Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 May (Novice) - Judge: Mr A Melisi
These trials were held in the Riverina area of New South Wales. With large parts of the State experiencing drought, conditions were very dry and stubble quail hard to find. However, birds were found in areas that had been lightly stocked. Scenting conditions were unusual, the worst experienced for many years.

Saturday's trial saw a mixed bag of performances. Due to the poor season, the dogs generally had had little work and some found the scenting conditions hard to handle, particularly with fast running birds flushing mostly out of range. A couple of dogs worked well in the second round, but missed opportunities eventually led to the judge deciding not to make any awards.

After rain on Saturday night the Trial Manager chose paddocks accessible from a firm road. The cover was patches of native grass and prickly "roly poly" bushes with bare ground in between. Like the previous day, the birds were flighty and only the winner was able to pin them down and perform all aspects of work to the judge's satisfaction.
1st: B&C Pollini's Pointer bitch Atsira If You Please (Pip)

Sunday 9 June (Open) - Judge: Mr V Guastella
The day was fine with a cool wind. The first brace produced five birds and set a good standard for the day. Less birds were seen by the next brace and the judge split the runs to ensure all dogs had equal opportunities to find. As the trial went on, good numbers of birds were found with a few seen running in the open or flushing well away from the dogs.
1st: B&C Pollini's PB Atsira If You Please
2nd: R&J Goody's PB Dei Forti Rosi (also Best Novice & QC)

Monday 10 June (Open) - Judge: Mr B Pollini
A strong cold wind and a move to an adjacent part of the property saw good numbers of birds produced by all braces. The dogs obviously benefited from the previous day's runs with plenty of finds, retrieves and backs, and overall good control.
1st: R&J Goody's PB Dei Forti Rosi
2nd: A Melisi's PD Dei Forti Nico (also Best Novice & QC)
3rd: V Guastella's Dei Forti Tom (also QC)
QC: A Carta's PB Dei Forti Lea

Saturday 29 June (Open) - Judge: Mr B Pollini
After rain during the week, and a heavy frost, the conditions were perfect with a cloudless sky and a cool breeze all day. The cover was lucerne stubble with short dry umbrella grass. The stubble quail were well spread out and able to run along under the canopy provided by the umbrella grass. All dogs handled the birds well, but the winner judged herself with six good finds, three retrieves and a nice back. The second placegetter had four finds, two retrieves and four good backs. Another contender for a placing was eliminated after overshooting the mark and trying to retrieve the wrong bird.
1st: R James's PB Atsira Indulgence (Indi)
2nd: V Guastella's PD Dei Forti Tom

Sunday 30 June (Open) - Judge: Mr V Guastella
This trial was held in the same area as the previous day, with higher cover of barley stubble, summer grass, clover and green weeds, and a lot of fine seed on the ground. The first round began in heavy fog which increased as time went on. The judge chose to call an early break, a wise decision as the fog did not lift until about noon. After returning to the paddock most dogs had finds; six were taken into the second round with four finding and retrieving well. Two of those dogs were eliminated for failing to back. The winner did an exceptionally long retrieve and a stylish back to secure her placing (and gain her Field Trial Champion title).
1st: B& C Pollini's PB Atsira If You Please
2nd: A Melisi's PD Dei Forti Nico

Saturday 27 July (Open - Widgiewa Classic) - Judge: Mr V Guastella
Held in the Riverina, it was a cloudless day which warmed up rapidly. Birds which had been plentiful in a paddock checked the previous afternoon, had temporarily moved to other parts. The second round was run in old irrigated wheat bays and scenting conditions were difficult due to the unseasonable hot and dry conditions. As the day wore on the heat increased and the appearance of a tiger snake brought the trial to an end with a "no result" declared.

Sunday 28 July (Open) - Judge: Mr B Pollini
In contrast to the previous day, it was cloudy and cold with a strong breeze. The trial began in a large grass paddock. Birds were well spread out and dogs had to cover a lot of ground for their finds. The first two braces of the second round were run in the wheat bays but unlike the previous day, birds were scarce there and the trial was completed in fresh parts of the grass paddock. Four contenders for placings were reduced to two when the best finder refused to back and the handler of another bitch missed every bird. The winner performed well under hard conditions, the points gained making him a Field Trial Champion in his first season. Congratulations Andrea Melisi.
1st: A Melisi's PD Dei Forti Nico
2nd: V Guastella's PD Dei Forti Tom

Winner of trials 19 May, 9 June, 30 June - Atsira If You Please (Pip)

Winner - Open - 10 June 2002 - R&J Goody's Dei Forti Rosi (Rosie)  

Winner - Open - 29 June 2002 - R James' Atsira Indulgence (Indi)

Winner - Open - 28 July 2002 - A Melisi's Dei Forti Nico

Go to:

More 2002 photos

More about Pointer & Setter Trials

Return to: Montenero Home Page