Today NEFRA were delighted to have been invited back to Sarah Marflow’s land near Wigan. Sarah is a perfect host and her land has got just everything we could wish for to host these assessments.

In the morning Caroline Hewison and Val Orme assessed the novice dogs with an obedience exercise, a water retrieve, a marked retrieve on land and an unseen retrieve on land.

Passes were awarded to the following:

Al Moore with Sachbash Prince Olly Moore
Chris Hewison with Casblaidd Mirror Lake
Mags Brayfield with Keamarola Private Dancer
Charlotte Smith with Castlerock First Glance at Whirleymere
Garry Ellison with Ollersett Black Knight
Anne Haley with Castlerock Return to Sender at Skybrook

In the afternoon Garry Ellison and Chris Hewison assessed the Intermediate dogs with a double mark retrieve with heel work in a walk-up exercise, a unseen retrieve with a distraction marked retrieve, an unseen retrieve over a stream and a double marked retrieve exercise where two dummies were thrown into Sarah’s beautiful pond. Despite some excellent retrieves unfortunately none of these dogs were able to reach the required standard to pass their assessments today.

We would like to thank Sarah, the assessors and their helpers and would also like to thank Lisa-Jane Mappin who helped us arrange the day. Lisa has recently joined our working committee and has set up her own fantastic new dog training hall in Wigan. This hall is not far from the M6. Anyone who is interested in attending her classes may want to follow this link.

The Animal Health Trust will be making a press release early next week about the Flatcoated Retriever Histiocytic Sarcoma research project they are soon to start work on. The document below summarises the project aims.

NEFRA held a Working Retriever Assessment at Garstang today, by kind permission of the Fitzherbert-Brockholes family. The weather was warm but not unpleasantly hot for the dogs and they were working in the woodland and water so remained cool.

Our judges were Chris & Caroline Hewison with assistance from Tom Backhouse, Charlotte Smith, Mags Brayfield and Anne Haley.

We would like to thank Simon Fitzherbert-Brockholes for arranging the venue for today’s event and for entering the oldest dog in the assessments ‘Moss’ Midsummer Mustardseed.

In the Novice level passes were awarded to
Charlotte Smith and Castlerock First Glance at Whirleymere
Simon Fitzherbert-Brockholes and Mosstarn Maiden
Chris Hewison and Casblaidd Mirror Lake
Mags Brayfield and Keamarola Private Dancer

Congratulations to all who gained a pass today

NEFRA are delighted to have been invited to hold a working test at Upper Shadymoor Farm, near Stapleton in Shropshire. We last visited this venue in June to host the Minor Breeds Team Test and our hosts Kevan and Joy Fox were very welcoming.

Our judges have kindly agreed to give up their day to help us hold classes for Puppies, Novice Dog/Novice Handler, Novice and Open dogs.

We always welcome new members to our working events, either to compete, spectate or help us run the day. If you are wanting to join us please just contact Caroline Hewison whose details are on the schedule.

30th June, 2019

A good training day at the wonderful venue of Alderford Lake

Excellent hospitality as always from Jane and Charles Bebbington, the sun shone all day and the dogs certainly enjoyed the water!

Huge thanks as always to the trainers for giving up their day to help everyone – Garry Ellison and Warren Jones took classes all day, Gill Awty took a puppy class this morning, and Chris and Caroline took a novice class this afternoon.

Trainers choices were awarded to Sue Rodgers and Drummer, Sue Groome and Maude, Rachel Birch with Tali AND Ziva. Well done to all, and a big thank you to everyone for coming along and supporting the day

NEFRA hosted the Minor Breeds Working Test today at Upper Shadymoor Farm, Stapleton, Shropshire, by very kind permission of Joy and Kevan Fox. Super hospitality, and a super venue with absolutely everything you could need for a working test.

