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Debbie Wallwork's (only award winner ) account of her and Zac's day at the Large Munsterlander Field trial December 2005

This was only my second Novice Field Trial with Zac and we started out as third reserve only.  The night before the trial I rang Helen to see if anybody had dropped out but at that time nobody had so Helen suggested I come along and see if due to the bad weather that people would pull out last minute.  I was convinced that I wouldn't get a run being only third reserve and had previously entered a local open show so thought I would go along to that instead.  Helen convinced me to come down as it wasn't far away and if I didn't get a run I would still be in time for my open show. 
 
Well I turned up the next morning and Helen said "You've got a run if you want it".  So off we went on the trial as number 11, knowing full well that we would have a bit of a wait.  There was still a bit of snow on the ground and it was cold (I couldn't feel my toes for ages!) not great scenting conditions and unfortunately some dogs did not come across any game on their runs.  I was very nervous as it was only our second field trial but once it was our turn I just concentrated on getting Zac to cover his ground and the nerves disappeared.  As soon as I set him off on his first run he immediately went on point, the pheasant was shot and he did a nice blind retrieve on the bird.  So on his first run he managed a HPR and so on his next run I needed to make sure that we didn't do anything heroic!!  The second run came and went and he managed to keep his nose clean, fellow competitors were saying that was it hopefully no more runs as time was getting on and a few dogs still hadn't come across any game.  Then I heard the dreaded "number 11 please"  we had to go up again-oh know I thought this time he will be put out.  We pushed on through a wooded area where he went on point again and then did another blind retrieve-all the time my heart was racing and I was praying just to get through it as by this time we were the only ones left in it!!  When we were walking to the water I remember thinking that I couldn't blame him if he didn't want to get into the freezing water, as he had never before turned down a water retrieve but today could be the day he decided it was too cold.  Fortunately he didn't let me down and swam straight in and out again the retrieve complete.  So that was it he did it,I still have to pinch myself as he is now able to drop the "Show" and is now Ch Easdale Ridge JW ShCM.  This has ended such a brilliant year for Zac he was made up to a Show Champion in July and ended up as Top Weimaraner 2005 and then a couple of days before the end of the year he receives a Certificate of Merit at the LMC Novice Field Trial.
 

I would again like to thank all the people who made the Field Trial possible and thank myself lucky that I made the right decision to not go straight to the open show!!

This article was written by Debbie Wallwork
www.braefell.co.uk


We at Scottish Munsters would like to thank Debby for having written this ...
and hope it may inspire other HPR owners to "give it a go"

 

Lyta Helens stunning working girl ot of my Canmore!!!!

 

This is an Article written by Alice who has a 9month Munster

on her experience at HPR training day.

 

HPR Training Day

We met at 9.30 am on a country road near Doune. There were 10-15 cars, numerous people and dogs. We were assigned to our group and Blake and I were in Bill's group (he had not seen a munster for many years). We then formed a car convoy and headed up to higher ground.

The dogs were mainly German short haired pointers, it is actually the GSP club which organises the day (for which they do make a charge). There were other HPR dogs present as well.

We started off working the moor, walking forward into the wind with your dog working in a figure of eight configuration either side of you. We did this one at a time, all the other dogs being kept on their leads. Bill encouraged, commented, and advised during and after each person's turn.

We then did some short retrieving followed by a long retrieve were somebody in the distance shouted and threw a dummy which the dog was supposed to see and fetch.

Some more figure of eight working.

The dummies were then thrown for the dogs to see, and then the dogs were led some distance away (hopefully remembering the dummies had been thrown), and sent to retrieve the dummies.

We headed back for lunch and chat.

After lunch we headed to a stream to do some water retrieving. Dummy thrown in and the dog to bring it back!

 

Now for Blake's results. Hmmmm where does one start?

The figure of eight work was alright because it was warm, making him lethargic (yes it can happen!) We managed a few sort of figure of eights. He managed the short retrieve but the long retrieve was “What do you want me to retrieve, I can't see anything”.

The drop and leave retrieve…no chance.

Then came the water retrieve. Usually he retrieves from water with great enthusiasm so I thought this would be easy!! (big mistake). I threw the dummy, made all the encouraging noises and Blake went and had a paddle, a drink, a sniff so we started to throw stones at the dummy which he went and had a look at but wouldn't pick up. Eventually he brought it out.

We enjoyed the day immensely, though it was very warm and the midgies were biting.

We were given a lot of useful advice about how to try and get the dog to do the things required of him/her. There were a number of experienced dogs there so it was good to see how it should be done.

 

Since I wrote this I went again (August) and had an equally good day. I actually found it a bit better in that I had more of an idea of what I was supposed to be doing (not sure about Blake though!). Again useful hints and tips were given, reinforcing and reminding me of what I had been told before.

The secret is practice, practice and more practice.

Written By Alice owner of Franorst Future Time

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