VALE OF YORK WORKING RETRIEVER CLUB (KC 2263)
PUPPY, NOVICE & OPEN GUNDOG WORKING TEST FOR A/V RETRIEVER
SUNDAY, 25 JUNE 2023 AT MANOR FARM, GREAT KELK, NR DRIFFIELD
By kind permission of the Middlewood Family
On Sunday, 25 June 2023 the VYWRC held their Puppy, Novice & Open Tests at Manor Farm, Great Kelk, near Driffield by the very kind permission of the Middlewood Family.
The magnificent ground along Kelk Beck offered a fabulous array of water, rough grass, and sown crops which lent itself to a variety of tests which were all set up by our wonderful judges that included Godrey Lowe (A2696), Stephanie Smith (NP), David Houghton (NP) and Claire Carvis (NP). The four tests devised proved quite tough, challenging dogs and handlers to the max. The day began with the Puppies and the Novice dogs following on straight after. Both Puppy and Novice Tests ended with run offs for all places…the Novice dogs having to have further run off as the judges just couldn’t split the top two dogs following first run off.
Massive congratulations to all those in awards which were as follows:
PUPPY:
1st Tideflow Endless Love handled by Steve Townsend
2nd Cardueae Hazel handled by Rebecca Thistle
3rd Maplecrest Resolute handled by Charlotte Brown
4th Newwood Rosefinch handled by Sol Pullen
NOVICE
1st Fosterwold Esme handled by Sandra Ellis
2nd Liverycroft Billie Jo handled by Sheila Tait
3rd Willsocra Yowaka handled by Josh Wright
4th Mekoro Pot Luck handled by Jane Pilling
Following a swift break for lunch we got on with the Open dogs. Four demanding tests that questioned dogs and handlers alike and after a count-up of the scores we finished, again, with another two run-offs for 2nd/ 3rd place and 4th/ COM place. By this time the forecasted storm clouds were closing fast……
Well-deserved congratulations to all those in the awards:
OPEN:
1st Gunnerspeg Artemus handled by Mollie Lord
2nd Cuckavalda Black Bean handled by Sandra Ellis
3rd Maplecrest Nero handled by Charlotte Brown
4th Hazeloaks Goose handled by Brian Dodsworth
COM Tideflow Willow handled by Steve Townsend
As always we would just like to say a massive, great big thank you to all those who helped throwing or placing dummies and stewarding – it’s getting harder and harder to source help and we always seem to end up with the same gorgeous people helping us out – the success of our working tests are only maintainable with the support and help we are afforded by you all. Offers of help on the day were so welcome.
The Judges were just marvellous and huge thanks to them for their time and imagination in devising the tests.
To our Hosts – the Middlewood family – especially Teresa and Andrew who put in so much time and effort over the preceding week in cutting, topping & strimming areas and making ready the ground. THANK YOU!
Thanks to our Sponsors not only Skinners Pet Foods and GundogTV but also The Village Bar, Cawood Training Ground and Carr Game.
All in all, considering the amazing number of entries in all three tests, I think we managed to pull off a pretty good day in what was searing heat – Kelk Beck was getting more enticing with every dog I watched get a dip! We just managed to make the awards to the Open dogs before – as promised by the forecast – the heavens opened – and boy did they open!!!
I truly hope that all who attended yesterday enjoyed their day. A lovely day in fab company with our four-legged friends.
I just have one more thank you and that is to Simon Harvey and his dog for rescuing our gazebo that tried to make a dash for it and landed in a tree by the Beck! Well held that man!!
Also, is anyone missing a shooting stick - if so, I have it awaiting its owner.
Looking forward to welcoming you all to our final test of this season at Hackness on Sunday, 6 August 2023 for Novice and Open dogs.
All help gratefully received!!.
Thanks again
Lucy Eggleston
Working Test Secretary
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