Thank you to Warren Jones for judging and for setting the tests for us, and thank you to Garry Ellison for throwing dummies for us all day, in the rain this morning, and lovely sunshine this afternoon. Skinners were our sponsors, and many thanks to Caro Dell from Workingline Images for coming along as well. Her photos can be viewed here

Along with the flatcoats we welcomed the Curly Coat Retrievers, the Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and the Irish Water Spaniels with three dogs in each team. 
Each team did five tests including a team test at the end of play.

1st place and winners of the Shooting Gazette trophy.
Flatcoated Retrievers
Al Moore with Shiraz Pebble who was also awarded top dog on the day (and also won a photography session with Caro – thank you Caro!)
Julie Matthews with Ollersett Shining Nymph (also 2nd place overall)
Caroline Hewison Donascimento Danilo from Casblaidd

2nd place
Curlycoated Retrievers 

3rd place
Chesapeake Bay Retrievers

4th place
Irish Water Spaniels

Thank you all for coming, and it’s the turn of the Curlycoats to host next year

5th May 2019 at Thorpe Willoughby Village Hall, Leeds Rd, Thorpe Willoughby, N Yorks YO8 9PA

Judge: Miss Maria Leach (Kissock)
Show Manager / Chief Steward: Mrs M Melrose
Show Secretary: Mrs P Goulette

Class 1 – Minor Puppy Dog – 2 entries (1 Absent)
1st – 50 BLAIN’s RONEVORG IM A BELIEVER IN STEELRIVER

Class 2 – Puppy Dog – 2 entries (0 absent)
1st – 48 Scaife’s’ FLATCHARM MR FIX IT FOR SHENNANJOY
2nd – 26 Holland’s  – FLATCHARM MR BRIGHTSIDE

Class 3 – Junior Dog – 3 entries (1 Absent)
1st – 3 Bright’s HOPEVALLEY MORNING TWISTER
2nd – 56 Walker’s LIZZLOG SHOTGUN HARRY

Class 4 – Yearling Dog – 2 entries (0 Absent)
1st – 3 Bright’s HOPEVALLEY MORNING TWISTER
2nd – 20 Hammersley’s STEELRIVER COUNTRY GARDEN

Class 5 – Novice Dog – 2 entries (1 Absent)
1st -20 Hammersley’s STEELRIVER COUNTRY GARDEN

Class 6 – Graduate Dog – 2 entries (0 Absent)
1st – 31 Joyce’s STRANFAER GET OVER IT JW
2nd -20 Hammersley’s STEELRIVER COUNTRY GARDEN

Class 7 – Post Graduate Dog – 4 entries (2 Absent)
1st – 49 Stevenson’s PLAINFIRE’S THE CAPTAIN OF MY HEART IS STEELRIVER (IMP CHE)
2nd – 22 HEDDERWICK’s TORWOOD PAW TRAIT

Class 8 – Limit Dog – 5 entries (3 absent)
1st – 1 Adams’s FORDINGHAM VIKING WARRIOR
2nd – 29 Jones’ ARMINZERAS INFOMANIA BY BENVELLYN (IMP NOR)

Class 9 – Open Dog – 1 entry
1st – 51 Stevenson’s SH CH CACI’S JUST A GIGOLO AT STEELRIVER (IMP SWE) JW

Class 10 – Veteran Dog – 4 entries (2 absent)
1st – 32 Joyce’s STRANFAER MAKUNUDU
2nd – 53 Tierling’s LLANTRUSSA RUM BA BA AT KARAHOLME

Class 11 – Special Veteran Dog – 2 entries (1 Absent)
1st – 28 Holland’s CH CALZEAT CAUSA COMMOTION AT FLATCHARM (IMP)

Class 12 – Special Liver Dog – 2 entries (1 Absent)
1st – 22 Hedderwick’s Torwood Paw Trait

Best Dog – Stevenson’s SH CH CACI’S JUST A GIGOLO AT STEELRIVER (IMP SWE) JW

Reserve Best Dog – Adams’s FORDINGHAM VIKING WARRIOR

Best Puppy Dog – Scaife’s’ FLATCHARM MR FIX IT FOR SHENNANJOY

Best Veteran Dog – Holland’s CH CALZEAT CAUSA COMMOTION AT FLATCHARM (IMP)

Class 13 – Minor Puppy Bitch – 1 entry (0 Absent)

1st – 42 Place’s WISTASTON HAPPY GO LUCKY

Class 14  – Puppy Bitch – 2 entries (0 Absent)
1st – 42 Place’s WISTASTON HAPPY GO LUCKY
2nd – 17 Haley’s SKYBROOK HONEY HONEY

Class 15 – Junior Bitch – 5 entries (1 Absent)
1st – 59 Walker’s LIZZLOG NUN ON THE RUN
2nd – 46 Romeo-Dieste’s HOPEVALLEY MORNING RAINBOW JW
3rd – 17 Haley’s SKYBROOK HONEY HONEY
Res -23 Hedges’ SATINBAZE CIRQUE DU LUMIERE (AI)

Class 16 – Yearling Bitch – 3 entries (0 entries)
1st – 25 HEWERDINE-MILLER’s LIZZLOG WEE DROP OF MISCHIEF

Class 17 – Novice Bitch – 3 entries (1 Absent)
1st – 54 Trevor’s TREVORSILK GALAXY AURORA
2nd – 10 Colson & Fox’s Blacktoft Dancing on Ice with Windyhollows (AI)

Class 18 – Graduate Bitch – 3 entries (0 Absent)
1st – 30 Jones’s BLACKTOFT SAPPHIRE ICE AT BENVELLYN (AI)
2nd – 57 Walker’s LIZZLOG HARPY’S GOLD
3rd – 7 Collins’ ANNBECKS ISLA MAY AT STEEPLEHOUSE

Class 19 – Post Graduate Bitch – 3 entries (0 Absent)
1st – 16 Gale’s WILLOWSWIND NETTE LARK JW
2nd – 52 Stott’s BITCON GIRL IN BLACK WITH LOROSIETTIE
3rd – 44 Richards’ HAMELDOWNTOR MOON RIVER IN MANHATTAN (IMP)

Class 20 – Limit Bitch – 2 entries (1 Absent) 
1st – 12 COLSON’s BLACKTOFT FROZEN IN TIME BY WINDYHOLLOWS (AI)

Class 21  – Open Bitch – 5 entries (1 Absent)
1st – 58 Walker’s LIZZLOG ANNIE GET YOUR GUN JW
2nd – 33 Joyce’s SH CH STRANFAER SOLITAIRE JW
3rd – 24 Hedges’ BLACKTOFT QUICKSTEP OF SATINBAZE
Res – 14 Finlay’s  IR SH CH ANNBECKS AILIS AT AUGHNALECK IR JUN CH CW16’17 CJW’16

Class 22 – Veteran Bitch – 3 entries (1 Absent)
1st – 13 Colson’s Eskwinds Driving Miss Daisy to Windyhollows
2nd – 45 Richards’ LUSS KISS IN THE DARK

Class 23 – Special Veteran Bitch – 2 entries (1 Absent)
1st – 6 Collin’s STEEPLEHOUSE GIFT OF THYME

Class 24 – Special Liver Bitch – 1 entry
1st – 54 Trevor’s  TREVORSILK GALAXY AURORA

Class 25 BRACE – 2 entries (1 Absent)
1st – Holland’s brace

Best BitchWalker’s LIZZLOG ANNIE GET YOUR GUN JW

Reserve Best Bitch Gale’s WILLOWSWIND NETTE LARK JW

Best Puppy Bitch Place’s WISTASTON HAPPY GO LUCKY

Best Veteran Bitch Colson’s ESKWINDS DRIVING MISS DAISY TO WINDYHOLLOWS

Best In Show Walker’s LIZZLOG ANNIE GET YOUR GUN JW

Reserve Best In Show Stevenson’s SH CH CACI’S JUST A GIGOLO AT STEELRIVER (IMP SWE) JW

Best Puppy In Show Scaife’s’ FLATCHARM MR FIX IT FOR SHENNANJOY

Best Veteran In Show Colson’s ESKWINDS DRIVING MISS DAISY TO WINDYHOLLOWS

Best Liver In Show Trevor’s  TREVORSILK GALAXY AURORA

Judge’s critiques

Thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge at this most welcoming, efficiently run show. It was a good venue and a pleasing entry of quality dogs. Thank you to my stewards for keeping me organised and allowing the ring to run smoothly. And finally to all the exhibitors for entering under me and supporting my decisions with a sporting attitude. I thoroughly enjoyed the day.

