Last Updated on March 9, 2014 : :

The Palgrave Shoot.

Petygards Farm,
North Pickenham, Swaffham, Norfolk

 

The Palgrave Shoot is on a large estate, famous in former years particularly for its Partridge. There were large expanses of sugar beet as well as some grassland with large patches of nettles and a small banked and wooded area around a pond. The wind blew throughout the day, sometimes with heavy showers, but always warm. It was not an easy day, particularly following heavy overnight rain and the fact that the stock had already been extensively shot over. But we saw an adequate supply of partridge, pheasant, rabbit and hare – although Ground Game was not being shot.

We started the day with two Spinoni, one German Wire Hair, two German Long Hairs, six German Shorthairs and a Weimaraner. As we were fortunate enough to have a choice of ground, it enabled us to ensure that every dog had their first run in the sugar beet where we found partridge, pheasant, hare and rabbit. We then went forward with nine dogs, two having disqualified themselves.

In the second round, the ground was mainly grass with large patches of nettles and the occasional tree. Game through here was principally pheasant, but rather scarce. We ran just two dogs a third time, being satisfied with the remainder who had either disqualified themselves or we had seen sufficient from.

1st Rob Gould’s GLP Wamilanghaar Ashiestiel. On her first run with a cheek wind she ran with great style, covering her beat comprehensively, indicating on both partridge and pheasant. A large covey of partridge lifted, shot at, one coming down in a neighbouring field. She was given the line of her blind retrieve of about 50 yards, which she executed with speed and style, delivering to hand. Her second run was once more in the rain and again with a cheek wind and this time she held a cock pheasant, which she produced and again brought off a first class retrieve.

2nd Fred Alcock’s GSP Madcap Brie. The cheek wind was blowing on her first run in the sugar beet, which she ran very efficiently and with great purpose. This produced a point on a hare. An indication was given of game and a cock pheasant lifted and this was dropped with an excellent long shot. She was sent from over 80 yards for what turned out to be a runner, which she soon located and retrieved gently to hand. Her second run was blank, but she left us in no doubt of her hunting intention as she crossed the open grassland, thoroughly checking any scent she encountered.

COM Alan Hender’s GWP Bryantscroft Skylark. In her first round with a cheek wind in the sugar beet, she worked a good pattern, covering her ground adequately and had a couple of points, but the game had moved on. In her second run across the longer grassland and scrub, she moved well, first with a cheek wind and then into the wind, but the run was a blank. On her final run she came into game and completed her card.

All three dogs completed the water without fuss.

Our thanks to our host Alan Thomas, the Palgrave Shoot Manager, his Keeper Eric for the steady supply of game, our three excellent Guns without whom of course the competitors wouldn’t have been able to have had such an excellent Trial. Our thanks also go to our Chief Steward and Field Trial Secretary of the Italian Spinone Club of Great Britain Stuart Griffin, for the kind invitation to judge as well as the competitors for their sporting attitude in accepting our decisions.

Judges: Mrs Maureen Nixon, Mr Jonathan Shaw