Edward enjoyed a good trialling season, with a fair degree of success with his two English Springer Spaniels and one Cocker Spaniel Bitch.

Begining with the golden cocker bitch, Miss Alexandrovna (Flex), he won the Gamekeepers National Association novice trial, A second place in the Lothian and Borders Open Cocker trial and another second in the Scottish Field Trial Association Open Field Trial. Finally another third place in the Scottish Gundog Association Open Trial. Flex is the sweetest and prettiest of little dogs to handle, very able and ultra willing at times. She has had a super litter this summer, sired by Mallowdale Racatear. Edward has high expectations of this litter and will be trialling Flex again this coming season.

With Willowbay Sandpiper (Bonus), Edward took a first at the Scotish Field Trial Association - Open Trial and another first in the Tay Valley Cundog Association -Open Trial, making Bonus a Field Trial Champion. He took his water test after the Championships at Elvedon, under the 'A' panel judges, John Cook and Tony Fisher. Bonus was also awarded a second place in the Tyne Tweed and Tees Field Trial Association Trial and another second in the Yorkshire Sporting Spaniel Club. This dog is a class act and puts in some elegant and tremendous work in a variety of situations, an 'Outstanding Performer'. He is a very kind natured dog, being used at stud. Edward has a super young dog here by him, showing much promise.

Finally of his own dogs comes Sundart Solar, taking a first in the South West Scotland Association novice trial. Then a first in the Eastern Counties -Open Qualifier, after a third in the Lothian and Borders Gundog Association - Open Trial, at the Lanton Estate the previous season. Solar is electrifying in his open stance hunting, a brilliant game-finder, at a terrific pace. Edward says you need your wits about you when running this dog.

Edward has also had a good success with running Kilmerran Drummer for Sherrif George Presslie and hopes to further Drum's career, this coming season. Drum is a brother to Field Trial Champion Willowbay Sandpiper.

C.L.A. Game Fair 2000

Edward was recently invited to run his spaniels in the International Scottish team at the C.L.A. Game Fair held at Blenheim Palace, the last weekend in July.

The teams are selected to representeach part of the United Kingdom and consist of four Spaniels and four Labradour Retrievers. The test takes place over two days of the fair and is very popular event for all doggy and sporting people.

Edward was pleased to be selected to run two of his dogs and eventually a third, as another competitiors top winning bitch had just come into season at the wrong moment. The three Edward ran were FTCH Willowbay Sandpiper, his brother, Kilmerran Drummer and Sundart Solar, all trial winners from last season. Drummer was sold as a trained dog and is back at the kennels for the forthcoming trial season, for Mr George Presslie of East Lothian.

Drummer took an early lead for the spaniels on the first day, in fact his score of 90 out of 100, was not bettered and he eventually took the top spaniel prize. The Scottish team were sadly beaten into third place overall, with some especially good work being put in by the English retrievers.

The Dutchess of Marlborough presented the prizes at the end of the competition, congratulating Edward on competing so successfully with three dogs, the only competitor to run more than one dog. She laughingly accused Edward of not sounding very Scottish and he was at pains to assure her that living in the Borders and working here for eleven years, he felt well able to 'run for Scotland'.

The Scottish team were very ably sponsored by Drambuie, whose generous support enabled Scotland to fly the flag at this prestigeous event. "Drambuie on ice" was the slogan and voted the best tipple in the gundog arena at the fair.