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New Zealand Gundog Trial Association

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OTAGO GDC SPANIEL NATURAL GAME TRIALS ~ Dave Richardson shares his view on the Spaniel Natural Game trials held at Middlemarch9-11 April 2010
Friday A sunny day without a cloud in the sky framing some of the most picturesque scenery was the backdrop for 3 trials run by the South Island Working Spaniel Club. I was privileged to be asked to judge all three trials with my fellow judges, Neville Alexander, and Bruce Macdonald.
The highlight of the weekend was the standard of the novice trial which ran first on the Friday. The trial started well with Rachel Ralph’s bitch “Pipit” flushing a rabbit in the first 2 minutes of the trial. However from then on rabbits were not holding in the rather bare cover dotted with matagouri bushes. Rabbits tended to move ahead of the dogs and were often pressured rather than being flushed. Some of my memorable runs included the thorough ground treatment of Peter O’Neill’s young dog “Mitch” and the wonderful quiet handling and lovely rapport Martin Hawthorn had with his two dogs “Tarkas” and “Trouble”. Superb quiet handling was characteristic of the women handlers, Rachel Ralph with “Pipit” and Dixie Hawkes with her bitch “Jazz” Their dogs worked hard and were prepared to hit the prickly matagouri hard with good results. Howard Halliday with “Billie” had home advantage and his dog worked hard over ground he obviously had enjoyed in recent hunts. Even the newbies to the sport in their first trial, Roger Tomkin’s “Digger” and Bill Johnsen’s little cocker “Fern” acquitted themselves well. I was particularly taken with “Fern” who impressed with some lovely ground work and even with a chase on the rabbit the dog also impressed the guns who voted it “Guns Choice” (the dog the guns would most like to hunt over). The eventual winner was Dixie and “Jazz” with Peter’s “Mitch” second.	Rachel Ralphs Bitch "Pipit" flushing a rabbit

high country Strath-Taieri landscape	Saturday Saturday brought another perfect day. Howard, the trial captain, moved us to another likely looking spot - same fantastic views to die for - typical high country Strath-Taieri landscape similar to rocky, tussocky Central Otago that people are probably more familiar with. Again the rabbits were uncooperative, often being seen in the distance high-tailing it, or diving into and under the huge schist monoliths that dotted the scene. On the first run, Chris Nottingham showed great handling and beautiful rapport with his dog “Puzzle.” This dog had a fantastic pattern, impeccable style and never missed any cover. Peter’s dog ‘Mitch” had great game finding ability and had plenty of pressured rabbits to test his steadiness but when a large hare, the size of a small Shetland pony, thundered past on a kamikaze run surprising handler, dog, judge and guns it was a little too much for the young dog and while he only took a few paces, put himself out of contention for first. Again sensitive and quiet handling by Rachel and great ground treatment but “Pipit” had a blank run. Peter O’Neill’s older dog, “Bobby” (who had been tied up the previous day), was really bursting at the seams to run and was a little wild for the first part of the run. A real pity as he settled down to some excellent work to finish the run with some good work in difficult cover.
I was not to see Vicki MacKay’s “Gemma” who had not survived a chase under my co-judge. Delighted to see some good thorough work from Dixie and “Jazz” again and although she pressured rabbits ended with a blank run with no flush or retrieve. Eventually there was a run-off between Dixie’s “Jazz” and Peter’s “Bobby”. These dogs worked really hard for about 30 minutes until Bobby had another nice, hard flush which sealed his win. Bobby was awarded 2nd place. Gun’s Choice was Chris’s “Puzzle.”
Sunday The day started a little cooler with mist rolling up the valley and the decision was made to go back to the site where we had run the novice and hunt some fresh ground higher up the valley tops. My memorable runs included Chris’s work with “Puzzle.” This little dog courageously worked the cover hard, bursting out of a huge bush of bush lawyer covering matagouri (thorns over prickles!), blood dripping down her face, and in the frustration of actually getting a rabbit out of that hellhole, a small chase eventuated. Got to see Vicki’s “Gemma” run. This little dog worked hard, especially in a small jungle of gorse and really deserved to come away with better than a blank run. The hare that Peters “Mitch” had encountered the previous day obviously enjoyed the experience as it came thundering past again (well I suppose it could have been another hare!!) This time “Mitch” was steady as the surrounding rocks. Again, good game finding with three pressured rabbits and good, thorough ranging with positive handling. No flush or retrieve. Peter then bought up his second dog “Bobby”. This time there was no cover missed with good hard running, lovely pattern and controlled ranging. Excellent flush and retrieve under my co-judge meant that Bobby was going through.
Rachel’s “Pipit” and Vicki’s “Gemma” (both at that stage had had blank runs) were also asked to go through to the final along with Peter’s two dogs. “Mitch” was braced with “Gemma” and both dogs hunted well until “Mitch” appeared to have missed game as we moved through. “Bobby” was then brought up and didn’t put a foot wrong so was replaced with Rachel’s “Pipit”. Both women hunted their dogs hard and handled them superbly but without results until, just as we were about to break off and move to another area , “Pipit” pegged a rabbit. At that stage “Gemma” had been hunting over 30 minutes and Vicki was happy to retire her dog. Peter O’Neill took 1st place (Challenge) with “Bobbie” with Gun’s Choice going to Dixie and “Jazz.”
A very enjoyable three days with fantastic views, weather, dog handling, and company. The rabbits were there, but hard to pin down and as a result the dogs (and judges!) got frustrated with simple mistakes being made with subsequent eliminations. My recommendation might be to look at a slightly earlier start as the rabbits seemed to be holding better in the cool before the temperatures started to rise. My thanks to my fellow judges for their insight and skills, Howard for his organization of the grounds, and to Peter and Robyn for their superb food & hospitality.

