HOPE VALLEY SHOW GUNDOG EVENT 2009

Once again the Hope Valley Show in Derbyshire, was the scene for a Gundog working Test organized by the United Retriever Club (North Midland Area).

The Agricultural Show takes place on August Bank Holiday Monday in the Peak district. The Inter-Breed Team Test is a demonstration of retriever work between different breeds, with 2 Novice dogs and 2 Open dogs in each team.

A very close competition attracted a good crowd throughout the day, the spectators appreciating the chance to see the different styles of work of the various breeds.

The Judges were Allan and Pam Illingworth from Charlesworth. The commentary by Anne Crookes and Janet Allsop provided information about the handlers and their dogs, and relayed the scores for the interest of the crowd.

The event was kindly sponsored by Alpha Feeds. Each team came into the arena as a foursome, facing a variety of marked and blind retrieves, with harder retrieves for the Open dogs. After four tests, including a walk-up, the teams faced a final drive with a pick-up. After this the Golden Retriever team won by the narrow margin of 2 marks. The Chocolate Labradors and the Yellow Labradors ran off for 2nd and 3 place.

The Golden Retriever team consisted of Anne and Steve Crookes, David Perry, and Alan Richardson. Alan’s dog Charordcot Cosmo Bishop was the top Open dog, and the Novice Tankard was awarded to Polly Gibbs’ Chocolate Labrador Sadie Spangles.

1st: Golden Retrievers 186, 2nd Chocolate Labradors 184, 3rd Yellow Labradors 184, 4th Black Flatcoated Retrievers 177, 5th Chesapeake Bay Retrievers 169, 6th Liver Flatcoated Retrievers 144, 7th Black Labradors 132.

Top Open dog: Alan Richarardson’s Golden Retriever Charordcot Bishops Cosmo

Top Novice: Polly Gibbs’ Chocolate Labrador Sadie Spangles

Winning Team of Golden Retrievers:
Anne Crookes : Moscargrange Brisk
Steve Crookes : Moscargrange Blade
David Perry : Haymaker Ale
Alan Richardson : Charordcot Bishops Cosmo