2010 SSAA and WGAA National Retrieving Trial
8-10 October 2010

A hardworking dog returns the dokken to
its handler.


SSAA Working Gundogs National
Discipline Chairman and WGAA President
Barry Oliver attended the weekend and
helped with proceedings.


Winners Rob Boodnikoff and ‘Gundi’ are
presented with their prizes. Weather conditions that suited ducks and gundogs were not necessarily those preferred by the officials and support workers at the SSAA and WGAA National Retrieving Trial Championship held in the Jimna (Queensland) area on the weekend of October 8 to 10, 2010.

The judges for this event were Ron Jackson (Queensland) and Paul Littlejohn (Tasmania). During the event, the dogs’ natural retrieving abilities were tested with marked retrieves, where the dog, following the handler’s indication, looks in the correct direction, sees and marks the fall of an article of artificial game that is projected high in the air from what looks like a giant slingshot. Once given the command, the dog is sent to retrieve this sighted article.

The dogs’ abilities were also tested with ‘blind retrieves’, where the dog is guided by hand signal and whistle commands to an article of artificial game that it has not seen. Once again, the judge has distractions, difficult cover and terrain to test the dog and handler to the full.

These two basic types of retrieve, combined with required obedience sections, gave the successful competitive teams 22 retrieves to complete in competition during this most advanced gundog retrieving trial.

The winning team Rob Boodnikoff and his Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever ‘Gundi’ scored highly on this run. The dog walked obediently at heel and sat steadily until called, was skilfully directed to look in the direction to see the two marks and when given the correct ‘line’ direction toward the concealed blind, it enthusiastically crossed the water and only required one whistle command to move into the correct area so that he could scent the game and find it. The first retrieve completed with a gentle delivery to hand was followed by two clean marks, as the dog ran directly to the handler-designated game, indicating that he not only remembered the position of both articles, but that the difficult terrain was of little hindrance to a dog of his quality.

The final reward for their excellent display of retrieving over the two days of the trial were for Rob and ‘Gundi’s’ owner and Rob’s wife Sue - a Lanber .2087 Hunter 30” over-and-under shotgun, which was selected by Mr Greg Mitchell of Winchester Firearms because of its quality, strength and its suitability to the type of use that those who work their dogs.

Crystal Decanters were selected for all placegetters by the trophy convener Teharna Miramon-Jeffrey, along with a vast selection of specialty prizes donated by enthusiastic supporters.

Despite the rain and the flooding, the entire event was a resounding success, with the organising committee and brilliant and dedicated members worked together to a well thought out schedule. This event could not have happened without the generous support of all SSAA United Field and Retrieving Members, SSAA (Qld) and the Working Gundog Association of Australia (WGAA). Working Gundogs National Discipline Chairman Barry Oliver and his wife Kathy bravely attended this very wet but enjoyable weekend.

For anyone interested in learning more or having a look at these trials, even if you do not have a gundog, please phone Publicity and Promotions Vice President Kerri Underwood on 0412 579 955 or visit www.unitedfieldandretrieving.org.au