By Alan Rees
What an event – this was the fourth Four Nations Challenge Gundog International Working Test, and unbelievably it gets better and better every year.
A huge congratulations to Sam Drysdale and her team who work so hard to put on this event, undoubtedly one of, if not, the best event on the calendar – and that’s saying something. I’m sure all the handlers and spectators would confirm that statement, and as the commentator Adrian Slater stated many times – the grand stand was rocking.
Wales were delighted again to be part of the event and that is only achievable through the financial help and sponsorship of CSJ, Ceri and Phil Rundle. We, as a Team were delighted to have both of them with us over the weekend. A big personal thank you to you both from me and the Team.
We were delighted to welcome back Simon Hagain as a Retriever member of the Team this year, he ran very well, we were also delighted to welcome the newbee, Dewi Williams, although his name caused a few problems for the commentators, Dewi put in a sterling performance with his E.S.S. dog Bryn, well done!!
There were three spectacular runs over a very difficult course for Retrievers, Declan Boyle (Ireland), David Latham (England) tied with 113 out of a possible 120 points, with Declan winning the run off for Top Dog, Nigel Probert of Wales returned a magnificent 112, a point short – these three were outstanding over the course of the International test.
Now onto the spoils –
Top Retrievers Ireland 283 Top SpanielsEngland 312 Team Placings First England 590
Second England 278 Second Ireland 305 Second Ireland 588
Third Wales 273 Third Wales 272 Third Wales 545
Fourth Scotland 244 Fourth Scotland 247 Fourth Scotland 491
One thing this International competition proved is that everything is decided on very small margins. We now look forward to The Game Fair at Ragley Hall, towards the end of July.
Alan Rees
Team Captain
