A beautiful sunrise started the Central Arkansas Spring Field trial off with warm weather for the Friday Open and Qualifying. Event Chairman Jay Chesshir greeted handlers at the Open with a wonderful working cattle ranch as their new event grounds. Judy and Dennis Dulaney, managers of the ranch, were on hand to provide support, hospitality, and wonderful food for the participants.

Open land marks

Judges Phil Heye DVM and Bruce Ahlers DVM, and past National judge, provided very challenging land marks for the talented Open dogs and handlers. A triple with two retiring guns and a flyer station in the middle gave dogs problems with both retired stations. 39 Dogs were called back from the series and invited to run a land blind of which 26 survived. A long water blind was next on the agenda providing judges 14 dogs for the 4th series. Joe Harp handled Greg Cross’ dog, Hardscrabbles Captain Morgan, to an FC title weekend with the Open Win. Alex Washburn handling Coolwater’s Storm Chaser came in 2nd with Paul Sletten and FC Dominators Autumn Creek Gamble in 3rd and Mark Edwards with Take Me Now or Lose Me Forever in 4th.

Qual land series

Qualifying judges Lanse Brown and Lou Magee provided competitors a hard in-line triple against a hillside for their marks and a land blind behind the flyer station to challenge even the best handlers. A water series followed with the blind run first and a triple with a retired gun to follow by invitation. 9 dogs survived to finish this series with Alex Washburn handling Coolwater’s Hawkeye Legend in 1st place. Mark Edwards took 2nd with Hawkeye’s Double-Down Kate and Joe Harp 3rd with Ace on the River III. Bobby Wills cam in 4th with Nick of Time Jazz Star MH.

Qual water series

Derby dogs were the next to finish with placements as follows: 1st place – Rob Erhardt handling Thunder’s Bootscootin’ Abe 2nd place – Rob Erhardt handling Pin Oak’s Texas Tea 3rd place – Marv Baumer handling Nebo’s Uptown Girl 4th place – Mark Edwards handling Lucyana’s Full Speed Ahead.

Amateur judges Jason Fleming and Henry Ragle began the Saturday morning series with a big land triple with a long retired gun and middle retired gun and a go bird flyer. Both retired guns provided problems for many dogs. Judges were generous with callbacks and invited 35 dogs to the land blind. A generous 28 dogs completed the two land blinds and were invited to the water blind which began on a rainy and cold Sunday morning. With rain, wind and a challenging dry pop, shoreline water blind only 12 dogs survived the invitation to the water marks. Placements were as follows: 1st place – Mark Medford handling FC AFC Jamestown’s Perfect Ten 2nd place – Tammy Bell handling Ragin’ Max Steel (Qualifies him All-Age) 3rd place – Mark Medford handling Dominator’s High Spade 4th place – Jay Chesshir handling Ride Sally Ride III

Compliments to the Central Arkansas Retriever Club members who helped with the trial. The grounds, the help and the hospitality were excellent. Many thanks to the judges and the field trial committee for the preparation, commitment, and cleanup required to host a first class field trial. Hunt Chairman – Jay Chesshir, Event Committee – Jeff Henard, Jim Byrd, Mark Miles, Dana Giovanello, Reece Hudson, Keith Holsted, Event Secretary – Amanda Holsted