Dolores Palmer

Thank you to Marianne for asking me to judge level 6 and also level 1 alongside Wendy Rose Clay.

Thank to Lisa for scribing for Level 1 in the morning. And thank you to Marianne for scribing the first search in Level 6 in the afternoon and to Chris Baldwin for scribing the other two searches (first time scribing an area search so a massive learning curve – thank you for sticking in there Chris).

It was interesting experience judging the first level in the morning and Level 6 (almost the top level) in the afternoon. It reminded me of that journey from first starting, moving through the levels, and the adjustment in working the top levels.

Level 1
Wendy and I quickly divided the searches between us. I judged exterior and then Containers (luggage & boxes). The standard of work was generally very high and it was a pleasure to watch each team work. All but one team had competed before and there were some experienced handlers bringing on a second dog.

Exterior search There were some really fast searches: Chris Baldwin’s Riley (11 seconds), Paula Davies’ Bonnie Jazz (16 seconds), Rita Banfather’s Elliott (20 seconds), Emma Rebbetts’s Murphy (20 seconds) and Emma Rebbetts’s Murphy (20 seconds). Other dogs took their time in finding the scent searching each item thoroughly before indicating. Linda Hams’ Sonic was one of these.

It is quite common to see dogs in level 1 find the scent but then needing to check all the other objects before making a final choice. This changes with experience and confidence. Verity Edwin-Camp’s Hermione actually went back very quickly to the scented item, after just checking 2 other objects.

In some cases owners delayed calling the alert due to previous false alerts, well handled Nicki Hamlin with Bodie.

Rosemary Steen’s Harley found the ground more interesting than the objects and Rosemary had to work hard to get Harley onto the containers; but once he switched to searching Harley worked really well.

There was some great handling. In particular John Hearn who handled Whisper in a gentle but, (when necessary),firm way.

Boxes and Luggage: There were a couple of really fast searches: Paula Davies’ Bonnie Jazz (8 seconds), Julie Neal’s Wren (9 seconds). At the other end Rita Banfather called the alert just a split second before time was called. Elliott certainly had us holding our breath waiting for him to indicate.
I was very impressed by Julie Thomas’ line handling in this search, letting her line out as need be and gathering it up if Sassy came closer to her. Lovely to watch the flow enabling Sassy to search without interruption.

When sharing the judging one never knows who has done well enough to get a placing. Congratulations to Linda Hams & Sonic 4th, Emma Rebbetts & Murphy 3rd, Julie Neal & Wren 3rd and a very surprised Julie Thomas & Sassy 1st.

It was good to see that virtually everyone qualified. Congratulations everyone; well done!

Level 6
What a privilege to judge my peers in Level 6 with 8 awesome teams competing against one another.

The scents were hidden as follows:

Exterior: corner of first bench, behind third boards leaning against wall, drain pipe, between wall & gate post.

Interior 1: hook on wall, door frame, tucked into hole in cupboard by kitchen door, tucked into a hole in cupboard near the socket in the corner, underneath last bench.

Interior 2: under door stop, in pipe in shower room, seam of double doors- low down. Just 4 dogs found this last scent.

There were were a few highlights and emotional moments:

I loved Wendy Clay’s attitude when I showed the 3 areas to be searched – such relish and enjoyment of what was to come. Chilli found all 12 scents doing some lovely searching and gaining 3rd place – a great start at your first Level 6 with Chilli.

Bailey handled by Chris Clements was a late addition. After all the health issues Bailey has had (& he still has a slight head tilt) it was so lovely to see Bailey arrive at the exterior search so up for doing his search – and that lasted throughout the trial enabled him to qualify once again. Well done Bailey. You must be thrilled Chris.

Banjo handled by Yaz Whitehall did some lovely searching and so nearly qualified but was, sadly, was just one hide short of the necessary 9 scents needed to qualify. Unfortunately Baz spooked on the last search and although he showed a change of behaviour at each scent hide, it took some time before he settled and was able to indicate to show Yaz where the scents were hidden; unfortunately he ran out of time before indicating on the last scent. Good luck in your future Level 6s.

Disney worked by Annette Lesley has come on so well. Really lovely searching and brilliant handling by Annette. Not qualified today but I’m sure it won’t be long judging by Disney’s new attitude to area searching.

Marie Poole’s Liberty was quite an experience to watch – what enthusiasm, and speed. Not an easy dog to work I was very impressed by Marie’s handling – just the right balance of freedom and reining Liberty in; this enabled Liberty to qualify having found 9 scents.

Jenie Pirie with Sullivan is always a pleasure to watch. Jenie informed me that she really wasn’t in “scentwork mode” that day but there was no doubt that Sullivan was. All 12 scents found with some lovely thorough searching. This team went on to win the trial.

Janet Wykes and Jess put in a great performance as is to be expected from this team, finding all 12 scents resulting in 2nd place and L6 Excellence rosette – good luck in Level 7.

