DUSTINS DUCKBANDS BETTIN MAN MH
I always wanted a Chesapeake ever since I started duck hunting close to 40 years ago. Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would lead to "retriever games," let alone getting a Master Hunter title.
This dog has taught me a lot about patience, discipline and perseverance. His will to please is the strongest I have ever seen in any of the dogs I have had. His desire to find the bird no matter what or how long it takes is a true testament to him and his breed. Whether duck hunting, training or running hunt tests he goes all out!
Dusty has humbled me by showing me that if I just stick to my part of the team he will do his part. We started out in Junior and Senior going 4 for 4 for both titles. It felt pretty good when we ran our first master test (MBHRC HT '09) and got a pass. My pride got the best of me and we didn't get another pass for about a year of tests. We joined a training group this past fall and really started to learn. This spring(2010) things started to come together with a pass at the Lassen HT in April. It was on to Sauve Island in OR for the OHRC HT. We got one pass out of the double header. Then we entered the Umpqua Valley RC HT in Glide, OR. It was a double header. Out of the 17 marks we only had one handle for both tests.
I would like to thank all of the people that have helped me along the way, especially Carol Haggerty for showing, teaching and guiding us to this title. Also, there is Mike O'Bannon, Pat Johnson, Laura Judd, Dale and Maggie Langhorne, Wendy Rowan, Warren Grimsby, Camille Druge, Ray and Christy Gonzalez and so many others that have helped along the way. Also, to all the people in our Wednesday training group, thanks for your patience with me and for throwing all those bumpers and birds!
As I said before, this dog has kept me humble and taught me a lot about this game. He is a true blessing and a gift and I thank God for him. (Ray Kaufman)
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CONGRATULATIONS TO MRC MEMBERS that have qualified a dog (or dogs) to run the prestigious 2010 Master National to be help this year in Corning California!
We'll all be rooting for you!
Wendy Rowan & Rip
Yvonne Becker & Teddy
Roy Fray & Gus (Team Gus)
Chris Hempel & Keeper
Mike O'Bannon & Jack
Jonathan Vanek & Jam
if I've missed you please let me know!
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Hey there folks. Well the smoke has cleared and we have come to a short break in the action. As you know we have been on the road for most of 2010 trying to achieve a life goal, to qualify for the Master Nationals. Well the task has surpassed our dreams. Needing to finish six events in only four months, due her injury in 2009, off we went traveling to every hunt test there was in the west. Addicted? Yes. Days dont come quick enough whether training or at a event, our times seem so short. The greatest accomplishment for me and my dog had been when we received our Master Hunter Title. Wow I can still remember seeing signs saying Masters A or B over here and there I was looking for Jr's. After receiving our MH tittle me and my dog sat and just pondered what if ,, heck, it would be fun either way and gave us a new excuse to play again. so we were all in... attempt to get to the master-national... here we go, man and his dog nothing more nothing less. Our last year season began and all was going well we received three passes and needed two more when sadness hit us. Jam broke her rear left hock jumping in the truck and not using her ramp boar. Just feeling her oats, a big lesson to strictly enforce that ramp board. Well we were out for the reminder of 2009. Now in 2010, spring quickly came upon us and another great excuse for us to go play. We had five months to try to get all six wins, something that took my whole life so far. Yep a long shot but like I said, a good excuse it was. We ribboned in our first event and just a week before our second event, mother nature came calling. Jam was in season. Bummer, the next two events in my own backyard and only $10.00 in gas, and now we had to stay home. So, a long month it was but now we would have to head off across the state(s) to catch the remaining competitions. We hit Corning, Lost Hills, Fallon Nevada for a double as well as Portland Oregon for another doubleheader. When the smoke cleared we had gone six for eight and, yep, qualified for the Master Nationals! An unbelievable dream had been given to us. Even if we miss the go bird in the first series we will stand ,smile, give a big "yee haa!" and know we did it and stand next to all these fine dogs and folks. We will have been to the line of something we will never forget. We'll give it our best and enjoy every moment. So give a big hug to your brown dog and I hope we can see a few of our fellow brown dog family there. Attached are a few pics along the way. Go Brown Dog ! (Jonathan Vanek)
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HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to our own MRC members who qualified at our Hunt test! They are;
MASTER QUALIFIERS:
Dannika Bannash & CH.Manitou Aqueus All (The toller!!!)~ Water Warrior of Spring Lake & Yvonne Becker (handled by Katie Quarles) WAY TO GO TEDDY! This qualifies Teddy for the Master National!~ Angela Niles & Serene Lakes Quacker Knacker ~ Laura Judd & Tinstar's Armed & Dangerous MH ~ Diane Green & her two great dogs - Break in the Storm MH & You Go Girl MH ~ Debbie Fulgoni & My Shotgun Shelly ~ Frances Harvey & Cotton Pickin Dreamer MH ~ The Lampert's and Tealoak's the Games Afoot MH ~ Emberain Devil in Disguise ~ Wendy Rowan & Rebel Ridge let 'em Rip MNH.
