Britmania
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Canterbury Championship Field trial - 16 August 2009After a month of unseasonal sunshine and blue skies, we all had high hopes for good weather at the championship trial - no such luck!
On Friday, the weather packed up and Saturday morning was awful. Low cloud created a clogging, wet fog that at times changed to heavy drizzle.
It stayed gloomy, damp and boggy underfoot all day.
The pointer & setter trial was supposed to start at 8.30am, but was delayed due to heavy fog over the grounds.
Spice had draw number one and disappeared from the spectators view pretty early in the piece.
Luckily, Richard Burridge had arrived with his super camera and was able to follow the officials as the dogs progressed, taking superb phtots of the Brittany's in action - despite the gloom. His Brittany "Poppy" is a beginner so he is keen to take it all in (much to our delight of course).
At the completion of their run, Barry and Spice emerged from the fog and
Barry was delighted that Spice had found the first homer about 100 metres out from the trap. That meant she was required to "road in" - which means to gradually move forward towards the bird and into gun range. This accomplished, she got excited and moved a bit when the bird flew which cost her a few points.
This photo is of Spice on point 100 metres out. Not bad, given the conditions as there was very little breeze at the time.
Click to see full size image
A Hungarian Viszla was next on the course , followed next by Spice's litter brother Folly (NZFTCh Leaningrock Lairg Castle - owner Jo Arnold).
He put in a gutsy run and did the job well enough to finish the course.
This picture is Folly, giving it his all while out ranging.
After Folly, it was the turn of a GWP and then Sophie.
Poor old Sophie was undone by the conditions which made the course quite demanding. As well as a flukey light wind, the fog lifted slightly, only to be replaced by heavy drizzle which at times turned to rain.
Nevertheless, she gave it her best shot, but had trouble locating the birds in the traps.
All credit goes to Richard, who despite the conditions, managed to get some awesome action shots, like this one of Sophie and the next one of the bird actually lifting into the air after Folly had found it.
Click to see full size image
The end result was as follows:
Canterbury Gundog Club - Championship Pointer & Setter - 16 Aug 2009
6 entries - 3 Brittany, 2 HV and 1 GWP - Judge: R.Giles (Nth Otago)
1st GWP
2nd= Ch & FTCh Leaningrock Lanark Spice QC (Hill)
2nd= FTCh Leaningrock Lairg Castle (Arnold)
2nd= HV
3rd HV
Next month is a champ trial in Central Otago, then in October it is the big one, the NZ Field Trial champs, being hosted by our home club, Canterbury.
Sincere thanks go to Rich for doing such a great job with the photos - imagine what photos he can get on a clear, sunny day!!
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