MPD(2,1a)1. Stevenson. Ronevorg  Im A Believer In Steelriver. 7 month old baby, a lovely one piece head , good length to muzzle and dark eye. Ample bone and looking balanced. Good front angulation moving okay
PD(2) Two handsome puppies and similar comments refer to both. They are correct in size with quality bone. Proper front and rear angulations, moving freely for youngsters holding straight toplines. Later found out they are brothers. 1 Scaife. Flatcharm Mr Fix It For Shennanjoy. Preferred his overall balance at this stage, and square short loin. He moved out positively straight and true winning him BPIS. 2. Holland. Flatcharm Mr Brightside. Slightly rangier but with the preferred, more refined head.
JD(3,1a)1. Bright. Hopevalley Morning Twister. A decent youngster, at the inbetween stage. His front angles, lay of shoulder and length to upper arm I preferred. Heavy enough in head. Stood on adequate feet. Needs to drop in chest and fill out over the loin. Maturity will tighten up his overall movement. 2. Walker.  Lizzlog Shotgun Harry. An elegant looking young dog with a super shape to head and almond dark eye. His overall construction is okay and movement was steady. Just not the reach in front movement as first and feet could be stronger.
YD(2)1.Bright. Hopevalley Morning Twister. First in junior. 2. Hammersley. Steelriver Country Garden.  An up to size youngster. Okay in head shape, correct length of neck in to well laid shoulders. Decent  feet. Slight over angulation in rear quarters, therefore not quite as positive in overall movement.
ND(2,1a)1. Hammersley. Steelriver Country Garden. 
GD(2)1.Joyce. Stranfaer Get Over It JW. Liked this boy of correct size and ample bone. Good head shape and eye, decent length to neck . Balanced both front and rear with sufficient width to thigh a square short loin and solid topline, standing on well padded feet. He covered the ground accurately on the move both fore and aft. 2. Hammersley. Steelriver Country Garden.
PGD(4,2a)1. Stevenson. Plainfire’s The Captain Of My Heart Is Steelriver(imp che). This lad had a typical flatcoat attitude with a forever wagging tail a mischievous look in his eye and a elegant head. He is still a bit raw and needs to drop in chest and body up. In super condition and everything in the correct place, stood on good feet. His construction enabled him to cover the ground effortlessly and with efficiency. 2. Hedderwick. Torwood Paw Trait. A liver dog of correct size, sufficient bone, short over loin and good topline. Heavier all through, not a typical flatcoat head and the raciness of winner.
LD(5,3a)1.Adams. Fordingham Viking Warrior. This boy had a classical head and kind dark eye with well set on ears. Proper length of neck, and excelled in front angles, super lay of shoulder and upper arm. Quality bone, accurate depth to brisket, good length of rib and closed couplings through to strong muscled rear quarters.  He projected a balanced picture without exaggerations and moved accordingly with positive effortless power. A promising youngster and I will watch his future show career with interest. RBD. 2. Jones. Arminzeras Informania By Benvellyn (imp nor). Another lad in good condition, more mature than my winner and another good head and eye. Balanced and moderate all through, preferred his feet however not the tailset  and accurate strong  movement of one
OD(1).Stevenson. SH CH Caci’s Just A Gigolo At Steelriver (imp swe)JW. A 5 year old in his prime, out of coat but nothing exaggerated here, each piece flowing into the other. A good typical male head and preferred scissor bite, cheeky expressive eyes and expected flatcoat happy disposition. His overall construction is accurate showing balance while standing and enabling ease in his free flowing positive movement, striding out with the required reach and drive, using his energy with efficiency enabling him to do a days work. BD and RBIS.
VD(4,2a)1. Joyce. Stranfaer Makunudu. This 7 year old presented a more typical flatcoat outline. Good head, mouth, bone, depth to chest and topline. Would have liked more length to upper arm and power in rear movement.  Moved ok. 2. Tierling. Llantrussa Rum Ba Ba At Karaholme. A lovely 10 year old boy with a kind eye and expression. Made on good lines with proper angles both front and rear. Super strong feet for his age. Depth to chest, length in loin and topline all sufficient.  His movement wasn’t as positive to due age and injury.
SPVD(2,1a).1. Holland. Ch Calzeat Causa Commotion At Flatcharm(imp). 12 years young, excelling in Flatcoat exuberance and personality and trying to move around the ring like a 5 year old. This dog matured well, correct size and moderate all through. His determination to stride out with reach and drive won him BVD, but lost out to the bitch in the final challenge due to his rear quarters showing his advanced years.
SLD(2,1a).1. Hedderwick. Torwood Paw Trait.. 2. Holland. Flatcharm Mr Brightside. Slightly rangier but with the preferred, more refined head.

