Chatsworth Car Park on a very grey spring day |
Six years on and we're doing it again - only now with Bugler, son of Gunner, and the not-so-Norty Jaunty. The overnight switch to British Summer Time notwithstanding, we left home at 6 a.m. on Sunday bound for Chatsworth in the beautiful Peak District.
"Ah well - need an excuse to do some sightseeing" I said to The Big Boss as we sallied forth. But soon it started to rain...... hmmmm
Meeting up with the organiser in the car park some two and a half hours later we collected schedules and numbers.
"You're on first" she said jauntily... appropriately as it turned out: I soon realised that not only was I drawn first - but with Jaunty! I'd have felt more relaxed had it been Bugler but he was drawn 23rd out of a total of 34 assorted Springer and Cocker spaniels.
Eventually when all the contenders had arrived and we'd received our welcome & instructions we departed the car park for the woods. The rain, which had been quite heavy, abated somewhat. Foolishly a number of us commented that maybe the weather was going to be kind to us after all.
As Jaunty and I moved forward to take up our starting position the heavy rain returned - and did not let up until we - people and dogs, drenched and bedraggled - finished for lunch several hours later.
What happens in a test is:
There is a Listed judge(on the right) and an unlisted judge (on the left) of the 'path' across the terrain being used for the test. The odd-numbered entrants 'run' in front of the senior judge and the even-numbered in front of the other. If entrant numbers have been restricted (usually to 16 or 20) all dogs get to 'run' in front of both judges. Otherwise, all are given a first run after which those not up to 'standard' are eliminated whilst the others go on to a second run.
The second run may result in the judges agreeing on a clear winner. If not, it is necessary to complete a further test (a retrieve from water on Sunday - in view of the weather though, extra water was maybe a little unnecessary!!!)) before the final decision is made. Judges may award positions from 1 to 3 and certificates of Merit. On Sunday there was also a trophy for the winning junior handler.
During the first run the dog is expected to hunt with a good 'pattern' (think windscreen wiper) in close proximity to the handler with the minimum amount of whistle/voice control. Whilst hunting, shots are fired at which the dog is expected to sit immediately. The first shot is accompanied by a 'marked' (theoretically seen by the dog) retrieve and the second by a 'blind' (i.e. the dog has no idea of where it is) retrieve. The dog should not move till sent and should fetch with minimum 'help' from the handler, returning promptly and giving the dummy up cleanly to said handler.
If the dog goes through to the second run the shot is accompanied by a dummy thrown on the other dog's territory. Similarly, the other dog's retrieve lands in front of your dog - who is expected not to move. In any case, a dog who does not automatically sit to shot, or runs in to retrieve without sitting or before being given the instruction by the handler, is immediately eliminated.
Bugler & Jauty drying off |
I worried about how Jaunty would handle things; he has a somewhat independent mind and doesn't always think prompt delivery of dummies is essential. However, whilst his hunting pattern was more boomerang than windscreen wiper, he was on the whistle, sat promptly and paid attention to instruction. I was well pleased with him - not least because he didn't b...... off on the trail of an interesting scent! He had a little difficulty 'seeing' me amongst the group when he returned with his dummies -hardly surprising when we were all dressed much the same & sodden wet! But he didn't mess about and will have learned a lot from the experience.
Onwards and upwards therefore.
Gunner totally disinterested in what the others have been up to |
Gunner, meanwhile, was totally unphased by the morning's activities even refusing to get out of the car when invited by the Big Boss to go for a walk whilst the rest of us were 'away playing'. I'll bet he remembered how he felt 6 years ago...... "Not letting myself in for that game again" I'll bet he said to himself.....
The sun came out as we drove home lending a somewhat ethereal atmosphere to my reflections of the morning.......