Once again the Midland Area Working Test on 6th April 2024 was held at Byrds Retreat, Harvington, Worcestershire by kind permission Bob and Sonia Byrd, organised by Rachel Birch and generously sponsored by Skinners Pet Food Ltd. The judges were Laura Marsh, Dawn Scott, Lucy Mixture and Jane Gould. Although extremely wet underfoot for the competitors the conditions were perfect for the dogs. The NDNH and Novice tests were run in the morning over the same ground but with some shorter distances for the NDNH. There were 2 NDNH competing and after two withdrawals 11 Novices. The 4 tests compiled…
Working News
FCRS Working Flatcoated Retriever Development Programme.
Are you a Novice Handler or perhaps you have a young flatcoat in training for gundog work? If so the FCRS has a new training initiative for you. The FCRS Working Flatcoated Retriever Development Programme (Level 1) is a two day training programme suitable for novice (or more experienced handlers) with young or novice Flatcoats, who wish to improve their partnership with their dog and to gain experience in control, obedience, hunting and retrieving. The training will be delivered by a number of trainers at different venues around the country, corresponding roughly to the FCRS Working Test Areas. Each training…
Training with Graham Home, Ripplecourt Gundogs
Training with Graham Home, Ripplecourt Gundogs, on his fabulous ground near Newtown, Powys (approx post code SY164AY). Five sessions, limited to 6 handlers, for good novice/open standard dogs. The sessions will be progressive, so ideally participants will book the whole course. There is ample time between sessions to do “homework”. Dates are (all Saturdays): 13th April 11th May 8th June 3rd August 24th August Cost £65 per day, so £325 for the course. Preference will be given to those attending all 5 days, but if you already know you cannot attend a session please let me know as this would not…
Novice Field Trial 18/12/23 Urgent Update.
Novice FT, Mon 18th Dec to be held Bretby, Burton on Trent has changed status to that of a Mock Trial open to handlers/dogs needing experience and encouragement to run in a Trial. It will be run as a Trial under experienced Judges who will help and advise. A great opportunity to try Trialling. Please contact Jane Manley for further information….
FCRS Open FT Report
The Flatcoated Retriever Society held its 180th Breed Only Open Trial on Monday 13th November 2023 on The AmptonEstate near Bury St Edmund by kind permission of Mr Peter Rushbrook and the Head Keeper Mr Alan Hammond. Our Judges for the day were Mr P Garton, Mr P Allen, Mr R Beckerleg and Mr G Stanley who kindly stood in at the last minute for Mr P Askew who had been admitted to hospital that morning. A card of ten dogs including two from Sweden began walking up in mustard over sown in regrowth stubble with a very strong following wind. The game, partridge and pheasant came readily but proved testing shots on the wind. A combination of conditions,…
Shooting Dog Certificate 28/10/23
Our congratulations go to Rochelle and Kelly who gained their Shooting Dog Certificate ‘A’ passes last weekend – on 28th October 2023 at Wheatley Grange Farm, Nr. Retford, Notts. Judges: Mr Steve Crookes (A1853) and Mr Andy Sweeney (NP). Miss Kelly Holland with Woodfinch Highland Fairy at Flatcharm = (Patsy). FCR B. 02/04/2019. (Sh. Ch. Brightmoor Caught in the Act at Flatcharm x Ch. Woodfinch Hydra JW.) Breeder: D & R Bellamy. Handled by Miss Kelly Holland Mr Glyn and Mrs Rochelle Richards Hopevalley Morning River through Kimberfield – (Doris). FCR B 30/07/2019. (Sh. Ch. Blacktoft American Smooth at Braemist…
FCRS Live Game Training Day Report
The FCRS held its first Live Game Training Day of the season on 14/9/23 at Sutton near Woodbridge, hosted by the keeper Richard Beckerleg. The day was walked up on partridge through a variety of crops including beet. The weather was warm and sunny with a light breeze. The scenting conditions were variable and some dogs at times had to persevere to get their retrieves. In doing so gaining a lot of valuable experience when they did achieve. There was ample game and the guns shot well providing the dogs with plenty of retrieves. The line was managed by Richard…
