Judges

I am honoured and humbled to have been selected as one of the three judges to attend the 2025 Canadian National Master Hunt Test on Vancouver Island, and I thank the selection committee for their confidence in me.  

My Dad was an avid duck hunter, and we always had a Golden Retriever in our home who was not only a family pet but also accompanied us on any outings to the marshes.  I learned at an early age the value of a retriever on a hunt and their determination to get the job done.  I always wanted my own Golden but raising two daughters, getting them through school and university took priority.  Once they were on their own, I said, "Now it is My Time".  So, 15 years ago I started on my journey with my first Golden Retriever "Murphy".  I knew nothing about the Hunt Test/Field game but knew I wanted to play it.  I sought out videos, periodicals, like-minded folks and experienced successful trainers who were willing to share with me their time and expertise. My Murphy finished his career as a GMH.  My boy Race a MH.  My 3rd dog, Flyer, is a GMH and QAA and my new guy, Decoy, who just turned one year old, just completed his WC and has two JH passes.  I also train and trial my boys in Obedience, Rally and Tracking of which we have been successful and titled. I have participated in two CNMHT's.  The first in 2018 and the second in 2024.  They were both amazing experiences.   

Ten years ago, I figured it was time to give back to our clubs and our sport by obtaining my Judges Certification.  Over the years I have been invited to judge Hunt Tests in New Brunswick, PEI, Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Island and Quebec.  Sitting in that chair "behind the line", has taught me so much about the game and I am so happy I took that step.  I want to wish all the teams attending the 2025 CNMHT a great week and enjoyable experience.  I’m so looking forward to meeting my co-judges and all of you.

In 1980 we had our first Labrador Retriever litter under the prefix “Pinebank Kennel” and in 1984 Pinebank Kennel became Permanent Registered with the CKC.  Since then, we strive to produce Labradors that can do it all!  We had a couple of Irish Water Spaniels, and I trained a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in Obedience.  I love to work with my dogs, and they teach us a lot about ourselves and life.

Training my pups has led to teaching and now judging.  I have enjoyed judging all levels of CKC Obedience, Rally Obedience, Working Certificate and Hunt Tests and Canine Good Neighbour Tests.  I have judged the Puppy Stake at the LOC Field Trial and Junior Handling for both Obedience and Conformation, as well as Sweepstakes for the Irish Water Spaniel Association of Canada and the Atlantic Labrador Retriever Club.  I have been the Canine Good Neighbour Rep for Zone 6 and the Obedience Rep for the CKC.  A few years ago, I was a Director for University of Guelph Pet Trust and held positions on the Board of LOC and Hamilton Dog Obedience Club and Labrador Retriever Club of Canada.

My dogs and I have worked together to achieve Conformation Championships, Grand Master Obedience Trial Champion, Rally Master Obedience, Grand Master Hunter, Working Certificate Excellent, Tracking Dog Excellent and Canine Good Neighbour Titles.  Five different dogs I have trained have been in the top ten Obedience Dogs in Canada.  I have trained eleven different dogs in Rally Obedience since it started, and twelve Utility Dog obedience titles, seven of those dogs received their MOTCH.  Four of my dogs I have put Master Hunter Titles and 2017 and 2019 Grand Master Hunters; another dog has his first Master Hunter leg, and another dog is working in the Senior Title.

Now that I am retired, my time is spent having fun with my dogs and helping others with their dogs, training my dogs and I love it.

To do performance sports a dog has to be put together properly with good conformation and kept in good condition and loved!

I am honored to be selected to judge the 2025 National. I have been running

and training Golden Retrievers as hunting dogs since 1999 but took up the

competitive side of training after university in 2010. This is when I got my first

competitive Golden, named Strider, and we began a journey together that

would lead me to this point.

I am very proud to represent Zone 3 and home club of Saskatoon in this

National test. The members of the Saskatoon Retriever Club are some of the

kindest, most knowledgeable, and hardest working people in the dog world

and since day one it has amazed me how open they are to sharing this

knowledge. I would not be the trainer or judge I am today, without them. I am

eager and excited to share the knowledge I have obtained in a challenging

and fun Test!

In 2019 I ran the National and found out that this is the pinnacle of the hunt

test world. I will continue to uphold the challenge and standard of this test

while making sure the test adequately represents true hunting scenarios.

Thank you to the Pacific Rim Hunter Retriever Club and the Upper Island

Retriever Club for hosting the test and giving me the opportunity to judge an

event I love. I look forward to meeting everyone and seeing some great dog

work in August!