RETRIEVING AUSTRALIA FORUM

Calling all WA RT Championship observers...
Riding on the back of the success of the recent unofficial thread for the National, this thread has been opened for anyone willing to post progress reports from the WA Championship Trial this weekend.

All the best to the organisers and to everyone entered in the trial from
Retrieving Australia.

Peter, are the NSW and WA Championships on the same weekend? That shouldn't happen should it?

16 dogs started today. Cloudy to start, but cleared pretty well by mid morning. No breeze to speak of. First run triple mark and handler had to nominate the order of their pickup. Lost one dog. Second run, doublerise and 2 bird. Lost one dog.
Third run double blind with mark up the middle, pick up short then long blind then the mark. Only 7 dogs made it through this run. Fourth run double mark and all seven dogs got through.

Dogs still in: Maggie and Spirit, Noel and Moose and Fynn, Allan B. and Finn, Jean H. and Dickon, Kerry and Ticket, Heather and Phoenix.

I'm not sure about that Leanne. Perhaps someone on RAFT can reply to your question.
Peter

Message received from Kate Eltringham (Day 1 round up similar to above report from Kerry)

Cell coverage is very limited coverage at trial site in WA
16 dogs started 7 still in after 4 runs
Heather Ellis and Phoenix (GR)
Jean Henderson and Dickens (GR)
Kerry Webster and Tricket (GR)
Noel Eltringham with Moose (Lab) and Fyn (Lab)
Alan Bartram and Finn (Lab)
Maggie Hankinson and Spirit (Lab)

Day two and seven dogs started.
Run 5. Double mark and blind with relocation. All dogs through. Run 6, Blind and double mark in line. All dogs finished.

Allen Bartram and Finn (Lab)
Noel Eltringham and Moose (Lab)
Heather Ellis and Phoenix (Golden)
Maggie Hankinson and Spirit (Lab)
Noel Eltringham and Fyn (Lab)
Jean Henderson and Dickon (Golden)
Kerry Webster and Ticket (Golden)

Awaiting results and presentations.

Thanks to everyone who took time out to find a signal and bring the rest of us up to speed with the WA action this weekend, and congratulations to all the finishers.

RA Admin.

Results WA State R T Championship

1st Heather Ellis - Phoenix (GRD) 343
2nd Maggie Hankinson - Spirit (LRB) 336
3rd Noel Eltringham - Moose (LRD) 313
4th Noel Eltringham - Fyn (LRB) 308

Best Non-Ch - Phoenix
Best Veteran - Kerry Webster - Ticket

Thanks to our judge, Elio Colasimone for making the long trip from QLD, Mike McClure for all his hard work as Trial Manager, an excellent team of stewards, our brilliant Catrering Officers and the weather for a very enjoyable weekend of trialling.

Just as an answer to Leanne, there is no ANKC ruling regarding having two (or more) State Championships on the same weekend. The only rule is in relation to the National Championship ,where it states that "no event carrying Championship points (ie an AA or Championship trial) can be held on the same weekend as the National Championship.
Hope that clarifies it.

Cheers
Allan
PS we had a great weekend both trialling and socially, thanks to everyone that "made it happen"

Congratulations Heathe, what a great result. Congrats to all the other finishers as well.

Congratulations Heather! Nice return home

Just an addendum to the results that Maggie put up.

There were three other dogs that finished the trial.

Allan Bartram with Boomermagic Halloween Hero AARD

Jean Henderson with R.T.Ch Mhadaidh Tricky Dicky

Kerry Webster with R.T.Ch Mhadaidh Especially Hot CM

Also want to add that the property owners were absolutely wonderful in their hospitality and allowing us access to not only the property for runs, but also the "love shack" where several people stayed, and the Saturday night dinner was held. Power for the campers was also available and a real luxury, proper flushing toilets. Thank goodness Mike McClure is a plumber, because he was instrumental in fixing the absence of water, the hot water system, the leaking sink, and the toilet that didn't work. Good to have you around Mike.

Congratulations Heather what a great return for all your handwork in the last six or more months.

Allen hopefully the national raft could address this anomaly and stop the clash of state titles in the future.

Gareth

The Love Shack
We have had many folk querying the venue for this years WA State Championship, so here is a short description of this remarkable place that we have been fortunate enough to gain access to for our trials.
For those with Google Earth, check Lat 30deg0'32.10"S, Long 116deg5'6.24"E
This two story, rammed earth house stands in a small copse on top of a hill , nearest other dwelling is 5km away, no other building can be seen from the house for the full 360 deg.
Inside are 4 bedrooms (all with new/modern beds and mattresses) , 2 toilets, shower ,laundry and huge kitchen/family room (large enough to comfortably accomodate the 30+ people we had for the State Dinner). the cathederal ceiling is wood lined and has ceiling fans.
The kitchen is fitted with modern "Delongi" oven ,hotplates and range hood, there is also a huge twin door fridge/freezer as well as an island bench with a double sink. There is a pot belly for winter warmth and A/C for summer. There is a modular lounge and a large flat screen TV wih satellite connection. The flooring is polished floorboards in the bedrooms, and stone slates in kitchen & lounge. Upstairs is accessed via a spiral staircase with a huge hand hewn centre pillar.
Outside is a covered entertainment area and a firepit where a campfire can be safely contained. Oh and I forgot ..the place is fully furnished.
All this stands in the middle of a paddock of wheat with no access road to speak of (even the farm roads stop at the dam at the bottom of the hill)and is virtually unable to be seen. Ample flat area surrounds the house to accomodate caravans and tents.
It also gives us access to some wonderful terrain for our trials
Unbelievably the house is unoccupied,(prospective occupants get to the back of the long queue !) and it is only used for about 5 weekends of the year..............How lucky are we ????

Allan & Catherine
Allan & Catherine

Sounds too good to be True.

I've heard so much about the "Love Shack" a hope that one day I can see it for myself.