FCRS Inter Area Team Challenge Revised Scores
Please be advised that due to an unfortunate error in computing the scores at the above whereby the lowest scoring member of the teams scores were discounted as opposed to the lowest score from each team on each test, the results are as follow: 1st South West 2nd Central 3rd Eastern 4th NEFRA The individual placings remain. The correct place cards will be sent out in due course. Please accept my apologies for any distress or inconvenience caused and I thank everyone for their support of the event. Kind Regards, Jane FT Sec…
Update on Field Trials/Working Tests/SDC/SGWC/Inter-Area Team Challenge and training days
The Field Trial Sub Committee has met 3 times since February to organise the 2023 timetable. The “Forthcoming Working Events Diary” page has been updated to reflect this timetable. We would like to encourage all owners to participate in the programme of events either as a competitor or just coming along to help, watch and learn. If you would like to discuss any aspects of Gundog training please contact your Area Gundog Working Test and Training Organiser https://wordpress-1004805-4123449.cloudwaysapps.com/gundog-working-test-training-contacts/ or the Hon. Field Trial Secretary Jane Manley. …
Show Gundog Working Certificate Results – 14/11/22
The Eastern Counties Golden Retriever Club hosted a Show Gundog Working Certificate today with 5 dogs gaining their awards, 3 of which have now become full champions, subject to KC confirmation. Congratulations to Gemma Jacobs with Ch Moonstruck Macadamia SGWC and her daughter Ch Gemswin Dressed For Success SGWC. Helen Fox with Ch Blacktoft Dancing The Blues SGWC. Jenny Campbell with Ronevorg Whispering Angel SGWC and Rochelle Richards with Hopevalley Morning River Through Kamberfield SGWC. Congratulations to all and thank you Gemma for the photos….
Breed Only Open & Novice Field Trials – Monday 14th November 2022 & Wednesday 23rd November 2022
Monday 14th November 2022 FCRS (breed only) Open field Trial. To be held at Ampton Estate, Suffolk, by kind permission of Mr P Rushbrook and keeper Mr A Hammond. Judges Mr R Tomlinson (A1962) Mrs G Hillier(A2280) Mr D Barnes(B2197) Mr M Polley(B3220) Wednesday 23rd November 2022 FCRS (breed only) Novice field Trial. To be held at Avon Tyrrell Estate, Christchurch, Dorset by kind permission of The Lord and Lady Manners. Judges Mr N Coates(A2223)Mr D England(B2946)Mrs J Gardener(NP3668)Mrs J Mann(NP3433) Please find below schedule for both Trials as well as entry form and Rules and Regulations. FCRS FT Schedule FCRS FT_Entry_Form…
Live Game Training Subsidy 2022
The General Committee have agreed that the subsidy available for members to claim towards the cost of live game training days should be increased from £40 to £50 per day this year. This can be claimed up to twice in one year by members towards any live game training on production of a receipt. A claim form can be obtained from the Treasurer Heather Harley, email [email protected]. This initiative was introduced to encourage members to train their Flatcoats on live game, in order to progress to trialling their dogs. Anyone wishing to undertake live game training and who would like more…
Back to Basics training with Phil Bruton 23rd/24th July review
A relaxed and enjoyable two day Gundog Training was held with Phil Bruton on 23/24th July. This two day training event was aimed at Novice/Open dog ability. Both days started off in a lovely relaxed social way with tea and sausage sandwiches to allow Phil to brief everyone on the objectives of the day prior to the training starting. With a mixture of abilities the training was tailored to suit everyone’s needs, with clear advice and encouragement ensuring that all participants achieved their goal. A variety of different working scenarios were practiced building the confidence of each dog and handler….
