JOE COCKBURN MEMORIAL TRIAL FOR NOVICE (4 RUNS) 19/04/08 

Joe was firstly a worker who gave of himself whenever he was required.  Obedience was his first love and he served the Obedience Dog Club as an instructor, affectionately known as the “Sergeant”, coming from a military background.  When Joe instructed classes his commands were loud and clear like in a military parade.  Joe instructed from 1977 till the day he died.

Joe had a passion for dogs and always had one of his own.  GSP’s were his preference as he loved to hunt, however when the Border Collies started to do well in obedience Joe decided to try his hand at training one.  His enthusiasm certainly inspired others.

Joe’s unselfish attitude saw him at the majority of field trials, lending a hand, however retrieving trials irrespective of which Club conducted the event Joe was part of the working team.

Championship Trials were his speciality.  Joe without question was a gun steward dressed up to the nines including his famous hat of badges which he collected from far and wide relating to dogs and clubs.

F.R.A is proud to have had the pleasure of his services and companionship

REPORT ON THIS YEAR'S TRIAL

                                                                                                                        JOE COCKBURN PERPETUAL TROPHY

Joe Cockburn Perpetual Trophy

Judges report by Wendy Michalk

 

 
Winning handler & Dog, Col & Lou with Judge Wendy Michalk

 

It gave me great pleasure to be invited to judge this prestigious Perpetual Trophy .Although Joe Cockburn was before my time I’m sure he would be pleased with the standard of work I had the pleasure of judging at this trial. I put up 4 runs as is tradition for this Trophy losing only 4 of the 12 dogs entered. In doing so I kept in mind the fact that a Novice dog is the dog that is a great hunting companion. Who is steady to shot, calm at heel, keen to retrieve with control when required & delivering to hand, using both eye & nose to locate the downed game being usually water fowl of some description.  This on board I chose 2 water & 2 land runs to put the dogs to the test.

 

Runs 1 & 3 were land runs in which I was looking for the dog in run 1 to mark the fall & go the distance & in run 3 use their noses to locate a mark in cover. Most dogs Showed they had the tenacity & the ability to do the job required.

In runs 2&4 I had both in water run 2 & across water run 4, once again the majority of dogs attacked the water with confidence & took to the job at hand well.

 

As in any test there are varying degrees of quality & although the standard of the dogs was good on the day, my top scoring dogs showed lovely style & eagerness with desire to work with their handlers & stay under control.

 

My winning dog was such a delight to watch work, small in stature but mighty in heart with team work between herself & her handler to be envied. She marked well had lovely scenting ability & was obviously comfortable in water.

She would be a marvellous hunting companion & great mate on any hunting trip.

 

At the end of the day it gave me great pleasure to award the Joe Cockburn Trophy to Manunga Silver Ash (“Lou”) Handled superbly by Col Latimer.

 

                 
                                 Col, Anne & Lou with the Joe Cockburn Memorial Trophy

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