Ireland Wins CLA’s Home International Competition 2022 - Full Report

first with a combined score of 903. England came second with a combined score of 886. Wales came third with a combined score of 854. Scotland came fourth with a combined score of 850.

Ireland were also the Top Retriever team with a score of 452, 36 points ahead of second-placed England. Scotland were the Top Spaniel team with a score of 480, 10 ahead of secondplaced England.

Ireland’s Simon Dixon’s Spaniel FtCh Rytex Rapeds was named Top Spaniel Dog, Top Overall Dog and Top Hunting Spaniel.

England’s Steve Richardson’s Sothebys Choice of Wedgenock was Top Retriever Dog, while fellow countryman Brian Chesser’s Birdsgreen Thembi of Spurgate was Top Marking Retriever.

Top Irish Overall Dog was Labrador Retriever Balleyvalley Riley, handled by John Dawson. The Top Irish Spaniel was Rytex Tie, handled by Travis Crothers. The Top Irish Retriever was Balleyvalley Riley, handled by John Dawson.

The chief steward for the spaniels was Mark Clifford, while the chief steward for the retrievers was Helen Goodwin.

Ireland captain Declan Boyle commented: “Our victory has meant so much to all the team, who have dedicated so much of their time to training their dogs. We all view The Home International as the summer championship and the competition is fierce, especially after The Scottish Game Fair results, so every team wants to train harder, learn from the past and hopefully be the ones lifting the trophies.

“We knew we had to fight for every single point. And that's exactly what every member of my team has done. As a captain, I could not ask for any more. Our team is a mixture of new dogs, new handlers and a few who have been on winning and losing teams for other events. I feel this is important in order to keep team motivation up if things don't go to plan. I knew going into this competition that it was going to be really tough for every team. Luckily it was us that came out on top this year.

“I have to say a massive well done to all the organisers at The Game Fair, especially Lisa Harris, Francesca Prentice and Barbara Kuen for all they have done. The arena was definitely one of the toughest courses that I have seen at The Game Fair, with two different types of high cover crop and four fences, with one of them being a circle. There was a ditch, bales of hay and a lot of brashing. I thought it was excellent. Well done, ladies

“When running in a team there are always a lot of challenges which can affect us. Whether it's being nervous about running your dog in front of so many people, or knowing a simple mistake can make a difference to your team's score.

“This is also a completely different environment for our dogs with all the different noises, smells and the number of people at The Game Fair. When we usually train our dogs it's in the middle of quiet countryside, so this can sometimes affect their performance. I would personally like to congratulate all the other captains and their teams for a brilliant weekend.”

Lisa Harris and Francesca Prentice, Gundog Chairmen, commented: “We were privileged to be asked to organise the Home International arena at this year’s Game Fair, under the overall guidance of Barbara Kuen, Gundog Adviser. With a very supportive team at The Game Fair, we were able to increase the size of the arena to allow for more challenging hunting and retrieving with a wide variety of cover and obstacles for all three competitions.

“Together with the wonderful support of knowledgeable stewards and arena volunteers, and sponsors, we are proud to have been able to deliver a challenging and exciting competition to showcase the four nations’ teams of Retrievers and Spaniels.”

For more information, visit: www.thegamefair.org.

All four teams pose at the conclusion of the 2022 Home International (courtesy Melissa Bastin of Polo Images)