THE RETRIEVER TEAM CHALLENGE
Sponsored by BASC, Chudleys Dog Food and Gaymers Cider

The annual Retriever Team Challenge has now become an International Event!  This year, a team from Holland and Germany are coming to compete against the crème of the South West of the UK.  The Retriever Team Challenge is a well established and extremely popular one-day event which provides a great opportunity for 8 teams of highly trained Open standard retrievers to compete over challenging tests, similar to those previously held for the national teams of the UK, Europe and the USA. 
 
The format comprises of a number of working tests, run to Kennel Club rules and regulations, which simulate situations likely to be encountered during the shooting season.  Using blank gunfire and canvas dummies instead of game, the handlers work their dogs to show their skill and efficiency at retrieving both marked and unseen ‘quarry’ over different types of terrain and also from water.  The tests are fun to watch and gundog owning spectators can possibly pick up a few useful tips!   
 
In the morning, four tests will be run simultaneously in the Deer Park and in the afternoon, all the dogs will compete in the hugely exciting lakeside finale.  Spectators are welcome to park their cars close to the Deer Park entrance for the morning tests. 

Please note: Spectators' dogs must be on a lead at all times

Timetable

09.00    Team briefing at the marquee in the Deer Park
09.30    Tests start in the Deer Park
13.00 (approx.).  Lunch break
14.45   Final runs at the lakeside, near the Castle main entrance.  (Between the Salmon & Trout and the Scurries areas).
16.15    Parade of teams and prize-giving in the Main Arena.

The Teams

1.  Cornwall Field Trial Society          
2.  Labrador Retriever Club of Wales          
3.  West Dartmoor Working Gundog Club 
4.  South West Golden Retriever Club        
5.  Eurogold
6.  Western Counties Labradors
7.  North Devon Working Gundog Club
8.  West of England Labrador Retriever Club
 
Reserves: 

9.  Purbeck Shooting School Gundog Team  10.  Westward Gundog Society  
 
Judges: 

Judy Rainey, Keith Sandercock, Elizabeth Pelham, Anthony Eldred.

Prizes

PRIZES AND TROPHIES
CHALLENGE TROPHIES (to be held for one year only)
SHERBORNE CASTLE COUNTRY FAIR CHALLENGE TROPHY for the winning team
SHERBORNE CASTLE COUNTRY FAIR CHALLENGE TROPHY for the Top Dog

CHUDLEYS will provide the following
For each member of the winning team

Trophy, Rosette, Certificate, £60 voucher for Chudleys Dog Food
2nd Team Rosette, Certificate, £30 voucher for Chudleys Dog Food
3rd Team Rosette, Certificate, £15 voucher for Chudleys Dog Food

Top Dog
Trophy, Rosette, Certificate, £40 voucher for Chudleys Dog Food

All spectators welcome.

Other Gundog Events, Spring Bank Holiday 31st May 2010

There will also be 3 scurries for anyone to enter on the day. There will be prizes to third place in each for novice and open dogs and a best overall young handler prize.

For any show information click here www.sherbornecountryfair.com