The Shirley Radburn National Working Tests for Novice and Open Dogs were held on Sunday 3rd July at Bagborough Park, West Bagborough, Nr Taunton by kind permission of Mr & Mrs Waygood.
Our judges for the day were Tim Woodgate-Jones, Jo Fergie and Graham Clelland.
The weather was mostly sunny with some heavy and unexpected rain in the morning and a gusting wind in the afternoon.
Four tests were set for each group with two retrieves for each dog in each test.
The tests consisted of a seen retrieve and a blind retrieve set at an angle in woodland, a double marked retrieve in maize/cover crop, a mark and a blind in grassland and a drive – after which each dog picked a marked dummy from the drive and an unseen dummy placed in another area.
The Open dogs were set similar tests but which were generally more challenging and covered a greater distance.
In the Novice test the FCRS Novice Trophy and Salver were won by Jane Manley handling her bitch Lenyam Kite. Gavin Wakley handling his dog Keveral Inola, in what was only his third working test, was placed second and was also awarded the Newcomer’s Trophy. Jane Caverley and Gwenadillo Tweetie Pie were placed third, and, after a run off Charlotte Wear and Silkmanns Teazle Of Keveral were placed fourth and Steve Ashby’s Mahinda Logon Hans Solo At Tunnelwood received a COM.
In the Open test the FCRS Open Trophy and Salver were awarded to Steve Ashby handling his dog Thamespath Bracken At Tunnelwood. Second was Lenyam Solway and third was Brickley Blossom At Lenyam, both dogs being handled by Keith Manley.
My congratulations go to all the award winners and my grateful thanks to all the helpers who turned out to support the first event that I have organised as Working Test Secretary. The tests had a great atmosphere and some lovely gundog work was seen.