In this Issue!

1. Meet the Vice President

2. NorthWest Region Update

3. Judging Clinics

Well we didn’t manage to get an update to you in September but we’ll endeavour to do better in the future. As for my excuse…. well it is hunting season and my four legged partner has to get his way some of the time. If there’s anything you’d like to see included in future issues of More NAHRA News please drop us a note at feedback@nahra.org.

Meet the Vice President

Jim Vandergiessen is the current Vice President of NAHRA. I had the privelege of running a Senior event under Jim this summer, and even though he didn’t see fit to qualify my dog (and rightly so) I thoroughly enjoyed running under Jim.

Q1: What do you do outside of NAHRA?

Ralph asked me to tell a little about myself so here goes. This does not seem all that interesting to me so I’ll keep it brief, though I will likely talk about my dogs too much. Heck that’s why I do this and I hope it’s why you do it too. My wife of 16 years Diane and I along with our 6-year-old daughter Morgen live in what little rural land is left in Virginia Beach Virginia. Our animal companions seem to run in 3’s at the moment three Labs Ashley, Jet, Tina, three horses Connie, Red, Zip and three prowling barn cats. I am fortunate to have several blinds within 15 minutes of my house, which afford me the opportunity to hunt often. I also try to get out west pheasant hunting biannually. While it was always an annual event in the past, well fatherhood has its rewards too. Morgen’s birth was on the opening day of the early duck season, which seems prophetic now.

Q2. How long have you been a member of NAHRA? How did you become a member?

I was introduced to NAHRA in 1987 when at the request of a friend I went along to help some guys shoot birds. I had served in this capacity before but at AKC field trials and I found NAHRA much more approachable and the people a lot more welcoming. After watching I thought this is something Lady and I could do. That fall I showed up with my gun dog and figured this is gonna be great. It wasn’t long before it became clear that my great gundog had some pretty gaping holes. My judges that day were Joe and Sharon May and I received an education from two of the finest people I ever hope to know; I was hooked. Over the years I have kept at it to the extent that my schedule allows. Through Lady, Ashley, Drake, Jet and now Tina I have run in a lot of events, met a lot of great people and formed some treasured friendships. With each dog I feel like I learn a little more, and with each I have learned to enjoy the training process more. Like most of us I guess I was in a pretty big hurry to get to Senior in the past, I think maybe I am learning to enjoy the trip there more. Let’s hope so. Over the years I have been the recipient of much kindness and help, Jack Jagoda, Phyllis Giroux , Jim Mehne, Jim Cimburke, to mention only a few who have helped me improve my training skills. Just a few years ago I started doing some judging. I have been amazed at how difficult a task it is. I have only had one bad judging experience (dislocated shoulder) and have really enjoyed getting the chance to interact with the NAHRA membership in this way. I’d like to say judging has made me a better handler but I still suffer most of the classic handler flaws especially the fact that seconds seem like minutes at the line and I know I rush. In any case if you get the chance to judge with someone very experienced go for it, you will learn a lot, I always do.

Q4. Where do you see NAHRA 10 years from now?

I am privileged to serve on NAHRA’s board with Dave, Rosemary, Roy and Randy. The sacrifices they make are many and inspire me to do as much as I can. Dave did a good job outlining this boards goals. Its been a busy year with re-establishing the corporation and all it involves. I’d like to share with you my personal hopes for NAHRA in the next few years. I feel communication is improving all the time, and while there is a way to go I am confident we will get there. I am completely open to any civil dialogue that furthers this goal. NAHRA on the whole has a great judging cadre, but I think we can make it better by both clinics and our fellow judges keeping us on the path. We have a great standard handed down to us by NAHRA’s founders; the standard is what this organization is all about and must be protected from upwards creep and backslide. Perhaps the most important thing any of us can do to further NAHRA goals is to take a new handler and help them develop. I know I would not have gone far without help and I suspect that is true with most of us. Our clubs would be much stronger as would NAHRA.I wish you all a great hunting season be safe and enjoy your friends.

NorthWest Region Update

Hi Folks,

As the Field Test season comes to a close, I thought a NW Region update was in order. We had a pretty good year here in the NW. I had an opportunity to run my boy at several NW field tests. As always it was good to see the regular crowd. However, what was especially encouraging were all the new people that I had a chance to meet this summer. There were lots of new handlers in started and intermediate as well as senior. In addition to the new faces, we have also had two new clubs started this year. The first was The Treasure Valley Hunting Retriever Club down in the Boise Area. They started early enough in the year that they were able to have a field test in late June. I was able to attend this first test and it was a great success. They had a good turnout of dogs and people. Everyone seemed to have a great time. The grounds were quite nice, they had a super banquet, it was a really fun weekend. It takes a lot of work to get a club going and then pull off a test in just a matter months. I would like to thank Mike Hughes (TVHRC President) as well as Laura Kinney club founder and Secretary. Without the hard work of these two and many others none of this would have been possible.

Our second club, The Salt Creek Hunting Retriever Club (SCHRC) started a few months ago over in the Dallas, Or area. The Person responsible starting this club is Rob Barlow. The SCHRC is planning on holding its inaugural Field Test towards the end of May, 2003.

Another item that I would like to mention is our Regional for next year. A couple clubs have expressed interest in holding the Regional for 2003. What I am asking is that any clubs that are formally interested in holding the Regional please contact me in the next few weeks so that we can start talking about it. I would like to have the location of the regional chosen by the end of Oct. That will give the hosting club plenty of time to get an event planned for June. So if your club is interested please contact me ASAP. Even if you think you might be interest but are not really sure please give me a shout.

The last thing I would like to mention is email addresses. I am trying hard to complete my list of NW emails addresses. Please, drop me an email if you can so that I will have your email. Those of you that have already done so, Thank You, those of you that haven’t (you know who you are) Please do. Feel free to contact me concerning any other issues that may be of concern.

I wish all of you the best this fall season.

Respectfully,

Jeff Smith

NW Liaison

Judging Clinics Update

As announced in the NAHRA NEWS five individuals (4 are already chosen) will be appointed to conduct official NAHRA Judges clinics. In January this group will be meeting with the Board of Directors to establish the format and structure of the clinics. To date the following individuals have been approved, Dan Collier, Dan Hosford, Jack Jagoda and Paul Young.