Pointer and Setter Trial 2006
27-28 May 2006

Neville Whaley’s Dee points while
Henry Foster’s Jake backs the pointing dog Saturday 27th May
The second and third SSAA Pointer & Setter field trials were both eagerly awaited events. The season, which had promised so much earlier in the year, was turning very, very dry, and a number of other events had already been cancelled because of lack of game. The Saturday trial was held in a paddock of barley stubble self sown barley that had been kept free of stock - it looked a million dollars. However, those that had been checking paddocks knew that in the past few weeks game had been shifting from this paddock also because of the continuing dry spell, and there was a degree of concern about whether or not enough game was still in the area.

The judge on the day was the inimitable Bill Cross, who only two weeks before had undergone shoulder surgery. An Irish setter handler himself, Bill enjoys his judging appointments and the chance to see good bird dogs in their element and his presence in the judicial role always lends an air of bonhomie to the day.

First & second placegetters at the trial The first brace was set off at around 7.45am into a very slight northerly breeze. Wind is an important ingredient in pointer setter style is to work with head up, not down like a trail hound such as a blood hound. The sight of a bird dog running at high speed across the wind with its head well up is what judges like to see, and lack of a decent breeze, shifting wind direction or wind of gale force proportions, can all make things difficult.

The trickle of wind at the start of this event was not ideal, but a couple of good early finds in the first two braces proved that conditions were reasonable for the dogs, and the first two heats were completed before a complete lull in any air movement brought a halt. When the breeze came again it was now coming in from the south, a direction it maintained for the rest of the day, and proceedings were reversed accordingly. However, early fears of sufficient game came to be realised when only a handful of birds were produced.

At the morning tea break discussion centred on whether a complete change of venue might not be needed. The decision was made to continue where we were, and to reconsider again at lunchtime. This proved to be the best course as things began to pick up almost immediately. With the breeze now coming in steadily, more game was being produced and some quality work was being seen. At the lunch break four dogs were still left in contention, the pointer bitch Wingfield Dame (Imp NZ), handled by Barry Oliver (Vic), the Irish setter bitch Kilsheelan Nell handled by Lance Bailey Hill (SA) and the Irish setters FC FT Ch Russetray Star of Erin handled by Denis Everard (Vic).

A group of keen trialers These four dogs were set down after lunch in what were now excellent conditions, nice wind, ample game and dogs that were all on a bird finding mission. When the judge decided he had seen enough at mid afternoon the nod was given to Denis Everard’s Irish setter Tullamore over Denis’ other Irish, Star of Erin. Barry Oliver’s pointer, on the comeback trail after a serious spinal injury, was awarded third place.

Earlier fears about the possible absence of game were completely dispelled by the end of the day with over 90 birds being seen.

Sunday 28th May
The following day saw a change of venue. From self sown barley and stubble we were now competing in native grass, wheat stubble and rocks, an ideal quail habitat in this part of Victoria. The day was cool and overcast with a good breeze, ideal for bird dog work.

While there was not an over abundance of game at this venue, there was nevertheless adequate to test all dogs. Pointer and setter field trials do not see large numbers of birds going into the game bag. The gun is an integral element in pointer & setter trialling in Australia, but often the number of birds shot in a trials is in single figures. The intensity of a dog’s work increases when game is shot and retrieved, with dogs wanting to go harder and becoming a little more difficult to handle, compared to a day out training without the gun. Shooting over a dog is also a test of both steadiness to shot and the vital retrieval of fallen game. However, trials are not about numbers and judges look for a profile of skills when evaluating a dog’s performance; ground coverage, style, speed, obedience, nose, stamina and biddability are just some of the other aspects that are assessed.

Lance Bailey-Hill leads his setter before competition The first brace was sent away by Judge Henry Foster at around 8.45am, and from the outset it was obvious that conditions were good. Early finds in the first few braces set the tone for a day of good quality pointer and setter work. This trial was generally unremarkable, with no real issues or dramas, and the judge was able to exercise his judicial task in a fuss free manner as the dogs steadily went about performing at their best.

This year has certainly been one for the Irish, and once again it was the Irish setter of Denis Everard F CHFT Ch Whitesmoke Rusty with Bill Cross’s Irish Columcile Callawatt being placed third. This win by the Irish qualified her for the title of WGAA Field Champion, the 8th dog in the history of the SSAA’s Working Gundog discipline to be awarded this title.

by Barry Oliver