THIS Sunday promises to be a full day of fun, information and in-the-field training for gundog owners and other dog enthusiasts.
Organised by the Retrieving and Field Trial Committee of Dogs Victoria, the day aims to provide help for everyone.
Novices and handlers with less experience will find plenty to do, as some parts of the day's activities have been designed for them. Old hands will enjoy what's on offer, too.
"This is a multi-breed, multi-discipline day, with discussions, demos and practice in field trialling, retriever trialling, problem solving and lots more," RAFT spokesman Trevor Stevens said.
"Victoria's top handlers and trial judges, and their dogs, will be on hand to assist," he said.
"This will be a chance to get help with basic training or adding polish to your dog. You'll be able to get individual hands-on assistance and advice."
Importantly, the day is free of charge and no club or other affiliation is required.
"Just bring your dog, your chair and your lunch and join in," Trevor said.
The venue is St Anne's Winery, 64 Garrards Lane, Myrniong, and it is easy to find. It's off the Western Freeway, exit C318.
For a flyer with details, click here.
For further information and registration, contact any of the following people:
- Margaret Hall, phone 9733 2275, email bambillaylabs@optusnet.com.au.
- David Blacker, phone 9747 1227, email david.blacker@optusnet.com.au.
- Noel Eltringham, phone 9379 8783, email revlain@iprimus.com.au.
- Trevor Stevens, phone 9879 2238, email rovertj@bigpond.com.
The RAFT Committee, an elected group, represents participants in the four field disciplines: non-slip retrieving; pointer and setter; spaniel and retriever; and utility gundog.
RAFT trains and approves judges, runs state and national championships, and conducts events.
A key part of RAFT's ongoing work is helping aspiring competitors and gundog handlers. Its members believe that what they do now is also an investment in the future.
For these reasons, RAFT is keen to hear from gundog owners, new and old. They want feedback on their work and to hear opinions on the directions in which they should be heading.
Two years ago, I challenged Bob Crain, formerly a RAFT training day organiser, to sum up field and retriever trialling in a sentence or two.
He said: "It is groups of like-minded gundog owners, trainers and handlers getting together under the eyes of experienced judges, for friendly competition, to test the ability of the different breeds to do what they were born and bred to do - work in the field."
His response still hits the nail on the head.
