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December 27th December Open ESS Hartham Park, Wilts Judges Jeremy Organ and Stuart Morgan

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                    1st       ROSEBAY DEXTER    Georgie Sturgess                                                          1st    LAXFORD BOSCH    Georgie Sturgess
                    2nd     HUIC MINSTREL    Paul Ransome                                                                  2nd SPRINGTOWER OF MIDNIGHT    Roger Davis
                    3rd      HUIC TALLULA    Paul Ransome                                                                    3rd n/a
                    4th      GOLDCOMBE MOONSTAR DANCER    Kathryn Holmes                           4th n/a
                    CoM   Joanna Blakely - Junior Handler

We are proud that Meon Valley's Prizes are Sponsored By
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Food to suit all breeds,temperaments and work levels
for more information look at www.csjk9.com

At the kind invitation of Sir Michael and Lady Colman

Judges - Mike Williams and Christine Bridgwater* (*replacing Tony Gill who was taken ill on the morning of the Trial)

Head Keeper Ken Siford

A stunning Trial with great shooting and warm, hearty sportsmanship. I was only supposed to attend as ‘back up’ for Shelli but had to step in to Judge. Shelli did a great job for her first time without me anyway – well done that girl. I was looking forward to hanging around at the back, chatting to everyone, but I didn’t get the chance.

What a super day. Pheasants coming to hand just right. Several hares popped up and we must have seen thirty woodcock. Several would seem to flush from the same patch of cover. Generally the dogs handled the bramble very well. Cockers can (and did) bring some of their handlers down to earth with a large bump but there was a very high standard in the others. The top three dogs ran off for their places with three other awards made.

Huge thanks to the Colmans whose generosity knows no bounds. Several comments were heard that the day at Malshanger was probably the best Cocker Trial so far this season; the ground, the birds, the guns and the behind-the-scenes organisation. We were looked after from start to finish… stops were marshalled expertly about, Lady Colman was champion picker-up, tea and cakes were served by Joan Siford whilst her husband, ‘Keeper Ken, pulled his hair out as only a ‘Keeper knows how.

We have to wait until the end of next month before our next one… I can’t wait…

L - R Winning dog brings in bird, Keith Roe and best friend, Stan Light handling and his dog, Wendy Knight [with brightly attired stop in front].

At the kind invitation of Faccombe Estates Ltd

Judges - Chris Thurston-Woolnough and Christine Bridgwater

Head Keeper Paul Howard

Faccombe has been a favourite Field Trial venue for many, many years. Brigadier Landon, sadly, passed away this year and will be a much missed icon. We have been grateful for his kind patronage, in the background, whilst the company name was acknowledged as the host. The idea of giving these days has always been to encourage people to join the Estate's teams of pickers up and beaters. How many folk actually lend a hand to their local shoots? Those that do always re4ap the benefits - you can spot the dogs that are worked and that have the experience every time the lead comes off!

Chris and I with our partners started the day with a mega breakfast at the brilliant B&B that is Alexander Farm, Ashmansworth (Tel 01635 254 585). Other people had stayed in the Bourne Valley Inn up the road, or Faccombe's own Jack Russel. You never know what the weather might throw at you!

The ground that Paul Howard had picked to be used could not have been better. Birds were plentiful but wily. The cover was very testing and extremely thick in places.

I will not refer exactly to my book but can comment on the award winners as follows as far as their runs under me. Choccy Wilson's dog was a large framed, powerful dog that took a wide beat in the patchy and, in places, open cover he had to work. Although he took in a lot of ground he was well trained. There were two birds that were lifted and shot whilst Simon Tyers' dog was running. The other side retrieved some way across him whilst he remained steady. He kept his head and his mark on the other long distance cock which he was swiftly out and back with.

