2024

AV Spaniel Working Test

Saturday 24th August

by kind permission of Howard and David Vicary

Usk Valley Working Gundog Club held their autumn test for A/V spaniels. By kind permission of Howard and David Vicary. Also big thanks to Rhys Carpenter for being the man on the ground. Sponsers need to be thanked Skinners who put an awful lot into our sport, acme whistles, Gamekeepers goods for prizes and gifts for judges and as always Jane Stenner for prize donations. Judges Lindsay Corbett, Steve Erasmus and Andrew Faulkner thank you to you for giving up your day. The people that turned out to help, we really couldn’t put the tests on without your support!

Competitors , thank for supporting the club and entering the tests and well done to all award winners. Tests were set on some lovely spaniel ground. All tests with worthy winners and a very good standard of dogs in the open test in the afternoon.

Results as follows:

PUPPY

1st Chadsmynydd - Nathan Quin  

2nd Nantcanna Rough Stuff - Nathan Quin

3rd Chinachgook Continuous - Emma Nurse 

4th Spincat Oak - J Trafford

Com Kenleap Exclusive Beauty - Tom Cantwell

Com Julespero Hope - Nathan Quin 

NOVICE 

1st Kenmoor Beauty - - Maison Jones  

2nd Kentwone Velvet suit - D Eathringtom

3rd Kentwone Paledula - C Prince 

OPEN 

1st Stargirl Mesha - Simon Whale  

2nd Golwgymynydd Sadie - P Roberts 

3rd Kimwild Siverado - P Roberts 

4th Ddusaint Elynsian - N Lyons 

Com Herminey Hope Of Aberwysg - M Jones 

Com Kentwone Sorentina - C Prince

2023

Puppy/Novice/Open AV Spaniel Working Test

Leadon Court, Saturday 22nd July

by kind permission of Ms Zoe Richard and Mr Steve Smith

Thanks to our fantastic sponsors Skinner's, ACME Whistles and BASC - your continued support is once again fantastic! 

Thank you to our Judges, Mr Stuart Lewis, Mr Rhys Carpenter and Mr Neale Satchwell. Thank you to Mr Andrew Faulkner for organising the Working Test. Our Judges did a great job under the unfortunate weather conditions. A massive thank you to all our helpers without you the Working Test would not be possible. Your support to Usk Valley Working Gundog Club will always be greatly appreciated! 

Congratulations to our following Award Winners:

PUPPY

1st Kenzduo Coral Bay - Mike Powell 

2nd Gunbarrel Goose - Mark Longdon 

3rd Macdhaibhigh Nsky - Andrew Davidson 

4th Swefan Dashing - Ellie Scott 

COM Stargirl Mesha - Simon Whale 

COM Ddunant Elysian - Nick Lyons 

COM Wapleymill Huricane - Daniel Haddock

COM Griffinwell Angus Monty - Steven Brooks 

NOVICE 

1st Rihanna Bachaction - Liam Morris

2nd Glencambus Dalgery Hawk - Andrew Williams 

3rd Stargirl Mesha - Simon Whale 

4th Joysedas Honkytonk - Ade Stride 

COM Boy Batch Taff - P Amore 

COM Bucklawren Bubble - Stephan Wilshaw 

COM Crairwarn Electra Of Briardown - Mark Durno

OPEN 

1st Shellspoons Numero Of Cindersash - Oliver Organ

2nd - Rixtonmoss Rachine - David Massey 

3rd - Cindersash Crecent - Nick Dembenski

4th - Lynside Harpy Eagle - Niel Turner 

COM - Bliss Bites - Stephan Jones 

Congratulations to everyone that competed today and thank you!

2022

Working Gundog Club Novice AV Spaniel Working Test

Big Pit in Blaenavon, Sunday 17th February

by kind permission of Mr Llewellyn and family

Thank you to our Judges Mr A Faulkner, Mr O Organ and Mr S Erazmus and a big thank you to Jane Stenner our Working Test Secretary for organising the day. Much appreciation to those who stepped in to support the Club with dummy throwing so that we could run the day. Thank you to you the Competitors… 

2020

Unfortunately, Covid-19 had other ideas for our club, committee, members and the sport in general. All 6 working tests had to be cancelled due to government guidance and restrictions, but thanks to our working test secretaries Simon Kirby, David Thomas and Jane Stenner who had planned some great tests across a number of lovely venues for the season. Thank you to the landowners who had permitted us to use their ground and to the judges who were willing to give up their time to support the running of our event. Thank you to Skinners and BASC for their sponsorship. We wish you all the best for what we hope will be a more promising 2021.

