A western style banquet kicked off the start of the 51st running of the Canadian National Retriever Championship Stake in beautiful Logan Lake, British Columbia. The weather had been cold earlier in the week at the beginning of set up but cleared with relatively warm daytime temperatures.

The morning of the banquet was clear and the daytime temperature was in the low 20ies. Weather forecasts indicate good weather will prevail over the beginning of the trial.  There were 105 attendees at the banquet. Graham Tyler acted as MC, and did a wonderful job keeping things flowing. The National anthems from both Canada and the US were sung, and Graham expressed the sincere feelings of horror and sympathy that we as Canadians are sharing with our fellow American competitors. Introductions for the head table included the judges, Bob Young- representing the Eastern zone, Phil Macmillan from the Central zone and Tom Murray from the Western zone, as well as the Field Trial Chairman - Don Fiddler, Field Trial Marshal - Dr. Antonia Gaal,  Field Trial Secretary - Elizabeth Macmillan and the vice president of the National Retriever Club of Canada - Dr. Bob James.

Speeches were made, pins and bibs presented, and a lively calcutta followed the banquet. Sunday will be a day of rest for most, meetings for others, as anticipation builds to the start of this prestigious event. One female did not pass the bitch check, dog number 65, two other scratches were received, numbers 4 and 33,  so the judges will be looking at a starting field of 77 dogs. The opening test was announced as a land triple and land blind located in the "bull field" just outside of Logan Lake.

Marg Murray, NRCC Sect'y & Elizabeth MacMillan, FTS

Bob Young, Arline James, Bob James, Tom Murray and Phil MacMillan
 

General Crowd