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The Golden Retriever Club
Working Results for 2004




GRC Open Working Test at Whitfield Herefordshire
Sunday 13th June
(Report by Annie Wales)


The GRC Open Working Test took place at the beautiful Whitfield Estate near Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire by kind invitation of the Hon. Charles Clive on Sunday 13th June. The weather was perfect - clear blue skies with a light breeze and there was plenty of water for dogs to have a cooling dip between tests.

Although a smaller number of entries than in past years, the standard was every bit as high and the atmosphere was as relaxed and happy as ever so it was a most enjoyable day for all concerned. This must have been due in large part to the two excellent judges, Messrs. Adrian Verinder and Robin Watson with their wicked senses of humour. We are all grateful to them both for a memorable day.
There were five tests beginning with a long mark over a track and up into a wood where some dogs lost the mark and handlers found it difficult to handle through the trees. Second was a long blind the other side of the lake up a well grown grassy hillside between copses of bushes. Then came a blind, saluted by gunfire, over the lake, which is around 50 yds. wide and has a long island with thick cover just left of the line the dogs would take - not to mention the itinerant geese and ducks who were not to be moved by passing dogs. One or two dogs fell prey either to the island or the live distractions - or both! This was followed by a blind to gunfire into the wood and a mark into the lake - blind to be hunted up first.

After lunch we had a walk-up in well grown set aside where each dog saw a 'bird' shot close to the line immediately followed by a shot on the end of the line with the call 'rabbit down, 20 yards off the end of the line!' The judge then picked up the mark as it was too close to be of use as a retrieve and sent each dog in turn for the 'rabbit'.

The winner was Judith Evans' Holway Victor who had looked good at everything he did - confident and fast. 2nd. was Colin MacGregor's Tauvechan Magnum 3rd. & 4th. Judy Hendry's Kenee Mist of Deadcraft and her son Deadcraft Humphrey. Judy also gained the silver plate for the highest placed bitch.

Congratulations to all three and thank-you everyone for such a lovely day.




GRC Puppy, Novice & Veteran Working Tests, at Hardwicke Court, Glos.
By kind permission of Mr. Charles Lloyd-Baker
(Report by Annie Wales)

The Puppy, Novice & Veteran took place two weeks later at Hardwicke Court, Glos. By kind permission of Mr. Charles Lloyd-Baker who very kindly also presented the awards for us over the tea and cakes.

Here it was a pleasure to give first judging appointments to two up and coming field trailers and I am extremely grateful to Graham Cox and Gwen Knox for being 'in the wings' if needed. In the event they weren't as both John Slatter and Claire Baker proved confident and excellen
t judges. Many thanks to all of them for giving up their day for our enjoyment.

The Puppy Tests were based on basic training exercises as these dogs are too young to have been out in the shooting field. They had five tests which tested for heelwork, steadiness, hunting ability and water ending with a mini walk-up for two puppies at a time.

Results of the Puppy Test were: 1st. Alexis Prosser's Mistybrook Shannon of Yarlington 2nd. David Rundall's Laytoncroft Mulberry 3rd. Lorina Blankenspoor's Cleynhge Walk over Them 4th. Pam Lynes' Castlemans Grand Slam

Novice and Veteran ran the same tests with minor adjustments to reflect the greater experience and in some cases, lesser agility, of these seasoned campaigners. So the water test which involved hunting reeds on the far side of the pond was a mark for the Novices and a blind with gunfire for the Vets. And the fence for the retrieve into the wood was removed in consideration of the fact that some of the participants were 12 years plus.

Results for the Novice: 1st. Laurina Blankinspoor's Childrey Fennel with Cleynhage 2nd. Chris Marchant's Castlemans Warhead 3rd. Norma Sleeman's Burnthill Cascade 4th. Jean Bavestock's Baveybuilt Merlot

Veterans: 1st. Mary Lodge's Bednall Finlay 2nd. Mervyn Philpott's Standerwick Robina 3rd. Hilary Smith's Foxcote Shamrock

As this was my last season as Working Test Secretary I would like to say how very much I've enjoyed running the Tests. I am particularly grateful to all those who have helped out - some like Laurie Pittaway - who aren't even Golden people - and also to everyone who takes part. As Mick Baker - a dyed-in-the-wool lab. man, who was kind enough to acquire Whitfield Estate for the Open for us, and helped out at both tests - commented, there's such a lovely atmosphere at these Tests and everyone seems to really enjoy themselves! (Rumours are now rife that Mick has seen the light and will be getting a 'proper dog'!) He's right too. Golden people are nice, friendly people and after the Tests are over, all the dogs run free - one person described it as 'free-range Goldens'. It's a beautiful sight and something you never see at AV Tests, sadly. I wonder why?

I couldn't possibly leave without thanking Gwen Knox for her unfailing support and friendship. As far as I am concerned, Gwen IS the working GRC and all those of us who take part in Tests or Trials owe her an enormous debt of gratitude for her single-minded determination to further the best interests of working goldens. Many thanks also to Michael Tong for his gentle kindness over the accounts about which I worried far more than the Tests!
I leave you in the very capable hands of Kim Ellis whom I'm sure will do a superb job as Working Test Secretary. She's certainly made an excellent start.
So thank you all for your support, your patience and unfailing good humour. Good luck and I'll see you around, as they say.