Sec / Treas - Chris Bridgwater chris@scherzando.co.uk
This page last updated 23rd June 2008 - Note from the Webmaster..... don't touch Microsoft Vista!! I have not been able to get on my computer for weeks....
2008 - 2009 Field Trials [so far...]
Monday 1st December Novice Cocker Malshanger, Hants Judges TBC and Glynn Smith
Friday 19th December Open Cocker Conholt Park, Hants
December 27th December Open ESS Hartham Park, Wilts Judges Jeremy Organ and Stuart Morgan
We are
proud that Meon Valley's Prizes are Sponsored By
CSJ Specialist Canine Feeds
Food to suit all
breeds,temperaments and work levels
for more information look at
www.csjk9.com
Spring Test
at Hambledon, Hampshire by kind permission of Mr Robert White
Judges John Cook and Dave Rayner
NOVICE OPEN
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
CSJ Specialist Canine Feeds
Food to suit all
breeds,temperaments and work levels
for more information look at
www.csjk9.com
Stake 1 - Open (qualifying) Cocker at Malshanger
Monday 26th November 2007
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
FT Sec Shelli Jones watches as Lady Colman presents the awards
1st TIMSGARRY VARTEG J Thompson Meonvalley Rosebowl and Malshanger Plate for The Best Cocker
2nd WERNFFRWD MAI M J Wills (handled by P E Jones)
3rd CHYKNELL GOLDFINCH S Light
4th FTCh PRIORSMEADOW DANCER P E Jones
CoM ROWSTAN SERENA D Ormond
CoM KIRKSTALL BASIL D Sowerby
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].
Judges put their heads together
Stake 2 - Open (qualifying) ESS Trial at Faccombe
Saturday 29th December 2007
At the kind invitation of
Faccombe Estates Ltd
Judges - Chris Thurston-Woolnough and Christine
Bridgwater
Head Keeper Paul Howard
1st SATURNS SPIRIT Will Clulee
2nd HALAZE OH BOY OF WOODASH Dave Rayner
3rd GLENLAGGAN GLAMOUR OF BITEABOUT J Malcolm Taylor
4th BUXBURY FAME OF MORGANNWG Paul Wilson
CoM GUNSLIP BARRACUDA Simon Tyers
CoM RYTEX RETES Geof Devine Jones
CoM BADGER OF THE VALLEY Gary Veasey
CoM ROSEBAY BUNTY Aubrey LadymanMeon Valley Shield to the Winner Worldsend Trophy to the Best Huntin Dog
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!
Stake 3 - All Aged A/V Trial at Southwick
No preference in the Draw
Friday 8th January 2008
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
Stake 4 - All Aged A/VTrial at Hambleden
No preference in the Draw
Monday 28th January 2008
At the kind invitation of
Hon W Henry Smith
Judges - Ian Bateson and Steve Roberts
Head Keeper Colin Smith
1st TYNWAUN TROOPER Nigel Price Auction Trophy and Dave Pace Shield for Best Hunting Dog
2nd TREDERWEN TROTHY Jane Campton's Cocker, handled by her husband, Terry
3rd TYLACOCH TILLY Jeff Ayres
4th CUMBERGROVE MEHALAS MYTH Andy Lack also Guns Choice
CoM KINGCOTT KELT Suzanne West
CoM RYTEX RIFLEMAN Gerald Piper
CoM WILLPARK JILL A Badger
Mist hung over the Thames from Marlow to Henley. There had been fog up and down the UK... but most people were present and correct at the start time... We were all off by 0940 as Karen Pinker screamed in on two muddy wheels, but she waved at us and said she'd catch up in a minute.It was quite a sad occasion as it was out last Trial kindly given by Henry Smith. Our few pheasants - maybe thirty for a Trial - were only a minute fraction of those shot at Hambleden during a season. However, they were worth more than a ton of gold as, without these days, we would have NO sport at all. We obviously hope that the new owner of the Estate, Urs Schwarzenbach , might invite us back but this can never be taken for granted.
After a pretty quiet start we came into our first birds by 11.00 ish. A few woodcock, no rabbits, plenty of muntjac and lots of pigeon. All the first runs seemed to be long and over varying ground. The line pushed the long hill up and over then into the top of Wooleys - an old game crop which is now well overgrown with bramble. This last patch of ground was taken in two sweeps and was packed with birds. Most were let go as not required for retrieves. The dogs that were sent for those taken were very well tested.
The top dogs showed excellent game sense and required very little handling; no run off was required.
Photographs can be supplied by our professional photographer see http://www.jnaphotography.com/mp_includes/index.asp there are some brilliant shots!
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L-R Judges - Ian Bateson and Steve Roberts, Head 'Keeper Colin Smith, Chris Bridgwater with Shelli Jones, The Guns - Ben,Chris, Jim, Paul, Rodney and Ricky
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L-R Homeward bound Chris gets a lift with Guns - BTW can I have my thumbstick back please? Shelli Jones. Shelli's young bitch "Purdey"
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L-R Campton's Cocker, Winner, Suzanne West's bitch
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Tail docked too long!
Stake 5 - All Aged A/V Trial at Hartham Park
Preference to Novice Cockers
Wednesday 30th January 2008
By kind arrangement with Head 'Keeper Glynn Smith and Hartham Park Estates
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...
2006 - 07 Season's Trial Results
Stake 1 - Novice Cocker at Malshanger - Monday 20th November 2006
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!!!
1st MAESYDDERWEN BODACCIA
Kevin Barraclough
also Malshanger Plate for Best Cocker
2nd MALLOWDALE TAB
Nigel Partiss
3rd KIRKSTALL SAUTERNS
David Sowerby
4th 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

