Corbinsbere Non KC Working Test 18th May 2014...What are the benefits?

The coolness of the morning quickly evaporated as the sparkling sunlight shone down upon Bloxworth Estate. Corbinsbere non KC Working Gun Dog Test offered handlers the promise of a hot and rewarding day. Tracy Corbin and her devoted team had spent days preparing and organizing 3 challenging working tests for the puppy, novice and open classes. The registration area was a hive of activity and the atmosphere was relaxed. The familiar surroundings and friendly greeting from the Corbin's team instantly dissolved any pre-test nerves.  As I registered  I asked myself why I was entering today? I wanted to explore this area further so throughout the day I threw the question out to handlers and judges:  What are the benefits of a non KC working test?

I believe this type of test  is an opportunity for me to test Ivy's working ability. It can be a perfect starting point for handlers who may want to move on to further competitive events such as KC working tests or field trials in the future. This type of test offers a chance for me to understand the strengths and weaknesses of Ivy and to obtain feedback relating to my handling through the judge's comments. It's also a platform to run in a test environment without the pressure of the KC regs. I also  get to meet like minded handlers who are there to test the working ability of their dogs.

 I asked Michael Lydford who was judging the water test, if he enjoyed this type of  environment. He explains, "I'm a big fan of the fun working test because it's a great introduction to the working gun dog test environment." Michael believes non KC working tests are an ideal stepping stone from going nowhere and enabling handlers to work their way up to the more serious tests. He also understands that  not everyone wants or is cut out for the formal KC conditions so tests like these are ideal.

Competitor Neil Ward is a proud advocate and a firm believer of these tests.  Neil who came 1st in the Open Retriever Class with Grace explained why he enjoyed today. "Grace is a non KC registered dog therefore I'm limited to what competitions I can enter. This is an ideal opportunity for me to test the ability of my dog under test conditions."

He added that the water test was a big challenge today and was delighted with the overall outcome. Neil had someone else by his side who he was extremely proud of...daughter Jessica Ward. She achieved a 1st in the Spaniel Puppy Class with her spaniel Azzy. Beaming from ear to ear Jessica told me that competing and actually winning a working test meant so much to her as Azzy was one of the four spaniels she had stolen. Jessica said, "We are so lucky to have her back. Just having her here is special, let alone her achieving something like this, she's been through a lot."

Both Neil and Jessica have a passion for nature and the countryside and believe there are lots of benefits to a non KC working test. Jessica added, " Whether your dog is KC-registered or not, it's a fun and relaxed atmosphere, a great place to meet other owners and people with the same interests, and the judges give helpful advice after each run, so we can go away and improve on for next time."

Local handler, Hilary Hardman enjoys competing in both non KC and KC working tests. She told me the benefits of today is that you can identify possible areas of weakness relating to your training routine and see where your dog is challenged on the day. She believes you can then focus on these areas and build them into your training sessions. Hilary thinks the test environment can also identify your dog's strengths which is so rewarding to see on the day. "It's  important to continually work on steadiness and the stop whistle" said  Hilary. She was thrilled with her 2nd in the Retriever Puppy Class with Tula and 2nd in the Retriever Open Class with Flint. Hilary seems to think the water test was the biggest challenge today for a lot of the dogs. The marsh cover on the island was a challenge for some of the open dogs." Fortunately Flint was undeterred by the soggy conditions and Hilary was delighted with his willingness to achieve.  

Positive handling skills and a keen dog gave Henni Weld a chance to show what a winning smile looks like after a day at Bloxworth. 

She was elated with her 1st place in the Spaniel Novice with Bella  and 2nd place in the Novice

Retriever with Gladi. Lulworth based Henni explains " I tend to get quite nervous at

competitions so I enjoy the non KC working tests as they are slightly more relaxed. I always

take a  deep breath before each test and try to enjoy the experience." Henni picks up on Lulworth Estate and enjoys the challenge of working tests. Henni told me she had been able to get some great feedback from each judge. She believes the water test was the biggest challenge for her and fortunately both dogs did really well. 

"It's such a rewarding experience when it all comes together on the day."  Henni highlighted
there are always areas for improvement and she learnt today that she needs to work on hunting up
with her spaniel.
 As I reflected on the day at Bloxworth I drove home with one of the biggest buzzes to be had...working Ivy, watching her hunt and then seeing her retrieve. Whether you take part in a KC or non KC working test the satisfaction and pleasure is second to none.  Test organisers, judges, dummy throwers, fellow competitors, gun dogs and the surrounding countryside are an inspiration to me and the working test holds a variety of benefits which makes it an invaluable experience.     
Pictures 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 by Working Line Images: Caro Dell

    

 

Junior gun dog handlers

When it comes to dogs and kids there is something special going on. Dogs are non judgmental therefore they can’t criticize and they are unable to correct. Whether a child is reading to a PAT dog  in a school library or being a junior handler the unconditional feedback the child receives can only make them feel better about themselves. Their confidence and self esteem will grow. They learn about positive reinforcement and responsibility. The dog can introduce a child to those important life skills.

The junior scurries set up at the Hampshire Show on May 5th was a unique and exciting challenge for the next generation of our gundog scurry and working test handlers. I observed many youngsters taking part in the scurry and retrieves. All of them were young, dynamic and full of enthusiasm. Some of the youngsters simply went in for a fun challenge with their family pet and others went in to experience the test environment and put their training into practice. It was a joy to watch and great entertainment for the crowd of spectators. I did see some very promising youngsters taking part in the event and each displayed a bond between dog and handler which was unique to watch. Thankfully, these events offer an opportunity for the youngsters to shine and for the experts to recognise the potential of a growing team. The variety of the tests gave an exciting challenge to the youngster and their dog. Two of the young handlers who competed on Sunday were my daughters, Jessica and Ella. It was the first time I've seen them both in a test environment and I have to say I was very excited for them!

Jessica, age 9,  won the junior straight retrieve using the latest dummy launcher. The dummy was sent out about 80 yards.  Ivy marked the dummy from her position at the start line and the timer was set as the dog was sent out. Jess used the hunt whistle and Ivy picked the dummy and retrieved it nicely back to hand in 51 seconds. Jess was delighted with her 1st rosette, bag of St Johns dry dog food and a dummy. She wasn't so impressed when she realized she had to carry the bag of dog food all the way back to the car park!

 

 

Ella, age 11, won the junior retrieve multi pick up challenge. The course consisted of a 5 dummies being thrown out. 3 were marked and two were blind retrieves. Collective time for all dummies is the time recorded. As in all classes the stop watch is stopped and started as each dummy is  collected. Ella's handling was calm and clean and she completed the challenge in 88.41 seconds which gave her first place for the juniors. She also completed the dummy launcher retrieve and came third with a time of 64 seconds. As Ella won the junior pick up with the fastest time she has been invited to the junior finals at Sandringham in September.

She also completed the dummy launcher retrieve and came third with a time of 64 seconds. As Ella won the junior pick up with the fastest time she has been invited to the junior finals at Sandringham in September.

As a member of several gun dog clubs in the Dorset area I'm so thankful the trainers and members encourage and welcome junior handlers. Extracurricular activities are important for all the family. I feel life is about more than just school/work and as a mum I try to help my girls find a balance with their lives. Being part of the gun dog community helps develop their sense of purpose. They create bonds with their peers and other junior handlers and become part of a new community where they learn about their own talents, interests, strengths, and limits. Following their test at the Hampshire Show I asked them if they were proud of their achievement. I think the pic below answers this question...