Report on Field Trials in 22/23 season   

Last season again proved to be difficult, following on from the Covid outbreak we were faced with “Bird Flu” emanating from Europe. This resulted in many shoots having to slaughter their birds to stop the outbreak from spreading & those shoots that continued to operate imposed strict guidelines regarding hygiene on both people & their dogs.

I was very lucky as Robert Atkinson kindly invited us to hold both our Novice & Open stakes on his farm shoot & dates & KC Licences suitably arranged.

The Novice was held on the 8th October with the game restricted to Duck as the cost & number of Pheasant & Partridge had been severely curtailed following demand by the big commercial shoots.

For the first time in a number of years I reintroduced “The Warpersmoss” Trophy for the winner. We duly had an excellent trial with a high standard of dog work ably judged by Jamie Bettinson, Joy Venturi-Rose, Jane Mann and Sarah Winter.

The resulting winner had hot footed over from Belgium and won in the Dog's First Trial.

1) P Vivijs with Think Twice One Man Show (D)

2) Margaret Allen with Winbeck Loyal Kinsman of Tanderswell (D) & Guns Choice

4) Judy Rainey with Tallygold Glimfeather at Deadcraft (B)

Our Open had been arranged for early December & a few days beforehand Robert phoned, totally disappointed, because his Ducks had, in the main done a runner. Its not unusual for this to happen although not a frequent occurrence but nevertheless very unfortunate as we had to cancel the trial. I did try for another shoot to help us out but with Bird Flu still prevalent it wasn’t possible.

Sadly we therefore were unable to produce a winner to help towards qualification to the Retriever Championship to be held next season.

I would however like to thank those that helped at our Novice trial & made themselves available to be at the Open stake. My thanks also to the entire Atkinson & Mann families who offer your grounds to us. Without you all we would not be able to hold trials.

It goes without saying our thanks goes also to Skinners for their continued support with additional prizes.

Stuart Robson

Field Trial Secretary

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