Fosse Tillery Farm, Brokenborough, Malmesbury, Wilts, SN16 0JL

JUDGE: John Jones     SLIPPER: George Sell  

Another glorious day in the sunshine, how lucky we have been!

We were back at Fosse Tillery polo ground, a gorgeous smooth running ground with short dense grass. One of the best aspects of this ground is a little hillock on the edge that provides the perfect place to view the action.

We had another busy meeting with 52 dogs on the card and the most triallers we have had all year. With the end of the season fast approaching, many youngsters are out to clear for the last meetings before the winter break (hard as that may be to say on a sunny August day). Although we are a whippet club we were keen to accommodate a handful of dogs of other breeds who have few opportunities to practice let alone clear. We have to limit trials, but we will always try our best to help.

Our first round was a fairly short 420 yards, with some tricky, twisting tuns. I hate to say, but I didn't get to see many of the runs this month. Aside from being too busy much of the time, when I did have a moment, I was watching through the view finder of my new camera and trying to get pictures. I hate to say even more so, that the photos I got aren't going to get you excited! Of the 200+ photos, the only ones in focus are of the lure with no dogs in frame, grass, and at best dog bottoms. Still, I can only get better!

We had some new blood in our mix this month. Pauline Oliver's pup Spyanfly Swan Song, had a great start knocking out her kennel mate Ch Spyanfly Shake It On Down if first round. Vanna Leathart's young littermates Ringmore Dalrymple & R. Day Lily both meeting very tough competition in their first rounds, but both putting in very creditable runs. In fact from what I saw of the first round, the run between R. Day Lily and Ameesha Pure Satin stood out as particularly close and very impressive. We also had Di Webber's young bitch Zoraden Darkest Wings making her debut. Lets just say, we will come back to her later!

Second round was a slightly longer 450 yards, with less tricky turns. Again, I didn't get to watch a great deal of the action, but looking at the results, I was delighted to see Coppermow Blue Arrow making it through to his final. After a rocky start to the season, with him struggling to adapt to his muzzle, I am so pleased that a different style of muzzle has allowed him to regain his confidence and live up to his true potential once more.

Finals were again a little longer at 470 yards, with the tight twists added back in. There were some great matches, and very deserving winners. Special congratulations to Diana Webber whose Dark Wing returned from a few months off to win with his daughter also winning on her debut. Similarly double whammy and double congratulations to Jen Walker whose home bred littermates, Dharmadhatu Saffron Moon and D. Babbling Brook both won their stakes. Mike Florek had both his dogs in the same final which is also some doing. His Silverhare Foxy Sundance took the win, making him the only one of the group of 'top dogs' to not get shaken out their tree this month.

It was a very exciting and surprising meeting with 3 of the seasons top competitor's all getting knocked out early in the day. I told you we would come back to Zoraden Darkest Wings – she made a cracking debut, toppling the season's top dog in the process, what a start for her! She also proved that no one can be complacent, and even coming late to the party, a new whippet can still make a massive leap up the league table and is still with in a shot of making the season finals. So with one meeting left, you gotta be in it to win it as they say, be there or be square! See you in Somerset in 3 weeks!

Sarah

Martin Abbotts photos: