Beginners & Intermediate Retrieving Trial Report-Nabambie-25th March 2007

WGAA's first trail for 2007 was held for Intermediate and Beginner dogs. There were 8 entries for the Intermediate level, with 1 non-competing dog and 7 entries for the Beginner level. The trial was held at the excellent Nagambie property that the club has had access to regularly over the years, through the generosity of Ray Waldron’s contacts. The whole day ran very smoothly, a very big thank you to the retrieving trail committee, big thanks to Wayne Phelps for the great runs he set up, his professionalism and very fair judging, special thanks to all the gun and game stewards who did a sterling job on the day. A delicious lunch provided by Gary & Chris Bristow and Kevin Phelps, was enthusiastically enjoyed by all. With perfect weather this made for a FANTASTIC day!

Wayne set a run simulating a good scenario for hunting rabbits to start the day for the Intermediate dogs, with the terrain catching a few dogs out, but all dogs completed the run successfully. On the completion of this run the distance was shortened for the Beginner dogs, once again all dogs were successful.

The second run for the day was the quail run, some heavy cover for the dogs to negotiate into a clearer area where the quail had been placed, again all Intermediate and Beginner dogs were successful, with the Beginner’s run length being shortened.

After the lunch break the final run, the water run was held, all 7 Intermediate dogs were successful in this run, with some very nice retrieves being completed. Instead of shortening the length of this last run as done previously, the run was altered for the Beginner dogs. But it proved too big a challenge for 4 of the Beginner dogs, with them being unsuccessful on this last run for the day. The tall growth of vegetation at the water’s edge made a barrier that the young and inexperienced dogs couldn’t break through on their own.

Congratulations to the placegetters, and well done Alf and ‘Princess’, this is the second win in Novice in as many trials. The results of the day are as follows:-

INTERMEDIATE RETRIEVING TRIAL
1st No. 5 Alf Briffa GSP Prepelica Thunder Point ‘Princess’
2nd No. 6 Joe Camilleri GSP ‘Gemma’
3rd No. 7 Ray Waldron L'Epagneul Breton Aubenouveau Mystique ‘Max’

BEGINNERS RETRIEVING TRIAL
1st No. 5 Angie Bloomer GSP Kobidan Daiquiris At Dawn ‘Farli’
2nd No. 6 Tim Cloke Labrador Kumile Crackshot ‘Chopper’
3rd No. 1 Dean Watts Labrador ‘Bella’

Action Shots (photos) Retrieving trials, Nagambie 25 March 07

Next WGAA Training Day

Next WGAA training day - Sunday 17th June. Tullidge Street Reserve, Melways map reference 115 D11. All gundog breeds and abilities welcome. Contact the Training Officer, Graham Hayes, for more information on Ph (03) 9743 7402.

WGAA Training Day 18 Feb 07

The first training day for 2007 was a hot one. With the temperature tipped to be in the high 30’s, we had about 20 stalwarts turn up at 9am with their already panting dogs. Water work was what a day like this is all about, and once a few quick land based exercises were dispensed with, it was off to the lake. WGAA’s training days are a club institution and have been running now for 9 years – a unique event in the world of gundog training. Anyone with a gundog who would like to learn what gundog training is all about is welcome. We meet on the third Sunday of every month at 9am at Tullidge St Reserve, Melton, Melways reference: Map 115 D11.

Click on any of the pictures if you would like to see a larger version.

Welcome to 2007

A good roll up at the recent AGM, the election of a new committee, the anticipation of a New Year of events and activities … the Working Gundog Association of Australia (WGAA) is all set to roll into the New Year with a full calendar of events, including a gundog display at the Shot Expo in May.

WGAA’s pointer & setter trial dates will be as per usual, Anzac Day, the last weekend in May & the last weekend in June, with the National trial being conducted on Saturday 23rd June and judged by well known local judge, Bill Cross. There is a possibility of an extra WGAA pointer & setter trial weekend being conducted this year.

Retrieving trial dates appear in the club newsletter and we intend to conduct two, possibly three, Gundog Assessment Programmes throughout the year.

The mainstay activity of WGAA’s gundog commitment, the monthly training day, will again be held on the third Sunday of each month at Tullidge Reserve, Melton (Melways ref 115 D11) commencing at 9am. For training day information contact the training officer, Graham Hayes on 9743 7402.

Big news also is the setting up of WGAA’s BLOG. This BLOG will keep members updated between newsletters; contain more extensive reports of our events and full colour pics. Angie Bloomer will keep the BLOG happening.

WGAA Committee

WGAA Calendar

2007 CALENDAR (Subject to alteration)

June
17th June – Melton Training
June - Retrieving training session for handlers – B Kendall
23rd June - P&S Trial (National) Judge: W Cross
24th June - P&S Trial Judge: R Gaskin
24th June - Retrieving Advanced Trial

July
15th July – Melton Training

August
19th August – Melton Training
August – Field Assessment


September
9th September - Retrieving Open Trial
16th September – Melton Training
September – Field Assessment

October
21st October – Melton Training
October – Shepparton Weekend

November
18th November – Melton Training
Nov/Dec – AGM