The Sherborne Country Fair held its 11th Team Retriever Charity Challenge in the beautiful grounds of Sherborne Castle by kind permission of the Wingfield Digby family. A total of 6 teams participated in the competition. The judges were Liz Taylor, Colin Pelham, Barry Taylor and Vickie Pritchard. The event was sponsored by BASC, Chudleys and Hi Lost. Events Co-ordinator Caroline MacGregor set 5 open standard tests which provided an excellent challenge for the dogs and handlers. As the teams gathered for a briefing a single dark cloud rolled in like a shroud blocking out the morning sun. The rain came in and hovered over the Castle grounds. As the competitors headed out to the tests the team banter echoed around the Deer Park. The traditional wet weather didn’t phase the dogs and the teams enjoyed a morning of varied and demanding tests.
Judges Vickie Pritchard, Liz Taylor, Colin Pelham, Barry Taylor. Test 1: The Bank consisted of 1 marked and 1 blind retrieve with a shot to the right uphill and a dummy thrown. The blind was retrieved first which was a shot to the left to indicate the direction of the blind retrieve. Test 2: The Shoot Lodge included 1 marked and 1 blind retrieve. The judge walked a short distance with the competitor and dog at heel followed by 2 shots, one up in the air ahead of the gun and the other to the left to indicate the direction of the blind. The marked dummy was thrown forward and landed behind low branches of a tree . As it simulates a runner the dog was sent straight away to retrieve it. The second blind retrieve was on the left beyond the top of the ditch. Test 3: The Pond consisted of 2 blind retrieves with no shots. The competitor had a choice of which one to pick first.
Louie Robertson with FTCH Mitforton Nacho. The Reeds and Woodland Test 4 included 1 marked and 1 blind retrieve. The team lined up and selected who goes for which retrieve. There were lots of shots fired and 4 dummies tossed into the reeds at intervals. There were 4 blind dummies put out in advance in the woodland on the left, with markers on trees as to their positions. Judge Barry Taylor enjoyed assessing the teams. “Some of the competitors are new to this challenge and when you’re running in a team you have huge pressure to do well so nerves play a big part. It’s a natural shoot environment and we are replicating what would happen on a shoot day so the dogs need to be of a high standard.”
Judge Barry Taylor on the right enjoyed being part of the charity challenge day. Test 5 was located at the Lakeside which consisted of 1 marked water retrieve. Teams were allowed to elect who retrieved first, second, third and fourth. Each judge gave a score for one dog in each team. The test was timed and only to be used in the case of a tie between teams. The water test is located close to the entrance of the castle and draws in a large number of spectators who can see the top dogs in action. The teams enjoyed the cheers from the crowd, especially when the dogs leapt into the water.
The Golden Retriever Club enjoying the water retrieve at the Lakeside. The day culminated with a team parade of all competitors and dogs in the main arena with the awards and presentations. The Wiltshire Working Gundog Society took First place. The South Eastern Gundog Society came a close second and URC Hants & South West came third. Paul Green from the Midland Golden Retriever Club was presented with ‘Top Dog’ for a fantastic individual performance with Slipslide Ebony. Peter was thrilled with the award. “This was my first time competing in this event and I’ve had a great day. The last six months has been a huge learning curve for us and my dog ran exceptionally well today. The tests were good as they were laid out to test the handler and the dog. The volunteers and the organisers of the event have been fantastic and given us a great day.”
Top Dog: Paul Green with Slipside Ebony It was a special day for Events Co-ordinator Caroline MacGregor who has been organising the gundog event for 16 years. “This is my last year. I’ve been involved with Sherborne Fair since it started 22 years ago. It started as a gundog event tact onto a small country fair. I was organising the trade stands for many years and then I got a call to ask if I would help to organise the first international gun dog event at Sherborne.” Caroline talks fondly about the growth of the event and the success of looking after the international teams. On the fourth year of the international it was evident the event had out grown Sherborne. “It moved to Highclere with my blessing but I wanted to keep a gun dog event at Sherborne so we invited UK teams to come and compete in a charity event at an open standard. This is our 11th year of the current format.” Caroline admits it will be hard not to watch the event next year.
Caroline MacGregor enjoying her last day. “Alot of my family come to Sherborne Fair and I hardly see them as I’m in the Deer Park for most of the day so next year I plan to have the day off and spend some time with them. Although I will probably find myself sneaking off to watch the dogs!”
Many thanks goes to the volunteers, organisers, sponsors and competitors for an enjoyable and successful day.
Results:
Top Dog: Paul Green with Slipside Ebony
1st Wiltshire Working Gundog Society
Dave England, Lubbock Queen of Hearts of Abney
Rob Smallman Helnoral Magnum
Nick Jordan Hollowbrook Hosta
Louie Robertson FTCH Mitforton Nacho
2nd South Eastern Gundog Society
Jason Mayhew Kestrelway Drake
Mell Brooks Ticefield Redwing of Anningtonbay
John Williamson Tealcreek Isla
Diana Stevens Never Disarray At Wylanbriar
3rd URC Hants & South West
Ken Green Green Autumn Willow Tag
Claire Salter Cynhinfa Napoleon
Paul Dukes Brockelbank Zinc
Katherine Impey Hippolytus Herald
Many thanks goes to the volunteers, organisers, sponsors and competitors for an enjoyable and successful day.
Results:
Top Dog: Paul Green with Slipside Ebony
1st Wiltshire Working Gundog Society
Dave England, Lubbock Queen of Hearts of Abney
Rob Smallman Helnoral Magnum
Nick Jordan Hollowbrook Hosta
Louie Robertson FTCH Mitforton Nacho
2nd South Eastern Gundog Society
Jason Mayhew Kestrelway Drake
Mell Brooks Ticefield Redwing of Anningtonbay
John Williamson Tealcreek Isla
Diana Stevens Never Disarray At Wylanbriar
3rd URC Hants & South West
Ken Green Green Autumn Willow Tag
Claire Salter Cynhinfa Napoleon
Paul Dukes Brockelbank Zinc
Katherine Impey Hippolytus Herald
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