Sunday 5th February 2023

This was the first time that Banbury Dog Training Club organised this stake and what a great day we had! The weather was cold & crisp with beautiful sunshine, a wonderful wintry day. There was hardly any wind which was great for the tracking, but it made the searching a little harder although you would not have known it as all dogs did lovely search squares. However, it was the tracking where the majority of dogs were struggling, but then 50 percent of the dogs were young pups who had never been in a test before. All of them had great attitudes and were very keen, which promises well for the future.

Judge, Rita Banfather, set a very interesting test which threw some of the less experienced handlers, but Rita was very encouraging and generous and everybody came away having learned something new. Huge thank you to our helpers: tracklayers Steph Gordon & Sharon Lord and search steward John Simpson giving it their all, ensuring everybody had an equal chance of success.

Out of 8 participants we had 3 successful tracks and sadly one of them went out in the Control round, so we ended up with 2 qualifiers over all. Results were as follows:

1st place: Shirley Simpson & Teasel (BC) Q 181/185pts, little Teasel looking like a Pro and not putting a paw wrong!!

2nd place: Marie Fitzgerald & Alfie (ESS) Q 177/185pts also winning Best Track Award. It was this team’s first time in a WT Stake, but you would not have known that. Super job!

3rd place: Sheila Smith & Forti (Beagle) NQ 155.5/185pts Super happy track & search from Forti, who sadly came to grief on the Sendaway. Well done, Sheila.

4th place: Angela Howe & Sabre (GSD) NQ 134/185pts also winning Best Control Round Award. Angela has promised Sabre that she will believe him on the track next time!

Congratulations to the qualifiers above and commiserations to those who did not qualify on this occasion. Your time will surely come and we hope to be running another Special Stake at our Open Trial this April. So keep on tracking!

Finally a big thank you to Ann Ferens for organising the catering again for us. Your help is very much appreciated.

Here is hoping you all enjoyed the day as much as I enjoyed organising it.

Carla

Banbury Open Working Trial

UD, WD & TD Stakes

16th & 17th April 2022

Ryelands Field, Aynho

Trials Manager’s Report

Holding a Trial in April is always a bit of a lottery regarding the weather. In the past we have had winds so strong that we had to stake down the clear jump frame to stop it blowing over, floods, freezing temperatures and, now and again, sunshine. Our first trial at the new base was obviously smiled upon by the “weather gods” as we had 2 full days of sunshine, very little wind and NO RAIN. The heat could have been a bit much for some of the dogs but judging by the number of qualifications we had, I don’t think it was too much of a problem.

It was a much scaled down event compared to previous years as competitor numbers haven’t recovered yet from pre covid days. However, those that are competing are still as enthusiastic as ever and, judging by the number of pups and young dogs around, there is life in working trials yet.

Managers in any organisation are only as good as the people around them and that is so true of our club. Everyone knows what they are supposed to be doing and they quietly get on with it with very little input needed from me, so THANKYOU team for making me look competent.

The judges at a trial add greatly to the success of the event and this year we had some crackers. Ray Lea, an old friend of Banbury who regards the club as his own, judged both the UD and WD Nosework. The UD, worked on the Saturday, had Colin Bricknell and Pip Nason laying the tracks, with Kate Wilton laying squares. On the Sunday, Colin laid the WD tracks along with Kate Wykes, poached from Leamington, and first timer Angie Howe did the squares.

Caroline and Gary Martin came down from North Lincolnshire to judge the TD Nosework (Caroline) and the C & A for all the stakes (Gary). The day before the trial Nicky Crowther went down with the dreaded Covid and as she was going to be tracklaying TD, I had to do a quick reshuffle of helpers. In the end, tracklayers were Len Newman and Carla on both days with Lynn Bricknell doing the squares. Le Newman stewarded for Gary. The judges’ sensible tests, along with lush tracking land, meant that we had quite a few qualifiers, the most notable being the winner of UD, Beth Davis, who is aged 18, so good to see a youngster competing, and our own Sharon Lord who won the WD.

