WALES TEAM CAPTAIN : ALAN REES  Alan Rees, Wales Team Captain, was born in Southwest Wales and began his sporting career in rugby, later becoming a highly ranked referee before injury and a serious road accident ended his involvement in the sport. His passion for gundogs began after witnessing the Gundog International at the Game Fair, inspiring a lifelong career in field trials and international competition. Starting with his first Labrador from the renowned Drakeshead kennels, Alan quickly achieved success, winning working tests, novice and open field trials, and representing Wales internationally from 1987 onwards. He has represented Wales at 51 Game Fair Internationals, ...

The story behind the 5 Regions Charity Working Test is a sad one, as it arises from the loss of dear friends and colleagues, and from witnessing people suffer in silence, carrying the burden of mental anguish in isolation. Mental health struggles often remain hidden, especially within close-knit sporting communities where resilience and strength are expected. The 5 Regions Charity Working Test was created to change that — shining a light on loneliness, anxiety, depression, and emotional hardship while bringing people together through a shared passion for the sport. The Inspiration Behind the Event The charity initiative was born from a ...

Come with your dog at The Game Fair As the shooting season moves into its final week, many working dogs are still out regularly — even as routines are about to change. This short transition period matters. Keeping some consistency now can make the move into the off-season smoother for both dogs and handlers. Things to focus on end of shooting season: 1. Maintain routine where you can Regular feeding times, walks, and rest periods help avoid a sudden drop in structure once days in the field come to an end. 2. Adjust workload gradually If outings begin to reduce, ...

If you’re visiting The Game Fair next year, one of the must-see highlights is the Home International, often described as the Olympics of gundog competitions. This prestigious two-day event brings together the finest spaniels and retrievers from the four Home Nations - England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales - showcasing skills and teamwork that are the benchmark of the sport. We spoke to our Gundog Chairman, Francesca Prentice about this highly anticipated event... What Will You See? Spectators are in for a treat as each breed demonstrates its unique talents. Spaniels follow a different set of tests than retrievers, highlighting their specialised ...

Sunday’s Inter Hunt  relay competition brought thrilling action and impressive horsemanship to the arena, with The Cotswold Vale Hunt delivering a standout performance that secured them the top spot on the leaderboard. Riders Mia Short on Buchaill Beag, Liv Dawkins on Freddie, and Jessica Fairborne aboard her esteemed mount led the team to victory in spectacular style. Their round was a masterclass in precision and speed, clocking in at an exceptional time of 1 minute and 54 seconds. With clear rounds, clean passes, and flawless teamwork, they edged ahead of the competition to take the win. Close behind in second ...

The curtain closed on The Game Fair 2025 with a spectacular final day in the Hertford Arena, for the Minority Gundog Breed Challenge -a celebration of heritage breeds, expert handling, and true sporting spirit. Taking centre stage were the Spanish Water Dogs, who delivered a powerful and polished performance to take first place in the Spaniel competition under the leadership of Rachel Capille. The Clumber Spaniels (Captain: Heather Mayes) followed in second, with the Lagotto Romagnolo claiming third. Rounding out the top five were the Sussex and Field Team, and the Welsh Springer Spaniels. A special nod goes ...

Known as one of the most hotly contested gundog competitions at The Game Fair, today marked the final day of the Home International team event. The challenge features dogs and handlers from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales going head-to-head in a series of trials replicating scenarios expected at a shoot. Divided into three categories, awards were presented for the Best Overall Team, Top Overall Dog, Best Spaniel and Best Retriever, with Team Ireland also providing additional prizes for their participants. Although – like all national tournaments – the atmosphere was competitive, the rivalry between nations did not diminish the brilliant sense ...

The Euro Challenge competition at The Game Fair this year proved to be a tightly contested event, as always. The challenge is made up of both a team and an individual competition, with additional awards for Best Golden Retriever, Best Flatcoat Retriever, Best Labrador, Best Other and Commentator’s Choice – the latter being awarded the Martin Deeley Memorial Trophy. All entered teams are made up of a Labrador, a Golden Retriever and one other recognised gundog breed. Split over two days, the dogs are put through a series of tests in a simulated shooting environment, with handlers and dogs demonstrating just ...

