Walked Up Working Tests run on Field Trial Lines are increasingly common in the gundog world, with many AV clubs running them at both Open and Novice level. Held in the second half of the Working Test season, they help handlers to judge their dogs preparedness for field trialing.
On the 20th September 2026 the Flatcoated Retriever Society and the Southern Flatcoated Retriever Club jointly held a Competitive Training Day, Walked Up on Field Trial Lines at Covers Farm, Westerham, by kind permission of the Squerrys Estate. We had a card of 10 dogs – six Flatcoats, two golden retrievers and two Irish Water Spaniels. Once again I am most grateful to my counterpart Jacquie Thomas from the SFRC whose support and enthusiasm made this day possible.
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.
John Tague, David Peers, Gill Borman and Dick Pettet did a superb job, firing and throwing dummies for us all day. Jacquie Thomas and Chrissie Tague were “game” carriers while I acted as dog steward, making sure the right dogs were in the right place at the right time and ensuring a steady flow of dogs to each judge. As ever the Society and the Southern Flatcoated Retriever Club are deeply indebted to all our helpers. We simply could not run days like these without them. Thank you!
Weather wise the day was fine and bright with a light, gusting wind; ideal conditions for the dogs. The ground was a stubble field with clover growing through the stubble. The field is gently undulating, so that often dummies landed just over the horizon, out of the dogs’ and handlers’ sight. Good use was also made of adjacent hedgerows and woodland.
In the morning each dog had five retrieves, two in the first round under one judge, one in the second round under the other judge and two in the third round, under either judge. No dog was put out but handlers were told when points of merit were noted or where they might have lost marks. 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. We commenced the afternoon with all dogs in line for a mini drive, during which dummies fell as blinds in woodland adjacent to the field and as memory marks in a corner of the field. All dogs were steady through the drive, following which dogs were taken into line for a walk up, leaving the dummies from the drive to be picked later.
Four dogs were taken through to the third round, after which after which the judges conferred and declared the trial over.
The results were as follows:
1st, Judges Choice and the Larksburn Salver – Helen Cobby and Waverton Ice And Fire (FCR)
2nd – Katie Aldred and Bakerstreet Charlie (FCR)
3rd – Liz Pope and Chilzer Crosby (GR)
COM – Judy Hempstead and Scrumpy Dabinett At Cuvana (IWS)
Many congratulations to all in the awards and many thanks to our judges Kelvin and Mandy. The day had a great atmosphere with participants reflecting that they had had a lovely day in like minded company and learned a good deal, both about field trials and about their partnership with their own dog, which at the end of the day is what it’s all about!
