Trial Report: Birmingham Schutzhund Club, 5th April 2009

Birmingham were blessed with a beautiful early spring day for their first trial of the year on Sunday 5th April.

Competitors for the trial came from as far afield as Cheshire, South Wales and Essex and consisted of two entries for BH, one for SchH 1, one for SchH 2 and four for SchH 3 under Judge Gavin Smith. Helpers were Travis Foster ( for SchH 1) and Roger Leddra. Tracklayers were Travis Foster and Paul Flanagan (Esslon).

Both BH tests were passed by Birmingham members Gill Ashmore with Carlsboro Quebec at Pharlap and Graeme Hall with Gordon Flash, (Rottweiler).

The tracking ground in nearby Staffordshire proved tricky for some. Both Roger Leddra (SchH 1) and Brian Walden (SchH 2) completed the tracks with scores of 80 and 74 respectively, but in SchH 3 failures were high. Only Eric Wight with Glen v Hexenkeller performed well - with a score of 91, whilst the other competitors found the going harder, none of them in fact attaining sufficient points to pass the discipline.

Obedience rounds were a mixed bag with SG performances from the SchH 1 and 2 teams, and a range from SG to a disqualification for out of control in SchH 3.

Protection rounds were also varied - with a range from Excellent to Satisfactory. Best SchH 3 score was 94 for trial winner Eric Wight. A special mention, too, for Roger Leddra from Birmingham in SchH 1 who had a very good day, performing well as a helper in SchH 2&3 and also recording an Excellent grading as handler in his first SchH 1 qualification - a case of "Write the theme tune, sing the theme tune", you might say!

In summary, in BH, SchH 1 and SchH 2, all of the competitors achieved their respective qualifications. For Eric Wight, there was a solid 91-94-94 performance to reflect upon on the journey home. For others, however, it was to be a disappointing 'one of those days' when nothing would go quite right for one reason of another.

For the small but dedicated team at Birmingham Schutzhund Club, it was a very good day - both on the field and behind the scenes, the culmination (as anyone who has competed or organised a survey will know) of lots of hard work. We look forward to another trial later in the year.

Click here for scores.

By: Graeme Hall