The State Championships were held north of Perth near the historic town of New Norcia in the locality of Mogumber. This site was last used in 2002 and it was a welcome return for trialers to this beautiful farming property. Twelve campers/ caravans parked on site in a large paddock with the added bonus of the onsite cottage toilet available, and power also on hand for the vans. A verandah area and campfire was a popular meeting place at any time of the day for a chat and to eat and drink. Fine weather was on order for the weekend with the probability of showers later on Sunday and possibly a thunderstorm. Fifteen dogs began the trial with the first run, a rabbit blind and mark. One dog failed to complete this run. The second run, a walkup doublerise, and another mark, lost two more dogs, then the third run, a triple mark (all across or in the river) saw another two dogs depart. The final run of day one was a double blind and a rabbit drag, and another three dogs finished their championship campaign, leaving seven dogs remaining for the next days competition, those being Gareth Tawton and Monty, Maggie Hankinson and her two dogs, Guinness and Glory, Judy Pannett and Josh, Heather Ellis and Czarda, Lynne Strang and Tess and Kerry Webster and Swaggy.
On the Sunday a redraw was conducted and then a procession of vehicles set off for the final two runs along the river. The fifth run was a blind up the river and in mid stream with a narrow window, a mark and a doublefall in between. Two dogs failed to complete this run leaving five dogs for the sixth and final run which was again, a blind well up stream and a double mark, and a nono rabbit on the left bank. A steep entry and piles of logs blocking the direct path to the blind made lining very difficult. Four dogs completed the run. Many thanks to the workers at the trial and the committee. The results are as follows:
W.A. State Championship Retrieving Trial
19th and 20th September 2009
Judge: Mr J. Patrick (S.A.)
Dogs Entered: 17
Started: 15
Finished: 4
1st: Grd R.T. Ch Kadnook Pride of Cork (Lab. Dog) Gareth Tawton 248 points
2nd: Grd R.T. Ch O Ch Altiquin Stern JDM ADM (Imp Ire)(Lab. Dog) Maggie Hankinson 243 points
3rd: R.T. Ch Ellishea Katos Czarda (Gold Bitch) Heather Ellis 231 points
4th: R.T. Ch Featherhunt Joshua (Lab. Dog) Judy Pannett 211 points
Best Veteran: Grd R.T.Ch Kadnook Pride of Cork and Gareth Tawton
Best Non R.T. Champion: Truclass The Swagman AARD and Kerry Webster
Highest scoring Golden Retriever: R.T. Ch Ellishea Katos Czarda and Heather Ellis
Highest scoring Labrador Retriever: Grd R.T. Ch Kadnook Pride of Cork and Gareth Tawton
Team Winners: Grd R.T. Ch. Altiquin Stern, R.T. Ch Featherhunt Joshua, Truclass The Swagman