As emergency stand in judge for Jim Jackson I hope all the competitors were happy with the change of judge, better I think than having a nasty cough for a few weeks!
As usual all aspects of the trial was well organised by the Severnside Trial machine, overseen by Phil and Linda. The two apprentice secretaries under the watchful eye of Linda did an excellent job and I hope I will work with them again in the future.
Tracklaying was, as expected, precise and correct and the helperwork from both helpers was performed as requested and very much in the spirit of a club event.
The weather travelling on the Saturday was not good and typically Welsh (in my experience) but was more than compensated by the glorious weather on the Sunday. The kitchen kept the hunger away and I hope everyone enjoyed a good weekend.
I try, as a judge, to deliver accurate and useful critiques interspersed with a few light hearted throwaway comments, but it is important to understand as both competitors and spectators the judging is more rigorous the higher the stake.
Firstly the BH test with 7 entries. Unfortunately 3 failed to attain a pass mark for the obedience part, but I am sure with more work they will do better next time. The biggest problem seemed to be that the dogs were unable to work without additional handler help. Congratulations to those that qualified and I hope to see you all again in the higher stakes.
So to the Schutzhund entries. We had 2x sch1, 3x sch11 and 1 x sch111. The tracking land was perfect, moist, lush grass with no wind. Using the two experienced tracklayers all the tracking was completed in less than 2 hours.
First to track, O Hibberd with Quinn. He showed a little pressure and needs to be more drivey and intense on the track - 88 points G.
Next to track D John with Gruffyn. Very drivey, happy tracking dog but needs to be more intense and careful in the track which resulted in him missing the first article - 82 points G.
Sch1 complete, D Edmonds with Pepnick Hocus Pocus was next in sch11. Parts of this track were perfect but with a poor indication on the first article and then a lack of concentration on the final leg he completed with 86 points G.
B Huchison was next in sch11 with Quix v Hexenkeller. The dog seemed to have difficulty in concentrating and at times looked confused, took both corners very well and needs to indicate the articles more precisely - 76 points S.
G Smith with Eddy v Hockenbrugge was last to run in sch11. The dog had difficulty in starting and the test was terminated. The dog was later excused on health grounds and took no further part.
Last to run G Khakhian with Gizmo v Banholz v Kazgar in sch111. The dog tracked very correctly throughout the length of the track making only minor errors on 2 corners - 94 points SG.
General overview of the tracking was, considering the conditions, that most of the dogs need to show much more intensity and power to the track.
So back to the grounds, for the obedience. The weather was hot which is not good for the dogs in this phase and I am sure it cost them all a few points.
First pair sch1 – Dave and Gruffyn showed nice picture of active heelwork. Overall the dog needs to be a little faster, hold the dumbbell more firmly and present more correctly in all three retrieve exercises. The dog shows a little noise in the beginning of all exercises - 87 points G.
Oenone and Quinn completed the pair. The heelwork needs to be more active and the turns tighter, more speed in the recall, slight mouthing of the dumbbell and the dog broke on the sendaway before commanded and the additional body/hand help to go to the basic position all adds to the points deducted - 86 points G.
Second pair sch11 Dave Edmunds' dog shows active heelwork but needs to be faster to take the positions and the body help to go to basic position all costs points. Further points were lost when giving the sit command before throwing all the three dumbbells, and the dog slowed on the sendaway before being commanded to go on - 85 points G.
Barry completed the pair. The dog needs to show much more attention to the handler and Barry's first time in a sch11 showed through his nerves as he, too, gave the sit command before each throw of the dumbbell. The dog needs to show much more speed and commitment to the work - 76 points S.
Gary and Gizmo were the only team in sch111. The dog showed good attention throughout the phase. Standing in the sit is very costly, but correct that and get more speed from the dumbbells and you will get a SG grading score I am sure - 85 points G.
General overview of the obedience was that the speed exercises need to be faster and the dumbbell work needs to be more precise. The dumbbells in this sport carry so many points that it is difficult to make grading of SG and ultimately V if they are completed without speed, precision and too much mouthing.
So onto protection. The helpers were instructed as to my requirements and the field marked out.
First sch1 Dave John. The dog showed good drive, strikes and grips throughout, minor handler error on the collection from the hide and the dog not remaining in heel during the side transport with no sit reporting out was costly - 90 points SG
Final sch1 Oenone. The dog needs to show much more confidence during the conflict/stick pressure phase and more confidence in the guarding phase - 84 points G.
First sch11 Dave Edmunds. This dog throughout the test showed excellent protection work, his power striking of the sleeve, firm grips and clear transition in the outing phase is almost faultless, but minor faults searching behind the handler, minor guarding faults and no sit in the side transport all cost points, but the protection work earned him - 91 points SG.
Final sch11 Barry. With almost no hide search the dog found the last hide. After that the dog overall needed to be much quicker to strike the sleeve, must be fuller in the sleeve and has to accept the conflict and stick pressure phase -73 points S.
So last of the day Gary in sch111. For the bigger points the hide search has to be much faster and more purposeful, the dog's speed to strike the sleeve and the grips were excellent throughout, the speed on the long attack was world class but did not bite full in that exercise. Overall the transitions in the out phase need to be much clearer in the bigger competitions - 91 points SG
General overview of the protection - for full marks in the hide for the hold, the dogs need to be central and most were to the sleeve side. Drive, speed and grips were generally very good but for bigger points the transition phase has to be improved and the guarding more intense.
I hope everyone enjoyed the weekend I certainly did and look forward to seeing you all again
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