James Purdey & Sons victorious at Schöffel Ptarmigan Trophy

London gunmaker James Purdey & Sons claimed the top spot at the inaugural Schöffel Ptarmigan Trophy, which was held on Tuesday 1 May at West Wycombe Park in Buckinghamshire, to celebrate 25 years of its iconic Ptarmigan coat collection. Following five drives of simulated game and a surprise shoot-off, the winning team beat 23 other teams-of-three to score an impressive 457x500.

Made up of Jonathan Irby, Simon Rood and Owen Hastings, the team were delighted to take home the stunning ptarmigan sculpture made by Jason Sweeney. Jonathan said: “I am immensely proud to be part of the winning team of the first ever Schöffel Ptarmigan Trophy; and very pleasantly surprised. It has been a brilliantly run shoot and has been lovely to be among great friends from across the industry, all of whom enjoy the same sport with the same passion. The sculpture will take pride of place in The Long Room at Purdey’s shop in Mayfair.”

In second place was E.J. Churchill, made up of Sir Edward Dashwood Bt., Rob Fenwick and Paul Gillet, who finished on a score of 446. Third place was awarded to The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation, represented by Liam Bell, Geoff Garrod and Justin Garrod, who scored a respectable 436.

Inspired by the technology behind Schöffel ski wear, the Ptarmigan coat was first launched in 1993 by Corry Cavell-Taylor, with the backing of Peter Schöffel, and was the first in the industry to incorporate Gore-Tex technology. The collection has since gone from strength to strength and today is one of the most recognised products within the industry.

Corry said: “25 years ago I had just returned from a ski trip where I discovered an amazing brand called Schöffel. Whilst freezing myself in a traditional wax jacket on a shoot in Northamptonshire, I had the idea that it might be good to introduce Gore-Tex to the shooting industry. I contacted Peter Schöffel and with the help of four UK retailers we came up with a product called the Ptarmigan, which is now 25 years old. The fieldsports industry has been incredibly supportive of our brand – I asked lots of questions and the industry answered.

“Thank you and well done to all who have taken part in the Schöffel Ptarmigan Trophy today, we couldn’t have asked for a better way to mark the anniversary of the Ptramigan coat.”

The full Schöffel Country coat collection is available online at www.schoffel.co.uk.