AV Novice Retriever Test

On Saturday 25th April we held our AV Novice Retriever Working Test.

A fabulous new ground. Big thanks go to the land owner Mr Richard Simpson. Feedback from the competitors was extremely positive. Thank you also to our sponsors for the day Gamekeepers Goods, providing vouchers for our 1st-3rd placings and gifts for our helpers.

Our judges on the day were Helen Goodwin (A), Peter Castleman (B), Jos Evans and Adrian Mooodie. They set four tests, allowing for steadiness, water, long mark and blinds.

Thank you judges - the tests ran smoothly and gave the dogs the opportunity work and made the handlers concentrate

Test 1: Two blinds at an angle. The judge, Peter Castleman, stated which blind he wished first. Dogs could be seen by the handlers, who had to ensure that if their dog went off line – to get in quick or the wrong dummy might be retrieved. There was a little bunker on the way to the blinds, just to help with the lining.

Test 2: Long mark. The Judge (Jos Evans) had a little fun with a rogue squirrel that kept coming back to distract the dogs. Some dogs coped with the squirrel better than others.

Test 3: 2-dog walk-up judged by Adrian Moodie. The dogs had a retrieve from their own side each followed by a cross over retrieve, from the other side.

Test 4: A mark on the other side of the pond. The judge Helen Goodwin had a good day and the dogs had the opportunity to shine.

We also had, as always, lots of fabulous, willing and happy helpers.

Thank you to: Alice Perry, Ben Avery, Danielle McMahon, Emma Miller, Jane Manley, Kelvin Selway, Mark Parsons, Michael Ransom, Paul Urquart, Sue Lewis.

I hope you all enjoyed your game keeper goods gifts and the Haribos.

Results

1st place: Jester Dabinett Diinham, handled by Ken Spratling

2nd place: Bellesbank Monkey Puzzle, handled by Michelle Cox

3rd place: Idawood Twig, handled by Nicholas Howse

4th place: Downfarm Martine, handled by Moira Robertson

CoM: Fawley Francesca, handled by Howard Feltham

Linda Newnes - Retriever Working Test Secretary WWGS