Shona the Wonder Dog

Shona has entered three working tests in the last three weeks.
The first was the SEGS open water test at Isenhurst, with some lovely tests based on retrieves that had happened during the previous season’s shooting. Shona really relishes the ground here and ran well, so I was delighted to be awarded 4th place.
The following weekend it was back to Isenhurst for the Mike Tallamy and Sarah Gadd training day on Saturday, which was a golden opportunity to improve my handling skills. I camped at Plumpton for the night, which proved a somewhat uncomfortable experience with two dogs and a six month old puppy, then drove to Popes Oak for the UGS Intermediate test. There were some nice tests on good ground and I was pleased with our 4th place.
Yesterday saw us travelling to Gardner’s Farm for the UGS open water, another lovely venue with really good tests. I particularly enjoyed the mock drive, standing in line to test steadiness, then being sent for a blind “runner” in long grass at the top of the hill the other side of the lake. Shona excells at long retrieves, so one “back” as she left the water sent her straight up the hill to pick, followed by the long wait as she swam back to deliver, giving me a feeling that I can only describe as a legal high. I was drawn last of my group, which meant that I didn’t see any of the other dogs run, but I was very pleased with the way Shona had gone, as this was only her 3rd open, so I was both surprised and delighted to be awarded 1st place.
Shona is a naturally talented dog, but I would never have got this far without the help and support of fellow gundog enthusiasts, especially Graham Home, who have been so generous with their time and knowledge.