Natal Field Trial Club

Sun setting on the 2024 trialing season.

Thank you to Mark Lansdell for assisting with the tracking collars. A pleasure having such an experienced and competent operator at the helm.

Karl Aadnesgaard's 'Jocker', handled by both Karl and his son Gavin

The results of the August Supplementary Maiden Trial, held in Kamberg area, were:

1st Place - Maree Woest's 'Bessie'

1st COM - Karl Aadnesgaard's 'Jocker'
2nd COM - Justen Dralle's 'Finch'

Ethan Hooper with 'Nina', winner of the Plate Event.

When possible and appropriate, we host a Plate Event in conjunction with the Maiden Trial. This is for the dogs who show potential but, through misdemeanours, have been removed from the main event.

The dogs who were awarded places in the Plate Event the past weekend were:
1st Place - Doug Hooper's 'Nina', handled by Ethan Hooper
2nd Place - Jason Gorzellok's 'Ella'

The three judges with the Kamberg in the background.

Thank you to:
- the three Judges. We appreciate your commitment and time.
- the Field Steward, who calmly ensure all dogs were present when required.
- the Collar Steward, who ensured the dogs whereabouts were known, when required.
A big THANK YOU to you all. Without your assistance the trial would not take place.

The Supplementary Maiden Trial was held in Kamberg this past weekend.

The new HQ venue worked well (giving an opportunity to relax and 'refuel' in the heat of the day).

The birds were evasive in the morning (possibly due to the windless heat), but all dogs had opportunities on birds in the afternoon or Sunday morning.

A special event with young and old competing and enjoying each others company.

Some of the NFTC members have been invited to participate in the British Breed National Championship Trial which will be held on 9 and 10 August in the Overberg region, hosted by the Western Cape Field Trial Cub.

The invitation is based on the dogs' results in the various National Field Trial Association affiliated Championship Trials in 2023 and 2024.

We wish our members save travels, may the dogs perform appropriately and all competitors enjoy the event. We look forward to seeing the progress of each dog.

NFTC will be hosting a Supplementary Maiden Trial on 17 and 18 August in the Kamberg area of KZN Midlands.

We look forward to hosting the young and inexperienced dogs from our club and Border. Please contact a club representative if you want more information.

Photo from one of the accommodation units, credit to Mark Lansdell.

Congratulations to all the competitors of the Championship Stake.
The Winner was Russell Welsh's Dixie, handled by Doug Hooper.
Second place went to Digger owned and handled by Like Bell,
Third was Neil Even's with his Setter; Bounce.
Five Certificates of Merit were issued.
First to Jane Mackie's Piper;
Second James Miller's Dozer handled by John Miller;
Third was Rosemary Parr's Uno handled by Jaco Moolman,
Fourth was Vicki and Ed Martin's Lasti, handled by Vicki, and
Fifth was Swanky owned by Karen Hart.

The Chief Judge for the Stake was Quintin Doidge, with Ted Lamb and Slang Viljoen as the other two judges.

Congratulations to Karl Aadnesgaard who received a special certificate of Appreciation for all his work over the last 30 plus years to advance the Sport of Field Trialing at National as well as Provincial level. He is a unifying force to the sport!

Also thanks to Jason Gorzellok for all his efforts, especially with all the sponsorship he managed to bring on board.

Thanks to both of you.

https://www.citizen.co.za/parys-gazette/news/news-news/2024/07/10/when-dog-and-man-bond-and-work-as-a-team/

When dog and man bond and work as a team | Parys Gazette About thirty dogs will be seen in action for the event.

A bit of behind the scenes. First hard draft of the 2024 NFTC program......

Congratulations to Johan Wessels and Rab for winning the supplementary Maiden event hosted by the Central Field Trial Club.

Congratulations to the two NFTC participants in the Championship Stake of the Border Field Trial who achieved awards.

Mark Lansdell's Holly obtained 3rd Place and
Russell Welsh's Dixie received 2nd Certificate of Merit.

The Border Trials are possibly the most difficult events (large numbers, difficult weather conditions and competing with dogs who work frequently in the terain), making these achievements significant.

