|
Barbara and Fred - On The Road Again
A little Color
Commentary from the 2013 ACC National Field Trial
Specialty
Wednesday Evening, October 30, 2013: Musings
It's been more than a few years since our last 'On The Road Again’
Color Commentary. We are so pleased and impressed with this year's
Specialty we have to comment.
The venue –the H. Cooper Black Jr.
Memorial Field Trial and Recreation Area– is a gem of the State of
South Carolina. We are fortunate the Field Trial Committee was able
to secure this site for the Specialty. The bar has been raised yet
again! We have seen phenomenal dogs and handlers running stakes
that were challenging but fair. As always, we are amazed what
dedicated owners, trainers, and handlers can achieve with our
breed. That of course is based on good foundation breed stock.
In our week in the Carolinas, we encountered dozens of people and
have consistently been impressed by not only the civility but the
downright friendliness and politeness of everyone we have
encountered. Three cheers for the Carolinians. Thanks to the
support of ACC members, the fundraising drawing was successful and
in a first (that I can remember), all 4 prizes were won by ACC
members, 2 of whom were present! The logo clothing store was
likewise successful and swamped with shoppers. Marston Jones picked
everyone's pockets at the Calcuttas and raised a boatload of money
with the auction. (Thank you to the donors of top notch items to
sell!) As we were told to expect GREAT BBQ on just about every
corner, in just about every gas station. Hog heaven for BBQ lovers
like us. Being from the Northeast we don't get to Waffle Houses
much and made a late night run for a snack. It was just what we
remembered.
I will leave results reporting to others –those with more nimble
fingers– but want to mention just 1. The newly elected ACC-AKC
Representative, Dr. Tim Carrion (MD), won the Open All-Age Stake and
was awarded the ACC's oldest traveling trophy –in fact, the oldest
trophy in retrievers– The Skipper Bob Trophy. We saw Tim run his
dog and the accolades were richly deserved. All the competitors
deserve a hearty round of applause. We enjoyed seeing our old
Chesapeake friends from across the country and around the globe. We
saw friends from Idaho, Montana, California, Minnesota, Maryland,
Virginia, Germany, Canada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Nebraska
and on and on and on. We were particularly pleased to see an
increasing gallery of spectators. In some years, the 2 of us have
just about been the gallery! This year there were people from
around the country and world, some visiting their first Field
Specialty, others, checking out our breed or looking to connect with
friends and breeders. Growth and increasing support of field events
is a good thing!
Johnny Fogle and Mike Coutu, this year's Co-Chairs, George
Marthinuss, Chris Locklear, and Robert Post are this year's Field
Trial Committee. They did the heavy lifting. THANK YOU,
gentlemen. Plenty of other people volunteered too, from marshals to
gunners. Thanks to you all. A grand time was had by this couple and
sooooo many others who were lucky enough to attend.
Saturday Afternoon, November 2, 2013: Afterthoughts
We spent all of Thursday at the Amateur All-Age. We've generally
roamed around, coupla’ hours here, hour there, so this was different
for us. This year we sat through the Open then Amateur, from start
to finish. We missed action and excitement at the other stakes but
experienced those 2 competitions –the dogs and handler teams– from
start to finish. While we've been going to Field Trial Specialties
for 15 years, every trip reinvigorates our attachment to this breed
and respect for these breeders/trainers/owner/handlers.
Even after watching the test dog, it's still hard to visualize the
marks/lines from the handlers' eyes. Handle now? Wait? Will she
drift right or left? Did he commit? Where's the wind? Should've
gotten the scent. Darn. From 25 yards behind the handler/line we
watch and wonder. But the handler has the best view and knows and
has trained with the dog. Got to trust the dog, … until you have to
step in. And once in a while, you have to pick up your dog.
Disappointment all around.
By the very end, the crowd had thinned down, even some of the
winners had left. Besides awarding the remaining stakes winners,
the very impressive group of American Chesapeake Club traveling
field trophies were awarded. Tim Carrion was awarded the Dual AFC
Tiger's Cub CD Trophy (Best Amateur Handler). The Sareks were
awarded the Heller Trophy (Amateur All-Age Stake Winner), Marlene
Drag (and Bruce Ahlers), Michelle Dunn, Ed Bahr and James Scroggins
also took home traveling trophies. Bravo. Bravo. Bravo!
With all the old friends we saw and new friends we made, we missed
others. Some have moved, some have moved on from field trials or
even moved on from dogs altogether. We take a moment to remember
those that were lost and those who can’t travel any longer. What
wonderful memories. Happy trails to all. Maybe we'll see you next
year in Washington
Barbara and Fred, 'On The Road Again'
ACC Field Trial Specialty, October 29 – 31, 2013, Cheraw, SC 29520
|
