WORKING TESTS 2024 details below.
All of our Working Tests are kindly sponsored by Skinners, BASC and Acme Whistles
Please note: We no longer accept entries ON THE DAY at our Working Tests
To qualify for membership entry fees, your membership must be paid
in full and records up-to-date at least one week prior to our events. This time frame is a request of courtesy to allow us to complete the necessary administrative checks ahead of our events.
MPORTANT INFORMATION: Our events will be run in line with the latest Government and Kennel Club guidance.
Please download our terms and conditions here
Definition of Class Categories:
| Open |
Open to all dogs although preference may be given to dogs which have gained a place or certificate of merit at a Field Trial or been placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd in an Open GWT or won a Novice GWT. |
| Novice |
Confined to dogs which have not gained a place or certificate of merit at a Field Trial, been placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd in an Open GWT or first in a Novice GWT held in accordance with KC Rules and Field Trial Regulations. |
| Puppy |
Confined to dogs less than 18 months of age on the date of the test. |
| Unclassified |
We also run other unclassified tests such as Special Puppy and Novice Dog Novice Handler. |
Spaniel Working Test to be held on Saturday 24th August 2024 at Hafodrynys, Crumlin, Newport, NP11 5AY
Classes: Puppy, Novice and Open Classes.
Novice and Puppy meet at 9am Open not before 1pm.
Judges: Christ Morgan and Lindsay Corbett (Novice and Open classes), Nick Dembesnki (Puppy Class)
Entry Fees: Members £10, Non Members £15.
Closing date for Entries 17th August 2024
Working Test Secretary: Mr Andy Faulkner Tel 07983 562454
Schedule and Entry form available for downloading from Club Form page.
Note: If a working test is oversubscribed, UVWGC may select to cap the entries per category to ensure a smooth running and timely event.
Retriever Working Test to be held at Big Pit, Blaenavon Sunday 11th August 2024
Details to be confirmed
Note: If a working test is oversubscribed, UVWGC may select to cap the entries per category to ensure a smooth running and timely event
WORKING TESTS 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.
Kind Regards
Usk Valley Working Gundog Club Committee
WORKING TESTS 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,
Kind Regards
Usk Valley Working Gundog Club Committee
WORKING TESTS 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.
Kind Regards
Usk Valley Working Gundog Club Committee
WORKING TESTS 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,
Kind Regards
Usk Valley Working Gundog Club Committee
WORKING TESTS 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."
WORKING TESTS 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".
Thank you to the Committee, Officers and our members who supported the club throughout the season to include catering, stewarding and dummy throwing. Without this team effort, we wouldn't be able to run our test days.
If you (or someone you know) are able to help at working tests by throwing dummies, stewarding or anything else,
please put yourself forward....you will be welcomed with open arms!
We look forward to welcoming you all back for the 2016 Season and wish you all a successful trialling and working season.
Kind Regards
Usk Valley Working Gundog Club Committee
WORKING TESTS 2014
Congratulations to Mr Nigel Probert and his Labrador, Slipside Danzy Jones for winning this years Skinners Fleece Challenge.