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Master
National Saturday September 23, 2000 |
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| Expectations
ran high today as to what we were going to find
when we all got to the test site. Most of
us received a wake up call at 5 AM due to extremely
loud thunder and lightening with torrential rains.
Before an hour passed the only thing left was light
drizzle and a lot of humidity (at least to me).
By the time the test started a little after 8 AM
the skies were cloudy and some breeze |
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Today instead
of having the test dogs repeat the series for the
handler, the MN board chose to have 3 dogs run that
were going to be retired after this year.
They were Cumberland Ida Klaus, MH run by James
Brengosz (owned by Clarence Klaus). The second
dog to run was Borderline’s Carbon Copy, MH owned
& run by Sallie Sullivan. The last dog
to run was ADPG Mobile Bay, MH owned and run by
Bobby Graham.
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The first dog
in contention to run was #58B and after 10 dogs
from group B, the first group A dog was #69.
All totaled there were 29 dogs ran before the test
ended and only 1 dog was a re-run. The actual
time the test stopped was 11:30 AM but it took almost
an hour for the judges to gather their scores and
come down to the C1 parking lot where the closing
ceremonies were held. All the handlers were
waiting expectantly due to the clouds moving in.
After Ray’s speech, in which he introduced the members
of the Backwater Club that were so helpful and faithfully
on the field at 6AM each day. He also presented
Daphne Black with the MN plate and a flag for the
club. The passing of the MN manuals which
is a tradition was done from Ray Muth, the 99 President
to Jeff Schoonover, President for 2000. Daphne
gave a very touching speech as well. Last
year was the first year that the Clayton Crawford
Award was instituted to honor those people in the
current year’s event who went way beyond the call.
Frank Prendergast came to the microphone and told
us all about Clayton and his love of the game, etc.
Sidney Tidwell was the first name to be put on the
plaque in 1999. This year there will be 3
names for the year 2000 and they are: Frank Prendergast,
Russ Reavis, and Teresa Kucan for the effort they
performed to help Bruce Bachert. Harold
introduced the board members and we finally got
on to the announcements of the qualifiers.
Each one received a MN plate, a huge ribbon, and
a “gold” duck band. There were 56 qualifiers
in A and 57 qualifiers in B. The
next activity was to take the Qualifiers picture,
which was done by the pond. Not 5 minutes
after that was done a huge storm just dumped rain
on us. There was a scattering of people trying
to get under the large tents that were still up.
It lasted about 10 minutes but left everyone feeling
somewhat soggy. Most everyone left will be
on the roads home tomorrow and we wish them all
a safe trip and hope to see everyone in Oklahoma
next year. |
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Here is one
thing that should be shared with all. It was
written by James Stucker and read by Ray during
his speech and there weren’t too many dry eyes in
the crowd. |
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The
end is here and now we reflect on our past times
we have shared here at the MN 2000. For some
it’s their first time memory, for others it’s another
one down good or bad and you’ve left your mark on
the Hall of Fame.
Some
left earlier than planned but that’s ok. They’ll
be back. Others left never to return.
Their light shined bright for a time but now they’ll
lay by the fire and retire and reminisce of past
glory days. As we all part our ways, we take
many memories and emotions from here. Good,
bad, indifferent. But we all share a common
bond. That dog that we love, who loves us
back with no conditions. We’ve made friends,
seen old ones, talked and shared memories.
Life is too short not to come here without having
fun. We’ve taken a memory that will last a
lifetime. So be proud no matter how you’ve
done because we all know our dog is the best – no
matter the outcome. I bid you farewell for
just a short time but we’ll see you there next year.
I know for sure whether in person or in spirit.
Walk the line, be steady boys, and shoot straight
because that’s my mark and I’ll bring it back ready
to go again when you call my name and give me a
back. |
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| After
the qualifications were done, there are many new
dogs to the MN title and the numbers and places
of dogs in the Hall of Fame changed as well as the
Women’s Challenge Trophy. I don’t have the
totals yet but they will certainly be in the October
issue of the MN NEWS. One thing that I can
tell you is that for the first time, a dog has 7
qualifications at the MN. It’s Lady Margaret
of Florentine, MN owned by Catherine Lee and run
by Richard McDonald. “Maggie” is now going
to retire and stay home with Cathy, Robert, and
their little daughter. But amazingly enough
this magnificent dog is only 8 years old.
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event is over and hopefully next year we’ll see
all those here and more of those who couldn’t come.
A huge thank you goes to all who worked so hard
on this event, starting from last year’s planning
stages to the last minute today. Without these
dedicated people it could not have happened.
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luck this year, be safe, and love your dog!!
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