The 23rd Annual Airedale Field Nationals—
A Field Report
Report respectfully submitted by Chris Halvorson
All photos copyright Chris Halvorson.
Photographer's permission required for any usage or reproduction.
The 23rd Annual Airedale Field Nationals took place on March 28-31, 2008 on the privately-owned grounds of the former Buckeye Game Club, near Columbus, OH. This year’s event, hosted by Hunting Working Airedales, Inc. [HWA], drew an entry of 39 Airedales entries for three days of Hunt Tests and Workshops.
When this year’s event is recalled conversations will most likely turn to one dog and handler who made us proud. This year Ron Swisher brought his nine-year old Forge back to try for the last leg of the coveted Master Hunter Versatile title. Only three prior Airedales have achieved that honor, which requires a dog to qualify on the Master Level in the Fur, Upland and Retriever tests. Forge, known officially as Stone Ridge Wrought Iron, SHV, MHFur, MHR, had unsuccessfully tried for his Master Upland qualification at two prior Nationals, so the pressure was on the veteran dog. Ron’s many friends cheered the announcement that Forge had qualified in Saturday’s land portion of the Upland Test. A hushed crowd gathered on Sunday for the second portion of the test in hopes of seeing Forge earn his title by completing a double water retrieve. Forge sat tense but unrestrained on the pond bank while two ducks were downed, then Ron sent him to retrieve both. In the end, they made it look easy, and those who knew how much effort went into the achievement were jumping with joy.
Forge and Ron Field Work and Water Work. see AKC Spaniel Tests for the exact requirements.
While Forge may have been one star of the weekend, the Airedale Field Nationals welcomes participants and their Airedales with a range of interests and abilities. Dogs came from as far north as Toronto, south as Alabama, east as Manhattan, and southwest as Houston. Conformation champions and multi-titled performance dogs stood shoulder to shoulder with family dogs and farm dogs. All shared the common origin of the Airedale as a breed developed 150 years ago as a do-everything farm dog and hunter. All owners and breeders came with an interest in maintaining and promoting the Airedale’s heritage as a three-in-one gun dog and versatile jack-of-all-trades.
Lofty goals aside, it’s the Airedales’ racing-through-the field, nose-to-the-ground, grab-for-the-game glee that brings the event to life. For a glimpse of what went on click on this website’s 2008 Airedale Field Nationals line for photos of Airedales in action. To start the action on the first day, some dogs worked their way through a raccoon-scented track to reach the caged raccoon in a Fur Test. Other dogs met a caged raccoon up close in a just-for-fun Barkathon competition. In either case, the Airedales raised their hackles and proved ready to tackle their prey, though all raccoons remained safely caged and unharmed. On the second day of the Nationals, Airedales in competition ran the land portions of the Upland Game (flushing) and Retriever Tests. On the final day of the Nationals, dogs who qualified in the land portions of the Upland and Retriever Tests were called back to complete the water retrieving requirements.
Some scenes from the field remain as lasting memories. There was the return of the Grand Old Guys, two veteran dogs who did their field work without giving in to aging bodies. Dave Ruebush brought his 13 year old Sandy back to qualify in the both the Senior Upland and Retriever Tests to earn his Senior Hunter Versatile title. Sandy, a big, lumbering Airedale, brought back his birds as slowly and methodically as if this was just another day’s work on his Illinois farm. Dave Morgan’s MacDuff, with his Master Hunter Versatile title completed, now ran the field and swam out as an 11 year old “pick up dog” to get birds competitors had missed. Though MacDuff’s rear legs were shaky as an old geezer’s, once he got them in gear his glory days returned.
Dave Ruebush and Sandy
Dave Morgan and MacDuff
Four month old Tartan Scottshire Pistol Pete, an Airedale pup bred by E. Forbes Gordon and Carol Scott from their show champion stock, came to prove a point. Forbes has long been a proponent of the “it’s the same dog” theory, meaning that an apt Airedale bred to the conformation standard will also be able to meet any performance standards, if proper training is invested. Having worked on scenting lessons with professional trainer Michael DeLee since he left the puppy pen, Pistol Pete met chukars for the first time at the Nationals and proceeded to rudimentary retrieve and flush all in the same day.
Now what is that in the grass? It's a bird! 
Not to let the men dominate the field, Sandi Cooley entered her Ch. Strongbow Tullamore Dew,CGC a lovely bitch in show trim in the Junior level bird tests. Though Sandi’s Wisconsin winter had limited her training, Tulla’s stylish field work earned her the judges’ vote as winner of the Australian Sash, an award given to the most promising new dog.
Sandy and Tulla
Lawrence and Natchez
Lawrence Alexander of Florence, Alabama has attended many years of Airedale Nationals, both as a competitor and to work when needed in any role assigned to him. This year Lawrence came as part of the support team, but when the call went out to bring in seasoned dogs to find any leftover chukars after the tests, Lawrence brought his out his nine-year old Natchez. Natchez hadn’t had a run all weekend, so he proceeded to quarter that field like a pro, flushing a bird and bringing it in, finding and retrieving another that was hiding, then finding another. One, two, three, four, five birds —Natchez ran till his sides heaved and kept on hunting till all were found. As one hunter remarked, “Natchez not only cleaned the field —he cleaned our clocks.”