MPB(1). 1.Place. Wistaston Happy Go Lucky. Promising 6 month old baby, with typical flatcoat character and enjoying her first time out in the ring. Feminine head and dark eye, good neck and shoulders and pleased to see length in upper arm, equally decent rear quarters and neat feet. She held her topline on the move and was covering the ground well for such a youngster.
PB(2).1.Place. Wistaston Happy Go Lucky. First in MPB.2. Haley. Skybrook Honey Honey. Mature one year old. Pretty head and eye, ample bone and decent front angles. Longer over loin, hence not the strength and drive behind I preferred in my winner
JB(5,1a).1. Walker. Lizzlog Nun On The Run. This young bitch has a super one piece head and dark almond eye, decent length to neck and well laid shoulders. Good depth to brisket ,correct over loin and bend to stifle carrying adequate muscle, with neat feet. She moved out straight and true.2. Romeo-Dieste. Hopevalley Morning Rainbow JW. Not as mature as first at this stage and needs to fill out. Correct size, a naughty flatcoat expression, solid throughout with straight topline, moving okay.3.Haley. Skybrook Honey Honey
YB(3,2a).1.Hewerdine-Miller. Lizzlog Wee Drop Of Mischief. Nearly two years with quality bone, pretty head and eye, decent neck into okay shoulders. Correct depth to brisket at this stage and good length of rib into neat couplings. Would have liked more angle and depth to rear thigh and stifle. Moving steady
NB(2,1a) Two sound bitches in this class, unfortunately unable to assess the movement of second, she wasn’t happy striding out today.1.Trevor. Trevorsilk Galaxy Aurora. A dark liver with a pleasing dark eye, taller than 2 and needs to body up. She moved well, proving her construction is good both front and rear, working on correct feet and well muscled .BLB and BLIS.2. Colson & Fox. Blacktoft Dancing On Ice With Windyhollows(ai). Disappointed this young lady wasn’t on form today. Preferred her size, bone and body shape at this stage. Feminine moulded head and dark expressive eye, construction was balanced and correct without exaggeration and she is in super condition
GB(3)Three pleasing bitches.1.Jones. Blacktoft Sapphire Ice At Benvellyn(ai). Pretty head, good length to muzzle, correct neck into decent lay of shoulders and upper arm, with ample bone. Ribs flat into short loin, okay bend of stifle and padded round feet ,moving out well covering the ground as required.2.Walker. Lizzlog Harpy’s Gold. This bitch has a super classical head and eye. Slightly larger and longer throughout. She moved well but would have liked a little more strength behind.3.Collins. Annbeck’s Isla May At Steeplehouse. A good bitch and moving well, just not the overall balance I was looking for
PGB(3).Another three nice bitches.1.Gale. Willowswind Nette Lark JW. This bitch just says Flatcoat to me. Correct size, very good leg to body proportions, quality bone with the substance our breed requires and super feet .  Looking like she could easily take on a days work , moving soundly with sufficient reach and drive proving her construction is true and accurate.RBB. 2.Stott. Bitcon Girl In Black With Lorosiette .A good bitch balanced and with decent front angles, liked her size and bone. Longer through the loin and not quite the power of one while moving.3.Richards. Hameldowntor Moon River In Manhatton(imp). Another decent bitch throughout, was looking for more angulation in the fore quarters. Moved okay
LB(2,1a).Colson. Blacktoft Frozen In Time By Windyhollows(ai) .A mature two year old lady in super, well muscled condition. Elegant head, dark eye, adequate bone, neat feet and square over loin. She held her topline on the move and covered the ground well with enough power and drive
