Tom Quinn went to Ornbaun kennels to purchase a puppy from an older litter. He debated over a small black female, 58 lbs. at maturity, and a large, 85 lbs at maturity, cola colored chocolate male. He chose the smaller female from the 5 1/2 month old litter that was without training. The little female had demonstrated amazing qualities. Those qualities were intensity, birdiness, obliviousness to water, and resolute eye contact.

Nakai Anny exhibited early signs of greatness. She had an excellent memory, reckless disregard for body and pain during retrieving, and an extreme desire to please. Tom recognized with his simple "home grown training" that she would have without hesitation, charged into his large blazing fireplace to retrieve embers if he had asked it of her He found he had a new and strange responsibility toward an animal.

Nakai Anny won her first Open while still two years of age and completed her Field Championship at three years. A stifle injury ended her field trial career in her fourth year of trialing, but she continued to serve as Tom's gun dog and hunting companion. Nakai hunted brilliantly, intuitively and courageously in the freezing duck marshes and the upland quail cover.

Four breedings to Super Powder produced a number of good dogs. The first breeding produced Dr. Davey PHD, 1978 high point derby dog, and '80 NFC-AFC Risky Business Ruby. In one season the puppies from this litter collectively amassed more derby points then any other litter in retriever field trial history. Some of Nakai's illustrious sons and daughters are:

• NFC-AFC Risky Business Ruby
• FC-AFC Rip Snortin Good Times
• FC-AFC Play The Red
• FC-AFC Amazing Grace Of Ornbaun
• FC-AFC Dick The Duck
• FC-AFC Sunday Hawkeye (1979 high point derby dog)
• FC Nakai's Stemwinder
• FC Texas Star IV
• Ornbaun's Wet Willie
• AFC Salty Margarita

Nakai Anny ended her career with a total of 42.5 all-age points. She earned 27.5 points in the Open and 15 points in the Amateur. She competed in trials from 1973 to 1977.

By Richard Halstead, Lino Lakes, MN and Tom Quinn, Point Reyes Station, CA

(Statistics are from Retriever Field Trial Statistics 1941-1993, by Sue Reynolds.)