Whilst Jason is on the subject of new members, thought I'd take the opportunity to introduce myself.
I'm in Canberra and have 3 shorthairs, one of whom I have just started training for retrieving. Bit behind the eight ball here, as he is 6, but we're having a ball! He is my first shorthair, and I've competed in conformation, obedience, agility, endurance, flyball & gundog working tests with my dogs over the years.
I've long been interested in retrieving since I saw Bob giving a demo a few years ago at some Pet Expo here in Canberra - back then I thought it was only a lab thing though : )
So, I hope to get my lad into Novice this season, got a few things to work on first but I am really hoping to get them sorted and start trialling. In the mean time, we have been out training with Bob, Jason, Laraine & Gareth and are learning a great deal - my hats off to them for putting up with my novice brain : )
Cheerio
Joanne Hagan