WGAA (Vic) Christmas 07 breakup

30 plus club members turned up for the final training day and Christmas breakup for 2007.

A free barbeque rounded off a day which was marked by beautiful weather and good cheer.

Springvale Range Open Day

The WGAA (Vic) gundog demo team performed at the Springvale Range Open Day in November to mark the opening of the new clubrooms. Once again Graham Hayes (Training Officer) and the crew put on a faultless display in front of SSAA members and members of the public.

WGAA (Vic) Retrieving Trial for Gundogs

TRIAL DATE: SUNDAY 3rd FEBRUARY 2008

TRIAL MANAGER: KEVIN PHELPS

ENTRIES: ENTER ON THE DAY

ENTRY FEE: $12.00 per dog.

CHEQUES: Payable to WGAA
EVENTS: INTERMEDIATE RETRIEVING TRIAL - Vetting 9.30 am Start 10.00 am

JUDGE: GRAHAM HAYES

TROPHIES: Trophy and Sash for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place getters.

QUALIFICATIONS: INTERMEDIATE is a stake confined to Gundogs that have not won any stake other than two Intermediate (Novice) stakes.

VENUE: TO BE ADVISED

CATERING: B.B.Q lunch will be available

¨ ALL COMPETITORS MUST OBEY MANAGER’S DIRECTIVES
¨ NO ONE IS PERMITTED TO REVISIT THE TRIAL SITE
¨ NO ALCOHOL TO BE CONSUMED BY HANDLERS DURING RUNS
¨ BITCHES IN OESTRUM WILL NOT BE PERMITTED ON THE TRIAL GROUNDS
¨ ALL COMPETITORS MUST PRODUCE A CURRENT SHOOTING LICENCE.

NB: ALL PERSONS ATTENDING THE TRIAL MUST SIGN RANGE MEMBER BOOK

ALL SSAA MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO COME ALONG

AND ENJOY THIS NEW AND EXCITING ACTIVITY

WGAA (Vic) GUNDOG ASSESSMENT DAY

On Sunday 14th October WGAA (Vic) conducted its second Gundog Assessment Day.
Throughout the day the dogs were given the opportunity to complete 1 basic field run,1 basic land retrieve and 1 basic water retrieve. The event is not a competition, but each dog was given an assessment by judges at the different runs. Each handler was given a comment sheet at the start of the day that was given to the various judges at the start of each run.
The field run was over a course where dogs were given the opportunity to indicate ‘game’. On a signal from the judge, during the run, the handler gave the dog a recall and a stay. Dogs were assessed for general obedience, ground coverage and indication of game.
The retrieves were both be sighted retrieves, one on land and one in water.
As stated earlier, this event is not a competition. The aim is to give handlers and dogs experience in gundog field work in a relaxed, fun atmosphere.

RUNNING ORDER
1. Field work: Each dog will be run over a course of approximately 300 metres. Handlers will carry a gun loaded with a primer. During the run the judge will instruct the handler to give the dog both a recall and a stay. A pigeon will be planted on the course which will flush when located by the dog. The handler will fire the gun when the pigeon flushes.
2. Water retrieve: Each dog will be required to do a retrieve across water of approximately 60 metres. The dog will be required to commit to water and make the retrieve. The handler will carry a gun loaded with primers and heel the dog to the firing point. The handler will fire the gun at the apex of the flight of the game.
3. Land retrieve: Each dog will be required to do a retrieve across land of approximately 60 metres. The handler will carry a gun loaded with primers and heel the dog to the firing point. The handler will fire the gun as instructed by the judge.
SCORING: A = Excellent B = Good C = Satisfactory D = More training needed

First WGAA Retrieving Trial Champion

WGAA conducted its second Open Retrieving Trial on Sunday 9th September, 2007.

The Retrieving Sub Committee was pleased with the overall running of this event which was held in the Melton Area. The site offered plenty of obstacles for the Judge, Barry Kavanagh, to runs that were very testing and caused many anxious moments for the handlers.

