Dear Members,
We are picking up momentum now that hunting season has ended and looking forward to focusing more directly on our dogs in the next six months. A key focus area for Highveld will be to bring more fun into the time we spend outdoors with our dogs and create a more family-friendly environment. You will see this in practice in the upcoming events, especially our end of year function.
Training Day – 10 October 2021
We hosted the “Delivery to Hand” session on 10 October 2021, with 17 dogs (5 different breeds) attending the morning session. A big shout out to Charles and Estene Trollop that presented the session for Highveld. The general feeling was that handlers either “talk too much” with our dogs or “encourage way too little”. A big message that came across from the Trollope’s is to keep the work positive, set your dog up for success, break the delivery down into smaller segments and make it fun for the dog and yourself. No magic tricks to the delivery, just basics. Pictures will be available on the SAVHDA’s Facebook page.
Membership Fees
The Committee has decided that existing memberships will be extended until the end of 2021. In the future, memberships and renewals will be for the calendar year. On a practical basis, this means that the new members who joined in Sep/Oct 2021 will be paid until the end of 2022.
“Save the Dates” and Upcoming Events
Saturday 13 November JUDGES SEMINAR – VERSATILE TESTS FOR POINTING BREEDS
When: Field Practical – Saturday 13 November
Where: Boavida
Presenters: Trudi Winter (Senior VHT Judge), assisted by Matthew Berry (Senior VHT Judge) and others.
As you will recall, FTLC set aside a certain amount of funds to host a Judges Seminar for the Versatile Tests (Schedule 5C(6)). Unfortunately, due to covid and surrounding restrictions, this did not happen as planned. However, we are now in a position to go ahead and offer this workshop!
This workshop focuses on current KUSA Judges; however, all interested parties are welcome. If any members want to attend this session, please get in touch with Trudie Winter on 082 924 7440 or email bhulisa@iafrica.com
Sunday 14 November 2021 – Backing of the pointing dog
We will be hosting a morning session presented by Francois van der Walt with the core focus being on the How, Why, When, and Where in the context of “Backing”, another dog on point. We were hoping to invite our falconer friends along, but we will postpone the falconry demonstration to another date due to the birds breeding.
Saturday 11 December 2021 “Battle of the Breeds” Year-End function
This is going to be an absolute cracker! We will be running a “summer games” style of event, pitting the spaniels against the HPR’s against the retrievers. We have combined our forces with the Working Spaniel Association and the Working Retriever Club to host this event. Entries will be limited (please book early once we open it up). More details to follow shortly.
Natural Ability Test accredited by KUSA
Highveld has applied to the FTLC to host a Natural Ability test in the early parts of 2022. If your dog passes this test, its registration will automatically be updated with the affix NA. Transvaal HPR has used this test as their minimum requirement for breeding sound, healthy working gundogs. We, as Highveld, would like to continue in this tradition. Once/if FTLC has approved our application, we will communicate dates and venues to all interested.
We are excited about the forthcoming next few months of fun training events and spending more time together in the sun with our families, friends, and four-legged family members.
Proudly Highveld
The Highveld VHDC Team
