2003 VCOI Walking Field Trial
Eagle, WI
December 6-7, 2003

DECEMBER FIELD TRIAL REPORT

I had heard the air temperature was cold, but the competition was heating up during the first day of the Vizsla Club of Illinois’ December Field Trial, so I thought I’d take a ride out on Sunday and see for myself.

The next morning, I loaded up the pickup and headed North over the Illinois/Wisconsin border to Eagle and the field trial site at Ottawa in the Kettle Moraine State Park. I knew I was getting close when I saw the giant inflatable Homer Simpson Santa Claus on the front lawn of a house next to a giant inflatable Green Bay Packer. Ho, ho, ho!

I turned into the trial grounds just as the Saturday call backs were heading to the line. The prior day had been overcast but there was not a lot of wind so participants told me it was actually quite pleasant for an early December day. Teresa Curtis was Chairman and Linda Busch was Secretary of the trial. Michel and Wanda Berner kept busy all day helping out any way they could. This was Teresa’s first time as an event chair. The club is trying to get more new people to volunteer for event duties to both take some of the load off those who have been carrying it all these years, and also get more new people involved to help keep the club strong and vibrant.

The December trial is always one of our smaller events, which naturally makes it more difficult for the VCOI to turn a profit on it. Forty entries were slated to run on Saturday, December 6th, and thirty-seven actually went off.

Sunday slated twenty-seven in the Open Derby and Amateur Limited Gun Dog competitions. Eleven actually took to the field in the Open, while 12 participated in the Amateur. Judges were Jerry Jordan and John Houck.

Saturday was overcast but proved to be the warmer of the two days as the wind was much less of a factor. Sunday, despite being bright and sunny, was also quite windy so it didn’t take much time standing around outside to really start feeling the chill. Speaking of which, if anyone has failed to thank the Berners for installing the heating system in the concession stand, don’t forget to do so next time you see one of them. It provides a welcome respite.

Food was handled efficiently by Teresa Curtis and her husband, Brian. There were plenty of sweet rolls for the early birds (although I heard an unconfirmed rumor that the first day coffee was a little late in coming, a problem that was corrected by day two) and everyone seemed to enjoy the chili and Wanda Berner’s famous Turkey Egg Drop Soup. In fact, several people asked for the recipe, which I believe began “Grab a turkey by the neck and wring, then...” I am sure you can get the rest from Wanda.

While all this was going on inside, outside the dogs were having their day. The course was run counterclockwise. There were not many braces, and several those that did run went birdless in the early going. Later in the day, the participants seemed to do better. The results were published in the last issue of the newsletter.

The judges’ dinner on Saturday night was held in Mukwonago at The Fork In The Road, a restaurant that boasts “American, BBQ, Burgers, Fish Fry, Mexican, Seafood, Steakhouse and Vegetarian cuisine.” Well, that sort of covers it. It was good to see Rodney Albin up and about at the trial after his recent bout with illness. He supplied the club with his usual quiet good humor.

Because of the low number of entrants and high expenses, the chances of the club ending up with a positive balance for the event are slim. We will be able to carry over some of the non-perishable food items for the February event at Des Plaines Conservation Area by Wilmington, Illinois. And speaking of the February event, volunteers are needed, as usual, to help make it a success. If you are interested in helping, call or e-mail Patti or Dennis Nowak at either 815-439-0720 or pattinowak2003@yahoo.com.

If you are new to the club or new to Vizslas, helping out at an event is a great way to meet members and learn from their experience. And what else have you got to do on a February weekend, anyhow? Cut the lawn?

Hope to see you out there in February.

Submitted by Tom Rowan

 

WINTER WALKING FIELD TRIAL REPORT
DECEMBER 6-7, 2003

I wish to thank all those that volunteered to help with the walking trial this past December at the Ottawa Field Trial Grounds in Eagle, Wisconsin – including Mark Spurgeon, Greg Wegler, Kevin Berta, Jeff Parise, Tony Lucas, Mark Johnson, Colomba Barger, Tony Ordonez, Wanda Berner, Michel Berner, Jeff Engelsman, Jim Busch, and especially Rodney Albin for doing it all! Oh, and we can’t forget the warm bathroom facilities in Rodney’s camper. If I’ve forgotten anyone, I sincerely apologize as it is certainly not intended.

With horses provided by club members, it was possible to get several new people involved helping with marshaling and bird planting activities. Kudos to Teresa and Brian Curtis who manned the food concession both days from morning ‘til afternoon. Since placements have been given already, I will not duplicate the report. However, I would like to congratulate Rob Tomczak on an amazing weekend. He was seen taking home several trophies and ribbons. As far as financially, it was a disaster. Unfortunately half of our income went to judges’ expenses – and we always treat our judges very well. We had two of the finest judges, so that is not the issue. The final numbers are not all in yet, but it looks like we will be in the red the amounts of the trophies and ribbons. Since this is a small trial, there are several areas that need to be handled differently from the two course trials. I will be happy to assist the future chairman & secretary with input to help them succeed where we failed.

- Submitted by Linda Busch

Amateur Limited Gun Dog
1. Cherokee’s Jazzmin of Shiloh -Robert Tomczak
2. Saginaw T. Jack - Mark N Johnson
3. Desert Storm’s Billie - Barry Peterson
4. Saginaw Dandy Sue - Mark N Johnson

Open Puppy
1. My Lil Mel-Annie - Joe Duffek
2. Macgyver Rebel Rising - Kevin McLean
3. Mayfly of Grace - Richard Hunt
4. Blazin’s Takin’ Chances - Kevin Berta

Amateur Gun Dog
1. Cherokee’s Jazzmin of Shiloh - Robert Tomczak
2. Onpoint’s Wilde Card Kate - Kirk Potter
3. Saginaw T. Jack - Mark N Johnson
4. Shiloh Madach’s Mishka - Robert Tomczak

Open Derby
1. Chevee - Linda Busch
2. Crimson’s Twenty-Gauge Ruger - Mark Spurgeon
3. My Little Mel-Annie - Joe Duffek
4. Onpoint’s Cassanova - Dina Spero

Open Limited Gun Dog
1. Cherokee’s Jazzmin of Shiloh - Robert Tomczak
2. Desert Storm’s Desirae - Barry Peterson
3. Saginaw T. Jack - Mark N Johnson
4. Upwind Shiloh Mark of Zorro - Robert Tomczak