Victorian Gallery 2018
2018 Activities
Victoria
Retrieving Trial
23rd September 2018
A cool, blustery day greeted handlers, spectators and judges for the WGAA trial held on the Lodden River near Serpentine on Sunday 23rd of September.
Two stakes were run – an Intermediate and Advanced, and the Judges Wayne Phelps and Byron Kendall, both knowledgeable in the ways of game birds, set challenging runs that were both interesting and surprising. Long time hunters, Wayne and Byron always have the knack of creating runs that demand experience and intelligence from competitors – the team of dog and handler that gets it right makes it look easy.
Congratulations to all for making the day another great success, and especially to the caterers. Quail soup, beef, venison, chicken schnitzel … unbelievable!
- Results
Intermediate – Judge Wayne Phelps
1st Andrew Yeomans & Bass (Golden Ret) – 173 pts
2nd Sam Heyes & Scout (Labrador Ret) – 156 pts
3rd Shane Emond & Slim (Labrador Ret) – 155 pts
4th Phillip Coish & Bella (Labrador Ret) – 150 pts
Advanced – Judge Byron Kendall
1st Steve Luck & Meg (GSP) – 118 pts
2nd Fred Briffa & Zuzu (GSP) – 114 pts
3rd Phillip Coish & Bella (Labrador Ret) – 80.5 pts
Retrieving Trial
5th August 2018
What a great day for our first retrieving trial for the year. Held at Nagambie, we had a good turn out for both Intermediate and Advanced stakes with two land runs and a water run for each stake. Thanks to the trial managers Sam Heyes and Stephen Luck. And also a big thank you to the judges Bill Allen (Intermediate) and Andrew Yeomans (Advanced) for volunteering their time.
Here are the results of the day:
Intermediate
1st place Sam Heyes with Scout on 159 points.
2nd place Andrew McKenzie with Ace on 153 points.
3rd place Andy Krywula with Jayda on 141 points.
Advanced
1st place Stephen Luck with Meg on 148 points.
2nd place Jamie Stellini with Charley on 144.5 points.
3rd place Andy Krywula with Jayda on 122 points.
Congratulations and well done to all placegetters and thank you to everyone who attended.
National Pointer & Setter (Closed Season) Field Trial
4th & 5th August 2018
For the third time this season field triallers travelled to the Riverina to compete in the Closed Season trials hosted by the NSW Branch of WGAA. A small field of 7 dogs (2 scratchings) ran in the National Championship on the Saturday. Perfect conditions greeted the competitors – cloudy, cool breeze, good cover and just the right amount of birds.
Judge Vince Guastella knew what he was looking for as the dogs collectively carded approximately 15 birds. At the end of the second round Vince had no hesitation in awarding Surefind Star (Bailey) the blue ribbon for his stylish, all action work. Vince said in his closing remarks that no other dog displayed the quality work that Bailey demonstrated and did not award any other placings. This win saw Bailey become a WGAA Field Champion.
Sunday saw the running of the final trial of the season. Michael Zandona held the judicial honours this time around. The winning dog, Rip Rap Jack, came up with the goods with his unerring finding, speed and overall razzle dazzle that saw this young dog (16 months) propel himself into the status of Field Champion in 6 trials. Not bad for a youngster! Not bad also for Henry & Lyn Foster, owners of both Bailey and Jack.
NSW Pointer and Setter (CS) Field Trials
23rd & 24th June 2018
The trials were marked by some excellent paddocks with plentiful game, hard going, fast dogs and good fellowship. 9 dogs were entered in both trials – 8 pointers and 1 English Setter. The dogs excelled in the cooler conditions aided by a consistent breeze. Overall some great pointer and setter dog work was seen.
Results:-
23 June
1st place Barry Oliver’s RIPRAP REBEL (Pointer dog)
2nd place Andrea Melisi’s WHITESETTER PICTON (English Setter dog)
24 June
1st place Henry Foster’s RIPRAP JACK (AI) (Pointer dog)
Duck Opening Training Day
4th March 2018
What a cracker of a day. Around the low 20’s with a light breeze meant for a really enjoyable day at our annual Duck Opening Training Day. A good turnout with some realistic runs set up by our training officer Kevin Phelps and his hardworking team gave the dogs some really good work.
It was good to see some newcomers and their dogs.
A break at midday for a delicious lunch and a raffle which was not without some laughs. Then a couple more runs before the day ended with the usual pack-up followed by a relaxed sit down and discussion of the day’s event.
20 Year Celebratory Dinner
23rd February 2018
58 WGAA guests at last night’s 20-year anniversary dinner marked the occasion in great style – the venue was ideal, the food was great and the atmosphere was fantastic.
A slideshow of WGAA events, 20-year medal presentations to Graham Hayes, Andrew Yeomans, Bill Allen, Kathy & Barry Oliver, Lyn & Henry Foster, Wayne Phelps & Denis Everard and a Life Membership award to long serving President, Barry Oliver, all combined to make this a night to remember.
The club appreciated SSAA Vic Board member and Shooting Sports Council of Victoria President, Colin Wood attending as a guest at the dinner. The club is aware of the unstinting effort that Colin puts in on our behalf.
Life Member Graham Hayes, Retrieving judge Byron Kendall and property owners Joyce & Brian Phelps also attended as welcome guests of the club to mark this special occasion.