Will Clulee had a forty minute run. He had tremendously hard cover from which he pushed a rabbit which could not be shot. The other side obviously had their pheasant magnet as two or three were flushed and shot. One was dropped almost on top of Wills'. As Woolynut's dog retrieved it almost stuffed the bird in Wills' dog's face! Bit of a cheek. I was beginning to think it was going to be one of those simple bad luck / blank runs when the next dog on the other side took a while picking a bird. That must have given my dog just enough of a breather to power on, find and push out a bird, then make a pretty hard retrieve look like "text book.

Aubrey Ladyman's dog had a long hunt, too. Needing little handling and being a very reliable bitch. Picked a runner well.

Dave Rayner had a very tidy and well trained dog. He didn't quite have the ground to show himself off; I guess he would be powerful in cover. He was workmanlike and needed no handling to his retrieve. He had the same mark as Geoff Devine Jones whos dog also showed himself as a good hunter, effective finds and good retrieving.

Gary Veasey's dog would have done better if he hadn't made hard work of whast should have been a straightforward retrieve. Malcolm Taylors dog had a flush and prompt retrieve immediately on being cast. She hunted on thoroughly but had not quite got the same power as some of the other dogs - she had been hanging around for a long time and I'm sure this takes it's toll. She was a delight to watch and is obviously an easy, whilst I'm sure also exciting, bitch to take shooting.

The boys shot well and we finished off proceedings in the Pub. Very many thanks to the splendid Jack Russel (great food and extremely comfy rooms!)

There are times when I feel guilty about enjoying my days so much! The winner will not be representing the Meon Valley at the Championships as Will is judging. However, it did make her up to FTCh so there were broad smiles back to Shropshire!

At the kind invitation of Mr Bone and his Guns

Judges - Guy Croft and Nick Gregory

1st         Pilton Pippa                                         ChrisTaylor
2nd       Solo Princess                                       Chris Thurston Woolnough
3rd        Rosebay Bumble of Woodington    Nick Cox
4th        Ballincolli Candy                                Richard Grogan
CoM     Skersmoor Kaos                                  Steve Jones
CoM     Kingcott Klt                                          Suzanne West
CoM     Whighthawk Utah                              Martin Johnson
CoM     Tarnroad Kain                                     John Pay
CoM     Tealsway African Queen                   Paul Nims
CoM     Castlepride Flush                                Steve Roberts also Guns Choice

If anybody that was there, would like to give me pictures or a write up, I would be delighted to put it on this website x

At the kind invitation of Hon W Henry Smith

Judges - Ian Bateson and Steve Roberts

Head Keeper Colin Smith

Guns sponsored by Christine Bridgwater and Shelli Jones

Judges - Jon Bailey and Tony Gill

L-R Head 'Keeper Glyn Smith, Graham West, Graham Cummins and partner Debs, Leigh Cummins, Gallery and Leigh again...

1st        MAESYDDERWEN SILOUHETTE        J M Davies Meon Valley Novice Cocker Trophy (donated by Kevin Barraclough)
2nd      RANDALYN INK OF EPISCOPI             Anita Jones also Guns Choice
3rd       ROWSTON SIMONE                                Nick Cook also Ovenden Trophy for Best Hunter
4th        KENMILQUIN SUSIE                               Dez Shotton
CoM    POWKESMORE POPPET                         Dez Shotton
CoM    WETLANDS SPICE OF LEEGELN         Graham West

The Meon Valley had fewer Trial days this season.... Maybe a ground had seen a change in ownership, circumstance or simply couldn't fit us in! It's just one of those things and another reason why we must be so grateful when we do get offers. The Cockers were the ones "short changed" and our regular novice cocker ground was used for the open. Whilst a good cocker should be able to hold it's own in the company of ESS in and A/V Trial - the novice cockers do like to have their own days. Maybe they're a bit windy?? Oooops - better keep my head down!?!?

When I was judging another Trial at Hartham earlier in the year, Glynn Smith approached me and said "I hear Meon Valley are not having a Novice Cocker this season as you're short of ground? Well, if you'd like to have one here I'll fit you a day in". Wasn't that kind?! It did mean that the day would have to be paid for, but Shelli and I could soon find some safe and accurate Guns between us. Our spouses for a start.. then I would ask Graham and Leigh Cummins and Mark Jones had his friend Shane, easy peasy! We'd pay for the boys as a treat...

