RETRIEVING AUSTRALIA FORUM

The Retrieving Club bit the bullet and decided to hold the first RATG in the state today, March 25th. Regular Retrieving Training classes for puppies and young dogs was held early morning at Kingsmeadow in Guildford, and vetting for the tests took place at 9.30 am. The whole event ran very smoothly and a group of people stayed at the site to spectate the new format for this event. It was encouraging to see new handlers with their dogs entering Novice and having a great time, regardless of the outcome. Running the trial was a combined effort with thanks to Jenni Lodge (club secretary and vetting officer), Zoe Slights (Treasurer and entry co-ordinator and result card organiser), Maggie Hankinson (judge), Allan Bartram (chief Steward) and Ray Penman and Terry Little (Field stewards). I hope I haven't left anyone out, but a big thankyou to all involved.

March 25th 2012
Novice RATG
Judge: Mrs M. Hankinson
Held at Kingsmeadow, Guildford

1st place and only qualifier: Katie Partridge and Brumfitt Ruby Star CDX AD JDX SPD (Labrador Retriever) 83 points.

Open RATG
Judge: Mrs M. Hankinson
Held at Kingsmeadow, Guildford

1st place and only qualifier: Kerry Webster and Mhadaidh Especially Hot CD AARD HTM.N DWDF.S (Golden Retriever) 84 points

I would like to thank the Retrieving Club of WA for all their hard work that went into making today a success!! Thanks to Maggie who judged, Allan the chief steward, and to all the helpers in the field and behind the scenes.

Special thanks on my behalf go to Lynne and Jenni who went out of their way to liaise with DogsWest for me to get my Associate Gundog registration happening so that I could enter my rescue Lab, Millie. You ladies are wonderful!!!

Well done to everyone who competed, some really lovely work out there! I'm so very pleased I made it through with my Lab bitch, Ruby. The RATG was a huge buzz and I am sure will encourage more people to pursue retrieving as a sport! I know I'm sold I can't wait for the next one!!

And thanks Kerry for the donation of the novice first place prize and the photos!

Congratulatons WA. I hope you enjoy RATG as much as we are here in Victoria. The dogs love it. Looks like you had a fantastic area for your trial.
Hope to hear of many more. It was especially nice to see the Wei in the picture and I am looking forward to seeing the longhair who is practicing getting there soon. (not biased am I)

Roz Buckley