The club held a 2 day Open Qualifying Stake at The Crown Estate, Windsor, by invitation of Her Majesty The Queen on Monday 2^nd and Tuesday the 3rd November 2009.

Steward of the Beat was Lee Readfern, the Head Keeper. The guns were provided by the Estate and consisted of several Keepers and their friends this meant that there was a great deal of accurate shooting and plenty of game on the ground for the dogs and handlers to retrieve.

The judges for the trial were on the right Mr D Hales with Mr C Pelham and on the left Mr J Stubbs with Mr K Smith.

The morning started promptly with a walked up drive through bracken which proved to be hard work especially as there did not appear to be much scent. However there was a great selection of game for the dogs to be worked on which consisted of partridge, pheasant, rabbit and quite few hare.

The morning ended at the far end of the Estate and in the afternoon, though there was plenty of game the terrain was difficult in places and we soon lost dogs. In the end 11 were taken through to the second day.

Day two began in heavy rain but by the time the first drive began the sun came out! All the dogs were in line and there were mainly partridge and teal. Several dogs were lost here and four went through to the last drive. The dogs were sent for a partridge, the first three failed and there was considerable tension when the last dog was called in the handler Keith Broomfield held his dog in a tight area and the bird was picked!

A huge thank you is due to our Field Trial Secretary Sarah Miles and all her helpers for two very happy days. It is a privilege to be able to hold a trial at Windsor and we are very grateful to Lee Readfern and the team of guns for such a special treat.

The Judges only awarded a First place and three COM as follows:

First Place: Keith Broomfield with his Labrador Dog FTCH Noiroche Aperitif

COM's       Basil Smith with his Labrador Dog Highshot Flint

                Vic Bleming with his Labrador Dog Minterburn Villiera Jake

                David Horne (also Gun's Choice) with his Labrador Dog Greyhill Rustler