The Shooting Times agreed to put a few lines in their pages to advertise for us - but Shelli had nearly thirty entries by word of mouth before anything appeared in the press.

God was smiling on us as a more spring like day has never been seen in January. We were into birds within minutes of alighting from the trailer. The guns were very sharp, although not everything came down so there was good hearted banter all round. Hartham's contours and woodland are absolutely fabulous and there was still an abundance of game even so late in the season. Lots of Societies have held Trials there in the last season or two and we have asked Glynn whether we can come back again; I would like to buy a day for a start!

Trish Smith prepared a wonderful spread of thick homemade soup and crusty bread for everyone after the Trial - what a lovely girl. The prizes were given in the barn after soup and lots of happy faces took to the roads home afterwards.

I would like to add congratulations to Nick Cook. Go to Stake 1 of last year's seasons' Trials and see pictures of Nick and his partner Kris Thompson attending one of their first ever Trials as willing helps / spectators at Malshanger. They came to watch, look, listen and learn before ever attempting to run a dog in Trials. They went home and put wise words into practice - and have done SO well in their first season, this season!

Finally - well done Shelli for taking on such a big Club at her first attempt of being a FT Sec. She's a bit nervous, despite what she says, but has done a good job so far with ambitious thoughts for next season...

At the kind invitation of Sir Michael and Lady Colman

Judges - Jonathan Bailey and Martyn Parfitt (n/p)
Head Keeper Ken Siford

After the howling wind and rain of the night before the weather cleared by 9.30 and even the sun shone… There had been a mega entry... fortyfour dogs at the closing date and about six late enquiries that didn't have a hope of getting in! A reflection on the reputation of the ground.

Our Draw had obviously been fair - even the poor Host and members of the committee had been unsuccessful. Such is life.

There was a large number of spectators present, including six Sparsholt College students. This led to a great atmosphere but what a problem to try and get everyone a turn in the line. We coped, of course. Nick Cook and Kris Thompson attended their first Trial, as new members, and were great stewards / game carriers.

The actual ground we used was a large area of woodland with bracken and bramble underneath. Fantastic cover for the spaniels and, once the Guns got their eyes in, game came regularly to hand. Strong, fast pheasants and a good number of hares.

The Judges got thru' their dogs quickly and the Trial was over by 1.30

Malshanger Social Club was laid out with an abundance of home made cakes. Tea and coffee to help while away our time chatting until the certificates were written out.

Judy Colman, our kind host, wanted to give a prize for the Funniest Incident. To be awarded to the person suffering the indignity of their own cocker showing just who is really in charge. Two ladies tied for this. (i) Jay Thompson had had a stonkingly good and very long first run with good flushes but no retrieve. She told her second run Judge that she was "desperate" for a bird. Well....... so was her dog. A bird was shot, but it landed with it's legs already running, steaming off at full throttle into the far distance....... Jay's dog was in hot pursuit to the other end of the wood before giving the pheasant best. (ii) Sarah White's bitch heard a shot and must have just caught a glimpse of a hare turning over miles away at the far side of the line. She marked it to the twig and had reached the hare before sending the correct dog had even been thought of. Great levellers these dogs!!!

1^st         MAESYDDERWEN BODACCIA              Kevin Barraclough
                                                                                                        also Malshanger Plate for Best Cocker
2^nd        MALLOWDALE TAB                                   Nigel Partiss
3^rd         KIRKSTALL SAUTERNS                            David Sowerby
4^th         ROWSTON SERANA                                   Andy Robinson
CoM     PROWORTHY SWIFT                                  Jack Davey
CoM     MAESYLLUN AURUN OF RYOBI             Steve Adams
CoM     ROWSTON SAHARA                                   Spikey Wills (Handler Peter Jones)
CoM     CELTIC AIRE CAPRICE                              Denis Williams
CoM     WIREWOLF LILY OF RANDALYN           Lyn Randall

Guns Choice BUCKHILL GUN RINGO and Jay Thompson

Funniest Incident Award was shared between Jay Thompson BUCKHILL GUN RINGO
Sarah White PERRYGREEN GHILLIE

James Davies-Cooke and Jon Carter.... part of a group of Sparsholt students attending; taking great interest in the Trial.

