L1 Trial Easter Sunday.
Sorry for the short report but I forgot to make notes at the time.
This level 1 trial had 12 entrants and for some teams it was their first time competing in a Scentwork UK trial. The standard of all dogs/handlers was high with dogs giving lovely indications.
All teams are worthy of a
mention, the seasoned
handler, the dog or handlers
who were trialing for the first time……they all had
different expectations or
goals to achieve. I felt that
each entrant did ‘achieve’
regardless of placings.
Achievements come in different forms, overcoming
nerves, completing that first
trial, building a dogs
confidence, recognising
when a dog is searching/on
odour or not searching at all.
Thank you to all who took part and congratulations to
Rachel and Maggie on their
win.

Level 1 Trial Easter Sunday.
Sorry for the short report but I forgot to make notes at the time.
This level 1 trial had 12 entrants and for some teams it was their first time competing in a Scentwork UK trial. The standard of all dogs/handlers was high with dogs giving lovely

indications.
All teams are worthy of a mention, the seasoned handler, the dog or handlers who were trialing for the first time……they all had different expectations or goals to achieve. I felt that each entrant did ‘achieve’ regardless of placings.
Achievements come in different forms, overcoming nerves, completing that first trial, building a dogs
confidence, recognising when a dog is searching/on odour or not searching at all.
Thank you to all who took part and congratulations to Rachel and Maggie on their win.

L2 Easter Sunday
Due to unforeseen circumstances I was asked to judge at the 11th hour and was grateful for all the competitors understanding and gracious acceptance of my decisions!
We had typical N.Ireland weather with swirling winds and cool temperatures but the rain was fairly kind to us.
To begin I need to highlight the extremely high standard throughout all the searches, the marks speak for themselves!
Boxes and luggage kicked off proceedings, hides where on a rucksack seam, centre room and on an upturned box at the very start of the search area. All teams coped with the threshold hide very well and any false alerts on the luggage were dealt with sympathetically by the handlers, it is always disappointing especially on the first search but both dogs left the room rewarded and happy, which was lovely to watch. Little Flora’s pitter patter foot work made me smile – just a delicate little worker!
The windy conditions in the exterior search phased no-one…..the hose reel and agility wing were easily identified by all teams. Kuro’s mum had a tough job keeping up with such a speedy wee searcher but handled her line really well, compliments in this search must also go to Tejo who worked so well on a tempting gravel surface to show off his amazing ‘it’s here mum’ indication!
Back inside now for tables & chairs, two side by side tables with eight chairs and a selection of items around the perimeter. Most teams worked backwards and forwards between the two search areas with Tiggie having her best search of the day although she looked pretty happy in all her searches too! Holly stood out for me in this search, lovely systematic coverage of the perimeter and then a nice move to check those chairs out.
Finally we headed back outside for a triple car search – one hide on a wheel (front passenger, middle car) and one on the bonnet grill of the car to the right, left car was blank. Very blustery conditions both helped and hindered teams I think. Few teams spent much time on the blank vehicle, Baxter covered it the most, thoroughly investigating one wheel in particular but his handler read him well and led him on to two successful alerts.
It was the grill hide that tripped a few teams up, bringing the six inch rule into play – Rika was sooo close but had had a wonderful day otherwise, I know her mum took a lot of positives from the experience.
To conclude, Big Big congrats to the overall victor Bonnie! A speedy worker that is improving at a speedy rate too, definitely one to watch I think.
Bonnie, Holly and Kuro all achieved excellence which was a lovely way to round up the day and very well deserved. See you all in L3!
Thanks also need to go to Ronnie for the venue use and Jillian for trial managing it all perfectly. Thank you for inviting me.