Field trials for labs

Liberty · Postby **Liberty** » Sat Feb 02, 2002 9:14 pm

I live on coast here in MS. I have a 14 mo. old yellow lab. I am interested in attending some field trials for labs but I don't know of any. Do they have field trials and bench shows in the same places? Who certifies a labs hips? I read somewhere that they have to be 2 years old. I know this is a lot of questions but can someone help me out? I appreciated all the information on my labs aggrssion towards other labs I would have thanked everyone earlier but I was gone for a week trying to shoot some ducks. My lab is 14 mos. old and she has around 35 retrieves under her belt that may not sound like a lot to most people but I am proud of her. It makes you feel good after training them all year to see it pay off during duck season. Thanks

Jefferson · Postby **Jefferson** » Sun Feb 03, 2002 8:31 am

From now through the end of April, there will be a retriever trial of some sort or another almost every weekend at the Bonne Carrie Spillway. The BC Spillway is located just past the New Orleans Airport on Airline Highway (aka HWY 61). One or two of these events will be AKC licensed field trials & the remainder will be hunt tests. Your dog will need AKC registration papers to enter just about any, if not all, of these events. The entry fee & process varies depending upon the type of trial.

If you want to watch or run in a hunt test, there will be one March 15, 16, & 17 at the BC Spillway. Your dog would be in the junior hunter class & the entry fee is either $45 or $50 for each stake. This event will be a doubleheader meaning two stakes, ie. 2x the fee if you want to run them both.

Hope this helps some.

The hip info:

Orthapedic Foundation for Animals (do a web search) or PennHip

You need to obtain a copy of a recent Retriever Journal. One of the recent issues contains an introductory article on hips, elbows, & eye predicaments & testing. The article will help get you up to speed quickly on this important subject.

Jefferson

goosebruce · Postby **goosebruce** » Sun Feb 03, 2002 1:14 pm

Yes we do. Southern Flight HRC, based in hernando, we've got a meeting second tuesday every month at Ryans in hornlake, and an open training day/ mock hunt in hernando on sat feb 16th. I've got to work that sat, so I wont be able to attend, but a bunch of good folks and dogs will be there. You oughta come out, promise wont nobody pick on you 'white coat guys', hehe. Glenn (chance) will be there, and somebody is gonna have my dog there probably (hey it aint his fault I gotta work!). travis

goosebruce · Postby **goosebruce** » Mon Feb 04, 2002 12:08 am

Jethro gave you some good info there, but you might be looking for something a little more basic. First off, field trials and hunt tests are very different things. You might have a very promising 14 month old hunting dog, but go to a field trial to even watch, you'll be floorboarded! FT's have a place, but not for the unintiated. You want to check out hunt tests. They are tests for 'hunting dogs'. You wear camo. Blow duck calls. Testing dogs in simulated hunting condtions.
That jr test he lined you out is great. But BEFORE you run, do yourself a couple favors. 1) how will your dog do around a hundred other dogs and people? If you don't know, find a club training day or a fun hunt you can expose your dog to it without spending your cash to find out. 2) delivery to hand is a requirement at akc jr. Unless your dog has solid delivery to hand, you might want to find a hrc started test to run first. Do a search on the UKC & AKC websites for clubs in your area, this time of the year LOTS of stuff going on. You'll soon find out, hunting season never ends. travis

NOHERE · Postby **NOHERE** » Mon Feb 04, 2002 12:47 am

hey goose

doesnt your ukc club have a training day? i thought gwen told me ya'll did, but not sure.

Big Lou · Postby **Big Lou** » Mon Feb 04, 2002 9:42 am

The AKC Hunt Test will be on March 16th & 17th. You can contact George Strickler @ 504-865-5908 for further information. I will be judging Sr. Hunt Test there on Sat. So, if your dog is entered ther go luck! Jeff is a member of this board and a member fo the New Orleans Club putting on the show. they are also a UKC club. they are a really great group of dog people and you would benefit a great deal from training with them. They have some members in their club that have been doing this for many years(I would'nt want to give anyone's age away here!) Anyway, Two of there members live in Gulfport that I know of and they really do have some great training days in the Bonnis Carrie Spillway. Give them a call and if you decide to attend the AKC Hunt Test at Kearney Park in Jackson Ask for Louis and we could talk further and I will introduce you to some more dog people from all over. These test are also a great way to meet other duck hunters from other areas of the south. Good Luck! [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Waboduck · Postby **Waboduck** » Mon Feb 04, 2002 10:24 am

