Scentwork Wessex was privileged to be able to host its first Scentwork UK Level 1 trial and we were honoured to have Heather Donnelly as our judge.

The weather forecast was set fair, the vehicles were washed & packed and the check-list checked, checked again … and checked several times more.

I looked out of the window at 7am and saw driving rain – not a good start.

We arrived at the venue and began setting up. Not long after Heather arrived, which was great because we were able use her experience and knowledge to ensure the set up was correct and to her liking. She even helped set out the coffee and tea.

David Halls, our scribe for the day arrived, after a quick crash course in what to do from Heather he was ready to go.

The Competitors started to stream in complete with an abundance of cakes, flans & scones kindly supplied by our master bakers Kim, Sue & Ren.

The scent for the first test, tables and chairs, was in place and left for 10 minutes.

We had a quick introduction and judges briefing and we were ready to rock – literally, as at the very last minute the hall had informed us that there would be a band practice in the small room next to the main hall. Minor panic!!

In fairness this didn’t seem to bother any of the dogs and appeared to be a calming factor on the handlers. Well done Lads.

The rain had gone and with the sun beginning to shine the camping chairs were coming out and people were starting to settle in for the day under the cherry trees. The trial had now been renamed ‘Rick-Fest’ Whilst Kate and Heidi held the draw I ran my white dog Paddy who didn’t let me down and found the scent with no problems.

Up to this point it had all been work to get set up but now the trial was starting my nerves kicked in.

I held my breath watching every competitor, willing each and every one to do well.

First dog in, first dog out, no find – Oh No! Second dog was in, Find! Phew! Great relief. Third dog was Jack, a veteran GSP handled by Rob. At 14 years old he set to the task like a dog 10 years his junior performing a good search to find the scent. What a star. Next dog was Ben with Julie “When you’re ready start” I heard Heather say and then I heard ‘Find’ as Julie called the alert! 7 seconds!! Now we were on a roll. Sue & Skye and Pippa with Billie both successful with their lovely quiet handling. In came Ian with Murphy. As Ian was concerned about the safety of the cakes he decided to work Murphy on the lead, something they don’t normally do but he needn’t have worried as had a good find.

Due to Heidi’s fantastic organising and some great searches dogs were going through the first test at a pace. Some unfortunately calling a little too early.

We were soon on to the handlers with their second dogs. Warwick, a rescue Lurcher who is not a confident dog and probably a little out of his comfort zone was sympathetically handled by Rob finding the scent correctly.

The last 3 dogs, Pippa & Beckie, Karen & Zsa Zsa and Julie & Joey all performed good successful searches.

Test 1 over. I had gone through the full range of emotions by now from being bitterly disappointed for those that had not been successful to total euphoria for those that had and we still had three more tests to do!

By now the sun was shining and the heat was becoming intense. The vehicle search was next.

Cilla was first with Tumble with a good search and find. Dudley completed a nice search but unfortunately thought the Land Rover was too clean for his liking which sadly lost Ren all her handling marks – oh Dudders!!

Annette & Summer with her lovely sit indication, Julie & Ben, Sue & Skye and Karen & Zsa Zsa all carried out fabulous searches gaining them full marks.

We moved back inside for Boxes & Luggage search which turned out to be the most difficult search of the day with only 9 correct finds. The first two dogs unfortunately gave a false alert but then things went back on track with the next five all with correct indications. I was pleased to see Sally and Zevah back on form performing a cracking search, successfully finding the article in 19 seconds.

Cilla carried out her search in just her socks as after both she & Tumble were found sound asleep under a tree she didn’t have time to put her shoes on! Still half asleep and blurry eyed – it was no wonder they took so long.

Joey having a bit of the devil in him today indicated on a box and when asked by Julie to ‘show me’ then decided to pounce on the bag next to it which unfortunately resulted in a false alert.

After stopping for some lunch, the temperatures were up in the mid 20’s and we entered the final test, the Exterior Search. Heather briefed all the competitors and we were off again.

Karen & Malik set the bar with a 9 second find, Julie & Ben with 8 seconds and Ian and Murphy in 12 Seconds.

Sally & Zevah did a very nice search as did Sue & Skye. Pippa & Billie were also successful in this search gaining them a ‘Clean Sweep’ for the day. Dudley who had been giving Ren a bit of a hard time throughout the day successfully found the article, as did Rob & Jack, Pippa & Beckie giving them the third find they needed for their qualification.

It had been a brilliant day with some great results, great food, coffee and sunshine and great company.

I would like to thank all who attended, our competitors for entering, our guests (who gracefully accepted the camera being thrown at them), our helpers – David for his superb scribing, Heidi & Kim for their organisation skills and keeping an eye on both the competitors and dogs welfare, the bakers and of course Heather for judging.

We really couldn’t have done it without you.

Rick Burgess
Scentwork-Wessex