Working Tests at Rother Valley Country Park - 1st, 2nd & 3rd May 2010
Saturday 01 May 2010
NORTHERN NEWFOUNDLAND CLUB
JUDGES REPORT
Venue:
Rother Valley Country Park
Date:
1 May 2010
Section:
E
Judges:
Leanne Pugsley & Susan Marsh
Entries:
4
Passes:
0
Lovely weather with calm conditions and 4 entries, one a first timer at first test of the season. Unfortunately none actually passed this time, but within each entry there were some very good
and precise elements.
All dogs didn’t seem too far off but sometimes unclear of what was expected and on occasions some just didn’t want to play. Handlers tended to overcompensate at times with instructions which were not
always needed hence confusing the dogs even thought well meaning.
We discussed using more brain taxing warm up exercises to get the dogs in working mode before the tests. Handlers shouldn’t be too hard on their dogs or disappointed with their handling so early in the
season. Was a pleasure to judge so many calm controlled and pleasurable dogs. We would like to wish all the entrants the best of luck for the rest of the season as all these dogs are capable of passing
this test in time.
We would like to thank all the stewards who executed their duties to a very high standard, and to the test manager Lynn for all her excellent preparation not to mention Vinnie’s welcome drinks and food.
NORTHERN NEWFOUNDLAND CLUB
JUDGES REPORT
Venue:
Rother Valley Country Park
Date:
1 May 2010
Section:
B
Judges:
Nadine Arnold & Marcus Sutherington
Entries:
12
Passes:
6
Withdrawn:
1
The first test of the year at Rother Valley Country Park was the Northern Newfoundland Clubs opener, considering most groups had only been able to train for a couple of weeks.
There was a good entry of 12 dogs for the Level B test I had been asked to judge at late notice.
There were six passes; five fails and one withdrawn before the start. The fails were due to the controlled swim and underwater retrieve. A couple of the dogs gave the impression that they didn’t know
what was expected of them for the underwater retrieve. It is early in the season, I do believe with a little more focused training throughout the year, time and patience the partnerships will pass this
element at future attempts. The controlled swims just need a little more practice. I would like to remind handlers/owners they must start and complete exercises as per the regulations. Unnecessary points
were lost and some exercises were nearly failed due to lack of correct completion until reminded. Please do take care with this. Otherwise excellent exercises were let down at this point. At higher levels
you will not be given this advice routinely.
Thank you, to my co-judge Marcus Sutherington and to the stewards for their hard work.
Nadine D Arnold
Sunday 02 May 2010
NORTHERN NEWFOUNDLAND CLUB
JUDGES REPORT
Venue:
Rother Valley Country Park
Date:
2 May 2010
Section:
D
Judges:
Sheila Rosewell & Judith Stonestreet
Entries:
8
Passes:
0
Eight entrants but unfortunately no passes. The weather varied between windy and extremely windy, fairly calm and very choppy but this seemed to have little effect on the dogs' performances.
One dog was withdrawn after the first exercise when it became obvious she was in play mode and two only had success with the directed retrieve. Having unexpectedly failed the first two exercises one dog,
again unexpectedly, passed the second two with flying colours. Of the remaining four dogs, two failed to jump out of the boat in time, one failed the first exercise and one failed the last exercise. The
exercises that they passed were excellent and it was a joy to see some good handling.
A big thank you to all the stewards, who worked without complaint, in very unpleasant conditions and to the kitchen staff who kept us topped up with hot drinks and a delicious lunch.
NORTHERN NEWFOUNDLAND CLUB
JUDGES REPORT
Venue:
Rother Valley Country Park
Date:
2 May 2010
Section:
A
Judges:
Kevin Tucker & Bernie Ward
Entries:
5
Passes:
5
Firstly I would like to thank the NNC for inviting me to judge at Rother Valley and also for giving me the responsibility of coaching a new judge Bernie Ward and thanks to Bernie for making
it a really enjoyable test. We had 5 entries and I am pleased to say 5 excellent passes.
It is worth reminding everybody that you can send your dog from waist level (something even the more experienced of us sometimes forget) and that it is only a 6m retrieve (lol). Let’s give these young
dogs the best chance of passing.
It was really nice to see some junior handlers coming through and really beginning to establish teamwork between themselves and the dogs and I have no doubt this will continue through to the higher levels.
May I also thank the test manager Lynn Whiting and all the unsung heroes (the stewards) and the whole of Rother Valley training group for all their help, especially in helping me after my caravan got
stuck in the mud and making this a really enjoyable test.
Kevin Tucker
Monday 03 May 2010
NORTHERN NEWFOUNDLAND CLUB
JUDGES REPORT
Venue:
Rother Valley Country Park
Date:
3 May 2010
Section:
C
Judges:
Nadine Arnold & Steve Long
Entries:
7
Passes:
2
The first test of the year at Rother Valley Country Park was marred by unseasonably cold and windy weather which proved to be testing for everyone involved in the test, judges, stewards, entrants
and handlers alike.
With an entry of seven dogs for the Level C test there were two passes, two fails and three withdrawn during the test. The fails were due to non jumpers in exercise one and the controlled swim. The two
passes showed the trust and training that has been nurtured by these partnerships. Even with the testing conditions the two passes showed it was possible to do a good test. I would like to remind handlers/owners
they must start and complete exercises as per the regulations. Unnecessary points were lost and some exercises were nearly failed due to lack of correct completion. Please read and understand what is
required by the regulations to end an exercise. Please do take care with this. Otherwise excellent exercises were let down at this point, you will not be given this advice normally at this level. I would
also like to encourage handlers to be aware of using the entire length of the area allocated for tests. Not one partnership took advantage of the conditions, the drift direction for their dog during any
of the exercises. It is not enough to just 'do' the exercise, do try to help your charge, to make it easier for them to achieve the desired out come.
Thank you, to my co-judge Steve Long and to the stewards for their hard work.
Nadine D Arnold
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