Jane Webb ran the base desk again this year and did so with her usual style. She did a great job and we got all the results sorted at the end of the day in record time.

A few weeks before the trial, our kitchen consisted of a table with a kettle on it. By the time the trial arrived we had a working kitchen with running hot and cold water and Steph, Sue and the team did a great job of supplying cooked breakfasts for the judges, along with bacon or sausage butties, toasties and freshly made sandwiches for anyone who wanted them. Thanks for all your efforts. Thanks also to those who donated cakes, they went down a storm.

Carla’s relationship with the farmers has been invaluable when it comes to getting tracking land and this year was no exception, so a huge thank you goes to Carla. It makes life so much easier when I don’t have to worry too much about sprayers arriving on the scene.

Escorting was carried out by Pat Sunderland and Ann Ferens, assisted on occasion by John Simpson, and all the competitors got to their tracks on time, even if they had a tour of Northamptonshire first!!!!!

Talking of John – He has been my sounding board, my punch bag, my dog walker, my puppy sitter, my gofer and doer of a hundred other things and it really is appreciated and makes my job so much easier.

Thank you Team Banbury for your help and support, for carrying out your roles without fuss, for your friendly and welcoming attitude to the competitors and for being good fun to be with.

The dates for your diaries next year will be 16-17 April 2023 – highlight it now team.

Shirley

Banbury Open Trial 16th/17th April 2022

TD/WD/UD Control and Agility

Judge – Gary Martin

Steward- Le Newman

Many thanks to the committee of Banbury for the invitation to judge the control and agility sections at this friendly and well organised trial. From the moment we arrived the atmosphere was one of genuine friendliness and support, nothing was too much trouble. Throughout the whole weekend it was an absolute pleasure to be part of this event. The base and team are first class.

It was Friday afternoon when we arrived at the base/control field and it was all hands on deck. The team being led by Shirley who was quietly getting things done and organising the whole team setting up. Throughout the run up to the trial Shirley kept us informed about conditions of the land, numbers of competitors and helpers available. She really has mastered this art of trials management and did a superb job. Nothing was left to chance and every base was covered. Thank you for all your hard work and fab company Shirley.

The Banbury team is a well oiled machine dong all manner of tasks. John Simpson was running around here and there, a blur at times! The kitchen was already in operation when we arrived and Steph brought us a most welcome cup of tea as we pulled up. The kitchen was staffed through the weekend by Steph, Ann, Anne and Sue. There was a huge range of cakes available – suffice to say I sampled them all! – and we were supplied with lovely refreshments for the weekend. Thank you ladies, you are awesome.

Carla put us up in her lovely annexe which was spot on for us. It was absolutely first class. Thank you so much Carla and for your generous and kind hospitality, and all the natters we had about all manner of canine activities. I do love your two Working Cockers they are gorgeous!

Jane did the scores and looked after the base with her trademark efficiency. It’s been a long time since we had seen Jane, and we count her amongst our dearest friends. We had loads to catch up on so every spare minute was spent chatting, laughing and a general catch up. Thanks for all your hard work Jane, and keeping me on track as to where I should be.

My steward was Le Newman, who has steward for me before, is a lovely friend and great company. Not only that but is a super steward, putting all competitors at their ease, giving clear instructions and ensuring they got the best opportunity to show their dogs off. She also ensured that I didn’t sit around drinking tea all day and that I was where I should at the right time. During any downtime we had a good laugh and of course talked dogs and training. Thank you Le for all your hard work, your professionalism and your company.

Lastly thanks to all the competitors who were sporting and gave my test a real good go. You all showed working trials off at it’s best. There were some dogs who were just a bit unlucky on the day, everyone of them is within in touching distance of qualifying. Thank you for being an amazing group, you are all that is good in this fab sport of ours.

The test started with either the retrieve or speak- the latter consisted of leaving dog in any position and joining me 10 paces away from the dog. Then 10 barks, a quiet and return to dog. This led us to heelwork that took us to the sendaway.

