Events and Results
Saturday 07 Dec 2024 - UGS All Aged Field Trial Finals 2024
Location: Ampton Shoot, Great Livermere, Suffolk
Utility Gundog Society All Aged Finals run at Ampton, Great Livermere.
On the 7th December 2024 Herts, Beds & Bucks branch of the Utility Gundog Society hosted the All Aged Finals at Ampton, Great Livermere, Suffolk by the very kind permission of Mr. Peter Rushbrooke.
The twelve competitors, judges, guns and helpers gathered in front of the Hall for the introductions as storm Darragh raged around us. Our judges for the day were: Tom Lowe, Peter Abbs, Lee Hayman and Adam Holmes. Guns were Ian Carpenter, Ken Byron, Roy Jarman, Ed Lawson, Richard Bunyon and Mike Chamberlin. Helpers for the day were Josephine Van dur Dussen, Tammy White, Steve Bancroft and Ellin for whom this was her first experience of a retriever trial. We assured her that it can only get better as the weather was not usually this bad.
We were in the very capable hands of Richard, our Keeper for the day. He had decided that due to the weather conditions, we would have several mini drives with walked up in cover crops in between the drives. Despite the windy conditions the guns were on form, they provided us with a constant supply of shot birds for the dogs to pick. It was clear from the very start that this was going to be a trial of the highest standard and over the course of the day, we only lost two dogs from the original twelve. After the last drive we moved into a field of sugar beet as we still had 4 dogs requiring one retrieve each to complete their third round. This was achieved quickly with a minimum of fuss, and we retired back to the Hall to get out of the wet clothes and await the presentations.
Results.
First Place – Jason Mayhew’s Lab Dog, Wauniago Fabino.
Winning- The Lord Ludlow Perpetual Challenge Cup, The Quinton Dick Challenge Cup, The R Sharpe Memorial Cup & The Double Champion Bolo Perpetual Challenge Cup.
Second Place – Adam Snare’s Lab Dog, Halorros Milkyway of Mearcastle
Winning – The Liphook Game Farm Cup
Third Place – Kelvin Nettleingham’s Lab Bitch, Luddesdowne Ebony
Winning - The Spratts Patent Challenge Cup, The Wheeler-Galton Perpetual Challenge Cup & The R Sharpe Founder Members Cup.
Fourth Place – John Keegan’s Lab Dog, Geordieland Wolfie
COM’s
1) Roger Wade’s Lab Dog – Klato Jackdaw of Wadeshot
2)Janna Zours Lab Dog – Northglen Lester Hunt
Also winning – The Gate Court Challenge Cup for best lady handler at the finals
3) Anna Mayhew’s Lab Bitch – Wauniago Dara
4) Kim Jink’s GR Dog – Jinkster Golden Gamble
Also winning The Goldspan Trophy for best Golden Retriever at the finals
5) Dr Marianna Morris-Worral’s Lab Bitch – Castletioram Red Maggie
Saturday 16 Nov 2024 - 12 Dog Novice AV Retriever Trial
Location: Standon, Herts
On the 16th November 2024 the HBB branch ran a 12 dog Novice trial at New Street Farm, Standon, Herts by the very kind permission of Mr. Philip Smith and Mr. Jeffrey Pearman.
Our judges for the day were Mr. Phil Allen, Mr. Dave Barnes, Ms. Josephine Van der Dussen and Mr. Peter Childs. Peter kindly stepped in at the last moment after one of the judges had to pull out for family reasons.
This is a friendly family shoot, and we were blessed with, not one but two keepers. Phil Congreve and Andy Freeman . They, together with a big band of beaters and helpers run a tight ship, putting plenty of birds in the air for the guns to shoot with superb precision. The first drive saw the guns lined out with their backs to the lake and a mixture of pheasants and partridges dropped along the lake margines, in the water and on the island.
As is quite common now days with driven trials, the judge’s elected to use the odds and evens system. Drive over, and the judges set about selecting appropriate retrieves for each of the dogs. It became apparent that those birds in the water were proving a challenge for most of the dogs and very quickly we were down to just two dogs remaining in the trial. The judges sent one of the dogs for a bird that had dropped just on the edge of a cover crop, but it failed to pick, with the second dog duly eye wiping it. The last dog standing required one more retrieve to complete the 3rd round and was taken round to the other side of the lake and asked to pick a bird on the very edge the water under the overhang of a tree. I am happy to say it succeeded and looked very smart doing so and the judges declared the trial over.
A big thank you to all my helpers on the day, judges for their had work, the keepers and their team of beaters and the Guns for their superb shooting.
As the trial was completed in one drive, our hosts asked if the competitors want to pick up on the next couple drives before we went back to yard for lunch and presentations. Most people duely complied with some staying to pick up on the remain drives after lunch.
