2025 Novice & Open Working Tests

held on Sunday 3rd August 2025

Venue: Park Farm, Grundisburgh

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Judges:  Mr O Russell (B, 3564) & Miss V Gross (NP)

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We held our annual novice and open working tests yesterday at Grundisburgh by kind permission of Lord Cranworth and his keeper Chris Dickings. Huge thanks to Steve Hoyle for making the arrangements.

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The weather was kind at the start of the day, not too hot with a fair bit of moisture in the ground. Temperature did rise as the day went on, but thankfully didn't reach the heights of earlier in the year. We finished the day with rain!

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Our judges for the day were Owen Russell and Victoria Gross with the tests being held in sugar beet. There were 25 entrants in the Novice; they had a marked retrieve under Owen and a blind retrieve under Victoria. All the dogs did well, with most completing all elements. There was plenty of the scent on the ground, indeed a hare, a pheasant and a partridge were all flushed during the test.

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10 dogs ran in the Open; they had a blind retrieve under Owen and a marked retrieve under Victoria. The blind was tricky; it was ahead of the dogs, and in front of the other side. The marked retrieve was also in front of the other dog. Most dogs completed all elements.

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There are a lot of people to thank on the day:

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Helpers: Matt Tulett, Mark Rose, Pat White, Lucy Benton, Emma Morris, Emma White.

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Tea & Coffee: Pat & Keith Fedi

Lunch for the Judges: Everyone that made a contribution

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Photos: Ray Hood @ Country Trail Images

Sponsors: ACME Whistles

 

Everyone that brought prizes and bought raffle tickets; we raised £125!

 

Apologies if I have missed anyone.

 

Finally, the results:

 

Novice Test

1st Teybrook Cotterdale handled by Jessie Musk

2nd Canalgame's Barbie handled by David Cobb

3rd Julzcrackers Baloo of Wateravens handled by Mark Stephens

4th Cheweky Trixy handled by Julie Cracknell

COMs

Kentwone Simply Perfect handled by Graham Clarke

Deepfleet Hela handled by Bob Goodspeed

Shiveck Snowstorm at Nossewej handled by Tracey Jewesson-Newman

 

Best Hunting Dog: Teybrook Cotterdale

Best Under 18 Months: Canalgame's Barbie

1st Year Novice Handler: Len Robinson

 

Open:

1st Heathcroft Candy handled by Emma White

2nd FTCH Shiveck Piccolo at Nossewej handled by Steve Newman

3rd Speckle Wood Fern of Wateravens handled by Mark Stephens

4th Nossewej Javert handled by Tracey Jewesson-Newman

COMs

Shiveck Moonlight Princess handled by David Cobb

Lytracaney Cai at Ravensyard handled by Steph Ravn-Aagaard

 

Best Hunting Dog: Heathcroft Candy

Best Handler: Emma White

Most Stylish Dog: FTCH Shiveck Piccolo at Nossewej

 

Following our training sessions, the Stig Memorial Trophy is awarded to the handler with the Most Improved Dog:

 

This year the recipient is:

Alex Hough with Oppenheimer

 

Once, again thanks to everyone for making yesterday such an enjoyable day.