Last Updated on March 9, 2014 : :
MELBOURNE ESTATE, DERBYSHIRE
An All Aged stake was held on the 18th January 2006 at Melbourne Hall Estate, Derbyshire, by kind permission of Lord Ralph Kerr.
A full card ran consisting of two Italian Spinoni, one German Longhaired, six German Shorthaired, and three German Wirehaired Pointers.
The weather conditions for the time of year were very pleasant, dry, and mild, with a light breeze.
A very testing ground, with open as well as some quite thick areas of cover, where January birds, wise to survival, were digging in deep or slipping away. This really tested the flushing abilities of the dogs as once found and pointed the birds needed strong encouragement to fly.
2nd Alix Johnson’s Cajalanni Caravel IS bitch.
This bitch made good her ground resulting in a good find, point, and retrieve.Her second run produced 2 more birds with very positive pointing and flushing, resulting in two more retrieves. A very sound workman like performance. Water retrieve was completed satisfactorily.
4th Lee Loveridges Eelyrags Popular GSP dog.
This dogs first run was in quite thick cover which he worked thoroughly and had two points. His second run again displayed good hunting, dispite his handler tending to put him over ground he had already covered. A point eventually produced a good retrieve. Water retrieve was good.
C of M Stevie Allerton’s Birkenwald Roni GSP bitch.
This bitch was quick to come on point in her first round, she was not positive in flushing which lost her the chance of a retrieve. Her second run proved her game finding ability again, but was spoilt somewhat by hesitant flushing. A satisfactory retrieve followed. Water retrieve completed satisfactorily.
Our thanks to Ray Davies our steward for the day who kept things really flowing; the Keeper, Jack Illiffe, who was with us all day and certainly pulled out all the stops for us; the Guns, as keen at the end of the day as at the start, and finally the Italian Spinone Club for the invitation.
Judges: John Lambert and Sylvia Cox