An Open Stake for all HPR breeds, held at Little Pixhall Farm, on 15th October 2022. By kind permission of Francis Briley and Canal Game Shoot.
Weather Conditions
The temperature gradually warmed to 15 degrees centigrade. Wind conditions were gentle and consistent throughout the Trial. Scenting conditions appeared to be straight forward. Dogs were asked to run in a variety of wind conditions. Those taken forward were given a third run on a head wind.
Type of Ground
Light Game Crop Cover
Species of Game
Pheasant, English and French Partridge
Results
1st – No. 1. Trudvang Mercury. GWP Dog. D.O.B. 30/04/2015. Owned and Handled by S. Herrero. Making him a FTCh (Subject to KC confirmation)
2nd – No. 4. Hunterstone Tyrion. HV Dog. D.O.B. 18/08/2019. Owned and Handled by T. Mattravers
3rd – No. 10. Deepthatch Rocket. GSP Dog. D.O.B. 02/06/2016.Owned by Mr. & Mrs. Webster and Handled by R. Webster
Guns Award – No. 5. Zoltarous Lupin. HWV Dog. D.O.B. 21/05/2017. Owned and Handled by Z. Dicker
1st No. 1. Trudvang Mercury. GWP Dog Owned and Handled by S. Herrero
First Run
Running in Cover Crop, this dog was asked to hunt a back wind. The dog hunted with real, pace, style and experience. Taking in a good size beat, the dog took a strong cast before turning back into the wind and systematically quartering the ground in a text book pattern. He found and picked an injured partridge on the field margin which he delivered tenderly to hand
Second Run
Again on a back wind the dog quickly came onto point. Working a moving bird the dog made a superb job of relocating itself to stay in contact. When asked to produce the bird, the flush was instant, the dog turned smartly away from the handler to mark the fall, sitting himself to the flush. A hen pheasant was shot, falling closely in front of the dog who remained totally steady. The dog made an easy job of the retrieve, delivering quickly and cleanly to hand. This completed this second run.
Just before his third run the dog was bought into line to pick a partridge shot from a covey. Handled on to a forty yard blind retrieve, it was delivered tenderly to hand.
Third Run
This time running into wind, once again this dog took on its ground with pace and style. Quartering the ground systematically with another text book flat pattern, the dog worked independently but was obedient when asked to turn. No game was found on this run. A truly exciting dog to watch, sympathetically handled.
2nd No. 4. Hunterstone Tyrion. HV Dog Owned and Handled by T. Mattravers
First Run
Whilst carefully hunting the cover crop on a back wind, this dog got around and pointed a bird. He held point superbly whilst guns were brought forward. A positive flush on command produced a single partridge which was shot and fell in the margin directly in front of the dog. The dog was totally steady and then proceeded to do an excellent job when asked to make the retrieve. This concluded this first run.
Second Run
Working a back wind steadily, the dog found itself in a corner of the field which proved to be a hot-spot. Two birds were separately pointed and flushed. Both of these birds proved awkward to shoot as they flew over the tree line. The dog demonstrated noteworthy control and steadiness and was picked up.
Third Run
On a head wind, the dog pulled forward into its beat and hunted with pace and determination. At the top of its beat it came sideways into a partridge. It was then hunted on and was subsequently picked up.
3rd No. 10. Deepthatch Rocket. GSP Dog Owned by Mr. & Mrs. Webster. Handled by R. Webster
First Run
Starting with their backs to a hedgerow the dog made contact with game on its first cast. Working birds carefully, he held point on a bird that was moving inside the hedgerow. When asked to produce the bird he pushed through the hedge, immediately coming into contact with birds that were running in front of him. He continued to flush as asked, producing a bird which was shot on the opposite side of the hedgerow, in an open field. The dog was bought back around to the other side before being asked to make the retrieve. Following an unsuccessful attempt to make this retrieve a second dog was brought in. This second dog was also unable to find the bird. Judges walked out but were unable to find the bird so the picking up dog was asked to take over.
Second Run
The dog came into line and was immediately asked to make one of two partridge retrieves that had been shot on the previous dog’s run. The retrieve required some handling but was found and delivered cleanly to hand. Having made the retrieve he was asked to ‘stand by,’ whilst a second dog was bought in to retrieve the second bird.
Once this second retrieve was completed he hunted his beat well, locating an injured partridge which was picked and delivered to hand.
Third Run
Brought in to try as second dog on a partridge, shot into a scrubby area of woodland on the previous dog’s run. Neither this dog nor the judges found the bird, so the picking up dog was called in.
Running on into a head wind, the dog worked hard and was rewarded with a find on a partrige in the top corner of the field. Holding point staunchly, he flushed on command was steady to flush, shot and fall before making a quick clean retrieve.
A superb Trial with thanks to The Hampshire Gundog Society, Field Trial Secretary Heather Gray and Chief Steward Mr. Nigel Wroe. A huge debt of gratitude is owed to The Hosts, Mr. Francis Briley & Canal Game Shoot for their delightful hospitality and being kind enough to allow The Hampshire Gundog Society to use this superb Trialling Ground.
A quality team of experienced Guns ensured the plentiful supply of game was accounted for.
May I also take the opportunity to thank my senior judge, Ms. Suzi Burton for her expert advice, encouragement and mentoring, making this Judging appointment a real pleasure.
Judges
Ms. Suzi Burton ( A Panel)
Mr. Howard Kirby (B Panel)