Gaytonwood Golden and Labrador Retrievers

Here is our Diary for 2011

March 26th - We went up to Edinburgh for Scottish Breeds CC. The Judge Susan Webster awarded Minna 3rd in Maiden, Novice and Undergraduate and shortlisted Wren to the last six in Limit bitch but we were not awarded a top five placing but we know we were sixth!!! Thanks to Susan for a lovely day. The dogs preferred the walk on Lindisfarne Nature Reserve on the way there and back and Wren retrieved a tennis ball by ducking her head under the waves - all that time spent flattening her coat wasted!!! It was Minna and Echo's first trip to the beach and they really enjoyed themselves. 

March 19th - the Joint GRC Championship Show hosted by Eastern Counties GRC. The Bitch Judge, Hilary Lambshead (Muskan) awarded Minna 2nd in a lovely Junior Class, 3rd in Yearling and VHC in Novice and Debutant. She also awarded Wren 1st in Post Graduate, putting us in the final line up for the second time in 2 weeks. Thanks to Hilary for the placings and Paul Seamons for the photo's and the ECGRC committee for a lovely show. 

March 10th - Crufts 2011 - Briar won her class and I'm really pleased with her, for a working dog she did a good impression of a show dog!!! Minna and Wren were unplaced in really strong competition but they behaved perfectly. Thanks to Dave, Fran and Dan for dog sitting for me and for taking the dogs home so I could stay to report on the gundog group for Our Dogs. Angie and I were over the moon when Dikeadaze Alfredo (Fairy Jeff is Friendly with Gaytonwood x Dikeadaze It Wasn't Me) won the overall Gamekeepers dog award in the big ring - well done to Tina and Alfie for giving such a good account of yourselves. We were very proud. What an excellent day. 

March 5th - At the Berkshire Downs and Chilterns GRC Working test day Minna enjoyed herself, showing there is more than one way to do a test and doing it the judges way isn't always the best fun and Briar did well but dropped a few points, putting her out of the cards. 

February 27th - At the Jim Newby Memorial Charity Test we did not win any awards but Minna completed all four tests, unfortunately on one test she was a little too quick for the judge and started her retrieve before being told to and on another the distance was farther than her 'comfort zone' and so I opted to help her, losing all our marks but she enjoyed the day. Briar ran in her first ever Open Test and brought all the dummies back losing just a few marks and so not being in the top four awards but a good start to her open career. Judges were Angie Cooper, Graham Bird, Sandra Onens, Norman Onens, Vicki Bruton and Phil Bruton. Thanks to them all for their time and stamina in sometimes testing conditions. 

February 20th - At Matlock & District Open Show with Paul Seamons (Messano) judging, Minna was awarded Best Puppy in Breed. Thanks to the judge for this. We were over the moon. 

February 13th - Southern Golden Retriever Society Championship show with Lynne Hennessey (Ritzilyn) judging, Minna was 3rd in Puppy (qualifying her for Crufts 2012), 3rd in Maiden, VHC in Novice and 4th in Undergraduate. Wren was also awarded a 3rd in Post Graduate, another Crufts 2012 qualifying class.  Thanks to the judge for this lovely day. 

February 6th - Wellingborough Open Show - Minna was 3rd in Puppy and Briar had a 'test run' for Crufts and was awarded a 2nd place (out of 2) but she stood well for the judge, moved and did everything I asked of her - now I think she just needs a bit more of a trim and she'll be ready for Crufts!!!! 

January 7th - Boston Championship Show - Minna was awarded a 4th in Puppy and Wren was awarded a 2nd in Post Graduate, behind the CC winner, although we were unfortunately not asked to challenge for the RCC. Thanks to the Judge, Mr John Hicks.

January 6th - ECGRC Novice Stake - Briar won the trial, so now we have to go into Open!!! We are delighted. Thanks to all of those people who have helped me get to this point. Too many to mention but the most thanks go to Jen and Gordon for trusting me with this lovely bitch and to Gaynor Gent for her training, advice, support and the occassional 'telling off' to keep me on track. Thanks to the Society and to the Judges, Sarah Gadd, Jim Gale, Richard Beckerleg and Trevor Souster.