UD sendaway was 80 paces, WD was 90 paces down to a hedge that had a white pole in the shrubbery. TD consisted of 100 out run and a 90 pace redirect right to a fence.

Jumps were then undertaken, clear, long and scale.

Banbury & District DTS Open Trial 16/17 April 2022

TD Nosework Judge :- Caroline Martin

C & A Judge :- Gary Martin

Square Steward:- Lynn Bricknell

Tracklayers:- Carla Nieuwenhuizen & Len Newman

Thank you to Banbury & District DTS for inviting me to judge, to Shirley & John for running a great trial and looking after us so well and Carla for your hospitality and making us feel like were on holiday!

Thank you to base steward Jane, the ladies in the kitchen and my TD team out on the field, Lynn for squares and Carla and Len for tracklaying. So good to have all your knowledge and experience with me. Thank you for your expertise and also your great company

I'd like to thank the landowners for allowing us access to your fields and finally thanks to all the competitors for entering and giving me the opportunity to assess your dogs. I really enjoyed watching you all.

Tracking was on very well grown crop and both Saturday and Sunday were very warm days and quite breezy.

Out of the 12 teams that worked, 10 qualified In the nosework section.

7 dogs found all 3 articles on the track and 3 dogs found 2 articles.

Track articles were a piece of green rubber approximately 2” x 2”, a piece of yellow hose approximately 2 1/2” long and a ¼ of a tennis ball.

The track was 14 legs with 1 cut back.

3 dogs found all 4 square articles, 4 found 3 articles and 3 found 2.

Square articles were a piece of leather approximately 2” square, a piece of material approximately 2” square, a piece of orange flex approximately 3 ½” and a piece of wood approximately 3” long.

Banbury & District DTS Open Trial 16/17 April 2022

UD Nosework 

Judge: Ray Lea 

Tracklayers: Colin Bricknell and Pip Nason

Square Steward: Kate Wilton 

Many thanks to the committee of Banbury & DDTS for the invitation to judge UD and WD nosework at the open trial over the Easter weekend. Thanks to Shirley and John Simpson for running a fabulous trial and all the hard work you have put in to this fantastic new venue, one to be very proud of. Thanks to Carla and Jeremy for your hospitality in your lovely home yet again. To the ladies doing all the cooking, fabulous food as always, thank you. And to my team out in the field, tracklayers Colin and Pip, great job well done thank you, and to my steward Kate, new to stewarding and never put a foot wrong, thank you and well done and nice company.

Tracking was on a good growth of crop and most teams found tracking quite easy with not many mistakes with five teams going to the control in a qualifying position but sadly only one team qualified at the end.

Well done all teams and thank you for entering.

Banbury & District DTS Open Trial 16/17 April 2022

WD Nosework

Judge: Ray Lea

Tracklayers: Colin Bricknell and Kate Wykes

Square Steward: Angie Howe

My team for this stake, Tracklayers Colin and Kate and my steward, another newbie to stewarding, Angie Howe and a great job she did too Shirley. You have added two good stewards to your team. Tracking was on the same crop as the UD. Eight teams entered, five teams worked and four teams qualified and I had the pleasure of judging some lovely tracking, nice to watch on another sunny day. 

Thank you every one for entering and allowing me to judge you and your dogs.

And to the land owners for allowing us to trample all over your crop, thank you so much.

Trial Manager's Report

When Carla and I started to look at possible fields in which to run this year’s trial, we were surprised and disappointed that many of our usual fields were not available, mainly because the autumn weather had prevented planting, and where we expected to see lush green fields, we found bare or stubbly brown ones. Carla was immediately on the case trying to find suitable fields and after a couple of weeks of searching, she came up with about 90 acres of land just around the corner from the base which were perfect for our needs. A couple of days before the trial, we lost one of our other farms to the sprayers but The McClaren family gave us a further 50 acres. I cannot thank enough the farmers, Robert Browne and The McClarens, for being so generous with their land, and Carla for her tenacity in securing it. I could not do it without you Carla.

