The competition season began well for Chapel Farm Kennels when Gundog Trainer David Lisett and Labrador Buccleuch Xena, “Daisy”, were awarded first place in the Novice Retriever Test at Scone Game Fair in July. This was followed by a win in the first ever Scottish, Open Walked-Up Test for 30 A/V Retrievers organised by the North of Scotland Gundog Association also in July.

The 12^th of August saw Daisy compete in her first Trial, a Novice Stake held at Edinglassie by the North of Scotland Gundog Association where she was announced the winner. This qualified her to compete in Open Stakes and on the 19^th of October she won her first, a 1-day Open at Logiealmond organised by the Golden Retriever Club of Scotland. The next day she was in action again at the 2-day Open Stake held by Gordon District Gundog Club at Esslemont where David and Daisy’s luck held out and they were awarded first place.

Buccleuch Gundogs are very grateful to have had the opportunity to compete at these events and would like to take this opportunity to thank Holding Clubs, Organisers, Volunteers, Keepers, Estate Owners, Judges, and all others involved for their hard work, generosity and dedication without which they would not take place.

Strathmore Working Gundog Club held their ESS Open Stake on Friday the 13^th of October at Errol Park Estate by kind permission of Mr J Heriot-Maitland and Sporting Manager Mr B Kass. Judges were Mr Martin Smee and Mr James Adamson with Steward of the beat, Mr B Kass and Dog Steward, Mr Peter Rae.

David was competing with FTCh Buccleuch Honey, “Tina”, in what was her first trial of the year and we are delighted to say that at the close of play they were awarded first place.

This result qualifies Tina for what will be her fourth Championship which this season is being held here on the Queensberry Estate. We look forward to welcoming all from the 15^th of January 2018.

Thanks to all organisers, helpers and competitors of the Strathmore Open Stake who contributed to an excellent event.

The Trialling season got off to a great start for Buccleuch Chapel Farm Kennels when Gundog Trainer David Lisett and Labrador Daisy were awarded first place in her first ever Trial. The season is now really getting into full swing and many handlers will be gearing up for a busy time ahead.

Chapel Farm would like to wish all competitors the very best of luck in their efforts to qualify for this year’s various championships including the Chapel Farm sponsored handlers:

Mr John Halsted – Winner of the 2015 IGL Retriever Championship

Mr Jon Bailey – Winner of the 2015 UK English Springer Spaniel Championship

Mr Simon Dixon – Winner of the 2017 UK English Springer Spaniel Championship, shown in the image above with winning dog Rytex Reba.

With thanks to all organising clubs, landowners and judges who enable the trials to take place.

David and Buccleuch Xena “Daisy” enjoyed good luck in Working Tests earlier this year winning at Scone Game Fair and also winning the inaugural Scottish 30 dog Walked up Test.

On Saturday they competed in Daisy’s first ever Gundog Trial. This was the North of Scotland Gundog Association Novice Retriever Stake held at Edinglassie by kind permission of The Hon. Charles Pearson with judges: Joe Maclure, Bill Liddell, Roddy MacBain and George Buchan and Head Keeper Alex Jenkins.

We are delighted to say that David and Daisy were awarded first place.

Second were Ian Hollern and Morayglen Chisum of Brackenbird and in third place, Ian White and Garnieland Indi.

With thanks to all involved in making this an excellent event.

Our thanks to James of the Morpeth branch of Carrs Billington who, following the receipt of quite a few enquiries about Chapel Farm Dog Food, took the plunge and decided that his store would become a stockist.

The full range of Chapel Farm is now stocked in the Coopies Lane, Morpeth, Northumberland store as well as many other products suitable for all dog owners.

To find out more, please call in or phone 01670 518474 to discuss your needs.

Chapel Farm is also stocked by the Jedburgh branch of Carrs Billington please phone 01835 850250

Chapel Farm Kennels today received a visit from local students as part of the Queensberry Initiative which is a community charity project based here on Queensberry Estate. This aims to support pupils in making better connections with their local communities and increase employability skills by making use of the varied resources on the estate.

David and Kennel-Man Paul started by giving tours of the kennels where everyone was given insight into normal daily husbandry activities such as feeding, cleaning, grooming and bathing the dogs. There was also a fair amount of petting of dogs and puppies which was greatly enjoyed by all.

