PRESS RELEASE
The Duke of Buccleuch’s dog trainer has won first place in a national championship – on home ground.
David Lisett scooped first place in the Kennel Club’s 77th Spaniel Championships Field Trial for English Springer Spaniels with Annickview Breeze.
And the win was especially welcome for David as the championship took place on the Queensberry estate in Dumfriesshire where he also oversees the purpose built Buccleuch kennels.
David, who heads-up Buccleuch Sporting Gun Dogs, said winning the championship for the third time gave him a real sense of achievement.
Only one other entrant has won the championship more times than David who also won in 2003/04, again with Annickview Anna and in 2004/05 with Annickview Breeze.
He said: “It’s always a great feeling to win a championship; I never get used to the buzz it brings and it means a lot to win on home ground.”
“I don’t know who was more excited about taking part, me or the dogs”.
The annual championship is held at venues throughout the UK and attracts hundreds of competitors from across the country.
The three day event was well attended, despite a damp first day.
The Spaniels are tested on their retrieving abilities and ability to follow instructions.
First time competitor Justine Verinder had travelled up from Somerset with her dog, Bob (Whitehope Dunlin of Underway).
She said the event had been well organised and even the rain had failed to dampen spirits.
She said: “The scenery was truly amazing and it was great to be competing with so many well known names”.
David joined Buccleuch Sportings Ltd at the start of 2004.
Since then he has notched up a string of high profile wins including taking 2nd place at the Irish Championships earlier this month.
He is currently a member of the Scottish Gun Dog Team.
Roy Green, -Sporting Business Manager at Buccleuch Estates, said he was delighted at David’s latest win.
He said: “This win was fantastic for all the Buccleuch Sporting Team and reflects the tremendous hard work that David has put in over the last 12 months.
“He’s backed by all the keepers across the Buccleuch Estates and winning on one our estates makes the win all the more poignant.”
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