The Chesapeake Bay Retriever Club holds various events throughout the year. A championship breed show is held once a year, usually in July. Each year there are two gundog working tests, one in the spring and one in the autumn. The working tests tend to move around the country, from Hampshire in the South of England to the Angus Glens of Scotland, plus many other locations in between!

Other events include obedience workshops, training days, breed seminars, dog and gun days, WD stakes and fun days. The Club also takes part in inter-breed gundog working tests with other retriever breeds.

Spectators are welcome at CBRC shows and working tests, where you can see the dogs in action. If you are thinking about adding a Chesapeake to your family, or are just interested to know more, it’s a good idea to come along and meet some dogs. Please contact the organisers if you would like to attend any events.

Chesapeake events – at a glance

  • 6-9 March 2025 – Crufts Dog Show
  • 5 April 2025 – CBRC Championship and Open Shows, KC Building, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire
  • 26-27 April 2025 – CBRC Training Day and Spring Working Test, Salterforth, nr Barnoldswick, Lancs

RECENT EVENTS

CBRC Autumn Working Test Weekend 2024

21/22 September 2024

Dairy House Farm, Chilton Trinity, Bridgewater, Somerset

by kind permission of Mr & Mrs Bament

On Sat 21 Sept we had a training day, with trainers Sue Watkins and Jill Thorpe, followed by a working test on the Sunday, judged by Nigel Partiss and Mandy Smith. It was a fabulous weekend. 

The Game Fair

Blenheim Palace, 26-28 July 2024

There were plenty of Chesapeakes to see at this year’s Game Fair:

Sporting Dog Arena

12.00 all three days – parade of sporting dogs
14.30 Friday and Saturday – Working Minority Retriever Club demonstrations

Sporting Dogs Pavilion
All three days, Chesapeakes and their owners in attendance. Please visit to chat.

Main arena
15.30 All three days – Gundogs with Jason Mayhew and friends gundog demo, which includes Anthony Ciraolo and his Chesapeake Ebb.

Marlborough Arena
9.30-16.30 Fri/Sat Euro Challenge which includes Mary Murray and one of her Chesapeakes running in the Irish team.
9.30-12.30 Sunday Minor Breeds Team Challenge

Thanks to everyone who took part in whatever way they could at the Game Fair, to demonstrate the strengths and characteristics of the breed. 

CBRC Open Show Part 2 – 2024

was held in conjunction with Windsor Championship Show on 28 June 2024, and judged by Marion Sargent. 

Please see the Shows page for results.

Left to right: Richard with Roly, Katy with Thor, Mark with Toby, James, judges Emma and Adam, Frank, Anthony with Ebb, and Vincent with Robin

 

CBRC Spring Working Test Weekend 2024

20/21 April 2024

Brough, near Penrith, Cumbria

The CBRC held a training day on Sat 20 April, with trainers Adam Peace and Emma Stevens, with a gundog working test the following day, which Emma and Adam judged. 

RESULTS

PUPPY
1. Riptide Gentlemans Relish, owners: Richard Playle & Tilly Thomas; handler: Richard Playle

NOVICE DOG/NOVICE HANDLER
1. Glaneils Catch Me If You Can, owners: Karen & Mark Preece; handler: Mark Preece

BEGINNER
1. Arnac Bay Invincible for Dunakitts, owner/handler: Katy Duncanson

UNCLASSIFIED OPEN
1. Franeo Ebbing Tide, owner/handler: Anthony Ciraolo

Judges’ Choice: Franeo Ebbing Tide

Highest Scoring Veteran: Arnac Bay Grouse of Eastering

There will be a full report in the yearbook. 

 

CBRC Championship and Open Shows 2024

were held on 31 March 2024 at the Kennel Club Building, Stoneleigh, nr Coventry, Warks.

The Championship Show was judged by Mike Blay, the Special Awards classes by Claire Lewis, and the Open Show by Ger Philpott. 

Please see the Shows page for more information on these shows.

 

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever Club held an in-person Breed Appreciation Day (BAD) at The Kennel Club Building on 30 March 2024.

Notice of the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever Club

25 Feb 2024  

The 2024 AGM will be held online via Zoom, starting at 1.00 pm

According to the club rules, half the committee retire annually. The following committee members are retiring in 2024: Cathy Broomfield, Chris Hewitson, Joy Middleton, James Newton, Mark Straw. All are willing to stand for re-election, except Mark Straw who will be standing down. 

The Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer and Chairman retire annually. The Treasurer and Chairman are all willing to stand for re-election. Molly Barker will be standing down as Secretary.

Items for the agenda and nominations (in writing) for Committee, Secretary, Treasurer and Chairman of the Club, signed by both proposer and seconder, must be with the Secretary at least 28 days prior to the AGM. Please include a brief biographical note (around 200 words) detailing your interest and involvement with Chesapeakes.

The agenda and 2023 AGM minutes will be available by prior request from the Secretary.

Open to all club members. We hope you will attend the AGM. Joining details will be available closer to the day.

 

CBRC Autumn Working Test Weekend 2023

23/24 September 2023

The Autumn Working Test was held at Roanlodge, near Buxton, by kind permission of Lesley Morgan. We had a training day on the Saturday, with trainers Lisa Coates and Brian Chesser, who also judged the working test on Sunday.

Results were as follow:

PUPPY
1. Petros, owned/handled by Vincent Acheson

BEGINNER
1.  Franco Fowler’s Lone Ranger, owned/handled by David Compton

UNCLASSIFIED OPEN
1. Arnac Bay Inca, owned by Chrissie Mayhew & Sue Worrall, handled by Sue Worrall
2. Petsalls Canuck, owned/handled by Kevin Amaira
3. Sh Ch Arnac Bay Harvest, owned by Thelma & Dave Thompson, handled by Dave Thompson

There will be a full report in the yearbook.

CBRC Open Show

6 August 2023 at Three Counties Showground, Malvern

Please see the Shows page for results from the shows. 

 

CBRC Chesapeake Working Certificate Day 2023

The CWC is a non-competitive pass/fail test, with three levels. Level 1 is designed to test a dog’s natural retrieving ability. Levels 2 and 3 go a little further. You can find out all about the requirements to pass these tests by downloading the Notes for Handlers. A CWC day was run on 24 June 2023 at Stapleton, Dorrington, Shrewsbury, with the following results.

LEVEL 1 PASSES
David Thompson with Arnac Bay Harvest
Katy Duncanson with Arnac Bay Invincible at Dunakits
Mark Preece with Glaniels Catch Me If You Can
Debbie Crewe with Chesarab Saltmarsh
Mary Murray with Riverrun Finnegan’s Wake
Fleur Bament with Pixiesrock Maestro Cadenza

LEVEL 2 PASSES
Kevin Amaira with Petsalls Canuck
Katy Duncanson with Arnac Bay Invincible at Dunakits
Mark Preece with Glaniels Catch Me If You Can
Mary Murray with Riverrun Finnegan’s Wake
Fleur Bament with Pixiesrock Maestro Cadenza

LEVEL 3 PASSES
Mary Murray with Riverrun Everybody’s Friend
Kevin Amaira with Petsalls Canuck

CBRC Chesapeake Working Certificates

The Chesapeake Working Certificates (CWC) are a series of tests designed to demonstrate a dog’s natural ability in a non-competitive way. There are three levels of the test, each with an increasing level of difficulty, demonstrating the dog and handler working as a team. They are not like a working test, and have different rules. The Chesapeake Working Certificates are similar each time they are run, and you will need to know what is expected of you and your dog. 

Please read the Notes for Handlers, which gives descriptions of the tests. You can download the information below.

 

 

Minor Breed Team Working Test 2023

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever Club hosted this friendly annual working test on 25 June at Stapleton, Dorrington, Shrewsbury. It was won by the Irish Water Spaniel team, with the Flatcoats coming second, the Chesapeakes third and the Curlycoat team fourth. No Tollers competed this year. 

CBRC/IWSA Working Test

A working test run jointly by the Chesapeake Bay Retriever Club and the Irish Water Spaniel Association took place on 11 June 2023 on the Greywell Estate, Crown Lane, Nately Scures, Hook, Hampshire RG27 9AW

by kind permission of Lord Malmesbury

Judges were Mrs Joy Venturi-Rose and Mrs Wendy Brown

Results were as follows:

SPECIAL PUPPY (3 ran)
1. Shimmering Brooke at Cuvana (IWS) handled by Judy Hempstead
2. Scrumpy Dabinett (IWS) handled by Judy Hempstead

NOVICE (10 ran)
1. Pixiesrock Maestro Cadenza (CBR) handled by Fleur Bament
2. Diddymowg Xmas Cracker (IWS) handled by John Bint
3. Petsalls Pride Canuck (CBR) handled by Kevin Amaira
COM. Cuvana Anise’s Little Star (IWS) handled by Sue Hempstead

OPEN (4 ran)
1. River Forest Irish Eider (IWS) handled by Judy Hempstead
2. Arnac Bay Ibis (CBR) handled by Peter Clark

 

CBRC Spring Working Test Weekend 2023

The Spring WT weekend was held at Oaktree Farm, Selborne, Hampshire on Monday 1 May, by kind permission of Mr David Ashcroft

Judges were Mrs Joy Venturi-Rose and Mr Chris Rose

Results were as follows: 

PUPPY (4 ran)
1. Des & Mary Murray’s Sea’N Land Master of the Sea for Riverrun

NOVICE DOG/NOVICE HANDLER (2 ran)
1. Fleur Bament’s Pixiesrock Maestro Cadenza

BEGINNER (5 ran)
1. Chrissie Mayhew & Sue Worrall’s Arnac Bay Inca
2. Fleur Bament’s Pixiesrock Maestro Cadenza
3. Carole Harris’s Migwell Deutsher Passion

OPEN (4 ran)
1. Des & Mary Murray’s Riverrun Everybody’s Friend
2. Lesley Tregunno’s Arnac Bay Ibis, handled by Peter Clark
3. Vincent Acheson’s Arnac Bay Grouse of Eastering

 

 

CBRC Championship and Open Shows 2023

22-23 April 2023

KC Building, Stoneleigh, near Coventry, Warwickshire

For more info on this 40th anniversary celebration show, please see the Shows page. 

