All Aged Stake – 16th November, 2021
Stubton Estate, Stubton nr Newark by kind permission of Malcolm Partridge
The club had a total of 50 entries – We had a total of 26 changes and the trial card finished with 24 dogs. The day before the trial there were three changes to the card and thankfully the three of the four people, I called agreed to run their dogs. The main reason for all the changes was due to hanlders being offered open runs, Two of the judges plus David Coode and myself stayed the night before the trial at The Hare and Hounds, Fulbeck. Steve and Paula Cullis joined us for dinner, The guns and judges met again for breakfast. The Hare and Hounds also prepared a packed lunch for judges, guns and helpers including filling two flasks of coffee. Everyone met on a hard standing where the introductions were made, and the trial declared as open. We drove for around five minutes onto the ground. A secure area on an old airfield. The trial started with the first four dogs walking through a small wood where the first few birds were shot. We then moved into knee high rape and the birds were shot quickly by the guns. Good marking skills and dogs getting their heads down was essential. We then moved into tall sugarbeet and the line walked across rows. Again, good marking skills were needed as the guns put birds on the ground. At the end of the 2nd round 8 dogs remained, and we moved onto a drive into the sugarbeet. The dogs were tested and after 5 retrieves each there were four dogs remaining. Judges huddled and had to go through their books to come up with a result. We moved back to the vehicles where judges, guns and helpers had their lunches and I quickly prepared the results as we were losing light. It was a very good trial with several challenges and excellent dog work. RESULTS 1st and guns choice - Tempurong Fern’s Red Rose LB - Vanessa King Labrador Retriever Club Rose Bowl 2nd Ticefield Ramble on to Elbertow LB - Angie Townsend 3rd Riverview Farm Dr Pepper LD - Kevin Haynes also best looking dog in the awards – LRC Gamekeepers Cup 4th Elmertow If I May LB - Keith Townsend.
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