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Golden Retrievers have been part of Kirsty's life since she was able to crawl and at an early age she discovered that despite being active in other sports Golden Retrievers were her fate.

Kirsty began trialling at 12 years old and has continued honing her skills over the years working with many different people enabling her own proven successful training style to develop.

Based in Thornhill, 15 miles north of Dumfries, Scotland Kirsty works on a local estate which presents a perfect training area for her dogs. Through the shooting season she uses her dogs for picking up at the Buccleuch, Ardtaraig and Glen Striven estates, firmly believing that this provides some of the best training, field work experience and socialising with other dogs.

Having attended North Highland College and completed 2 years training on an estate to acquire her SVQ Level 1 and 2 Game Keeping Kirsty has built a strong foundation for all aspects of breeding, training and working Gun Dogs.

2009 Inter-club trial Drumlanrig Castle Dumfriesshire

The Golden Retriever Club of Northumbria was delighted when Kirsty was able to run a novice dog for our team at Drumlanrig Castle at the Breed Interclub on Sunday 21st June 2009 namely Gortons Red Ruby Rascal. Home bred by Brightfoot Kit - Gortons Maid of the Mist 2 year old bitch otherwise known as Heidi.

2007 Novice Trial Eagle Hall Lincolnshire

The novice trial on the 18 of October 2007 at eagle hall in lincolnshire. Kirsty runs with her bitch Gortons Island Lass (May) in a 14 novice stake for golden retrievers.

As all the tests were designed to be run as a team, with the exception of the water, I had the pleasure of running alongside Kirsty all day.
Kirsty and Heidi ran exceptionally well and although we realised she had come top novice dog we did not realise at the time she was also top dog.
Fantastic achievement, 48 dogs running to be top overall dog. Total score achieved was 134 out of a maximum of 140. I have to say she is a lovely bitch and was a joy to watch. Kirsty has to be one of the youngest handlers working Golden Retrievers and a credit to her for all the training she puts in with her dogs. All I can say is watch this space as this is one handler that will go far in the dog world.

Jennifer Hay
President and Field Trial Secretary
Golden Retriever Club of Northumbria

Kirsty and May settled quickly she made a good first retrieve going on to win 1st place making Gortons Island Lass Field Trial Winner.

Also shown is the Castletown Rose Bowl for Gun' Choice which she won with Gortons Red Ruby Rascal at the 2008 Novice Stake held at Ainderby Quernhow Yorkshire.