Steve O'Connell

With challenging weather conditions that ranged from summer heat to the fury of hurricane Ike, the Bluegrass Retriever Club pulled off their trial with grace. All stakes completed by Saturday night, except the Amateur which finished by 2:00 Sunday afternoon during the rampages of winds gusting to 50 mph. Trees and power lines in the area toppled as Amateur competitors took their chance on taking home a blue ribbon.

The Derby with judges Brian Gardner and Mike Stroh completed their 4 series during Friday’s 90+ degree heat with 9 dogs completing all series. Jim Pickering’s dog KPR’s Wet Willie (Willie) took home the blue ribbon which gave him a total now of 27 derby points. Watch out for him again this fall, as he doesn’t age out until January 2009! 2nd place went to Cliff and Jeanne Garland’s dog Riparian Dream Come True (True) handled by Joe Harp. Bobby Lane’s dog Lane’s Get Ready To Rumble (Ali) took 3rd place honors with Charlie Moody at the wheel and 4th place went to Jo and Diane Burson’s dog Jo’s Dusty Southern Breeze handled by Jo. RJ was Scoop owned by Kirk Dodge and jams went to David Cantrell’s Flea, Ronald Robert’s Colt, Sam Milton’s Maxx, and Marty Bullington’s Jet.

Open first series land quald

The Open and Qualifying completed the 4th series at dusk on Saturday evening after another very warm day of competition. Judges George Free and Eric Altom set up a very challenging Open beginning with a land quad which proved to be very challenging for most of the dogs. 25 dogs were called back to the land blind and 21 of those made it back to the water blind. 16 had the chance to compete for blue in the last series with Steve O’Connell’s dog FC-AFT Watuaga’s Bull Gator prevailing. Bull now has over 90+ all age points and is qualified for the National Open. Jimmie Darnell walked away with both 2nd and 3rd places with FC-AFC Wild Wings Hurricane Storm and AFC Wild Wings Girl’s Best Friend. Sharon Gierman took 4th place with AFC Pekisko Calumet’s Rebel Doll. Reserve Jam went to Mark Ingram and Sam with additional jams given to Cliff and Jeanne Garland’s Ricky, Terry Bunn’s Phred, Gwen Jones’ Raven, Vicki Worthington’s Rebel, Lou Magee’s Duke, Lanier Fogg’s Zeus, Paul Brundige’s Vinny, Cliff and Jeanne Garland’s Moose, Tammy Bell’s Rip, Pam Park’s Slugger, and Frank Barton’s Gus.

Qualifying first place honors were bestowed by Danny Luttrell and Brian Gardner and went to Paul Downing’s HF’s Flying Boomerang (Bomber) handled by Steve Faith and 2nd place was John Jenkins’ dog JLN Point Guard (Tubby) handled by Joe Harp making both Qualified All-Age dogs. 3rd place went to Matthew Geater’s Deuce’s Grown Ace Man handled by Charlie Moody and 4th to Wally and Sheryl Riffle’s Callem Killem and Cookem Kayla. RJ honors went to Ken and Lois Kuiken’s Gal, Dana Needham’s Champ, Bruce Ahler’s Trip, and Harold Gierman’s Shire.

Top Amateur Dogs

Lou Magee and his dog Dominator’s Duke of Turrell took the lead position of the Amateur dogs surviving both the hurricane winds of Ike and the challenging tests of the two judges, Jenna Seitz and Ken Woods. 26 dogs out of 53 completed the first series land triple with both a short and long retired bird to compete in a very challenging double land blind. Only 18 of those dogs had the opportunity on Sunday morning to try their luck on a water blind driven by hurricane force winds! With trees falling all around the Five Fingers lake only 10 dogs survived to the final series. Not wanting to give into the conditions of the day, the judges continued their pursuit of the hardiest Amateur dog. With Lou and Duke leading the way (and an AFC title!!) second place honors were given to Dick Kaiser and AFC JB’s So Rude. Lanier Fogg and Ida Red’s Atlanta Challenge MH came in 3rd with Mark Medford and AFC Jamestown’s Super Spud taking a 4th. Other survivors were Steve Hamilton and Chef taking RJ and Sharon Gierman’s JR, Bobby Smith’s Pride, and Jimmie Darnell’s Cane brought in the other jams on this truly remarkable day for the Amateur dogs and handlers.

Much thanks to the Bluegrass Retriever Club for putting on another fine trial during adverse weather conditions.

 

Open series photos

Land Quad

Open Land Blind

Open Water triple

Bull

Amateur series photos

Amateur Land Triple

Double Land Blind

Water Blind

Water triple

 

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