30th June 2018 In England team events have a great tradition… The great International Events can’t be topped where competitors meet out of whole Europe. The Skinner's Retriever World Cup 2018 took place at Hampstead park (Berkshire). There have been 15 competing teams - including Switzerland with:... ...Teamcaptain Daniel... ...nbr 45 - Heike... ...and Cathy (Adrenaline of Druid's Peak)... ...nbr 46 - Claudia... ...and Dice (Lockthorn Dice)... ...nbr 47 - Gérard... ...and Balan (Lesser Burdock Ballan)... ...nbr 48 - Béa... ...with Shinnock (Funnyline Knockshinnock). The exercies have been tricky... ...and the team was very concentrated. 12th place! A bit less than expected - there is still a lot to do! Congratulations to the winners: 1. Scotland, 2. Ireland and 3. England One month later the Kennel Club hold their International Retriever Team Event at Chatsworth (Berkshire) with nine teams from all parts of Europe. Is Switzerland competing or not...? Because of 2 cancellations (due to illness) the "last-minute" team is:... Daniel & Ziva, Claudia & Dice, Béa &Shinnock and Malu & Zoe. The dogs have been tested in a walk-up (not to mention the high grass)... ...they had to stand a drive - and much more... ...and shouldn't be impressed by several changes of the ground! They had to jump over walls... ...into a fenced area, ... ...they had to cross water (sometimes with a bit of distractions)... ...and coming back through water. There have been blue dummies (suitable for the water AND the team dress)... ...there have been green dummies... ...and there have been good dummy throwers! Videos have been recorded... ...or photos have been taken... ...from concentrated faces... ...from explaining judges... ...from satisfied handlers... ...and from a lot of working dogs! This year again the Irish team was unbeatable: 843 points! 2. Germany (781 points) and 3. France (739 points). Congratulations!