An Open Stake for all HPR breeds. Held at Grange Farm, Upper Helmsley, North Yorkshire. By kind permission of Mr. Sean Chamberlin

Weather Conditions

A dry day, with temperatures slowly warming to 13 degrees. Wind conditions were light and consistent throughout the trial. Scenting conditions appeared to be straight forward.

Type of Ground

The ground was mixed arable farmland, with a variety of cover crops and hedges containing ditches.

Species of Game

Pheasant and Partridge

Results

1^st…. Gilly field Blossom ….GWP Bitch….D.O.B. 22/08/20

Owned and Handled by L. Holmes

Making this dog to FTCH (Subject to KC confirmation)

Also awarded Guns Choice

3^rd…. Moonrunner Isla of Gillyfield….GWP Bitch….D.O.B. 01/03/17

Owned and Handled by L.Holmes

4^th …. FTCH Hunterstone Rhea….HV Bitch….D.O.B. 04/06/2016

Owned and Handled by Mrs. S. E. Mattravers

C.O.M’s

No.4…Tweed Mull…Owned and Handled by S. Bennett

No.9…Northern Arrows Merry Maus Von Trubon….Owned and Handled by S.Burton

1^st…. No.6 …Gilly field Blossom ….GWP Bitch….D.O.B. 22/08/20

First Run

Coming into line at No. 6. this bitch attacked the hedgerow, and with minimum input from the handler it quickly located a bird, pointing and flushing on command, the bird flew forward but was not shot. A second bird was located and again a solid point and flush. The bird flew out to the opposite side of the hedge and ditch where it was shot. The dog was sent across the ditch and made a super job of this tricky retrieve.

Second Run

This time on an open field of laid clover, the dog worked the headwind with real pace and style. The dog worked a nice pattern covering all of its beat. No game was seen on this second run.

3^rd….No. 5…Moonrunner Isla of Gillyfield….GWP Bitch….D.O.B. 01/03/17

First Run

Hunting a hedgerow and ditch she did a thorough job and quickly came onto point. When asked to flush, multiple birds lifted to which she was steady. Two birds were shot, one out onto the open maize stubble and the second went out over the hedge and fell approximately fifty yards away. Firstly, she was asked to retrieve the bird shot onto the maize stubble, this was done with ease and came to hand nicely.

Next, the dog was sent through the hedge to make the second of the two retrieves. She was quick and efficient in locating the bird and made easy work of crossing the ditch and hedge before delivering nicely to hand.  This completed this run.

Second Run

Working a back wind the dog worked thoroughly and her ground treatment was good. A nice piece of work.

4^th ….No.3… FTCH Hunterstone Rhea….HV Bitch….D.O.B. 06/04/2016

First Run

Hunting a hedgerow carefully, she showed great patience and worked nicely onto point.  When asked, she was steady to flush and shot. The bird lifted over the hedge and was shot out onto open ground. She was taken via a footbridge to the opposite side, whereupon she made a really nice retrieve and delivery to hand.

She was then asked to hunt on and once again came onto point. Repeating an almost carbon copy of her first find, the bird was shot on the opposite side of the hedge. This time her experience showed as she made her way back to the footbridge across the ditch and quickly retrieved the bird. This was delivered cleanly to hand.

Second Run

Hunting reed grass with a fence on the left-hand edge of the beat, the dog worked systematically. Birds jumped well ahead of the dog and she honoured these away. This completed this dog’s second run.

COM…No.4…Tweed Mull…Owned and Handled by S. Bennett

Hunting with a gentle pace, this careful dog had a really nice find on its first run. Pointing, flushing, steady to flush and shot, she then made a very nice clean retrieve. Two good runs.

COM…. No.9…Northern Arrows Merry Maus Von Trubon….Owned and Handled by S.Burton

This hard hunting and busy dog worked hard during her three runs of the trial. A really strong hunting drive, led to her being able to fill her card over the three runs.

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A superbly organised Trial with thanks to, Field Trial Secretary Heather Gray and to Chief Steward Gil Simpson for their hard work and organisation. A huge debt of gratitude is owed to Mr.Sean Chamberlain for allowing us to use this superb Trialling Ground.

  A ‘quality’ team of experienced Guns, ensured the plentiful supply of game was accounted for. The skill and experience of these guns being essential for the successful outcome of any trial. Thank you to Mr John Bennett for ‘Picking-up,’ and Julie Wain for carrying the Red Flag.

May I also take the opportunity to thank my senior judge, Mr. Steve Robson for his expert advice, encouragement, and mentoring, making this Judging appointment a real pleasure. The opportunity to learn from his experience was invaluable.

Judges

Mr. S. Robson (A Panel)

Mr. H. Kirby (B Panel)