MS/BAMA HRC will have their hunt test on May 4&5 here in Waynesboro. We will have a fun day on March the 9th.
We would be glad to help you get started training your dog for our hunt test so that you can get your started title. As goosebruce said the AKC trials and the HRC trials are totally different but they both offer avenues to train your dog to be the best she can be.
It will also make you a better owner. Just watching other trainers from a novice to a pro will give you valuable insight to the time and effort that goes into training waterdogs.
Anyway send me a email and I will be glad to get you directions to our hunt site, by the way, we have a great flooded timber water series that is very popular with all the trainers. Thanks......Keith Stanley

Big Lou · Postby **Big Lou** » Mon Feb 04, 2002 1:25 pm

The Magnolia Retriever Club will be holding our hunt test at Kearney Park on April 12th, 13th, & 14th. If you are interested and would like a premium please contact Charlie Moody @ HM 662-773-6048 or WK 662-773-6261.

Jefferson · Postby **Jefferson** » Mon Feb 04, 2002 4:00 pm

Big Lou -- You may have me confused with someone else, but you apparently do know of a good friend of mine (i.e. George Strickler).

Good luck with your events. Perhaps we will meet up at the BC Spillway in March. I will shoot flyers at least one day and will work otherwise as needed.

Jefferson

Big Lou · Postby **Big Lou** » Mon Feb 04, 2002 5:35 pm

Jethro,

Come look me up on Sat. I will be judging Senior with Paul. I was refering to Jeff. I think his dog's name is Lacy. He hunts in Venice with Elmore. I hope to run my dog in Senior on Sunday if he is up to the taks at hand. They should be sending premiums out any day now. Look forward to seeing you there. [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

NOHERE · Postby **NOHERE** » Mon Feb 04, 2002 5:45 pm

Hey BIG LOU

Wont be able to make the hunt test, but I will be down at the spillway the last weekend in February judging the Derby and the Qual. Is there any thing GOOD to eat in that part of the country?????

chance · Postby **chance** » Mon Feb 04, 2002 6:11 pm

NO HERE---you or Jeff training any during the week or on the weekend? Benn getting home early enough to run some here close to the house. Didn't know if you guys might be interested or not. You and I don't live too far apart.

NOHERE · Postby **NOHERE** » Mon Feb 04, 2002 6:34 pm

At the moment, try to get 2 days a week,plus weekends. As the sun sets later and later, i should get out 3-4 days during the week and weekends.I mostly go to the drop zone during the week , some marks, but mostly pattern blinds and cold blinds.Ive got to start getting the distance on the blind, the drop zone is a good place for it.

mgonzal · Postby **mgonzal** » Mon Feb 04, 2002 7:23 pm

Big Lou, the dates you listed in April, they are in Jackson, MS? If so, where is Kearney park located? I live in Madison and would like to attend. How may dogs will be there?

Also, the trial on the BC Spillway, what is the easiest way to get there coming from the airport on I-10?

Thanks.

Jefferson · Postby **Jefferson** » Mon Feb 04, 2002 8:14 pm

Double B --

If you are on I-10 passing the N.O. airport, travel toward Baton Rouge & get on HWY 310 just past the airport. The first exit off of HWY 310 is HWY 61 (aka Airline Highway).

Get on HWY 61 going toward Baton Rouge, you will cross the Spillway after a four of five miles (it is hard to miss the Spillway). Take the first road to the left after crossing the Spillway. You will know to get ready for the left turn because the barrier separating the N&S traffic comes to an end.

After taking the left, stay on this road, cross the railroad tracks & continue straight. There will be a PAVED road cutting hard to the left & going over a levee, take this road. Once on top of the levee, you should be able to see the headquarters for whatever event you will be attending.

Hope this is not too confusing. Let me know if it is as clear as mud.

Jefferson

Who is online