Kerry works for her laurels in tricky trial
The Pointer and Setter Champion Stake was first run in 1869 and has been contested every year since, apart from during the war years. Held in Scotland one year and England the next, this year it was back to Bollihope in County Durham, the 2020 stake having been lost to COVID-19.
Terry Harris and pointer Scarlet (FTCh Koram Gemma Sparkfield) were back to defend the title won two years ago and they were joined by 35 other hopefuls. It was a smaller field than usual after many qualifying stakes had been cancelled due to the pandemic and a dearth of grouse. But that takes nothing away from Laurent Hild’s FTCh Langwell Kerry of Morness, who proved a worthy winner in a difficult test.
This year is not going to be a, 4 August) and Bollihope is no exception. However, what is a disaster from the shooting point of view proved to be a blessing in disguise for the runners. When there are lots of grouse it is difficult to see bird dogs at their best because they are constantly finding and pointing and the trial can become an exercise in bird handling. The 2021 Champion Stake proved to be a glorious exception.
