Scottish Game Fair Four Nations International Gundog Competition Scone Palace on the 6th July 2019

This is the third successive year that the Wales International Gundog Team have competed at this Four Nations International event, at the beautiful Scone Palace Estate in Perth. The Wales team, consisting of 3 Spaniel and 3 Retriever handlers, took on the cream of England, Ireland and Scotland in what proved to be an extremely close and hard fought international test.

The Wales Spaniel Team of David Pither, Aled Jones, Stuart Morgan and reserve, David Gregory, competed on the Saturday morning over a very challenging course with difficult, long retrievers and water work. All handlers and dogs ran very well , each one taking on the challenges before them. The result was extremely close with Ireland coming out as eventual victors with 386, closely followed by England with 383, Scotland with 370 and Wales with 367; only 29 points separating all four teams.

The Wales Retriever Team of Haydn Willmott, Alan Rees and Nigel Probert took on the International course in the afternoon, again with long, challenging retrieves and extensive water work. Like the Spaniel Team the Wales team competed well and ran out a close 2^nd to England; the final result being England with 380, Wales with 366, Ireland with 354 and Scotland with 344.

In addition, Nigel Probert with Stauntonvale Buckwheat of Llangynidr gained top Individual Retriever with 144 points, after what proved to be a superb run.

Overall Team standings at the end of the Competition were –

• 1^st England on 763 points
• 2^nd  Ireland on 740 points
• 3^rd Wales  on 733 points
• 4^th Scotland on 714 points

Once again, the Wales Team were sponsored by CSJ Specialist Canine Feed, with both Ceri and Phil travelling with the team to lend their  support as always. Alan Rees, and every member of the Wales Team, are extremely grateful to CSJ and Ceri and Phil, without them we would not be able to compete at this level of competition. “Diolch yn fawr iawn:.

Now we turn our attention to the up and coming International at the Game Fair at Hatfield House on July the 26^th to the 28^th 2019.

Alan Rees

Captain Wales Gundog Team