HAWSTEAD FARM OPEN FIELD TRIAL
October 12th, 2022

On Wednesday 12th October KSSLRC held a 14 Dog Open Any Variety Retriever One Day Stake at Hawstead Farm, by kind permission of landowners Daniel and Andrew Gradidge and David Ashcroft’s team of guns.

The Club was fortunate to return to Hawstead Farm, a friendly farm shoot on driven duck in a historic area of Winchester. Part of the former Hursley Estate, Hawstead covers over 2000 acres of typical Hampshire ground with undulating pasture, game cover and ample woodland. We are especially grateful to Daniel and Andrew for their support of trialling and their keen interest in gundog work. They worked hard over the day with their dedicated team of beaters to produce plenty of high-flying duck. KSS is also indebted to the continuing support of David Ashcroft and his fantastic team of Guns, who also took a keen interest in the dog work, never missed a shot and provided plenty of retrieves for the competitors. A big thank you to David and his son Richard, Andy Thayer, Chris Graham, Mark Kettel and Richard White.

Our experienced panel of judges – Robert Atkinson, Nick Coates, Ken Green and Chris Rose – worked in harmony to provide fair retrieves for the competitors at the first drive at Lake Windemier, where multiple birds fell over the brow of a hill into pasture, water and woodland. After many successful runs, ten dogs remained to sit the second drive at The Down, a more challenging ground where birds fell at greater distances up a divided bank, into ditches and along hedgerows and woodland. Over two rounds the card was whittled down to four worthy award winners. An impressive last run by Martin Bagg’s Packmores Teal up the bank, over a stock fence and into a ditch to pick a hiding wounded duck will remain in our minds for a long time.

Sincere thanks to Skinner’s for their generous sponsorship, the competitors for their good spirit and sportsmanship, and to our stalwart helpers who made the day possible: Joy, Helen, Linda, Mary, Nicky, Patti, Sarah and Scotty. We look forward to returning to Hawstead Farm on 7th November for our second Novice Stake.

Results
1st and winner of The Nimrod Trophy and The Mynthurst Trophy for Guns’ Choice, Packmores Teal, owned and handled by Martin Bagg.

2nd and winner of The Ch Elowood Soul Singer Trophy for the Runner Up, Sothebys Choice of Wedgnock, owned and handled by Steve Richardson.

3rd place, Howeparks Starstruck at Scarningvale, owned and handled by Peter Abbs.

4th place and winner of the Langshott Trophy for Best Looking Labrador in the Awards, Anningtonbay Maddi May, owned and handled by Mell Brooks.