It’s begun!! The 2025 Canadian National Master kicked off with the Welcome Banquet.

After the head table was piped in, the Master of Ceremonies, Dave Thompson welcomed everyone followed by the singing of the Canadian and American National anthems, and acknowledgement of being on the unceded lands of the WaiWeiKum and WaiWeiKai First Nations.

Dave then introduced the head table and provided a brief history of each of the host clubs (Pacific Rim Hunting Retriever Club & the Upper Island Retriever Club) and grace was then said by Heidi Reinhold.

More Eatery out of Campbell River catered a wonderfully delicious meal of lovely salads, sockeye salmon, grilled steak, and dessert pots.

After dinner, Danette Weich, Head Marshal reviewed some of the housekeeping details, followed by a brief welcome from Alan Davies on behalf of the himself and his fellow judges ( Catherine Vesey & Susan Bell) and thank you’s from Hunt Test chair, Tracey Griffin to her committee, the landowners, presentation of judges gifts, and welcome and encouragement to handers to allow themselves to enjoy the experience with their dogs.

Our judges were presented with thank you gifts and the handlers were presented with their bibs, welcome bags and hats. The most awaited moment of the evening was the draw for starting dog number which was accomplished by picking a very cute rubber duck out of a flock of 31 floating ducks.

The evening ended with the drawing of the winners for 3 awesome raffle items.

Day 1 - Monday, August 18th. Land Series- The caravan will leave Owl Barn at Swamp Dog Farm at 7:30 am.

Starting dog for Series 1 is Dog #20.

Good luck to all teams!