By Nigel Probert, Kieron Coey and David Logan

When I was asked by the Kennel Club to Captain the UK gundog team for 2022, it felt an honour and a privilege to be asked. My first task was to select a team, so I asked the captains of England, Ireland and Scotland to pick me a dog from their selection process. This was done slightly different in Wales where I asked two independent panel judges to set a course and to judge the selection as I had to take part in running in the selection myself. Fortunately, I was the highest scoring on that day so I was picked to represent Wales. 

The Team was picked as follows: 

Nigel Probert – Wales
David Logan – Scotland
Kieron Coey – Ireland
Adam Snare – England

Day One of the competition consisted of a walk up with water retrieves included then followed on to a drive scenario picking 4 retrieves at 200 yards plus over a steep bank / valley. This was pushing the dogs due to the extreme temperatures that we had over the two days, but with careful management, wetting the dogs and staying in the shade between retrieves as much as possible, we could keep their performance up. 

Anything could happen

End of day one we were in second position, a few points behind Netherlands but all to play for – anything could happen. 

Day two consisted of five double retrieves in a variety of woodland and open grassland scenes – memories and blinds. 

Our performance stayed consistent but we dribbled points here and there (which was similar to the other teams) but thankfully no zeros!! By the end, the consistent performance of all our dogs then pushed the UK gundog team into first position – it was tight with Ireland only 5 points behind but we did it!

I would like to thank CSJ for the dedicated help and sponsorship that they always provide for gun dog international events. Without sponsors such as CSJ we wouldn’t be able to take our dogs to these events so it is very much appreciated. 

Final scores were :- 

1st – Great Britain 1048 points 

2nd – Ireland 1043 points 

3rd – Italy 1027 points 

4th – Netherlands 1006 points 

Nigel Probert
Llangynidr gundogs

“I want to personally thank you for CSJs support over the last few days, I hope we did you proud. It is refreshing to see a company still prepared to support working dogs of all varieties in these difficult times. I struggled for at least 18 months before finding a food that agreed with Ralph (Int. Ftch Crosstone Trickster) trying everything from the cheapest to very expensive before discovering  CSJ at the Moira gamefair and we have not looked back, feeding Fit n Fast! for the last 5 years.

Once again thank you very much.”

Kieron Coey

“Morning Ceri, I just wanted to say a massive thank you to CSJ, Phil and yourself for everything you have done over the weekend for the team. It is greatly appreciated! It was great to catch up on the Wednesday evening and Thursday. Will see you soon at Scone!”

David Logan

We are looking to select a Team of Spaniels, Retrievers, and their handlers, capable of running at International Level.

If you have an interest in representing Wales at The Game Fair at Ragley Hall on the 30^th and 31^st July 2022, and/or Scone Palace, Perth on the 2^nd July 2022, please note the following:

If you have a Spaniel or Retriever that meets the following criteria –
You and your dog has won a Novice Working Test, won or gained an award at an Open Working Tests, or gained an award or won a Field Trial.

If you want to enter your dog for Selection, please complete a Kennel Club approved entry form in full.
Please return your completed entry form, electronically or by post no later than 15th April 2022.

Contact Details – Alan Rees
e-mail : dsalanrees@gmail.com
Mobile : 07966 772402
Address : Delfryd, Palmer Terrace Road, Capel Seion, Drefach, Llanelli SA14 7BS

Contact Details – Aled Jones
e-mail: aledjones9@gmail.com
Mobile: 07815820532

Alan Rees (Team Captain)

By Joanne and Kim Barnes

The Ammerdown AV Test (in aid of Dorothy House Hospice) was once again held on the Ammerdown Estate on Sunday 20th March by kind permission of Sam Nickels, Scot Yorke and Dean Tayler of the Ammerdown and Owls Nest Shoot to whom we are most grateful. The Test has returned from a four year absence due to family circumstances and, of course, Covid.

The aim of the Ammerdown Test is to try and provide a low key, less pressured entry into the world of Gundog competitions for the first time competitor and a chance for the genuine novice to hone their skills. Although not a KC registered event, we follow KC guidelines as far as practical.

The low key and friendly atmosphere of the day is due entirely down to the judges. Each judge is a gundog trainer in their own right and renowned for their people skills, friendly manor and expertise in the field of gundog training. We are extremely grateful to the commitment that they all showed for the day.

Our thanks go to the jugdes:
Mr Neil Varney of Twistmount Gundogs
Mr Shane Leigh of Garrowwood Dog Training
Mrs Sandra Blake

We are also extremely grateful to CSJ who were once again very generous in their sponsorship of awards and would very much welcome their support in the future.  We thank them.

The run up to the test was more stressful than normal with a large number entrants pulling out the day before the test with covid and personal/dog related injury which meant runners were well down on previous years. We decided to add a puppy test this year. Unfortunately the puppy judge contacted very early on Sunday morning unable to attend due to a family illness which added to the fun. We are extremely grateful to Sandra Blake who did a sterling job of not only running the puppy but managing to run the retrieve for the novice as well.

The day started out in glorious sunshine, lots of nervous chatter amongst the six or so first timers. Which soon disappeared with the calm influence of the judges and support of the more experienced competitor. After a short introduction by Neil Varney of what the judges would be looking for, the day started.

The novice test consisted of a hunt up in fairly open woodland intermixed with a few rushes. The standard of hunting was very high considering the inexperience of some of the handlers. A sit to shot followed by a seen retrieve which all the dogs performed well with the odd dog running in. The hunt up continued another shot fired and a short blind was left out. This proved slightly more challenging for some of the dogs with the more experienced dogs and handlers making up points. This completed the first run. A short break and light lunch gave the entrants the opportunity to consult the judges for advice and recommendations for the second run. The test concluded with a separate retrieve alongside a cover crop which again suits the more experienced dogs who marked well and the less experienced stopping short and entering crop too early and struggling to be pushed back.

The puppy test consisted of two short hunt ups in tufty grass and sparse cover crop and concluded with a much simplified version of the retrieve. With such a wide variation of ages ranging from 7months up to 17.5 months, Sandra did an amazing job of setting and marking the test.

We retreated back to the Jolliffe Arms in Kilmersdon for the prize giving. With the excited chatter and smiling faces it looked like a good day was had by all.

Results:

Novice
1st. ESP Dog Digby — Ruby Walter
2nd. ESP Bitch Countryways Krystal—Oliver Ellis
3rd. ESP Bitch Artos—Bethany Kington
4th. Not presented
COM. ESP Bitch Craiwarn Sarafina—Steve Viviash
COM. CS Dog Wea Wea— Karen Fleet

Puppy
1st. ESP Bitch Alispen DIamond Nalya— David Drew
2nd. CS Bitch Zywarix July Belle—Jess Ward
3rd. CS Dog Mooncourt Black Jack—Kim Barnes
4th. CS Dog Mooncourt Herbie—Tawana Butt

We would like to thank –

All the helpers on the day Emma Wollacott, Howard Feltham ,Stephanie Milne, Christine Wilkins, Justin and especially Emilia no 1 Dummy thrower, it’s always nice to see the younger generation involved with the dogs.
CSJ Specialist Canine Feeds
BASC
Mooncourt Gundogs
KRB Services 
Lewis Thomas Hairdressing 
Lindsey from Crafty Brown Bear Designs and Embroidery for the donation of two stunning hand made and embroidered blankets 
Tracey Corbin for all your help and advice
Jolliffe Arms, Kilmersdon

And a special mention to little Albie who carried out the best retrieve it has been my privilege to witness. With the help of you all we managed to raise £380 for Dorothy House.

Many many thanks, Joanne and Kim