Judges

Stefania Gandolfi

Retrievers have always been a part of my life, as my father used them as hunting and life companions.
Since 1996, I began getting involved in the field trial world with my beloved Fifty Fifty.

I participated in three editions of the European Cup with three different dogs: FT Ch Fifty Fifty, FT Ch Bumper Smagil of Danloid, and FT Ch Greenbriar Tiler. I’ve also participated in several editions of the Skinners World Cup, reaching the second step of the podium twice. I achieved Top Dog in the All-European Challenge CLA Game Fair with Int FT Ch Greenbriar Tiler, my great love.

Over the years, I have made seven FT Champion dogs. I became a Retriever judge more than twenty years ago and, since then, have judged in Italy, France, Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Spain, and England, in both working tests and field trials.

A few years ago, I entered the spaniel world with my little Cocker Spaniel, Chyknell Teddie; in one season, he became an Italian and International FT Champion. I became a Spaniel judge six years ago.

I love watching dogs work in harmony with their handlers, and I am enthusiastic to be part of the judging commission for the next European Championship 2024.

Declan Boyle

I am an A Panel judge in the Irish Kennel Club and UK Kennel Club.
I have been trialing Labradors since 2002 and have made up five Field Trial Champions: FTCH Glenloch Ruff, FTCH Leadburn Jamie, GB FTCH & Irish FTCH Miller McDuff, GB FTCH & Irish FTCH Jake of Blackburn, and GB FTCH & Irish FTCH Knockyclovaun Ralph.

I have qualified approximately 22 times for the Irish Retriever Championship and 10 times for the IGL. I won the Irish Retriever Championship in 2017 and 2019 and also won the IGL in 2019.

I am the captain of the Irish International Gundog Team, which competes at the Game Fair in England every year. We have won the overall team title for the past three years. I enjoy a lot of snipe and woodcock shooting, and during the shooting season, I pick up a few times a week with all my dogs unless I am trialing.

I have judged field trials and working tests in France, Italy, Switzerland, Hungary, Germany, and the USA. I have judged the German Cup twice and have judged the Italian Retriever Championship in 2018, the Swedish Championship in 2017 and 2018, and the Danish Retriever Championship in 2022.

I am delighted to be asked again to judge this prestigious event. This will be my second time judging the European Championship in Italy—the first was in 2012.

May the best dog win! 🏆

David Logan

Firstly, I would like to thank you for the kind invitation to judge this event, and I would like to wish all the competitors the best of luck.

I have had the pleasure of growing up with working dogs through my family, and soon enough, I caught the bug!

I was given my first dog, Devonvale Shadow, for my 16th birthday in 2009. One of the most memorable years for me was 2016, when I won my first open stake with him, which took us to the IGL Championship, where we placed 2nd. I was also invited to be part of the winning Scotland team for the Home Nation Field Trial held at Windsor for the late Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th birthday celebration. This was a huge honour, and we were also awarded Guns’ Choice.

I have been fortunate enough to represent Scotland in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 at the Game Fairs across the UK and at Skinners’ World Cup in 2023 and 2024. I have been lucky enough to qualify for the IGL Championship on five separate occasions: 2016, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, where we earned 3rd place with FTCH Craigmaddie Mufasa of Bishopbrae in 2023.

I have been an A Panel Retriever judge since 2020 and have had the pleasure of judging Working Tests and Field Trials all over the UK and Europe.

Stefano Martinoli

Retrievers have always been my passion, as I have always loved hunting. I started breeding and training them in the late eighties, and since then, I have made numerous Italian and International FT Champions, competing in almost every European country and in the U.K. as well, both in trials and in working tests, such as the Skinners World Cup.

Since becoming a judge (for both Retrievers and Spaniels), I have been invited all over Europe to judge some of the most important trials and working tests.

I always feel very happy and proud when the dogs I breed, under my kennel name Waterfriend, stand on the podium in different countries.

It is a great honor to be invited once again to judge the European Championship.

All the best to all competitors, and may the best dog win!