Midland Golden Retriever Club held its very first trial,

a 14-dog novice breed only, on 9th November 2024 at Maisemore Court Farm Shoot with the kind permission of The Chamberlayne Family and the amazing Keeper Joe Smith.  The fantastic generosity of our team of amazing Guns, headed by Gun Captain Derek Rainey, was a "dream team" and provided the trail with enough game on the ground to complete the trial in 2 drives.

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Our judges are:

- Robert Atkinson - A panel

- Sally Richardson - A panel

- Dorothy Walls-Duffin - B panel

- Adrian Phillips - NP

Chief Steward

Laurie Pittaway

Dog Steward

Liz Pope and Julie Graham

Bird carriers

Ryan Pugh and Joel Dugdale

Bird Markers

Lucy Mixture, Marion Hanman, John Mixture and Bob Walls-Duffin

Read flag

Jane Pugh and Lydia Galitzine

Hospitality

Penny Gowland, Chairman of the MGRC

Freda Morriss Garget, Vice Chairman MGRC

Kevin French

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I couldn't have wished for a more amazing team, which enabled the trial to flow beautifully. The day started with breakfast of bacon rolls, tea and coffee for everyone. We then drove to the first drive, and after a short walk, we were greeted with a fantastic sight, a sweeping hill down to a marsh area and a pond.

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The drive started with a constant trickle of Ducks, Pheasants and a few partridges; my team of Guns shot fantastically, getting the birds on the ground. The first drive was completed, with some very challenging Retrievers, which left 6 dogs in to go through to the 2nd drive. This drive was very different to the first, a small valley with a big bush-covered ditch; again, The Guns were amazing, getting the birds on the ground, which enabled us to complete the trial.

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We all gathered back at the base, where, thanks to Penny and Freda had prepared hot soup, special Welsh bread, and homemade fruit cake and scones, which was a perfect end, in my opinion, just a perfect day.

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The first winning cup was " The Mervyn Philpott Memorial Cup," kindly donated by Anne Falconer and Debbie Hughes. Mervyn's daughter was Greg Robertson, handling Westerkames Nature's Basic of Warpersmoss (his very first trial).

Second, Nick Eden handling Ricanded Redoubtable. The Guns Choice to Armand De Roover with Think Twice Zinger was presented with the Midland GRC plaque.

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I would like to thank the Landowners, Joe, our keeper, his team of amazing beaters, my dream team of Guns, my lovely judges, all my helpers, and, of course, all the competitors who supported the trial.

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Just a little note to finish, a massive thank you to Lucy Mixture for her help with all the admin for the trial.

Lucy Jenkins Field Trial Secretary MGRC