2012 English Springer Spaniel Championship

The 2012 English Springer Spaniel Championship held at Wormegay in Norfolk on the 9th 10th and 11th January 2012

The Kennel Club’s 82^nd Championship for English Springer Spaniels was held in the second week of January at Park Farm, Wormegay, nr Kings Lynn by kind permission of the Symington family and land owners the Baggi-Sisini family (Tharros Ltd).  A record sixty dogs had qualified and with only three withdrawals there were fifty seven dogs for the judges to see over the three days.  The championship was judged by Jon Bailey, Keith Carter, Ian Flint and Ian Openshaw, all very well known figures in the working spaniel world.   

This was a completely new venue for the three day championship. Head keeper Richard Beckerleg and his team had worked extremely hard to ensure that there was a fantastic supply of game on the ground which held in the light but adequate cover.  

The weather was mild but overcast on the first two days, with some sunshine on the third and yet scent was poor throughout.  The lack of scent proved to be the downfall of many handlers who did not allow for the conditions.  

By the end of the first day there was close on a hundred head of game in the bag, including pheasant, partridge, woodcock, hare and rabbit.  The judges had seen fifty one dogs and only twenty six were still standing, including the six who had not yet had their first runs.  

On the second day a start was made in the ‘Penty Belt’, light ground cover again with similar conditions and plenty of game.  An early finish was made at 1.00 pm to ensure that spectators arriving on the third day would still be able to see some action.  

Mow Fen was the venue on the third morning, a bright sunny day but with no frost on the ground.  Game was again in good supply but the spaniels had to work a little harder because the poplar trees had been brashed quite recently and the ground cover was more dense.  

Once all of the dogs had been seen the judges conferred and were all of a like mind because they quickly announced that the 2012 championship was over.  Much to everyone’s surprise there was no run-off, the first time that the outcome has been so clear-cut in many years.

The delight on Andrew Whitehouse’s face when the winner was announced was great to see.  Not only did he own and handle his winning bitch but he had bred and trained her as well.  Eddie Scott and Dave Templar were placed second and third, again with home bred dogs.  Every competitor who completed their two runs gained an award which was richly deserved on this testing ground. 

Running time: 197 mins
Filmed and produced by Paul French Video.