Entries: Alex Jervic & Ellie (Brit), Graham Hayes & Shiloh (Lab), Tim Cloke & Chopper (Lab), Graham Hayes & Bridgette (Lab), Joe Camilleri & Gemma (GSP), Graham Hayes & Bomber (Lab), Andrew Yeomans & Ram (Lab), Norm Cloke & Knuckles (Wei).

First Run – a quail retrieving run consisted of a double mark and a blind retrieve. the handler left the dog in the stay position, walked 10 metres towards a rocky/boulder area which had been removed from a large dam.

The handler fired at a blind about 130 metres out, then called the dog. A clay (a sighted object for the dog) was then thrown from behind the rocks, landing about 70 metres from the dog and handler, about 60° left from the blind.

The dog was sent for the blind. Once passed the pile of rocks the dog had to be stopped, and a second sighted object was thrown from a trap, (the dog was looking over the area where the first sighted object had landed). This dummy landed about 125 metres from the handlers position, (about another 60° from where the first sighted object landed).

The dog then had to continue to retrieve the blind then retrieve the 1st sighted quail and followed by the 2nd sighted quail.

We lost Chopper, Bomber and Knuckles.

The Second Run - a rabbit run, consisting of a double blind and mark. Again the dog was left for steadiness behind a cyclone fence, the handler walked towards a large man made hill, some 200 metres away. There was a line of trees to the left of the handler and just an open paddock (which had been furrowed and let flatten) between the handler and the large mounded area.

At the base of the mound a rabbit blind was placed 150 metres from the dog and handler, 60º left of the dog and handler, a sighted rabbit was popped (from a remote launcher) about 130 metres from the handler, and another blind 60º left of the sighted rabbit amongst the rows of trees was placed at about 100 metres.

Only two dogs completed, Joe with Gemma and Graham with Bridgette. Off to the water.

The Water Run - was conducted on a large man made egg shaped dam, 180 metres long and 100 metres wide. The dam has a large drainage pipe placed in the retaining wall. The run consisted of a double mark and a blind duck retrieve.

The control and firing points were on the south/left hand side of the egg shaped dam less than half way along. The dog and handler were looking across the body of water to the first sighted retrieve, which landed about 60 metres in the water - five seconds later the second sighted duck was cast, landing on land in a straight line 145 metres on the same side as the dog and handler, the dog was sent for the first sighted in the water. On the return a shot was fired at the blind which was placed in the culvert pipe, (the pipe is situated at the top of the egg shaped dam).

The second sighted bird had landed 30 metres left and behind the bird in the pipe, the judge required a blind next, then the last sighted bird.

The two dogs completed the run. 1st Bridgette and 2nd Gemma.

This win was particularly meritorious for Graham as it resulted in Bridgette being awarded the title of Retrieving Trial Champion. This award is the first to be awarded in WGAA's retrieving trial history. Congratulations Graham and Bridgette.

WGAA Retrieving Trial 9th Sept 07

Graham Hayes & Shiloh

Tim Cloke & Chopper

Graham Hayes & Bridgette (winner)

Joe Camilleri & Gemma (runner up)

Andrew Yeomans & Ram

For Sale GSP pups

Whelped 17/6/07. From excellent working lines with many Field & Retrieving Trial Champions.
Sire: Pointgold Recommendable, a brother of Sal Briganti's 'Cassius', and son of Dual Field Trial Champion Pointgold Tolkus.
Dam: Cannawindra Zarsha. Grand-daughter of 3 Field Trial Champions.
Full Pedigree / Bloodlines available on request. Both parents can be viewed together.
Contact: Sal Briganti, ph 03 8647 0495

SSAA WORKING GUNDOGS QUEENSLAND IS UP AND RUNNING

Inaugural Retrieving Trial Results

The United Field & Retrieving Branch has officially commenced operations in Queensland. From the initial formation meeting on the 28th May this year until the Inaugural Retrieving Trial weekend 21st/22nd July it is hard to believe so much has been achieved in only two months. It has taken four general meetings with willing participation and hard work by all members. At present United Field & Retrieving is concentrating on the Retrieving Discipline but plans are already underway to take up the other disciplines for working gundogs. Our crowning glory is the Inaugural Retrieving Trial. The ability to hold retrieving trials in the public arena is an objective we have cherished for years, and at last it is a reality.

