Wedgnock Gundogs

21/05/2026

I’d like to say a huge thank you to Ben Skinner for your kind sponsorship and his wonderful team for putting on such a special weekend at the beautiful Englefield Estate by kind permission of Lord and Lady Benyon.
Thanks to the Nikki Urquhart and Pete Castleman for setting up the very well thought out tests, the judges, all of the wonderful helpers and volunteers and Gamekeepers Goods for looking after us so well.
Congratulations to the winning team Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿, second place Ireland 🇮🇪, third place England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 and all of the other teams who had travelled from all over Europe to compete in this epic event.
A very big thank you to England Team Captain Kevin Doughty and the England Team Committee for all of their hard work and immense support throughout.

17/05/2026

Skinners World Cup 2026 Results!

🏆 And the 2026 Skinner’s World Cup Champion is…

Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Second Place: Ireland 🇮🇪
Third Place: England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Congratulations to all the handlers, dogs and teams who competed this weekend. The standard was world class from start to finish. Thank you for being a part of this incredible event, without your dedication it simply wouldn’t be possible.

More scores, photos and thanks from the weekend to follow shortly.

02/05/2026

23/04/2026

Very proud to have been selected to run for the England Gundog Team in the 2026 Skinner’s World Cup.

Thanks so much to Captain Kevin Doughty, the England Gundog Team Committee, and the judges and helpers at the selection tests for all of your hard work.

Congratulations to all of my team mates! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿👏👏👍

22/04/2026

What a squad !!
Lee Hartis Simon Capstick Steve Richardson Nathan Laffey
Team Yellow ….

19/04/2026

Francesca Prentice’s post copied from Gundog Personalities in Memoriam:

Hi

ALAN THORNTON

THERE WILL BE CELEBRATION OF HIS LIFE ON 29TH APRIL 2026 AT 1.00PM AT BOURTON VALE CRICKET CLUB, RISSINGTON ROAD, BOURTON ON THE WATER, GLOS, GL54 2AY.

This is going to be a wonderful opportunity to share all the many stories that made him so memorable!

If this information could be spread to those who may not be on FB, Tess would be grateful.

In order to give the family a rough idea of numbers, could I ask you to let me know if you are planning on coming, either email [email protected], or text (07870 395007).

07/12/2025

Thanks to the Yorkshire Golden Retriever Club, Phil and Joyce Smithies, the judges and helpers, our host Paul Wright and the wonderful team of guns,(and their kind Gun’s Choice!), it was a wonderful trial!

Congratulations to Daniel Marx 👏

Delighted to have been awarded 2nd place with Cider in such a tough trial.

The Yorkshire Golden Retriever Club held a 12 dog Open Field Trial for AV Retrievers on a North Yorks Moor ground on Saturday 6th December 2025 by kind permission of our host Paul Wright.

The team of guns were led by Julian Williams with Mark Wilson acting as Chief Steward and Liz Robinson as Dog Steward.

I would like to personally thank Mark and Liz for offering to help me today as due to my current health I could not have done it without them and all those helping

Our Judges today were Steve Cullis & Paul Stogden on the left and Paula Cullis and John Day on the right

The day consisted of walking up the moor which was very strenuous for all and at the end of the day the results were:

1st Daniel Marx with Lab. D. Lockthorn Flint of Oysterbed

who also received the winners trophy The Keenlyside Cup

2nd Steve Richardson with Lab. D. FT.Ch. Marstonprior Grenadier Of Wedgnock

3rd Ian Palmer’s Lab. D. Drakeshead Fenton

4th Keith Eastwood with Lab.D. Eastgayle Phantom

Certificate Of Merit:

Sharon Di**le with Lab. B. Bellspaddle Norah.

The trial was kindly sponsored by Skinners Dog food supplying Cards & Vouchers

For 1st, 2nd & 3rd places

Philip Smithies

Acting Field Trial Secretary

22/10/2025

Over the moon with Cider’s 2nd place because he has now qualified for the 2025 IGL Retriever Championships with 3 x B qualifications - which is enough to send anyone grey!! 🤣
Thank you very much to our very kind hosts, the wonderful team of guns, judges and the SEGS committee.
Congratulations to my pal Leigh and everyone else in the awards. 

16/10/2025

Absolutely delighted that Bluff (Shooting Vega of Wedgnock) won the Yorkshire Golden Retriever Novice Trial for AV Retrievers at Preston Fields, Wyton on 15/10/25.

I’d like to say a huge thank you to our hosts, Sam Whyte and Jim Christon, the judges, helpers and FT Sec Philip Smithies.

So proud that Ash’s (FTCh Astraglen Hail) and Otto’s (FTCh Sothebys Choice of Wedgnock) legacies continue with their sons and grandsons Cider and Bluff now running in Open.

I hope Bluff can emulate his big brother Cider!

28/07/2025

What an epic weekend!
It’s been a pleasure and honour to run with this team.
Huge thanks too Captain Dave and Louise for all of their hard work, and two Skinners for being fantastic sponsors!