Brady Collins and Cash earn Master Title

The Mid-South Hunting Retriever Club pulled of a rare single header event over the weekend in Hernando, MS. Only 83 total dogs were entered and most were amateur handled dogs. The professional handlers were mostly in Hibbing, MN, at the Master National event which began this morning. Although there was a small entry, the judges maintained the AKC standard of testing with quality tests that challenged each dog’s marking and handling abilities to the highest standard. Club members helped set up very realistic hunting situations with everything from snow goose decoys, duck decoys, hunting buddies and out to sea blinds planted with a jon boat. Contestants certainly received their money’s worth of life-like hunting situations and camaraderie.

 

Triple Marks and a double blind

Saturday’s events started out with the Master land series and the Senior land. 23 of 37 Master handlers completed the triple marks and double blind series successfully and were called back to a water triple with walk up and honor. The Senior handlers were given a tough double in high cover that proved to be a challenge for even the best marking dog. Only 8 dogs and handlers out of 29 were able to complete the series and be invited to the final set of marks. The Senior dogs completing both series are: Scot Whitaker with Splash, Kim Smith with Suzie, Richard Crippen with Cricket, Jesse Sheppard with Jack, Mike Blalack with Pepper, Craig Owen with Dakota, and Trevor Brewer with Grace.

 

Master walkup Triple

Master handlers finished the day off with a walk-up triple water test. Dog and handler walked to the line, and as they reached the water’s edge, one judge called for the birds. The first bird directly across the pond was launched to the left. A bird to the right of that was launched down the shore to the right. The last bird was to the left launched right and landed in the end of the pond among several decoys. The working dog was released, and then the dog and handler on the honor stool were released. One dog was victim to the set-up and released himself early! 16 of the 23 dogs were called back to Sunday morning’s hunt.

 

Variety in Junior Dogs!

The Junior division began on Sunday morning with water marks. Dogs of all colors arrived to try out their water and bird handling skills. 10 of 16 dogs and handlers were successful and were asked to pick up a single land flyer and additional bird. 7 Labs, 1 Chesapeake, 1 Poodle, and 1 Golden Retriever made the final series the retriever variety show! 8 of those went home with their orange AKC rosettes. They were: Peter Wiggett and Ben, Allen Dillard with Sam, Carol Stone with Rio, Jesse Sheppard with Pete, Francis Landry with Gumbeaux, Lisa Russell with Reagan, John Wilkinson with Luna, and Mac McCarty with Jaz.

 

Water Triple with Out to Sea Blind

Brady Collins earns his Master Hunter title

Master Qualifiers

Junior Qualifiers

Click here to view more photos from the trial!