The Arfon Working Gundog Club held their Open AV Retriever Trial at Checkley Wood Shoot by kind permission of Mr Ivor Beavis. The judges were Mr John Yarwood, Mrs Lynn Mitchell, Mrs Victoria Stanley and Mr Phillip Smithies.
The weather started off a bit dull but, as the day went on, the clouds cleared and we finished in sunshine.
I would like to thank our hosts, the judges, the guns and the helpers who volunteered to carry the game etc. and the competitors. Finally thanks to our sponsors CSJ Specialist Canine Feeds for providing gifts for the award winners.
Results
Winner – IntFTCH Skovagers Six Mile Woodcock a Lab Bitch Owner/Handler Miss Louise Munchaus Adsboel
Second – FTCH Lowtrrey Klay of Ticefield a Lab Dog Owner/Handler Keith Broomfield
Third – Brocklebank Vital -a Lab Dog Owner/Handler Miss Amy Collier
Fourth – Brockahghs Forba a Lab Dog Owner/Handler Jim Collins
The Arfon Working Gundog Club held a 14 dog Novice A.V.Retriever Stake at Bryn Y Pys, Overton on Dee, Wrexhan by kind permission of the Rosselli Family and Head Keeper Mr Tom Painter. I would like to thank the judges for giving up their time and also to the guns, our team of helpers, our hosts, the competitors and all who organised a very successful day.
Our judges were Mr Keith Bellamy, Mrs Victoria Stanley, Mr Gary Collier and Mr Gareth Lewis.
I would like to congratulate our winner who, on her way to victory, achieved a multi dog eye wipe, also congratulations to the other award winners.
Results
Winner – Minstead Boa Vista Lab B owned and handled by Judith White
Second – Kynigos Majic Midnight Lab D Owner Handler – Paul Edmunds
Third – Risbtbrow Bertie Lab D Owner Handler – Chris Kettle
Photo shows l-r – Paul Edmunds, Gary Collier, Judith White, Keith Bellamy, Chris Kettle, Gareth Lewis
Judge Mrs Jan Janes VIS Clunie’s Golden Retriever Warrentor maple Moon RBVIS Newman’s Hungarian Wire Haired Visla Lanokk Violeska
Judge Mrs Jan Janes BPIS Leeming’s Golden Retriever Kadaka Kalypso at Iscadu. RBPIS McCabe’s Spaniel (Cocker) Zheridons Zephranthos at Grandtully. 3rd BPIS Coleman, Irish Setter Camaling Rose Royal 4th BPIG Stone’s Kideoan Mark Time for Merrem
Judge Mrs Jan Janes BIS Pike’s Irish Setter Redclyst Boris RBIS Henderson’s Gordon Setter When I Was Your Man Black Lofty 3rd BIS Attwood’s Welsh Springer Spaniel IR SH CH Kylowen Drym ShCM ShCEx 4th BIS Osman’s Pointer Fleurfield Firethorn at Marissolo ShCEx
What a lovely couple of days we have had watching some super dogs make history by bringing this sport to Norfolk. Although it was born here, there had not been an event here before, and I couldn’t have imagined it any better than it was. This was in no small part down to Steve and Jo Felton for providing the fantastic venue. A large field with two thirds fenced with totally dog proof fencing, and the last third plenty big enough for parking, an exercise area, a toilet and a base. I heard at least one competitor describe it as a “a field to die for” and, as it was only at the bottom of my road, it could not have been any more convenient for us.
When I decided to put this on I was aware that getting sponsors could make the competition so much better. I was amazed by the response that resulted in great prizes and something for every competitor. This was down to the generosity of CSJ Dog Food, Crossways Country Store Ellingham. This was further enhanced by the beautiful rosettes supplied by In the Ribbons.
People were also very generous with their offers of help and I am especially grateful to Anita Bagge who judged Beginners and then went on to work her own dog in Novice. Ann Handley also did Trojan service as Judge for Novice and steward for the other three levels, and then went on to stay behind at the end to help clear up. Another vote of thanks must go to Joan Snowden and Hilary Mercer who, between them, took some great photos. Finally I must thank Paul Beasley who as well as being by my side in the organising, setting up and clearing up, went on to judge both Intermediate and Advanced.
Although our entries were good, we did lose three of our Beginners before the event for various reasons, so only had two competitors at that level. The other levels were between four and five and we managed to fill both days without rushing, so everyone had plenty of time to get ready and to work without any panic. In hindsight, despite wondering if we should have done it all in one day, everyone seemed to agree it worked better having the extra time and everyone enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere.
