A superb 100-bird gundog event and shoot experience day at Swanborough

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Woodruff Gundogs and the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO) were pleased to host a Shoot Experience Day at Swanborough Shoot, Lewes, kindly held by permission of Ian Tullett and Livia Brynin. These days are designed to give gundog owners who are new to the world of picking-up and beating a genuine opportunity to experience a live shoot day, all under the careful supervision and guidance of Julie Elborough of Woodruff Gundogs.

Twelve handlers took part, working their dogs under conditions set to mirror a field trial. Each partnership undertook the Kennel Club Working Gundog Certificate on live Game (WGC) assessment, judged by Colin Pelham, an A-panel judge. The purpose of the WGC is to provide credible proof that a handler and dog form a capable, responsible, and competent team, able to meet the general requirements of work on a shoot. It offers newcomers a structured and meaningful introduction to fieldwork, ensuring high standards and confidence as they progress within the sport.

The guns enjoyed a fantastic sporting day, with English partridge, French partridge and pheasant presented across varied terrain and in testing winter conditions. Snow, rain and freezing fog added extra challenge to the retrieves, yet the standard of work remained exceptionally high. Everyone paused for a traditional game-inspired elevenses, which offered a welcome break and a chance to warm up before the afternoon drives.

The NGO sponsored a prize for the Best Handler/Dog Combination, a branded NGO gilet, which was awarded to Juan Mason by Livia Brynin, NGO Sussex Chair and Firearms Advisor.

Livia Brynin said:

“It was a genuine pleasure to see newcomers gaining confidence, experienced hands offering support, and the dogs proving their talent in real-time working conditions. Days like this reflect the very best of the shooting and gundog community: responsible fieldcraft, mentorship, welfare, and teamwork. We look forward to hosting many more opportunities like this and to welcoming the next generation of working gundogs and handlers into the field.”

A sincere thank-you goes to Julie Elborough for leading the day, to Colin Pelham for his expert judging, and to Liz Barnes for her support throughout. Special thanks also go to the beaters, whose hard work and resilience in the demanding weather ensured the day ran smoothly. 

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation: The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO) represents the gamekeepers of England and Wales. The NGO defends and promotes gamekeeping and gamekeepers and works to ensure high standards throughout the profession. The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation was founded in 1997 by a group of gamekeepers who felt that keepering was threatened by public misunderstanding and poor representation. Today, there are 13,000 members of the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation.  www.nationalgamekeepers.org.uk