REPORT ON THE VALE OF YORK WORKING RETRIEVER CLUB OPEN WALKED-UP WORKING TEST A/V RETRIEVER HELD ON SUNDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 2025

This was held at Wholesea Farm, Holme on Spalding Moor by kind invitation of Liz Bramley.

The judges were Simon Capstick (B panel), Anthea Shelly (NP), John Cardno (NP) and Ronnie Laughton (NP).

The test was held on Field Trial lines.

It proved to be a very special day for the Club’s last event of the season.

For the first time for VOY the Walk Up was held in a huge field of SFI Stewardship Set-aside which consisted of mainly clover but also wildflowers including vetches and the like. It was easy to walk though but dense enough to provide good ground cover and to harbour hares! Fortunately, only one Hare got up and distracted a dog!

Marking and scenting conditions were difficult with the added challenge of a back wind.  To enable consistent retrieves, at the Judges’ suggestion and with the Committee’s agreement, handheld Dummy Launchers were used by Liz, Lucy, Andy and Mattie all walking in line.

These provided consistently good distances for marked retrieves, suitable challenges for open dogs. The retrieves were mixed in front and behind with blinds etc called by Alan who was running the line. Claire and Sheila maintained a consistent supply of Dummies to the Launcher Team.

The standard of dogs and handlers was high and 15 of 21 starters survived to the 3^rd round which ended with a 4^th round run off involving the only 4 dogs with straight A scores.

The Judges worked hard to make the test as close to a Field Trial as possible and everyone enjoyed the day.

Congratulations to the worthy winners

1^st  Hawsgarth Maddison handled by Gary Collier

2^nd  Westerkames Fargo handled by Roz Mcilroy

3^rd  Maplecrest Nero handled by Charlotte Brown

4^th  Kenaiteen Marvel handled by Dave Houghton

HOSM Open Walked-Up Awards

A massive thank you to Liz and all the Helpers including those who help to set up HQ and to clear away at the end and recharged our car’s flat battery!

It was extremely difficult to get dummy throwers/placers again. As a consequence, we nearly to cancelled this test. So, please be mindful - if you enjoy this sport - to keep it alive everyone should make the effort to help at events in some capacity.

Please contact me or any other member of VOY Committee if you would like to be involved in a good day’s sport next season - even if you are not competing - come and watch and learn.

Best wishes Mollie Lord

Joint Working Test Secretary