SUCCESS FOR NEW HANDLERS at the MHSC HUNT TEST

MEMBERS OF THE ST. LOUIS REGIONAL SPORTING SPANIEL CLUB AND THEIR DOGS SCORE BIG AT THE SPRING AKC HUNT TEST OF THE MISSOSURI HUNTING SPANIEL CLUB

article submitted by John Forbes

Waiting for the Hunt Test to begin

On April 28 and 29, at Horsecreek Ranch near Branson, Missouri, members of the SLRSSC and their dogs awed the gallery at the Spring Hunt Test of the MHSC.  Danelle Oliver, President of the new St. Louis Regional club, was the most impressive with qualifying runs both days of land and water retrieves by her dog, Sunny, to earn the dog the title of Master Hunter.

Danelle with Sunny at the water, Master level

Her young dog, Acey, not only titled as a Junior Hunter on Saturday, she qualified for one leg of her Master Hunter title on her very first attempt the next day.  Acey performs well enough in the field to skip the Senior Hunter title requirements. 

Bitch, Ivy (front and center) with her 4 participating pups at the Hunt Test and their owners. Also present is Mark's wife Racine with her pup. 
Left to Right: Richard Driggs, Shea, Roy, Glen Martin, Mark Nix, Ivy, Pearcy, Danelle Oliver, Acey, Racine Nix, Oreck  

Glen with Roy

 Glen Martin’s dog, Roy, titled as a Junior Hunter on Saturday and successfully completed one leg of his Senior Hunter title on Sunday. 

Bryan Custer, Vice-President of the new SLRSSC, ran his older dog, Elvis, to a successful leg of his Senior Hunter title on Sunday. 

Elvis performs well enough in the field to skip the Junior Hunter title requirements.  

Bryan with Elvis

Also on Sunday, John Forbes, an 87-year-old member of the SLRSSC, handled his own young dogs, Abby and Brodie, for the first time, and helped them complete one leg each of their Junior Hunter titles.

John and Brodie

Abby and Brodie.

John Forbes with Abby at the water,  Jr. level

            All four members of the new St. Louis Regional Sporting Spaniel Club came home with ribbons from the Missouri Hunting Spaniel Club’s Spring Hunt Test, conducted under the auspices of the American Kennel Club.  Three cheers for the SLRSSC, this new club is now definitely on the map!     

above photos taken by Kathleen Driggs

CONGRATULATIONS AND HATS OFF TO OUR FIRST TIME HANDLERS!!!

JOHN FORBES- THIS HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING. PERSEVERANCE HAS FINALLY PAID OFF

BRYAN CUSTER-  PROVES YOU CAN TEACH AN OLD DOG A NEW TRICK...OR TWO

Airedales Know How to Have Fun Too

One of the newest breeds included in Upland Hunt Test is the Airedale Terrier.  Their style is different than a Spaniel, not as flowing, but are effective in the field none the less. Not only do they hunt upland birds but are fierce enough to attack coons and other fur bearing animals. This very versatile breed is frequently trained in Schutzhund methods.

A successful retrieve to hand

Below

Ed and his wife with their youngest Airedale, Kasbah, working the Hunting Style Agility Course. 

Across the log and over the rubble pile.

Then through the Key Hole

Kasbah goes through the Thicket Weave without much pause.

Here is Mike with his young dog Kira after they successfully completed the land series at the MHSC Hunt Test.

                                                                                               photo by Kathleen Driggs

                                                                                  photo by Kathleen Driggs

FUN MATCH winter 2012

Lots of fun was to be had at our clubs first Fun Match.

1st place winner of the puppy obstacle course Sally, and her feisty girl Scout

Barrett with his pup Gage and helper

I'm sorry Barrett, but you cannot use Gage in this competition.  He's no bigger than the pigeons! :-)

Father/ Daughter: John and Sally with Brodie heading out to the Three-Bird Hunt and Shoot  competition.
 2nd place winner to that event

We found out that Cockers know only one speed, FAST.  Combined with the idea that you don't slow down till you're in your masters arms, won them the Fastest Retrieve.

1st place winner of Fastest Retrieve. Blake with Belle

Glen and his dog Roy

Members Pheasant Hunt South Dakota

Club members Bryan and son Jacob enjoyed a fall pheasant hunt in South Dakota 2011

Pheasants hiding in the dense cover of cattails were no match for these Springers.  

Club Secretary Jacob, with a pheasant

English Cockers and Woodcocks

An English Cockers quick and busy hunting style, along with it's speed and compact size, makes it the best breed for hunting woodcock in the heavy dense cover that woodcocks are usually found.



Ray and FC AFC Fallenwings Piasa Belle hunting woodcock in Northern Minnesota

Rich and his beloved L.C. Smith side by side, hunting woodcock with Ray and his cockers in Minnesota's, Cherokee National Forest.

Ray, holding 6 month old Briar's, first pheasant .

Ray's son Blake, hunting pheasants at Rend Lake, Illinois.