2019

What a year we have had in 2019 with our working test events. A huge thank you to our secretaries, Simon Kirby, David Thomas and Steve Erasmus who have done a brilliant job in organising these events for our competitors and have all kindly agreed to continue in their roles for 2020. Thank you to our landowners and sponsors, who without we could not run our events. Our appreciation to all our helpers throughout the season, many of whom have stepped in at last minute - without your kindness and generosity of committing your time to the club, our competitors could not run at our events. Finally, thank you to our competitors and their dogs who continue to support the club by entering our events, but also for braving the varying weather that the Welsh countryside has to offer. We wish you all the best for 2020 and look forward to seeing you all again soon.

Spaniel Working Test

Usk Castle, Chase Woodland in Usk, Sunday 17th February

by kind permission of Joe & Ellie of Moore Drive Sporting and the Humphrey's Family

Our first spaniel test run under Steve Erasmus (Raz) as our 2019 working test secretary was a highly successful day and we would like to thank all those that continue to support the Club. Thank you to Joe and Ellie of Moore Drive Sporting and the Humphrey's Family, who welcomed the Club with open arms are provided us with lovely grounds and facilities for our test. Thank you to our Judges, Alex Badger and Russ Woodward. To our dummy throwers, helpers, stewards and caterers. Thank you to Natalie for her administrative support. Thank you to Skinners for their ongoing support of our events.

Congratulations to all our award winners and well done to all the competitors who took part.

Our results are:

PUPPY

 1st - Jefferson's Girl, handled by David Jefferson

 2nd - Gatekeeper Aurora, handled by Paul Hulin

 3rd - The Fiery One of Cudanna, handled by Louise Allen

 4th - Rytex Risma, handled by Alison Spiers

 COM - Palmawr Patience, handled by Kallum Williams

 COM - Broomfield Jolie, handled by Martin Emms

 TOP HUNTING DOG - Gatekeeper Aurora, handled by Paul Hulin

NOVICE

 1st - Kimwild Silver Ado, handled by Paul Roberts

 2nd - Sophie Cora, handled by Berian Hughes

 3rd - Dolbrenin Penelope, handled by Paul Lewis

 4th - Bucklawren Krisp, handled by Richie Williams

 COM - Eiriaw Alys Ruby, handled by John Pearce

 COM - Lucy's Dream, handled by Paul Lewis

 COM - Lexi's Locket, handled by Julian Morgan

 COM - High Class Maiden, handled by Julian Morgan

 COM - Freddie of Aberdare Bobby, handled by John Pearce

 TOP HUNTING DOG - Kimwild Silver Ado, handled by Paul Roberts

OPEN

 1st - Chrissy Brook Rea, handled by Paul Roberts

 2nd - Edgegrove Stitch of Cudannsa, handled by Louise Allen

 3rd - Festival Bracken, handled by Phil Smith

 4th - Steelhouse Crack of Thunder, handled by Mark Gibson

 COM - Carnival Willow, handled by Phil Smith

 COM - Meadowchase Gladys, handled by Alan Willis

 COM - Cippyn Crystal, handled by Steve Jones

 TOP HUNTING DOG - Chrissy Brook Rea, handled by Paul Roberts

2018

We are not sure where 2018 has gone, but the time flying by would not be possible without the support of our committee, officers, landowners, judges, sponsors, helpers and most importantly our competitors. Our working test season has been a busy one and our thanks and appreciation is extended to our test secretaries... David Thomas (Retrievers), Jane Stenner (Spaniels) and Simon Kirby (HPR) who have worked tirelessly before, during and after the events to ensure that we can all enjoy our sport and can have a bit of fun along the way. This year we took the gamble to change some of the classes run across our test events, which has paid off and next year promises to be more testing, exciting and we hope to host on a number of new grounds.

David and Simon will continue with their roles next year, but unfortunately, Jane has taken the decision to step down from her role as Spaniel Test Secretary. Jane will continue to support the events and we would like to thank Steve Erasmus, who has offered to take on the role of Spaniel Secretary for 2019. Thank you Steve and good luck.

We are always looking for willing volunteers to assist us at our events. Not only are you supporting us, but this is an opportunity for you to observe the sport up close and personal, meet like minded individuals and gain some invaluable experiences. Please let our WTS know if you can help at any time, we will welcome you with open arms.

We wish you all the very best and look forward to seeing you all again soon.