L to R Martin James and the Mighty Flag, Chas Lister and Nick Cook, Jon and Jay, Jack and his hare

Judges - Chris Thurston Woolnough and Steve Roberts (n/p)
Head Keeper Chris North

1^st            SUFFOLK SASH                                 Peter Barker    also Guns Choice
2^nd          FLINTWELL OVER’N’UNDER       Shelli Jones
3^rd          ROSEBAY JACK                                 WendyKnight
4^th          EDGEGROVE ELDER                       Steven Shears
CoM      WIGHTHAWK CAROLINA            Annette Johnson
CoM      ALMATTAN SEEKER                      Ann Roff              also Best Hunter – Dave Pace Shield
CoM      WADENHOE WAILER                      Tommy Crotch
CoM      SUNSTAR SCARPAR                        Suzanne West
CoM      KENMILQUIN WEXFORD              Mark Winchester

Arundel's Head 'Keeper, Chris North, has been associated with this Club even longer than I have. Some of the first Trials and Tests I organised in the 80s were at Bereleigh where Chris used to be. Since his move to Arundel we have had some stunning rabbit Trials with him - his rabbits were the size of cats -but, sadly, the myxy has taken it's toll.... This year with the kind permission of His Grace The Duke of Norfolk, we were invited on a pheasant day.

The night before had been one long howling gale and fallen trees had to be moved from the roads to allow us access to the Meet Point. Happily the weather had blown itself out into a gorgeous fresh day. Once we were all assembled we were taken on and on up a steep hill to a wood on the highest point on the Estate - what beautiful views... The whole Trial was conducted in that wood. We went down one side, up the other and finished in a strip down the middle. Excellent birds holding well in the bramble and tree thinnings.

Chris's sons Tom and Joe were also shooting, along with good friend Nick. They didn't miss much - but when they did the banter was quick witted and well taken. Di North and Paula Pitman came out at the half way point with home made soup and honey glazed sausages. Fantastic! The whole day was a warm and friendly. Chris' sons, Tom and Joe, both have young children of their own who were brought out to support their Dads. Start 'em young is what we say!!

The few dogs that went out did so with good grace and some of the ones that survived thanked their lucky stars that their birds were accommodating and the cover thick in places. The dogs had to work hard in the bramble and at other times, where the brashings were lighter, had to check every pile carefully in case game was missed.

The Judges, both known for liking strong hunting dogs, had some good goers to look at. The top dog was well trained, finely polished and meant business in the toughest cover. She was easily handled when asked to take a very long retrieve, making it look so simple.

The dog in second place hunted like a demon and was lucky enough to have finds and retrieves quickly before his nervous handler passed out with heart failure.

The weather had turned ugly on us by the end of the Trial and, as no run off was necessary, awards were made in a nearby barn and people left for home before dark.

Shooting is in the genes with the North Family
Above L-R Keepers' wives and children arrive - Grandad Chris - Elevenses made by Grandma - Joe North

L - R Chris North, Chris Thurston-Woolnough, Steve Roberts and Peter Barker
(apologies for darkness!)

