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 of camaraderie among handlers, who showcased some of the finest examples of gundog training from across the UK.

From blind marks to simulated gunfire, dogs and their handlers faced rigorous challenges as they sniffed, seached and secured dummies in a specially constructed arena, complete with authentic cover crops, obstacles, and water features. Judges positioned throughout the course signalled handlers when visibility was limited due to tall grass, letting them know if their dogs were on target.

The Spaniels led the proceedings, and with a whistle and flick of the hand handlers sent their dogs down their lines to recover marked dummies as efficiently as possible. Following a tight scoreline, a runoff was held to separate the top two Hunter Spaniels. The competitors then faced an anxious wait until the afternoon to learn the final results and discover which team would emerge as the champion.

Later in the day, it was the Retrievers’ turn to compete for the individual title, while also contributing points toward the overall team standings. Following the same format of the Spaniels, the event was brough to a close by Wales’ Nigel Probert and his FtCh Drakeshead Drew of Llangynidr, marking the dog’s final competitive run before retirement.

Once scores has been counted, cheers erupted from Team England as they pipped Ireland to the post, winning with an impressive total of 981 points to Ireland’s 958. Scotland and Wales completed the standings in third and fourth, respectively.

“It feels great to be back at The Game Fair. The course has been tough, but every year we come here we know it will be challenging, so we knew we would need to put in the work,” said England captain David Latham. On the team’s victory, he added, “It’s brilliant – Ireland have been strong the past four to five years, so we dug in and pushed a little harder this year. Steve Brewer made a big difference with the spaniels and we have also invested time with the retrievers, so the boys got the result they earned.”

The Wilson Challenge Shield for Best Spaniel Team was awarded to Team England. Team Ireland claimed the Dover Street Trophy for Best Retriever Team.

England’s Steve Brewer and FtCh Roman Lucy of Spanbella secured the Gamekeeper and Countryside Trophy for Highest Scoring Individual Spaniel, while the Neil Lamb Memorial Rose Bowl for Best Hunting Spaniel went to England’s Allan Rickerby and Eborakon Constantina – earned after a runoff earlier in the day.

The CLA Challenge Trophy for Highest Scoring Individual Retriever was awarded to England’s Laura Hill and FtCh Jarailstar Hogen of Stauntonvale – the duo also captured the Wilson Challenge Trophy for Highest Scoring Dog Overall.

England continued their dominance with a win in the Skinners Millennium Challenge Trophy for Best Marking Retriever, awarded to Steve Richardson and FtCh Marstonprior Grenadier of Wedgnock. He was tied with Scotland’s Tom Gold and Brocklinton Aero of Crawickwater, but a previous zero score for Tom handed Steve the victory.

Rounding off the awards were the Irish honours. The Corlett Trophy for Best Irish Retriever went to Declan Boyle and FtCh Knockyclovaun Ralph, who also claimed the Joe McGrath Memorial Trophy for Best Irish Dog.

The Drummond-May Trophy for Best Irish Spaniel was awarded to Trevis Crothers and Rytex Rie, concluding the ceremony for this year’s Home International competition.

A heartfelt thank you was extended to Stewards Jackie Elliot and Karen McCarthy; commentators Adrian, Liz, and Barry Taylor; scorers Sue Leeson, Anna Crampton, and Tom Bennellick; and Trophy Steward George Hodgson. Special thanks also went to the judges – Willie Edgar and Andy Cunningham for the Spaniels, and Jo Rollinson and Craig Perry for the Retrievers. Thanks were also given to Paws @Brooklyn, the Official Gundog Equipment Supplier, for providing the dummies for the Home International Competition, as well as prizes for the Home International Competition, Euro Challenge, Minority Gundog Breed Challenge, HPR Challenge and the Gundog Scurries. Additional thanks to our sponsor Isuzu, the Official Vehicle of the Gundog Championships, and Alpha, the Official Dog Food Sponsor.

This concluded the Gundog Competitions for The Game Fair 2025 – we look forward to seeing everyone back here next year!