Spaniel Working Test

Clytha Park, Abergavenny, Saturday 28th April 

Thank you to Mr Hanbury-Tennison for his permission for the club to use his wonderful grounds from the first of two spaniel working tests. Thank you to our judges, Mr Nick Davies, Mr Richard Hestletine and Mr Hayden Morgan. Thank you to our stewards, dummy throwers and helpers on the day. Thank you to our Working Test Secretary, Jane Stenner, and finally thank you to our competitors, who without, we could not run our events.

CONGRATULATIONS to all our award winners, the results were:

PUPPY

1st, Whitebeam Warbler, Nathan Quinn

2nd, Dakotogun Gisele, Gwilym Harris

3rd, Bobby Freddie of Aberdare, John Pearce

NOVICE

1st, Meadowchase Martha of Gatekeeper, Steve Erasmus

2nd, Barrboyd Jack Spratt, B James

3rd, Shelispoon Cometh the Hour, Stuart Lewis

4th, Lexi's Locket, Julian Morgan

COM, Donna Chaidh Black Opal, John Robertson

COM, Skirrid Fawr Casper, John Pearce

OPEN

1st, Cinnyn Osprey, Steve Jones

2nd, Bellouchi Barbaro, Peter Moruzzi

3rd, Ardyle Magic Star, Michael Lewis

4th, Tynywayn Cariad, Neil Brookman

COM, Skirrid Fawr Casper, John Pearce

COM, Kirstzo Genie, Russ Woodward

COM, Kirstzo Flavia, Haydn Morgan

COM Timsgarry Alpine, John Robertson.

2017

A huge thank you to all our landowners, judges, helpers and competitors who continue to support our Club to go from strength to strength. We have come to the end of our working test season and extend our thanks to our working test secretaries, Mr Johnny Morris and Ms Jane Stenner, who have worked hard to ensure that the working tests have been successful before, during and after the events. The Retriever "Skinners Fleece Challenge" has been rolled over into 2018 due to seven competitors on pole position. Points will be carried over and we hope to announce the winner at the end of the last Retriever Test 2018 - GOOD LUCK! 

At the end of 2017 Mr Johnny Morris will step down as Retriever Working Test Secretary but will continue to support the Club and Mr David Thomas who has kindly offered to take on the role for 2018. David has been competing and assisting at club events for a couple of years and has been very proactive since joining the Committee. We wish him every success and hope you will welcome him with open arms and show him support.

Finally, we are excited to announce that Mr Simon Kirby has joined the Committee and has offered to take on the role of Acting HPR Working Test Secretary for 2018. Simon has a wealth of knowledge and experience and is well supported inside and outside of the Club. We are looking forward to growing our HPR provisions and are sure that along with the Committee our members will welcome Simon with open arms.

Wishing you all the best for the continuation of your season.

2016

On behalf of Usk Valley Working Gundog Club Committee, we would like to extend a huge thank you to Tyrone Axford and Glyn Hillier for their roles as working test secretary over the last few years. They have both done a great job in organising and coordinating our events and have decided to take a step back for 2017 to work their own dogs, but will remain on the committee and continue to support our events. We wish you both every success. 

Congratulations to Nigel Probert and Slipside Danzy Jones on winning the Skinners Fleece Challenge 2015/2016!

Competitor Feedback:

HPR Working Test, 26th April 2016

"Many thanks to the Usk Valley Working Gun Dog Club for the HPR working test on 26 April 15. I had the nicest day I can remember having at a test. The setting was idyllic, being at Big Pit and the ground was delightfully natural and varied which my dog very much enjoyed. Plus the organisation was faultless, making for an unusually slickly run event. I was already excited about the day as all the judges are people I respect highly and enjoy competing under and they, together with the very friendly stewards, dummy throwers and other competitors made the atmosphere wonderfully relaxed. I am looking forward to the next one!"

Thank you again,

Angela Miles

Retriever Working Test, 29th March 2016

"Hi, just to say 4 interesting tests for the dogs and handlers to have a go at. If a dog can do well on the big Pit ground it can do well anywhere. Couple this with yesterdays weather then those dogs/handlers can cope with anything. Speaking for myself, I thoroughly enjoyed the challenges of yesterday. Well done."

Regards,

Roger

2015

The Usk Valley WGC Tests have now drawn to a close following a very successful season for 2015. We were privileged to have the opportunity to visit some fantastic grounds around the county and were highly supported on all occasions. This year Skinners sponsored Usk Valley with the "Skinners Fleece Challenge". Due to the cancellation of our 3rd test, it has been agreed that we will carry over the "2015 Skinners Fleece Challenge into 2016".