The club held its first 2-day AV Retriever Open Stake on 6th and 7th November 2023 at Windsor Great Park by kind permission of His Majesty King Charles 111 and the Crown Commissioners. It was a great honour to hold our first two-day stake here and we were very ably looked after by Peter Clayton the keeper and were blessed to have fine weather for both days. The Judges were Sue Hutton, Colin Pelham Helen Goodwin and Mike Jones. The Guns were arranged by John Boyle and were all brilliant shots over the two days. The honour and uniqueness of being able to hold our first two-day stake at Windsor was not lost on the competitors, judges, helpers and guns and our club photographer has taken some lovely shots contained in this yearbook. Win or lose everyone had a good time over the two days with a lovely atmosphere and great scenery to experience. Thank you to my helpers, Sarah Burnell, Sophie Mills, Barbara Gentleman, Luke and Lauren Nightingale, Linda Grinham, Chris Hutton and Alison Scutcher. Also, my husband Chris who although he was running was such a great help behind the scenes over the two days especially helping me care for our family of Labradors who had to come with us.
The results were as follows:
1st Michael Tallamy and his Labrador dog Brindlebay Mead
2nd Louie Robertson and her Labrador bitch Ft Ch Mitforton Onour who was also best looking Labrador in the awards
3rd Leigh Jackson and his Labrador bitch Ft Ch Laggengill Dawn Of Blackgrass
4th Samantha Morley-Riches and her Labrador bitch Stauntonvale Margay Of Rushbrigg
Certificates of Merit were awarded to
Jon Dower’s Labrador bitch Invincible Emerald
Keith Bianchi’s Labrador bitch Ashlevel Tango
Sharon Dingle’s Labrador dog Bellspaddle Jock
Anna Mayhew’s Labrador bitch Wauniago Dara who was also awarded the guns choice.
Congratulations to all the award winners as the standard was particularly high with nearly every type of game species picked over the two days. Also, huge congratulations to Louie Robertson and FT Ch Mitforton Onour who went on to come 2nd at the IGL Game Fair held in Scotland at the end of November having qualified with three B qualifications.
Joy Venturi Rose