The weather before the trial had been very dry and the ground was rock hard so I wasn’t hopeful of a high number of qualifiers. Saturday was very hot and dry, Sunday was cooler with a few rain showers.  In the end we had 3 qualifiers each in UD, WD and TD, and 4 gaining qualifying marks in the Special Stake.

Open Trial numbers have been dwindling so it was a great surprise to have, what in today’s climate, was a very good entry…. 17 in TD, 9 in WD, 10 in UD and 6 in the Special Stake. 

The Control and Agility was judged by Joan Snowden from Lincoln. She was assisted by Sharon Lord as steward, who is proving to be a real asset in this role.

Malc Snowden judged the TD nosework, with tracklayers Len Newman, Andy Baker and John Wykes. Kate Wykes completed the team as square steward.

Joyce Tibbetts judged the UD and WD nosework with tracklayers Colin Bricknell and first timer Sam Watkins, square steward Lynn Bricknell in UD and Nicky Crowther, Pip Nason and Carla tracklaying and Sheila Smith doing the squares for WD.

Rita Banfather judged the Special Stake, ably assisted by steward Lyndie Lothian and tracklayers Colin Bricknell and, another first timer, Angie Howe.

All teams performed well.

One of the most important parts of a trial is the catering. Steph Gordon, despite having commitments at home, and Sue Lawrie managed to supply breakfasts and packed lunches for the judges and helpers in their usual efficient and cheerful way. Kate Wilton, Gill and Heather Cooke and Emma Baker also did sterling work in the kitchen feeding the competitors.

Pat Sunderland and Ann Ferens escorted the competitors to their tracks on time.

Jane Webb did her usual efficient job on the desk and had all the scores and placings sorted in good time.

Team Banbury is like a well oiled machine. I press the button and everyone does their job with very little input from me. Well done everyone. You are the best!

Despite a few hiccoughs, the trial seemed to run very well. Added excitement  was provided when I fell backwards over a log, (rumour has it that Carla knocked me over with her car – she didn’t) which made movement a little difficult, and John succumbed to dehydration at the end of Saturday’s proceedings and frightened the life out of everyone.

A huge Thank you goes to the judges who gave up their time and opportunity to work their own dogs and contributed greatly to the success of the trial.

Next year’s trial will be 10th – 12th April 2026. Put it in your diary now and hopefully I will see you all next year.

UD & WD Nosework.

Judge: Joyce Tibbetts

Thank you to the Banbury committee for the invitation to judge the UD and WD nosework. A lovely venue with a great base at their training ground. The society has a great army of volunteers managed by trials manager (major general) Shirley Simpson, many thanks to her, the base steward/ score keeper Jane Webb, Steph Gordon who ran the kitchen and all her helpers and cake makers.

Thank you to John and Shirley for making me so welcome in their home.

Our gratitude to the local farmers who allowed us onto their winter wheat, a privilege we are lucky to have. The crop was well grown at 4-6inches but very dry after a month of no rain. That and the strong breeze made tracking quite difficult for young dogs. Thanks to my tracklayers and search stewards both days, you were great company.

UD stake

Track layers: Colin Bricknell and Sam Watkins

Search steward: Lynn Bricknell

8 entered 3 qualified. Track articles a 4”x2” piece red hessian and a 4”x2” sheet of black plastic. Square articles teaspoon, green scourer, 3” wooden slat and green plastic plant marker.

1st. Nicky Crowther with Maiden of the Forest.  Lab (B). Q 194.5

Only dropped one on the track and all four articles out of the square.  A pleasure to watch this young Labrador well handled. A promising start for the future. Congratulations Nicky.

2nd. Kev Bryan with Westmac Hafoc Maddie. GSD (B). Q 184. 87.5 for track 3 out of the square.  Another promising young dog worked hard for a well deserved qualification. Well done Kev.

