Monday 30 October 2017

Retrieving Trial 29 October 17



Summer is almost here! WGAA’s retrieving trial on Sunday 31st of October was … warm. Byron Kendall, our Advanced judge on the day, gave some sage advice in his opening remarks when he said to bring dogs to the starting pegs wet and to keep an eye out for snakes and grass seeds. Both Byron and Intermediate judge, Bill Allen, toiled manfully all day under difficult conditions, conditions that made thing very difficult for dogs and handlers. A good sized brown snake necessitated changing the first run in the advanced stake, while logs and low water levels combined with thick vegetation made things interesting for dogs in both stakes.
At the end of an intense day both judges made reference to the difficult conditions and the handling errors that confounded dogs and handlers alike. Trials are always tricky affairs, and runs that appear to be simple can suddenly throw up problems resulting in frustration for handlers and confusion for dogs. This was certainly the case in the Advanced stake and Byron was unable to award any placings, However, in the Intermediate stake Bill filled the podium with Sam Hayes’ lab, Samirya Field Scout (Scout) in first place, Angie Bloomer’s GSP Kobidan Justice Endures (Ishtar) as runner-up and Shane Emond’s lab Samirya Slim Jim (Slim) in third place.
Many thanks go to the committee who laboured away on the Saturday, Sunday, and in the weeks preceding the trial to make the event happen. To our judges Byron and Bill, who, as always, blended diplomacy, knowledge and application to the task, to the property owner and to everyone else who pitched in on the day to ensure a successful and memorable event.    
   

 Intermediate judge Bill Allen & Andrew & Bass
 Phillip & Bella
 David & Miss Hurley
 Marley

 How's that!

 Andrew & Archie line up for Advanced Judge Byron Kendall

 Intermediate winner Sam Heyes & Scout
 It's here somewhere.

 Angie & Ishtar at the start line.

 A tough swim back.

A big thank you for Byron Kendall

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