Results:   New Zealand Inaugural WD/WDX stake - held at the Ellett Farm, Helensville on 28^th February 2014

A group of enthusiastic and excited Chesapeake Bay retriever owners gathered at the Ellett farm, Helensville, near Auckland, for the very first WD/WDX to be held in New Zealand.  The weather was great, the grounds excellent and the judges ready to go.  Sue and Stu Sinclair, experienced field trial judges, flew up from Christchurch to judge for us and they too were excited to see how the dogs would go at these new “American-style” tests compared to the New Zealand style of field trials.  Having studied the rules and watched videos of WD and WDX tests we were all prepared to go. All competitors were given a pack containing the rules and guidelines to handers, as well as a hat sponsored by Hunting and Fishing Westgate, and dog food from Mighty Mix. Further discussion and explanation was given to handlers and we were ready to go, but first we took time to throw a very special bird for the oldest dog there.  “Rogue” (Chesepi Taholah at Stormbay (Imp-UK)) was sire to 7 dogs running on the day and grandsire to 4 more.  He won the 2007 National Retriever Field Trials and had 12 wins and 36 placements (2^nd or 3^rd) in his 9 year trialling career.  At close to 13 years old he was not able to run WD or WDX, even though his mind was willing, the body was not, so we threw him one opening bird.  After a slight hesitation, as the realisation sunk in that this was his pheasant he was off for a very special retrieve.  Thank you “Rogue” for the wonderful legacy of field trial dogs you set off on their first WD/WDX attempts.  But you didn’t do this alone, and “Muddy” (NZ Ch Penrose Mucky Duck At Stormbay (Imp-UK)) also nearly 13, the other half of the legacy was at home busy looking after her 88 year old owner, a job she takes very seriously.  She was dam to 4 of the dogs that qualified and grand dam, via her son Ch Stormbay Boatswain’s Buoy QC to 11 more of the dogs that ran for WD and WDX.

All of the WD dogs got their land birds, but the first water bird was the undoing of some and out of 18 starters, 13 successfully finished both water birds and qualified for their WD.

We were provided with an absolutely yum lunch, thanks to Sacha and Ann Jugum, and had time to reflect on the mornings events, before turning our attention to the WDX in the afternoon.  13 dogs started, a few found the memory land bird challenging while others either got too keen and broke or having done a great job on the land then suddenly forgot there were two water birds.  They are all coming next time though and the 8 that qualified are now really keen to try the WDQ. 

Special thanks for Sue and Stu Sinclair for traveling from Christchurch to judge for us and also for the time they both spent preparing for this event, learning the rules, watching video and being dedicated in learning how these tests work.  Stu, who is an avid Labrador man was seen (and photographed) briefly holding a Chesapeake – wow- thanks Stu!

A big thanks to everyone who helped on the day and for the positive feedback we had, especially around how beneficial this test is for both dog and handler.  To all that learned how to hand throw ducks and pheasants, a new experience for all of us, I am very grateful for your efforts; Graham Russell, Graham Jobey, Grant Latto, Dean Singe, but especially Meggan Scott who had the most amazing throwing arm of all.  Thanks Ewa Bohm for marshalling, Graham Russell for helping the previous day and for shooting the paradise ducks for us.  

A great time was had by all, the dogs LOVED it too and by popular vote everyone, dogs included, are looking forward to the next one where we will be adding the WDQ.

                                          Teresa Borrell, ACC Regional Director
  

                Judges for both Stakes: Stu Sinclair, Sue Sinclair   

WD 18 Dogs Ran / 13 Dogs qualified

  1 CH Stormbay Following Sea, Teresa Borrell, AM CH Pond Hollow Bering Sea (USA) X Penrose New Yorker At Stormbay (Imp-UK)

  3 Stormbay Kevlar Sails, Graham Russell, Chesepi Taholah At Stormbay (Imp-UK) QC X NZ CH Penrose Mucky Duck At Stormbay (Imp-UK)

  5 CH Stormbay Pacific Pilot, Teresa Borrell, CH Stormbay Boatswains Buoy QC X NZ CH Penrose Grass Hopper At Stormbay (Imp-UK)

