IGL Retriever Championships

IGL Retriever Championships 2021

The lovely ground at the Ampton Shoot was the setting for the 2021 IGL Retriever Championships by kind permission of the Turner family and invitation of Peter and Charles Rushbrook of Boxtree Games Supplies Limited.

54 dogs qualified but as Mark Demaine was one of the judges his dog FT Ch Breckmarsh Ethan of Caytonfell did not compete and one of the Irish competitors John Dawson with Balleyvalley Riley was also absent. Of the 52 dogs running there were 3 Golden Retrievers ( 2 bitches and 1 dog) and 49 Labrador Retrievers, (11 bitches and 38 dogs). Last years winner FT Ch Miller McDuff was the oldest dog competing at 8 years of age and the youngest was Tyrrellison Jafar at just under 2 and a half. Handlers that have previously won the Championship were Tess Lawrence, David Latham, Leigh Jackson, Mike Tallamy, Keith Broomfield, David Lissett, John Halsted and Declan Boyle, winner of the last Championship.

Day 1 Guns.

The Judges were Kevin Doughty, Jamie Bettinson, Garry Ford and Mark Demaine The Steward of the Beat was Head Keeper, Alan Hammond and although there was snow on the previous weekend, the first morning was frosty and cold as we set off from the main house, down the concrete road towards a large field of mustard. Viewing for the gallery was not easy as the dogs were hidden in the crop but we flushed plenty of game as we walked along and dogs were sent and retrieves gathered. Two retrieves were given for the first round. A partridge was shot and landed on the right hand side of the line in front of the competitors gallery, Tim Brain’s FT Ch Amancio Tirptiz of Flypatch was sent and he was held in the area and retrieved the bird but we could see how little scent there was as he worked the area but didn’t pick it until he was right upon it. A bird was then shot in front of the gallery and it landed in an icy puddle, breaking the ice

Judges discussing their books. Head Keeper Alan Hammond.

Day 2 winner with hen pheasant.

and sinking, making it difficult for the dog to find, Paul Dukes’ Brocklebank Boorbon of Ravencote was put out by Liz Taylor with FT Ch Tagabea Loganberry . We stayed out in the mustard crop for the rest of the first round when the judges called a halt. Talking to Alan Hammond afterwards he commented that there was about another 100 yards to go before we ran out of mustard when the trial was ended for the day. The guns shot brilliantly with few runners and the judges gave the dogs every chance to pick. There was one bird, shot behind the line which saw Keith Broomfield with Lowtrey Klay of Ticefield, Kevin Haynes with Adoraden Trevor of Cairngryffe and Marianne Copp with Pointhill Peregrine eyewiped by the judges. Louie Robertson with FT Ch Mitforton Onour put out Amy Collier and Brocklebank Vital and Simon Capstick with Gunnerspeg Apollo and then Gary Wood with Millbuies Ghillie picked a pigeon behind Keiron Coey’s Tyrellison Jafar, Declan Boyle’s FT Ch Jake of Blackburn and Niels Henrik Hansen’s FT Ch Drakeshead Calico. The day ended with 33 dogs (31 Labradors and 2 Golden Retrievers), being asked to return for the second day. The second day saw us moving into a rape crop which made viewing much easier for everyone. Again the guns shot well and there were a number of hares shot as well as the partridge, pheasant and pigeons. One retrieve was required for round 2. This round saw us lose just a few dogs and 26 dogs were required for the third round of two retrieves. The day progressed mainly through the rape crop and we watched some lovely dog work with retrieves across the line. Frazer Forbes and FT Ch Omachie Colonel of Carnochway completed a lovely two dog eyewipe and Mel Brooks with Anningtonbay Maddi May picked behind Tim Brain and Mike Tallamy with FT Ch Brindlebay Brigands picked behind Leigh Jackson’s FT Ch Laggengill Dawn of Blackgrass. At the end of this round and day two we were left with 17 dogs required ( 16 Labradors and 1 Golden Retriever) for the third and final day.

Day 3 - Eight remaining dogs for the duck drive.

The third day started in the rape again and the dogs were stretched with long retrieves and some lovely dog work. We then moved into mustard which was not as thick as the first day and the viewing was good although the gallery was moved around in circles to keep up with the line as it wheeled around, leaving Fiona Joint who was in charge of the competitors tearing her hair out!!! There was a lovely retrieve by Gary Wood when he picked a woodcock and put out two dogs. Ronnie Laughton and FT Ch Wytonruss Finnigan was then brought from the far side and completed a retrieve across the line, eye wiping another two dogs. Super dog work to watch all morning, with some dogs with super credits unfortunately falling at the last hurdles. There were eight dogs required (7 Labradors and 1 Golden Retriever) for the duck drive. Frazer Forbes with FT Ch Omachie Colonel of Carnochway, Jason Mayhew with Mr and Mrs Berry’s Berryshot Bernie, Kirsty Cousins with Westerkames Rigline of Brogdenview, Annette Clarke’s FT Ch Castlemans Gobi of Garronpoint, Nathan Laffy with FT Ch Think Twice Zero to Hero, Gary Wood and Millbuies Ghillie, Ronnie Laughton and FT Ch Wytonruss Finnigan and Tony O’Hare with FT Ch Burrendale Ace were all lined out along one side of the lake and the guns on the

opposite side. A number of ducks were shot and the first four dogs were sent over for retrieves. More ducks were driven over the lake and the other four dogs were sent. Annette Clarke’s dog was lost at this point and the trial was over. We all walked back to the main house and much discussion was had whilst the judges deliberated and the committee prepared for the prize giving. There were thank you’s to the sponsors and helpers and gifts given to the guns, the keeper and his staff, the landowners and of course to the judges. The main event was the announcement of the awards. 1st Gary Wood and Millbuies Ghillie 2nd Frazer Forbes with FT Ch Omachie Colonel of Carnochway 3rd Nathan Laffy with FT Ch Think Twice Zero to Hero 4th Ronnie Laughton and FT Ch Wytonruss Finnigan

Diplomas of Merit Jason Mayhew with Mr and Mrs Berry’s Berryshot Bernie Kirsty Cousins with Westerkames Rigline of Brogdenview Tony O’Hare with FT Ch Burrendale Ace Gary thanked everyone involved but gave special thanks to his wife for her support. The judges spoke of the superb dog work they had seen and the difficulties of keeping the dog and handler focussed for three long hard days of competition. The Honorary Field Trial secretary Mrs. May Jane Opie, and the officers and committee of the International Gundog league had done a fantastic job, and had organised an excellent 3 days. There was a fundraiser running during the Championships organised by Sharon Dingle for the Country Food Trust who provide protein rich meals for people in need using game meat, every £1 raised provides a meal for someone in need. The link will have expired by the time you read this but it’s a worthy cause that you may wish to give a New Year donation to. Here is the link to find out more www. thecountryfoodtrust.org