Pheasant Tales Robyn Gaskin reports on the 2004 Pointer & Setter Natural Game trials
The 2004 Pointer & Setter natural game season kicked off with two trials held at Waitotara, on the Wanganui coast, at the end of March. The Northland game trials started Easter weekend (9 April), with 9 events held over the next 10 days. The following weekend saw two more trials in the BOP. In total we had 13 trials over four weeks, comprising six championships, two open and five novice events. The biggest turnout on a day was 22 dogs. Averages were 14 in the Championships, 17 in Open and 16 in Novice. In total, 47 different dogs (and 30 handlers) participated in the trials, comprising Pointers (28%), English setters (23%), Irish setters (19%), German Wirehaired pointers (19%), German Shorthaired Pointers (6%) and Gordon setters (4%).
Championships were well contested by good quality fields this year and winners were found in all six trials, but full placings were not awarded in any event. Some of this was to do with lack of game, but still too often we saw good dogs ruining their chances by poor manners around birds. It is not rocket science! We have so few bird encounters in our trials that dogs cannot afford to make mistakes in simple disciplines like steadiness to game and shot. In the hunting field, unsteady dogs are a danger to themselves and deny their handlers the chance to shoot safely at more than one bird produced off a point.
Highlight of the circuit was the well-deserved Field Champion title for Bob Whitehead’s PB Fauloon Cracker (imp UK). She became the first FCh pointer in NZ. “Lily” won two trials well, one in the pines at Whangerei and one on the big open hills off 90 Mile Beach. Ian Hendren had a popular first win with the ESB, Wingfield Xtra, who came to him only recently, upon Leon Mortensen’s death. Leon’s influence was still strong, evidenced also by ESD, FCh & GFTCh Chywoon Entrepreneur of Jonsmae, handled by Noel Allen, winning his fifth game championship. “Woody” was imported and co-owned by Leon and Noel, and is the double grandsire of Wingfield Xtra. Family connections were evident also in the Irish setters, with first championship wins for litter brother and sister, Kilsheelan Nova QC (Dave Sheely) and Kilsheelan Niamh QC (Robyn Gaskin). All five winners are only one or two generations removed from the UK and Irish grouse moors. Those genetics are well proven to suit our NZ conditions.	FCh Fauloon Cracker (imp UK)

Wingfield Xtra	Kilsheelan Nova QC
The novice trials were totally dominated by pointers this year. Only one trial suffered from a serious lack of game, but two of the five trials saw no results. The most consistent performer was Ross Simpson’s PD Ch Fugelere Arista Figaro QC (imp Aust), with two good wins to his credit. This dog is sired by an Australian FTCh. The other trial was well won by Bob Whitehead’s PD Arddun Brigand, a son of his new Field Champion. The novice fields were huge, two saw more than 20 dogs compete, and judges awarded runner-ups to all three wins, plus merit awards were presented regularly. We had six new handlers attend the game trials and saw at least 10 novice dogs compete up north for the first time. Lots of exciting potential for the future.
The two open trials were held at opposite ends of the circuit. The first was on grasslands at Waitotara and the last on maize stubble on the BOP coast. The Waitotara trial was a frustrating day for judges with virtually no game encountered in ideal weather conditions. The unpredictability of wild birds! The day before had seen good numbers in the same area in gale force winds! The BOP trial was the Pointer & Setter Club Memorial event, commemorating Leon and Joy Mortensen’s contribution to our sport, and drew a record entry of 30 dogs. Twenty-two were presented for judges, John Gaskin and Huw Taylor, and they ran three rounds. Again a frustrating day with respect to game numbers, but a very pleasant occasion for all who attended. This included Leon’s sister, Treve Rowe from Whangarei, who presented the prizes donated by Leon’s estate. Fittingly, first place went to Noel’s FCh & GFTCh Chywoon Entrepreneur of Jonsmae, and with it a beautiful porcelain figurine of an English setter on point. Engraved silver goblets were presented to placegetters and all winners of special prizes. It was an enjoyable finish to a great month of trials.	FCh & GFTCh Chywoon Entrepreneur of Jonsmae
A highlight of this year’s Northland circuit was the presence of Australian visitor, Denis Everard. Denis hails from Victoria where he has successfully bred and trialled Irish setters for 34 years. He is one of the most experienced P&S judges in Australia, has judged in Ireland and in NZ previously (in 1992). His visit was a resounding success; he co-judged two championships and a novice, was great company and contributed much to a memorable 10 days up north. He thought our trials were a “bloody tough” test of birddogs and the standard of our pointers and setters was excellent. He was blown away by the size and enthusiasm of our P&S field trial fraternity.
We had another good evening meeting in Northland, with 29 people in attendance, to discuss all aspects of the P&S game trials. The fishing was hard this year, but helped greatly by the presence of Shane Addenbrooke with his BIG boat. Twelve year old Jeremy Addenbrooke won the fishing contest with a 22 lb snapper. The “professional” fishermen in our ranks came nowhere near him! Denis cemented Aussie-Kiwi relations by tactfully pulling in the smallest fish of the week!! We all ate and drank far too much, but isn’t that what good holidays are all about? I’m looking forward to next year already.
Finally, the Pointer & Setter Club announced its annual awards for the 2003/04 season. The Game Trial Dog of the Year was a three-way tie between ESD FCh & GFTCh Chywoon Entrepreneur of Jonsmae (imp UK) (N Allen), ISB FCh & FTCh Kilsheelan Leah (R Gaskin) and PD FTCh Wingfield Banner (L Mortensen). Novice Game Trial Dog of the Year was ISB Kilsheelan Niamh QC (R Gaskin).
Kilsheelan Niamh QC