September , 2009 Hunt Test
Desplaines Wildlife Area, Joliet, IL

What a Labor Day Hunt Test we had!! We were so slow in getting entries, that I started to think- the recession is going to affect our test as well. However, the last 2 weeks before the closing proved me wrong. What I thought would be the smallest hunt test turned into the largest for a one day test! About $650.00 profit was made for the VCOI.

Our entries before the late scratches on Friday/Saturday night were: 24 Juniors, 9 Seniors and 18 Master dogs. Wow! No way would we be able to run everyone on one course. Received permission from AKC to run two courses, got our judges approved, and ordered two more horses as well. That being said, we finished up around 3-4pm on Monday afternoon!! Plenty of daylight left. Everyone in attendance commented on how well run the test was and how nice it was to see the Juniors have their own course again. All in all great weather, but the most important factor is the committee and workers, who made sure this test, ran smoothly. Thank You to the Frank Family. Kim and Doug brought and donated their ATV. This is valuable equipment to bring water out onto the courses, getting people back and forth, and quickly getting birds or equipment out to the fields. Kim and Doug’s two lovely daughters Cameron and Tory manned the kitchen and did a fantastic job!

Val Blaine and Julie Callison handled all the judges’ sheets, and ribbons. Colin Blaine (a new driver) went and got more ice and water for us. John Connell, Mike Dalby, Jeff Engelsman, Mark Spurgeon and Randy Boggs gunned. Doug Frank, Caleb Metzger, Chad Callison and Colin Blaine planted the junior course and I must say did a great job. You don’t run two courses without the help of an outstanding Line Marshall. Lorie Connell was the best; she ran those two starting lines effortlessly. Huge Thanks to our judges: Ken Wolford and Ben Blanco. Special Thank You to Lark Frederiksen and Ted Selnes who at the last minute came to my rescue to judge our Junior Entries, and also donated their time as well. Our Apprentice Judge was Adam DeLude who learned a lot under our seasoned judges of Ken and Ben.

Hope I haven’t left anyone out. Thank You – Thank You-- Until next year!

- Submitted by Kathy Engelsman,HTS

Congratulations VCOI Members and their dogs:
Junior Contestants
Charles Chadwell - Wiki Wiki Tiki-Man
Michael Miklas - Hunter XXI
Kathy Engelsman - CH JNEK’s Sweet Inspiration
Joe Fitzsimmons - Shawnee’s Red Lioness
Kathy Lormis - Renaissance Loroka’s Spending Limit
Tom Kosanda - Tru Will You Marry Me?
Jeffrey Whalen - Phoenix Whalen
John Looby IV - Wedding Bell’s Of Sienna Pointe

Senior Contestants
Roger Hatch - BK’s Cahill Bramble

Master Contestants
Mike Dalby - Gretta II
Tim May - Cheyene Blue River Sky
Mark Spurgeon - 2xNGDC DC AFC Crimson’s Twenty Gauge Ruger