Mavis smashes her first natural game trial

Mavis, who relished the whole weekend !

I am so proud of 2 year old Mavis (Ch Aytee Quintessa) for winning her first Championship Pheasant Trial at the fabulous Poronui Station in central North Island this weekend. The end of season birds were jumpy and reluctant to hold but despite cold and wet conditions it was a fabulous weekend of sport. It was also a first braced trial for us both, so winning the only award of the trial along with a Challenge Point was amazing.   I’d like to thank judges Linda Beck and Rob Meredith, the Rotarua Gundog Club and the Pointer and Setter Club for all their organising and of course all the super friendly competitors for their camardie over the weekend. Finally, a massive thankyou to everyone who has been so kind and helpful since we arrived here in NZ with our dogs  …..we could not have done it without you ❤️  Thanks to Sandy Peter’ka for the great pix.

Visiting the relatives 🐾🐾

Ahu (2025) and Mavis (2023) - half brother and big sister

 Flying to North Island for trials with Mavis this weekend, enabled me to meet another pup from our “S” Litter with owner Martin Slimin.  At 15 weeks “Ahu” is growing into a lovely boy, well done Martin, and after puppy talk we spent a super couple of hours hunting Martin’s older dog Ash with Mavis  and had a perfect finish pointing a pheasant with Ash backing👌  Ahu is destined to join Ash in his work of counting Kiwi’s, Blue Penguins and other threatened species across NZ. Seeing Martin with Ash it’ll be exciting to watch Ahu’s progress.

Mavis, Ash and Martin

waiting to fly

Bells and Whistles

Fab training weekend with Grant Adolph after a sensational journey through South Island and some of New Zealands finest scenery. With Grant running his Champion GWP Nellie, Mavis and I needed to learn the ropes of brace running and how the dogs loved working together. Wearing bells and running on caged pigeons as well as natural pheasant, young Mavis was unphased with her new experiences and they delighted us both. Huge thanks to Grant and Jane for such a fun weekend and wonderful hospitality on a perfect sunny weekend sandwiched between snow and more snow !

Beaters Day

An amazing Beaters day spent with the super friendly Craigmore shoot enjoyed some great birds, especially from the Eagles Cave drive. With as many dogs as people cramming into the gun bus with plenty of banter, Mavis and I will miss all the team and the beautiful drives ….. but look forward to HPR trials next month 🐾😊

Mavis waiting at the Eagles Cave drive on the last day of the season.

A Cracking Day with a great crack

Such fun today, spent with John Brownlie shooting over young Mavis. (Ch Aytee Quintessa) John will be known to many UK dog handlers from his time working on Scottish moors back in the day and he had Rodney and I in stitches with stories that would have made ears burn across the miles 😆 Despite jumpy end of season birds on the fabulous but challenging ground (along with the odd ringtone of grouse going off in Johns pocket 🤣) Mavis settled into some super work and with expert shooting we nailed the all important HPRs. Thankyou so much to both John and Rodney and to the team at Craigmore for such a wonderful day.

with John Brownlie

John and Rodney

3 Generations say goodbye

Our last “S” litter pup, Aytee Sassenach travelled to her new home today.

The wonderfully pragmatic approach to flying with dogs on domestic flights in New Zealand makes light of a days drive, especially for young puppies. ❤️ Buy your own seat online, booking a place for a dog and turn up at the airport with your crated pet, paying NZ$120 for “extra baggage’’. Smiling Air New Zealand staff take charge of your pooch and you see him at the other end….. what could be easier 👏👏👏

Puppy Bitch Available - Puppy sold

A well grown and outgoing puppy bitch unexpectedly for sale. Born 23 May 2025. 7 weeks old and can be seen in the litter. Fully health checked/had first injections and registered. Experienced breeder with health tested parents. This puppy has many field trial champions in pedigree - an exciting opportunity for someone wanting to work birds or will be a wonderful family companion and reliable with children. Phone 021 277 9008 near Christchurch,

Over to You!

Most of our “S” litter leave from tomorrow. Flights for pups to North Island first thing in the morning and long drives for pups going South, but what a wonderful experience once again. I adore puppies but am ready for them to go to their excited owners and they are too. Grandma of the litter, Aytee Isadora (Dora) was 14yo last week and this was her way back in 2011. Nothing changes apart from the hair 🤣 and the hemisphere 🤣

“S” Litter 7 weeks - Learning to run

The “S” Litter are into their last week at home and with improved weather they are having fun outside. We look forward to enjoying time with them in the sun for the next few days, but also look forward to getting them hooked up with their lovely new owners at the end of the week.

We do have one gorgeous bitch puppy available unexpectedly. If you would like more information ring 021 277 9008 Lucies phone.