Wild Rose Hunting Retriever Club

We are going to attack the remaining pesky pockets of FOXTAIL at the Club grounds near Kathryn, this Thursday from 5-9 pm. We are going to do some cutting around the edges of the pond as well, so you can see your dog going into the water from the mounds. The club has purchased a new Stihl 250 gas weed whacker and another member is bringing one as well.

We will trim the weeds on the new mounds as well.

So… Let’s get out there whenever you can make it, (no excuses, its your turn) and bring, hand hedge trimmers, gas weed whackers and gas lawn mowers.

FOXTAIL can seriously injure or kill your dog and it is about to bloom. Help us knock it out!!!

Thanks

Ron Adlington
grounds chairman

The following is a message from the NAHRA President, Frank Plewa.

My fellow members,

We have reached the middle of the testing season and with the heat generally slowing things down a bit, I thought it would be a good time to catch up with you all – especially in light of the fact that so much has happened for NAHRA in the past six months or so. I am hopeful that all of the important news of the past few months has caught up to you from our Regional Directors or by the website.

Read the rest of this entry »

The 2010 WRHRC NAHRA Hunt test was a great success. We had a wonderful turn out with quite a large number of dogs in all stakes. The weather was reasonably co-operative and some welcome cloud cover kept the heat to an acceptable level. We were very fortunate to have several highly qualified judges come and show us how to put on a challenging hunt test.

Despite some rain late Saturday afternoon, the tail gate dinner was very well done and as always we cannot thank these volunteers enough for their efforts. There are a few times in life when a barbecued hamburger is the best thing you have ever tasted and that usually is right after a hard day’s field work. So, many thanks to them for all the effort.

This weekend saw several dogs get their master hunting retriever title. And as a special highlight we had entries in the started stakes from three new club members, who had started off this spiring in Carl’s basic retriever training classes. I am pleased to say that all three dogs entered went home with ribbons, some with more than one. I’m sure it is a very special feeling of accomplishment and pride for these new trainers and they deserve some well earned congratulations.

Official test results available here: NAHRA Retriever Trial Results

As always we have placed some photos of the event in the gallery. If you happen to have any pictures that you feel like sharing please send them along to the webmaster and we will post them for you. For now, here is a couple of the shots from this past weekend.

Please join me in congratulating Doug Rowden, Shaun Brien and Ron Adlington on qualifying at the NAHRA Master Invitational (The RAW)
this past weekend.

This is a great accomplishment for them and their dogs. I am sure they must be very proud. I am sure you will all agree that these guys have really worked hard training their dogs and really do deserve the recognition.
Check the photo gallery for more pictures.

The 2010 Alberta Clipper HRA Hunt Test Premium is now available for download.
Click the following link:
Alberta Clipper HRA Hunt Test Premium

The dates of the test are July 17 & July 18 so get that entry form sent off ASAP.
ACHRA will also be hosting a pig BBQ and social gathering on the Saturday night. Everyone is welcome.
After Saturday’s banquet and awards, we will be hosting a scurry for the kids. All ages welcome and
parents are encouraged in assisting the kids in bringing dogs to the line etc. This will be a single
bumper timed retrieve and every participant will receive a prize.

Don’t forget to get your WRHRC test premium in right away, the download link is in the right-hand sidebar of the site. The hunt test is only a few short weeks away.

Against all odds the weather co-operated for the WRHRC 2010 Retriever Picnic Trial and it seems that a great day was enjoyed by all in attendance. If I have my numbers correct we had 20 entries not counting test dogs. Several new club members decided to give the Started Retriever stake a shot while others were on hand to volunteer and help out. Several veteran retriever club members were not able to attend due to a competing retriever field trial in Red Deer. But for those who did attend they were treated to a fantastic hunt test set up by Howie Boyda and Doug Rowden. All four NAHRA Hunt Test stakes were setup with Howie judging the Started and Hunter stakes and Doug taking the Intermediate and Senior hunting dogs.

Many thanks to Howie and Doug for all their work as well as much appreciation to the club members, both new and seasoned for all your volunteer efforts. Retriever clubs like ours are 100% volunteer run and it is the hard work and dedication of these people that makes all the difference.

Test Results:
The Started Stake had 10 dogs entered with 4 qualifying.
Teah – Tracy Levan
Digger – Rick Murphy
Potter – Doug Anderson
Rodin – Erin Pratt

The Hunter Stake had 3 dogs enter with 1 qualifying.
Luna – Ross Murphy

The Intermediate Stake had 3 dogs enter with 0 qualifying.

The Senior Stake had 4 dogs enter with 2 qualifying.
Teal – Shaun Brien
Sweep – Sherrill Elm

Congratulations to the owners, handlers and of course the dogs.

If you have any pictures of the event you would like to share please email them to the webmaster and I will post them ASAP.

Update: Thanks to Fran Ziola for submitting a great batch of photos of the picnic retriever trial.
Check out the 2010 Retriever Training Events Photo Gallery.

This past week has seen some improvements to the training grounds in Kathryn. Thanks to Doug Rowden we now have wood chips on the mounds and they are ready for use. Also thanks to Robin Dean and Ron Adlington who helped Doug spread the wood chips.

Remember that the club’s annual picnic test is still set for tomorrow (June 6th.) Come on out and lend a hand. This is a great opportunity to meet club members, learn a few things and give your retriever a fun day.

** We will be having a great raffle this year at the test. We will be raffling off a mini winger as well as a zinger 5 panel holding blind. Tickets are $20 each. So remember to bring your extra $40 tomorrow for tickets.

Also a reminder that the WRHRC 2010 NAHRA Hunt Test premium is available and early bird registration closes June 18th. So get them in early and receive a discount. If you’re the kind of person who leaves things to the last minute, not to worry, the registration closes July 2nd so you still have some time.

The Wild Rose Hunting Retriever Club’s 2010 NAHRA Retriever Hunt Test is scheduled for July 10th & 11th. The hunt test premium is located here: Test Premium

Please note the entry fees and Cut-off Dates: Test entries will close at 6:00 PM on Friday, July 2, 2010. No Exceptions.

A map to the test location and registration information is included in the test premium.

Hope to see you there.

Just a quick reminder that the Wild Rose Hunting Retriever Club’s annual picnic test is scheduled for June 6th.

Howie Boyda is organizing this event. Please RSVP to Howie ASAP for this fun event. Check your 2010 club membership list for his contact info or email the webmaster.

If you’re new or unfamiliar, a picnic test is essentially an unofficially scored NAHRA hunt test. It’s a great way to come out and gauge your dog’s ability as it applies to the NAHRA retriever hunt test requirements.

If you’re unsure of what is required for which level of NAHRA hunt test please check out the reference on our site’s side bar.
It should be a great day, so come on out and support your club. Pack a picnic lunch and bring your own drinks.

Registration opens at 8:30

Started $10
Hunter $10
Intermediate $10
Senior $15

Please RSVP to Howie ASAP.

Last night was the wrap up for the 2010 basic retriever training class. We met at the club grounds for a chance to do single water marks complete with pistol shot and duck call. Several dogs were able to complete what would be a typical NAHRA Started water single. Thankfully the weather held out until the end of class and then opened up into a thunderstorm downpour. Unfortunately last night was only the second opportunity to do any type of water work due to the cold spring. To see picture of our training in the cold spring weather check out the photo gallery of the retriever training course. These pictures were taken April 13th and you will notice a fair number of toques and mittens present.
It’s fair to say that several dogs had improved over the course of several weeks and it is our hope that these new members continue to be active trainers and club members.

A reminder, if you have not RSVP’d for the June 6th picnic test, please do so ASAP.