Back to Basics with Phil Bruton 25th/26th June review.
Last weekend (25/26 June) the FCRS put on Back to Basics with Phil Bruton . Everything was set up so the dogs of different stages of their training succeeded. The first day exercises were to get dogs to know the ground more and different areas so that they could be tested further the next day. It was a very relaxed atmosphere with plenty of laughs. All the dogs showed improvement on the second day. Phil explained how the exercises would be marked in an AV field trial and a working test and had us scoring each others attempts. Jane Calverley…
BACK TO BASICS INTRODUCTION
What are the four corners of training and why are they important? Find out on the Back to Basics with Phil Bruton on 26th March 2022. Suitable for new handlers, young dogs, and old hands who need a refresher. This day is more about training the handler than training the dog. Limited to 6 handlers and dogs. Cost is £60 and the venue is Badsey, near Evesham, Worcestershire. Contact Heather Harley to reserve your place [email protected] Apologies for short notice but other factors in my life have taken precedence. If all spots are not filled by Sunday 13th March, the day will be cancelled….
Field Trials 2022 update
Monday 14th November 2022 FCRS (breed only) Open field Trial, venue Ampton Estate, judges tbc Novice Field Trial, venue Avon Tyrrell Estate, November/ December, date and judges tbc…
Introduction to Field Trials
Please see link below for further information: https://www.flatcoated-retriever-society.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Field-Trial-training-Days-for-new-handlers-version-3-2022.pdf…
Working Results Booklet 2021/22
“As in previous years, I would like to compile a booklet with working results from the 2021/22 season. Please complete the form in the link below and either email to myself or print and post to reach me by 7th February.” Helen Ford FT Sec…
FCRS Open Field Trial 13th Dec 2021
The Flatcoated Retriever Society held their Open (Breed only) Field Trial at Ampton, Bury St Edmunds on Monday 13th December 2021 by kind permission of the Turner Family, Mr Peter Rushbrook and Alan Hammond. Judges were Mr Phil Allen (A3), Mr Jim Gale (A44) , Mr Richard Beckerleg (A2812) and Mr Craig Horwill (B2589). Many thanks to Andy and Jenny Campbell for providing the guns who shot well and kept the trial moving, Skinners Field & Trial for their sponsorship.. Thank you to David Garman and Andrew Wilson for presenting the birds for the guns. Andrew Wilson was the society’s…
Society Field Trials 2021
The Society have two Field Trials in place for the 2021 season, an All-Aged on 16th October, closing date of entries Friday 1st October and the Open on Monday 13th December, closing date of entries Friday 26th November….
Gundog Training Back to Basics Development Programme
Claire Leavy, one of the participants in the Society’s gundog training initiative, the ‘Back to Basics Development Programme’, has sent this report and photographs from a recent training day, it is lovely to hear such positive feedback, thank you….
Introduction to Field Trials Training Day
The FCRS held the first “Introduction to Field Trials” in Somerset by kind permission of Dr Tim Woodgate-Jones on 13th June. I hope all who attended have a little more insight into how a walked up trial and a driven trial operate. It was very hot for the dogs, they mostly coped with the heat with the walk up in the morning and drive after a break for lunch. Thank you to Ft Sub members Steve Ashby and Sheila Neary for acting as judges and trainers and of course our guns(dummy throwers) and trainee stewards to compliment the day. See…
Shooting Dog Certificate 2021
Date for your diary (book your days off work or from picking up!): SDC We have a date booked for a Shooting Dog Certificate at Avon Tyrrell, Dorset on Saturday 11th December 2021 If you are interested in entering your dog for the Shooting Dog Certificate please contact the FT Sec and complete and post the SDC form which can be viewed here. Further information and guidance regarding the Shooting Dog Certificate can be found here: https://wordpress-1004805-4123449.cloudwaysapps.com/images/2018/working/sdc2018.pdf Helen Ford FT Sec…