The Game Fair has long been synonymous with dog lovers, and none more so than those with their trusty gundog by their side. It’s not a long walk through the rows of trade stands before you come across a spaniel of sorts or loyal labrador on the end of a lead, making their way to the working dog ring to watch one of the many demonstrations on offer throughout the day. With an action-packed programme, there is something for everyone. From rare breed working displays to the Parade Of The Sporting Pavilion, highlighting the spectacular array of working dog breeds, there ...

England Secures Back-to-Back Victories in Prestigious HPR Competition Now in its fifth year, the annual Hunt, Point and Retrieve (HPR) Team Competition continues to shine as a highlight in the working dog calendar. This prestigious event brings together the top HPR dogs from the four home nations - England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales — to compete in a true test of skill, discipline, and teamwork. This year’s competition proved to be another exciting chapter, with Team England delivering an outstanding performance for the second year running. Their consistent excellence across all disciplines earned them a winning score of 414, securing the ...

By Steve Faragher. DATE*** Christmas in the countryside is a magical time, filled with snow-covered fields, roaring fireplaces, and the warm companionship of our furry best friends. Dogs aren’t just pets—they’re family members, work partners, and loyal guardians of the land and they deserve a little Christmas cheer too. Finding the perfect gift for your hardworking or adventure-loving canine can make this season extra special. Our Dog Christmas Gift Guide is here to inspire you. We've curated thoughtful, high-quality options tailored to rural lifestyles, ensuring both you and your four-legged companion have a tail-wagging holiday. 1. ...

The Home International Team Competition at the Game Fair gives spectators the opportunity to see top gundogs from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales go head-to-head in a purpose-built arena, complete with authentic cover crops, jumps and water. The competition has been held every year since 1969 and has always been the centrepiece of the gundog events at The Game Fair. On Saturday and Sunday spaniels and retrievers are put through their paces, the former in the morning, the latter in the afternoon. Results 2024 Ireland were victorious in the Home International competition at The Game Fair, with the finals held ...

Italy triumphed in Saturday's Gundog Euro Challenge competition, held in the Marlborough Arena at The Game Fair. Judges: Keith Bedford and Paula Cullis Results Nation Captain Score 1st Italy Allessandra Franchi 544 2nd Germany Jennifer Hirschfeld 534 3rd Belgium Jelle Juysmans 504 4th Eire Jim Collins 501 5th Switzerland Steve Grutter 485 6th Netherlands Benno Wendt 482 7th Great Britain Liz Barnes 465 Highest Scoring Labrador:​ Antonio de Somma with Groowebooster (Italy) ​​​189 Highest Scoring Golden Retriever:​​ Martina Francescon with The Perfect Storm (Italy)​​ 182 Highest Scoring other breed: Kathrin Golze with Chesapeake Bay Retriever Penrose Peatbog Fairy ...

It was a home run for England in Friday's HPR (Hunt, Point, Retrievers) Home International Competition. England Team Captain and handler Andrew Farley won Top Individual Dog with his German Shorthaired Pointer bitch, Against All Odds. Handler Jason Froome of the English team won Top Retrieve Dog with Vizellven eks wizard A.I, a Hungarian Vizsla dog. Top Hunting Dog was awarded to Ray Behan of Ireland , with Ballyowen Belle, a German Longhaired Pointer Bitch. The victorious England HPR team In second place the Welsh HPR team In third place Ireland In fourth place ...

Visit The Kennel Club (KC) at The Game Fair to have your dog's eyes tested and talk about other relevant health tests for your breed. Eye testing is really important for all breeds of dog, including working gundogs and it only takes ten minutes so can be completed on the day. BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Testing Appointments available on Friday, July 26th, and Saturday, July 27th for BVA/KC/ISDS eye testing. Benefits of BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme: • Comprehensive assessment: Detect potential eye concerns early, even those not visible in routine checkups. • Responsible breeding: Provides the information you need to make informed breeding decisions ...