The winning dog with retrieve and his handler at the presentation!

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

This is just the left hand side of the line...

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

Kris Thompson
A/V Novice Arundel - Monday 4th December 2006
At the kind invitation of His Grace The Duke of Norfolk
Judges - Chris Thurston Woolnough and Steve
Roberts (n/p)
Head Keeper Chris North
1st SUFFOLK SASH
Peter Barker also
Guns Choice
2nd FLINTWELL OVER’N’UNDER
Shelli Jones
3rd ROSEBAY JACK
WendyKnight
4th 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]
ESS Open Qualifier - Faccombe - Friday 29th December 2006
At the kind invitation of Faccombe Estates Ltd
Judges - Jeff Rayner and Malcolm Taylor
Head Keeper Paul Howard

1st RYTEX RONERS
Sally
Jenkins Winners Shield and
Worldsend Trophy for Best
Hunter
2nd STEADROC STADDLE STONES Steve
Wanstall
3rd 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... "
Well he did today, Sally - well done!! Good luck in Scotland.
Cocker Open Qualifier - Fairoak, Rogate - Saturday 13th January 2007
At the kind invitation of Piers Fox-Andrews
Judges - Mike Shefford and Spikey Wills
Head Keeper Brian Kingshott
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!

Spikey Wills, Mike Shefford and Simon Tyers
Any Variety All Aged Stake - Hambleden, Oxon -Thursday 18th January 2007
At the kind invitation of Hon W Henry Smith
Judges - Mike Rock and Wes Thomas
Head Keeper Colin Smith
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

Winner - Doug Whitehouse

Head 'Keeper Colin, Woody, Ricky and Ben Wesley and Mick
Any Variety All Aged Stake - Hambleden, Oxon - Monday 29th January 2007
At the kind invitation of Hon W Henry Smith
Judges - Dave Anderson and Melvin
Jacques
Head Keeper Colin Smith
1st
TWYLIGHT MIST
Gary Veasey
Meon Valley Auction Shield
2nd MISSELCHALKE LISA Nick Gregory
3rd TILACOCJ TILLY Jeff Ayres
4th 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!!
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