The open winners with the judges: (from left) Mike Bradbury, Mervyn Dixon, Harvey Jones, Judith White, John Benyon, Matthew Williams, Paul Appleton, Shaun Purtill, Glenys Caldwell and Ian Askew.
By Mary Roberts
Monday, 24 November 2008
The Clwyd Retriever Club held their annual working tests on consecutive weekends at Eaton estate, Chester, both of which were kindly sponsored by C.S.J. Cannine Foods.
The puppy and novice tests were held first, judged by Alan Fryer, Mike Allen, H. Taylor and Eileen Dudley.
Four tests were set for the puppies to examine heelwork, steadiness with seen and blind retrieves. The older pups were stretched further with an additional right and left retrieve.
The ground was very testing for the novice dogs with a walk-up in high set-aside and poor scent in the warm weather.
All dogs had one forward seen retrieve and one blind behind, a mark over the fence in to the wood and a blind retrieve down the field in cover, and finally a marked water retrieve.
The following week the open test was again held in the high set-aside and all the dogs with good hunting ability did well.
They all had a blind retrieve over a fence in to the wood, a long marked retrieve in to the set-aside, and a water retrieve of about 70 yards across the lake.
Judges Glenys Caldwell, Ian Askew, Mike Bradbury and Mervyn Dixon required a run-off before deciding first and second places and also for third and fourth.
Many thanks to Eaton estate for allowing the club to use the ground again and thank you to all the helpers at both events.

The novice and puppy test winners with the judges: (from left) Alan Fryer, Gary McCarthy, Wendy Tombs, Ian Griffiths, Bob Clay, Gareth Lewis, Fiona Smith, Richard Howell, Derek Amos, Mike Alan, Ray Reed, Peter Thomas, Eileen Dudley, Shaun Purtill and Mary Roberts.
RESULTS
Puppy 6-12 months
1 Gareth Lewis with Gwyrchbedw Caradog
2 Gareth Lewis with Settador Rum of Gwyrchbedw
3 Ian Griffiths with Kiltol Kestrel
4 Glyn Roberts with Gwyrchbedw Carwyn
Puppy 12-15 months
1 Wendy Tombs with Chemsell Wizadora
2 Bob Clay with Chemsell Bob Bobin of Oncote
3 Derek Amos with Benshinnie Brian
4 Gary McCarthy with Benshinnie Zebberdy
Novice
1 Ray Reed with Hesketh Bank Holly
2 Richard Howell with Chisbrook Boris
3 Gareth Lewis with Snipespeed Prince
4 Mary Roberts with Greenbriar Date
CoM Peter Thomas with Rue Moss Delta Dawn
CoM Shaun Purtill with Nevillebriar Megan
Open
1 John Benyon with Hartwood Hill Exeat
2 Matthew Williams with Nico Felyn
3 Judith White with Black Scout of Minstead
4 Paul Appleton with Timmy Flanny
Held by kind permission of Lady Anne Bentinck and ...
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