Agenda Packets - 1995/11/27 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

F .`` a FROM THE I .r .1 VOA VOYAGEUR , ' ,,,,,,,,7„,„„ , „- ,. ,pa, ��ry � Official Newsletter of The Twin Cities Voyageur f' I Springer Spaniel Association—Bench Club ) , C English r. AFIELD .TRIPo. emotions of the handlers prior to judging,but the , . 'IA By Kandice Bierle, Editor were transparent: they stared breathlessly into the I recently found myself in a faces of their handlers as setting unusual for me for a they anticipated the gestures Kandice Bierle lives in St. Paul, purpose equally unusual for me; to begin. Minnesota with her husband Mark a timely conversation with field Even armed with some and their two English Springer :- trial dev-otee—Tam Radde had idea of the enthusiasm and Spaniels, A/C Ch. ESSpecial Faux provided the opportunity to energy to be exhibited by the Moon ("Gabby") and Eldamar attend a local AKC Field Trial dogs, I was still awed by Reveille Ruckus ("Russell"). She is featuring Springers, and their speed and dexterity, editor of the Twin Cities Voyageur suddenly I was wearing blaze sometimes only visible by English Springer Spaniel Assoc- orange. their flying ears as they iation(TCVESSA)newsletter and is The day's spring weather was bounded through the tawny active in conformation, obedience a beautiful backdrop to the"third grass and crisp broken and agility with Gabby and Russ. series" of the two-day event,held cornstalks. The dogs' de- at a game club north of Judson, votion and absolute energy ,,; Wisconsin. Early that Sunday was impressive, but just as morning a fleet of vehicles amazing was the ability of the awaiting them in the field. gathered at the edge of a rolling handlers to direct the dogs under Futhermore we may concede that show springers lacking field; muscular sports vehicles such explosive moments. most show nose and are lacking and even a ponderous motor I felt the pull of the "field itoo sufficientcompete withotop-flightandfield irdiness t home lumbered in over a deeply world".It was undeniably pleasant rutted dirt road to the "parking and liberating to be outside hour challengers — certainly the lack lot" and threw open their doors after hour (albeit in warm sunny of dual championships over the to reveal crates of eager springers weather it was easy to take) years illustrates certain short- and all the trappings of serious watching the relatively noiseless comings in both camps. Yet field competitors. performances of dog and handler. happily the breed ring exhibitor As the course was set and the It was easy in the beauty and can find outlets in which to birds brought in, organization to rhythm of the routine to forget the channel our dogs' energies (yes, the morning began to take shape. hours of patience and training and intelligence), beyond the While perhaps bemused by a that produced such proficiency. limitations of the breed ring. And although there will always However different our springers bench person's attendance (I g may be from one another and promptly confessed from which be variables with working in however deeply I admire the show camp I had originated), the partnership with a dog whether however de and various competitors were friendly in breed or obedience competition, spriI pridebeauty, poise small and sincere in their efforts to steering a dog through an agility vitality,omfort that find the eld andsno smger ll describe what to expect on this course or working with a springer is i, second and final day of in the field,the resulting emotion beingien pour r ed through competition. is always one of great admiration conscientious o original bpreeding II I was given a vivid orange for the teamwork between human the flushing its of game birds.u catalog with which to follow the and animal. My special thanks to Tom dogs and their handlers,and soon Viewing the rigors of the field Radde,Rich a Oliverius and George Tom E travel coffee mugs were put aside through the eyes of a doting Tate for attentiveness to my and the gallery began striding bench enthusiast, I can under- ute for their anessmy down the hillside to assemble stand the hesitations of glues experience This will memorablertand behind the marshal. It was surrendering our dogs to the last!tII difficult to register the actual snags, stubbles and ticks 77 SPANIELS IN THE FIELD-SUMMER 1995