I see the judges have kindly done their own reports so I won’t go into the work other than to say I thoroughly enjoyed watching you all work your super dogs and you made UKDS everything I hoped it would be, so thank you.
Arwyn Davies told sponsors CSJ that it was a dream come true that he will finally get to represent his country with dad Bryn … after 10 years of competing against each other!
Bryn (57) and Arwyn (28), of Bryneglwys, have both qualified to represent Wales at the 2023 World Sheepdog Trials at the Gill Hall Estate in Dromore, County Down, on September 23, 2023.
Bryn started competing in trials career in the mid-1990s and Arwyn grew up with it.
They were just two of many hopefuls who headed to Newtown recently hoping to qualify from the Welsh trials and Arwyn topped it off beautifully with himself and his dog Cynfal Gwen finishing second overall.
Both Bryn and Arwyn feed their dogs on CSJ’s specialist dog foods and naturally CSJ’s owner and founder Ceri Rundle understands well how tough it is to compete with so many top winning handlers and dogs … since amongst her own numerous successes she was the first lady to qualify for the Welsh National Team in 1996, and also competed in the World Trials in Ireland in 2005.
For more on CSJ products visit www.csjk9.com or call 01745710470
GiggleJudge – Yvonne ReidLalapaws Born This WayNewt
By Sara Hawkswell
The 3rd of July 2022 saw the return of the GWCT Game Fair at Scone Palace.
In the morning the preliminary agility round was held which determined the running order for the afternoon’s final. Our Judge for the day was Yvonne Reid who set a fantastic course showing the ability of the dogs and handlers to the viewing spectators.
After a break which enabled the competitors to have a wander round the stalls in an effort to ease any nerves it was time to set the course for the final. As the stalking ponies were in before us we needed to clear away mountains of pony poo, however it was quite special poo as they were ponies owned by the Queen!
Once again Yvonne set another fantastic, fast course. The ring is big and Yvonne set a course that meant dogs, and handlers, had to cover a long distance. A large crowd gathered to watch dogs in all four height categories run. The winners had to work hard for their places – in the medium competition only 0.6 seconds separated the winner and runner up!!
Congratulations to the winners:
Large Winner: Lalapaws Born This Way handled by Dane Redford.
Runner Up: Combyeanaway By The Way Love handled by Alan Short
Intermediate Winner: Candlewind Spring Time handled by Emily Lewis.
Runner Up: Inverlochys Spooktacular. Handled by Cerys Miller
Medium Winner: Basileas More of a Chaser handled by Jennifer Kent
Runner Up: Sanscott Midnight Mist handled by Elizabeth Graham
Small Winner: Blundas April handled by Emma Pullan
Runner Up: Calderwood Cheeky Charmer handled by Derek Elms
Huge thanks go to our sponsor CSJ, with support from Showtime Online and Norton Rosettes. Without your support we could not run this showcase event. Also thanks to Hollycraig Photography and CSB Photography for the photographs and the ring party for giving up their day to make it such a memorable day for the competitors.
What an event – this was the fourth Four Nations Challenge Gundog International Working Test, and unbelievably it gets better and better every year.
A huge congratulations to Sam Drysdale and her team who work so hard to put on this event, undoubtedly one of, if not, the best event on the calendar – and that’s saying something. I’m sure all the handlers and spectators would confirm that statement, and as the commentator Adrian Slater stated many times – the grand stand was rocking.
Wales were delighted again to be part of the event and that is only achievable through the financial help and sponsorship of CSJ, Ceri and Phil Rundle. We, as a Team were delighted to have both of them with us over the weekend. A big personal thank you to you both from me and the Team.
We were delighted to welcome back Simon Hagain as a Retriever member of the Team this year, he ran very well, we were also delighted to welcome the newbee, Dewi Williams, although his name caused a few problems for the commentators, Dewi put in a sterling performance with his E.S.S. dog Bryn, well done!!
There were three spectacular runs over a very difficult course for Retrievers, Declan Boyle (Ireland), David Latham (England) tied with 113 out of a possible 120 points, with Declan winning the run off for Top Dog, Nigel Probert of Wales returned a magnificent 112, a point short – these three were outstanding over the course of the International test.
Now onto the spoils –
Top Retrievers Ireland 283 Top SpanielsEngland 312 Team Placings First England 590
Second England 278 Second Ireland 305 Second Ireland 588
One thing this International competition proved is that everything is decided on very small margins. We now look forward to The Game Fair at Ragley Hall, towards the end of July.
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