Recent Activities 2022

Victoria

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WGAA Non Indigenous Game Bird (NIGB) field trial report - 2nd October 2022

8 competitors turned up for the NIGB field trial and everyone managed to be on time even allowing for the start of daylight saving. The judge was Robert Baranello and Dominic Angelli stepped in as steward. The Trial Manager was Steve Luck and Sam Heyes helped out all day planting birds from his Can Am 4WD buggy. Rob is an experienced judge and he was keen to give all competitors every opportunity to showcase their dogs. In summing up Rob was full of praise for the standard of dog work; control was good, with many high standard finds and staunch backing, retrieving was also a feature.

The NIGB format is still a work in progress but we are really pleased with the standard we have reached in a relative short period of time. NIGB field trials help extend trialling opportunities in the off season for quail as well as provide a reliable trialling format when quail are scarce. WGAA would like to recognise the financial support offered by SSAA Vic in getting this format up and going. WGAA would also like to thank our Training Officer, Kevin Phelps for his unbelievable effort in bringing NIGB trials to fruition.

Results:

Winner: David Blacker & Belle (GSP) – 171 pts

Runner up: Charlie Camilleri & Lexi (GSP) – 166 pts

Special mention: Joe Camilleri & Ollie (GSP)

WGAA Retrieving Seminar & Training day - 17th & 18th September 2022

What a weekend, definitely one to remember. Once in a while something comes along that changes the way we think about dogs and training and for the lucky handlers that attended this weekend this was such an event.

Russell Whitechurch and Greg Playdon are both extremely accomplished dog people and they were unstinting with their time and effort to help beginners and those more experienced.

Russell and Greg were even imparting their knowledge over breakfast and during lunch breaks. Everyone gained new insights into retrieving training and have all rushed home to put into practise what they have learned.

This will remain a standout event for many years to come. A quick word about the weather, atrocious, but we persevered and had a great time.

Russell demonstrating some of his drills:-

SSAA – Working Gundog Association of Australia (Vic) Retrieving Trial Sunday 21st August 2022

After a very cold morning made all the better by hot egg & bacon rolls and coffee, WGAA struck the jackpot with a beautiful day and a perfect property for a retrieving trial.

Sunshine and cool temperatures set the scene for a very successful Intermediate and Advanced stake runs at the Knowsley retrieving trial site. Judges Bill Allen and Byron Kendall did a fantastic job setting testing runs and WGAA is extremely appreciative of their efforts. As usual WGAA went above and beyond and the hot soup and hamburger lunch put on by Kevin was one to remember. WGAA would also like to thanks Rick & Christine Price for the use of their property for the trial along with Jason & Brett who did everything from manning throwers all day to cooking breakfast & lunch and of course our two judges Bill Allen and Byron Kendall.

Results

Intermediate – Judge Bill Allen

1st Peter West & Max (Lab) – 155 Points

2nd Steve Luck & Evie (GSP) – 150 Points

3rd Grant Powell & Archer (Lab) – 144 Points

Advanced – Judge Byron Kendall

1st Brian Williamson & Millie (Lab) – 175 Points

2nd David Blacker & Belle (GSP) – 160 Points

3rd Sam Heyes & Scout (Lab) – 155 Points

SSAA - Working Gundog Association of Australia (Vic) Non-Indigenous Game Bird Field Trial - 10th July 2022

We arrived at the trial site to find a welcoming fire to take the edge off a rather cold start to the day. Gradually the winter sun broke through together with a slight breeze – perfect conditions.

There were 11 entries, all GSP’s, with two scratchings due to injury and coming into season.

After welcoming the judge, Terry Loft and the steward, Jason Repacholi it was time to start the trial.

Some birds stuck to the script and waited to be pointed whereas other birds were running and really testing the dogs. Overall bird finding and production was of a very high standard – especially the birds produced by Charlie’s Lexi and Wayne’s Hoolie (Wayne stepped in to run Kevin’s dog Hoolie after his own dog was injured).

All birds were strong flyers even though some of them lacked a sense of direction and it was Joe’s misfortune to come across three birds in a row when it was unsafe to shoot. Backing was hampered because of the long cover but most dogs had opportunities to back the pointing dog.

At the conclusion of the field work three dogs were sent for the water retrieve – it would have been a very cold water retrieve but happily all three dogs completed it without mishap.

A most enjoyable day and congratulations to the winners.

Winner – Charlie Camilleri & Toolern Lexi (Lexi)

Second – Kevin Phelps (handler Wayne Phelps) & Jagdsaison Astro (Hoolie)

Third – Steve Luck & Finepoint Hi Flex ARD (Meg)

WGAA ANZAC Day Field Trail – 25th April 2022

The WGAA Anzac Day field trial was run in a large stubble paddock on the outskirts of Melbourne on an unseasonably warm day with only a very light flukey breeze which meant that scenting conditions were extremely hard for the dogs.

There was an entry of 15 dogs for the judge Fernando Sorgiovanni . The field included pointers, Irish Setters, a Gordon Setter, German Shorthaired Pointers and Britannys.

A good number of birds were seen on the day and despite the difficult conditions glimpses of quality work were on show with 6 dogs taken through to the second round.

At the conclusion of the trial the winner was Raff Sorgiovanni’s PERFECT POINT DESTINY (GSP) and second place was Charlie Camilleri’s TOOLERN LEXI (GSP)

WGAA Training Day - Clarkefield 10th April 2022

It was great to be back at Clarkefield for our monthly training day last Sunday.

The club welcomed many new handlers as well as many of our experience members.

The day started with obedience training and the dogs were put through their paces. The club is hoping to encourage new members to make sure that their gundogs can already do the basics such as sit, stay, come on command and heel off lead before they move onto retrieving and pointing training.

Three excellent retrieving runs were on offer as well as the very popular pointing training. Thanks to everyone who manned the runs which generated a lot of positive feedback from members.

Don’t forget that the club has quality polos and caps for sale.

Gundog obedience and retrieve training for handlers and their dogs