OB.(5,1a).These 4 bitches were good representatives of the breed, all constructed on lines ready for a days work. I have similar comments for all, correct in size, length, height and bone with tight feet. Solid toplines, depth to chest and brisket, good length to rib and short coupled. Well lay of shoulder and length to upper arm enabling necessary reach whilst moving. Good width, angle and strength to thigh with well let down hocks providing sufficient drive and power at the rear.  1.Walker. Lizzlog Annie Get Your Gun JW. Won on her overall projection of balance, without exaggeration neither standing or on the move. Super topline, tailset and powerful rear quarters. Mature, in her prime and in tip top condition presenting Flatcoated Retriever to me from every angle. BB and BIS. 2.Joyce. SH CH Stranfaer Solitaire As above, very good front, not as much power behind.  JW.3.Hedges. Blacktoft Quickstep Of Satinblaze. As above, very balanced, not the substance of first two.4..Finlay. IR SH CH Annbecks Ailis At Aughnaleck IR JUN CH CW16’17 CJW’16.As above, not the maturity of first three
VB(3,1a).1.Colson. Eskwinds Driving Miss Daisy To Windyhollows .A super lady who is completely balanced. She strides out with efficiency as one piece, looking like a days work would be no problem. Proving her angulations, leg to body proportions and overall construction is accurate and true. No hesitation in awarding her BVB and BVIS. 2.Richards. Luss Kiss In The Dark. Good head and eye on this bitch and handled very well, getting the best out of her. Not the overall construction and angles I was looking for
SVB.(2,1a).Collins. Steeplehouse Gift Of Time. Nearly 11 and full of life and flatcoat personality. Feminine pretty head and a naughty expression, good lay to shoulder,  and rear angles with correct bend to stifle presenting  a pleasing picture on the move covering the ground well for her age.
SLB.(1)1.Trevor.Trevorsilk Galaxy Aurora
Brace(2,1a).Miss K L Holland .Handled exceptionally well considering it was Grandad and Grandson , I think the puppy calmed Grandad down!!! Very similar in head and body, just obviously the difference in maturity but both moved together accurately and in unison.

NEFRA held a training and Working Retriever Assessment day at Carburton, by very kind permission of Robert Bower and the Welbeck Estate. Photos were taken by Caro Dell from Workingline Images – keep checking her website for images of your dog… some may be selected for the 2020 calendar.

Thank you to our trainers Garry Ellison, Andy Sweeney and Malcolm Peacock for taking the classes. Andy and Caroline judged the novice assessments, and then Garry and Chris judged the Intermediate dogs.

Thank you also to those who helped throw dummies during the day.

Passes were awarded in the Novice assessments to
Jane Calverley and Gwenadillo Helga Geerhart
Cherry Wood and Woodfinch Cherith – who was awarded her third pass today and also her Novice Working Retriever Certificate

Well done all, and many thanks to all who came along.

UPDATE: Denise Jury’s funeral details: 7th May 1.30pm Chesterfield Crematorium.

The NEFRA committee are deeply saddened by the news that Denise Jury passed away on 10th April 2019. Denise was a founder committee member and served as our Hon Working Secretary for many years. She devoted her life to her Torwood kennel of flatcoated retrievers and miniature dachshunds. We will post funeral details when they become available.