Spaniels in the thick of it at Blenheim
The 90th Any Variety Spaniel (Excluding Cocker) Championship took place at Blenheim Palace from 15 to 17 January by permission of the Duke of Marlborough. Blenheim Estate extends to 12,000 acres, including woodland, arable crops, a SSSI and the UNESCO World Heritage Site parkland; it was hosting this prestigious event for the first time.
This impressive venue offered excellent spaniel ground with a variety of woodland, bracken and bramble that allowed the dogs to show their game-finding ability and produced a plentiful supply of pheasant, woodcock and rabbits. The ancient parklands provided the perfect backdrop before which the 59 competing spaniels and their handlers were able to display their skill and be tested by the ground. Lee Walker, headkeeper and steward of the beat, and his team of beatkeepers were well prepared and
