Synopsis Introduction

January 2012.
Ok so a brief run down.... Early January I was surprised and delighted to receive an email from a Ms Gadd inviting me to put together and field a team for the Aigle Euro Challenge at this year's CLA game fair. This came about as a result of talking to a lady last year when I went to watch the dogs in action at Blenheim Palace. I asked about the possibilty of running an Irish team but was given the answer that as Ireland already ran an International Retreiver team on the Saturday and Sunday it was unlikely that we would be eligible to run a team at the Euro Challenge. I gave my details and left it at that . Thought no more about it until a gentleman I pick up with at Mountainstown shoot had been speaking to Sara Gadd, (he has one of her labs), and she enquired if he knew me...it really is true that in Ireland you are only one person removed from knowing someone! Anyway he passed her email to me, I contacted her and she got back to me forthwith asking if I'd be interested. I'm all for not letting oppurtunities pass you by, despite the fact that since then I pass through phases of complete excitement followed by blind panic...

My most diificult task is to find sponsorship as I'm acutely aware that not many people have the spare funds to commit to travelling to the UK for three days . I have begun the process of sending out letters in the hope that we will ignite interest somewhere. This really is a unique event and the first time ireland will be represented. it consists of a team of 3 retreivers, all different breeds,no more than one lab is allowed on the team. I am hopeful that I will be able put a strong team together. Choosing how best to go about choosing dogs for the team has been tricky . A run off is not an option as I feel you can have a dog on a particular day that gets lucky but is not consistant. A draw again may not bring forward the strongest dogs so I keep falling back to the idea that just observing dogs running in competition over the coming months will be my best course of action. First competition of the season is a simulated walk up trial in Fermanagh on March 3rd.

Shooting season finished last Tuesday Jan 31st. It was a frustrating one for me as I didn't get out as often as I'd have liked. It has turned out to be a blessing in disguise, however, as I've been able to keep more of a handle on Bertie's training. In previous years , when we'd be out picking up and roughshooting 4-5 times a week, whistle work went by the wayside . Lines that I'd spent the Summer cultivating disappeared in the mist. I'd have to turn around in Spring and start from scratch. I relaxed on training but was consistant with the basics , keeping him steady during the drives and tight on the whistle. By the end of the season he was sitting offlead during drives as hares ran past and birds fell around him ;only going for runners on my request.

Winnie is now home almost two weeks from AI.I have to admit to being rather precious with her this time round. Until I know whether or not the AI has been successful walks have been very controlled. No made gallops over mucky fields.

With only just over a month to Crufts prep work has begun with Mossy. I really feel cycling alongside with him in trot has improved his gait, teaching him to extend more. I used to be able to jog with Chester but Mossy has a much bigger stride and the bicycle, for me, is a much better option.
This morning I was up and out of the house at 7.30am and on the road to Mornington beach to take him swimming. It was a beautiful morning, a soft mist hung over the mouth of the Boyne and not a soul in sight as we made our way along the shore to the strand . The frost has gone and there's definitely a hint of Spring in the air.