Content Pet Food at Chatsworth Country Fair: Our First Year Sponsoring The Gundog Scurry
A New Adventure for Content Pet Food
This year, Content Pet Food proudly sponsored the gundog scurry at Chatsworth Country Fair for the very first time — three brilliant days at one of the UK’s best-loved country shows, set against the stunning backdrop of the Chatsworth Estate in Derbyshire.
With a stand set up right alongside the action, our team spent the weekend meeting hundreds of dog owners, sampling our natural, meat & veg only kibble with dogs of every age and breed, and cheering on almost 200 competitors across the charity gundog scurries. If you’re searching for dog friendly events in Derbyshire, gundog training days, or simply want to know what happened at Chatsworth Country Fair 2026, here’s our full recap.
Meeting the Nation’s Dogs (and Their Owners)
With close to 40,000 paws through the gates, we met dogs and owners from all over the nation. Our stand at Chatsworth was all about giving visitors a real taste of what makes Content Pet Food different. We brought samples covering every life stage — from puppy food through to senior dog food — plus our full range of recipes for both small breed dog food and large breed dog food needs, so there was something for every dog that stopped by.
Some of our favourite conversations of the weekend started the same way: an owner telling us their dog is “such a fussy eater, they won’t touch anything” — only for that same dog to try and clear the bowl off the counter. One enthusiastic pup even managed to jump right up onto it. It’s exactly why we do these events; there’s nothing better than watching a dog owners describe as a nightmare to feed suddenly can’t get enough.
Over the three days, our team spoke to owners managing a huge range of needs, including:
- Dogs with pancreatitis, needing carefully controlled, low-fat nutrition
- Dogs with food allergies and skin conditions, in need of hypoallergenic dog food
- Underweight dogs and fussy eaters who need tempting back to the bowl
- Overweight dogs in need of a healthy weight management plan
- Owners needing an easier, more cost-effective feeding option
- Owners looking for support with everyday dog behaviour challenges
Alongside our team’s nutritional advice, Jez was also on hand with his expertise in dog behaviour and training to answer all those questions people have, whether it was gundog training through to specific behavioural issues. This proved very popular.
If your dog’s behaviour is something you’d like support with, Jez also offers one-to-one consultations. For more information you can visit www.dogabc.co.uk.
Front Row Seats to the Gundog Scurry
Our stand had a prime spot right in front of the have-a-go gundog scurry, so we had a front-row view of the action all weekend. Watching everything from Shih Tzus to Greyhounds take on the course was a genuine highlight — with plenty of belly-laugh moments along the way. A few overly enthusiastic dogs cleared the high bails with room to spare, while others took a far more nonchalant approach, ambling around the course while their owners cheered them on like Olympic coaches.
Whether you’re an experienced handler and there for the actual scurries or just there for a laugh with your own dog, the Chatsworth charity gundog scurries are a brilliant, welcoming introduction to the sport — and one we’re already looking forward to being part of again.
Just under 200 different dogs competed in our charity gundog scurries across the three days of Chatsworth Country Fair — a fantastic turnout for our first year as sponsor.
Friday Results
Long Retrieve
- Sue Askew & Blu
- Clair Reed & Nancy
- Shelley Sandiford & Basil
Multi Pick-up
- Shelley Sandiford & Hector
- Bob Bowes & Cody
- David Wilkinson & Ginny
Two Dummy
- Shelley Sandiford & Castor
- Shelley Sandiford & Hector
- Jane Wagstaff & Winston
Water Scurry
- Tim Wright & Skye
- Sue Askew & Blu
- Martin Sutton & Wren
Junior Two Dummy
- Evelyn & Brook
- Stanley & Puddin
- Georgia & Arthur
Daily Challenge (sponsored by Content Pet Food)
- Shelley Sandiford & Castor
- Shelley Sandiford & Hector
- Julie Welsh & Gracie
Saturday Results
Long Retrieve
- Amanda Haston & Nelly
- Colin Barton-Smythe & Mia
- Lucy Mallaby & Nelly
Multi Pick-up
- Shelley Sandiford & Castor
- Shelley Sandiford & Hector
- Colin Barton-Smythe & Mia
Two Dummy
- Claire & Daisy
- Jo Dunne & Brooke
- Shelley Sandiford & Castor
Water Scurry
- Shelley Sandiford & Hector
- Colin Barton-Smythe & Mia
- Shauna & Pablo
Junior Scurry
- Evelyn & Brooke
- Georgia & Trevor
- Albert & Finn
Daily Challenge
- Shelley Sandiford & Hector
- Shelley Sandiford & Castor
- Julie Welsh & Rosie
Saturday Special Scurry Winner: Holly McArthy & Acer
Sunday Results — Our Final Day
Long Retrieve
- Chris Camm & Rose
- Sue Askew & Teal
- Amy Walker & Sullivan
Multi Pick-up
- Shelley Sandiford & Hector
- Julie Welsh & Rosie
- Laura Pope & Pippa
Two Dummy
- Laura Pope & Pippa
- Keith Welsh & Rosie
- Danny Dunne & Brooke
Water Scurry
- Shelley Sandiford & Castor
- Becky Fearn & Jess
- Laura Pope & Pippa
Junior Scurry
- Amelia & Teal
- Albert & Birdie
- Albert & Finn
Daily Challenge
- Laura Pope & Pippa
- Shelley Sandiford & Hector
- Shelley Sandiford & Castor
Overall Chatsworth Challenge Champion: Laura Pope & Pippa
Well done to everyone who took part across the three days of the Chatsworth Country Fair gundog scurry — and thank you for helping us raise money for some very deserving local charities.
Crowning The 2026 Champions
Top Chatsworth Gundog 2026: Holly McArthy & Acer
Holly McArthy’s dog Acer was crowned our Top Chatsworth Gundog for 2026. Competing against 20 dogs and handlers, the pair tackled a long swim river retrieve followed by an unseen retrieve on the riverbank to take the win. Holly took home a donated night in a Derbyshire log cabin, along with a supply of Content Pet Food from us. Well done, Holly and Acer!
Chatsworth Challenge Gundog Champion: Laura Pope & Pippa
This year’s Chatsworth Challenge Gundog Champion title went to Pippa. Laura Pope worked Pippa impeccably, having had just the one run at the Challenge on the Sunday. The pair took home a haul of donated goodies plus a Chatsworth Country Fair trophy to keep, and Pippa bagged herself some well-earned Content Pet Food, presented by Content's founder dog behaviourist Jez Frith. Congratulations to you both!
Raising Money for Charity
To Helen and her brilliant team of volunteers, to every dog and handler who competed, and to everyone who stopped by our stand for a chat — thank you for making our first year sponsoring the Chatsworth Country Fair gundog scurry such a memorable one.
And the best bit.... over £4000 was raised for local charities!
Looking for the Right Food for Your Dog?
Whether you met us at Chatsworth or you’re discovering us for the first time, our full range is available online, covering:
- Puppy food for growing dogs
- Adult dog food for everyday nutrition
- Senior dog food for dogs in their golden years
- Small breed dog food and large breed dog food formulated for size-specific needs
- Our Super 65% range for dogs needing extra meat content
If your dog struggles with allergies or sensitivities, take a look at our guide to the best dog food for allergies, or get in touch with our team for tailored advice.
Bring on next year and all the fun it will bring — see you at Chatsworth Country Fair 2027!
