4th January 2024 – Hampshire Gundog Society held a Novice Trial at Manor Farm Wotton nr Dorking by kind permission of the landowner Matthew Lawrence. We were very lucky to be able to join a day’s shooting with Deerleap Syndicate.

We were made very welcome by the shoot who kindly provided two pickers up – Bonnie and Sue many thanks for their help. Thank you also to Sophie and Julia who were down as game carriers but who both ended up multi-tasking as two competitors withdrew because of illness and two helpers stepped in and ran their dogs.

Some excellent and cheerful judging from our four judges Colin Pelham, Alistair House, Alan Buckland and John Stubbs so huge thanks to them for giving up their time.

A special thank you to the guns who shot superbly. Everyone commented on how well they shot and they provided plenty of birds.

We managed to finish just as the rain crept in but for the most, we had a fine day.  The trial edged into a fourth round with some challenging retrieves across a field and over a ditch into the next field.

No first place awarded but a 2nd place was awarded to Joy Venturi Rose with her bitch Leospring Tiffin and 3rd place to David Thomas handling Mike Forbes’ bitch Glassgreen Skye of Omachie. Well done both of you.

Special thanks to our FTS Paula Graystone for all her efforts in organising the day.