Trainer - Abbie Reid
My dog training career started 14 years ago with Mya, my 8 week old working bred black Labrador puppy. I began the task of training this full on, high energy puppy using reference books and a DVD. It was a steep learning curve.
Since those early days I am now an IABTC Qualified Dog Instructor, a Member of the Guild of Dog Trainers and I have a Diploma in Canine Psychology. For 3 years I was an Assistant Gundog Trainer at Ashleygrove Gundogs.
Riverlily was started in 2012 and since then has grown into a fantastic Club where people can train their dogs in a friendly and relaxed environment. Training is reward based and our sessions are structured and progressive so everyone can achieve their training goals. We have numerous social events throughout the year and finish most training session with cake and lots of tea!!
My aim is for all trainees to come to Riverlily and build a working bond of trust and respect with their dog and to have fun doing so, whilst at the same time making new friends and enriching their personal lives.
I have attended many courses over the years, both Gundog courses and Pet Dog courses. I have acquired a great depth of knowledge and training skills through listening to other trainers and through training my own ten dogs and hundreds of clients' dogs. All of which are totally different in character and temperament and require very different training techniques, depending on the breed and the individual nature of each dog.
My team comprises of eight beautiful black Labradors, of which all are related and one yellow Labrador called Rooster. I have bred three litters in the Riverlily line and have produced cracking big, strong, bold dogs and small, fast and super clever bitches. They are all hunting machines.
My dogs are trained and walked every day and lead fantastic active lives. In the summer months I regularly compete in Working Tests and in the winter months I pick up on a number of shoots with them all. There is never a dull moment. I have also entered a number of Field Trials and this is currently what I am focusing on with my young dogs.
Come and see us soon and start your gundog training adventure with Riverlily today!
Abbie
My advice would be "always remember you and your dog are a team and if you are enjoying the training then I am sure your dog will be too!"
My Dogs
Mya - Almshoebury Persuasion of Riverlily
My first Labrador was Mya.
Sire Millbuies Mccoy
Dam Brocklebank Topaz
Born 02.07.07
Mya was born to retrieve and work.
She is fast moving and fast thinking. She loves to train everyday. She is happy to retrieve from any cover too.... No brambles are too much for our Mya.
Her stop whistle at distance is a dream and she takes direction at any distance. She loves to spend the day with me. Training or competing in Working Tests in the summer months and picking up on my five local shoots in the winter.
She is loyal and is everyone’s friend and her tail is always wagging.
I had a beautiful litter of four puppies from Mya in 2012. I kept two, River and Star.
At the fabulous age of 12 Mya is now retired from competitions and spends the winter months doing a few days picking up and the summer enjoying walks and sun bathing.
"Mya - 4th Place ND/NH GWCT.
July 2010"
"Mya - 3rd Place ND/NH GWCT.
July 2011"
"Mya - COM Novice Chiltern.
July 2012"
"Mya - 2nd Place ND/NH URC Bucks.
August 2012"
"Mya - 1st Place Novice URC Essex.
August 2013"
"Mya - 2nd Place Open Charity Working Test. Luton Hoo.
May 2014
"Mya - 2nd Place Open Qualifier URC Essex.
May 2014
"Mya - 2nd Place Open Chiltern.
August 2014"
"Mya - 1st Place Open Sugarbeet Walked up and winner of the award for Best Marking Dog.
August 2014"
"Mya - 4th Place Open Chatsworth.
September 2014"
"Mya - COM Open SIWSC.
October 2014"
"Mya - 2nd Place Open URC Bucks.
March 2015"
"Mya - COM Open Qualifier URC Essex.
April 2015"
"Mya - COM Open Qualifier URC Bucks.
May 2015"
"Mya - 2nd Place Open BASC Gundog Test.
May 2015"
"Mya - Member of URC Bucks Team in Inter Area Finals.
June 2015"
"Mya - 4th Place Open Water Test Chiltern.
August 2015"
"Mya - 1st Place Open Charity Working Test Cambridgeshire Gundog Club.
September 2015"
"Mya - 3rd Place Veteran URC EC.
April 2016"
"Mya - 2nd Place Open Qualifier URC Bucks.
May 2016"
"Mya - COM Open Chiltern.
August 2016"
"Mya - 1st Place Veteran UGS HBB.
August 2017"
"Mya - COM Open Kennet Valley.
March 2017"
"Mya - 1st Place Open URC Bucks.
April 2017"
"Mya - 1st Place Veteran Chiltern.