Retrieving trials are conducted under the national rules of the SSAA Working Gundog Association of Australia

RESULTS RETRIEVING TRIAL on 21 JULY 2007 in the JIMNA area SE Qld.
Beginner Test JUDGE: Mrs Fran Jones
HANDLER DOG
1ST Nereida Gilbert Avokah Hazzman .
2ND Allira Jefrey Lindenjude Callme Asher .
3RD Merle Hovey Instinkz Dare To Dream .
Intermediate Stake JUDGE: Mr Terry Grice
HANDLER DOG
1ST Judy Price Avokah Yaphett Bundi .
2ND Jim Jeffrey Lindenjude Wheres Wally .
3RD Di Lynch Lowther Highland Molly .
Advanced Stake JUDGE: Mr Jim Cattermole
HANDLER DOG
1ST Jackie Price Adlijager Desert Storm NRD AWARD IRTD
2ND Jim Jeffrey Voyager Anzac piper (Imp NZ) .
3RD - - .
Open Stake JUDGE: Mr Sam Haigh
HANDLER DOG
1ST Bryan Pritchard RtCh Kadnook Drop'O'Blakmagic AWARD ARTD
2ND Trevor Lodder DualCh(R) Tenarda Firecracker .
3RD Jackie Price RtCh Bromhund Major CDX ET .

Trial Date: 22 JULY 2007
Beginner Test JUDGE: Mrs Fran Jones
HANDLER DOG
1ST T Jeffrey Maplehurst Jess Scarlet of Lindenjude (Imp NZ) -
2ND Jim Cattermole Ch Springhi Fernwood Lass .
3RD A Jeffrey Lindenjude Callme Asher .
Intermediate Stake JUDGE: Mr Rob Price
HANDLER DOG
1ST Julien Bielewicz Tallowood Moorlandangler .
2ND Greg Meeve Binglebah Benny .
3RD Di Lynch Lowther Highland Molly .
Advanced Stake JUDGE: Mr Jim Jeffrey
HANDLER DOG
1ST Jim Cattermole Springhi Princess Leia RRD AWARD IRTD
2ND Anne White Dupur Lonesome Girl UD RRD ADX JDX .
3RD Bruce Wilson Dupur Black Douglas CD AD NRD JDX .
Open Stake JUDGE: Mr Bob Bishop
HANDLER DOG
1ST Laurelle Draper Lydstep Tanner CDX AWARD ARTD
2ND Trevor Lodder DualCh(R) Tenarda Firecracker .
3RD Bryan Pritchard RtCh Kadnook Drop'O'Blakmagic .

We have another Retrieving Trial on Saturday 15th September near Samsonvale SE Queensland. This will help us confirm the usage of WGAA national rules prior to our next major trial in October. This trial will be established as the Queensland Cup conducted annually at the same time of year over two days. It is on the weekend 13/14 October this year. Our branch contact details are now on the SSAA web site. We invite all SSAA members to come along and see what Working Gundogs are all about.

OPEN RETRIEVING TRIAL-VICTORIA

WGAA Retrieving Trial for Gundogs - Victoria


TRIAL DATE: SUNDAY 9th SEPTEMBER 2007

TRIAL MANAGER: GRAHAM HAYES


ENTRIES: ENTER ON THE DAY


ENTRY FEE: $12.00 per dog.

CHEQUES: Payable to WGAA
EVENTS: OPEN RETRIEVING TRIAL: Vetting 9.30 am. Start 10.00 am

JUDGE: Barry Kavanagh

TROPHIES: Trophy and Sash for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place getters.

QUALIFICATIONS: OPEN RETRIEVING TRIAL. This event is open to all Gundogs..