3rd. Ann Ferens with Corks Heavens to Betsie.  Crossbred (B). Q 180.5. 86.5 for track 4 out of the square. Grazed the crop at the start but settled down to do a good track and lovely square, well done Ann.

4th. Sandra Haim with Little Jem. BC (B). NQ 165. 84 for track 4 out of the square. A young dog beautifully  handled by Sandra. 

WD stake 

Tracklayers: Pip Nason, Nicky Crowther, Carla Nieuwenhuizen

Search steward: Sheila Smith

8 entered 3 qualified. Track articles 4” piece of hose and a 2” wood slat. Square articles a bolt, plastic teaspoon, 4”red rope and a piece of black plastic sheet.

1st. Grant Tyler with Naughtland Storm CDex, Lab (D). Q. 193.5. 86 for track 4 out of square. Atlas was very positive on the track in difficult conditions, well handled by Grant. Congratulations.

2nd. Tony Orchard with Andromeda Dream CDex Lab. (B). Q. 174. Despite putting up a hare on the third leg, 78 on track and 3 out of square. Lovely to see an experienced handler work his dog through the distraction. Well done Tony. 

3rd. Belinda Spensley with Montoux’s Drew G. Ret. (B). Q. 171.5. Track 79 and 3 out of square. Drew found the crop was a challenge but completed the track despite cutting across the last angled corner. Well done Belinda.

4th. Jain Douglas with Ton-up Bonnie CDex,UDex. WS. (B) NQ 180. Track 88.5 and 3 out of the square. Lovely track by a lovely little working sheepdog.       

TD Nosework

Judge: Malc Snowden 

Steward: Kate Wykes

Track Layers: Len Newman, Andy Baker & John Wykes

Many thanks to: -

 - Banbury, for the invitation to judge the TD nosework; 
 - Shirley, for your brilliant organisation;

 - The Banbury team, you were great;

 - Carla & Jeremy for the accommodation, brilliant;

 - The ladies in the kitchen for the food;

 - The farmers for the use of their land. 

I would like to thank Len, Andy & John for excellent tracklaying & Kate for keeping me on the straight & narrow laying squares.

The crop had good growth but the land was very dry, Saturday was very warm, 9 worked with 5 completing the nosework on qualifying marks. Sunday the weather was completely different, much colder & rain started late morning. 5 worked with 2 qualifying the nosework. Everyone gave it a good go both days but conditions proved too tricky for some.

Thanks to all the competitors for entering under me. Good luck everyone in your future trials.

1st Pat Antrobus with Trisant Ciara on 209.5. Absolutely super happy little dog really well handed. Very well done Pat.

2nd Lynne Watkins with Starshot Forever with Szikras on 201. Well done Lynne. 

3rd Mike Williams with Morgan Tara’s Pal on 191.5. Well handled Mike.

4th NQ Ray Lea with 198.5 with Rue Wood Anna great track & square. 

Control & Agility

Judge: Joan Snowden

Steward: Sharon Lord

Many thanks to Banbury for the invitation to judge the TD WD & UD control

Shirley & team, thank you for making my judging appointment so enjoyable, everything was so well organised leaving nothing to chance from the minute we arrived.

Many thanks to Carla & Jeremy for the lovely accommodation.

The ladies in the kitchen, many thanks.

Well, what a great venue to judge at, a lovely club house & control field. Thanks John for your gardening to remove thistles from around the control area, much appreciated.

My steward Sharon, thanks, you were brilliant. I really enjoyed your company.

I judged TD & UD on Saturday & TD & WD on Sunday. Saturday was really hot, Sunday was much cooler with rain later in the morning.

TD - 17 entered of which 14 worked with 7 still qualifying after the control, sadly stays taking out several. Every handler & dog made a good attempt.

WD - 9 entered with 8 competing and 7 still qualifying after the control round on some good scores.

UD - 10 entered with 8 competing and 5 still qualifying after control. Again some good scores being achieved.

Thank you competitors for entering under me. I enjoyed judging you all, good luck at your future trials.

