Cover Photo:

Tom Dwyer, club president, says: "I have always believed that training a dog, be it a gun dog or a show dog, should be enjoyable and somewhat whimsical....The dogs are the ones that seem to be a little too serious."

Please send your photos to me at spmarcq@aol.com , and I'll be happy to put it on the cover. JPEG preferred - thanks, ed.

President's Message

Minutes

We're ready to go!! Enclosed are applications and information for this year's Club Championships, to be held at Sharp's Farm in Hopkinton, NH on Sunday, August 21st. As always, it is for Katahdin GSP club members and their dogs only.

Field events will be based on the AKC Hunt Test format. The Puppy and Intermediate classes will be run on the junior hunter course, while the Club Championship class will be run on the senior/master test course. Any dog that has completed its Senior Hunter title must compete at the Club Championship level. Quail will be stocked for all classes.

In Conformation, all dogs in the same class will compete in the ring at the same time.

Puppy: Water retrieve of a dummy at a reasonable distance for puppies.

Intermediate: Water retrieve of a dummy through decoys, blank gun fired.

Club Championship: Water retrieve of a duck through decoys, blank gun fired. Duck will be thrown in such a manner to enable the dog to make a good mark of the fall.

Crystal would be the winner due to her meeting the minimum in each category in spite of not having the highest overall scores. Bailey's total was higher, but he did not meet the minimum score in the water.

Ribbons will be awarded to the top four (4) dogs in each event at all three levels.

Rosettes will be awarded to the highest overall scoring dog at each level.

The overall Club Champion will receive the John Sarna carved woodcock perpetual trophy.

Entry fees will be $10.00 for the puppy, $15.00 for intermediate classes, and $20.00 for the Club Championship class.

Help will be needed for various tasks, such as: Conformation steward, bird planters, score keeping, etc. Even if you aren't running a dog at this year's event, come on out to lend a hand and socialize with the members of YOUR club. We will also have an agility demonstration this year by members and their dogs that have competed or achieved most titles in agility. They will be glad to help anyone with any questions and tips on how to prepare to compete in yet another area our Gsp's love to do. Maybe try your athlete on one of those obstacles. Come and seek out our many members (and judges) that can help or answer questions in all other areas of competition. There will be Hamburgers, Hotdogs and soda. We would accept any donation of side dishes, paper goods, and raffle items. You can Email Deb at bearmt@grolen.com with items. ……………join us for another great day!!

See you on August 21st……..Deb Broad and the Club Championship committee!!

(From Steve and Pauline Marcq) Our "Yarmouth's Midnight Sojourn, JH" had a very successful time at the very competitive Springfield circuit. At the Kennilworth KC, "Bethel" was WD and BOW for a major. The following day at Farmington Valley KC "Bethel" went WD, BOW and BOB over top winning GSPs including the #2 GSP in the country to finish his championship in style with back to back majors!!! "Bethel" is by CH. Roman's Up N'Adam, SH & CH. Mariah Melody v Starwood, JH, NA, NAJ. He is our 2nd homebred champion, along with his littermate "Casco".

(From Deb Broad) Just got a call and I guess "Roxi" Bear Mtn Blue Ridge Replica, AX AXJ, MXJ,NJC JS-N CGC" couldn't resist and let her sister Harley have the limelight...........she qualified for another leg toward her MX title. Jeff must be running in his sleep these days with these two! They say these GSP's "run" our lives. I guess it's true in all areas. Great job Roxi, Harley, Jeff and Erica!

(Also from Deb Broad) Well, "Boomer" Bear Mtn Blueridge Illusion (Ch Wild Apple's Griffin, JH X Ch Bear Mt Blue Ridge Paradox) , decided it was about time to take my old bones out for a spin in the show ring. He told me that he was 14 months old and not getting any younger (and neither was I )…. It was time.

Even after telling him that I had not been in a ring since December, and that HE had never been in a ring or to training classes; he laughed, told me not to worry, he was in control, packed my bags, and dragged me out the door. He shared the driving and ex'd me when we got to the show site. After straightening out his tweed suit, he took me for a whirl, and that he did…………….he made his own fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July.

He took us to Best of Winners for his first two points from the Bred By class! They always told me "don't ever argue with a German Shorthaired Pointer. When they point their noses, it always means something". Many thanks to his dad Craig for his part in raising this sweet young man! Job well done!

We also got the latest news from Erica and Jeff Gross on their newest agility star, "Harley" Bear Mtns Midnight Blues, CGC, NAJ" (another Ch. Luke daughter), that in eight trials has completed her NAJ title and is one "Q" away from her NA title. I also hear Jeff is having to run faster these days! (guess she's a quick study and fast, ha ha).

! Announcing !

Informal Field Training Sessions

WHAT - Informal Member's Get Together - No Agenda, No Plan, Just show up with your dogs and we'll be there to help each other out.

WHEN - Every other Sunday at 3:00PM till we've had enough.

First date will be July 31st, we'll go through mid-September.

WHERE - Any member can suggest a suitable location*. We'll default to Sharpe's Farm. The location of the week with directions will be posted on our web site, katahdingsp.org, by the Thursday evening prior to the session. To suggest a location, call Jeremy Thompson at (603) 887-2138.

HOW - We'll try to make sure birds and training equipment are available, and people and dogs of the right level are grouped together. WE'VE LEARNED FROM THE FIRST SESSIONS…WE'LL TRY TO GET MORE EXPERIENCED PEOPLE INVOLVED. No prior field training experience required, all are welcome.

Share in the wealth of our vast member experience.

Prepare for upcoming Hunt Tests and Field Trials.

Work on bugs found at that last Hunt Test or Field Trial.

*Locations should be central to the majority of our membership: Southern Maine, central NH and east central VT south to northern MA. Please be sure we have permission and are legal at the suggested location.

The next meeting will be held at 5PM on September 25th at Pat Russell's house.
All members are invited.

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