On the 21st September 2025 the Flatcoated Retriever Society and the Southern Flatcoated Retriever Club and jointly held a Competitive Training Day, Walked Up on Field Trial Lines at Dry Hill, Chipstead, by kind permission of Jacky Burden.
We had a full card with one unavoidable withdrawal on the day. In total there were nine Flatcoats, three golden retrievers and one Irish Water Spaniel. (We also had one Labrador retriever join us for the morning’s training).
The day was fine and bright with a light wind. Warm enough in the sunshine but ideal conditions for the dogs. The ground was mainly gently undulating grassland with some dummies therefore landing just over the horizon. Good use was also made of adjacent hedgerows and a small area of woodland.
Den and Russell did a superb job firing and throwing for us all day. Jo and Julie were our game stewards with Jo also acting as judges steward and making sure the right dogs were in the right place at the right time. David was our dog steward for the morning and Jane took over from him after lunch, both ensuring a steady flow of dogs to each judge. We, the competitors, are deeply indebted to them all. Thank you!
Our Trainers/Judges were Kelvin Nettleingham (B panel) & Mandy Smith. The morning took the form of a training day with the judges imparting a wealth of knowledge and experience to the handlers and encouraging all the dogs to succeed.
After a break for lunch the afternoon became competitive with dogs being put out according to the judging system of a walked up field trial run under Kennel Club rules and regulations. At the end of the day judges commented on the excellent standard of the gundog work they had seen, which included not one, but two, three dog eye wipes. In all six dogs made it through to the fourth round after which the judges conferred and declared the trial over.
The results were as follows:
1st and the Larksburn Salver – Jacquie Thomas with Tygwyn Punnetts Town (FCR)
2nd – Judy Hempstead with CH Riverforest Irish Eider at Cuvana (IWS)
3rd – Sarah Young with Waverton I Wish I Could Fly at Larksburn
COM – Jane Gould with Halangydown Tean
COM – Julie Graham with Chilzer Tilley and
Judges Choice was also awarded to Jane Gould and Hanlangydown Tean.
Once again I am most grateful to my counterpart Jacquie Thomas from the SFRC whose support and enthusiasm made this day possible. We hope this event will be repeated next year and continue to a regular part of the calendar for working flatcoats.
Sarah Young