TD

1st Pat Antrobus & Trisant Ciara on 209.5. Lovely round Pat with your happy little girl.

2nd Lynne Watkins & Starshot Forever with Szikras on 201.Well done.

3rd Mike Williams & Morgan Tara’s Pal on 191.5. Well done.

4th Ray Lea & Rue Wood Anna NQ 198.5. So close. You’ll be flying once that stay is sorted.

WD 

1st Grant Tyler & Naughtland Storm 193.5. Lovely round.

2nd Tony Orchard & Andromeda Dream 174. Well done.

3rd Belinda Spensley & Montoux’s Drew171.5. Well done.

4th Jain Douglas & Ton-Up Bonnie NQ 180. Just the jumps today. 

UD

1st Nicky Crowther & Maiden Of The Forest 194.5. Cracking dog Nicky.

2nd Kev Bryan & Westmac Hafoc Maddie 184. Well done Kev.

3rd Ann Ferens & Cork's Heavens to Betsie 180.5. Well done.

4th Nicola Foskett & Bailots Active Warrier NQ 165.

Special Stake                                                            

Judge: Rita Banfather

Steward: Lyndie Lothian

Tracklayers: Colin Bricknell, Angie Howe

I would like to thank Banbury & District Dog Training Club for asking me to judge the Special Stake at their April open trial. Shirley and John Simpson, along with the rest of the clubs team, are doing so much for Working Trials. Such a super club, friendly and helpful.

My thanks go to the farmers for letting us use the land. I understand there were a few farmers involved.

My track layers were Angie Howe and Colin Bricknell. Tracking was on short crop. My steward was Lyndie Lothian thank you again Lyndie you did a great job of keeping competitors calm.

Six entered and all six worked.

1st  John Wykes with Newbold Seth, BC . John took on Seth as a young dog and they seem to have bonded so well, making a great working team. Wishing you both so much success, it’s all there.

2nd  Pat Antrobus with Tristan Seren, Cocker Sp. Pat and Seren did a smart tidy nose round, losing marks on control round heel work. Just a bit more work on this young dog.

3rd  Kaye Littlehales with Tarnedge Rum of Kayendor, Lab. Kaye and Niko worked well together apart from a bit of sniffing from Niko, nice to watch.

4th  Beverley Hassan with Tilly The Terror, x breed. Cracking little dog , Tilly just did everything asked of her. Perfect track and square. Work now on handling and control Bev.

Also well done to Claire Baker and Hendrick, a Stabyhoun, nice to see a different breed working, and Sue Silvey with Elsa, lab. Please keep it up Sue , I do hope you enjoyed competing.

Trials Managers Report

In possibly the wettest winter/spring in living memory, we have to thank the weather gods for giving us 3 rain free days for our trial.

Because of the awful weather this year, we lost our TD fields to the dreaded sprayer 2 days before the start. After a reshuffle, we had confirmation from our two remaining farmers that they would hold off the spraying till after the trial. This consideration from our farmers is due entirely to the relationship that Carla has built up with them over the years, so a huge thank you to Carla. We have to remember that we can’t do our sport without the cooperation of the landowners who let us on their land every year. To us it is a sport, a hobby, ok, maybe an obsession, but to them, their fields are their livelihood, so thank you to them for letting us play on their land.

Other people that we can’t run trials without are the judges, tracklayers and stewards. This year, we had club members Tony Orchard judging the TD nosework and Jenny Orchard judging the UD, WD and TD C & A. Tony was assisted by Len Newman and Andy Baker as tracklayers. The experience of Len and Andy makes my life so much easier as I show them which fields they can use and they do the rest, turning up on all three days and just getting on with it. The TD square stewards were first timer Sue Coles on Friday and Angie Howe on Saturday and Sunday. Jane Wood judged the WD and UD nosework. Jane has been a friend for many years, in obedience way back when, and the last 15 years in trials. She was ably assisted by tracklayers Colin Bricknell and Nicky Crowther in WD, with Lynn Bricknell as steward and in UD she had Nicky Crowther and Pip Nason as tracklayers and first timer Sheila Smith laying the squares. As in TD, Nicky, Colin and Pip needed no input from me and just got on with marking out their fields and sorted who was doing what and when. Banbury’s own John Simpson judged the Special stake helped by Kate Wilton who did the Control stewarding and laid all the squares, and tracklayers Pip Nason and Becky Price. Well done all teams.

