Spring Working Test 2023 – Roanlodge, Buxton

NEFRA held our Spring working test today at Roanlodge, hosted with thanks by Lesley Morgan and sponsored by Skinners.

We had 3 Judges, who were David Bellamy, Warren Jones and Alan Richardson. A huge thankyou to our judges for giving up their day. 

A huge thankyou to all the helpers and dummy throwers. Without them we couldn’t hold these events.

The weather started off overcast and cold however as the day went on the sun came out and so did the wind. The weather made for a great day and a challenge for the afternoon dogs. 

We had 5 puppies and 5 NDNHs in the morning with an obedience test, a blind down a track, a straight mark and a mark in water. 

One award was given in puppy to Andy Sweeney’s Wolfthistle Clementine.

Unfortunately, although all the dogs performed well, no awards were given in the NDNH class. However these types of events are great for giving NDNH experience at working tests. 

We started the 14 Novice dogs before lunch which had 4 tests. These tests were a mix of marks, blinds, water and jumps with our three judges. 

Novice placings are as follows;

No first was awarded. 

2nd Julie Mattthew’s Ollersett Black Knight

3rd Helen Fox’s Satinbaze Cracksman for Blacktoft JW

4th David Foster’s Kenyten Styx

COM Margaret Brayfield’s Contar Skeggles Water

We then started our 6 Intermediate dogs in the afternoon. The sun came out and the dogs all enjoyed themselves over this beautiful venue with a mixture of marks, blinds and a walk up. 

The results are as follows; 

1st Garry Ellison’s Ollersett Shimmering Nymph

2nd Caroline Hewison’s Casblaidd Island in the Sky KCWGC SGWC

3rd Andy Sweeney’s Maddistream Black Powder of Wolfthistle

4th Julie Matthew’s Ollersett Black Diamond

Water Day – Budby

Nefra held a training day in Budby, Nottinghamshire on Monday 1st May. Our trainers for the day were Andy Sweeney and Gary Ellison. This training had water available for the dogs and handlers to use so we took advantage of this wonderful opportunity.

We had an advanced novice and intermediate groups in a morning session. The trainers covered water retrieves and how to direct your dog for a land retrieve when water is close by, which is always a challenge for this breed who love to swim!

There was plenty of space so the trainers also tested the dogs outside of their comfort zone with longer retrieves. They all handled the extra distance really well.

Many thanks to the land owner Andrew Naish and the keeper Phil Swan for hosting us on this fantastic day.