NEWS
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refreshments; Ptarmigan gin and tonic being a particular favourite. The highlight of the day: the surprise shoot off. The top three teams going forward to the shoot off were: James Purdey & Sons, E. J. Churchill and the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO). No one had any idea what to expect, other than the unexpected. This was certainly going to be no walk in the (stunning West Wycombe) park. “Eyes forward” and within seconds there were clays flying from all directions. The tricky part was that the traps were very well hidden, so it was extremely difficult to predict the course of flight. Once again, each team had 100 clays, and with the scores being zeroed it was all to play for. First up was the Purdey team made up by Jonathan Irby, Simon Rood and Owen Hastings. Sir Edward Dashwood Bt., Rob Fenwick and Paul Gillett shooting for E. J. Churchill were second to take the stand followed by the NGO team – Liam Bell and father/son due Geoff and Justin Garrod. Any doubts over the importance of winning to each team was well and truly quashed.
1 The game is on 2
Simon Ward takes to the stand for team Schöffel Country on the Walnut Tree Bank high pheasant drive
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Winning Purdey team (l-r) Marcus Janssen, Owen Hastings, Jonathan Irby, Simon
Rood and Corry Cavell-Taylor
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After three nail-biting flushes, the final was complete. All that was left to do was head back to the house for food, beverages and a good old chin-wag, and of course, await the final results. As it was such a beautiful day, guests dined on the veranda of the house, enjoying a spread of succulent charred rib of beef and garlic chicken, followed by strawberries and cream or mini Victoria sponges for dessert. It was now over to Corry Cavell-Taylor and Peter Schöffel, who had flown in from Bavaria at 4:00am, to tell the tale of the iconic Ptarmigan coat. “Corry approached me about making a coat for shooting and hunting using Schöffel’s GORE-TEX technology which is insulating whilst eliminating noise when moving,” explained Peter, “I thought that his reasons made sense and so I gave him one product – one chance to get it right. In hindsight, this was a good decision as it forced us to address every last detail. This has brought us to where we are today, 25 years later, with a collection to be proud of.”
3 Without further ado it was time for
the results where Purdey was declared the victorious Ptarmigan Trophy winners with a final score of 457x500. In close second was E. J. Churchill with a score of 446x500, with third place awarded to the NGO who scored 436x500.
Full Results:
1st – James Purdey & Sons 2nd – E. J. Churchill 3rd – National Gamekeepers’ Organisation
Best Dressed Male – Edward King (The Field)
Best Dressed Female – Anna Wooster (Femme Fatales)
Most Fun Team – Femme Fatales
Overheard at The Ptarmigan Trophy
“That last one was definitely going down the hole,” Simon Rood, James Purdey & Sons, on completing the simulated rabbit flush.
“Johno, are you part of the clay conservation society?” GunsOnPegs’ Frank Stephenson at the high pheasant drive.
“I want to do it all over again!”
Chris Warren after completing the fifth and final drive.
“I think I’m the only one here not wearing Schöffel.” Jason Sweeney at breakfast.
“I really liked what I think they called the mixed bag – just a bit of everything.” The Field’s Alexandra Henton during lunch.
52 | Tackle & Guns | June 2018
www.tandgmagazine.com
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