Author: viretrievers

This is a reminder that the new CKC Field Trial Rule Book came into effect on January 1, 2023. There were only 2 new rule changes  and these are highlighted below.  In addition to the 2 changes there were significant changes to Section 13.1, National Championship Stakes which was rewritten in order to facilitate the combined National and Amateur National Stake.

New Rule books can be ordered from the CKC order deck for a nominal cost of $6.00 per book.

 Alternately it can be downloaded from the attachment below. 

Please ensure your approved judges are familiar with the rules as they exist and the new ones attached.

 6.6 Draw 6.6.1 In stakes for retrievers, the order of running shall be decided by lot at the draw. Dogs handled by the same person should be separated when possible and care should be taken to minimize the possibility of the same dog running first in consecutive trials on the same weekend by ensuring they have different numbers each day. Dogs may be run in an order different from that set out in the draw: (a) When, in the opinion of the judges or Field Trial Committee, such will result in a reasonable and desirable saving of time in the conduct of the trial; or 18 (b) When, in the opinion of the judges, will avoid unfairness or prejudice to any competing dog resulting from an event which occurred in a particular stake (c) Beginning after the first series, in a stake carrying championship points, a system of rotation must be implemented which applies to all contestants. An explanation of the particular system of rotation to be used must be announced in the premium list or before the commencement of the stake. (d) Judges may use a system of rotation for minor stakes to the extent possible where it does not create delays with concurrent running All-Age stakes. 

  g) On blind retrieves, wherever possible, the judges should plan their test in such a way (35-12-21) 44 that they take advantage of natural hazards; such as islands, points of land, sand bars, ditches, hedges, small bushes, adjacent heavy cover, and rolling terrain. Despite such natural distrac-tions, it should be possible, at least in theory, for a dog to find a well-planned blind retrieve on the initial line from its handler. That it will do so is highly improbable because of those natural hazards, so it must be handled to the blind. Nevertheless, the test should be planned so the dog should be in sight continuously. A blind retrieve is a test of control, and a dog which is out-of-sight for a considerable period cannot be said to be under control. Utilizing natural hazards should obviate the need for judges issuing special instructions about the manner of completing the blind retrieve, other than to get the meat by the most direct route. The location of the blind must be clearly identifiable to the handler. 

13.1 National Championship Stake .

Wishing everyone a successful and enjoyable 2023trial Season!

Regards,

Debby Montgomery, Retriever Council Rep, Zone 11

Sadly this week we learned of the passing of our dear friend John Caldwell in Victoria. For decades John contributed to retriever field trials and the Vancouver Island Retriever Club as a competitor, breeder, and holding multiple positions on the Club executive. John earned many Field Trial Championships on his dogs, most notable Firwoodhill’s Dynamo (Dino), who retired with 251AA points. Legend has it, Dino won 6 consecutive trials! John had declining health in the last few years but was always in good spirits and up for a visit. Another icon in our sport will be missed.

Communication from Vancouver Island Retriever Club secretary Linda Page…

This week, I received a communication from Glenn Campbell, regarding the death of his father, Bob Campbell. Long time members will remember the Campbell family, lovely people who played an active roll in the early years of the VIRC. Bob was living in Halifax with his son and family at the time of his death at the great age of 96.I have the VIRC Junior trophy here because it was not awarded in 2022. This trophy, donated by Bob & Sara Harman, shows young Glenn and lab, Buddy winning the trophy in 1971. In 1998, Bob won this same trophy with Lucky and Glenn feels that his father was likely a club member into the early 2000’s. At the time I knew them, Glenn was a youngster with a great throwing arm and Bob and Shirley were happily settled in Duncan since Bob was an engineer at the Crofton mill. Glenn plans to bring his father’s ashes back to Duncan in the summer and a celebration of Bob’s life will be held at that time. Anyone wishing to contact Glenn may do so at glennrc@yahoo.com

Linda Page

If you are attending a Swallowfield training day hosted by one of the retriever clubs on Vancouver Island, here is an updated map of the designated areas.

You can also find the map on the Training & Resources page.