SENIOR QUALIFIERS:
Angela Niles and Serene Lakes Powder Hound ~ Dannika Bannasch & CH Aqueus Flying Dutchman JH ~ Ed McCormick & Semper Fidelis Chesty JH ~ Deb Fulgoni & Levi's Copper Rust.
JUNIOR QUALIFIERS:
Dan Wilson & Scooby's Golden Camo Smelled Fishy ~ Theresa Russell and Topwaters in Hot Pursuit ~ Michelle Becker & Duck Diving Diva of Spring Lake JH ~ Tinstar's Badlands Marshall "B" & Ken Goldstone (TWO LEGS!!! Way to go Bowdie!) ~ Fthrnch's Princess Maxine - Mike Canaya ~ and Bruce Hayes with Wrights Mindy's Independence Girl.
TEAM CAMO
It was April of 2007 when Camo earned his Junior Title and three years later he has earned his Master Hunter Title. My wife Meribeth and I have worked very hard over the past three years to get this far. It has been a life changing experience for both of us. We had lost two dogs to cancer and one dog to a hereditary heart condition all within a five month period before Camo came into our lives to help us heal from so much loss. I have to credit Karen Waltman for getting us started in the hunt test world. Camo was the first dog we had ever entered in a hunt test. We were lucky enough to be able to adopt Camo's mother, Lotty, a year after we got Camo. Lotty needed only two more legs for her Junior Title and Camo and Lotty got their Junior Titles on the same day in April of 2007. Lotty and Meribeth became a Delta Animal Assisted Therapy Team in addition to being a Lend A Heart Therapy Team. Camo proved himself as a fantastic duck and pheasant dog. He averaged 3 days a week duck and goose hunting from October through January last season. I am honored to have him at my side when I go afield. We call ourselves TEAM CAMO. I have to thank everyone in the Marin Retriever Club for contributing to our success. Your advice, support and effort have been an essential part of our success. I want to give a special recognition to Jonathan Vanek and Matt Mooney for their tireless hours of training, support and friendship throughout this journey. I also want to extend my appreciation for Laura Judd. She inspired me through her own passion for this sport.
Sincerely,
Brendan Hinkle and Camo (Team Camo)
Brutus's Pepper Black Jade
Jade is my duck hunting retriever and companion, at 8 months old I took her to a trainer for some more advanced help and eventually become interested in the Hunt Tests. Jade's first season at the duck blind ended with over 300 retrieves by the time she was 7 months old and only a few lost birds. At 10 months we started training for the Hunt Tests and had our first SH ribbon at 15 months old. She was back in the duck blind for opening day limits at 16 months. On Sunday Nov 15, 2009 at 17 months Jade was 1 of 3 dogs to receive a qualifying score and obtained her SH title at the CSCRC HT on the Goose Lake grounds. She went 5 for 5 in her Senior Hunter stakes and is now back at the blind retrieving ducks 3 days a week and on her days off she can't wait to train for the upcoming tests.
DD's Here To Stay UDT, OA, OAJ, RA, WCX, VCX, CCA and now MH!
"KEEPER"
Keeper was suppose to be my next obedience and agility dog. When I decided to get a JH with Keep I had no idea that I would get hooked on field! I knew even less about how much there is to learn to be able to handle a dog at the master level. It has been a very long, fun, exciting, challenging and at times, disappointing journey...but we did it! I am very proud of my "Keeper" and I'm honored to have him at my side. - Loved and Trained by Chris Hempel
"Shooter"
Tinstar's Son of a Gun JH earned his Junior Hunter title at the Souther California Retriever Club's Fall Hunt Test in Lost Hills November 14th & 15th. "Shooter" was bred, raised, trained and handled by Laura Judd - A road trip to Oregon at the end of May and Shooter picked up 3 Senior legs at 3 tests ~ Gervais and Sauvie Island Doubleheader!
Int./Am. CH Topwater Cinderhill Grace, WC, CGC
This year, Int./Am. CH Topwater Cinderhill Grace, WC, CGC went 5 straight passes (one for fun) to finish her JH at the ripe old age of seven. She now holds titles in obedience, show, and field, proving that Labradors can "do it all." In limited breedings, she has produced show pointed offspring, obedience dogs, hunt test titled and hunting dogs, and wonderful pets. Now retired from official duties, Grace is still flushing and retrieving. She has been my best pheasant dog, ever--a true privilege!-Jeanne Collier
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HERSHEY'S CHOCOLATE ROCKET JH
Redwood Empires Fall Hunt Test in Eureka proved to be a very special weekend for MRC member Robert Herrera and "Hank". Hank obtained his last ribbon needed to now be a JUNIOR HUNTER!. This is especially incredible as last year Hank was on the disabled list for almost 8 months with torn bicep tendons. Thanks to a great job by the vets at UC Davis, Hank was able to rehab to the point of being able to run again!Hank passed four out of five tests for this title. They were Hills Ferry; Marins; Lassen Ret. Club and finally Redwood Empires.Now on to train for Senior!WAY TO GO HANK AND ROBERT!
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New Senior Hunter: Ransom of Red Chief II SH CDX RE
Owned, trained and handled by Teresa Russell!
