English Springer
Spaniel Club
2024 Field Trial
Report:
Novice – 6th November 2024
Ground: Checkley Wood Shoot by kind permission of Ivor and Nick Beavis
Judges: Mrs Margaret Cox and Ms Sam Thatcher
Guns: Karl, Rob, Martin and Phil
Helpers: Roy Proctor, Vicky Lipscombe, Lynn Redman, Donna Bainbridge, Tina Nicholas and Simon Whale.
Sponsors: Skinners, Gamekeepers Goods, Rhinegold
After a fantastic breakfast (and a few late arrivals due to unpublished road closure on Checkley Lane), we started on time and with a full card. We had a total of 38 entries for our novice trial and only had changes to the card where entrants had qualified out of novice.
The trial was run in bramble woodland with an excellent supply of game. The guns shot well from the outset under Roy’s expert supervision running the line. Our stewards Lynn and Vicky did a great job keeping the trial flowing and the competitors relaxed and happy. Over half the card finished the trial (results below). Huge thanks to Roy for his continued support of the club and supporting our FT sec Emily in her first season in the role.
Our judges worked really hard to ensure the dogs had opportunity to shine and had some lovely dogs to assess. A notable mention goes to Thomas Rockall who was awarded a CoM in his first ever trial, running his father’s dog and being just 15 years old. Wonderful to see such a polite and composed lad and working the dog so proficiently. Our eventual winner, Liam, had made it to the trial by a matter of seconds after getting stuck in the road closures. It was a good day for the Welsh lads and training partners Liam and Harry, taking 1st and 2nd place respectively.
The winner was awarded an engraved whisky glass kindly provided by Gamekeepers Goods, as well as a lead, lanyard and training dummy, a Skinners voucher and a waterproof dog coat courtesy of Rhinegold. The placed dogs also received vouchers from Skinners and equipment from Gamekeepers Goods. The Guns Choice award was an engraved priest provided by Gamekeepers Goods. All of the competitors received a discount voucher towards Rhinegold dog coats and a Skinners Energy Bar. We are extremely grateful to all our sponsors for their generous support.
Since the trial, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th placed dogs have gone on to win novice trials. Josh Gresty and Spanbella Supershot Shelby also went on to win an open trial later in the season and to run at the Championships.
Sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to what was a successful and enjoyable day.
Results:
1st – Rhanna Backaction, Liam Morris
2nd – Rushivy Eva, Harry Law
3rd – Breckmarsh Jessi, Lee Cooper
4th – Spanbella Supershot Shelby, Josh Gresty (and Guns Choice)
CoM
Leightonbeack Peregrine, Chris Deardon
Macdhaibhidh Nsky Juliette, Andrew Davidson
Shropshire Soldier, Alan Rubery Jones
Kentwone Fanta, Tony Moir
Dawsonlee Quail, Thomas Rockall
our Novice Trial winner wearing the prize
of a Rhinegold Dog Coat
4th place and ‘Guns Choice’ at our Novice Trial
in the gallery
Open 20th November 2024
Ground: Checkley Wood Shoot by kind permission of Ivor and Nick Beavis
Judges: Mr Ben Randall and Mr Steve Brankin
Guns: Karl, Tricky, Matty and Ray
Helpers: Roy Proctor, Kirsty Mackenzie, Jennifer Ablett, David Ross
Sponsors: Gamekeepers Goods, Skinners, Rhinegold
With snow on the ground, a motorway closure and a car fire on the M6 we were again close to the wire with our A panel judge held up as well as a few competitors. Somehow, we still managed to start on time and with a full card and came straight into a plentiful supply of game in the woodland. Again, we had fantastic entries with 45 entries received for this trial.
Roy was in charge of the gallery and did a sterling job managing the competitors and providing a picking up dog. David Ross ran the gun line brilliantly. Our guns, Karl, who has shot at our trials for many years and the rest of the team kindly put together by Richard Thompson, head gamekeeper at Consall Valley Shoot did a brilliant job providing some excellent opportunities for the dogs. Many thanks to the Pointon family for allowing Richard a day away from the shoot to come and support us.
It was wonderful to have our ESSC Treasurer Hazel Warrener and another spaniel Show Judge at our trial. As part of the Judges Education Programme, breed judges attend a trial to see the dogs working and gain an appreciation of the working gundog. Thanks to all our competitors for making them feel so welcome and providing a great overview of trialling.
Again, it proved to be a good day for the Welsh with Wesley Thomas taking the top spot, Aran Wareing taking 2nd place, Matt Harry taking 4th and Nick Lyons achieving a CoM in his first open trial. Wes had also won an open trial in Wiltshire the previous week and was able to complete a (very cold) water test with his dog after the trial to make the dog up to Field Trial Champion. As luck would have it, he had a new warm and dry coat for his dog for the journey back to South Wales! Many Thanks to fellow competitor and A panel judge Jeff Rayner for staying behind to oversee and sign off the water test.
The winner was awarded an engraved whisky glass kindly provided by Gamekeepers Goods, as well as a lead, lanyard and training dummy, a Skinners voucher and a waterproof dog coat courtesy of Rhinegold. The placed dogs also received vouchers from Skinners and equipment from Gamekeepers Goods. The Guns Choice award was an engraved priest provided by Gamekeepers Goods. All of the competitors received a discount voucher towards Rhinegold dog coats. We are extremely grateful to all our sponsors for their generous support.
Since the trial, award winners Trevis Crothers and Stephen Tyson also went on to win open trials and run at the Championships. Sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to what was a cold but very enjoyable day.
Results:
1st – Cudannsa Rum of Llechrhyd, Wesley Thomas
2nd – Shellspoon Living the Dream, Aran Wareing
3rd – Rokedene Amy, Trevis Crothers
4th – Merebrook Kiwi of Breweryfield, Matthew Harry
CoM
Boggswater Hendricks of Brumalis (and Guns Choice)
FTCh Phoenixflush Kendall, Dale Rayson
Edgegrove Tori, Sam Moon
Rytex Racing, Stephen Tyson
Ddunant Elysian, Nick Lyons
wrapped up warm at
our snowy Open Trial
the last of the runs in our Open Trial
Award Winners and Judges
Gamekeepers Goods
Gamekeepers Goods
