MARK SARGISON
(NSW)
2016 National Retrieving Championship Judge
I bought my first Gundog a GSP off Ron Wakem after I had been
out hunting quail with him. I hunted with this dog until we lost our
game season in NSW. Twenty one years later I bought another GSP –
Pointgold Helga (Ellie) off Steve Bourke as I had a serious bicycle
accident and needed to do a lot of walking for rehabilitation. I joined
Maitland Obedience Club where I was introduced to Gundog Working Tests
by Helen and Steve Grainger. Ellie and I successfully competed, gaining
Novice and Open wins as well as a NSW GWT Championship. I met Paul
Hamson at one of these GWT and he invited me to attend a Retrieving
Trial. The friendly environment, encouragement and advice these people
provided proved invaluable and I was hooked. Ellie had hard mouth
issues but despite this gained her RRD Title and competed in All Age.
She was awarded the Judges Award at the 2009 ACT National whilst still
only having her NRD Title.
With the help of Gareth Tawton I bought my third Gundog a Labrador
Horrissapit Sargent Bob (Bob) off Ray Ashenden. He became a Retrieving
Trial Champion at two and a half years old and won the 2013 NSW State
Championship. Unfortunately injury has ended his career prematurely.
I now have a young Labrador Pup Tirnanoge Triple B (Butch) from a bitch
our syndicate imported from the USA. I am hoping he will develop into a
competitive All Age dog.
I was asked if I was interested in becoming a judge by the Working
Gundog Club of which I am a member & was tutored and assessed
by Jack Lynch, Joe Law & Graeme Parkinson. I accepted as a
means of reducing the work load on our NSW Judges who seemed to be
judging more than running their dogs and found I really enjoyed the
experience.
I am really looking forward to judging my first National Championship
with Joe Barber especially as it’s our home state. With the help of the
NSW National Championship Committee, our Trial Managers Penny Angel and
Sandra Goldsmith and their band of willing helpers Joe and I will
endeavour to deliver an interesting, challenging and achievable trial.
I wish all competitors and their dogs an enjoyable and successful NSW
State and National Championship and all the best for the rest of the
Championship Season.
Yours in Retrieving
Mark Sargison.
