The Inter-Breed Team competition for the Esmoro Trophy took place at a new venue in 2016. The test was held as part of the Green Hammerton Country Fayre, an event raising funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and other local charities, The weather on 10th July was cloudy, with a hint of showers and a breeze making it pleasant for the working dogs. Organized by the United Retriever Club, eight teams took part, with 2 Novice dogs and 2 Open dogs in each team. Black, Yellow and Chocolate Labradors competed against the Golden Retrievers, Flatcoats and the lesser known breeds of Irish Water spaniels, Curly-coated Retrievers and Chesapeakes. These minor breeds were commended for getting their team members from far afield.
The Judges were Janet Allsop and Cherry Wood, with Phil Wagland as Chief Steward and Anne Crookes as commentator. The event was sponsored by “Alpha – The Food of Champions”. Each team came into the arena as a foursome, to tackle a variety retrieves on ground which was a mown grass field, with heaps of brashings, a jump over straw bales and a row of horse jumps. The dogs were well tested on a variety of marked and blind retrieves, with a team picking up test as the finale.
The awards were presented by Mr John Lightowler.
1st Yellow Labradors 293
2nd Golden Retrievers 286
3rd Black Labradors 277
4th Flatcoated Retrievers 267
5th Chocolate Labradors 253
6th Curly-coated Retrievers 241
7th Irish Water Spaniels 204
8th Chesapeake Bay Retrievers 171
Winning Team of Yellow Labradors
Daryl Boldy : Garronwell Capri (top Novice dog)
Paul Stogden : Churnsway Zeus (Top Open dog)
Geoff Dobb : Woodcockhill Steinbok
Margaret Pearce : Millsey Griff of Esmoro
Photo enclosed: The first three teams with trophies, rosettes and prizes of Alpha dog food.
Phil Wagland, Hon Sec. URC N.Midland Area.
