Galloway Gundog Association Championships

Date: 14/06/2009

The Galloway Gundog Association returned to the Queensberry Estate at Drumlanrig Castle on Sunday 14th June for the 4th Annual Buccleuch Gundog Event.  This is always a popular event in the local calendar, not only attracting entries from Dumfries & Galloway but also much further afield.

More than 40 gundogs were entered with entry open to all gundog owners – not only club members.  There were classes for all abilities with novice events for the less experienced in both the spaniel and retriever sections.  There were also open events for both spaniels and retrievers which had previously won a novice event.

Head Keeper at the Estate, Rab Clark, had organised some of his team of keepers to act as judges and although there was a good deal of competitive spirit amongst the entrants, a whole lot of fun was had by all.

There were trophies for the best spaniel and retriever in the open section as well as the 'Buccleuch Keepers Cup' and this year, for the first time, there were trophies for the winners in the novice spaniel and retriver sections.  Prizes were kindly donated by JRK Campbell & Co of Camling, Game and Country of Thornhill and a copy of the new David Lisett Gundog training DVD was also presented to the winner of the Buccleuch Cup.  Game and Country also sponsored the gundog scurry (a timed retrieving event over a very short course).

The winners were:

Open Retriever:
1 - Jim Tomlinson with his black Labrador Ben
2 - Kirsty Cousins with Indie, who was pipped at the post after a run-off
3 - Fraser Clark with black Labrador Bess

Open Spaniel:
1 - Andrew Johnson of Castle Douglas with Corrie
2 - Angus Allan with Jock
3 - Simon Ackroyd with Fungus

Novice Retriever:
1 - Pat Robertson with Millie
1 - Nathan White with Jock
3 - Michael Halliday with Dart

Novice Spaniel:
1 - Martin Trinder with Ella
2 - Lexi Greenall with JoJo
3 - Wellwood McColl with Scott

Junior Handler:
1 - Lexi Greenall with JoJo
2 - Ross Clark with Fizz

Scurry - Robert McAleese with Spencer
Novice Scurry - Fraser Clark (aged 13) with Penny
Buccleuch Keepers' Cup - Fraser Clark (aged 13) with Bess after a run-off

Despite the heavy rain at the end of the day, the event was a huge success.