Friday evening was a relaxing one, with lots of visiting and congratulations among the finalists and the dwindling campground crowd. Groups pooled their refrigerator contents and shared meals and drink. The judges seemed relieved to have successfully made it to this point in the trial, and commented on the high quality of the dogs they have been judging all week. We learned that it was Claude’s 33 rd anniversary and we all toasted him and his wife Joanne (long distance). The rumor was that the final test was a big one, and there was an air of excitement. Many of us got very little sleep in anticipation of the final day.

TEST 10 : WATER QUAD, 2 RETIRED GUNS

When the competitors were called to the line they were looking at 5 sets of guns and were almost fooled into believing this test was going to be a “cinquer”. One set then walked away and we were left with a big Quad. The running line was at the top of a large mound 40 yards from the water’s edge with outstanding visibility of the entire grounds - truly a spectacular sight. There was a brisk 30km wind at the start of the test (blowing left to right and away, from the SouthWest and West) with promise of 60km/hour winds by noon.

Test 10

The first bird (center right, 262 yards) was thrown from right to left into the wind with the correct line being to hold a line in the water to the end of the pond past two islands. This gun retired.

The second bird (right bird, 190 yards) was thrown from left to right (a contrary mark) up towards a road that parallels the canal. This gun retired.

The third bird (center right, 42 yards) was thrown from right to left to land on the base of a point. These gunners were directly in line with the fall area for the second bird.

The fourth bird (left bird, 190 yards) was thrown from the end of the point to an island.

Elsie Baker announced the dogs as they came to line. The first test dog ran at 9am and had problems from the beginning and was picked up. Two more test dogs were run, with both requiring handling to get the long center right bird.

There was some good work on the test, with a few dogs getting all the birds without much trouble. Many dogs visited the gunners on the point (gun 4) before crossing over to the island to get their bird. The short retired bird (right center, third bird) caused some problems for a few dogs, including a handle. The long retired gun required a great deal of courage to maintain the correct line, especially as time went on and the winds blew stronger. One dog landed on an island and hunted the island before carrying through to the long bird. Dogs beaching early by the gunner were still able to come up with the bird as the wind gave them the scent. Four dogs handled on the long bird and there were some big hunts. Overall the dogs did this test very well, showing a lot of talent and heart to stay in the long water in the big wind. The last dog completed the test at 3pm.

The finalists gathered near the Clubhouse (75 yards from where the test was held) for the presentations. A group photo was taken by photographer Kim Harder. Chairman Garry Taylor thanked Purina for hosting the Toast to Champions and thanked Ducks Unlimited for providing the beautiful bronze statue finalist trophies and the winners framed print. He also thanked the judges for a good week. This trial has run very smoothly and had very few glitches. The judges have set good tests and been generous with callbacks.

Garry introduced each of the finalists in catalog order to give them their trophies

Dog 1: AFTCH Pilkington’s Kayte of Southgate, owner/handler Bill Cumming

Dog 2: FTCH AFTCH Jazztime Last Chance v Pekisko, owners Larry and Anna Calvert, handler Larry Calvert

Dog 10: FTCH AFTCH Pekisko’s Round Trip, owners John and Sharon vanderLee, handler Sharon vanderLee

Dog 11: FTCH AFTCH Gillian of Erinhills, owner/handler Dianna Beatty

Dog 20: FTCH AFTCH A Jay IV, owner/handler Chuck Lapensee

Dog 22: FC AFC FTCH AFTCH He’s Czar Nicholas, owners Norm Elder and Patrick Lindell, handler Norm Elder

Dog 23: FTCH AFTCH ClubMead’s Autumn Breeze, MH CDX, owners Garry and Sue Taylor, handler Sue Taylor

Dog 27: Pilkingtons Haley’s Comet, owner Joan Bell, handler Bill Cumming

Dog 29: Ottercreek’s Gryphon, owner/handler Larry Baker

Dog 30: Pekisko Calumet’s Rebel Doll, owners Hal and Sharon Gierman, handler Sharon Gierman

Dog 37: Crow River Cougars Mad Max, owners Roger Weller and Norm Elder, handler Norm Elder

Dog 40: Seasides One To Many, owner/handler Jim Swanson.

Dog 43: FTCH AFTCH Cisco, owner/handler Al McKean.

The judges were asked to say a few words. They praised the dog work and the Saskatoon Retriever Club for their organization and hard work as well as their outstanding grounds.

Marg Murray announced the winner and presented the trophy to:

Dog 22: FC AFC FTCH AFTCH He’s Czar Nicholas, owners Norm Elder and Patrick Lindell, handler Norm Elder