For the 5th year running Countryman Fairs is delighted to welcome the Skinners International Retriever Event to Highclere Country Fair.

Outside of the shooting season, competitions for gundogs are held in many countries using working tests to simulate shooting in the field. Blanks are fired and canvas dummies are thrown instead of shooting live game.

The Skinner’s International World Cup Retriever Event is the largest and most prestigious retriever working test in the world. As you would expect from one of the world’s foremost sporting estates, Highclere Castle’s magnificent grounds have an ideal variety of woodland, parkland, field and water for the competition. The championship consists of two days of tests set to challenge the best dogs and handlers from an international field.

Each country enters one team of four dogs. In 2009 Team Wales lead by Mark Bettinson won the team championship by the narrowest of margins, taking the title by a mere 2 points after the run off. Germany had come back strong in the final two rounds clawing back an incredible 19 points, and a further 5 in the run off. However the damage was already done and Wales emerged worthy winners.

The event generates a determinedly competitive spirit between the teams, as well as a lot of camaraderie and enjoyment for participants and spectators. It also provides a rare opportunity for audiences watch the world’s finest retrievers in action in the field.

2009 Honours

Skinners Perpetual Challenge Trophy – 2009 Champions Wales

Bellever Perpetual Challenge Trophy – 2009 Champion E. Schlesser of Germany

TEAMS

• Austria - Team Captain - Andreas Pozlberger
• Denmark - Team Captain - Danny Fraser
• England - Team Captain - John Halsted
• France - Team Captain - Gilles Testard
• Germany - Team Captain - Dr Ole Richter
• Holland - Team Captain - Frank de Vries
• Italy - Team Captain - Stefano Martinoli
• Scotland - Team Captain - Hugh Paterson
• Sweden - Team Captain - Karin Thunander
• Switzerland - Team Captain - Daniel Marx
• Wales - Team Captain - Mark Bettinson