Competition was so close that the first 3 places were decided on time!

Finally Nellie handled by Helen Byrne found 11 scents, . Nellie is a lovely searcher with lots of motivation. She is left in no doubt that she is the best dog in the world for finding each scent – lovely to watch your response to Nellie’s finds. A well deserved 4th place and excellence rosette – Good luck in Level 7.

Well done everyone!

Wendy Rose Clay

Thank you Marianne for asking me to judge her level 1 trial at Wellingborough today 16th September 2019.

I started my day with the table and chairs search.

There were a couple of false alerts and several of the dogs were interested in the chair next to the scented article but the handlers who allowed their dogs to settle were rewarded with great alerts.

Poor Rita with Elliot,he sniffed and sniffed but just couldn’t pin the correct chair down,such a shame,he did however do the most amazing vehicle search though.

There was some really great and patient handling.

Vehicle.

It was fairly breezy outside so I placed the scent on the drivers side back wheel so that the scent was blowing towards the dogs,allowing them to lead their handlers straight to it if they trusted them. Almost all of the handlers did and it was great to see their confidence as they took the lead.

I loved watching how the different dogs changed expressions as they got closer to the scent,John dog Whisper has the funniest ear twitch alert I’ve ever seen.

Most surprised handler of the day award had to go to Val when Trio literally dragged her to the wheel,so funny.

Well done everyone,great through searching,there were loads of clean sweeps.

Congratulations to very tearful winners Julie and Saffie.

		T&C - A/F	T&C - H	T&C - T	ES - A/F	ES - H	ES - T	VS - A/F	VS - H	VS - T	B&L - A/F	B&L - H	B&L - T	Marks	Time
		A/F = Alert Find			H = Handling			T = Time (seconds)
		Tables & Chairs			Exterior Search			Vehicle Search			Boxes & Luggage			Totals
Level 1		A/F	H	T	A/F	H	T	A/F	H	T	A/F	H	T	Marks	Time
1	Julie Thomas – Sassy	20	5	37	20	5	61	20	5	42	20	5	45	100	185
2	Julie Neal – Wren	20	4.95	29	20	5	30	20	5	21	20	5	9	99.95	89
3	Emma Rebbetts – Murphy	20	4.95	49	20	5	20	20	5	9	20	5	24	99.95	102
4	Linda Hams – Sonic	20	4.95	42	20	5	75	20	5	9	20	5	25	99.95	151
5	Paula Davis – Bonnie-Jazz	20	5	38	20	5	16	20	4.5	56	20	5	8	99.5	118
6	Michelle Allen – Kizzy	20	4.5	58	20	5	62	20	4.95	52	20	5	31	99.45	203
7	John Hearn – Whisper	20	5	33	20	4.75	65	20	4.95	73	20	4.75	57	99.45	228
8	Nicky Hamlin – Bodie	20	4.95	97	20	5	77	20	4.25	138	20	5	98	99.2	410
9	Rosemary Steen – Harley	20	4.95	95	20	5	109	20	5	27	0	5	67	79.95	298
10	Verity Edwin-Camp – Hermione	0	4.5	58	20	5	31	20	4.25	42	20	5	68	78.75	199
11	Val Isherwood – Trio	20	4.5	49	0	4	61	20	5	42	20	4	92	77.5	244
12	Rita Banfather – Elliott	0	4.95	168	20	5	20	20	5	6	20	0	180	74.95	374

		WA	P	B	D	T	WA	P	B	D	T	WA	P	B	D	T	WA	P	B	D	P+B+D	Time
						WA = Wrong Alerts ( 4 = elimination )							P = Points (articles found X 10)
						B = Bonus (10 if all items found)							D = Deductions				T = time (seconds)
		Interior Search 1					Interior Search 2					Exterior Search					Totals
		No of items		Time allowed			No of items		Time allowed			No of items		Time allowed			P+B-D = Points + Bonus - Deductions
		WA	P	B	D	T	WA	P	B	D	T	WA	P	B	D	T	WA	P	B	D	P+B-D	Time
1	Jeni Pirie – Sullivan	0	50	10	0	134	0	30	10	0	138	0	40	10	0	203	0	120	30	0	150	475
2	Janet Wykes – Jess	0	50	10	0	147	0	30	10	0	97	1	40	10	0	240	1	120	30	0	150	484
3	Wendy Clay – Chilli	0	50	10	0	226	0	30	10	0	113	0	40	10	0	232	0	120	30	0	150	571
4	Helen Byrne – Nellie	0	50	10	0	140	0	20	0	0	180	0	40	10	0	120	0	110	20	0	130	440
5	Chris Clements – BaileyBoo	0	40	0	0	265	0	20	0	0	180	0	30	0	0	240	0	90	0	0	90	685
6	Marie Poole – Liberty	0	40	0	0	270	0	20	0	0	180	0	30	0	0	240	0	90	0	0	90	690