Judging report for the Hampshire Gundog Society All Aged Stake on Thursday the 19th of January 2023 at Upton Pyne in Devon.

Hampshire Gundog Society were kind enough to ask me to judge one of their trials this season just gone (2022/2023), I thought some of you might find it interesting if I popped the report I wrote up here as well.

By kind permission of Mr Paul Bowyer and Pynes Shoot
Chief Steward: Heather Gray
Keeper: Mr Paul Bowyer
Guns: Howard Kirby, Bradley Dymond, Jon David and Paul Bowyer
A panel judge: Mr Stephen Kimberley (2571)
Non-panel judge: Mr Mike Ede (3975)

I would like to thank Hampshire Gundog Society for asking me to co-judge with Steve. Thanks also to
Mr Paul Bowyer for letting us use his challenging and varied grounds.

The ground held a reasonable supply of game including pheasant, partridge and duck. Almost all the
dogs had opportunities available to them on game. Not all the dogs made the best of these
opportunities.

As always at Upton Pyne, we had diverse and challenging terrain. We started in frost-covered rape
before moving into more marshy terrain. Whose dense high grass made it challenging for the dog,
handler and judges alike. Before finishing on some more open ground. Hedgerows were present
throughout most of the day.

The day started off misty and frosty. The wind was to prove challenging throughout the day. We had
a variable light breeze that swirled around and changed direction frequently. The air and the ground
warmed up as the day wore on with the sun making a welcome appearance.
Dogs in the awards

Third No. 8 Northern Arrows Merry Maus Von Trubon Weim. Bitch Ms. Suzi Burton

First run - was in a large open area of frost-covered rape. The dog was hunting stylishly, with both
pace and purpose, and whilst working hard showed good endurance. Unfortunately, all we saw was
a Jack Snipe. Nice quiet handling.

Second run – A difficult area of ground to work consisting of high grass that made it hard to judge
the dog as it was frequently obscured from sight, with frequently changing wind direction and birds
that were running the dog did well to make it through unscathed.

Third run – Worked out a square of reasonably clear if broken ground before stylishly pointing into
an area of hedge, a good forceful flush produced a bird for the waiting guns. The dog waited
patiently until asked to retrieve the bird by the handler. A good mark on the bird resulted in a nice
clean efficient retrieve.

Certificate of merit No. 1 Stubblemere Storm Petrel GSP Bitch Ms. Fleur Fillingham

First run – It’s always tricky being the first dog down on a frosty day and this dog attacked the
ground with drive and pace. A staunch point resulted in a bird being shot on the other side of the
hedge that it had been hiding in. The bird was retrieved successfully to hand.

Second run – Successfully eye wiped the previous dog with a nice blind retrieve from a bank. A nice
clean retrieve that was completed very efficiently.
Whilst working the last of the rape before we headed onto new ground had a nice point and
production on Snipe that was unfortunately missed by the guns.

I would like to express my thanks again to all concerned and especially to Steve for being an excellent
and patient co-judge who imparted much wisdom over the course of the day. Also thanks to the guns, who did
an excellent job of getting the birds on the ground when we needed them.
Many thanks,
Mike Ede