The first qualifying test for the Tuscany Excellence Trophy took place on the promontory of Populonia in Piombino on 2-3-4-5 February 2012; test for dogs followed in single on wild boar with the CAC up for grabs.
Magnificent setting overlooking the sea with the view of the Gulf of Baratti and San Vincenzo on one side and the view of the “Pearl” of the Archipelago, the Island of Elba, on the other side. Organized by the Prosegugio section of Livorno with the President Federighi Stefano, it saw the participation of almost all the best players of the moment.
Forty-one dogs judged in the four days by the judges Bracco Felice, Mugnaini Bruno and Rossi Giorgio. The first days were characterized by bad weather with very cold temperatures and rain, then a great cold.
It was possible to witness truly exciting turns in a typically Mediterranean scrub where the wild put the dogs to the test. The absolute winner of the test was the Maremma Berlusconi hound of Mr. Cupini Mino, a highly decorated dog that once again showed resourcefulness, an excellent sense of smell in combination, a thrilling bark and a relentless following that earned him the Excellent CAC 183 points.
Other winners, equally valid, were those of Venanti, Cucini, Boddi and Petrilli. For the record, other very good dogs have also been seen, but perhaps they have not met in their turn or that not everything went in the right direction.
Certainly they will refer to the next tests on the Elba and Massa islands from which the 6 subjects that will face each other in the April final on the Island of Elba for the Tuscany Excellence Trophy will arise.