The Winner is. . .

Update Note

I added an update and post national wrap up at the end of this page. Have a look at some important Thanks You’s. Saturday's report also has a sketch of the 10th series included now.

63 AFTCH Oakridge Rtvr Going All The Way QFTR
Owned by Lorraine Hare, handled by Lorne Langevin





Finalists for 2009 Canadian National Retriever Championship

7 Kapriver Emmy Lu-LR-F, owned by Victor Ricci, Handled by Dave Thompson

9 Wynflat’s G.P.S.-LR-F , owned and handled by Lorne Langevin

27 FTCH-AFTCH Baypoint’s Star Of Ladnermarsh-LR-F ,owned by Jerome So, handled by Dan Devos

32 No Strings Attached-LR-M , owned by Carl Clark, handled by Allan Haggerty

43 FTCH-AFTCH Moira River Maddy-LR-F , owned by Greg MacInnis,Handled by Dave Thompson

45 Taylorlab Calumet’s Big Blue-LR-M , owned by Harold & Sharon Gierman, handled by Sharon

57 The Springwaters Rippin To Go-LR-M , owned by Ronald ModestoHandled by Charles Dygos

58 Laird’s Cynful Elegance-LR-F , owned by Christopher & Cynthia Parkinson, handled by Ray Smith

59 Bluenorth’s Under A Lucky Star-LR-F , owned by Ted & Cynthia Gadawski, handled by Ted

63 AFTCH Oakridge Rtvr Going All The Way QFTR-LR-F-owned by Lorraine Hare, handled by Lorne Langevin

64 FTCH-AFC Jaybar’s Click On-LR-M, owned by William & Betty Hoythandled by Charles Dygos

65 Pilkington’s Abby Of Kawartha-LR-F owned by Tony Scheller, handled by Dave Thompson

70 FTCH-AFTCH Bluenorth’s Alces Americana-LR-M, owned by Ed & Sharlene Zeerup, handled by Kevin Cheff



Post National Wrap-up

The morning after the celebration was another beautiful day with heavy fog in the valleys. The headquarters was quiet as I took a reflective early morning walk with my dog. At the entrance, the trademark black Labrador directional sign of the Pine Ridge Club looked the same as it had 10 days earlier. Obe went over to say hello as everybody else packed up to say good-bye.



No National is ever alike and this one had all the characteristic ups and downs, joys and frustrations and finally excitement. The heavy workload and strong contribution by judges, workers, host club and Sponsors seems a necessary toll but perhaps makes it all the more rewarding.

Worker’s Party and Thanks

I didn’t get the opportunity during the National to highlight the Worker’s Party on Thursday night. It was a celebration and thanks of all the effort put in by so many. At the head of the list of Thank You’s was the Major Sponsorship by Purina, Tritronics, Dogs AField and Ducks Unlimited. Jim Green, our Field Trail Chairman reminded everyone that their contribution has become essential to the conduct and quality of Canadian Nationals. He also identified the work of all the volunteers that make such events possible. Many of those I have already identified during the week because of their involvement with mechanics. But it is the behind the scenes folks that go unnoticed all too often. People like Honey Wilson, FT secretary, and Anne Hall, Treasurer and main program/catalog designer.



Anne (L) and Honey (R) always working!

Diane Ling did a lot behind the scenes on the Socials, Judges care and the Banquet and was assisted by many other including Barb Hawley, Grace Burmaster, and Jane Thompson. Jim Ling, NRCC president was also PRRC Financial Chair, working closely with Ann Hall. We had a big and competent set-up crew including Donna LaHaise, John Chevalier, Ann Hall and Anne Steer along with stalwart Albert Coles. Traffic and Parking flowed smoothly all week thanks to Richard Dresser, Bill Cummings and Don Wilson.



Richard Dresser runs the 10th with Test dog "willie" as judges watch!


Equipment folks were everywhere this week pitching in as needed. Trialers like Don Martin, Tony Scheller, Glynn Matthews, Tom Hawley, Ron LaDuke and Gerry Burmaster.



Don Martin in action!

At Gahonk headquarters Dave and Jane Thompson masterminded almost every aspect of this National but notably Social events, Grounds, Silent Auctions, Banquet and Worker’s Party. They made a huge contribution. Jean House was there at Gahonk throughout behind the scenes implementing many details. Dona Martin, was the Official Photographer. Jim Green also thanked Dennis and Fiona for the web reporting and identified the role that Dennis played as NRCC Corporate Sponsor Liaison.