At the Umpqua Valley Hunt Test in Glide, Oregon, Chief turned in the performance of a lifetime. Chief had three passes for the Senior Hunter title and we had two chances in Glide to get that fourth pass for his title. The land portion of the test was moderately difficult because of the hill slopes but Chief did well on that and the Honor. Next was the water. Chief, I'm sorry to say, is not a water dog. He does a serviceable job in the water but has been known to show reluctance to enter the water for long swims and occasionally cheats the water and runs the bank. This Saturday, the judges decided to hold their test on a large, open, deep water lake. They set up a flower pot station across the lake on the hillside which threw one bird left and one bird right. The dogs were run from the direct opposite side of the lake, so they would have to swim about 80 yards across the lake, and exit onto the land to find the bird. Right in front of the Gunning Station was a sizeable cut in the tall tules that rimmed the banks of the lake. If the dogs took that cut, they would have to make a choice to run right for the Go Bird or left for the Memory. The wind was blowing crosswise. From the right fall, dogs could smell the left fall. Suffice it to say it was a b#%&% of a test! Handlers were grumbling and I pretty much gave up before we even walked up to the line. Our number was 14 and out of all the dogs that preceded us only two dogs were able to complete the double retrieve and both needed help on the Memory bird. Most dogs failed up to that point because of the distance, the closeness of the falls, the wind blowing scent all over, and many dogs weren't responding well to their handler's whistles. Some went out on the blind because the dogs sucked into the tules rimming the lake. But Chief was riding the "perfect storm". The first time we got a No bird. We came back, I sent him and he didn't hesitate. I don't know why he did so well - he swam in a straight diagonal line across the lake, ignored the cut and plowed through the tules on the far bank to the Go bird. I sent him for the second bird and he appeared to be swimming back in the direction he had just come from so I raised the whistle to my mouth. And, oddly for Chief, while swimming hard, he glanced over to his left, checked himself and changed direction to angle toward the left. He ignored the cut again, plowed through the tules on the left bank, charged up the hill, hooked to his left and picked up the bird. No whistles, no nada - all on his own. The last test was a blind alongside the near shore. A few whistles to keep him going straight back to the bird, he had it and as he came back, the gallery of burst into applause. As the Stakes Marshall noted to me on the way back,
Chief had done a perfect job!
Chief is my first AKC Senior Hunter and I have tried to earn this title with several other dogs but, for one reason or another, never made it.
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No No Bad Dog Summer JH
Summer went four straight tests to earn her Junior Hunter Title at the Norcal Golden retriever Hunt Test in March! Summer is owned by Stephen Jones and Nancy Stamm. She trains with Jim Dobbs when not romping around her home in Sonoma! |
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Spring 2009 Hunt Test
MRC members do well at our Hunt Test!
The grounds and fabulous set-ups in Corning proved difficult for many dogs ~ including some of our own members who had bad dog days.....Those who succeeded should be extremely proud of yourselves! Those of you who worked all weekend too around running your dogs, an extra special thanks to you, for without you we could not have pulled off this great event!Congratulations to the following qualifyers in Master: Yvonne Becker and Water Warrior of Spring Lake MH; Dinae Green and You go Girl MH; Chris Hempel and DD's Here to Stay UD TD SH OA OAJ RA VCD2; Ellie Green and Emerain Devil in Disguise MH; and Elisabeth Lampert and Tealoak's the Game's Afoot.In Senior, congratulations to Teresa Russell with Ransom of Red Chief II JH CDX RE.In Junior, congratulations to Rian Piccolo with Dustin's Walk the Line (two legs!); Charlotte Gaynor with Trumpet's Hare's Ear (two legs!); Robert Herrera with both his dogs, Hank Henry Herrera and Midnight Rock n Cole JH (two legs!); Frances Harvey and McKennas Dream Chaser; Camille Druge and Driftwood's Winter Storm (two legs!); and Jonathan Vanek with Vanek's Cash-N-N.Thanks again to everyone who helped - this was truly a team effort! |
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Winrock Tiger by the Tail MH
Hobbes is now a MASTER HUNTER!!! Winrock Tiger by the Tail, or "Hobbes" as he is affectionately known to his owner Lee Rubinoff, (our membership chair) has attained this prestigous title at the Sierra Nevada double header May 1-3 in Fallon Nevada. Hobbes has been trained and shown by Jim Dobbs throughout his Master qualifying tests while Lee is recovering from knee surgery.Hobbes will take a vacation at home soon, then back to qualifying for the Master National next year! Hobbes is not quite three years old! Pretty impressive young dog. Congratualtions , Lee!
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Monterey Bay Hunt Test - MRC Participants
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Some of the MRC Members at the MBHT
January 11, 2009 Super Singles
The Super Singles Playday at Lake Berryessa was great fun! We had a great turnout~great weather~ and GREAT FOOD! The grounds were spectacular with rolling hills and gulleys. At the end of the day we were all in awe of Elisabeth and Nelsons dogs, who were so incredibly fast!
Not to be outdone, Rod did well with both his dogs, and Frances and Paco won their class! Kathy & Duke did well in their class also. Overall, it was a very beneficial and fun day for handlers and their four legged pals!