Banbury Open Trial
Banbury & District Dog Training Society 2026
Open Trial 11th & 12th April 2026
Manager’s Report
The running of a trial relies on many factors.
The land: - Carla, over the years, has built a great rapport with the local farmers, who, in some cases go out of their way to find us the fields that we need. This year was no exception, so huge thanks to Carla for all the work she puts in.
The catering:- Steph and her team feed the judges, stewards, helpers and the competitors with efficiency and a smile. They do all of this without any input from me.
The tracklayers:- Most of our tracklayers have been laying for us for a few years with the exception of Sharon who was laying for the trial for the first time, and did so very well. All of the tracklayers went to the fields that Carla had secured, fuelled by the food that “catering” had supplied and just got on with laying tracks. Minimal effort was required on my part.
What I am trying to say is that the effective running of a trial relies on teamwork and Banbury have the very best of teams. There are just a few dozen more jobs to be delegated and I will have it cracked !!! This year the weather wasn’t as kind as it has been in the past and at times it got very “snug” in the base.
Our judges were Special – Newly qualified Sam Watkins. 10 entries – 10 worked UD Nosework – Newly qualified Nicky Crowther. 7 entries – 5 worked WD Nosework – Nicky Crowther. 4 entered – 3 worked TD Nosework – John Wyles. 14 entered – 12 worked C & A - Jane Wood Thank you one and all.
Jane Webb ran the base and was her usual efficient self, putting me in my place if she felt I was encroaching on her job. I love it that she is so possessive about her assigned task. The farmers gave us some lovely lush crop fields We couldn’t run trials without their generosity and we are extremely grateful. Ann Ferens got the competitors to the right field at the right time. Thanks to all the ladies who ran the kitchen, mainly Steph, Sue and Emma, but several others helped out at various times.
Thanks to Team Banbury who carried, sorted, dismantled and cleared up at the end of the trial so that everything was back to normal in double quick time. Next year’s trial will be 16th - 18th April 2027. Put it in your diary now. Thanks Banbury !!!
Shirley
UD & WD Nosework 2026
Judge : Nicky Crowther
Steward: Jenny Orchard
Tracklayers: Sharon Lord and Pip Nason
Many thanks to Banbury for inviting me to judge my first UD and WD nose work. To Shirley Simpson, trials manager and the team for running a great friendly trial. To Steph Gordon in charge of the kitchen who kept everyone well fed and watered. To Jane Webb who kept order at the Base in her efficient and friendly way. To my track layers for both days Sharon Lord and Pip Nason and my lovely steward Jenny Orchard, for their support and great company. Also, to the Farmers for allowing us the use of their fields, without whom we would have no trials. Lastly to the competitors and their dogs who produced some super tracking. It was great to see some new well motivated dogs starting out on their journey and to be able to judge a range of breeds. Best of luck to you all in the future.
The tracking was on crop which had good growth. It was a bit breezy which dried the ground out slightly but in the main we were lucky with the weather despite it being colder and not up to the usual Banbury Trial standard of sun!
All the teams worked well and they all did their best in the square.
TD Nosework
TD Nosework Judge: John Wykes
Tracklayers: Andy Baker, Len Newman
Square Steward: Kate Wykes
14 entries ,13 ran
Thank you to Banbury for asking me to judge, I consider it an honour to be asked to judge especially at such a wonderful friendly trial. With 2 such brilliant tracklayers who could ask for more, all tracks were layed exactly as I wanted. The land was great, enough growth without being too lush. I used what I considered to be good sized articles for track and square. 6 worked on Saturday with only 1 failure. 7 worked on Sunday with only 1 getting round. Same ground both days, who knows why so different.
Congratulations to those who qualified and there were 4, to those who didn’t better luck next time.
Special Stake 2026
JUDGE: Sam Watkins
Steward: John Simpson
Tracklayers: Colin and Lynn Bricknell
Many thanks to Banbury for inviting me to judge the Special Stake. Thanks to Trials Manager Shirley Simpson for running such a friendly trial. Thanks to Jane Webb for running the registration and scoring at the base, and to Steph Gordon and team for the catering. I’d like to give special thanks to my track layers Colin and Lynn Bricknell for doing a fantastic job despite the late change in tracking land, and to John Simpson, my control and square steward, who as usual went out of his way to put the competitors at ease. Ten teams entered the stake, with control at the clubs base, Ryelands Field, Aynho, starting at 9am.
Each team gained enough marks to qualify the control section with Chris James and Tyson achieving a perfect round. The tracking involved a quick change of fields, which Colin and Lynn took in their stride. The tracking was of a high standard, with 6 teams gaining enough marks to qualify. Stepi Bradford and Kaia achieving a perfect score.
1st Stepi Bradford 177.5 with Rottweiller Kaia. This pair also won the “Best Member” Trophy
2nd Kate Wilton 174.5 with English Springer Spaniel Finn
3rd Chris James 173 with GSD Tyson
4th Carol McCullock 172.5 with Border Terrier Artie
Also qualified, Bev Hassan with Cross breed Tilly and Carol Fieldhouse with Golden Retriever Flash. It was a pleasure to see some great starts to your working trials adventures.
UD, WD and TD C & A
Control and Agility 2026 Judge: Jane Wood
Steward: Lyndie Lothian
My thanks to Banbury for the invitation to judge the UD, WD and TD C & A. I was made so welcome and given wonderful hospitality. My steward was Lyndie Lothian who did a very efficient job both days.
UD
1st - Q Steph Gordon with LADY OF THE WISHING WELL, Lab This team gave me very little use for my pencil and I was impressed by the standard of training and handling. One for the future!
2nd - Diane Burski with APPLEDOWN KENT C.Span Ran the winner very close but unlucky in the run off search square. Super little dog with a brilliant attitude.
3rd - Theo O’Donnell with THANKS FOR ALL THE FISH CD Ex XB A promising team that had some bits that didn’t go according to plan today.
4th - NQ Sandra Haim with LITTLE JEM CD Ex A good effort from a young dog.
WD
1st and Q Kev Bryan with WESTMAC HAFOC MADDIE GSD Super C & A, I loved judging this team. Controlled and active just a bit unlucky on the scale.
2nd NQ Dave Bell with HOLLOWGATE RED WOLF CD Ex UD Ex Lab A great effort, just a few bits to tidy up.
3rd NQ Ann Ferens with CORK’S HEAVENS TO BETSIE XB Betsie wasn’t playing today but well tried!
TD
1st and Q Linda Newbold with DARKBECK KESTREL CD Ex UD EX BC My pencil wasn’t called into use much here so I could watch a well trained dog do a really lovely round. An unfortunate 2nd attempt at the long jump was the only real loss of marks. Well done!
2nd and Q Julie Atkins with DEEPDALE WILF CD Ex BC Wilf steadily gaining his confidence and earning a well deserved qualifier
3rd and Q Ray Lea with RUE WOOD ANNA XB Some lovely work and a confident stay earned a well deserved qualifier today.
4th and Q Le Newman with Beverton Gipsy CD EX UD EX Well done on your qualifier today. Thank you all for accepting my opinion on the day. Jane
