The Skinner’s World Cup 2024

The Skinner’s World Cup, a premier event for national teams, saw 12 countries, including France, Austria, Switzerland and Norway, gather to compete in a prestigious 2-day competition held on the weekend 11-12^th May. The event took place in the scenic West Berkshire countryside at Hamstead Park, hosted by Rollo Gwyn Jones, celebrating its 20^th year. This year, Italy emerged victorious, winning the Perpetual Challenge Trophy for the first time, a historic achievement marked by exuberant celebrations.

The England team, last year’s champions, faced stiff competition from the remaining 11 countries, all eager to have their names engraved on the trophy.

The layout designed by Pete Castleman, featured 10 working tests that challenged 48 gundogs and their handlers. The top individual tribute, The Bellever Perpetual Challenge Trophy, was awarded to Volker Herrmann from Team Germany with his working labrador DRC Arb._Ch. Chestnut Hunters Chip, who scored an impressive 171 points out of 200.

THE Judges

The competition was graced by sunny weather, and the event was smoothly executed thanks to the efforts of the judges—John Halsted, Judy Rainey, Keith Bedford, Heather Bradley, and Terry Prentice—and the organizational prowess of Nikki Urquhart and Katie Fraser.

Keith Bedford, one of the judges, summarised the event as, “A fantastic weekend and a privilege to judge The Skinner’s World Cup. A really good atmosphere from everyone concerned. A big thank you to the Skinner’s team for looking after us all so well and to Peter Castleman for setting up some interesting tests.”

Terry Prentice, another judge, contributed his thoughts, “This year’s Skinner’s World Cup celebrated its 20th anniversary. I had the honour to be invited to judge this great and prestigious event at which teams from Europe and UK took part. Over the two days we saw some fantastic dog work. Peter Castleman, Skinner’s course designer, used the terrain to his advantage setting out some very testing retrieves, especially the water test which proved to be difficult for several team members. The weather was perfect with the sun out and happy participants all round. I would like to thank the Skinners family and their team for all the work and the way they looked after us, all the helpers without them a test would not be possible. A weekend to remember.”

A TEAM EFFORt

The Kintbury Gundog Club played a crucial role, volunteering their time to assist throughout the weekend.

Additionally, Gamekeepers Goods provided excellent catering, keeping participants and spectators well-fed and refreshed. The bespoke prizes and gifts they created added a special touch to the memorable event.

Our friends from Gamekeepers Goods, who supplied dummies, prizes as well as the refreshments over the course of the weekend, went on to say, “We were once again incredibly honoured to support the Skinner’s team this year at The World Cup 2024 at Hamstead Park. It was such a lovely atmosphere between all the competitors and we have made some lifelong friends. I think we speak on behalf of all the people in the sport that we are incredibly thankful for everything the Skinner’s family do with their sponsorship throughout the industry. Our heartfelt thanks to everyone at Team Skinner’s, organisers, judges, helpers and participants for making us feel so welcome!”

the results

TOP DOG

top teams

FINAL SCORES

here’s to the next 20 years…

Ben Skinner, Sales Director concluded, “Hamstead Park played host to a very special weekend with the estate providing the perfect grounds to celebrate 20 years of The Skinner’s World Cup. Rollo Gwyn Jones was extremely accommodating and ensured the appropriate grounds was made available for the weekend.

It’s an event that sits firmly and proudly in our calendar each year, and one which we all look forward to! It was fantastic to share The Skinner’s World Cup with competitors, helpers and judges alike.

I would like to personally thank the many people who helped bring the event to life for their contributions leading up to and over the weekend.

We will endeavour to continue supporting the working dog community for many years to come; it gives me great pleasure to see the sport thrive. Here’s to the next 20 years…”