The judges for the day were Margaret Davidson and Roger Mann.

The weather forecast threatened rain but early clouds lifted to provide a beautiful day to be out on the moor. A strong wind, sunshine and mild temperatures made for good scenting conditions.

The young dogs began with difficult runs across ground featuring patchy heather, bog and small hillocks with a cheek or back wind. As the judges gradually moved round into the wind older dogs began to benefit from more straightforward scenting conditions and heather ground.

Most dogs ranged well on the flat moorland but a number were put out having struggled and failed to come to terms with both birds in a pair. Two juniors and one adult did not find on their first run. In their second run 2 were put out and one did not find.

The group retired to a lunch hut lower down on the moor where a welcome break was taken prior to the awards being made.

The awards were:

Zoldmail Dukat at Gonegos HWV (D) Junior R. Bebbington GOOD

General Max GSP(D) Junior J. Moyles GOOD

Quintana Quinchaillerie GSP(B) Adult M. Nixon GOOD

Ayanbrau Hawker Run GSP(D) Adult H. Greenwood GOOD

The HWVA is very grateful for Margaret and Roger judging on the day and would like to thank all of the handlers and visitors for helping to make this such an enjoyable event. Of course the day could not have taken place without the support of the Barningham Estate and we would like to record our gratitude to Roy Burrows, the Headkeeper and to Matt, the Underkeeper, who accompanied us throughout the day.

We hope to hold another Grouse Pointing Test on the same moor later in the year, so watch the ‘hpr-info website’ and ‘Hotwires’ for news of the date.