WGAA’s
marquee event, the SSAA National Pointer & Setter Field Trial, was held on
the weekend of 23rd & 24th of June in the Victorian
Wimmera.
The judges
for this prestigious event were the very experienced Denis Everard (Vic) and
the internationally recognised Robyn Gaskin (NZ).
A large
field of 17 dogs that included pointers, English setters and Irish setters came
from four states to compete. Two of the competitors made the long drive across
the Nullarbor from Perth (3 days) whilst another travelled all the way from
Port Macquarie in New South Wales (2 days).
Cover for
the National varied from self sown barley to wheat stubble that had recently
been seeded. Fortunately the rain during the week had moved on and a cold,
sunny day with a nice breeze ensued. Birds proved to be difficult early in the day
and were moving far in front of the dogs, but as the day wore on some excellent
work was produced. Fast quartering and textbook ground coverage combined with
stylish finding and efficient relocations and good productions, together with
some snappy retrieves made for a top exhibition of pointer and setter work.
At around
4pm in the afternoon a decision was made to award the title of National Field
Trial Winner to Joe Camilleri’s pointer bitch WALTEELA AWSOME ASSASIN (Gesy). A
close run second was Taner Ozsehitoglu’s Irish Setter dog GAMEMASTER EVANS
(Brandy). Third place also went to Joe Camilleri’s pointer bitch WALTEELA LITE
FIELD (Fly). The Best Novice Award went to John Kersley’s English Setter bitch MASTERFIND
GEMMA (Gem).
Sponsorship
for the National event was generously provided by SSAA National and PetSafe
Australia.
The SSAA
awarded medals for the placegetters, trophies in the form of commemorative engraved
leads and collars and a SSAA swag. Not to be outdone PetSafe Australia presented
the winning handler with a SportDog SD-400 remote trainer and a retrieving
dummy for every competitor.
The
following day the John Nash Memorial trial was held in a rough grass paddock. A
cold foggy start for judge, Joe Camilleri and assistant judge, Robyn Gaskin saw
dogs working fast and wide for their birds and some exciting tussles ensued. A
feature of this event was that dogs were rewarded for fast ranging and
quartering. Birds were not as plentiful as the day before and those dogs that
went to their task with speed and determination were rewarded. Stylish backing,
often at great distances, was another feature of this event. Note must be made
of the fact that the judges over the two days were always up with the action
and willing to allow dogs to show their best.
Fittingly,
this was a day for the Irish. John Nash was from Ireland and would have been
pleased to see the Irish setter dog of Denis Everard RUSSETRAY REMINGTON (Rem) take
first place with Taner Ozsehitoglu’s Irish setter dog FT Ch RUSSETRAY ROYAL
FLUSH (Scotch)being awarded runner up. These two setters are litter mates,
congratulations are due to the breeders – Anne and Denis Everard. Denis’ dog
was also awarded the Jim Oliver Bael Bael trophy for the Best Finding Dog and
the Graeme Lack Brodruggan trophy for the Best Setter. No third place was
awarded.
The Best Novice Award went to Alan Willey’s English setter
bitch RUNANSET ALONGFORTHERIDE (Polly).
For more photos please click
HERE and wait for the slideshow to load.
