SUCCESSFUL NORTH MIDLAND AREA PUPPY AND NOVICE TESTS

The North Midland Area of the United Retriever Club held a Puppy and Novice Test on 6th July 2008 at Welbeck, Nottinghamshire by kind permission of Lady Anne Bentinck.

The Puppy tests were held in morning, which was dampened by the cloud and drizzle. This year there were only eight puppies competing, comprising of six Labradors and two Flatcoated Retrievers.

The parkland was used for tests emphasising basic obedience and retrieving. One exercise was heeling with a send back for a retrieve. Nearby handlers had to heel their dogs and negotiate a gate, then send for a marked retrieve.

Next was a marked retrieve from the lake, followed by a blind along a path through a wood. The competition was tough but Russell Hodgen’s Labrador bitch, Lowforge Amelia of Russjancoe came out on top of the Puppy section.

The Novice Tests in the afternoon were held in a mixture of sunshine and showers. With 36 runners they comprised of three Flatcoated Retrievers, seven Golden Retrievers and an astounding 26 Labradors.

The judges were Margaret Rowson and Anna Wagland, plus Phil Wagland for the Novices. Each judge assessed the dogs for two retrieves. Phil Wagland judged a walk up with three dogs in line, each dog getting a forward mark and a longer mark on undulating grassland.

Anna Wagland sent the dogs for a blind uphill in long grass. As the dogs returned a shot saluted a mark over a wooden fence, next to a gate.

Meanwhile Margaret Rowson judged a long mark on the lake, which was followed by a blind retrieve from deciduous woodland.

Nine dogs did well enough to earn awards, with three breeds sharing the honours. Malcolm Peacock’s Labrador dog, Millcottage Diamond took first place in the Novice section.

The event was sponsored by Alpha Feeds and each of the winners received rosettes and trophies along with prizes from Alpha Feeds.


Puppy Results:
1. Russell Hodgen’s Labrador bitch LOWFORGE AMELIA OF RUSSJANCOE
2. Dawsons’ Labrador bitch DUGGONHOLME FARA OF MARQUEST (Handler Mark Dawson)
3. Hewisons’ Flatcoated Retriever bitch CASBLAIDD LITTLE LINNET (Handler Chris Hewison)
4. Neil Stanley’s Labrador dog THUNDERLANDS ELIJAH (Best Young Puppy)

Novice Results:
1. Malcolm Peacock’s Labrador dog MILLCOTTAGE DIAMOND
2. C.Turner’s Labrador bitch BRYN BONNIE BERTHA (Handler Bryony Bleackley) (Novice Handler shield)
3. A.Whelan’s Labrador bitch LOWFORGE AURORA (handler Jane Whelan)
4. Anne Austin’s Labrador bitch SOLGATE GINNY OF MORSKYE
Certificates of Merit: Cyril Turner’s Labrador dog GOLDEN BRY,
Kitson & Barrett’s Labrador dog BOLTON DANNY (Handler Sharon Kitson),
Crookes’ Golden Retriever bitch MOSCARGRANGE BRISK (Handler Anne Crookes),
Pat White’s Labrador bitch OAKWOOD PARK OF PATHRITE
Cherry Wood’s Flatcoated Retriever bitch CUMBERWOOD CLOVER