Ben Martin & his son Ben
Jack Belicka
As in prior years, the Airedale Upland Game and Retriever Tests are modeled on AKC Hunt Tests for Spaniels and Retrievers, while the Airedale Fur Tests are developed by a former AKC Tracking judge. Rules and requirements for the Junior, Senior and Master levels of each of the HWA Hunt Tests are posted on this website. Hunt Test Regulations To maintain a high level of performance expectations, sporting dog professionals serve as judges and workshop instructors. Ben Martin, this year’s chief Upland Game Test judge, has won four AKC National Championships with his English Springers and was inducted into the Bird Dog Hall of Fame in 2005. Jack Belicka, this year’s chief Retriever Test judge, is an AKC Retriever Hunt Test judge who has also trained his Golden Retrievers to qualify and compete in the AKC Master Nationals. Dorothy Miner, an Airedale owner and former AKC Tracking Judge, served as chief Fur Test judge.
While Airedale Hunt Tests are run for dogs with the training needed to meet test requirements, Airedales and owners who are new to field work opt to enter the Nationals’ workshops. This year Flat-Coat Retriever trainers Leslie Phillips and Mitch White led a workshop Friday of “Success through Better Handling” workshops. On Saturday, Dale Burrier, whose Airedales hold many Airedale hunt titles as well as obedience honors, led the Introduction to the Field workshop.
In recognition of the Airedale Terrier’s ongoing efforts to be considered for admission to AKC Hunt Tests, Doug Ljundren, Assistant Vice-President of Performance Events, and Tom Meyer, AKC Spaniel Test representative, attended this year’s event as observers.
Dave Merryman, Doug Lgundren, Steve Gilbert, and Tom Meyer enjoying the weekend events.
Andy
While the dogs and hunters were having their sport in the field, non-hunting spectators had the opportunity to observe as part of the gallery or opt to spend some time relaxing in the warm club house. Ohio River Valley Airedale Terrier Club members prepared hearty breakfasts and lunches under the expert orders of chef Andy Merkle. This crowd makes a special effort to welcome newcomers, whether those shopping for their next performance pup or those who just love being around Airedales.
Forbes
Airedales took a rest in the evenings, but their humans had plans. On Friday evening E. Forbes Gordon presented a seminar on “It’s the Same Dog,” tracing the history of our breed and using some of his priceless collection of old Airedale photos to demonstrate how relatively little the Airedale Terrier has changed in form and, Forbes would argue, function, from its early days. On Saturday evening the HWA Banquet and Auction which brought together a crowd of nearly 100 Airedale-loving eaters and bidders at the Cherry Valley Lodge in Newark, OH, the event’s host hotel.
The 23rd Airedale Field Nationals concluded with the awards presentation. Forge and Ron were the first recipients of the Winston & Randy Cooley Memorial Trophy, inaugurated in 2006 for those who achieve the Master Hunter Versatile title, presented by Sandi Cooley. Forge also received the Sandhill Brown Bess Memorial Award for the highest scoring Upland Test dog and the Gunner’s Award, as the dog chosen by the gunners as the one they’d most enjoy shooting over. While dogs and Airedalers such as Forge and Ron are a credit to the breed, they also are the inspiration that shows that Airedales can do the field work when owners are willing to do the training work. 
Sandy, Ron, and Dave with the Winston
2008 Airedale Field Nationals Qualifiers:
Junior Hunter Retriever:
Gangster von der Hause, JHF, owned and handled by Maugh Vail
Breeder: Michael Juhlke (Germany)
Sire: Jalomonis Merlin SchH III
Dam: Ebby von der Hause
Senior Hunter Flushing (Upland):
Seneca’s Lucky Day JHV, SHFur, SHF, owned by Thomas & Kimberly McPeek, handled by Thomas McPeek
Breeder: Nancy Secrist
Sire: Luckyboy von Abenstern SchH II, FH II
Dam: Ch. Seneca Whodunit’s Opportunity
Rube’s Sciota Sandy, JHV, SHF, MHFur, owned and handled by David Ruebush
Breeder: Alan Thomas
Sire: Grizzle Bear
Dam: Thomas’ Taylor Pride
Annie Grace Curley Girl, JHF, JHR, owned by John and Pat Bell, handled by John Bell Breeder: Carole Watkins
Sire: Royal Prince
Dam: Peggy Sue My Lady
Senior Hunter Retriever:
Rube’s Sciota Sandy, JHV, SHF, MHFur, owned and handled by David Ruebush
Breeder: Alan Thomas
Sire: Grizzle Bear
Dam: Thomas’ Taylor Pride
Annie Grace Curley Girl, JHF, JHR, owned by John and Pat Bell, handled by John Bell
Breeder: Carole Watkins
Sire: Royal Prince
Dam: Peggy Sue My Lady
Master Hunter Flushing (Upland)
Stone Ridge Wrought Iron, SHV, MHFur, MHR, owned and handled by Ron Swisher
Breeder: Barbara Oimas
Sire: Ch. Stone Ridge Brewmeister
Dam: Kriffer Zena Warrior Princess
Awards:
The Australian Sash, for the most promising new dog in the bird tests:
Ch. Strongbow Tullamore Dew, CGC, owned and handled by Sandi Cooley
Breeder: Sandi Cooley
Sire: Ch. Garnet Ridge Elite
Dam: Strongbow Belle of the West
Sandhill Brown Bess Memorial Award
Stone Ridge Wrought Iron, SHV, MHFur, MHR, owned and handled by Ron Swisher
The Gunners’ Award
Stone Ridge Wrought Iron, SHV, MHFur, MHR, owned and handled by Ron Swisher
The Winston & Randy Cooley Memorial Award:
Stone Ridge Wrought Iron, SHV, MHFur, MHR, owned and handled by Ron Swisher
A Publication of Hunting Working Airedales
All photos courtesy of Chris Halvorson.
PLEASE NOTE: All "fur" animals depicted
are caged at all times and released unharmed into their natural habitat at
the conclusion
of the events
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