VALE OF YORK WORKING RETRIEVER CLUB (KC 2263)
Open Gundog Working Test A/V Retriever held on Sunday,
7 August 2022 at Hackness, Scarborough
By kind permission of the Biker Group and Matt Oram (Head Keeper)
The Club was very excited to be offered this magnificent new ground at Hackness, a little gem of a location to the eastern edge of the North York Moors National Park affording glorious views with a varied and testing ground for us to hold our Open Gundog Working Test on Sunday, 7 August 2022.
Our judges for the day were Sinead Wilkinson, Keith Eastwood, Paul Hasney and Andy Curtis.
A warm welcome from a flock of the local woolly backs greeted us, but they were soon moved on and we set up “camp” for the day whilst Teresa took our judges on a tour round the ground – this did take a while longer than usual due to the sheer volume of the area offered.
The Judges devised some challenging tests and the day kicked off with 4 statics. Whilst the tests caught a few dogs and handlers out, most Competitors succeeded in all.
Following a break for lunch in the North Yorkshire sunshine, the judges decided on a cut-off and the highest scoring 12 dogs went on to a mini walk up on fresh ground. This resulted in a run-off for 2nd and 3rd places.
It was an incredibly close run but the 2nd placed dog won it by a whisker. Congratulations for all those in the awards, they were as follows:
1st: Kenaiteen Marvel handled by David Houghton
2nd: Salemasky Ebor of Brackenfarg handled by Margaret Pearce
3rd: Byland Bonnie handled by Sheila Tait
4th: Tarnedge Condure handled by Claire Carvis
COM: Ashport Brody handled by Christine Spalding
All in all I don’t think our inaugural day at Hackness could have gone any better. All involved appeared to have had a thoroughly enjoyable day.
Obviously, the day could not have gone ahead without the help and support we continuously receive from the Committee and its Members who give up their time to assist on the day. The dummy throwers were – as ever - consistently marvellous ….I aspire to one day being able to throw a dummy with the pin point accuracy of Mr White!
Whilst our Host and Head Keeper could not be there in person we would just like to extend our enormous thanks to the Biker Group and Matt Oram for permitting us to run this new Open Working Test on their ground.
To the judges – Sinead, Keith, Paul and Andy – thank you for giving your time so generously yesterday – it is greatly appreciated and we hope you enjoyed the day.
Thanks to Skinners Pet Foods Ltd for the continued support and sponsorship of the day.
We sincerely hope that everyone who attended Hackness enjoyed themselves and hope to see you again next year – don’t forget to tell those who didn’t attend what a treat they missed!
On a personal note, I would just like to thank all those who ensured my safety on the day in remaining upright and on two feet. I didn’t want to miss the day and am so pleased I didn’t.
Well as they say “…….that’s all folks” as far as our Working Tests go for the 2022 season. It’s been great and we look forward to seeing you all next year.
Lucy Eggleston
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