The Battle at Bryan College Station
In the Senior stake, "Emmy", owned by Fernando Somoza, tested for a qualifying score and brought home a Senior pass in a test with only eight other qualifying scores.
In Junior, "Nip", owned by Ron and Tammy Johnson, passed both tests. Congratulations on a consistent performance Nip!
Port Arthur Retriever Club Hunt Test Results
Master passes :
Lorie owned and handled by Tim Buck
Cody the Chessie owned by Penny Watkins
Cody the Lab owned by Steve Hoppas
Jet owned by Sean Hale
Senior:
Sway 2 passes for Senior Title-Congratulations to Doug Bishop
Emmy 1 pass
Junior:
Nip 1 JR. Pass
So the team came home with eight orange ribbons and one Senior Title ribbon. Not a bad weekend! Continue checking in for hunt test results and I'll keep workin' those dogs!
-Jack-
In Memory of Chris Martin
I have the misfortune of letting everyone know that Chris died yesterday in an automobile accident. He was my right hand man. Chris always came to work early and took pride in taking care of the dogs.
Chris had the best memory of anyone I've ever seen and known. He always remembered what every dog needed. Not only did he take care of them, he also noticed if any of them needed something else. He was a true friend of both man and animal alike.
In thinking about my time with him, I also thought about his service to the sport. Chris was so proud about being one of the flyer shooters for the open stake at Dave Rorem's. He shot for 90 dogs and allowed zero "no birds". Two weekends prior, he also shot for the derby and the amateur stakes at the Coastal Bend Retriever Club Field Trial with similar skill. This from a kid that 4 months ago didn't know how to load a starter pistol. He was a good student of the game and learning in leaps and bounds. His enthusiasm for discovery was infectious.
Everyone who met him loved/ liked him as I did. This was a great person who seemed happy in life. I will miss him. I don't understand the term, God works in mysterious ways.
Remorsefully,
Jack
For those interested in joining the family for the funeral services, here is information that will be useful:
The viewing and service will be on Saturday the 27th. The viewing will be from 10-12 with the service from 12-about 1. The burial will be private, but there will be a lunch at 1:30 to follow. The funeral is at Niday Funeral home in Houston, Tx. DIrections can be found on their website: nidayfunerals.com The lunch will be at Pearland First United Methodist church. The church's website can be found here: First United Methodist Church, Pearland The family welcomes all interested parties to visit.
Congratulations to Steve H. and Cody!
Congratulations to you both!
-Jack-
Idgie x Willie Pedigree
I have received a hand full of requests for a printable version of the pedigree so I threw one onto the Downloads page for your pleasure.
Click here to go to Download Page
-Jack-
Idgie x Willie - Repeat Breeding!
Idgie x Willie Pedigree
If you are thinking about a puppy and want a line in on a great performance dog, give me a call or email and we can reserve a pup for you. Some of the pups are already spoken for so don't delay in reserving your opportunity for one of these special retrievers!
Flyer Friday = Cold and Wet!
| A hard, blue Northern front came through Thursday night and brought rain and a LOT of wind for Flyer Friday. Since it has been mild over the past two weeks, this found the group a little ill prepared for such a tough day for training. That being said, we loaded up and headed out to run a setup that reminded us of the River Runs Through It series of the 2009 Master National. Our long bird was out about 200 yards through a rushing spillway from a large tank. All running water with lots of ups and downs along the way to throw the dog off the area. Two other control birds were placed tight up a hillside and we threw in a double blind to make sure we covered all training bases. Call it a "kitchen sink" setup! The big dogs ran a double up the hill, long single, and then the blinds that made them handle either near an old fall or passing under the arc of one of the marks. Plenty of meat in this one! Tim Buck ran his dog, Lori, and she smoked all of the test. The Stellar dogs all ran a strong set, and Mike Meek and Zoe even made it out to run with the big dogs. We had a great time, just wish we had all remembered gloves! Winter/Spring training is underway and remember, amateurs are welcome on Fridays. Just give me a call and let me know you want to come out! See you next week! -Jack- |
2010 Spring Hunt Test Schedule
Winter break from AKC tests is about up and it is time to load up and head out. Mark your calendars for the events below. I've also provided the entry closing dates so that we can be sure to get your dog entered.
| Event Date | Entry Deadline | Hosting Club | Location |
| February 27-28th | February 18th | Port Arthur Retriever Club | Hamshire, Texas |
| March 6-7th | --------------- | Bryan-College Station RC | Bryan-College Station |
| March 13-14th | March 3rd | Brazosport Retreiever Club | Montgomery, Texas |
| March 20-21st | March 11th | Waterloo Amateur RC | Manheim, Texas |
| Apirl 24-25th | April 13th | Dallas Fort Woth RC | Ravenna, Texas |
| May 1-2nd | ------ | Tejas Retreiver Club | Northrup, Texas |
| May 8-9th | April 26th | Heart of Texas RC | Buckholts, Texas |
Frozen in Giddings and a New Training Discipline!
Stellar Retrievers is now training dogs to walk on water, reserve your spot NOW!
Seriously folks, it has been cold...really cold! And everybody had a good time running around the frozen pasture, and well, yes, the technical pond. Test season starts soon, meanwhile, we have work to do!
Please note: No canids were injured during the photographing of this blog!