Beanwood
Administrator
I am exhausted! Bramble is also very tired, but a happy pupper after our grueling day of assessment. The WGC on Game is a very different from the certificate on dummies, with that you are assessed in various sections, which are pre-determined so a bit easier to work towards. You also have a rough idea how long each section lasts, and when it's your turn to be assessed with your dog. The WGC on Game is different, you are assessed throughout the day, sometimes a glance in your direction, or a signal to retrieve with this being assessed from start to finish with the bird in the bag.
Today started off with six of us being assessed, some on picking up, some beating or a combination of both with HpRs being evaluated for hunting skills. We were number 5. The second I slid my armband on coincided with a "what the heck am I doing here??" moment, I hadn't really thought that much about it.
We set off on down the farm lane, the weather was still foggy, not too cold but the ground horribly wet and slippery. We trudged through to the first drive, where we kinda fell into our numbered order. This meant I was right at the far end, and more or less out of the view of the assessor, which was a shame as this was an interesting drive with the fall tending to be tricky for the retrieving dogs, landing into cover, or across a brook, or the next field. In the position I was in, any of these scenarios was likely. Nevertheless I found the spot with the best (ish) view I could find.
The birds started to come through, the beaters pushing in front of us. Not many birds, and the few that went over were quite low, so difficult shots. The gun in front of me hit one hard, and as luck would have it, completely out of my view. The gun waved vaguely left, and as the other dogs were so far away, I sent in Bramble. The bird had gone right through thick cover, and out the other side. She went in blind and by the time I had huffed my way up the brow of the hill, she came running back, a beautiful hand delivery. It was a shame this wasn't observed, but hey ho! Bramble walked nicely off lead back to our spot, but unfortunately that was it for this drive.
Drives 2 and 3 were completed without the assessor, as she switched to observing the beating line, then HpRs, but you still felt her beady eye on you! So easy does it Bramble! Drive 4 and the assessor is back with us. 4 guns lined in front, and this time 5 dogs retrieving. A much busier drive with all dogs getting good retrieves. This was a bit frustrating for Bramble at times as dogs were running across us for birds, we normally mark the guns and area of fall closest to us, so seeing other dogs get "her" birds was tough. This was the start of her behaviour slipping, her weakness has always been on lead walking in gamey areas, seeing her getting a bit agitated meant back on lead to preserve the rest of the drive, it wasn't good for her, but the slightest risk of a dog ruining a drive means back on lead.
Finally the last drive, with 2 retrievers, and its a muddy, walked up one, not my favourite! The other lovely black labrador and equally lovely handler were walking in beautiful unison, sigh....Bramble is getting a bit frustrated, in the worst possible position right by the fence line bordering thick cover and woodland, she knew birds where in there! We huffed and puffed, just managing to keep it together to the end. No birds went up which was a shame. Ever more of a shame was the assessor
had chosen this particular drive to observe us more closely....but this is how the cookie crumbles sometimes..similar to a field trial in the sense there is a bit of luck involved.
We all slowly make our way back to the starting point, food, and thank yous to the host and judge. The very good news is that we passed! With a note to work on our lead work....ooh we were just a bit lucky with that one!
Most of the time she had been off lead, lovely and steady which is probably why we passed, as well as lovely retrieves soft mouth, with good hand delivery.
We had an official photographer so hopefully will have a few photos when they are posted.
So, very proud of Bramble, my dear baby horse!
Today started off with six of us being assessed, some on picking up, some beating or a combination of both with HpRs being evaluated for hunting skills. We were number 5. The second I slid my armband on coincided with a "what the heck am I doing here??" moment, I hadn't really thought that much about it.
We set off on down the farm lane, the weather was still foggy, not too cold but the ground horribly wet and slippery. We trudged through to the first drive, where we kinda fell into our numbered order. This meant I was right at the far end, and more or less out of the view of the assessor, which was a shame as this was an interesting drive with the fall tending to be tricky for the retrieving dogs, landing into cover, or across a brook, or the next field. In the position I was in, any of these scenarios was likely. Nevertheless I found the spot with the best (ish) view I could find.
The birds started to come through, the beaters pushing in front of us. Not many birds, and the few that went over were quite low, so difficult shots. The gun in front of me hit one hard, and as luck would have it, completely out of my view. The gun waved vaguely left, and as the other dogs were so far away, I sent in Bramble. The bird had gone right through thick cover, and out the other side. She went in blind and by the time I had huffed my way up the brow of the hill, she came running back, a beautiful hand delivery. It was a shame this wasn't observed, but hey ho! Bramble walked nicely off lead back to our spot, but unfortunately that was it for this drive.
Drives 2 and 3 were completed without the assessor, as she switched to observing the beating line, then HpRs, but you still felt her beady eye on you! So easy does it Bramble! Drive 4 and the assessor is back with us. 4 guns lined in front, and this time 5 dogs retrieving. A much busier drive with all dogs getting good retrieves. This was a bit frustrating for Bramble at times as dogs were running across us for birds, we normally mark the guns and area of fall closest to us, so seeing other dogs get "her" birds was tough. This was the start of her behaviour slipping, her weakness has always been on lead walking in gamey areas, seeing her getting a bit agitated meant back on lead to preserve the rest of the drive, it wasn't good for her, but the slightest risk of a dog ruining a drive means back on lead.
Finally the last drive, with 2 retrievers, and its a muddy, walked up one, not my favourite! The other lovely black labrador and equally lovely handler were walking in beautiful unison, sigh....Bramble is getting a bit frustrated, in the worst possible position right by the fence line bordering thick cover and woodland, she knew birds where in there! We huffed and puffed, just managing to keep it together to the end. No birds went up which was a shame. Ever more of a shame was the assessor
had chosen this particular drive to observe us more closely....but this is how the cookie crumbles sometimes..similar to a field trial in the sense there is a bit of luck involved.We all slowly make our way back to the starting point, food, and thank yous to the host and judge. The very good news is that we passed! With a note to work on our lead work....ooh we were just a bit lucky with that one!
Most of the time she had been off lead, lovely and steady which is probably why we passed, as well as lovely retrieves soft mouth, with good hand delivery.We had an official photographer so hopefully will have a few photos when they are posted.
So, very proud of Bramble, my dear baby horse!
- but seriously - I am SO proud.
