(Updated 31/7/01)

Clumbers win at Sussex day

AT THE Sussex Spaniel Association’s recent working tests held appropriately in Sussex there were 36 entrants; not only Sussex but also Clumbers, Welsh Springers and Field Spaniels.

For many it was their first time out with their dogs since foot and mouth disease started and it was good to see everyone enjoying the freedom of the private woodland and lake area which was ideal for testing working ability which had not had any livestock on it, so allowing the event to go ahead.

Open Winner and Best in Test
Mr John Zurick and Sedgehurst Tormentum.

Some dogs were short on training due to the restrictions, as Shula Shipton from Burton on Trent bemoaned; but the chief judge Wendy Knight reminded thos present that there was no excuse not to have the basic stop to whistle and recall perfected, as those exercises can be practised at home in the garden.

Wendy assisted by second judge John Wagstaff set each test to give the dogs a chance to show their hunting ability as well as a seen and blind retrieve on canvas dummies. Jane Vereker took the water tests by the lake giving the dogs a chance to cool off envied by some of their handlers.

The Zuricks Clumbers dominated the awards with John winning Open and Best in Test with Sedgehurst Tormentum as well as Puppy with his seven month old dog Sedgehurst Hawkridge. Not to be left out Debbie won novice with her bitch Sedgehurst Damascuss. They were delighted to take several bags of Skinners dog meal on the long journey back to Somerset, courtesy of the sponsors.

Judges, left to right, Jane Vereket, John Wagstaff and Wendy Knight

Disappointingly for a Sussex Spaniel Association event only one Sussex was in the awards with Ann Moon’s Deanway After The Dance gaining second in Novice. However the sponsors Skinner’s, Windmill Feeds and Denes had provided enough goodies for all those placed.

Results:
Puppy. 1. Sedghurst hawkridge, Clumber d. 2. Julita Rustic ramble,
WSS b. Nov. 1 Sedgehurst Damascuss, Clumber b. 2 Deanway After The Dance, Sussex Spaniel d. 3 Drydown Kea, Clumber b.
Open. 1.Sedghurst Tormentum, Clumber d. 2. Julita Ruella, WSS b. 3. Clumberlier Old Speckled Hen, Clumber b.

Grace Brown,
Working Secretary