Competitors L-R are Richard Grogan, Wendy Knight, Suzanne West and Peter Barker [with Thurston]

1^st         RYTEX RONERS                                           Sally Jenkins   Winners Shield and Worldsend Trophy for Best Hunter
2^nd        STEADROC STADDLE STONES             Steve Wanstall
3^rd         TYNWAUN DAZEL OF LADECOURT    Steve Jones
CoM     CUMBERGROVE SUMMER STORM     Steve Woods
CoM     SWANWAY GALE                                        Maureen Smith
CoM     PRIME MYSTIC                                            Mike Pascoe
CoM     SWALLOWLAW TEASER                          Martin Ford (Handler Sally Jenkins)
CoM     WHITEHOPE LAPWING OF GANNOWFELL    Colin Myers
CoM     REGAL VISION                                            Brian Wade
Guns Choice     LAXFORD BOSCH                        Georgie Sturgess (Handler John Cook)   Guns Choice Trophy

Everyone was present and correct at the meet. The card was as typed the night before but several reserves had been summoned. Some competitors had in season bitches and various injuries but I think Christmas and 'Flu bugs had taken their toll. My own voice was highly "suspect" for the day.

The best Beaters Cart in the World took us off to the start point - driven by the lovely Dickie. Paul had organised stops in all the right places and a team of Guns similar to last year's. Faccombe's other 'Keeper, Joe, and young Dave, a hotshot from Woodhay, were there to ensure nothing was missed by Paul, Ken and Kevin. As if !!!!???

No pictures from the body of the stake are available as it was dark all day - at least it didn't throw ALL the weather that was promised by the Met Office. This year we were much later at Faccombe for our Trial than normal so there was no leaf left on the trees, making the shooting easier. The bramble held the birds well and the more open looking woodland was deceptively hard to work in places. No run off was necessary. The top dogs were all just that but the Judges sorted thru' their books and we were finished before 3.00.

47 pheasant and 2 woodcock were in the bag at the end with a great many more seen and we retired to the Jack Russel for drinks and the presentations. Our winner, Sally Jenkins was overcome with joy! She had already told me that she had been very pleased with her young dog's performance as, in her own words, "Ronnie didn't normally hit the bramble with such enthusiasm... "

Prior to most successful Trials is the get together in the Pub the night before; here are some of the pictures... we're fairly sober!

Todays Open Cocker at Rogate was SUPERB!!! Head ‘Keeper Brian Kingshott, his son Chris and their HUGE band of stops, pickers up, tractor drivers etc gave us a cracking day – whole families turned out!. Guns were Lee, Malcolm and the two Chas; it was pretty difficult to shoot in the middle of the line but, happily, almost nothing got past the outer guns.

We had every type of cover - from open woodland, then rushes and white grass to thick bramble alongside a strong running river

About 60 head of game was shot, mostly pheasants - as most of the rabbits were canny enough to dodge back in the direction of the gallery. The standard of dogwork was excellent. Even the dogs that went out were great hearted hunters and would have been a pleasure to shoot over at any time.

Results were as follows:

1st        TIMSGARRY VALTOS                            Owner Mrs Elizabeth Constantine / Handler Simon Tyers Meon Valley Rosebowl
2nd      FTCh FERNMOSS NIGHTINGALE      Owner / Handler Roy Ellershaw
3rd       FTCh TIMSGARRY KELLY                     Owner/Handler Simon Tyers
4th        SUREFLY BLNC                                        Owner / Handler Stewart Seward
CoM     TREDERWEN NANT WECHAN           Owner / Handler Jane Campton
CoM     BOURNEPARK BENTON                       Owner Stan Light / Handler Steve Wanstall   also Guns Choice

Simon Tyers won the Cocker Championships on 17th January with another of his Timsgarry Cocker dogs.
Well done and many congratulations!

After a wonderful breakfast at the Stag and Huntsman we were ready and braced against the forecast weather.

The wind was taking down trees fairly close to us all day but Colin, our ‘Head Keeper, kept us out of the worst affected areas as best he could. We came back along the same ridge that had already been done, but just slightly lower down, to finish the Trial and we still had enough birds. The rabbits kept us going for the first hour or so, flushing bunnies everywhere! Plenty of muntjac about and the odd woodcock. The final count was 34 head of game (and a fox). A nerve racking day for those of us with safety in mind but a very pleasing end.

