Sunday 29th January 2017 at: Sharnbrook Village Hall, Beds Judge: Liz Ormerod
Level 1
1st Sarah – Flynn – 100
2nd Christine – Ralph – 80
3rd Becky – Flossie – 80
4th Louise – Buddy – 79.75
5th Caroline – Stanley – 77
Level 2
1st Sue – Halle – 87.5
2nd Becky – Lacey – 80
3rd Kat – Kula – 79.25
4th Geof – Bug – 79
5th Annette – Disney – 77.75
Frost and ice welcomed us to the hall this morning but it was not to last. As soon as we decided to go outside for the vehicle search the heavens opened.
Judge Liz Ormerod arrived lovely and early to help set up the first search. All competitors also arrived in eager anticipation ready for a great day of sniffing. Jerry Morley came to help and sorted out the draws. Then he organised each team ready to enter the hall for their turn at the tables and chairs.
Nicki Hetfield-Rogerson went outside with her pen and paper and took orders for tea and coffee. Waitress service included. Hot drinks were very welcome as it was really cold waiting outside.
Level 1 tables and chairs went very well with all but one team finding the correct chair. Kathy and Star were just too nervous and called alert on the adjacent chair.
Level 2 teams all except Karen and Foxy (they found one scented article) found both articles quite quickly.
Next we braved the cold and the rain to go outside for the vehicle search. Level 1 teams were quite lucky as it was just drizzling. Caroline and Flynn did a cracking search in just 22 seconds. Kathy and Star redeemed themselves and did it in 25 seconds.
Level 2 teams were caught out by the heavy rain. Only Sue with Halle found both scented articles.
The exterior search was next. Christine and Ralph really excelled themselves and found the article in just 10 seconds…. Becky and Lacey in level 2 also did an amazing search finding both scented articles in 30 seconds. At least the rain was stopping now.
Level 1 boxes and luggage proved quite difficult for them as a few dogs were now getting tired and cold. Sarah with Flynn and Christine with Ralph both found the articles and went on to come 1st and 3rd overall.
Becky with Lacey in level2 did another amazing search and found both articles in 27 seconds.
Overall everyone worked their dogs beautifully and I feel really privileged to be able to watch them.
All done and everyone having a sit down and a welcome cup of coffee and everyone breathing again. Judge Liz gave a talk to say how she felt the day had gone, then gave out the rosettes and certificates. All helpers were thanked, photos taken and then it was all over until the next time.
A huge thank you to Jerry Morley for organising everyone to ensure they were at each section on time and putting everyone at ease. Also a big thank you to Nicki Hetdield-Rogerson for helping move equipment, load and unload my car, organise tea and coffee, hold my dogs for me and generally be useful.
We could not run these trials without the helpers, the judge and of course the competitors, so from me I would like to say a very big thank you to you all.
I had a fabulous day, encouraging each and every team as they prepared to do their search and then really enjoyed watching them. Marianne
I was really pleased to be asked by Marianne to be the judge at the Level 1 & 2 Trial at Sharnbrook on 29th January 2017 – my first judging appointment and I felt more nervous than competing in the trial myself.
It was a damp day to say the least, but only in the weather not in the spirit of the competitors – they remained upbeat and positive and a credit to all Scentwork handlers.
For the 5 Level 1 competitors it was their first experience in a trial and I was very impressed with their handling of their dogs. For the majority, they let their dogs do what dogs do naturally and worked with them as a team.
Sara and Flynn excelled for me; lovely watching the enthusiasm from this team and well deserved the 100-point score and 1st place.
For the 8 teams in the Level 2 competition they will no doubt all recall the vehicle search! Only Sue & Halle were able to find both scent articles. It was the heavy rain I’m sure that affected the result of the other teams.
For “most entertaining” I give to Sue & Halle in the Boxes & Luggage search, but they still took 1st place as Level 2 winners.
Thank you to Jerry for keep the flow of competitors and to Nicki for the refreshments and always smiling. Thankyou Marianne for yet again another well organised event.
As a judge, you are in the privileged position of being able to watch ALL the teams in ALL of the search areas; the differences in the searching techniques by the variety of the dog breeds and the handling skills of the “humans” are vast, but so interesting to watch.
Well done everybody – I hope it didn’t take you too long to thaw out.
Liz Ormerod.
| A/F = Alert Find | H = Handling | T = Time (seconds) | |||||||||||||||
| Tables & Chairs | Exterior Search | Vehicle Search | Boxes & Luggage | Totals | |||||||||||||
| Name of Handler & Dog | A/F | H | T | A/F | H | T | A/F | H | T | A/F | H | T | Marks | Time | |||
| 1 | Sarah – Flynn | 20 | 5 | 48 | 20 | 5 | 35 | 20 | 5 | 22 | 20 | 5 | 88 | 100 | 193 | ||
| 2 | Christine – Ralph | 20 | 5 | 17 | 20 | 5 | 10 | 0 | 5 | 80 | 20 | 5 | 83 | 80 | 190 | ||
| 3 | Becky – Flossie | 20 | 5 | 62 | 20 | 5 | 29 | 20 | 5 | 47 | 0 | 5 | 53 | 80 | 191 | ||
| 4 | Louise – Buddy | 20 | 4.75 | 39 | 20 | 5 | 14 | 20 | 5 | 92 | 0 | 5 | 56 | 79.75 | 201 | ||
| 5 | Caroline – Stanley | 20 | 4.5 | 27 | 20 | 5 | 61 | 20 | 3.5 | 147 | 0 | 4 | 300 | 77 | 535 | ||
| A/F = Alert Find | H = Handling | T = Time (seconds) | |||||||||||||||
| Tables & Chairs | Exterior Search | Vehicle Search | Boxes & Luggage | Totals | |||||||||||||
| Name of Handler & Dog | A/F | H | T | A/F | H | T | A/F | H | T | A/F | H | T | Marks | Time | |||
| 1 | Sue – Halle | 20 | 3 | 202 | 20 | 5 | 44 | 20 | 5 | 103 | 10 | 4.5 | 181 | 87.5 | 530 | ||
| 2 | Becky – Lacey | 20 | 5 | 52 | 20 | 5 | 30 | 0 | 5 | 107 | 20 | 5 | 27 | 80 | 216 | ||
| 3 | Kat – Kula | 20 | 4.75 | 53 | 20 | 4.75 | 114 | 10 | 4.75 | 300 | 10 | 5 | 37 | 79.25 | 504 | ||
| 4 | Geof – Bug | 20 | 4.75 | 58 | 20 | 5 | 39 | 0 | 4.75 | 300 | 20 | 4.5 | 147 | 79 | 544 | ||
| 5 | Annette – Disney | 20 | 4.5 | 184 | 20 | 4.75 | 67 | 10 | 4 | 124 | 10 | 4.5 | 143 | 77.75 | 518 | ||