NEFRA Northern England Flatcoated Retriever Association

NEFRA members were welcomed to the lovely Castle Howard Estate today, to hold the Novice and Intermediate Working Retriever Assessments.

In the Novice section, passes were awarded to
Cherry Wood and Woodfinch Cherith
Debbie Smith and Donascimento Carlos
(Judges Garry Ellison and Caroline Hewison)

In the Intermediate section, passes were awarded to
Val Orme and Elmstock Thyme to Dream
Peter Griffin and Eskwinds Ebony Jay
Julie Matthews and Ollerset Shining Nymph
Caroline Hewison and Donasimento Danilo from Casblaidd
(Judges Gill Griffin and Chris Hewison)

Thanks to everyone for coming, and also to those who helped by throwing dummies for us, and thank you to Castle Howard for allowing us to visit.

Learn more about the Working Retriever Assessments Here

Sunday 25th September 2016 saw NEFRA hosting their annual Autumn Working Test at the grounds of 
Bannister Hey, Claughton-On-Brock, near Preston by the very kind permission of Francis Fitzherbert-Brockholes & Jeremy Hunt.

This is the second time the Association has visited this ground which offers many opportunities for putting dogs through their paces.   The judges for the test were Mr Philip Smithies, Mr Paul Dixon & Mr Jeremy Hunt assisted by our 
Chief Steward Mr Garry Ellison.

A night of persistent rain prior to our arrival left the ground somewhat damp underfoot so mud was the order of the day.

Prizes awarded were as follows:

Puppy (4 entries)

1st Sue Sinnott Millola Handsome Man
2nd Vicky Sullivan Autumnal Flame over Wyrebeck

Novice Dog/Novice Handler (5 entries)

1st Rose Barker Mahinda Sweet Bay
2nd Rob Ashcroft Keepersway Adele
3rd Vicky Sullivan Rocknroll Star by Wyrebeck

Novice (17 entries)

1st and Judges Choice Pat Bell Gowran Hesperis at Pallingforth
2nd Andy Sweeney Norfolkflyers Rosie’s Thorn of Wolfthistle
3rd Peter Howson Devonbank Dare to Dream

Open (11 entries)

1st and Judges Choice Caroline Hewison Maddistream Indigo Jack at Casblaidd
2nd Peter Griffin Eskwinds Chaffinch
3rd Rachel Holt Croftcloses Lucrative Boy

Yesterday eight members of NEFRA were representing the Association in two teams at the Flatcoated Retriever Society’s Inter Area Team Challenge in Warwickshire.  The event was held in the surroundings of Hatton Country World with open fields, woodland and water to test the nine teams.  Each team comprised four dogs and four handlers.

Judges for the day were Sean McGrath, Paul Egginton and Graham Clelland.

Our two teams were:

Team 1

• Puppy – Andy Sweeney Portledge Belle Amy of Wolfthistle (TOP PUPPY)
• Novice – Caroline Hewison Venus in Transit over Casblaidd
• Novice – Garry Ellison Ollerset Rainbow
• Open – Gill Awty Venetian Red at Maddistream (TOP OPEN)

Team 2

• Puppy – Lisa-Jane Mappin Casblaidd Valdoonican
• Novice – Peter Griffin Eskwinds Ebony Jay
• Novice – Stephanie Hurstfield Stac Polly
• Open – Gill Griffin Eskwinds Drake

Both teams put in a fantastic effort with Team 1 winning a 2nd Place.

NEFRA would like to thank the hosts and the Flatcoated Retriever Society for inviting us to the event.  We offer our congratulations to the winning team from Wessex and look forward to the event next year.

View a Full photo album of the day’s events as a Facebook album. Anyone can view these photos – even without a Facebook account.

The NEFRA working committee have recently held two of their ever popular training days.

The first was held on 31st July at Dearnford Lake near Whitchurch and was a Water Training Day, designed to improve our dogs work in the lake.  Often made a little more challenging by wild swimmers enjoying their day out.  Warmest thanks, as ever, go to our welcoming hosts Chas & Jane Bebbington and the staff at the lakeside cafe who put on a wonderful spread at lunchtime.

On the following weekend (6th August) saw another of our Training Days at Hesketh Bank, near Preston.  This was our second day here this summer.  Four groups were put through their paces by the class trainers, with special thanks to our guest trainer for the day Roz McIlroy and the hosts Ribble Bank Field Sports.  On such a warm day the dogs were able to stay cool in the shade of trees.

These days are always very popular with the membership and are a perfect opportunity for new members to meet us and train in a relaxed atmosphere.  Many thanks must go to all who attended.  If you have access to land that might be suitable for group training, or possibly for assessment days or tests please do let our committee know.

NEFRA members did very well at the Flatcoated Retriever Society ‘Nationals’ Working Test near Evesham today.

With a 1,2,3 in Novice for Lewis Holton, Andy Sweeney and Caroline Hewison.

Caroline was also awarded 2nd place in Open. We would like to thank all who made the day possible.