Swallowfield training area map

Big things happening at Swampdog Farm! Swamp Dog Farm is one of the main sites for the 2023 National Retriever Championship hosted by the VIRC.

Follow updates @ Swamp Dog Farm on their new Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088955034918&mibextid=LQQJ4d

Check out then calendar of events on the Swamp Dog Farm website.

https://www.swampdogfarm.org

The Canine Acamania has super exciting events this year, and registration is open!
Please share with anyone who may be interested!All events are open for registration, and the link is posted on The Canine Acamania’s website:

Here is the link to the page with all the registration forms, and the posters with the information are attached. 

• February 3rd and 4th – Ward Falkner will present a problem-solving workshop in Cobble Hill
• April 1st and 2nd – Maria Soto competitive obedience problem-solving workshop in Courteney at All Things Dog Room.  
• June 24th and 25th, Connie Cleveland-Nolan will return to Vancouver Island to present a competitive Obedience Workshop.
• June 28th, Pat Nonal will be on Vancouver Island for the first time, presenting a one-day early transition workshop in Chemainus, BC and
•  July 1st, 2nd and 3rd, Pat Nolan will present a 3-day Advanced workshop targeting young MH/Qual teams at Swamp Dog Farm in Black Creek, BC.

Thank you in advance for your support,

Maria Soto

“Maximize Your Dog’s Potential”
www.thecanineacamania.com

Dear Members, at our AGM it was decided to replace traditional picnic trials with training days for 2023. This recommendation was made by your executive who continue their commitment to finding ways of growing the VIRC through training opportunities and licensed trials. To ensure that this change would be beneficial to all, the guidelines were developed in consultation with members and with those who have shown a willingness to lead the training days. We were extremely pleased that so many members voted to try out this new format. 

Please take the time to read over the guidelines below and check out the location of these monthly events. As you will note, the majority of our experienced handlers have volunteered their time to provide handlers of every level with quasi trial experience and we thank them for stepping up. Thanks to those who are providing grounds and how lucky we are to have Swallowfields for three of these events! 

Again, I would like to encourage all members to come out and participate. Our aim is to accommodate all retrievers no matter what their performance level. 

MASTER LEVEL – AUGUST   9 – 11

ALL AGE LEVEL – AUGUST 12 – 14

We are pleased to announce that by popular demand, Kevin Cheff is returning to the Comox Valley He will be providing us with 2, 3 day work shops.

Last year, handler spots sold out very quickly  Again, this year there  are only a limited number of handler spots and audit spots available. In addition, there  are also 4 private sessions that can be booked in advance. Fees pay for Kevin’s services, grounds, birds, and poppers. 

Kevin is one of the most highly sought-after Instructors in North America. He has a very thoughtful and innovative style and his ability to read dogs is of a very high level.  You can read more about him here. 

About | Kevin Cheff | Retriever Coach (theretrievercoach.com)

His first workshop is geared to dogs competing in the Canada National Master this year. You do not need to be competing to attend and any dog at the master level will greatly benefit from this workshop it is a prerequisite that any handler that registers be competing at the master level. Handlers of any level can benefit greatly from auditing. . 

You can register Here

2023-08-09 PRE CANADIAN NATIONAL MASTER TRAINING (theretrievercoach.net)

The Second Workshop is geared to dogs at the All-Age level competing at this year’s National Retriever Championship hosted by the VIRC.  You do not need to be competing to attend and any dog competing at the All Age/Qual level can benefit greatly. It is a prerequisite that any handler that registers be competing at the Qualifying or All Age Level but handlers at any level can benefit greatly from auditing. Kevin will send out a questionnaire and create a training plan to focus on your particular issues and strengthen your game.

You can register here. 

2023-08-12 PERSONALIZED TRAINING WORKSHOP ADVANCED FIELD TRIAL (theretrievercoach.net)

Congratulations to the top dogs and handlers as awarded by the BC Association of Retriever Trial Clubs! Click on the BCRETRIEVER NEWS link to read their bio’s.

https://www.bcretrievernews.ca/2022-hp-dogs.htm