Bronze Trial held at The Bard, Brantry Dungannon

Scent Ops 11/10/2025

The Bronze Trial was held in an upstairs function room at the Bard.

The main area had one set of double doors and various articles throughout the rest of the room, from a empty gas bottle, filing cabinet, chairs, large display cabinet, unmounted picture on the floor against the wall. The windows in the room were dog height with fitted safety grids.

The start point was at the entry door and the first hide was in a small alcove area occupied by a large display cabinet, chair and framed pictures on the floor between the cabinet and the wall. The actual hide was tucked inbetween the framed pictures.

Most dogs winded the scent when they reached the tall display cabinet and they worked the odour in well to the framed pictures.

The second hide was at the far end of the hall in another alcove area after going up three steps. All the dogs found this slightly more challenging as did the handlers. The hide was on the bottom of one of the doors (the doors had a wide gap at the base. Handlers worked it differently, some tasking the dogs to the handle and outer frame but failing to task to the base, though some dogs winded the odour from the side frame and worked it in beautifully. Other handlers worked the frame, handles and base.

Most of the teams did find the hide and all dogs worked very hard once they knocked the odour.

The overall standard was very high and it was a pleasure to watch all the teams working so hard. Congratulations to all.

Results as follows:

1st Ester Thorpe & Max 89

2nd Sandra Haveron & Woody 87

3rd Jillain Marshall & Humphrey 84.5

4th Lesley Clements 7 Gavita 84

5th Joanne Marshall & Harry 83

6th Ken Hall & Sammie 82