Jenny had Sharon Lord as her C & A steward for all 3 days. According to Jenny, Sharon may well have a job for life! Nice one Sharon.

The ladies in the kitchen, Sue, Ann, Gill, Sue, led by Steph Gordon, were their usual cheerful and helpful selves making everyone feel welcome. They supplied breakfasts and lunches for the helpers out in the fields and at the base and kept the competitors fed and watered. Carla and Ann Ferens acted as escorts and got everyone to their tracks on time.

Jane Webb arrives every year to run the desk in her own inimitable style. It wouldn’t be the same without you.!!

No Trial could function without the competitors. This year we had 20 TD entries, 10 WD entries, 6 UD entries and 9 entries in the Special.

Everyone was so good at their job that at times I felt a bit like a spare part, but I was ready to leap into action if necessary!!!

According to all the wonderful comments on Facebook, the competitors were happy with their day. Well done Team Banbury. You are the best.

A special thank you to my club for the beautiful photo and frame of my precious girl on the occasion of her first ever TDex. I was quite overcome.

See you all next year 11th – 13th April 2025

Shirley

TD Nosework

Judge: Tony Orchard
Track Tracklayers: Len Newman & Andy Baker
Search Stewards: Sue Cole (Friday) & Angie Howe (Sat & Sun)

I wish to thank Banbury & District Dog Training Society for inviting me to judge. Shirley Simpson was a great trial manager, well organised with a very friendly sociable manner, even arranged good weather!

A big thank you to the landowners for allowing us on their land and to Carla Nieuwenhuizen for arranging it. Everything ran very smoothly, and I was pampered throughout. Great refreshments from Steph Gordon’s well-run kitchen, thank you to everyone who helped.

As base steward Jane Webb kept everything running smoothly and the score boards up to date, a difficult job well done. Thank you to all the escorts that ensured competitors arrived at the tracks on time.

Good to have experienced track layers Len and Andy they did a great job and were good company. Search stewards Sue and Angie laid squares just as instructed getting the wind direction right every time, and again very good company.

Also thank you to all the club members that were there to complete all those little tasks that go unmentioned, like keeping the loo clean John!

The Test

20 Entries 16 Ran

Conditions for tracking were near perfect bright and breezy with deep lush cereal. The track was 15 legs with first article a 5-inch felt bow 40 paces up fifth leg, the second article a shotgun cartridge on the 13th leg the final article was a 4 by 1 inch piece of carpet.

6 competitors completed the track 3 recovered all the articles, 3 recovered two. The search articles were a dolly peg, metal teaspoon, 2 by 1 inch piece of carpet and a 3 by ¾ inch pan scrub. 7 competitors recovered all the articles, with 5 recovering three.

I had five competitors with qualifying marks after the nosework.

Results

1st Q 207 ½ Trim’s Trim CDex UDex BC, D. Pat Herbert

A great track only losing 1 mark followed by a very quick full mark square. A joy to watch, bodes well for the future. Congratulations.

2nd Q 203 Tarnedge Colt CDex UDex Lab, D ZL & WJ Andrews, Handler: Zoe Andrews

A confident track, one hiccup very well recovered, good handling. Followed by an excellent full mark search. A well earnt qualification.

3rd Q 196 ½ Lynwood Hooli CDex Udex AW(s)ETD, BC, D. Heather Cook, Handler: Dave Marchant

A good track well handled. Had to cope with one rough bit of ground where seed hadn’t taken, but didn’t even blink. Missed last leg but finished with a very impressive search. Another well earned qualification.

