Fixtures 2026-27 will appear here in due course

NURSERY CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL 2024-25

NURSERY CHAMPION Thomas Huddleston – Betty

Runner Up Phil Rigby – Summer Hill Grace

NOVICE CHAMPION  Peter Ellis – Tip

THE NURSERY AGGREGATE WINNER Tony Birkett – Jim

THE NOVICE AGGREGATE WINNER Dennis Purdham – Tilly

COMMITTEE CUP WINNER James Burrow – Maddie

NEW HANDLER Adrian Townson –

——————————————————————————————————————————————-

2023-24 WINDERMERE NURSERY CHAMPION- TONY BIRKETT-BEN 92/100

2ND N. BENNETT – MEG 80

3RD D.PURDHAM – TILLY 77

AGGREGATE CUP WINNER 

D. PURDHAM – TILLY 26 POINTS

COMMITTEE CUP

S.METCALFE – MAX

NOVICE AGGREGATE CHAMPION

P. RIGBY – KIM 35POINTS

NEW HANDLER AGGREGATE CHAMPION

KATE NICHOLAS – ZEN

FIXTURES 2026-27 

 – Otter Bank, Skelsmergh, Kendal. LA8 9AP. Follow sign to Whinfell , Patton off the A6        

– Garnett Folds, Skelsmergh, sign posted from A6.

– Bowers Farm, Sedbergh , LA10 5JP – Off the A684 Garsdale Road

– Otter Bank, Skelsmergh

 – Bowers Farm Sedbergh – A684 Garsdale Road

– Bottoms Lane , Silverdale

– Bottoms Lane, Silverdale

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2027

 – Bowers Farm, Sedbergh

–  Bowers Farm Nursery and Championship. LA10 5JP.PLEASE NOTE: Limited Entry Nursery (entry details to follow)START TIME 9AM. Championship will be balloted after the nursery. 1st placed dogs from all previous trials are eligible to run in the Championship. At a trial where a dog has previously come 1st wins, then the 2nd placed dog will be eligible to compete the Championship.

All Windermere Nurseries begin at 9:30am unless otherwise stated. Last book in for 2 dogs per category 12:30pm. Last book in (1 dog) 1pm.    There will be no membership fee this season.                                                                                                                                                                                      Nursery & New Handler (New Handler. 1st year competing; also eligible for nursery class as long as they stay at the post.                                    Novice (Dogs that have not won a 1st or 2nd by the time they enter their 1st Windermere Novice Trial)                                                                    Max. 2 dogs per handler per class.                                                                                                                                                                                                              All Windermere Nurseries incorporate a Novice and New Handler classes, unless otherwise stated.

Champion: Chris Taylor and Peggy  86/100

Runner Up: Dennis Purdham and Jess 74

Aggregate Champion: T. Huddleston and Heath

Novice Champion: P. Ellis and Scott

Committee Cup: J. Burrow and Sweep

New Handler: C. Capstick

Was held on Kit Crag land, Selside, Kendal on 13th March.

Nursery Trial  preceding The Championship Results

1. Peter Ellis-    Scott  73/90                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

2.Thomas Longton   Castor     68

3.Joanne Bentham – Bob       66 OLF

4. Victoria Graham  -Teal        66

5.Tommy Rome –  Jess    57

6. Phil Rigby  – Fly       54

The Championship consisted of  competitors who have had a 1st or 2nd placing at this season’s Windermere Nursery Trials (Nursery Trials Class Only), including 1st and 2nd from the morning’s nursery.

Championship Results:-

1. James Burrow – Mia    80/100

2.Joanne Bentham – Bob    79 OLF

3.Richard Briggs  – Chip  79

Both trials were judged by David Harrison.

Novice

1st Jonny Elkin – Sally 76/90

New Handler :- Laura Elkin – Luna

I hope to announce next season’s dates in full, in the near future.

Previous Cock of The North Champions:-

2019 Billy Common – Grit

2020 No trial (COVID)

2021 Philip Rigby – Scott

2022 Brendon Smith – 

2023 & 2024 No trial. Local issues.

2025 Ricky Hutchinson – Jonah

The trial course was completely re-set, by Neil McNally and Andrew Graves (landowner) amidst a waterlogged field that had suffered from a deluge of rain the pre-ceding night.

The outrun was effectively split into two parts . The dogs set off on their 600 yard outruns on green grass but completed the last 200 yards or so, on stubble; the remains of a barley crop. This affected some dogs more than others, as more than one took uncharacteristic manoeuvres whilst working on this section of the course.

After turning the sheep in front of the handler and a left hand start to the drive section, the dogs would finish with a shed , preferably taking the last two of five sheep; a pen ; before finishing the course within 15 minutes, with a single , preferably taking the back sheep.

James Burrow judged the field of 20 dogs with Carol Mellin and Gyp kicking off proceedings.

The sheep ran consistently throughout and there were many good runs.

Sandy McCulloch and Sam took an early lead with the 3rd run of the day on 87.

Gavin Fearon and Dave stepped ahead by two points running at number 6 and held the lead until Billy Common gained 88 points with Jimmy at run number 11.

That lead lasted until at run number 16, Matthew Fearon gained 89 points with Jill.

Although I don’t like to over big myself up………with the second to last run of the day, Scott and I (Phil Rigby) gained 93 points to take “The Cock of The North” Championship.

Thanks , once again, go to Andrew Graves , Neil McNally and all those who helped in any way , to make this a very enjoyable three day event.

Thanks to Gerry, from South Africa , who travelled up from down south to spectate on Day 2 and The Championship day.

2021 Champion, Phil Rigby and Scott.

Click the link to view the Video

1.P.Rigby – Scott 93/110 points.

2.M.Fearon – Jill 89

3.B.Common -Jimmy 88

4.G.Fearon – Dave 87

5.S.McCulloch – Sam 85

6.R.Watson – Garry 80

7.A.Common – Roger 76

8.S.Atkinson – Bob 75

9.O.Watson – Stripe 73 OLF

10.C.Mellin – Ben 73