Interested in finding out who the oldest handler ever was to run a dog in an open or amateur national. I am 62 now and you just never know.
Oldest handler at a National
sunnydee
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I'm thinkin Gordon was 89 last time he ran the National, could have been older but at least 89. I saw him 2 years ago and asked him how old he was and he said 96 so he should be 98 now and still running trials. At that time he told me that he had a brother that died at 96 and he says "but he didn't take very good care of himself". What a character. Always enjoyed talking to him.
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Thanks Steve! Next time you see him, please tell him I said hello. I knew him from my Alaska and WA state days... Running trials in the NW and occasionally in CA.
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She was a Finalist of the National Amateur in '73 with her Golden FC AFC Misty Sungold Lad
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Val Fisher ran Lad iin 1968 and got to the 9th series; was a Finalist with Lad in 1969; went 5th series in 1970; 1971 she went 6th series; by 1972 she had married Jay and went 4 series; 1973 Lad was a Finalist with Val; Finalist in 1974 with Jay running him and Val went 3 series with Sungold Sprite; Lad qualified but did not run in 1975----a Golden.
Glenda
Glenda
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Oops--forgot to indicate above on Lad was in the National Amateur. Val and Lad qualified for the National Open in 1968 but did not enter -- probably couldn't miss school! Lad and she were Finalists in 1969; went 7 series in 1970; 6 series in 1971; Qualified but did not run in 1972; in 1973 went to 4th series; and in 1974 Qualified but did not run.
Val and Lad had stats that many of us could only dream about.
Glenda
Val and Lad had stats that many of us could only dream about.
Glenda
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I trained with Gordy a few times this last spring and was told he was 94. What a great guy. One day he and I were out throwing and when we were done I headed over his direction to help him carry his chair and gear in. I got about 20 ft away, asked if I could help and he says "why? I got it". Wouldn't let me carry a thing for him. He has some great stories as well.
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Maybe he's finally to the point that he quit keeping track of just how old he really is. Hell Im only 57 and I have to stop and think about it if someone asks. Good possibility that Gordy could still out live me.
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There are a few pictures of Val around her teenaged years in Paul Shoemakers book from pre-1970. His truck topper is currently listed for sale(He bought it from Lee Salmon WRL who bought it from Phil Moore who bought it from someone in the East. I think his last dog named Sprite was from Lee's breeding as well(Lee tells me she named the dog Sprite whom he had in more recent years. Name on the first kennel on the drivers side is "Sprite" makes me wonder if that name tag could have been from the original Sprite owned by Val. No other dog in his kennel nor his truck had an engraved name plate) He taught the smaller goldens to "sit" with their front legs off the ground, balancing on their hind end to watch marks go down to give a little height advantage. Vals small golden was one of them and featured in a picture next to Joan Shoemaker(RHOF) and I believe Torq(NFC).
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This is a fun thread. I love these old stories.
Torq was a DC - the NW aristocrats were truly unhappy that Jack Ott won with Dagne his 1st dog, Handled by Paul.
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Was there also a picture of a tall skinny guy in that picture of Torque with Joan....if there is that person is more than likely John Luther who originally trained both Dual Ch AFC Torque of Daingerfield and his brother FC AFC Mirk of Daingerfield, who was the National Derby Champ in '63
the local Washington paper had a nickname for John, but it escapes me at the time(maybe the Springfield Splinter...maybe Marvin remembers what that was since he was part of that former heart of the retriever world circa 63-66..John trained and competed against the likes of Mr.Shoemaker,Gonia Sr. Eddie Bauer, before moving to the College Station Tx. area
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Carl Ruffalo is 83ish and running this National Open.
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There has got to be lots of folks doing the dog game with joint replacements. Don't know about Australia but here in the US almost any healthy person with bone-on-bone arthritis (hips/knees) is getting them replaced. And I hear people talking about it in the gallery a lot. I've gotten both my knees replaced and can't wait to start my next dog. My legs are stronger and feel better than they did when I was 18. Only problem is the rest of me is 64.
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