4th NQ 169 Kizzie Cuddlebug CDex – WDex Kelpie/Collie cross Pat Golding

First track of the trial and made it look easy, just wrong side of the wind for first article so missed it. Recovered three from the square. Well done for getting qualifying marks in this section.

I would finally like to thank all the competitors for entering under me and accepting my decisions. I wish you all good fortune in your future trials.

UD and WD Nosework

Judge: Jane Wood

My very sincere thanks to Shirley Simpson and the Banbury committee for the invitation to judge these two stakes. From the moment I arrived I was well looked after by the whole Banbury crew. The ladies in the kitchen kept me fed and watered and I was honoured to stay at Carla’s where I was extremely comfortable!

I would like to thank you too for the lovely meal at the pub and also the gift. My stewards were brilliant and great company too.

My fields were very lush crop and although lots of dogs had never worked on crop it didn’t cause any problems and we saw some lovely nosework.

WD Nosework

Tracklayers: Colin Bricknell and Nicky Crowther
Square Steward: Lynn Bricknell

1st Gary Haim TARNEDGE FLY BOY Lab Q

Super powerful work for one so young. A good future beckons I am sure.

2nd Sam Watkins STARDELL NIX BC Q

Steady but very sure nosework. A run off between Nix and Jack (above) was needed for first place. It was very close but Jack just clinched it.

3rd Jo Quick HUNDENKRAFT BOLIVAR GSD Q

Another powerful dog. Good track with both articles but some untidiness in the square was costly

4th Suzanne Jaffa AMBERSLADE FORGED BY FIRE ASD Q A superb track, he just steamed round. Unlucky to leave an article in the square.

Also qualified
Hannah Hyslop T’PESO du DOMAINE de VAUROUX Malinois Q.
Barbara Bell LAURINCO RED TORNADO Lab Q

UD Nosework

Tracklayers: Nicky Crowther and Pip Nason
Square Steward: Sheila Smith

1st Jenny Lawrence CALLOHASE ARLO HWV Q

Hector was faultless on his track and it was a joy to watch, Unlucky to leave an article in the square.

2nd Chris Davis HESSLEMERE LOROK EMBER CDEx GSD Q

Ember enjoyed her nosework in the long crop! Lack of concentration was a bit costly at times. Was on equal marks to the above after C & A.

3rd Mary Valentine WATERFRIEND IVORY GR Q

Taya was a joy to watch. She did a super track but could only find 2 in the square. Lovely handling ensured good marks.

4th Ann Ferens CORKS HEAVENS TO BETSIE XB NQ

What a super little spaniel type cross. Easily qualified on the nosework but came unstuck on the C & A. I loved watching her.

Judge: John Simpson
Steward: Kate Wilton
Tracklayers: Pip Nason/Becky Price

Many thanks to Banbury for the invitation to judge the Special Stake at our annual Open Trial. I was ably assisted by Kate who stewarded the control and laid all the squares and Pip and Becky who tracklayed. Thanks guys, great job.

All of the dogs did some good work at times. The dogs that did good qualifying Control rounds didn’t qualify the nosework, and those that qualified the nosework didn’t qualify the Control!!!! So sadly we didn’t get any overall qualifiers.

1st Sheila Smith and Osonorti Forti, Beagle, D, NQ 159.5. Lovely nosework but sat up in the down leaving them 4 marks short of qualifying the control.

2nd Claire Baker and Mister Hendrick, Stabyhoun, D, NQ 135. Another nice track but only one from the square and not enough in the Control.

3rd Nicola Fosket and Ballots Active Warrier, GSD, D, NQ 129.5. Good Control and track but only one article. Bad luck.

4th Ann Trodd and Sallen Renscombe at Chelsasa, Bearded Collie, B, NQ, 122. Dolly did the best control round of the day but unfortunately only got half way round the track.

Thankyou to all competitors who entered. I hope you enjoyed your day. I certainly enjoyed your company.

John Simpson