  6 CH Stormbay Xpress Cruiser, Ewa Bohm, CH Stormbay Following Sea QC X CH & GFTCH Stormbay Dawn Watch QC

  8 Ch Stormbay Anchor Me, Shane Borrell, CH Stormbay Boatswains Buoy QC X Stormbay All Aboard

  10 CH & GFTCH Stormbay Dawn Watch QC, Ewa Bohm, Chesepi Taholah At Stormbay (Imp-UK) QC X NZ CH Penrose Mucky Duck At Stormbay (Imp-UK)

  12 Stormbay Pacific Pathfinder, Kerry Prendeville, CH Stormbay Boatswains Buoy QC X NZ CH Penrose Grass Hopper At Stormbay (Imp-UK)

  13 CH Stormbay Xtreme Marine, Teresa Borrell, CH Stormbay Following Sea QC X CH & GFTCH Stormbay Dawn Watch QC

  14 Stormbay Daybreak, Graeme Jobey, Chesepi Taholah At Stormbay (Imp-UK) QC X NZ CH Penrose Mucky Duck At Stormbay (Imp-UK)

  15 Stormbay All Aboard, Grant Latto, Penrose Nut Cracker (UK) X NZ CH Penrose Grass Hopper At Stormbay (Imp-UK)

  16 CH Stormbay Wind Whistler, Teresa Borrell, Stormbay Doryman Jack X Penrose New Yorker At Stormbay (Imp-UK)

  17 CH Stormbay Yachtsman, Graeme Joey, CH Stormbay Boatswains Buoy QC X Stormbay All Aboard

  19 Stormbay Long White Cloud, Grant Latto, Chesepi Taholah At Stormbay (Imp-UK) QC X CH Stormbay Fair Winds

WDX 13 Dogs Ran / 8 Dogs Qualified. 

  1 CH & GFTCH Stormbay Dawn Watch QC, Ewa Bohm, Chesepi Taholah At Stormbay (Imp-UK) QC X NZ CH Penrose Mucky Duck At Stormbay (Imp-UK)

  3 Stormbay All Aboard, Grant Latto, Penrose Nut Cracker (UK) X NZ CH Penrose Grass Hopper At Stormbay (Imp-UK

  6 CH Stormbay Xpress Cruiser, Ewa Bohm, CH Stormbay Following Sea QC X CH & GFTCH Stormbay Dawn Watch QC

  8 Stormbay Pacific Pathfinder, Kerry Prendeville, CH Stormbay Boatswains Buoy QC X NZ CH Penrose Grass Hopper At Stormbay (Imp-UK)

  9 Stormbay Daybreak, Graeme Jobey, Chesepi Taholah At Stormbay (Imp-UK) QC X NZ CH Penrose Mucky Duck At Stormbay (Imp-UK)

  11 CH Stormbay Boatswains Buoy QC, Teresa Borrell, Quail Run’s All The Way (IMP-USA) To UK X NZ CH Penrose Mucky Duck At Stormbay (Imp-UK)

  13 CH Stormbay Xtreme Marine, Teresa Borrell, CH Stormbay Following Sea QC X CH & GFTCH Stormbay Dawn Watch QC

  15 Stormbay Leadsman Duke, Brad Wilkins, Chesepi Taholah At Stormbay (Imp-UK) QC X CH Stormbay Fair Winds

Photos below: 
 1. Graham Russell and “Canvas” (Stormbay Kevlar Sails) on the WD with Judge Stu Sinclair and Graeme Jobey throwing a paradise shelduck
 2. Chesepi Taholah at Stormbay opening the event with a pheasant
 3. “Canvas” (Stormbay Kevlar Sails) with his second WD land bird.
 4. Three littermates in action.  From left to right are Sacha with “Moose” (Stormbay Pacific Passage) who are definitely coming again for WD, Kerry and “Cel” (Stormbay Pacific Pathfinder) qualified WDX and Teresa with “Pilot” (Ch Stormbay Pacific Pilot) qualified WD
 5. Shane and Kedge (Ch Stormbay Anchor Me) at the line for the WD
 6. Littermates Blaze and Storm both qualified WDX. Left/Graeme Jobey with Stormbay Daybreak. Right/Ewa Bohm with Ch/GFTCH Stormbay Dawn Watch QC
 7. Setup at the WDX water test
 8. Judges Stu Sinclair and Sue Sinclair

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