Fiona sketches the 10th

Our Gun Captain did a fantastic job rounding up help from almost everybody that came to the grounds. Some of the volunteers offered their help on multiple occasions. The complete list for the week is huge and includes the following: Peter Martin, Dennis Harwood, Ann Steer, Larry Coe, Medie Robinson, Chris Mason, Glynn Matthews, Ron LeDuke, Bruce Kelly, Jim Green, Shirley Greener, Rich Dresser, Richard Davis, Les Oakes, Pierre Matthieu, Marg Murray, Ray Smith, Katie Dygos, Heather Stewart, Lori Walsh, Jane Thompson, Tony Schiller, Jim Ling, Dennis Voigt, Gerry Burmaster, Lorne Langevin, Chris LaCross, Dana Young, Mike Prechitko, Al Moroz, John Chevalier, Shirley Greener, Paul Lalley, Ted Gadawski, Tim Crone, Pearl McGinn, Randy Seip, Ron LaDuke, Chris LaCross, Don Martin, Kevin Cheff, Lorne Langevin, Allan Haggerty, Colin McNicol, Marty Kress, Jim Blake, Fred Benjaminson, Dennis Voigt, Pierre Mathieu, Marg Murray, Bill Kennedy, Greg McGinnis, Ron Malton, Jim Ling, Tom Hawley, Rob Cumpson, Bill Cumming, John Mairs and Carl Clarke, Ken Crosby, Dennis Harwood, Heather Stewart, Lori Walsh, Don Wilson, Jeff McCann, and Sandi Bond.

At the end of the night, Jim Green was also thanked for over-seeing the entire National-always a challenging and daunting task. I would be remiss if I did not identify that this entire group of volunteers was supported and sponsored by Purina with dog food, bags and various other gifts of appreciation. Again our thanks to Purina reps, Lauralee Camilleri, Les Oakes and Tim Crone.

Outside the Host club, we must never forget the year-round work of the NRCC and the executive. Marg Murray, Secretary Treasurer masterminds all the logistics for both Nationals. Of course our judges at this event, Larry Baker, Dan Yeomans and Wes Place probably had the greatest responsibility of anyone. Our thanks to them.

Finally, I want to again thank Retriever News for bringing this web report to you and a special thanks to Tina Ebner, Managing Editor for her efforts and consultation.

Our congratulations to the winner, Lorraine and Teezer with handler, Lorne. The stars were aligned for you!

Saturday, 19 September - 9th-Land Quad-10th Water Quad

We awoke to another clear day but there was frost on the pumpkins at 32 degrees. We caravanned north a few miles to a large cut hay field valley where the line was high on the east side. Across the big valley was a steep hillside with goldenrod, scattered orange sumach clumps and a few pine trees. The land quad started with a long gun 244 yards on the right throwing a drake to the left into the cover. On the left but long at 340 yards another pair of gunners stood in the far hillside cover and threw a drake right. Then the shorter right hand pair threw a hen duck steep angle back left into cover at 120 yards. Finally on the hill to the left a pair of gunners with a huge throw threw another hen angled down the hill and shot twice. Both the long guns retired. There was a group of Canada Goose decoys left of number 3 guns at 90 yards.The wind was very light from the north on right to left.
The first test dog, Grouse, run at 8:00 am by Tom Hawley did an excellent job. The second test dog, Nick with Marg Murray also did well but had to hunt long and hard in the area of fall of the long bird to scent. Judges scented all the areas and the test was a go at8:40 with dog no. 9 coming to line. Dogs started off doing quite well although there were a few hunts. At one point there was even discussion about whether there were enough hunts or weak birds but then we had some looser hunts on both long retireds. A couple of dogs drove the far hillside and we had a couple of handles, by the first bird change at 11 dogs. After the bird change the wind became more variable, sometimes from the left, sometimes from the right and also there seemed to be an uphill flow on the longest bird. We’ll be done close to noon when it is expected we will move back to headquarters for a water quad. Lately the dogs have been doing well There is lots of speculation about who and how many Finalists.

Click on photo to enlarge





Finished at noon with Callbacks almost 40 minutes later. The test took a bigger toll than most thought and 13 dogs have been called back to the 10th. The Finalists are #’s 7, 9, 27, 32, 43, 45, 57, 58, 59, 63, 64, 65, and 70. We’re moving to a water quad an awaiting set-up at Headquarters at 1:15pm.Tenth Series

It’s taken until 2:00 pm to set up the 10th Water Quad and get everybody gathered. The test was set-up on a hillside over-looking the same set of double ponds where we did the 8th series water blind yesterday. The first test dog was Richard Dresser with Willie. He had 3 good birds but missed the longest retired and eventually had to handle. The second test dog, Briar, run by Marg Murray had hunts on two but smacked the longest bird. The long bird is being changed as I write this so I won’t describe more until it is official.

Revised 10th. The longest bird was moved in across the pond to land. Another test dog, Tiny was run by Dennis Harwood. After he handled, the judges declared a go. No. 1 gunners were across the right hand pond at 145 yards on a clearing in the forest. They retired. No. 2 was across the left hand pond and down the shore at 200 yards. They also retired. No 3 was a big throw to the left on land at 158 yards (retired) and the last bird was in front to the right of the line at 90 yards. It was thrown into open water. After a few dogs we were getting some hunts but the dogs were getting the birds. The test was finished by 6:00 pm approximately. We are awaiting results. Only 1 dog handled and there were considerable good jobs. Quite a few dogs had short hunts on # 3 and quite a few dogs landed on the shore behind # 2. Also dog hunted in the forest opening on #1. Halfway through the test, # 1 and 2 gunners were in deep shadow and then the sun glare on the water became extreme. Consequently several dogs did not see #2. However, as testimony to the dogs, they often did well. At this point the gallery has not singled out a single dog but speculation is mounting. Of course, only the judges have seen ALL of the work.



The 10th Series Water Quad. This is a panorama shot so click on it to enlarge