Tracking was on grass and the fact that everybody in both stakes completed their tracks (when did that last happened at the KCC’s.

My thanks to everybody involved in the organisation of the event, it made for a very easy 2 days for me.

Also thanks to my - Tracklayers - Andy Magyar & Charlie Taylor Nosework Steward & C & A scribe (at short notice) - Linda Newbold PD Steward - Lauren Marlow (who managed to control everybody and put them at ease) Protected Helpers - David Barker (Chase) Bob Murrell (Recall) Tom Davis (Location distraction & Test of Courage) Dave Marchant (hidden person & Test of Courage) - at short notice due to Dave Clark having broken a rib The run through for the Patrol for competitors was carried by Julian Smith with his dog Luna and showed everybody how it was to be done, thank you so much.

6 Dogs were entered with all of them completing the track in style the lowest mark being 58 and all track articles being recovered. 4 Dogs recovered all square articles, 1 with 3 and 1 with 2, leaving all dogs qualifying after the nosework.

The speak was carried out on the nosework fields after the search square with the dog in the centre of the square and the handler walking around the square, getting the dog to speak between 2 poles, then quiet and then speaking between the last 2 poles and all dogs gained some marks for it.

The sendaway was out to a spot between a large container and a gate with the re-direct to the left to a spot between 2 trees. Unfortunately, we lost 1 dog as a result of having difficulties with the sendaway, but they still only just missed out a total of 22 ½ for their Control section.

The Patrol section commenced with the Quarter & Location. The dog being sent to an empty hide then across the field to the hedge, along the hedge to a group of tree’s where the person was hidden. Once the hidden person had been called from the tree’s and whilst being searched and Protected helper then emerged from the spectators shouting and waving his arms about, Competitors were told this person was not to be bitten (one dog did) as he would do as he was told, the exercise was intended to test the control of the dog. Both helpers were then escorted during which the attack on handler took place. I walked alongside the competitor on the escort and they were marked for extra commands as the escort took place.

The recall then followed with 3 dogs obtaining full marks

Next came the chase with only minor marks lost by some dogs for an extra command for the dog to release the helper. 2 dogs obtaining full marks for this.

The round finished with the test of courage with 2 helpers shouting aggressively walking at determined pace towards the dog & handler shaking a large water container with stones inside and a plastic cricket bat also with stones inside. Once the dog had hold of the sleeve the helpers then brushed the cricket bat & container along the sides & back of the dogs. Another exercise well done by all with just a few marks lost by a couple of dogs for an extra commend to let go.

1st WT CH THORNE NAP (BC) handled by Dave Olley Total 303 Track - 60, articles – 20, Search – 26 Full mark agility, Control - 33 Patrol round - 144 (just losing an odd mark here & there) Well done Dave, you showed how the PD round should be done.

2nd WT CH DEADLY SIN RED ELEMENT (MALINOIS )Handled by Di Ling Total 290 Track - 59 ½, articles - 20, Search - 34 Agility - 15, Control - 32 ½ Patrol round - 129 Another good round just losing marks here & there. A deserved 2nd place a very good all round performance

3rd WT CH KORBACH BAXIVA (GSD) Handled by Kevin Hill Total 289 ½ Track - 59, articles 20, Search 35 Agility - 19, Control - 32 ½ Patrol round - 124. A very lively dog that is well controlled by Kevin

4th WT CH RIO ECOSSE (MALINOIS) Handled by Bill Richardson Total 222 NQ Track - 58 ½, articles - 20, Search - 17 Agility - 15, Control - 26 ½ Patrol round - 85. A failed recall cost a qualification.