April 2017"
"Mya - 4th Place Veteran URC Bucks.
July 2018"
"Mya - 1st Place Veteran Chiltern.
August 2018"
"Mya - 4th Place Veteran URC Bucks.
May 2017"
"Mya - 4th Place Open Kestrelway Challenge.
June 2017"
Roxy - Lamazing Bella of Riverlily
Sire FTCH Greenbriar Viper of Drakeshead
Dam Calderhay Beaver of Lamazing
Born 31.10.08
Super fit and lean, Roxy is the athlete of the team. She loves to run and retrieve with super fast speed.
Roxy has been trained with Field Trial competitions in mind. She runs straight lines and her delivery is so soft and gentle. She is steady to game and her heelwork the best in my team.
She is a very loyal dog and just lives for picking up in the winter. She regularly picks up on my local shoots 4 times a week during the season. Her ability to pick runners is a joy to watch and her hunting and sweeping skills are brilliant. Roxy is the dog I know will find the bird tucked up tight after the drive a long way back from the guns. Not forgetting her recall and heelwork that makes taking her out on shoot day a real pleasure.
Roxy is a Labrador like no other in looks and character.
"Roxy - 3rd Place ND/NH GWCT.
June 2012"
"Roxy - COM Novice URC Essex.
August 2013"
"Roxy - 1st Place Novice Kennet Valley.
August 2013"
"Roxy - 3rd Place Open Charity Working Test Cambridgeshire Gundog Club.
September 2015"
"Roxy - 1st Place Open Charity Working Test Cambridgeshire Gundog Club.
September 2016"
"Roxy - 1st Place Open Kestrelway Challenge.
August 2016"
"Roxy - 1st Place Veteran URC Bucks.
May 2017"
"Roxy - 2nd Place Veteran UGS HBB.
August 2017"
"Roxy - COM Intermediate Chiltern.
August 2017"
"Roxy - COM Open Isle of Wight.
February 2019"
"Roxy - COM Open Chiltern.
March 2019"
"Roxy - 4th Place Veteran UGS EC.
March 2019"
"Roxy - 1st Place Veteran UGS HBB.
July 2019"
River - Riverlily Spirit of Destiny
Sire Dalvoulin Fraser of Drakeshead
Dam Almshoebury Persuasion of Riverlily
Born 17.04.12
River is now aged 8 and has grown into the biggest, happiest, friendliest and kindest Labrador I know.
He loves his days out in the shooting field and loves both a day picking up or beating. He is very steady to shot and falling game and has a really stylish delivery to finish off the retrieve.
River is very happy to work with clients so they can see what it feels like to work a trained dog.
He is also equally happy to spend the day at home chilling out or spending time with my family and friends.
He is one genuine, honest, kind and loving boy and I wouldn't be without him.
"River - 2nd Place Veteran UGS HBB.
July 2021"
"River - 3rd Place Veteran Leicestershire Gundog Society.
June 2022"
"River - COM Veteran URC Essex.
July 2021"
"River - 5th Place Novice Dogs Trust Charity Test.
June 2023"
"River - 4th Place Veteran UGS HBB.
July 2023"
"River - 3rd Place Novice Chiltern Water Test.
Sept 2023"
Star - Riverlily Angel of Adventure
Sire Dalvoulin Fraser of Drakeshead
Dam Almshoebury Persuasion of Riverlily
Born 17.04.12
Star has grown up into a little lightening package. Everything is done at full speed ahead!
She is tiny compared to her brother River. She only weighs about 20kgs compared to his 34kgs. However, what she lacks in size she makes up for in speed and brain power.
She loves retrieving and no obstacle or cover will get in her way. She either jumps it, swims across it or ploughs straight through it.
Starry handles beautifully in training, on the shooting field and in competitions and she is a delight to own and work with.
In 2016 Star had a litter of 9 black puppies. She was a fantastic mum and all of them have grown up into super fast, intelligent, happy, loving and driven dogs.
Here at Riverlily I kept 2 of the puppies. Namely Sherman and Daisy.
"Star - 1st Place Novice Charity Working Test Cambridgeshire Gundog Club.
September 2014"
"Star - COM Novice SIWSC.
October 2014"
"Star - COM Novice UGS HBB.
August 2016"
"Star - COM Novice Kestrelway Challenge.
August 2016"
"Star - 3rd Place Intermediate Cold Game URC Southern.
January 2017"
"Star - 4th Place Novice UGS HBB.