NEFRA Open Show 2016 held at Thorpe Willoughby Village Hall, Selby
On Sunday 8th May 2016
Judge: Mr A W Laird (Daicheil)

BEST IN SHOW Malone Mrs C J & Mr L J KISSOCK WEESLEEKIT FOR KIRKBECK JW
RESERVE BEST IN SHOW & BEST OPPOSITE SEX Orme Mr R D & Mrs V E Elmstock Thyme To Dream

BEST PUPPY IN SHOW Walker Ms E J & Dr L Roberts Gloi Dubh Gigha

BEST LIVER Orme Mr R D & Mrs V E Elmstock Thyme To Remember
BEST VETERAN IN SHOW Stevenson Miss S ShCh Steelriver Sunny Spell ShCM

BEST DOG Orme Mr R D & Mrs V E Elmstock Thyme To Dream
RESERVE BEST DOG Adams Mrs B M Kissock Dark N Dashing

BEST BITCH Malone Mrs C J & Mr L J KISSOCK WEESLEEKIT FOR KIRKBECK JW
RESERVE BEST BITCH Harrison Mr E ShCh Glendaruel Black Diamond At Solotown (AI)

BEST PUPPY DOG Huyton P R & C E Hopevalley Morning Oregon for Hightyne
BEST PUPPY BITCH Walker Ms E J & Dr L Roberts Gloi Dubh Gigha
BEST VETERAN DOG Colson Mr E W, Mrs P J & Miss N E Windyhollows Brere Bear
BEST VETERAN BITCH Stevenson Miss S ShCh Steelriver Sunny Spell ShCM

Full Results (pdf file)

NEFRA members had a successful Working Retriever Assessment day at Intake Head, Delph, near Oldham today.

Thanks to Chris Hewison for judging Intermediate and Gill Griffin and Chris for judging Novice, and thanks to Simon, Ken, Peter and Steph for helping.

The following dogs passed a stage of the Novice level –

• Stephanie Hurstfield and Stac Polly
• Wendy Battison and Donascimento Ramires

The following dogs passed their third stage and were awarded their Novice Working Retriever Certificates –

• Peter Griffin and Eskwinds Ebony Jay
• Julie Matthews and Ollerset Shining Nymph
• Colette Greenwood and Tawnywood Jollification
• Caroline Hewison and Donascimento Danilo from Casblaidd

The following dogs passed a stage of the Intermediate level –

• Ken Rees and Eskwinds Chasing Moonbeams
• Garry Ellison and Ollerset Rainbow
• Lewis Holton and Castlerock First Angel
• Wendy Battison and Mystical Eclipse of Donascimento
• Peter Griffin and Eskwinds Ebony Jay
• Colette Greenwood and Tawnywood Jollification
• Caroline Hewison and Donascimento Danilo from Casblaidd

The following dogs passed their third stage and were awarded their Intermediate Working Retriever Certificates –

• Gill Griffin and Eskwinds Drake
• Caroline Hewison and Venus in Transit over Casblaidd

Well done everyone!

For more information about the Certificates – follow this link
For a full list of the dogs that have gained these awards – follow this link

A big thank you to everyone who came along to the NEFRA Working tests on Sunday, 17th April 2016.
The event was kindly hosted by Robert Bowers and the Welbeck Estate.

Thank you to our judges – Phil Wagland, Anna Wagland and Paul Birkbeck for organising sensible and realistic tests, they had a long day to get through all the dogs! And a big thank you to absolutely everyone who helped out and made it a friendly day.

Thank you also to Caro from WorkingLine Images for photographing all the dogs and allowing us to use some of her photos on this page.

Puppy (5 entries)
1st Andy Sweeney with Portledge Belle Amy of Wolfwhistle
COM Paul Egginton with Pajanbeck I Put A Spell on You
COM Cherry Wood with Woodfinch Cherith

Novice Dog/Novice Handler (2 entries)
1st Jenny Jones with Yonsaff Summer Sky

Novice (23 entries)
1st Gill Griffin with Eskwinds Drake (on his Birthday!)
2nd Caroline Hewison with Venus in Transit over Casblaidd
3rd Colette Greenwood with Tawnywood Jollification
4th Christine Spalding with Tallistar Midnight Sky
COM Paul Egginton with Pajanbeck Heaven Can Wait

Open (8 entries)
1st Garry Ellison with Ollerset Sparkling Nymph
2nd Caroline Hewison with Maddistream Indigo Jack at Casblaidd
3rd Malcolm Peacock with Rondix Basha
4th Casper Jonsen with Donascimento Peres

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• PRESIDENT’S CUP

1st (64pts) Walker & Roberts’ Gloi Dubh Fingal JW  
2nd (47pts) Romeo-Dieste’s Yonstaff Vienna by Hopevalley JW
=3rd (43pts) Stevenson’s Caci’s Just a Gigolo at Steelriver JW
=3rd (43pts) Johnson’s Downstream Fait Accompli JW