IGL Championship 2021

With puppies and a lot of work since I got back from England in December, I haven’t really had the time to write anything about the IGL Championship 2021 where Tidy and I run in November/December 2021.

One of my goals in life has been to run in the IGL Championship at some point, but I didn’t expect to do so my first ever Open season with my first ever Labrador. What can I say? I was overwhelmed when I qualified Tidy in Scotland in the beginning of November by winning the Gordon District Gundog Club 2-day Open trial at Ashintully Castle. Tidy did a great job and was a worthy winner!

When at the Championship I had no expectations at all and I decided just to enjoy every minute of it, and I certainly did! Me and Tidy were number 49 and had to wait a long time to get our first two retrieves in high mustard. I struggled to see Tidy after sending her and got directions by radio from one of the judges on my first retrieve which was a delayed mark. After that I got a hare behind the line and that was it on the first day.

On the second day we were in kale and it was easier to see the dogs. My third retrieve was a delayed mark behind the line shot while some other dogs where tried on a bird in front. It was quite some distance but Tidy took a really nice line and got the bird smartly.

Our forth retrieve was a long delayed mark down the line which Tidy and I didn’t see since we were occupied by a dry run. I got directions over radio and Tidy winded it when in the area. The fifth retrieve was the only direct mark I got in two days and it was also a really long one down the line which Tidy retrieved nicely without any help from me.

We were the last dog sent on the second day and it was an amazing feeling sending Tidy for her last retrieve knowing everybody was watching us, all people in line and all hundreds in the gallery. Luckily Tidy did a great job and we got spontaneous applause from the gallery afterwards I was told.

Unfortunately Tidy and I were not on the list over dogs wanted for the third day. One of the judges came to me afterwards and said they were really sorry to let me go since Tidy had done such a good job, but she did hold on to a bird slightly on two occasions and that’s why we were dropped. I was already aware of this and prepared not to be asked back for the third day. Tidy never held on to game before and considering the circumstances I’m not really worried to be honest.

I’m really pleased with our two days in the trial, both me and Tidy actually got better and better through out the days. I learned a lot and the experience is so valuable for the future!

Here is the video of our run, all five retrieves and a nice dry run. I’m really pleased with a lot of things, but there are also a lot of things I clearly need to do better. We’ll be back!