Gundog Club of North Wales

Gundog Working Certificate Day
29^th September 2012

This event was kindly sponsored by Skinners Pet Foods

As there were a few members of the club who regularly ‘pick up’ during the shooting season it was decided with the clubs backing, to see if we could organise a Gundog Working Certificate Day. After a fair few phone calls to the Kennel Club, we eventually got all the paperwork through and the organization began. The venue was Bryn-y-Pys Estate, Overton-on-Dee, Wrexham, where on the open fields we had use of, the River Dee bordered one side, and woods to two other sides. We had planned initially to have a limit of ten participants but as the date got nearer we wondered whether we would get that, as a lot of people got cold feet at the twelfth hour. However, we had a flurry of interest at the last minute and ended up with a group of twelve for the day.

At the start of the week we had the terrible heavy rain (what’s new there) and wondered if the day might have to be cancelled as the area we were using was liable to flooding from the river. We also wondered what we would do for the water test if the river was in full flight, as one has to think of the well being of the dogs in such conditions. Well, by the Wednesday, the weather had started to clear up and on the Thursday when the venue was checked we found the ground to be suitable and although the river had burst its banks, it conveniently went into a large gulley type area splitting part of the field off, but quite deep and could not have been more perfect for the water test.
On the day of the test the weather was also very kind to us and we had sunshine almost right through the day. Good for the photo’s which if anyone wishes to observe can be found on http://www.ashfieldimages.co.uk Tracey Edwards took the photo’s and got some really good action shots.

The judges who very kindly came to access us for the day were Gaynor Bailey (Gunstock) and Jackie Owen (from Arfon Working Gundog Club). The first test consisted of a drive, with two dogs taking part at any one time and consisted of a retrieve to shot, one in front and one behind. The second test was a seen retrieve from water and the third a seen retrieve over an obstacle, which was a 2.6/3.0ft solid wooden fence. The fourth and last test before lunch was a steadiness exercise which comprised of dogs sitting in a circle with helpers in the centre throwing dummies and letting off quite a few shots. Handlers were then asked to retrieve a dummy themselves with the dogs remaining in the sit position. We then had a very nice lunch in the sunshine to prepare ourselves for the last test of the afternoon. This consisted of beaters with dogs in the woods, firing off shots and throwing dummies from the woods out onto the field. Dogs were then asked to retrieve and hunt for a dummy thrown out of the woods and then had to do a blind retrieve from behind, which had been placed whilst their attention was drawn to the beaters in the woods etc.
Of the twelve dogs which took part, nine were successful in being awarded their Gundog Working Certificate. The three dogs who did not receive it did not fail, as it was a case of them being ‘not ready’ on some of the exercises. The dogs who took part thoroughly enjoyed their day and there was not a bad word amongst them. They comprised mostly of Labradors, with one Golden Retriever and one Flatcoat Retriever. The successful dogs and handlers were;

Jenny Menage’s Labradors, Culvana Rose Ripple and Goldenacre Peach Melba
Oscar Tarbox’s Labrador, Culvana Oscars Girl
Wendy Manning’s Labrador, Ormeland Summer Dream with Overmarsh
Davina Long’s Labrador, Baldevs Mystic Meg
Anne Taylor’s Labradors, Fabracken Trust in Me and Fabracken Shannon
Mary Reeve’s Golden Retriever, Besotted Beeko
Christine Gray’s Flatcoat Retriever, Wainhawke Beatrice.

To me the star of the day was 10 year old Oscar Tarbox who was competing with his 12 month old dog which he had trained totally himself. I think he put us all to shame really. However, there was a small gift for the dog which the judges felt had shown promise for the future etc and that went to Chris Gray and her Flatcoat. Well done.

We have had some very good feedback from the event which everyone has said they thoroughly enjoyed and we hope to repeat the exercise in 2013 but maybe a little earlier, so it does not clash with the start of the shooting season. This is a first for the Gundog Club of North Wales and by the feedback received I hope we can continue to give its members that little something extra. Although it was a team effort I would like to thank Davina Long, a committee member of the club, who did put a lot of time and effort into making this event happen and for all the helpers on the day as well as the two competitors Jenny and Mary who also did a lot of work leading up to the event. Lastly thanks go once again to Skinners Pet Foods for helping to sponsor this event.

Wendy Manning

Please leave your comments below.