The first field trial for Ray and me. Flooded fields, heavy to run in clay (for me), but a nice day with a lot of birds on fields. Ray had two points during her run, the first on a pheasant and the second on partridge. The last point was on the last minute of the trial, after a long run, but she kept her focus and did a great job with point, flush and steadiness in shot. She was rewarded with the 1st prize. I’m so happy with my pocket rocket! Thank you judge Ingemar Roselin.
Lovely trip to hunt white willow grouse with good friends from the Netherlands when the Swedish highlands are at its best – the autumn colours are bright, the birds are fat and the dogs are in good shape. Young Ray, now 16 months, showed off her skills to bring the birds in good shooting range. Some birds in the bag even this time. Many long hours on the road definitely worth the trip!
Swedish National Weimaraner Club championship 2017 was carried out this weekend in highlands on wild willow grouse. Retrieving test and field trial (this year mountain trial) over two days. The weather was challening – rain and lack of wind made it difficult to get a good shot on the wild birds, only one dog suceeded with the complete test. Congratulations Adam Dschulnigg with Grey Shaheen Mercury, Charlie to the champion title in field trial and overall win! Our little Ray (Southpaw & Ottercreek Ray of Light) won the championship in retrieving test with full points 10/10 in youth class. Way to go Ray!
Finally, the hunting season has started! The first trip to the Swedish highlands in Kittelfjäll was a real treat – nice weather, fantastic landscape, a fair share of birds both on wings and in the game bag and wonderful time spent with friends. This was Ray’s first trip to highlands to hunt the willow grouse, she impressed with her energic and wide search, found her birds and pinned a couple of flocks in difficult weather conditions really nicely! Can’t wait to go back for more!
Yet another great performance, Luke’s daughter in Finland, Qasida’s Lucky Lightning – Pina, maximum points 5/5 in water retrieving test in open class. Congratulations, well done!
Qasida’s Lucky One (Verdi, Luke’s son in Finland), Southpaw & Ottercreek Ray and Snaiper’s Thelma (Lukes daughter) passed Swedish Kennel Club (SKK) official character test, BPH, this weekend. Energetic, confident and curious dogs with positive attitude was the result of all three. That’s exactly how we like them! Many thanks, Tiina, who drove the whole way from Portugal with Verdi to participate!
Luke’s kids at Qasida’s kennel in Finland have entered some retrieving tests in open class this summer with great results. Qasida’s Lucky Star (Nasu), full points 5/5 and Qasida’s Lucky Hunter (Hunter) full points 5/5. Congratulations to the owners and breeder Satu Rantamaa! The best of luck with the field trials this autumn!
Ray and Thelma entered the Swedish Weimaraner Club retrieving test in open class on the 5th of August and got approved. Open class retrieving test consists of a 200 meters rabbit track/retrieve and a deep water retrieve from a distance of 40-60meter. Judge was Jocke Nordell. Ray scored again full points 10/10 and Thelma 9/5 – she was too quick to start on water and was unwilling to give away the rabbit. It can be tricky sometimes with dogs with a lot of prey drive and strong will. We have some work to do.
It is not yet hunting season, so we train retrieving, tracking and water work for the upcoming season. Ray’s (15 months) first contact with a fox was exciting and positiv. Now we focus on training with heavier retrieves, longer tracks and water retrieves.
Southpaw & Ottercreek Ray of Light – Ray makes her debut in retrieving trial in youth class this weekend. 100 meters rabbit track and deep water retrieve on duck, 10 points on track and 9 points on water work (maximum score 10/10) on her first trial on Saturday. Sunday maximum score 10/10 – excellent track work, excellent water work and the test winner in the youth class! Judge Adam Dschulnigg. This is the best possible start for the field trial season to come in autumn. Very happy with Ray’s performance!