VENUE: Melton Area (Contact Trial Manager for directions)

CATERING: B.B.Q lunch will be available

♦ ALL COMPETITORS MUST OBEY MANAGER’S DIRECTIVES
♦ NO ONE IS PERMITTED TO REVISIT THE TRIAL SITE
♦ NO ALCOHOL TO BE CONSUMED BY HANDLERS DURING RUNS
♦ BITCHES IN OESTRUM WILL NOT BE PERMITTED ON THE TRIAL GROUNDS
♦ ALL COMPETITORS MUST PRODUCE A CURRENT SHOOTING LICENCE.


NB: ALL PERSONS ATTENDING THE TRIAL MUST SIGN RANGE MEMBER BOOK

ALL SSAA MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO COME ALONG
AND ENJOY THIS NEW AND EXCITING ACTIVITY

Retrieving Trial Result

WGAA Advanced Retrieving Trial - 24 June 07
Judge: Barry Kavanagh
Winner: Graham Hayes' CONINGSBURGH CARDINAL (Lab)

For sale Labrador pups

Litter of Labrador pups from good retrieving lines, VCA registered parents, hips, eyes etc done
Please contact Andrew Yeomans on mbl 0419 773508 or email chakazulu@bigpond.com.au

Rick Smith's Australian visit confirmed - update

Well known American professional dog trainer Rick Smith (son of the legendary Delmar Smith) has confirmed acceptance of WGAA's invitation to conduct a Foundation Seminar in Victoria on the 24th, 25th & 26th of October 2008.

Both Rick and his brother Ron have conducted seminars in New Zealand in recent years, and the positive comments from those who attended these seminars has encouraged the WGAA (Vic) committee to invite Rick to these shores.

The cost is $410.00 AUD per person. The Seminar begins on Friday (24th) evening with an orientation and introduction session and continues all day on Saturday and Sunday. The seminar is open to all gundog owners and is conducted on a 'hands on' basis, with handlers bringing their dogs. The seminar is open to all breeds and levels of gundogs. Places are limited so make sure you don't miss out.

For more information on the seminar visit Rick's website at http://www.huntsmith.com/

To request brochures and application form please contact Barry Oliver - mob. 0403380092 email barryoliver@optusnet.com.au

WGAA Queensland

The newly formed Queensland Branch of WGAA will be conducting its first retrieving trial on 21st & 22nd July. We wish them all the best for this inaugural event.

Litter Notification

For sale: Pointer pups. Bred from top English and Irish trial and working lines.
Sire: SSAA Field Champion.
Contact: Barry 0403380092 email barryoliver@optusnet.com.au

WGAA in the WEST

History was made in July with the first ever WGAA Pointer & Setter Closed Season field trials, the Jack Pontin and the Bob Dean memorial trials, being conducted by the newly formed WA Branch of WGAA. Brett Davidson, Alan Willey and Sandy Peter’ka had worked hard to overcome several problems and difficulties in order to get their Branch, and the event, off the ground. However, with support from both the SSAA’s National President, Bob Green & the WA State SSAA President, Ron Bryant, support that included negotiations with Government departments and the highest levels of the canine world, things came together and on the weekend of the 7th & 8th July the inaugural event was held.

8 dogs from WA, NSW, Vic & SA entered in Saturday’s Jack Pontin Memorial for judge, Barry Oliver, and assistant judge, Waine Dick, from New Zealand. The event was scheduled as an All Pointing Breeds event and one pointer, two Brittanies, and 5 Irish setters made up the field. The venue was initially a vast stubble paddock and later in the day a paddock of native grass and timber.

Overall the standard of the work was very good, considering that for most of the dogs and handlers this was their first trial. Some nice ground coverage, finds, productions and excellent backing characterised the day.

On the day the pointer bitch, Ywurrie Rani, owned and handled by Allan Willey, was the stand out victor. With the necessary two finds notched up, several backs, consistently good running and a nice retrieve, this bitch was a clear winner.

