Gunning it: Nicola Johns and the world of Gundog Trialing

Nicola Johns  and Fern at their first New Zealand win in 2021. Supplied.

Gundog trialling isn’t a sport that draws crowds or headlines, but it demands the same precision, teamwork and grit as any top-tier competition.

To Hurunui’s Nicola Johns, it’s an obsession spanning generations, a sport that has taken her from muddy fields to national titles.

Johns, who works as Animal Health Sales Team Leader at North Canterbury Vets, is secretary of the Working Retriever Club and a committee member of the Canterbury Gundog Club. Her weekends are spent training, travelling and trialling with her black Labrador Fern, one of the country’s top working retrievers.

A test of instinct and teamwork

“There are three disciplines in gundog trialing,” Johns explains. “We have retriever events, which include pigeon trials, walk-ups and live game. Then pointers and setters, and spaniels. They’re all simulated hunting tests, with the live game aspect of the sport continuing to grow.”

Training begins when a puppy comes home, with simple obedience and fun retrieves that build confidence drive and the bond between handler and dog.

From there, dogs progress through novice and limit classes to advanced retriever stakes involving multiple birds, water work, blinds, thick cover and terrain. “Everything is designed to simulate what they’d do in a real hunting situation,” she says.

Nicola Johns with her impressive haul of trophies at the recent New Zealand Gundog Championships. Supplied.

Championship success

In October, the Working Retriever Club hosted the New Zealand Championships in Twizel, following the South Island Champs run by the Canterbury Gundog Club the week before.

 “We had about 80 people at prize giving, and over 190 dog entries and a lot of them were running multiple dogs.”

Johns and Fern took first place in the New Zealand Retriever Championship – a highlight in a season full of them.

 Six challenge points earn the title Field Trial Champion (FTCh), twenty points Grand Field Trial Champion (GFTCh).

“We won the New Zealand’s back in 2021 as well,” she says. “That gives you NTL in front of your name, meaning national. Fern’s now on 34 challenge points – our next goal is 50”

With those accolades, Fern is officially known as NTL GFTCH First Lady of Iceypeak – Iceypeak being the kennel name Johns established when she bred from her black labrador Ice six years ago.

This year she and Fern also claimed All Breeds of the Year, tied for Retriever of the Year with close friend and fellow competitor Sonya Tamlyn and her dog Vitesse Chimes High, known  as Chime, and won Gundog of the Year.

“This year has probably been my biggest and proudest year,” Johns says.

Nicola and Fern out for a hunt during the roar for her birthday

A family legacy

Labradors run deep in the Johns family.

 “Labradors have pretty much been in my life since the day I was born,” she says. “Dad gundog trialed with my dog’s grandfather – Grand Field Trial Champion Peacehaven Candyman, known as King.”

She bred Fern’s mother, Ice, now nearly fifteen.

“Ice had one black female pup in the litter. I’ve always loved my black Labs, so that’s who I kept – and that’s Fern.”

Shortly after her first national win, Fern collapsed the night before commencing the Tasman Championship trial and required emergency surgery for pyometra – a life-threatening uterine infection.

“I almost lost her. It was the worst day of my life,” Johns says.

 Fern recovered but couldn’t be bred from.

 Johns’ plans to continue the line using stored semen from King with her young bitch Vitesse Eyes On Me -known as Flirt - who has returned excellent health results.

Building champions

“The most important thing right from the beginning is health testing,” she says. “These dogs need to be fit and agile – they run hills, swim, stop and turn quickly. Keeping them lean and strong is key.”

Her own days are equally disciplined.

“I’m up at 5.30, toileting and feeding the dogs, giving them a good walk before work. After work I train them again. It’s full-on, but I love it.”

She trains mainly on the North Canterbury farm where she lives, with an accommodating landowner who even allows a walk-up trial to be held there each March.

Ask what makes Fern special and her answer is immediate.

“She’s nice and calm, works with me incredibly naturally. We work as one – we’re so in sync with each other now. She knows what I expect of her.”

That connection, Johns says, is the heart of the sport.

“Your dog needs to want to do what it’s doing. You’re working as a team.”

 Nicola, Fern and Flirt after a successful morning duck shooting

Women leading the way

Traditionally, gundog trialing has been a male domain, but that’s changing fast.

 “It used to be very male-dominant,” Johns says. “Now Sonya and I are at the top. The females are starting to dominate a bit more – which is awesome.”

She and Tamblyn travel and train together, sharing success and support. “We call ourselves Team SONIC – Sonya and Nic,” Johns laughs. “We’re both incredibly competitive as well as always proud of one another’s achievements and wins.”

Looking ahead

Johns is passionate about encouraging newcomers.

 “First of all, get yourself a well-bred dog – good health scores and a line that suits what you want. Then make small goals. Win a few novices, move up, learn as you go. If you put in the time and energy, you’ll get there.”

For Johns, her focus is on keeping the winning momentum.

“I want to keep achieving with Fern, however Flirt, my young dog, is coming through the ranks now, so I’ll be focusing on her goals too.”