By Alan Rees
Friday turned out to be one of the hottest days of the year, with dogs in the Euro Challenge experiencing difficulties due to the conditions in the International Arena.
Saturday was another difficult day with humidity and heat in the morning and gale force winds, torrential rain, thunder and arc lightening during the afternoon.
Sunday was mainly dry until the presentation, which had to be postponed and moved into the marquee, due to the heavy rain.
The Spaniel course for the International proved very difficult and challenging with one straightforward mark retrieve and the others being very difficult long blind retrieves over fences, including a very tempting diversion in the form of a simulated rabbit.
The Retriever course, set by Richard Price of Usk Valley, was excellent but challenging.
The results showed England making a clean sweep of the prizes, Top International Team, Top Retriever and Top Spaniel Team. Wales ran out a very creditable second in the Spaniel international event whilst Wales also ran out second in the International Retriever Team event, providing a challenge to the extremely strong English team.
There were excellent individual performances from Nigel Probert and Haydn Willmott, second and third respectively in the individual retriever category. In addition, David Williams was third overall individual Spaniel, also winning the team run off against David Lisett of Scotland. This was again a very good performance from the team –
Aled Jones – Molly, Paul Roberts – Rea, Dave Williams – Ruby, Aled Jones – Frano and Dave Williams – Sid, Vicky Stanley – Pip, Barney Williams – Duke, Nigel Probert – Angus, Haydn Willmott- Will and Alan Rees – Magnum.
A huge thank you to Ceri, Phil and Wendy of CSJ for your generous support of the Welsh International Team over the two days of competition.
Alan Rees
Wales International Team Captain
