What a weekend!
Late last year our club made a decision to do a “mini” national in preparation for our event this fall. We reached out to the national judges, booked their flights and set the wheels in motion.
Our club pulled off a 4 day trial with 5 stakes and 20 tests. We had a workers and judges dinner for 25, and full lunches on the grounds every day.
We also gave out 4 new trophies 3 of which are dedicated to long standing members of our club and huge contributors to the Field Trial game as whole:
Bob Harmen- Top Placing Amateur for the weekend: co-winners Rod Spence & Linda Page, John Caldwell – Junior winner: Heads Up Golden Warrior Prince (Loach), handled by Colin McNicol and owned by Melanie Towell, Graham Tyler – Open winner: Rod Spence & Patch of Skatch (Jazper). Qualifying winner: Anne Everett & Heads Up Sparkle N’ Splash (Zest).
A huge thank you to all our workers, judges, volunteers and landowners. It takes a village! Special thanks to our chairs Kevin Ashfield and Deb Mongomery as well as our trial secretary Linda Page. Also our National judges Darlene Broomhead, Dave Thompson and Colette Prefontaine for taking 5 days out of their lives to come out when they already have 12 days with us later this fall. This is a huge commitment and it shows just how committed to a great National these judges are. We are incredibly lucky to have such great grounds and great people to make it all happen. The Vancouver Island Retriever game continues to grow and thrive and it only happens when all clubs and all dog people regardless of discipline work together.
Bring on Sept and the 2023 National Retriever Championship!
