Vancouver Island Retriever Club

On APRIL 19th, the VIRC will be holding a picnic trial in the Oyster Bay Area, north of Black Creek in the Comox Valley. Please put this one on your calendar as an opportunity to practice working with your dog in a trial situation before CKC trials begin in early May. Our host, Dave Douglas, has guaranteed that all dogs will run two series and that those who are not successful may continue to run out of contention for additional practice. Dave is looking for a marshall and is counting on club members to be ready to assist with set up and with gunning. Picnic trials are loosely based on CKC field trial rules. There will be assistance given to anyone who is unsure about the process. We want everyone to feel comfortable in a trial situation! If you are willing to marshal, help with set up or have any questions, please contact Dave through admin@viretrieverclub.ca.

Please register in advance for the duck count and to create running orders. Remember, you will be asked to gun for your fellow members. This will be at the ‘Airport’ property; directions will be sent out with the running & gunning orders.  Pack a lunch and hope to see you there!

Linda Page, VIRC Secretary

Here are some great photos from the VIRC field trial held in Logan Lake, June 28-30, 2025. Photo Gallery. You can see all the results here. Congratulations to everyone. Thank you to the judges and all the hard-working individuals who contribute to putting on a trial.

The May long weekend was the scene for the VIRC spring field trial. Here is the link to the results https://retrieverresults.com/cdn/event/freeft/2025-20/VIRC-C.
Thank you to judges, workers, billet hosts, cooks (Dave & Sue, Brianne and Robin), and everyone who chipped in. It takes a village to put on a successful event. Here are some great photos from the Amateur stake on Monday, taken by Bob Ell, and some snapshots from the weekend.

The VIRC held its AGM in early January where the executive was appointed for the coming year: Lorne Parker president, Kevin Ashfield vice-president, Linda Page secretary, Amanda Wannop treasurer, and Rick Roberts taking over the picnic trial chair position.

The field trials are set for 2025 starting with the May long weekend in the Comox Valley, June 28-30 in Logan Lake, and September 27-28 at Swallowfield.

Check the VIRC calendar for upcoming training days and picnic trials. You can find all the British Columbia field trials and hunt tests (including HRC) on the BCARTC website.

Congratulations to Bill Pearson and “Tip” for receiving the Molly Moss Trophy for the club member dog earning the most field trial points in the year (any stake). This team also earned the Hi-Point Junior Field Trial Dog in Canada and the BCARTC Hi-Point Junior Dog award.

And thank you to all the volunteers who help throughout the year! Good luck in 2025. Happy training!

Memberships for 2025 are due for renewal. Go to Memberships. You can fill out the form online and pay the $25 by e-transfer to viretrieverclub@gmail.com.

The VIRC held it’s annual members meeting on January 7, 2024 via Zoom. 17 members attended and celebrated the accomplishments of the club over the past year. A heartfelt thank you was said to Debby Montgomery as retiring Vice President, and to Ian Montgomery as retiring Equipment Manager.

The members welcomed new executive members Kevin Ashfield as Vice President and Amanda Wannop as Treasurer, and thank Linda Page for her continued work as Secretary, Daniel Shnitka as Picnic Trial Chair, and Lorne Parker as President. A welcome to Gary Harrison as incoming Equipment Manager.

The VIRC members chose a hybrid model of training days and picnic trials for 2024. Events will be held at Swallowfield and the Comox Valley. View the calendar of events to find out when the monthly events are happening.

The VIRC resurrected the Molly Moss Memorial Trophy for the VIRC member owned dog that earned the most points in CKC licensed trials in the year. The top dog was “Pink” COOLWATER’S MISSUNDAZTOOD QFTR-JFTR and Dave Douglas. Pink earned 15 points in 10 trials in Qualifying, including two wins. Congratulations Pink & Dave!

Last Saturday the club hosted the annual Winter Olympics. 20 members and 27 dogs braved the less then ideal weather and had a blast! Dogs and handlers competed in fastest(and slowest) as well as a relay and prizes were awarded for a host of fun things! A big thank you to the organizers, Angela Andersen, Debra Pile, Daniel Shnitka and Linda Page as well as everyone who helped out and/or brought something for the pot luck lunch. And especially thank you to Louise for getting Rick to bring the tent and portable fire pit! A great way to close out an amazing 2023 for the club.