Midsummer Working Test 2009

The annual Midsummer Working Test was held on
Saturday 27th June 2009, at Cinder Hill, Horsted Keynes by
kind permission of Rory Clarke, and in conjunction with
the Countryside Alliance.

Once again this ‘funday’ proved extremely popular and despite the very
warm weather there was a record entry of 108 runners for the main
‘Working Test Competition’ – 25 ‘Open’, 46 ‘Novice’ and 37 ‘Pre-Novice’.
Judges for the day were Gwen Butcher, Robert Worrall, Jane Tydeman,
James Bailey and Nick Potts.

The ‘Working Test Competition’ consisted of 5 ‘tests’ with variations
for ‘Open’, ‘Novice’ and ‘Pre-Novice’ categories. Test 1 for the ‘Open’
was an ‘unseen’ in cover on the bank across a pond (‘mark’ on the far
bank for ‘Novice’; ‘mark’ into the water for ‘Pre-Novice’). Test 2 for the
‘Open’ was a ‘mark’ into a field up a track and over a jump (shorter
distances for the ‘Novice’ and ‘Pre–Novice’). Test 3 for the ‘Open’ was
an ‘unseen’ in an area of cover across some water and over a jump
(a ‘mark’ on the bank for the ‘Novice’; a ‘mark’ into the water for the
‘Pre-Novice’). Test 4 for the ‘Open’ was some ‘heel work’ followed by a
long ‘mark’ up a sloping field (shorter distances for the ‘Novice’ and
‘Pre–Novice’). Test 5 was a ‘picking-up’ exercise in the woods.

Every opportunity was given for everyone to ‘achieve’ in some way
and the Judges’ patience and good humour and all the encouragement
they gave the ‘newcomers’ was very much appreciated.

A new feature this year was that everyone had the opportunity to
gamble and play a ‘Joker’. By choosing one of the 5 ‘tests’ and telling
the Judge before they started that they were playing their ‘Joker’
the score for that particular ‘test’ would then be doubled.




	The annual Midsummer Working Test was held on Saturday 27th June 2009, at Cinder Hill, Horsted Keynes by kind permission of Rory Clarke, and in conjunction with the Countryside Alliance. Once again this ‘funday’ proved extremely popular and despite the very warm weather there was a record entry of 108 runners for the main ‘Working Test Competition’ – 25 ‘Open’, 46 ‘Novice’ and 37 ‘Pre-Novice’. Judges for the day were Gwen Butcher, Robert Worrall, Jane Tydeman, James Bailey and Nick Potts. The ‘Working Test Competition’ consisted of 5 ‘tests’ with variations for ‘Open’, ‘Novice’ and ‘Pre-Novice’ categories. Test 1 for the ‘Open’ was an ‘unseen’ in cover on the bank across a pond (‘mark’ on the far bank for ‘Novice’; ‘mark’ into the water for ‘Pre-Novice’). Test 2 for the ‘Open’ was a ‘mark’ into a field up a track and over a jump (shorter distances for the ‘Novice’ and ‘Pre–Novice’). Test 3 for the ‘Open’ was an ‘unseen’ in an area of cover across some water and over a jump (a ‘mark’ on the bank for the ‘Novice’; a ‘mark’ into the water for the ‘Pre-Novice’). Test 4 for the ‘Open’ was some ‘heel work’ followed by a long ‘mark’ up a sloping field (shorter distances for the ‘Novice’ and ‘Pre–Novice’). Test 5 was a ‘picking-up’ exercise in the woods. Every opportunity was given for everyone to ‘achieve’ in some way and the Judges’ patience and good humour and all the encouragement they gave the ‘newcomers’ was very much appreciated. A new feature this year was that everyone had the opportunity to gamble and play a ‘Joker’. By choosing one of the 5 ‘tests’ and telling the Judge before they started that they were playing their ‘Joker’ the score for that particular ‘test’ would then be doubled.













	Some of the award winners and Judges Apart from the ‘Working Test Competition’ there were also several other ‘scurries’ – a ‘Jumping Lane’, ‘Dog and Gun’, ‘Jumping Rabbit’, ‘Double Mark’ and ‘Hunt-Up’. As always these proved not only to be great fun but also very competitive as points gained here were added to those for the ‘working tests’ resulting in a total for the Victor Ludorum awards.

		OPEN WINNERS 1st – Hilly Hoar and ‘Wren’ 2nd – Beth Rayner and ‘Otter’ Joint 3rd – Roger Wade and ‘Kurt’ Ben Van Praagh and ‘Banner’ NOVICE WINNERS 1st – Verona Clatworthy and ‘Tug’ 2nd – Jenny Parker and ‘Megan’ 3rd – Dave Petty and ‘Prince’ 4th – Anne Strachan and ‘Meeker’ OPEN/NOVICE VICTOR LUDORUM Mike Fleming and ‘Amy’


	PRE-NOVICE WINNERS 1st – Barry Harvey and ‘Ash’ 2nd – Martina McKay and ‘Bumble’ 3rd – Louise Woodcroft and ‘Otto’ 4th – Kate Sewell and ‘Molly’ PRE-NOVICE VICTOR LUDORUM Jack Evans and ‘Max’ Prizewinners receive Rosettes and Berriewood Dog Food SPECIAL AWARD FOR JUNIORS presented by ‘Paws for Thought’ Joint 1st – Carl Attwater and ‘Blue’ Jack Evans and ‘Max’


		JUMPING LANE 1st – S. Campion and ‘Dealer’ HUNT-UP 1st – Heidrun Humphries and ‘Caddie’ 2 DUMMY RETRIEVE 1st – Mike Fleming and ‘Amy’ JUMPING RABBIT 1st – Katy Parrott and ‘Fife’ DOG AND GUN 1st – Phil Botting and ‘Herbie’

	The day was a marvellous success, with proceeds from entry fees, scurries and raffle raising some £1,474 for the Countryside Alliance, so thank you to everyone – our Host, Judges, competitors, SEGS and Countryside Alliance helpers, and of course all our sponsors for their generous donation of prizes.


Please note: Many of the photographs on this website were taken by Matthew Breach who retains their copyright. Should you require prints or wish to use any of the images please contact him.
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