HPRs in the Westcountry

canburne · HPRs in the Westcountry

Please excuse my intrusion into the 'versatile' gundog world but as a Vice Chairman of a very active west country field trial society we are continually being asked about facilities for HPRs in this part of the world. Apart from Steve Kimberley (who lives just up the road) and I meet regularly through the Gundog Club, what other clubs, trainers, trials or tests are there in this part of the world? I have had Brittany's, GSPs, Visla's and wire haired visla's on courses here in Devon but there seems to be no local clubs. Any ideas please?

countrygirl

Hi

The Brstol and West gundog society has an active hpr section run by Chritine Carpenter they run training classes near Wincanton, a working test at Stourhead in August and both field trials and and ft training days at various locations during the winter mounths.

The WCGB also hold Weimar only training nr Wincanton once a mounth.

The gsp club hold monthly training classes near Bournmouth Airport and a working test in April.

Hampshire Gundog also run a working test in May and hold field trials details available from there website.

Hope this is of some help

Caz

nita

I can't offer any help, but can confirm that it is a problem in the South West. We were in Cornwall before moving up to NE Scotland.

When we move back, I will seriously think about setting up an HPR type club for Devon & Cornwall - there must be a demand, at least then we can help each other out.

I can certainly recommend Steve Kimberley - although even he was an hour and a half drive from us.

The Cornwall field trial type clubs would i am sure have been OK for retrieving but on contacting them I just got comments such as 'buy a spaniel' so I don't know how welcoming they would be to the likes of a GSP.

I will be interested to see what sort of feedback you get on this subject.

Nita

nita

Sorry forgot to say the Bristol & West events were all a bit too far for routine attendance - 3-4 hours drive.

Nita

shirley cooper

This is also a problem where I am - Norfolk & Suffolk HPR FT Club is my nearest and that is at least 1 1/2 hrs away. Then I think Coventry is the next nearest at 2 hrs ish on a good day.

countrygirl

I think there is a problem all over the country with HPR'S unless you are lucky enough to live near or move near a good trainer or or training group Sad

you really need to be prepared to travel. Some or the retriver groups will take on hpr's which can be good for basic training but they arnt much help for the more advanced stuff and you need to have a thick skin and most people dont understand them and you will propley get some stick Sad

Caz

canburne

munstyman

nita

I can even imagine who it was that said what he did about spaniels to you and I can guarantee that will never happen again! We got many request at the Cornwall show about HPRs hence my question. If I could get your support I would try to develop something here in the West Country.
Hi Canburne
Thanks for that. Unfortunately not living in my home county at the moment (Cornwall) but we will be going back at some point; and I will definitely be looking for support to organise a club and events. Plus find ground for training etc. Could you pm me your details and we could keep in touch?

Nita

jas

I live in Devon and would definitely like some more facilities in the area. You have my support, I am looking to take my Vizsla somewhere in the next couple of months.

Lisa

If there are a few of you in the area then why not approach a gundog club to run a hpr class? Arun and Downland gundog society only started their hpr class up 3 years ago when more hpr people were attending the classes. The same now has happened at Hampshire Gundog too.

I do feel quite lucky as even though I'm in the South I do have a choice of training to go to, I also go to a trainer once a week with a couple of other handlers. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have them!!