We've made the trek up to PEI and had the very same experience (also with a dog named Blue and also with a white ribbon, but in the Open). It was a big trial that year, 17 dogs ;-). We had a wonderful time and plan to go back soon. The water blind in the Amateur was the hardest that I have ever seen, anywhere, ever.
Sateside, I think Empire had a 22 dog Amateur last year.