Successful United Retriever Open Test

The United Retriever Club (North Midland Area) held an Open Working Test for Any Variety Retriever on Sunday 9th May 2010 at Shirebrook Country Park, by kind permission of Nottinghamshire County Council and Forest Enterprise.

Twenty eight dogs were entered for the day, sponsored by performance dog food experts, Alpha Feeds, including Labradors, Golden Retrievers and Flatcoats

The weather was cloudy and bright, quite cool for May. The judges were Godfrey Lowe, Janet Allsop and Cliff Higham. The reclaimed colliery spoil heap is now attractively landscaped with young forestry plantations and ponds.

In the morning Cliff judged a double retrieve, consisting of a blind diagonally across a reed-fringed pond, followed by a remembered mark over a wire fence into conifers. Meanwhile Godfrey and Janet judged a walk-up with four dogs in line, testing heeling and steadiness as the dogs took turns for marked retrieves firstly forward, and then crossing to the far side.

After lunch there were three double retrieves. Janet judged two long marks in a broad grassy area, the nearer one to be picked first. Cliff judged two blind retrieves, the first in young conifers, and the second a simulated runner down a long ride through the trees. Godfrey’s test involved a mark followed by a blind, with ditches and a wire fence to be crossed. With only 11 dogs completing all the retrieves this gave a clear result.

At the conclusion the Forest Ranger Steve Lawson presented the cups and trophies, and prizes generously sponsored by Alpha Feeds, the food of champions.

Results:

1st Ann Blake’s Labrador bitch Kinderton Black Pepper

2nd JA & PE Illingworth’s Golden bitch Leerambler Diamond Star

3rd Russell Hodgen’s Labrador bitch Lowforge Amelia of Russjancoe

4th Carol Greaves’ Labrador dog Craighorn Tully of Dragonswell

Certificates of Merit: Graham Jones’ Labrador bitch Delfleet Countess at Penhamquest, Mr Geoff Dobb’s Labrador dog Swaine Silicea of Woodcockhill,

Pebbletoft Trophy for Water Retrieve: Mr Malcolm Peacock’s Labrador dog Millcottage Diamond.

Judges and prize winners.



Report by Phil Wagland (Hon.Sec)