Wild Rose Hunting Retriever Club

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.

*Update: The official results are in. Click Here.

The first major club event of the year, the 2010 seven singles, was a huge success. Thanks must go to the organizers Ron Adlington and Mary Shillabeer, the judges, Tom Murray and Dee Parsons and all the volunteers that made it such a great day. A fantastic lunch was provided by Nancy Johnsson and there were many teams entered. If I don't have my facts crossed we had as many as 38 teams enter. This was a fantastic turnout.

Congratulations go Colette Prefontaine and her dog Rin for taking first place in the event.

Here is a picture of the wining team receiving the trophy and the glory from the judges. And trust me, these judges were tough.
Click the image to enlarge.

A full photo and video gallery will be coming soon, so check back and see what great moments we might have captured of you and your best friends.

As always I encourage any club member with photos or videos they would like posted to email them to the webmaster.
If you would like instructions please use the contact us form to ask for help.

Due to the overwhelming response to the Seven Singles, we can not longer accept registrations!

Thank you so much to those that RSVP'ed to Mary. Because of the numbers, Registration will start at 8:15 am. We plan to start the tests at 9:00 am sharp!

11th Annual SEVEN SINGLES SERIES – Saturday May, 1st, 2010
- Kathyrn Club Land - note the change from the previous years!
8:15 am Registration
9:00 am The games begin

Judges - Tom & Marg Murray

All dogs are guaranteed three birds, after that, teams are invited back for each of the series, which get progressively more difficult. Once again, we will offer fabulous burgers flipped by Nancy Johnsson. Lunch will be provided "by donation" to cover the costs. Please bring your own drinks.

We plan to have a Calcutta again, so let’s see how smart you are when it comes to predicting who will win!

Ron Adlington adlington@telus.net is organizing this event. Thank you to everyone that contacted him regarding "gunning".

Ron is looking for three gunners for the Seven Singles.

We have had a couple of the people that are entering the event volunteer (thanks so much), but if we could get three people to volunteer their time, we would not have to switch out gunners. If you are willing to give 4-5 hours of your time, please contact Ron at adlington@telus.net or 403-229-3276.

Jack and Peggy Gardiner are pleased to announce they have new pups in the whelping box.

"Tia Maria and Jack WCX SH" was bred to FC/AFC Land Ahoy "Pirate".

Currently they still have 1 chocolate male,1 black male and 2 black females available.
Tia has her NAHRA WR and is just 2 qualifications shy of her NAHRA Master hunter.

Pirate was the high point open dog for 2009 with 5 open wins and one amateur win. Over 100 open points to date. You can read more about the sire "Pirate" on his site : www.fcafclandahoy.com

These should be great pups. If you are interested in more information please contact
Jack and Peggy Gardiner
403-936-3675
peggygard@yahoo.ca

The Big Sky Hunting Retriever Club in Montana is hosting its 2010 NAHRA hunt test May 15th & 16th in Whitefish MT. Each day will have one test for Started (NAHRA SR), Intermediate (NAHRA WR) and Senior (NAHRA MHR).
There are free camping opportunities and dog friendly motels nearby. There will also be an awards diner banquet on Saturday night.

Sign-up forms and information can be found by clicking the link here:
www.nahra.org/images/stories/PDF/bshrc_may_premium.pdf

According to Google maps, Whitefish MT, is only 5 1/2 hours south of Calgary. It should be a great weekend so if you can, pack up your dog, send in your forms and head on down.
Remember, that to take your dog into the USA you will need a certificate of vaccination from your veterinarian that shows a rabies shot at least 30 days prior to entering the country.
Here is the official link from the US Center for Disease Control about bringing dogs into the US.
www.cdc.gov/animalimportation/dogs.html