Set off from Chelmsford this morning about 7.30am in snow showers, travelled down the A12, on to the M25. Joined the M20 where the snow showers turned into blizzards, particularly bad around Tonbridge. By the time we arrived at our destination nr Ashford, the sun had come out and you wouldn't have known it had been snowing. Wasn't to last though

Both myself and Steve had entered the novice -*test*-('") with Sage and Deefa. There were 18 dogs running. The format was that 2 dogs at a time hunted up under the 2 judges. One brave judge had travelled from Salisbury this morning

The first dog then had a marked retrieve and a blind retrieve. They both hunted up again and the second dog had it's marked retrieve and blind retrieve. On both occasions the dog that is not retrieving has to sit and not move an inch.

Steve and Deefa were in at number 7. The dog Deefa was running against flushed 2 rabbits and chased 2 rabbits. Steve put the stop whistle on Deefa both times and both times she sat and waited for the other dog to return to start hunting again. Deefa worked the back wind really well, and her hunting looked really good. She retrieved her marked retrieve really well, but on her blind, Steve sent her back to the dummy but unfortunately she blanked it.

Sage and I were last dog in at Number 18. As one of the owners had failed to make it through the weather, we were running against Number 2 who was back in for their second run. Again she was hunting on a back wind which I'm still sometimes struggling to feel comfortable with as it means her working further ahead of me. We started hunting then I had to put a stop on her, as unfortunately the other dog decided to become particularly nervous, so we waited while they coaxed him to start hunting again which he did. She put up a rabbit, but luckily for me she turned away as it lifted, the wind was in my favour and she didn't have the opportunity of either seeing it or winding it The other dog had the first retrieve, Sage sat to the gun without needing a stop whistle and sat perfectly still whilst the other dog did it's retrieve. Hunted a bit more then her marked retrieve and blind. So not a bad first run at all.

Deefa had a blinding second run. She hunted really well and picked her marked retrieve this time and brought it right back to Steve. There were no blinds on the second run.

Sage's second run wasn't too bad, although again on a back wind. I was particularly nervous on this run and as a handler I made a couple of mistakes, but Julie who was watching said Sage had gone really well and was working for me despite my nerves. Her marked retrieve was really good and she brought it back to hand nicely.

The open dogs ran in the afternoon in blizzard conditions. Still a good time was had by all.

When the results of the novice were announced Sage and one other dog received Certificates of Merit and then places 1-4 were awarded. So I'm really pleased as we got a top 6 finish. Steve was also told that if Deefa had retrieved her blind she almost certainly would at least have received a COM.

Here's a couple of photos from the day:

Me and Sage before the snow settled



Me and Steve after the snow settled





A short (poor quality) video of Sage's hunting right at the start of her first run

well done tracy and steve, its fantastic to see how well the girls are doing, and there a credit to you both, now, how bout another walk soon? perhaps we could sort out a bigger walk , maybe at watt tyler?

Definitely Marie, we'll have to check out dates and sort a weekend out.

Well done Sage and Deefa

Sage is hunting nice and close.

I haven't appreciated what difference the wind direction can make to the hunting result....sounds like there must be a lot to consider and be aware of when out with your dogs

Steve

Well done you! (all 4 of you, by the sounds of it)

I know, it's a nightmare and something I'm still learning, trouble is when I get in the -*test*-('") I seem to forget everything

When we are hunting into a headwind or side wind, Sage will hunt really close to me, maybe 6ft at her furthest point away from me. However, on the back wind she'll hunt maybe 2 or 3 times that away from me and work the ground back towards me before then moving forward the same distance and working back again. Sage is pretty good at working the headwind and side wind because most of her training has been deliberately using these winds to get her tight pattern, and the back wind is the hardest to learn, but we're getting there. In contrast, Deefa really understands the back wind and will really use it to her advantage.

Well Done Sage and Deefa and both of you

well done all of you, sounds like a good day was had by all

Well done ... all your hard work is paying off.

Wow, in awe of you guys, all 4 of you have done so much since the early days of ST

Well done you all

Keep up the good work Tracey, Steve, Sage and Deefa! Like Freya said you've come so far and it's great to see you both getting so much enjoyment and appreciation from Sage and Deefa and it just goes to show with the right training and enthusiasm how well a Springer can behave, you're giving hope to so many who think that Springers aren't right in the head Good luck for the future, I think you're going to do very well and I'm sure your excellent trainer is delighted with your progress too

Sandy

Very well done! Sounds like you both did REALLY well!

I still struggle with wind! I will be working on the grouse and the dog will be running a weird pattern. I still have to stop and think which direction the wind is and more often than not, they are working the wind.

Surprised you had to work with a back wind in a -*test*-('") though - not that I know anything about spaniel -*test*-('")s. Just seems quite a hard thing to do.

Helen

wow, fascinating.
You've really worked hard, and it's a really interesting other world to me