First Place - Not awarded
Second Place - Winning the Pintailen Cup: Mr Jim Collins Lab bitch Willowmount Goldicova at Brockaghs (IKC)
Guns Choice - Winning the Rayton Park Trophy: Mr Dave Bevan Lab dog Dukesholt Atlas of Roosthole
Wednesday 13 Nov 2024 - 16 Dog Novice Field Trial 2024
Location: Black Notley, Essex
On the 13th November 2024 the HBB branch ran their 16 dog Novice trial at Black Notley, Essex by the very kind permission of Mr. Danny Breeze and the Black Notley team of Guns. The keeper, Danny. and his beaters worked hard to drive the partridges and pheasants over the guns. The splendid shooting by the team of nine guns resulted in the trial being completed in just two drives.
Our judges for the day were Ms. Jo Rollinson, Mr. Stewart North, Ms. Abbie Reid and Mr. Roy Jarman.
The judges managed to complete the 1st and 2nd round on the first drive but unfortunately, we lost several dogs for various reasons which meant only 5 dogs going forward to sit on the second drive. Again, the guns shot well despite the low winter sun which made it difficult to see the birds coming. Drive over and the judges set about picking the birds which had dropped into a belt of woodland and on the grass around the gun pegs. Four dogs were sent in order, to pick a bird in the wood with only the fourth having a find, thus eye wiping the first three. This left just two dogs in the trial both needing retrieves to complete the third round. The judges then tried both dogs on a partridge that had fallen on the grass in front of the gun peg. Sadly, neither dog was successful with the judges going forward and finding it exactly where the marker told them it had landed.
A big thank you to all my helpers on the day, judges for their had work, Danny and his team of beaters and the Guns for their superb shooting.
NO AWARDS GIVEN
Wednesday 11 Sep 2024 - 16 Dog All Aged Field Trial 2024
Location: Brook Farm, Cuffley
On the 11th September 2024 the HBB branch ran their All Aged trial at Brook Farm, Cuffley by the very kind permission of Mr. David Thomas and the Brook Farm Shoot. The keeper, Dan Serdiuk and his beaters worked hard to drive the partridges over the guns. The splendid shooting by the team of nine guns resulted in the trial being completed in just two drives and some 120 birds in the bag.
Our judges for the day were Mrs. Sue Hutton, Mr. Mark Polley, Mrs Sam Kirkland and Mr. Mark Schiller. The standard of dog work was very high, and the judges worked hard to find the best dogs on the day, with six featuring in the awards. A big thank you to all those that helped on the day, we could not do it without you.
Over the years, the trials at Cuffley have always been relaxed, enjoyable and great atmosphere. There has been many in the 25 years I have been involved with the shoot, both retriever and spaniel trials. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end, and this will be the last for Cuffley as the shoot will close at the end of the season. The club extends our heartfelt thanks to David Thomas and wish him well in his retirement.
First Place - winning The Liphook Game Farm Trophy
Kiato Isaac of Flypatch - handled by Mr. Tim Brain
Second Place and Guns Choice - winning The Manymills Cup & Geordieland Cup
Santanna Moonflower - handled by Mrs. Julia Reed
Third Place
Geordieland Wolfie - handled by Mr. John Keegan
COM's
Griffin via Dearbridge - handled by Mrs. Liz Barnes
Ticefield Dazed & Confused - handled by Mr. Ben Almey
Winners Avenue of Sirenbirch - handled by Mr. Roy Jarman
Sunday 04 Aug 2024 - Open Walked Up on FT Lines 2024
Location: Manor Farm
Sunday 07 Jul 2024 - Puppy, NDNH and Veteran 2024
Location: Rickneys
Sunday 21 Apr 2024 - Special Puppy and Novice 2024
Location: Cuffley
Sunday 17 Mar 2024 - Open Qualify 2024
Location: Easneye Estate
UGS HBB held our Open Qualifier on Sunday 17th March 2024 at Easneye Estate, Ware by kind permission of The Buxton Family.
Judges: Nick Clitheroe (A2450), Joy Venturi-Rose (B1930), Lesley Crompton and Jennifer Thomas.
We were very kindly sponsored by Skinner’s Field and Trial and Sporting Saint. A big thank you to the landowner, judges and helpers for all your hard work and for a great day.
1st place - Michael Crutchley with Mitforton Teal
2nd place - Anthony Peters with Atikonak Bullrush
3rd place - Ellena Nunneley with Swiftlands Briar
4th place - Robert Small with Troddenmills If Only
COM - Abbie Reid with Lyebreach Golden Eagle Of Riverlily
COM - John Keegan with Geordieland Wolfie
Michael Crutchley with Mitforton Teal winning The Marlborough Trophy and The Rayleas Cup.
Anthony Peters with Atikonak Bullrush winning The Edrith Cup to the Runner up.
Jacqui Crew with Hanans Kertis winning The Leanchor Cup for The Best Golden Retriever.
Congratulations to all those in the awards!
1st - 4th qualify for the UGS Area Finals team event.