Worcestershire Gundog Society

H.P.R. Novice AV Field Trial - 6th of October 2017

Venue    Wappenshall Shoot, Telford. By kind permission of Jonathan Crow

Judges  
Eddie Hales (A2184)

Ray Davies (B2956)

FIELD TRIAL REPORT STAKE 1

Ground: Root crops Game Cover.Hedgerows.Stubble/Grass Fields.Dry Grass covered Ditches.
Weather: Slightly damp to start but as day progressed became quite warm.
Scenting Conditions remained good all the day.

1st QUESTOR LLEWELYN [GLP] [H] Dr. Lindsey Whitley

First run started on stubble/grass field interspersed with round rolled corn bales, covering ground with nice pace/style along whole line of guns, with quiet handler who achieved to get dog in right location to make the most of the wind direction to utilise the scenting condition, as dog remained responsive to handler all the time of run, making good around all the rolled bales of any game.

Coming to end of the field with a facing hedgerow, indicated presence of game, remaining steady so coming onto firm point, when guns in position was asked by handler to produce game, whereby 5 partridges rose in two flights, one of the second flight being shot, a runner landing over hedgerow on right, dog remained steady, so sent for retrieve being a strong runner, which it located and brought tenderly to hand,slight damage so informed that another bird will be seen on next run, so picked up.

Second Run started in lower section of root cover crop, showing again nice dog work over the ground and along the gun line, while on left nearing hedgerow line indicated presence of game,immediately coming onto a firm point when flushing presented a number of partridges at different and difficult angles for the guns, but one was shot by the right flanking gun, falling out in the stubble/grass field, dog remained steady to shot. Dog sent for the retrieve which needed a little more handler control to get to fall of partridge, which was brought nicely to hand.

Continued the run along hedgerow between root crops and adjacent stubble field,working steadily indicated strongly presence game, whereby one broke to the left other side of hedgerow,that was shot by left flanking gun, so dog brought through to execute a 35 yard blind retrieve back to hand after initial help from handler. Asked to continue along this hedge when getting to last 50 yards, came on firm point on some thick millet game cover out on the right, when asked to flush, produced a number of partridges, one being shot in the cover, dog remained steady. When asked to retrieve it worked the fall area and found so bringing to hand tenderly the bird, so picked up

Water retrieve was Good. A very rewarding ‘Partnership’ seen by the judges today so well deserved award.

4th TOURNESOL INDULGENCE [BRIT] Mr. John Cotterell. (Also Gun’s Award)

First run started in root cover crop showing steady pace with input from handler to cover the ground and gun line, so while coming from the right side pointed on some root cover whereby a single partridge rose on the left by hedgerow line, which was shot by that flanking gun, dog was steady to shot. On command the dog was sent to fall for the retrieve which was to be a strong runner, so the dog travelled down the field side. When asked by judges to call back, the handler had no response to recall back to fall by handler, so one judge with handler and gun went forward in case found on point, which it was , so number of partridges rose none being shot, So handler recalling dog back to line and being picked up.

Second run started again in another root cover crop field showing, more pace and style and along the gun line, half-way into run came on firm point, producing on command a single partridge that was shot by centre gun, dog remained steady. Dog sent for retrieve which was brought tenderly to hand, so picked up. Water retrieve Good

OVERALL VIEW:

The judges saw nice dog work during the trial in some, alas being let down by handler errors, even basic expectations in effective use of wind directions to harness the good scenting conditions, by allowing too much freedom. While other handlers not effecting steadiness and good retrieving skills, but feel with positive future outcomes of handling skills will show rewards to come in the future.

Many thanks to our host Mr Johnathan Crow and Wrekin Sport, allowing us to use his shoot, alongside his very supportive keeper who kept us in the game all through the day efficiently with humour. Our guns who all shot well putting down many challenging retrieves, plus our chief steward/field trail secretary Mr Lloyd Birch in a very effective manner keeping up supply with dogs when needed. But not least to my fellow senior judge Mr.Eddie Hales, for his support,experience, observations and firmness in the expectations which I very much appreciated, and hope we do share another day in the future.

Ray Davies, HPR ‘B’ Panel Judge..