14-year-old Josh Siddons from Bilsthorpe in Nottinghamshire and his English springer spaniel Molly won the BASC Chudleys scurry league 2013 final at the Midland Game & Country Fair on Saturday 14th September.
A scurry is a timed retrieve for gundogs and handlers. 87 qualifying scurries were held at game fairs across the country. The top three places in each event gained league points. More than 100 people won points this year. The top 20 dogs and handlers competed in the final.
Josh said: “Me and my Mum and Dad had only managed to get to a few of the BASC scurries and I wasn’t expecting to qualify for the final, never mind win it. It was an amazing feeling winning the final as there were some good dogs there. It’s been great these last two years since my Dad said Molly was my dog for me to train and run. I would like to thank BASC and their helpers for running the finals and setting up some great scurries and fabulous prizes. I am looking forward to next year’s competition; not just the competing but meeting up with all the people running their dogs and I wish the best of luck to everyone next year.”
Kevin Warburton came second in the final with his dog KD, Colin Gibbs was third with Sophie and Steve Blackwell took fourth place with Tyke.
All finalists were presented with a pair of Grubs wellingtons and an embroidered gilet. The top four were presented with their prizes by Sam Horrell of Dodson and Horrell and received Chudleys dog food vouchers, Charles Wall clothing, Lite Launcher gundog training equipment and engraved glassware from Kara Slater Engravings.
Huw Lloyd BASC’s game and gamekeeping officer said: “We had a great final and saw some really good gundog work and handling. Congratulations to Josh and to all of the other finalists for doing so well in the league. Our sincere thanks go to our main sponsor Chudleys and also to Worklite, Charles Wall, Kara Slater Engravings and Lite Launcher and to all of the volunteers without whom we could not run the competition.”