Your 2026 Judges

Zone 1: Pierre Girard

My passion for hunting with retrievers goes back more than twenty years. However, it was in 2012 that I began advanced-level training with NMH GMH Harricana Gazelle MH21 WCX CD CGN. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working with several other Golden Retrievers, including two others who earned the title of Grand Master Hunter, and another who achieved the title of National Master Hunter.

I have been judging hunt tests since 2015, and over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in numerous Hunt Tests across Canada.

I’m confident that together with Dewayne Hay and Steve Bushie, we’ll share an outstanding experience featuring hunt tests that are both realistic, challenging, and enjoyable.

A sincere thank-you to the Mountain Valley Retriever Training Club for hosting the 2026 event.  I would like to sincerely thank the clubs that nominated me, as well as the selection committee for their confidence in me.

Je tiens à remercier sincèrement les clubs qui ont proposé ma candidature ainsi que le comité de sélection pour la confiance qu’ils m’accordent.

Ma passion pour la chasse avec des chiens rapporteurs remonte à plus de vingt ans. C’est toutefois en 2012 que j’ai entrepris l’entraînement de haut niveau avec NMH GMH Harricana Gazelle MH21 WCX CD CGN. Depuis, j’ai eu le privilège de travailler avec plusieurs autres Golden Retrievers dont 2 autres ayant obtenu le titre de Grand maître chasseur, ainsi qu’un autre chien titré Maître chasseur national.

J’agis à titre de juge dans les épreuves de chasse depuis 2015 et j’ai eu la chance de participer à de nombreux Hunt Tests à travers le Canada au fil des ans.

Je suis convaincu qu’avec Dewayne Hay et Steve Bushie, nous vivrons une expérience exceptionnelle, marquée par des épreuves de chasse à la fois réalistes, stimulantes et agréables.

Je remercie chaleureusement le Mountain Valley Retriever Training Club pour l’organisation de l’événement 2026.

Pierre Girard

Métabetchouan-Lac-a-la-croix, Québec 

I welcome the opportunity to judge at the 2026 Canadian National Master Hunt test in the Dundas Ontario region hosted by the Mountain Valley Retriever Training Club.

I have been involved in hunting and training retrievers since 1987, when my wife and I purchased a dual purpose golden retriever for show and hunting. As my first retriever, I marveled at the instinctual abilities as we attained our first WCX. With a break to raise 3 amazing children and a shift to Labrador Retrievers I continue to realize the potential of what a hunting companion can be. Now after 39 years, I have participated at the National Master Hunt test level with MH, NMH and GMH titles. With the recent experience of judging the National Master Hunt test in PEI (2024) and entering the National event on Vancouver Island (2025) and competing across the prairies, I believe I have a Pan-Canadian view of quality retriever hunt tests. I continue to embrace the opportunity to judge as I feel it allows me to become a better handler as I meet so many dedicated sportsmen and women from across Canada.

Being an avid waterfowl and upland bird hunter, I believe the hunt test should be set up to simulate true hunting situations which showcase the unbelievable instincts and abilities of these canine athletes.

I look forward to my time in Ontario with my co judges Pierre and Steve for what I believe will be a fantastic opportunity to witness these dogs and handlers strive to qualify at the National level.

I would also like to thank the Mountain Valley Retriever Training Club volunteers and incredible sponsors that make events like this possible.

I am very excited and honored to be judging the 2026 Canadian National Master Hunt Test! I have been actively involved in hunt tests for about 10 years. I was a committee member of the CNMHT in 2019 so I appreciate and understand all the time and work that goes into hosting these events. I applaud the Mountain Valley Retriever Training Club for graciously hosting this event. Volunteers and sponsors make events like this possible and your immense efforts are greatly appreciated!!

My Labrador, Sidney, and I have competed in three National Master Hunt Tests. We have achieved two National Master Hunt Test qualifications, Grand Master Hunter title, Working Certificate Excellent title, Field Trial Qualifying title, and NAHRA Senior Hunter title. I have also titled several other dogs at various stakes which I believe has made me a better judge and handler. 

Being an active waterfowl hunter, I believe that hunt tests should be set up and judged as close to actual hunting situations as possible while having a blast with your dog. Watching the partnership of handlers and their dogs showcasing unbelievable instincts and abilities that these retrievers were born and bred to do always amazes me. Being a CNMHT committee member in 2019 and also participating in my first National I realized that this is the elite of the hunt test world.

I look forward to working with my co-judges Dewayne Hay and Pierre Girard to prepare the best possible tests to challenge the dogs and handlers. We will continue to uphold the challenge and standard of the Canadian National Master Hunt Test while making sure the test adequately represents true realistic scenarios that a person would encounter during a day afield with their dog

Finally, I want to wish all the teams attending the 2026 CNMHT a great week, enjoyable experience, and success. Remember to have fun with your dog! 

Steve Bushie