Congratulations Mark and Taffy.

Unfortunately, I don't have photos of the two at the event.

Under very difficult conditions, NFTC's Karl Aadnesgaard and his pointer 'Krissy' were awarded a Certificate of Merit in the Border Field Trial's Maiden Stake.

As an indication of the complexities of the stake, only two awards were given (out of a large field). Due to the snow, the first day of the event was postponed. Wind caused more complications and tested the dogs when the stake eventually started.

Well done Karl and Krissy. An impressive achievement.

Photo of Karl (trying to hide away from the cold weather) with Krissy

Congratulations to NFTC's Mark Lansdell's setter 'Drake' for being awarded second place in the Border Frield Trial's 2024 Derby (dogs under two years) Stake.

Photos of Mark with Drake, in the cold windy conditions.

Participants at the Border Field Trials have been confined to barracks. Overnight snow is preventing the 36 dogs in Derby/Maiden Stakes from starting this morning. A good time to catch up with friends from all over South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Some of the NFTC members will be competing with their pointers and setters in the Border Field Trials in the Stormberg this week. We look forward to hearing how they do and seeing some of their photos. Apparently there is a large entry (around 40 for Derby, Maiden and around 60 dogs in the Championship stake). More information on the details will follow.

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Congratulations to NFTC's Jason Gorzellok who was on the 'podium' for all three of the SAFTC events, with his two dogs.

'Ella' of Smallacres achieved First Place in the Derby Stake (for young dogs) and Second Place in the Maiden Stake.

Big Sky 'Marley' had a well earned First Place in the Championship & Open Stakes.

Congratulations, Jason, Marley and Ella.
Photo of Jason enjoying some relax time with Doug Hooper.

NFTC representatives enjoyed the SAFTC Stakes at Verloren Vallei.
The photos are an indication of the magnificent venue.
Thank you goes to the SAFTC team.

Some of the NFTC members will be participating in the South Africa Field Trial Cub's trails later this week.

The trials will be held at Verloren Vallei Reserve near Dullstroom. They are hosting Derby, Maiden and Open Stakes.

We look forward to meeting the SAFTC members and running our dogs in the Mpumalanga highlands.

Congratulations to Jason Gorzellok on winning the NFTC Maiden with Marley.

It has been a pleasure watching this young dog grow in her birding abilities under guidance of an enthusiastic novice handler.

As mentioned during the announcement of the placings, obtaining a place in the Maiden not only allows the dog to participate in the Championship States but the judges are confident the dogs are also able to hold their own at that level. Marley and Jason have shown that they are going to be force-to-be reckoned-with.
Well done Jason and Marley!

The NFTC's Maiden Trial continued early this morning with six dogs in the 'dogs required' section.
After some good finds (and naughty work ) the judges were able to finalise these results:
1st Place - Jason Gorzellok's "Marley"
Certificate of Merit (1st) - Pam Mapp's "Sky"

Most Promising Puppy - Mark Lansdell's "Drake".

NFTC would like to thank:
- the three judges
- the steward (who kept everyone on track)
- the collar steward (a new 'post', to keep dogs tracked)
- the trial convener.
- the farmers for the use of their land.
Thank you all for your support and time allocations. Much appreciated.

NFTC's Maiden is underway in the Giants Castle/Lowlands KZN Miblands area. 21 dogs were entered.
We look forward to seeing how the young dogs handle the redwing partridges in the magnificent open grasslands.

Final survey for the upcoming Maiden trial was conducted over the past weekend.

Lots of covies found. Looks like the birds had a good breading season. We had counts of 6 -9 birds in some covies.

Venue is looking spectacular. Grassland in great condition, lots of moisture around and great views of the Drakensberg.

NFTC's National representatives are making their way to the national meeting.
We wish them clear heads while they navigate the many issues which have to be negotiated.
Enjoy the time with friends too.
We thank you for your support, time and contribution to our sport.
Travel well.

Information of the Parys Trial from the Parys Gazette.

This is a sport where dog and man bond and work as a team | Parys Gazette After many hours and miles of walking and following dogs, everyone had a great weekend and loved Parys and what it had to offer – they will be back for sure.