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The 2014 event was hosted in Saskatchewan August 16-23, 2014. The host club was the Saskatoon Retriever Club, and the event was co-chaired by Jeff Morari and Mark Dolan.
A complete description of the tests, plus photographs, test diagrams, and a listing of the qualifiers can be found by visiting the 2014 event site
The judges for 2014 were: Region 1: Evelyn Hoyt
It is both a privilege & honour to judge this year’s National Master Hunt Test. I have run the last two Nationals as well as my first one when held in Prince Edward Island. So I realize first hand all the work that goes into putting on such an event, along with the nervousness and anxiety in competing. I live in Moncton New Brunswick with my husband Alec & daughter Crystal. We breed Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, and compete with them in the WCs as well as Hunt Tests. I also have Labrador retrievers, that I compete with. We started with a show lab, that we titled in NAHRA, and a WCX, before moving into the field lines of labs. My first dog was Maxium Power At Yellowrose MH WCX, who taught me a lot about training & trialing, before training his son, GMH Tantramar’s Marsh Chieftien WCX MH, who is my first dog I trained to the GMH level. I still train and trial this dog; he loves to go is always ready to try. My newest project is Dykeland’s Breakwater WCX QFTR, who I am running in Hunt Tests & Field Trials. I have been running the Hunt Tests since they started, and had run NARHA before that. I like to set up fair, challenging tests, but with no tricks. I also give the dogs the benefit of the doubt. I also like to see handler and dog work as a team to do the job set before them. It will be a fun week, to see good dog work, and get together with old friends, but most of all have fun. Good Luck to everyone.
I was born and raised on the prairies and am thrilled to be coming out to Saskatoon to judge the 2014 Canadian National Master Hunt Test. My husband and I have been breeding labs since 1986. We mostly bred and trained these hunting dogs for ourselves and our family and friends. But then in 1994 along came the dog that was to be my undoing. Rosie loved the game so much that she inspired me to get my hunting license and start running tests, starting with WC then hunt tests (CKC and HRC). If anyone had told me that I’d be spending the morning of my 25th wedding anniversary in a duck marsh I would have thought they were crazy! I love to see a dog with a good nose and lots of desire and determination. It is wonderful to watch the trust and teamwork that is required to succeed at this level and I am so looking forward to watching the best of the best do what they were meant to do. Along with my co-judges, I will endeavour to set up fair but challenging tests and do everything in my power to make the week enjoyable for everyone involved. Congratulations to all who qualified for the 2014 Canadian National Master Hunt Test. I wish you all the best of luck and hope you all have a great time in Saskatoon.
Region 4: Michael J. Rigby
Our first dog, a Flatcoated Retriever, came into our lives 14 years ago
and we have stayed with this breed ever since. I have trained each
of my three dogs to the level of GMH and two became NMH's in
2011. Training for competitions gives me great enjoyment and personal
reward. I am at my happiest nurturing my dog’s natural instincts and helping
to shape them into advanced marking and handling skills through training.
While I view myself
a trainer first and hunter second, I know full well that my dogs
deserve as many days in the field as I can provide. I enjoy
upland shooting immensely, as much for watching the fun the dogs have scenting
up and retrieving birds as for the shooting itself. I marvel at the power
of their nose, not only in the manner that they use it, but also on the impact
it has upon them and how it shapes so much of their being.
On marking tests I love to see a dog step on a
mark but I get just as excited watching a dog aggressively working the area of
the fall and using its nose to maximum benefit. In creating hunt test
scenarios I strive to find ways to challenge the dogs' trained and instinctive
skills in a manner which is demanding of dog and handler, while at the same
time remaining fun, fair and safe.
I am very honoured to be one of your judges. It will
be a great pleasure for me to watch such wonderful dogs and talented handlers
work through each test from the best seat in the house. Good luck
to all.
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