We held our Open Field Trial on Monday 27th January at the Great Durnford Estate near Salisbury by kind permission of the Landowner, the Estate Manager Matt Gentle and the Head Keeper Tom Paul.
Despite the grim weather I am delighted to say that everyone managed to get to the venue and we started promptly. The ground was a mixture of stubble fields, woodland and grassy valleys and the Guns shot very well despite the birds being turbo charged by the wind. By the end of the day we had 4 dogs left, which the Judges stretched by some long retrieves along a valley and then Trial Over was declared, with some very cold people retiring to the Beaters Room.
My gratitude goes to Matt Gentle and Tom Paul for being fantastic hosts and providing the Picker Up, Judy Venables, for B & B, moral support and being Dog Steward, Barry Taylor, who stayed to help mark, and Howard Feltham and his team of excellent guns, not forgetting the sterling band of helpers - Stewards Fen and Emma, the Markers, Penny, Harriet and Henry, the Game Carriers Mike and Jos and Nikki who coordinated the prizes - without whom the trial wouldn’t happen.
Our Judges were Mr Robert Atkinson, Mr Nick Coates, Mr Robert Worrall and Mr Nigel Probert, whose combined experience and attitude promoted a friendly atmosphere.
I would like to express my deepest thanks to everyone involved who made my first Open Trial a successful day, and the awards presented were well deserved.
1st Blackgrass Dougal Leigh Jackson LAB D (Making his dog up to a Field trial Champion (subject to KC verification)
2nd Tempurong Thrill Of It All Vanessa King LAB B
3rd Diglake Dupravnik Dawn Scott LAB B
COM FtCh Skovagers Six Mile Woodcock Louise Munchaus Adsboel LAB B
Guns Choice FtCh Skovagers Sixmile Woodcock Louise Munchaus Adsboel
Keepers Choice Tempurong Thrill Of It All.
We would also like to thank Gamekeepers Goods and Skinners Dog Food for their continued support, which is gratefully received. Jackie Davis - acting Retriever FT Secretary, January 2025