Afterwards the group moved outside where David gave demonstrations showing the training development of gundogs from puppy to adult. Some of the students became involved and showed they had been paying close attention to what David had been saying by getting Chad and Bella to carry out some retrieves. It was a great morning in glorious sunshine and judging by the smiles all round had been well enjoyed.

We are indebted to Liam Mulcrow of Mulraven Gundogs for sending us a copy of some interesting statistics from his research into the last four English Springer Spaniel Championships. – see below.

Buccleuch Pepper is a very popular stud dog at Chapel Farm Kennels and we are really proud of his achievement in being sire to the greatest number of Championship competitors over the last 4 years. To see profiles and pedigrees of Pepper and our other stud dogs please visit: http://www.drumlanrigcastle.co.uk/field-sports/buccleuch-gundogs/buccleuch-stud-dogs/

CHAMPIONSHIP TOP SIRES

2017 Top Sires:
FTCh Buccleuch Pepper – 6
FTCH Brett of Stagsden – 5
FTCh Clangregor Albammach Of Biteabout- 4
FTCh Helmsway Henry – 4
FTCH Holly Drive Kurt – 4
OFTW Edwardiana Blackmagic – 4
FTCH Helmsway Heath – 3

2016 Top Sires:
FTCh Buccleuch Pepper -5
FTCh Clangregor Albammach Of Biteabout- 4
FTCH Helsmway Henry -4
FTCh Skronedale Romulus – 4
OFTW Edwardiana Blackmagic – 3

2015 Top Sires:
FTCh Buccleuch Pepper -7
FTCH Claniker Mick – 3
FTCh  Maesyronen Markettrader – 3
OFTW Halaze Hickory of Edgegrove – 3

2014 Top Sires:
FTCh Buccleuch Pepper – 6
FTCh Clangregor Albammach Of Biteabout- 3
FTCH Kidnais Saxon of Birdrowe – 3
FTCh Maesyronen Markettrader – 3
FTCh Edwardiana Rob – 3

Journalist Will Pocklington who writes for Fieldsports Magazine and Scottish Sporting Gazette recently visited Buccleuch Gundogs at Chapel farm to spend some time interviewing David. This was to gather information for a feature he is writing on the History of Buccleuch Labradors which will be published in the Scottish Sporting Gazette which goes on sale on the 1^st of August.

Will had enjoyed his visit and left with a great deal of information courtesy of David as well as a good number of photographs to accompany the article.

Our thanks to Will for sending copies of some of the photos taken during his visit including this one which we really liked.

Although somewhat drizzly for a large part of the day, Chapel Farm sponsored Galloway Gundogs held a very successful test with the usual large entry at Auchenbrack on Easter Sunday.

There were 13 entries in the two puppy classes and 49 entries in the 4 main classes.

The judges were members John Lupton, William Peat and John Ferguson joined by field sporting journalist and author David Hudson. They had a difficult job but did it with smiles on their faces and good humour.

The winners were: Kath Parker – Retriever Puppy, J Pavelyn – Spaniel Puppy, David McMaster – Novice Spaniel, Cammy Watt – Novice Retriever, David Hamilton – Open Spaniel and Keith Brown – Open Retriever.

Highlights of the day were Lloyd Evans with Tam getting his highest ever score of 98 to come second in Novice Retrievers and Lindsay Kinnaird coming forth in the same class with her Flatcoat Retriever Tully and Keith Brown getting 100 in the Open Retrievers with Blondie.

Our congratulations and thanks to Chairman Cammy Watt firstly on his win and also for sending this report with a photo showing the prize-winners and judges.

Chapel Farm Sponsored Galloway Gundogs held their first test of the season recently at Spottes Estate, Haugh of Urr where wet and windy weather could not dampen the enthusiasm of the handlers and 58 dogs that competed on the day. Thanks to Chairman Cammy Watt for the photo of first and second in the Novice Retriever Class from an entry of 18, where both dogs were bred by Billy Steel Jnr with the same sire, F.T, Ch. Denbig Ace of Spades.

First with 2 ½ year old Broadlaw Janine “Jess” was John Clelland from Ayr. Second with 19 month old Broadlaw Pippa “Dusk” was Malcom Livesy from Mauchline.

Well done all who took part – full results of all classes are available on the Galloway Gundogs website: http://www.gallowaygundogs.co.uk/results/2017-results/