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.t' N..J Z[it t a.a........—.. 4 - "'_'.r t,..- ,..,, :s,,,-41 - f VOX VOYAGEUR �:� +. ., R Official Newsletter of The Twin Cities Voyageur :.�, English Springer Spaniel Association —Bench Club t .`fli emotions of the handlers ��r: .. • � � �'.. A PLS ��P prior to judging, • but the dogs 44 By Kandice Bierle, Editor were transparent: they stared breathlessly into the I recently found myself in a faces of their handlers as j�andice Bierle lives in St. Paul, setting unusual for me for a they anticipated the gestures Minnesota with her husband Maul, purpose equally unusual for me; to begin. a timely conversation with field Even armed with some and their two English Springer trial devotee Tom 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's 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 ly Assoc- orange. I was wearing blaze their flying s nears as visible they iat on TCVESSA)newsletteAand is orange. 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 cornstvotion alksand absolute energy The dogs' de- at a game club north of Judson, was impressive, but just as Wisconsin. Early that Sunday awaiting them in the field. morning a fleet of vehicles amazing was the ability of the gathered at the edge of a rolling handlers to direct the dogs under Futhermore we may concede that most show springers lacking eold; muscular sports vehicles such explosive moments. insufficient nose and are lack ess d even a ponderous motor I felt the pull of the "field irdi world".It was undeniably pleasant to compete with top-flight field r me lumbered in over a deeply 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 weather it was easy to take) years illustrates certain short- and: to reveal crates of eager springers in both camps. Yet all the trappings of serious watching the relatively noiseless comingsy the breed ring exhibitorps. performances of dog and handler. field competitors. p easybeauty can find outlets in which to As the course was set and the It was in the and channel our dogs' energies (yes, birds brought in, organization to rhythm of the routine to forget the and intelligence),dethe the morning began to take shape. hours of patience and training and mons of the breed ring. beyond While perhaps bemused by a that produced such proficiency. However of thebrourspringers . .'_ attendance (I And although there will alwa• yso w• . . .ne another and promptly confessed from which •e vana. es wi -• ' • = ' campI had originated), the partnership with a dog whether however deeply I admire the show various competitors were friendly in breed or obedience competition, springer's beauty, poise and l d pride and no smalls n I,italityfinil and sincere in their efforts to steering a dog through an agility vomfothat fin the field springer s describe what to expect on this course or working with a springer cbeing. preserved through second and final day of in the field,the resulting emotion benscientious breeding ugh competition. is always one of great admiration d I was given a vivid orange for the teamwork between human training for its original purpose ...the flushing of game catalog with which to follow the and animal. My special thanks birds.Tom dogs and their handlers,and soon Viewing the rigors of the field Radde,ye,Rich a Oliverius and George Tm 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 Thisanessmy down the hillside to assemble stand the hesitations of queexperience will memorablertand eld +ehind the marshal. It was surrendering our dogs to the trialast! s difficult to register the actual snags, stubbles and ticks 77 SPANIELS IN THE FIELD-SUMMER 1995 j.. .`4`,'.' w'1 ...id4r/i1.6✓.3rf..YJ�QKJ1 - ifd� iVr "4i'al "a'4r �. i Y...M-. SY-r! Y.< i. e 4 C?( .Q•�''�.'L RV,,Nat.I•7eJ.t