  L to R: Roy Dixon, Clare Organ, Judges, Scott Marland and Maurice Fitch, Chris Winfield and Carol Goodes. Puppies. First Sharon Kitson handling Glencal Larch. Second Hawkslow Trust in Love handled by Sally Antram. Third Brian Beardsley with Tawnyway Devenny. Fourth Chris Winfield handling Jobeshill Valfrid. Statistic! Sharon Kitson scored 99 out of 100!!!  L to R: Chris Winfield, Sally Antram, Judges, Maurice and Scott, Sharon Kitson and Brian Beardsley.  Young Handler, Ben Tucker with Hulton Black Jet. Click HERE for photo slide show. Many thanks to Sir Richard Fitzherbert for allowing us to use The Tissington Estate for this Test. |
