Bluegrass

To drive 800 extra miles, spend an extra day's expenses and run under Mitch and Ed as well as Kurt and Dan was only part of the reason. To see the families of the members and contestants helping to put on a very organized and sociallly relaxing trial-no Nazis, Czars or self appointed marshalls. The tests were very well thought out, the call backs were understandable and the trial was fun! When have we last seen a group of contestants AND spouses all pitch in? Phil& Mary Heye, Denise&Jeff Turner, Trey& Dana Lawrence, Martha&Paul Blank,Walt Maki and Jennifer, then Tim Kreher, Brooks Gibson, the Bougsky grandson. What a thrill to watch Jewell Huddleston and Bandit start to rise to the top as a team, to meet 3 "new" people who are not in the 1% and who are being mentored by Ron Ainley. The weekend shows that if the judges are 1) honest 2) knowledgable as to the rules, conditions and know dog behavior people will enjoy themselves. The awarding of jams was deserving(apparently some recent "Judges" have felt that if they award a JAM that it is belittling to those who placed. If that abnormal ignorance;-) prevails (Contrary to the supplement recommendations) those who act in that manner will really cut the future entries-while most of us are trying to perpetuate the game we will assure our demise.See Red River Open, Central Arkansas Open-pretty unpleasant ending for most who successfully completed. BLUEGRASS Retriever Club you guys did a great job and we thank you all. Eva, Sophie, Nora and Lanse