Vale of York Working Retriever Club Novice & Open Working Tests held at Higher Close Farm, Salterforth on Sunday, 13 July 2025 by kind invitation of Simon and Nicola Capstick

Simon and Nicola Capstick kindly stood in at short notice following the unfortunate cancellation of the Ground at Great Kelk, Driffield due to a change in the harvesting schedule.

The Judges were Paul Dukes (A3744), Simon Capstick (B3951), Brian Dodsworth (NP) and Olivia Cresswell (NP).

Due to the predicted high temperatures extensive precautions were put in place to ensure the safety of dogs, competitors, judges and helpers.   

Large containers of water were placed at all the waiting stations and the car park was monitored to check on dogs left in cars.

The ground is several hundred feet above the valley on the edge of the moor where there is always a breeze.

The tests were adjusted to reduce the demand on the dogs eg by shortening the length of the retrieves etc while remaining suitably challenging

Test 1 was a water retrieve and a smaller pond was available for dogs to take a dip at any time.

The intended early start was achieved and by 9am the Novice tests were in full swing, followed rapidly by the Open with no break for lunch.

A massive thanks goes to all the helpers some of whom stood out in the sun for both the Novice and the Open. As usual we were desperately short of helpers particularly in the afternoon.

We are also very grateful to those that came forward to sell raffle tickets, help at registration and to pack up at the end of the day.

A special thanks goes to Jane Burniston who provided delicious cake for Judges and helpers.

I am delighted to report that the day passed without incident and everyone enjoyed themselves.

Our sponsors Skinners who provided vouchers for their food to those in the awards and to the Halstead Academy who gave the winner of the Open Test a free 2 month subscription to their training videos

Congratulations to our worthy winners who were as follows:

Novice Awards

1^st         Cardueae Kahli handled by Mia Jobson

2^nd       Little Evie Girl handled by Andy Rhodes

3^rd        Labdom Jet handled by Alan Lord

4^th        Moselywood Susan handled by Andy Rhodes

COM   Kindermear Arrow handled by Kate Kinder

Novice Awards

Open Awards

1^st        Isleofam Turner handled by Caroline Wainwright

2^nd       Keniteen Marvel handled by Dave Houghton

3^rd         Kentwone Thyme Night handled by Caroline Wainwright

4^th         Flomore Thistle handled by Rachel Pugh- Lewis

COM   Deetons Gold handled by Bob Bowes

COM   Cardueae Yealands handled by Rebecca Thistle

COM   Jaycote Game Brook handled by Scott Marland

Open Awards

A massive thank you must go to our judges for giving up precious free time and for the efficient way they ran the tests in difficult conditions. 

The Next VOY event is another lovely new ground at Thornbrough West Tanfield near Ripon on 27 July 2025

This is a Puppy, ND/NH and Veteran with an award for the best Puppy under 12 months

If you can help at any future Tests, please contact me on 07973 805123.

As well as dummy throwers and placers, assistance in setting up, managing registration, the raffle, lunch, dog stewarding etc is always gratefully received.  A lot can be learnt by watching others run!

With very best wishes

Mollie Lord

JWTS VOYWRC