On my return home, due to the storms my computer keeps crashing and our phone lines were down…. our mains water was also off so I couldn’t even go and have a nice hot bath! Whilst I was complaining at home in the warm and dry... (if a little smelly) poor Mick Rock and Wes Thomas, our Judges, were possibly not even half way home. Many of the Motorways were closed due to overturned vehicles blocking them and bridges all over the country were closed due to the strong winds. I’m sure you’ve all watched the news.

A great day in some very challenging circumstances...

1st        RAYKAR ACCOLADE                                            Doug Whitehouse   Meon Valley Shield
2nd      NIMOWAY HUCKLEBERRY                                Ray Tichener
3rd       WOODINGTONS LIGTNING                               Martin Dance
4th        MCGWYN GLENGARY OF FLASHBERRY      Wayne Lewis
CoM     FFREWDUDECH ELM                                           Mathew Harry
CoM     FARLOW PADDY OF BADGERCOURT            Will Clulee also Guns Choice
CoM     KINGKOTT KELT                                                    Suzanne West
CoM     CHERYGAL SPIRIT OF FOWLERSMOON       Darren Greaves

1st         TWYLIGHT MIST            Gary Veasey      Meon Valley Auction Shield
2^nd        MISSELCHALKE LISA   Nick Gregory
3^rd         TILACOCJ TILLY             Jeff Ayres
4^th         TOWERBIRD CLARA     Geof Devine –Jones
CoM     SAUCHOPE DANCER OF TASCROFT    Martin Ashman

Guns Choice BALLOINCOLLIE CANDY Richard Grogan [Cocker}

Best Minor Breed COVERWELL BLACK DOUGLAS Graham Heaney [Field] Ovenden Trophy

Sh Ch SUNDUST ME TO [American Cocker] successfully completed all required parts of her Show Gundog Working Certificate
and attained full Ch status! Owner by Yvonne Knapper Weisland Handled by Pam Wadsworth

The storms might have left a few fallen trees but spirits were high for the last Trial of our season. All the Estate faces were the same friendly ones as last week and everyone was present and correct on time despite the M25's best efforts.

We set off and covered more or less the same ground as last week. Not so many rabbits in the first hour and birds ran in front like stags as we pushed them up and over the wonderful hills overlooking Hambleden village. When we did catch up with them there were cries of "that'll do" and "no more please" from the Judges - this was a cock day to the Guns and the cocks were to be thinned out... However, the boys calmed themselves and allowed the dogs to retrieve without too many distractions of having other birds dropping too close around them.

The winning dog was eye catching and very intelligent. In her first run she had positive finds and was steady as a rock to flush and was asked to take a very strong runner. The ground was fairly open in places and she really turned on the speed. Once into the cover, where the bird had disappeared, she took very little time to find it. In her second run she had very thick patchy bramble. As she retrieved one bird another was shot over her head, landing some way behind her. She looked over to acknowledge the fall of the second bird whilst continuing to deliver the first to her handler. When sent out again she needed no handling whatsoever - clever bitch!

The American Cocker was asked to do a short hunt and then asked to retrieve a spare partridge at the top of this hill. There are not many show breds that can be trailed along on a cold day and then expected to "perform". She had been perfectly happy with all the gunfire all day. At the end of the main body of the Trial she was asked to hunt the last part of the wood on her own. There were plenty of pheasants pushed skyward as the bitch zipped about whilst remaining in touch with her handler. Finally she was taken to a small pond and swam out and delivered to hand a partridge that had been thrown out for her.

56 pheasants and 2 partridge were accounted for by several sharp shooters and the total could have been much higher.

I'm hoping that Dave Anderson can supply me with a picture of the winner.... my camera got forgotten! It's my age...

Thank you for an excellent day everyone. Special thanks to Walter and Suzanne for my "leaving pressies" and to Pam for my flowers.

Gary Veasey takes All!!

Meon Valley Working Spaniel Club