NRC2016 - The World Series for Field Trial Retrievers begins tomorrow!
An Amateur Competitor's Perspective
By: Jamie Woodson #68
Less than two weeks ago, we were on the edge of our seats into the wee hours of the morning witnessing the epic 10 inning 7th game battle between the Chicago Cubs and the Cleveland Indians.
While the World Series is fresh on every one's minds. Similar analogies could be made with the Super Bowl for football fans or the U.S. Open for golf lovers. Pick your analogy of choice, but the retriever world has a big show in town.
There is a different kind of world class competition starting this Sunday morning. This one involves four-legged, elite athletes and their human handlers. Families, friends, and retriever fanatics across America are brimming with excitement as all eyes in the retriever field trialing world turn to Bonham, Texas!
Many are excited because a retriever in their life is competing this week, but thousands more are looking forward to experiencing the retriever community's World Series as it unfolds over 10 gut-wrenching tests. Yes, the Lone Star state is hosting the National Retriever Championship (NRC) - frequently called the National Open!
My husband, Bill, and I have made the journey to Bonham to experience this event first hand. While we will be volunteering this week, we also have the cosmic gift of having two labradors, Keeper #68 and Baby #90, both qualified and competing here in Texas!
I'm particularly honored that the Retriever News team invited me to blog again from a competitor's viewpoint (and an amateur competitor at that). Sharing my perspective throughout the National Amateur Retriever Championship in Stowe, Vermont was a blast. My good friend Pat Burns, of Elite Retriever Training, and I had so much fun sharing our experiences and we are both thrilled to be doing it again!
So, what's the big deal about this Championship? If you are familiar with the sport, you know. For those of you who love your field trial "afflicted" friends but don't really know what all the fuss is about, let me try to put it in perspective for you.
While there are millions, yes, millions of retrievers across the globe, only 108 retrievers qualified for this Championship and just 97 are competing this week for the title of National Field Champion.
Qualifying dogs must have an Open win and have acquired 2 additional open points during the preceding 12 months. This feat of "Blue and Two" doesn't sound that daunting but there are many superb canine/handler teams who didn't qualify this year, teams that are highly competitive every time they step up on line.
Like the National Amateur Retriever Championship (and all field trials), males and females (both canines and handlers) compete equally. But unlike the National Amateur, the National Open is "open" to both professional and amateur handlers.
This is my first time experiencing a National Open as a competitor and I'm beyond excited to be handling my partner for 9 years now - Keeper!
I hope you enjoy these musings that Retriever News will be posting this week and welcome your ideas on items to share and National news to cover.
Also, if you are interested in following the action, you can get event information at http://www.theretrievernews.com/
For moment to moment updates, you can keep up via the Retriever News Blog at http://2016nrc.blogspot.com/
Last but not least, Dog #13 - Bella - will start tomorrow morning at 7:00am central! Good luck, Scott and Mark!
Until next time, May the wind be with you and your flyers be friendly!
- Jamie Woodson #68
