A four year-old Hungarian Wire Haired Vizsla from Lancashire has won the Kennel Club Hunt, Point and Retrieve (HPR) Championship, sponsored by Skinner’s Pet Foods, held at Tollishill and Longcroft, near Lauder by kind permission of Mr A W Young and Mr A W Young Jnr.
FTCh Kerride Henry, owned by Adrian Blackledge, was awarded first place at the competition, with second place going to the same owner with Ribble Amber. The competition saw talented working gundogs from Hunt, Point and Retrieve breeds tested on their natural working ability.
Adrian said “It was a very difficult day for both the competitors and judges. I am absolutely over the moon to be the first person to have had a first and second in the Championship’’
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “The HPR Championship is designed specifically to test the dogs’ quartering, hunting and retrieving skills at a championship level, and offers the chance for owners of HPR breeds to demonstrate the working skills of their dogs in a competitive setting.
“The championship included some of the best and most talented dogs within the HPR breeds, dogs that are very much fit for function and eager to work hard for their handlers. Huge congratulations go to all the winning dogs and handlers, particularly Adrian with Henry and Amber.
The judges chose the following winners at the trial:
- 1st - FTCh Kerride Henry, Hungarian Wire Haired Vizsla owned and handled by Adrian Blackledge
- 2nd - Ribble Amber, Hungarian Wire Haired Vizsla owned and handled by Adrian Blackledge
- 3rd - Not awarded
- 4th - Withamfriary Dallas, German Shorthaired Pointer owned and handled by Ms G Pillinger
- Diploma of Merit - Wamilanghaar Djynn, German Longhaired Pointer owned and handled by Mr R N Gould
- Gun’s Choice - Deepthatch Pocona, German Shorthaired Pointer owned and handled by Mr R L Field
For more information about field trials and working gundogs.