I am not sure how easy it will be for pics, I will take my camera and see but it may be all happening too far away from my camera as my Digi does not have a fab telephoto.

Slightl blip partway through the day as it was realised a pup had been missed from the running order but as Mugi is so special he is still being given a run but now drawn #7 while Chase stays at #4.

I am looking forward to it although today Chase decided he has never been taught a blessed thing so maybe it will be a disaster. I am determined to have fun regardless.

Good Luck and enjoy the day and remember to have fun
love from the Sterennik Spaniels

Best of luck Sue, all your worry and nerves will soon go once you get started and I'm sure the boys will do their best for you

Sandy

Loads of luck! Hope your day's going well

Well, we had a great day .

The weather was kind and there were 10 Brittanys, 1 Large Munsterlander and 1 Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer running.

Chase ran at number 4 and he did fine. He hunted well, only chased the hare he put up (his first) for a short time and the verdict on his run was that he is a very promising dog somewhat let down by his handler . Although that sounds harsh the judges were in fact fantastic, they knew it was my first time and they talked through all my errors and my few good points.

Mugi ran (or shall we say trotted) at number 7, initially he was going through the motions as he knew there was no game. 5 minutes into his run he scented something and he went up a gear - positively striding out, ears forward and he found.......................... a recently killed pigeon . He hunted on though with more purpose and did pretty well for a dog of mature years in his first ever Test. The verdict on Mugi was that it was a shame that he didn't have a bird on his beat, that he started on a morning bimble but it was obvious that he knows what he is doing. I was advised to carry on working him as he is sooooo good that he will teach me more about hunting and wind direction than any text book.

I was really pleased with my boys, the senior judge asked me at the end of the day if I had enjoyed myself and I can honestly say I did, I learned loads and had a social day. I did not expect a grading for either dog, it would have been a fluke if we had managed it. The judge thanked me for running Mugi and said he was great to watch - what a shame he didn't have these opportunities as a young dog.

Another bonus of the day was getting to cuddle Chase's Mum and Dad - sadly his dad looks very old now and I doubt he will be around much longer, he is nearly 13 and Chase's litter last year was his final mating.

That's brilliant Sue

Any Piccies????

No piccies Kelly, the weather forecast was so foul I left my camera at home. Even so we had to stand well back off the action so as not to interfere with the dogs runs and I have to say most of my concentration was fixed on ensuring Chase settled ok with the other dogs when he wasn't working - 13 month old Brittany's are cheeky little s**s.

I'm glad you all had a good day - sounds exhausting!

So glad you had a fab day...sounded great!

Well done Sue, Chase and Mugi

Sounds like it all went well. ....so what's going to be the next step?

Steve

Well Steve, I am having surgery this week so not much for a while.

We will do a whole load of training as and when we can and I will do what I was advised by the judges. Watch Mugi so he can teach me and work on more control with Chase and try to 'tighten him up' while not losing his spark and independance.

I may not do any more -*test*-('")s or competitions this year, I will do what training I can and see. I have someone wanting to shoot over Chase come the season so he will start that element of training then so a whole heap of control will do him good.