2003 International Gundog Event for Retrievers
BIRR CASTLE DEMENSE - National Country Fair Ltd.
Birr, County Offaly, Republic of Ireland.
Country Fair Information:  www.countryfair.ie
Date:   Saturday / May 31, 2003

Competing Nations:   Scotland, England, Ireland, Wales.

JUDGES:   Mr. Michael Corr (ROI) and Mr. Dermot Donnelly (NI).

SPONSORS:   GILPA PET FOODS and Massbrook Kennels Ltd.

TEST ORGANISERS:   Broadmeadows Gundog Club and
The National Country Fair Ltd.

RETRIEVER DIRECTOR:   Mr. Kieran Murphy

RETRIEVER REPORT:   by Kieran Murphy    Read Kieran's Report

1st Place International Team:   England.    View England's Scores

2nd Place International Team:   Wales.    View Wale's Scores

3rd Place International Team:   Ireland.    View Ireland's Scores

4th Place International Team:   Scotland.    View Scotland's Scores

BEST RETRIEVER:   No. 12 (Ireland):
Bramblewood Drummer, LAB RET Dog, DOB 1 April 2000.
Sire: FTCH Meadow King. Dam: Rindufferin Laura.
Handler: Ronnie Farrelly.  Breeder: R. Watson.  Owner: Mr. Joe Roche.

2ND BEST RETRIEVER:   No. 24 (Scotland):
Renegade Rose, LAB RET Bitch, DOB 19 February 1999.
Sire: FTCH Kenue Firr of Leadburn.  Dam: Auchendolly Paula.
Breeder: Mr. G. Ford. Owner / Handler: Mrs. Allison Sorley.

Scottish Team Scores:    Mr. Dick Sorley, Team Captain for Scotland

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Competing International Team:   Ireland.    View Ireland's Scores

Competing International Team:   Wales.    View Welsh Scores

Welsh Team Scores:    Mr. Roger Phillips, Team Captain for Wales

Irish Team Scores:    Mr. Patrick Corr, Team Captain for Ireland

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Writeup:    Report Summary by Kieran Murphy.                   Back to Results

This International Gundog Event For Retrievers was held on Saturday / MAY 31, 2003.

This year sees teams competing from England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. Each team consisted of three Retrievers. The International Retriever Test consisted of the following:

• Walk in line. Shots fired. Dogs are sent for a marked retrieve, over a jump, out a total of 150 metres.
• Blind retrieve in cover across a jump, out approx. 100 metres, with a diversion. Shots will be fired.
• Blind retrieve across water, out approx. 25 metres, with multiple diversions. Shots may be used.
• Marked retrieves left and right, over a jump, out approx. 100 metres. Shots will be used.

The rain finally stopped after two weeks of persistent bad weather and the clouds cleared to reveal a blue sky and the sun shone down for the 2nd National Country Fair at Birr Castle Demesne in Birr, Co. Offaly in the Republic of Ireland. The castle and grounds looked stunning and we must thank our hosts the Earl and Countess Rosse for once again permitting us the use of the excellent facilities available here for our International and National Gundog events. The 40,000 people reported to have attended the Fair, many from the UK, had plenty to see and try during the two days.

The International Gun Dog Event held on Saturday / May 31 and the National Gundog working test held the next day proved to be a BIG attraction with large crowds watching some excellent gundog work on both days. Broadmeadows Gundog Club and its club secretary and organiser for the retrievers, Kieran Murphy, must be commended for the excellent organisation and smooth running of the tests.

The International Gun Dog Event got off to an early start on Saturday. The spaniel teams from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales started early in the morning due to the heat, and the stronger teams, Ireland and England, battled it out for the lead with some excellent dog work. Ireland went into the break leading and handing over a total of 235 points to be carried forward to the retrievers score. The England team was in second place with 228 points, Wales had 208 points with Scotland finding the going a little difficult with 118 points. Ireland had an advantage of just 7 points going into the second round and it was all to play for.

The retrievers had a total of four tests to complete as well as a mini-drive for steadiness. The first test was a long marked retrieve, 150-metre distance over a jump, and across a 5-metre-wide dyke. This test proved difficult for some dogs and a lot of handling was required to eventually find the dummy. A number of dogs failed to get to the area and were called up. It was said that the dogs were disadvantaged by the large gallery in the background and could not see the handlers. I put this to an experienced handler and his comments were as follows, "to me it was a marked retrieve and no handling should have been required, and anyway, when it was offered, the dogs should have listened to the handlers."

The water test did not present much difficulty for the dogs and did little to separate the teams. Scenting appeared to be a problem in the third retrieve of the day: a blind retrieve over a jump placed in long grass under a beech tree. All handlers lost points on this one. A mini-drive followed, tempting the dogs to break under heavy fire and dummies being thrown in large numbers. This test did get the dogs excited and, while no dogs actually broke, this test did lead to the final result being determined. At this stage Ireland was leading by a large margin and with one test to go, it looked like a foregone conclusion that last year's winners were going to come out on top again. However, things did not work out that way. The final test was a left and right retrieve with the judges determining which dummy was to be retrieved. The dogs only needed to collect the first dummy with the second one being lifted. Jimmy Black's dog "Icehouse Captain" for Ireland failed to get his retrieve and was called up. Steve Jolly, Captain for England, must have thought he was in with a chance but still needed good retrieves from all his team. Simon Littleboy's "Dargdaffin Dynamo" for England was severely penalised for unsteadiness in line and, just at this time, the unthinkable happened. Winston Kelly's "Glenloch Tyler" for Ireland, who was very hot (zipped up) from the mini-drive, made a good retrieve but later ran-in, resulting in "nil points" for him. The unthinkable happened! That's working tests for you. It's not over until the judges say so.

The final result was 1st Place for England with 441 points (combined total Spaniel + Retriever scores). 2nd Place for Ireland with 438 points (combined total Spaniel + Retriever scores). 3rd Place for Wales with 385 points (combined total Spaniel + Retriever scores). 4th Place for Scotland with 228 points (combined total Spaniel + Retriever scores).

The title of Best Retriever went to Ronnie Farrelly's "Bramblewood Drummer" who had an excellent overall performance. He was also named best Irish Retriever. Alison Sorley for Scotland with "Renegade Rose" was the next best retriever.

Thanks to Margaret Edgill, Director of the Irish National Country Fair, for sponsoring this event. Also thanks go to our two very experienced judges: Michael Corr and Dermot Donnelly, who arranged a very fair test for retrievers. Thanks to Richard Brindley of Massbrook Kennels Ltd and GILPA Pet Foods for their sponsorship and supplies of Gilpa dog food. Robert O'Farrell did an excellent commentary and I know that this was particularly helpful to the large crowds watching in the gallery.