15th May - YgH, Novice and Open Spaniel Working Test

We held our Novice, Open and Young Handler's Spaniel Working Test today at Cubley by kind invitation of The Hon. Mr and Mrs David Legh and Headkeeper Shane Wood.

 

Shane had prepared a piece of ground for us with young trees and rough vegetation (and even a mown car park area) for our Judges, Ian Bogaki and Keith Onions to thoroughly test the dogs. We started the day with the Novice Dogs who had, on the right with Ian, a marked retrieve in front followed by a blind behind the line and on the left with Keith, a double mark in front with handlers given the option of picking either dummy first.

 

All the dogs coped really well on both sides including our two Young Handlers, 8 year old Summer Gripton and Dove Valley regular (in his last year as a Junior) Oliver Robertson!

Following the presentation of the Novice Awards and the drawing of our Raffle in aid of MIND, raising £111.00 (bringing the total so far to £1552.85) the Open Dogs were well and truly tested with a mark behind a bush across the line for the right hand Dogs and a mark to the left over a mown ride for the left hand Dogs. Each Dog then had a saluted blind in front which tested the handling ability of both Dog and Handler. Despite the fact that we had only 8 Open Dogs, it took quite a while for all 8 to complete both rounds. Without the need for a run-off, Chief Steward Mikki Deville declared the Test over and we all walked the short distance back to HQ to await the results.

 

First, winning the Follyview Trophy donated by Neale Satchwell was Amanda Chaddock with her Cocker Bitch, Trailking Annie.

Second, winning the Northash Trophy donated by Club Founder, the Late George Handley was Paul Gripton with his Cocker Bitch, Reanloughla Loris.

Third was awarded to Fernihollow Black Pearl (ESS) handled by Adrian Allbrighton.

Fourth was Helen Waite with Metiliana Lady Vesta, another Cocker!

CoMs were awarded to Mike Hollinshead with the Winner's Brother, Trailking Ace, Scott Bendikas with Holsan Hurricane (ESS), Belvden Avoriaz handled by Oliver Robertson and Oliver Brierley with his ESS, Salrowbra Bramble's Bruno.