May 2017"
"Star - 3rd Place Novice Kennet Valley.
June 2017"
"Star - COM Novice Kestrelway Challenge.
June 2017"
"Star - 3rd Place Veteran Chiltern with Polly Gale as handler.
June 2021"
"Star - 1st Place Veteran UGS Eastern Counties.
August 2021"
"Star - 1st Place Novice GWCT Charity Working Test.
June 2018"
"Star - 1st Place Novice SIWSC.
April 2019"
"Star - 3rd Place Open Norfolk Gundog Club.
April 2019"
"Star - 2nd Place Veteran Leicestershire Gundog Society.
June 2022"
"Star - 2nd Place Veteran USG EC.
July 2022"
"Star - 1st Place Veteran UGS HBB.
July 2023"
Sherman - Riverlily Summer Storm
Sire FTCH Kestrelway Freddie
Dam Riverlily Angel of Sunshine
Born 28.04.16
Sherman is one bold, confident and good looking boy. He was the biggest puppy in the litter from day 1 and has matured into a strong and brave dog who loves to work and play at top speed.
He has drive and style and thunders out and back on every retrieve. Teaching steadiness has been an interesting process with Sherman!
This year Sherman was out picking up over 45 days on shoots and really proved himself to be an amazing member of the Riverlily Team. He hunts cover like a demon, takes runners with ease and will keep hunting any terrain for as long as it takes to find the birds.
This summer I will be concentrating on entering him in Novice Working Tests. Wish us luck!
"Sherman - Reserve in BASC Gamekeepers Labrador Dog Class at Crufts.
March 2019"
"Sherman - COM Novice Kestrelway Challenge.
May 2019"
"Sherman - 4th Place Novice Labrador Retriever Club.
August 2019"
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"Sherman - 3rd Place in BASC Working Dog Team at Crufts.
March 2024"
Daisy - Riverlily Summer Star
Sire FTCH Kestrelway Freddie
Dam Riverlily Angel of Sunshine
Born 28.04.16
Daisy was nicknamed Crazy Daisy in the litter as she spent the first few months of her very active life racing round and running and jumping on and over anything and everything.
Now she has grown up she has matured into a very fast, clever and extremely biddable girl who loves to please. She also has the biggest ears on a Labrador we have ever seen!
Daisy loves to retrieve and takes direction and the stop whistle all in her stride. She is a pleasure to train and have around.
This year Daisy picked up over 60 days on shoots and proved herself to be an amazing member of the Riverlily Team. She is so fast on runners and will hunt any cover for shot game.
Last year Daisy won a Novice Working Test and an Intermediate Working Test and this year we will be concentrating on entering Open Working Tests.
In 2020 Daisy had a beautiful of 6 puppies, we kept two, namely Sparkle and Trooper.
I am very proud of my little, speedy Daisy.
"Daisy - 4th Place Puppy UGS HBB.
August 2017"
"Daisy - 1st Place Open Chiltern Water Test.
Sept 2023"
"Daisy - 2nd Place Novice East Anglian Labrador Retriever Club.
August 2018"
"Daisy - 1st Place Novice Norfolk Gundog Club.
April 2019"
"Daisy - 1st Place Intermediate Kennet Valley.
May 2019"
"Daisy - 3rd Place in BASC Working Dog Team at Crufts.
March 2024"
"Daisy - COM Veteran URC Bucks.
April 2024"
"Daisy - 2nd Place Open BASC Charity Working Test.
May 2019"
Rooster - Lyebreach Golden Eagle of Riverlily
Sire FTCH Levenghyl Malusi
Dam Riverlily Sunshine Swift at Lyebreach
Born 19.10.19
Rooster joined the team on New Years Eve 2019 and settled in really quickly to his new family.
He was a super friendly, super happy, cheeky puppy.
Rooster is now 2 years old and has matured into a handsome, clever, driven young dog.
He has been a dream to train and just loves to please. He is fast, stylish, takes fabulous straight lines and has a fantastic stop whistle.
He has been on a number os shoots to gain experience and has taken part in live game training days to prepare him for future Field Trials.
Last year Rooster was in the awards in 2 Puppy Working Tests and this year has been placed in 4 Novice Working Tests and has now won a Novice putting him into Open.
All his adventures can be found on our Facebook and Instagram pages... Riverlily Working Dogs
Working Tests
"Rooster - 2nd Place Special Puppy Chiltern.
June 2021"
"Rooster - COM Novice Norfolk Gundog Club.