On the Saturday evening a stylish dinner was held at which the following awards were made:
Winner: A Willey's Ywurrie Rani (PB)
Best find: L. Brown's Quailbanders Aisa (ISB)
Best back: A Willey's Ywurrie Rani (PB)
Best quartering dog: A Easton's Quailbanders Ali Mai (ISB)
Best pointer: A Willey's Ywurrie Rani (PB)
Best setter: L. Brown's Quailbanders Aisa (ISB)
Best hunt, point & retrieve dog: M Casadio's Huntingvale Dashing Toby (BSD)
Best novice: Fyledalens Peregrin (Imp SWE) (ISD)

The following day saw 2 pointers, 2 Brittanies and 5 Irish setters line up for the Bob Dean Memorial, judged on this occasion by NZ Judge Waine Dick and Assistant Judge Kathy Oliver. Another 2 large stubble paddocks were provided for the dogs to show what they could do on what was a beautiful, crisp morning. However, things got off to a slightly tricky start when the game situation seemed to dry up a little. Fortunately the second paddock was more productive. Two dogs, Allan’s pointer and the Irish, owned by Sandy Peter’ka and handled on the weekend by Denis Everard, went through to the last round.

A return to one of the paddocks used on the first day was decided upon in order to secure a result, and the pointer and the young Irish gave a nice demonstration of good quality pointer & setter work. Both dogs then completed their retrieves in fine style and Alan’s pointer was again declared the winner with the Irish runner up.

Barry Dean who especially flew over from Victoria to watch the weekend's trials presented the winner, Ywurrie Rani QC, (PB) with the trophy, sash for best Pointer and tankard for best backing dog. Fyledalens Peregrin (Imp Swe) (ISD) was presented with the sash for Runner Up & also sash for best Setter. Best Novice was Kilsheelan Paprika (IMP NZ) handled and owned Rob Clay.The event was supported by competitors from 4 States, and an international judge – not bad for a new kid on the block. Well done to all concerned with this initial venture – and no doubt there will be more to follow.

With pointer & setter trialling now established in the West, WGAA has competitions running in 4 States – Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland. This represents a pleasing development for gundog trialling and for the SSAA.


Competitors watching the action.


L - R Rob Clay (NSW) Sandy Peter'ka (WA) &
WA WGAA President Brett Davidson


L - R Kathy Oliver (Assistant Judge), Alan Willey (WA competitor),
Waine Dick (Judge NZ) & Denis Everard (Vic competitor)


WA competitors Leslie Brown & Alan Willey



Getting ready to start the next heat.


Annie Easton from WA under judge Waine Dick's judicial eye.


Alan Willey's winning pointer in action.


All smiles in the winner's circle.


Denis Everard (Vic) & WA WGAA Committee member, Sandy Peter'ka


Official presentations. L-R Waine Dick, Barry Oliver & Alan Willey

SHOT EXPO 26 & 27 May 07 - Royal Melbourne Showgrounds

What a weekend! After several months of training the WGAA demonstration team finally got to show what it could do at the 2007 Shot Expo. Twelve dogs – 3 GSPs, 1 Pointer, 5 Labs, 2 L’Epagneul Bretons (Brittanys) and a Weimaraner, ran, jumped and retrieved over the two days before hundreds of people.

It is worth reflecting on the point that while there have been endless dog shows held at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds, this was probably the first time that a working gundog demonstration had been held. With shotguns used to fire blanks the dogs and handlers put on a realistic demonstration that had the crowd both enthralled and appreciative.

A special mention must be made of the effort that Graham Hayes made to get the team together and to choreograph the event – an event that ran for almost 1 hour. It needs to be appreciated that such an effort required training the team, writing the script, coordinating the dozens of pieces of equipment and assistants, liaising with the Showgrounds management and the SSAA staff, getting permits, etc, etc, etc.

On behalf of the club many thanks to Graham Hayes, Gary Bristow, Bob Bant, Norm & Tim Cloke, Alex Jevric, Kevin Phelps, Angie Bloomer, Alf Briffa, Andrew Yoemans, Joe Camilleri, Dean Watts, Dennis Maher, Jack Benetti, Kathy & Barry Oliver for the effort involved in training their dogs, performing, and helping with the many tasks during the actual event… they will never forget it!