Bumper entry as BASC backs Usk Valley Working Test

Working test award winners line up for a photo

More than 78 dogs and their handlers descended on Clytha Park Estate on Saturday 13 June for the Usk Valley AV Retriever Working Test, proudly sponsored by BASC.

Run under Kennel Club rules across Puppy, Novice Dog/Novice Handler, Novice and Open classes, the test put competitors through a demanding series of exercises designed to mirror the quick judgement and calm hand required in the shooting field.

The Usk Valley AV Retriever Club thanked Mr Hanbury Tennison for opening the grounds of Clytha Park Estate, and credited Craig Perry and Alan Stanley with masterminding a course that organisers say struck the right balance between challenge and enjoyment for competitors.

BASC added its own thanks to the working test’s judging panel – Craig Perry, Tyrone Axford, Beth Payne and Olivia Creswell – for their sharp eyes and unfailing patience throughout what proved to be a marathon day, and to the army of volunteers who kept things running behind the scenes: throwing and placing dummies, stewarding the lines and managing the secretary’s desk.

Awards presented by BASC and Skinner's

BASC Wales regional officer Ged Hunston was on hand to present awards alongside Beth Payne of Skinner’s, with the club also drawing support from sponsors Sporting Saint and ACME Whistles – a measure of how firmly the Usk Valley test has established itself on the working dog calendar.

Ged Hunston said: “It was a privilege to attend such a successful and well-attended event. The atmosphere throughout was excellent, and the high standards exhibited by both handlers and dogs were a credit to all involved. BASC Wales was proud to sponsor the day.”

Events like this sit at the heart of our work, supporting clubs that keep traditional field skills alive and give handlers somewhere to test their dogs against the best.

Usk Valley Retriever Working Test results

Open

1st – Sam Davis with Gwidigada Blackwoods
2nd – Victoria Pitcher with Ashport Plum Of Mowbarton
3rd – Jayne Coley with Mekoro Shot Marker Of Waterford
4th – Claire Raymond with Castlecopse May Blossom
Certificate of Merit – Jayne Coley with Kilpen Nightcap Of Waterford

Novice

1st – Michelle Cox with Bellesbank Monkey Puzzle
2nd – Richard Tremblen with Mountain Marvel
3rd – Jayne Coley with Klato Kite Of Waterford
4th – Anthony Gething with Penpadrig Ice
Certificate of Merit – Debbie Gould with Kensesqui Leonarda
Certificate of Merit – Steve Lax with Bellesbank Pintail

Novice Dog / Novice Handler

1st – Gemma Cox with Windlemoor Glyn Feinion
2nd – Brian Durie with Wrencourt Take A Chance
3rd – Paula Ward with Glanyrerw Apollo
4th – Faye Wells with Diglake Chattanooga

Puppy

1st – Radana Hinikova with Jalk My Generation
2nd – Eirwyn Hopkin with Ledumwood Jay
3rd – Lanes Gould with Heatherbound Highlight
4th – Carolyn Jenkins with Constanigree Starlite

Find out more about working dogs and tests here.

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