After the initial formalities were completed, the judges Rupert Hill and Mike Knox were introduced to us and we moved off quickly to start the tests. The day was to be a simulated walked up field trial over some very hard terrain in almost impossible conditions; you could hardly see the person next to you let alone the dummy throwers. I was somewhat bewildered as to how Peter Dufty was going to be able to complete the day or indeed manage to set a fair variety of tests, for instance, blind retrieves.
The first round was to be two marked retrieves saluted by gunfire for each dog with two dogs in line under each judge who would send their charges in turn. All those not in line were grouped on the left flank and moved forward on command but strangely in stony silence - we could see all the line but the dummy throwers kept disappearing in the rain and mist. An audible sigh of relief went up when the first dog managed to complete its retrieve - so it was possible! It became very obvious that deep concentration and accuracy on the mark was required and, if that failed, tight hunting up in the area of the fall because the tall rough white grass was totally unforgiving. One bitch was completely bowled over by the rough ground but managed to keep her line and return triumphant. One dog succumbed to the pressure and ran in but as had previously been agreed carried on until the lunchbreak; a few struggled hard but most began their campaigns impressively and the standard of work was high.
The second round was similar except that each dog had a single cross-over retrieve with the dummy throwers in line. One poor soul needed to cool herself down but a dyke in the middle of the moor on a day such as this was not the recommended way! We were covering a lot of ground as the 28 competitors were sorely tried. Though the retrieves were very demanding, the morale in the line was staying high. In fact, some amusement was had by all when a bout of good-natured jeering went up as the fog suddenly lifted and those few lucky handlers in line were able to see properly for the first time.
The break in the weather coincided with the completion of the round so we all returned to the cars for lunch. Now it was cut-off time but the judges were also having a tough time. Applying the proper trial criteria the field was to be whittled down so sixteen were to run on, perhaps a testament to the quality of work we were all enjoying. It has been said many times before that if you really want to learn how to handle a gundog you must go to tests and trials to observe how more experienced handlers perform. Those sensible enough to put themselves forward to help by marking, stewarding or dummy throwing had grandstand views of some of the best gundog work I've been privileged to see recently, in the company of very experienced judges and officials who were only too willing to explain what was happening.
Round three and the line was formed again - the whisper confirmed it was to be a blind retrieve behind the line! Ingeniously, as the line moved forward the dummy thrower, at the other end, dropped out of line momentarily to place a walking stick and drop a dummy. Once back in line, a gun was fired back towards the stick and the dog sent for nearly 75 yards to retrieve downwind. The undulating nature of the terrain, the tight hummocks of white grass, the ditches and dykes and the variable wind made the test quite severe.
Round four and we were beginning to wonder how the judges would ever sort out a result as we were all called forward again for an apparently simple long marked retrieve from the opposite end of the line. Oh dear! The gun was far distant with the wind carrying away the sound and the point of fall was generally hidden by tall grass at dog height. Here my old boy came to grief; it had been a long day and a slight delay between shot and fall caused his concentration to lapse, so it was a long blind for him. It was clear he was drying up and I had to call him up. This test sorted out the judges' card but still there were smiles all round.
We returned to the cars for the results. A full set of awards, the two top dogs only a point apart, and in general the scores were high and very close - a satisfactory end to an exceptional day. One judge expressed some regret that he could not be with us in line to enjoy such an incredible training opportunity. Two experienced competitors were making a 350 mile round trip and both felt the trip well worthwhile even though only one of them was on the final scoreboard. All the comments made were positive and great thanks must go to Tim Shipp for arranging such an excellent ground and to Peter Dufty for setting such ingenious tests. For those who left the moor, you will be amazed to know that the following day was fine, bright and sunny! Whatever the weather, please can we do this again next year.
The working test was held by the West Dartmoor Working Gundog Club