Tracking Dog Test
April 30, 2003
Waunakee, WI
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Judges: Mrs.
T B Everwine and Ed Presnall
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CH Calico's
American Beauty TD,
Field Spaniel
K Balinski
Courbette's
Curtain Call TD,
Pomeranian
V Leitner
CH Encanto Brilhante
Esperanza CDX AX AXJ TD,
Portuguese Water Dog
D Zorn
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Fireside
Ghostbuster JH TD,
Golden Retriever
M Gabriel
CH Kendall's
Spice Girl TD,
Irish Water Spaniel
R Bruskiewitz
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CH Calico's American Beauty TD
Karen Balinski
A note from one of the judges ...
I had the pleasure of judging the Field Spaniel Society of America
TD test today. The test was held at Governor Nelson State Park just outside of Madison,
WI.
My co judge was Ed Presnall, himself owner of Race, the CT Field spaniel.
It was sad to see only one Field entered in the test, but nice that the test was
open to all breeds, enabling 4 additional dogs of other breeds to earn their titles
today. It's always wonderful to have numerous passes, and 5 of 6 passed today!
This is a new area for tracking tests, and is a site with rolling hills and varied
cover. The cover looks as tho it could be rough going by fall, but for spring it
was lovely. All tracks could be accessed off the main or the park road. From the
interior portion of the park, a beautiful view of Lake Mendota and the capitol building
in Madison made it a lovely venue.
Our first to draw, the Field Spaniel, drew track 1. The dog started nicely, worked
her way almost to the second corner and spent a few minutes investigating to either
side of the track before continuing on to find her glove. New TD, CH Calico's
American Beauty owned by Karen Balinski of Kenosha, WI.
Second up was an Irish Water Spaniel, owned by Ruth Bruskiewitz of Madison, WI.
CH Kendall's Spice Girl worked her way along the track, hesitating a bit at
two corners, but leading her handler to the glove for her TD.
Next up was certainly our cutest dog of the day, a tiny Pomeranian who took her time
working carefully down the track to earn her TD. This track was made more interesting
by the fact that her tracklayer, Shula, is from the UK, having come over for the
specialty. She wanted to learn about tracking, and volunteered to lay track. We were
all thrilled for her when the dog passed on her track, and hope she will continue
with her plans to get a tracking group started up in England. The Pom's owner, Victoria
Leitner of Waltonville, IL, was pleased to annouce that Courbette's Curtain Call
is now the only living Pomeranian with a Tracking title!
Our 4th tracker was not so fortunate. The German Shepherd started nicely, got to
the 3rd corner, indicated the turn, then inexplicably turned and backtracked all
50 yards to the previous leg and from there off the track.
The 5th track was run by a Portuguese Water Dog, owned by Deb Zorn of Prospect Heights,IL.
CH Encanto Brilhante Esperanza, CDX, AX, AXJ, added the TD to her list of
titles with only a short deliberation at one turn.
Last up was the Golden Retriever whose owner did not think the dog was quite ready
to run for the title. But run he did, to earn his TD is the shortest time of the
day, his owner Marion Gabriel of Lemont, IL, trotting merrily behind! A New TD for
Fireside Ghost Buster, JH!
We had some light showers and a bit of rain throughout the morning, but nothing too
awful to contend with. The damp to wet grounds seemed to suit the dogs just fine!
We finished our books, handed out awards and began taking pictures of the new title
holders. As the last few pictures were being taken, the thunder began to rumble and
almost as soon as the last picture was taken the skies opened up! The scramble for
vehicles marked the official end to this successful test.
Thanks to the able capabilities and competence of the FSSA staff, Shawne Gamroth,
Secretary, and the tracklayers, Terry, Corky, Leo and Shula,(sorry I didn't get any
last names!) this was a fun test to work. Thanks for the opportunity!
Terri Everwine
Barrington, IL
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