Congratulations to Lee Hartis and Bob - FTCH Lowforge Aragon of Leacaz
Today (27th October 2011), Lee won the Three Ridings Two Day Open Stake held at The Wycombe Estate.
This win not only ensures Lee has qualified Bob for the IGL Retriever Championship for the second year in succession, but also makes Bob up to Field Trial Champion.
To say we are delighted for Lee is an understatement, and we wish him every success at Nevill Holt, on 5th,6th and 7th December.
There have been Grouse in good numbers on our local moors, and they have all enjoyed another excellent season.
We have been able to do more Grouse days than ever before, the line up changes daily, as it can be quite demanding for the dogs.
Whilst the older dogs form the backbone of the picking up team.
We have been able to give some of the younger cockers, their first taste of working on the moor.
This is Izzy, looking decidedly unimpressed at being introduced to midges.
Looking a little happier in action.
Here’s litter sister Oonagh, showing that she is up to the job in hand as well
Elvis, just did it all at 100 miles per hour, like he always does.
The more experienced team members just keep plugging away, here’s Sonny, Ash and Indy in action.
Here’s Seal, “Where’d He Go???”
I think the dogs enjoy just as much as we do, Spike looks happy enough to me
The days on the hill were tinged with a touch of sadness, as we lost two dogs during the summer, both of whom should have been part of the team. At opposite ends of the spectrum a young dog with all before him, and an old stager, who had done it all. One the victim of a tragic accident, and the other finally succumbing to a long term illness.
The youngster was Spider, litter brother to Izzy and Oonagh, he was full of promise, and I’m pleased I had him out on the Grouse at the end of last season, and he managed a day on the Pheasants as well.
Jamie on the other hand, was the complete all rounder, and was an absolute pleasure be around. Equally at home beating, picking up,or on the peg, he was in many ways the archetypal merry cocker, a real character, well known on all the shoots we went on.
Lee Hartis won the East Midlands Gundog Club 2 Day Open, thereby gaining an entry to the IGL Retriever Championship, which this year is being held at Sandringham on Dec 7th, 8th and 9th.
To say we are delighted for Lee is an understatement, we know the amount of time and effort he has put into training Bob, and he fully deserves the success he is enjoying. Let’s hope the trialling Gods look favourably on him at the IGL.
Isla Lowforge Ailsa - As the shooting season finished, Lowforge Ailsa, Isla, came back to the kennels. It did not take her long to settle in, and she was soon out training.
MARCH 2008 - Now the shooting season is long gone, training is underway once more.
Seal,pictured left, is doing very well so far, and Rudy, pictured right, once he has decided to concentrate on the task in hand, is proving to be a very bright dog.
Sunday 25th May, we were invited along to a Field Trial training day for Labradors. Our role was to work the spaniels in front of the line, to add a touch of realism to the day.
This time of year sees the shooting season really get into full swing, with the opening of the Pheasant season, though in truth, it’s usually November before they start flying well.
On Sunday 1st June, Graham Hartis, and Lowforge Amy achieved a very creditable second place in the Burns and Becks Gundog Club Puppy Test, and were also judged to be the best pup under 12 months. By all accounts, the tests were quite demanding, so Graham and Amy did very well against dogs up to 18 months old.
Amy is the first of the Viper/Ash mating to achieve distinction in Working Tests, let’s hope it’s the first of many successes for Amy and her siblings.
Update October 2008
This time of year sees the shooting season really get into full swing, with the opening of the Pheasant season, though in truth, it’s usually November before they start flying well.