April 2022"
"Rooster - COM Open Guildford.
July 2022"
"Rooster - COM Open Walked Up on Field Trial Lines Labrador Retriever Club.
July 2023"
"Rooster - COM Novice Norfolk Gundog Club.
July 2021"
"Rooster - 2nd Place Novice Guilford.
April 2022"
"Rooster - 3rd Place Open Chiltern Water Test.
Aug 2022"
"Rooster - 2nd Open Sugar Beet UGS Eastern Counties.
August 2023"
"Rooster - 3rd Place Special Puppy URC Essex.
July 2021"
"Rooster - COM All Aged Cold Game Test Norfolk Gundog Club
August 2021"
"Rooster - 3rd Place and highest placed member Intermediate URC Bucks.
April 2022"
"Rooster - COM Open URC Bucks.
March 2023"
"Rooster - 1st Open Walked Up on Field Trial Lines Kennet Valley GTS.
August 2023"
"Rooster - 1st Place Novice Midland Counties Labrador Retriever Club.
May 2022"
"Rooster - 3rd Place and Top Lady Handler Open Midland Gundog Society.
June 2023"
"Rooster - 4th Place All Aged Test Norfolk Gundog Club.
August 2023"
"Rooster - 2nd Place Novice Isle of Wight.
February 2022"
"Rooster - COM Open Leicestershire Gundog Society.
June 2022"
"Rooster - 3rd Place and Top Lady Handler Open Norfolk Gundog Club.
July 2023"
"Rooster - 4th Place Open Chiltern Water Test.
Sept 2023"
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"Rooster - COM Open Qualifier UGS HBB.
March 2024"
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"Rooster - COM Open Norfolk Gundog Club.
April 2024"
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"Rooster - COM Open Kennet Valley GTS.
April 2024"
Field Trials
"Rooster - 2nd Place Novice Field Trial South Eastern Gundog Society.
Oct 2022"
"Rooster - 3rd Place All Aged Field Trial Dukeries.
Jan 2023"
"Rooster - Reserve in Field Trial Labrador Dog Class at Crufts.
March 2023"
"Rooster - COM and Guns Choice Novice Field Trial Isle of Wight Gundog Club.
November 2023"
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"Rooster - Reserve in Field Trial Labrador Dog Class at Crufts.
March 2024"
"Rooster - 3rd Place in BASC Working Dog Team at Crufts.
March 2024"
Sparkle - Riverlily Dancing Queen
Sire Annaloughan Scott of Wickmoor
Dam Riverlily Summer Star
Born 01.11.20
Sparkle is an energetic, fun loving, super fast, hunting machine.
I am currently cementing the fundamental basics of heel work, sit/stay, recall and general good dog manners whilst at the same time working on introducing all the gundog skills Sparkle will need to be successful in the future either in competitions or in the shooting field.
She has been a couple of shoots to gain experience and this year will be part of the picking up team.
All her adventures can be found on our Facebook and Instagram pages... Riverlily Working Dogs
"Sparkle - 2nd place Special Puppy UGS EC.
July 2022"
"Sparkle - COM Novice Isle of Wight Gundog Club.
Feb 2023"
"Sparkle - 2nd Novice Water Test Labrador Retriever Club.
June 2023"
Trooper - Riverlily Super Trooper
Sire Annaloughan Scott of Wickmoor
Dam Riverlily Summer Star
Born 01.11.20
Trooper is a lovable, energetic, fun loving, super fast boy who live life to the max. He loves to hunt and would retrieve all day long if we let him.
Trooper belongs to my partner Tim and they spend everyday together at work, out training or walking or in the pub!
Tim is training Trooper to be part of the picking up team.
Dazzle - Ajelen's Holly of Riverlily
Sire Autumnwillow Jackal
Dam Georgieland Winter Breeze of Ajelens
Born 26.12.20
Dazzle joined the team at 8 weeks old in February 2021. She settled in really quickly and was soon part of the gang.
She is a quick learner who takes everything in her stride. She is more of a thinker than Sparkle so I am taking training slowly to keep her confidence levels high.
I am currently cementing the fundamental basics of heel work, sit/stay, recall and general good dog manners whilst at the same time working on introducing all the gundog skills Dazzle will need to be successful in the future either in competitions or in the shooting field.
She has been a couple of shoots to gain experience and this year will be part of the picking up team.
All her adventures can be found on our Facebook and Instagram pages... Riverlily Working Dogs
