 Call name: ‘Gabriel’
English Springer Spaniel
Breeder/Owner/Handler: Greg Royer
How did you first become involved in field trials?
I grew up on a farm in Alberta and spent many fall days pheasant hunting. When I was 15, a family friend gave me an English Springer. I promised myself that when I had the means to own and train my own springer I would. After college I bought my first Springer and began to train with the Calgary springer club. It didn’t take long for the club members to introduce me to the sport of spaniel field trials.
What do you think is the most important thing to remember when training for the field?
I’ve been training for over 20 years. I would start with patience and perseverance. Dogs have good days and bad days. Never let the bad days discourage you. Use your imagination to overcome the small issues and keep your training sessions fun. If the training session is not going well, know when to stop.
Have you ever had a major setback or misstep, and if so, how did you work through it?
Every trainer has had setbacks. The more dogs you train the more setbacks your going to have. Each dog is different. I find that sometimes you just have to use your imagination to fix small issues, have lots patience and be willing to reassess.
What was your most memorable moment in 2018?
Winning the Canadian Amateur High Point Spaniel. It allowed to me scratch off another milestone.
If you were to give advice to someone new to the sport, what have you found to be the most important place to start?
Do your research before buying your puppy. Understand what you want from your dog, research different breeds and talk to as many people in the field as possible. Search out your local field trial club, introduce yourself and ask as questions. You’ll find that most people are more than willing to help. You’ll end up with a great young dog and new friends enjoying the same hobbies as you do.
#1 13” Field Beagle – FTCh. Watermans Hard Hitting Holly
 Call name: ‘Holly’
Owners/Handlers: Tanya & Dana Stone
How did you first become involved in field trials?
My brother trialed when I was young, and that’s when I got interested.
What do you think is the most important thing to remember when training for the field?
Have lots of patience.
Have you ever had a major setback or misstep, and if so, how did you work through it?
Haven't really had any setbacks that I can remember.
What was your most memorable moment in 2018?
I really enjoyed the Fundy trial where our dogs placed first with Holly, third with ‘Pepper’ and fourth with ‘Kate.’
If you were to give advice to someone new to the sport, what have you found to be the most important place to start?
Always make time for your dogs and get to know what you like and want in your dogs.
#1 Lure Coursing Dog – Ch. Devonair's Wind in the Willows FChX
 Call name: ‘Willow’
Whippet
Breeders/Owners/Handlers: Everett & Heather Dansereau
How did you first become involved in field trials?
In 1978 I was attending a dog show with my two Whippets, and there was a lure-coursing demo taking place. As soon as the Whippets saw the lure moving around the field they went ballistic. I knew that was the activity for them. My husband Everett and I joined the fledgling Capital Sighthound Association and then became founding members of the Quebec Lure Coursing Association.
What do you think is the most important thing to remember when training for the field?
Coursing the artificial lure comes naturally to most sighthounds, so there is very little training involved. When I have a litter of pups, I tease them with a tiny lure on a string to help bring out their natural chase instinct. When they are a bit older they are exposed to the actual field-trial environment from the sidelines. They should be introduced to the lure moving in a short straight distance, with corners being introduced gradually. Do not run your dog with another one until s/he is totally focused on the lure.
Have you ever had a major setback or misstep, and if so, how did you work through it?
There have been disappointments when I think my dog had a great run and the judges think otherwise, but this is an activity we do for fun.
What was your most memorable moment in 2018?
Attending Crufts and seeing so many nice Whippets in their country of origin was a once-in-a-lifetime event for me.
If you were to give advice to someone new to the sport, what have you found to be the most important place to start?
Read the CKC rule book and volunteer to help at a trial. Every club treasures their members and are willing to mentor new people and their dogs. Remember that the dogs just want to have fun and every dog goes home a winner in its owner’s heart.
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