AV Spaniel Novice and Open Working Test Spring 2026

We held our first AV Spaniel working tests of the year on Saturday the 9th of May at the prestigious Druids Lodge, by very kind permission of the Guinness family.

I’d like to first start by saying a huge, huge thank you to helpers Damien, Tim, Paul and Emma who walked miles all day throwing and placing dummies, and especially as the temperature really ramped up in the afternoon. Thank you for being such troopers!

To Rachel, top class Steward! Thank you for keeping the gallery in perfect order!

Howard, Mandy and Becky, thank you for taking charge of sign in, flogging raffle tickets and generally ensuring everything ran smoothly. Thank you also Mandy for helping with the scores.

And Alice, for taking the time to pop in and provide much valued moral support even though you still weren’t feeling 100% Thank you!

Our lovely judges, David Templar and Neil Varney. Thank you for giving up your time to support the club. Mr Templar, I appreciate it was a long day for you, so thank you.

We started in the morning with our Novice test.

With 12 dogs running on the day following 4 late withdrawals, the judges set a simple trial scenario test. Hunting in pairs, a shot fired followed by a seen retrieve. A further hunt followed by a blind retrieve, returning to the gallery to await their second run under the opposite judge.

The test ground, grassy water meadows with the occasional live game thrown in! Certainly proved interesting hunting for the spaniels.

Weather conditions proved tricky, very little wind and growing warmer by the hour.

But all 12 competitors completed the test and I am pleased to announce the results as per the following:

1st Lanes Gould with ESS Darklass Achilles for Heatherbound

2nd Cheryl Dunning with ESS Stillcuran Erik

3rd Perc Fleet with Beesfit’s Brown Argus of Farleymount

COM Steve Phillips with Beesfit’s Woodcock

We then moved on to the Open test. We had a very encouraging total of 18 dogs entered! We ran 16 dogs on the day after 2 late withdrawals.

The test ran in the same format as the Novice but with an adjustment to the length of the retrieves and the blind saw competitors crossing behind the opposite judge on the diagonal.

Weather conditions proved particularly challenging by the afternoon, very warm and very little wind.

Luckily the gallery found relief in the shade by the stream and the dogs could enjoy a cool off in the water.

The results for the Open were:

Firstly, the club awarded its first Young Handler award. With absolute sheer gumption, our youngest handler of 12 years old held her own amongst peers of a much older contingent.

Congratulations to Seren Taylor with ESS Bizzy’s Babe!

1st Howard Feltham with ESS Penwills Fawn

2nd Joseph Hooper with ESS Shiveck Melchior of Stillcuran

3rd Martyn Bell with ESS Sliabh Bonnie

4th John Bartlett with ESS Craigscourt Jupiter

COM Robert Johnson with WCS Kenzduo Charcoal Sketch

A very big thank you as always to our generous sponsors Skinners Dog Foods and PawsBrooklyn Gundog Supplies.

Congratulations to all in the awards and thank you to all competitors for entering and supporting the event.

Ruth Phillips - Spaniel Working Test Secretary WWGS