The Mitsubishi Motors World Series Gundog Championship got underway at Kelmarsh Game and Country Fair, producing the first set of qualifiers to go through to this year's Grand Final at the Midland Game Fair in September.

Proving a huge success, this year's championship saw hundreds of competitors enter over the weekend producing some truly exhilarating displays in the process. Gundog Organiser, Laura Bacon shares her excitement at such a fantastic start to the season and her hopes for the championship ahead.


“Once again the gundog events have proved very popular with both scurry and working test handlers battling it out to produce record breaking times and more importantly a place amongst the qualifiers. Of course, Kelmarsh marks only the start of the championship with qualifiers from this year's other four shows also expected to produce some stunning displays and results. We can't wait to see what happens next.”


With all the successes of Kelmarsh and the Championship so far, the next set of gundog displays at the Highclere Game and Country Fair is sure not to disappoint, as further qualifiers add to an already impressive list of competitors. Take a look at the results from over the weekend and some of the qualifiers who have confirmed their slot at September's Midland Game Fair:

Saturday 16th April 2011

Up 'n' Over

Handler: Bob Clay
Dog: Labrador, Mitzi
Time: 15:07    

Handler: Roland Ward
Dog: Labrador, Barney
Time: 15:30

Handler: Graham Holden
Dog: Labrador, Gemma
Time: 16:33

Pick 'em at your Peril

Handler: Roland Ward
Dog: Labrador, Barney
Time: 29:40    

Handler: John Bingham
Dog: Labrador, Lou
Time: 31:00    

Handler: Graham Holden
Dog: Labrador, Gemma
Time: 31:62

Long Retrieve

Handler: M. Durno
Dog: Zac
Time: 15:81    

Handler: R. Bowes
Dog: Sal
Time: 16:00    

Handler: D O'Riley
Dog: Magic
Time: 16:22

Short Fence

Handler: J. Cunningham
Dog: Sally
Time: 10:95    

Handler: M. Bowes
Dog: Tess
Time: 11.67    

Handler: G. Holden
Dog: Gemma
Time: 11:95

Hopping Hare

Handler: Bob Clay
Dog: Labrador, Mitzi
Time: 13:00    

Handler: R. Ward
Dog: Labrador, Barney
Time: 14:00    

Handler: M. Williams
Dog: Marina
Time: 17:00

Novice Retrieve

Handler: B Wilkinson
Dog: Poppy
Time: 16.18

Handler: C King
Dog: Pip
Time: 16.50

Handler: B Garnett
Dog: Bella
Time: 18.46

Scurry Qualifiers

Top Labrador: Roland Ward and Barney

Top Spaniel: Cyril Turner

Working Test

Handler: Neil Dutton
Dog: Labrador, Sweep
Time: 123.80    

Handler: S. Fowler
Dog: Magic
Time: 145.67    

Handler: K. John
Dog: Poppy
Time: 156.90

Working Test Qualifiers

Top Labrador: Neil Dutton and Sweep

Top Spaniel: K. John and Poppy

Junior Championship

Handler: D Jeffries
Dog: Raven
Time: 80:28    

Handler: A. Goodwin
Dog: Oz
Time: 129:41

Sunday 17th April 2011

Up 'n' Over

Handler: M. Cullum
Dog: Twix
Time: 16:48    

Handler: Roland Ward
Dog: Barney
Time:     

Handler: M. Bowes
Dog: Tess
Time: 17:50

Pick 'em at your Peril

Handler: T. Caffrey
Dog: Meg
Time: 13:24    

Handler: S. Godfrey
Dog: Blondie
Time: 25:47    

Handler: K. John
Dog: Poppy
Time: 33:56

Long Retrieve

Handler: J. Morrow
Dog: Riley
Time: 13:28    

Handler: M. Yarmouth
Dog: Ruby
Time: 13:35    

Handler: J. Skinner
Dog: Jerry
Time: 13:38

Short Fence

Handler: M. Cullum
Dog: Twix
Time: 10:25    

Handler: L. Clugson
Dog: Lola
Time: 10:67    

Handler: S. Bulled
Dog: Groovy
Time: 10:98

Hopping Hare

Handler: T. Caffrey
Dog: Sandy
Time: 11:95    

Handler: M. Bowes
Dog: Tess
Time: 13:70    

Handler: N. Cannon
Dog: Sox
Time: 13:94

Novice Retrieve

Handler: A Timms
Dog: Charlie
Time: 17.66

Handler: J Morrow
Dog: Ryley
Time: 21.88

Handler: A O'Brien
Dog: Alfie
Time: 22.89

Scurry Qualifiers

Top Labrador: G. Holden and Gemma 1:09.75

Top Spaniel: Chris Graham and Defie 1:56.90

Working Test

Handler: S. Cox
Dog: Millie
Time: 101:20    

Handler: K. John
Dog: Poppy
Time: 104:78    

Handler: L. Rooney
Dog: Tyler
Time: 107:87

Working Test Qualifiers

Top Labrador: S. Cox and Millie 1:01.20

Top Spaniel: J. Close and Murphy 1:38.15

Junior Championship

Handler: James Thacker
Dog: Boots
Time: 56:76    

Handler: D.Jeffries
Dog: Raven    

Handler: Luke Lee
Dog: Fleck
Time: 2:07.27


The Highclere Game and Country Fair takes place over 29th & 30th May 2011. Countryman Fairs organise 5 award-winning events across the UK throughout the year, each showcasing the very best in country life. For more information on all of Countryman Fairs award winning events visit the website at www.countrymanfairs.co.uk and join us on Facebook to stay up to date with the latest news and developments as they happen.