Club Trial 14th August 2011

Scores

trial report : written by richard james (GSDL WDG)

I would like to thank the Severnside club for inviting me again to judge their club trial. With 6 entries it was to be a steady, enjoyable day.
First thing was tracking. The fields looked fine with a small amount of moisture on green grass with hardly a breeze, typical Welsh weather !!!!!
With five dogs to track the star of the day was Ron White's bitch Deena with a score of 93 points. Two dogs failed to get the required number of points for qualification.
Then, back to the club for the obedience. First to go was Dave with Fabi in BH. I am sure that Fabi is not a Dobermann but being alongside Dave I had to look twice. They gave a very tidy obedience round and made enough points to go on to the final part of the BH qualifying easily.
The schutzhund dogs then came on for their obedience with varying performances. The rounds from Helen with Alfie and Gavin with Eddy were the highlights of the obedience with Helen's heelwork being a picture to watch for me and the crowd. Unfortunately, both of these dogs had failed to make the qualification points in the tracking phase.
Then we finished off with the protection work. The work from the two experienced helpers, Roger Lledra and Brian Wincott, was exactly as I asked for and of a very high standard. Roger in particular showed excellent speed in the long attack of the final dog!
First for protection were Ron and Deena in Sch1 gaining 83 points. Deena showed excellent protection drives and the points were lost in the control parts.
Helen with Alfie took to the field in Sch11. Alfie showed good speed and control but for the higher points needs to guard better and be more secure in the gripping phases..... 83 points.
Mike with Fire was next. Fire must show more speed and better protection drive for higher points.... 80 points
Gavin with Eddy were the first team in Sch111. Both showed a very tidy workman-like round with good speed, grips and control.... 93 points.
Finally, Dave with Enzo. This new partnership need to work better together, which I am sure will come in time. The grips need to be better and the dog should be more direct to the helper on the long attack!
With plenty of time available I tried to give pointers to the handlers and the crowd in each critique as to how to avoid losing points at the bigger trials and I tried to lighten the occasion with a few light hearted comments to each handler.
I would like to thank helpers, tracklayers and kitchen staff for their usual high standards and a very big thank you to Evie, Trial Secretary, spare dog handler sch1, passive dog handler BH and helper for both my dogs on the Saturday and one of them on Sunday. Keep up with the helper work and I will see you at the licensing next year I am sure.
RA James

Photos