 

CBRC Autumn Working Test Weekend 2022

The Autumn WT weekend was held at Roanlodge Gundog Training Centre, near Buxton, Derbyshire on Sunday 25 September 2022, by kind permission of Lesley Morgan  

Judges were Mrs Elaine Whittaker and Mr Malcolm Peacock 

Results were as follows:

PUPPY (1 ran)
1.  Mark Poulton’s Passione

NOVICE DOG/NOVICE HANDLER (1 ran)
1. Katy Duncanson’s Arnac Bay Invincible for Dunakitts

BEGINNER (8 ran)
1. Chrissie Mayhew & Sue Worrall’s Arnac Bay Inca 

UNCLASSIFIED OPEN (3 ran)
1. Anthony Ciraolo’s Franeo Ebbing Tide

Judges’ Choice was Katy Duncanson’s Arnac Bay Invincible for Dunakitts 

There will be a full report in the yearbook. 

Judge Elaine Whittaker, Katy with Thor, Mark with Otto, Judge Malcolm Peacock, Anthony with Ebb, and Sue with Inca

CBRC Championship and Open Shows 2022

17 July 2022

Bretford Village Hall, Bretford, Warks

The Club held its annual championship show and open show on 17 July 2022. The Championship Show judge was Chris Bexon, and the Open Show judge Lauren Gilder. Special Awards classes during the lunchbreak were judged by Richard Stafford

Please see the Shows page for results and judges’ reports. Complete reports will be given in the next yearbook.  
The Game Fair

The UK’s biggest celebration of the Great British Countryside is back at Ragley Hall on 29-31 July, and you could be there by taking advantage of the special ticket offer that The Game Fair have offered CBRC members.

Grab day tickets for £25* (£10.00 off the Gate Price) by visiting www.thegamefair.org quoting the promo code at the checkout. (Contact Molly Barker for the promo code.)

Children 8-16 years old can visit for £10.00 (they must be accompanied by a paying adult), children under 8 years visit for free, and parking is included.

*Offer ends midnight 28 July 2022. A transaction fee applies.

Minor Breeds Team Working Test

11 June 2022

Upper Shadymoor Farm, Stapleton, Dorrington, Shrewsbury

This is an annual event where teams of minor retriever breeds compete against each other in a friendly working test. A team of 3 Chesapeakes competed against teams of Irish Water Spaniels, Flatcoats, Curlycoats and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers. 

 

CBRC Spring Working Test 2022

The Spring WT was held Ashburnham, Battle, East Sussex on 15 May 2022. 

Judges were Paula Graystone and Alistair House. 

Results were as follows:

PUPPY (1 ran)
1.  Lisa Murch and Next Generations Arnac Arctic Storm

BEGINNER (9 ran)
1. Peter Clark and Arnac Bay Ibis 
2. Sue Worrall and Arnac Bay Inca 
3. Richard Playle and Riptide Decoy Duck 
4. Joy Middleton and Sh Ch Arnac Bay Hebe

UNCLASSIFIED OPEN (3 ran)
1. Lisa Murch and Franeo Original Long Gunner at Pixiesrock 
2. Vincent Acheson and Arnac Bay Grouse of Eastering 
3. Richard Playle and Arnac Bay Grebe with Riptide

Judges’ Choice was Lisa Murch’s Franeo Original Long Gunner at Pixiesrock

 

CBRC Chesapeake Working Certificates 2022

The CBRC Chesapeake Working Certificates event was held on Sun 27 March 2022 at Kitridding Farm, nr Kirkby Lonsdale, CumbriaJudges were Claudia Atkinson and Paul Dixon

LEVEL 1 PASSES

Kevin Amaira’s Petsalls Canuck

Mary Murray’s Ir Ch Riverrun Everybody’s Friend

LEVEL 2 PASSES

 Mary Murray’s Ir Ch Riverrun Everybody’s Friend

 

 

CBRC Championship and Open Shows 2024

31 March 2024

Kennel Club Building, Stoneleigh, nr Coventry, Warks

Entries are now open for the CBRC Championship and Open Shows 2024, which will be held on Sunday 31 March. The links below will take you to the online entries and show schedules. 

The Championship Show will be judged by Mike Blay, the Special Awards classes will be judged by Claire Lewis, and the Open Show will be judged by Ger Philpott. 

There will also be

  • An Easter Egg Hunt
  • Scurry – entries taken on the day, £1 per go, with prizes for the fastest Chessie, non-Chessie and humans (adult and child)
  • Raffle
  • Silent auction

Donations for the raffle and silent auction will be very welcome. 

Please contact Joy Middleton if you would like an advert in the show catalogues. Payment to be paid to the Club or Joy Middleton. Free advert designs by Joy Middleton if needed. Contact Joy at joy.midds@outlook.com