January 15, 2007 - NAVHDA has coordinated a clean-up day for the McKee Besher WMA Grounds for Saturday, March 29th.  Group will form in the parking lot on Sycamore Landing Road about 8 am. We need to enlist help from the Northern Virginia Brittany Club for this event. The more folks we have show up, the better the impression we will make. Be sure to wear something with the NVBC logo.

Dave Long of the Maryland DNR has been most cooperative with our club and the clean-up is an attempt to show that all the clubs' appreciate his support ……...and hopefully, help him justify his budget for the upkeep of the grounds at McKee.

PLEASE come out and support this half a day clean up.  Without Dave Long and his willingness to cut the fields and plant the crops our Hunt test, Training Day and training area would not exist. 

Please plan on meeting us at:
8:00 am - 12:00 noon
March 29, 2008 Saturday
The Parking lot off of Sycamore Landing Rd.
Bring gloves

Bill Valentine is the contact at w.valentine2@comcast.net, if there are any questions

October 16, 2007 - The Northern Virginia Brittany Club's fall 2007 Hunt Test was held at the beautiful McKee Besher Wildlife Management Area in Seneca Maryland on Sunday October 14th.  This year we were lucky in catching a cool spell that provide near perfect weather for both dogs and handlers. Participants had a successful day with one Master, two Senior and thirteen Junior dogs qualifying.

Congratulations to eleven year old Emily Lewis who received her first qualification as a Junior Handler with her dog Ivy. Her thirteen year old brother, Trevor Lewis received his second qualification with his dog Rex.


Congratulations to Leo Kahng and Morgen who qualified for her final leg and is now an AKC Junior Hunter.


The following handlers and their dogs also successfully qualified:
Master Hunter

• Larry Hughes and Annie

Senior Hunter

• Michael Johnson and Dalles
• Ken Adamik and Remi

Junior Hunter

• Jennifer Shaffer and Ozzy
• Ken Adamik and Rocco
• Dean Snyder and Kiki
• Chris Lipinski and Boone
• Chris Best and Betsy
• Adelia Watson and Mason
• Bill Kelley and Gus
• Jim Birdsall and Cotton
• John Naughton and Shadow
• Bill Kelley and Badine

The club would like to thank everyone who participated and would like to extend special thanks to our marshals DeWayne Stevens and Greg Story, to our official guns Mike Spencer and Jeff Milliken, and to our secretary Veronica Stevens for the work they did on this successful event. Paul Douthit handled the mailing and finances and Tom Mauter posted all the event information on our web page. Sue Drazek coordinated and made sure our judges and volunteers got a good lunch.
 
Our judges Jim Birdsall, Charlene Gibson, John Thereault and Mike McCleary did an outstanding job. They started the brace by telling the handlers to have fun and ended the brace with positive support. Positive feedback means a lot, especially to some of the Junior handlers who are new to the game.

Thanks also go to some of the best bird planters around, Scott Brabson, Dave Kaldenbach and Carol Norbeck.

Successful events like this one do not just happen; they are a result of a lot of dedication and hard work. Without the help of people like them this events would not have been possible.                    

THANK YOU!!!

If you are interested in getting involved with the Hunt Tests please contact Herb Reid at (703) 503-7912.

October 13, 2007 - The inaugural NVBC Training Day on Saturday, October 13, 2007 held at McKee Besher's WMA, MD was well attended and well received by the participants.  There were 19 members that attended with 18 Brittanys.  The participants were separated into two groups based on interest and the needs of the individual and their Brittany(s).  Two quail were provided for each Brittany that participated for a donation of $10.00.

One group interested in running a practice Junior Hunter Hunt Test got together with Sue Drazek and Greg Storey to discuss hunt test requirements and judging. Then the participants ran their dogs in braces through the JH course and advice was provided by Sue and Greg. Some of these participants were scheduled to run their Brittany in the NVBC Fall Hunt Test scheduled for the next day.

The other group included members with young Brittanys (puppies) and/or Brittanys that had not previously been exposed to birds. These members were briefed by Herb Reid on the proper introduction to birds. Herb then introduced each Brittany to birds using a pigeon and quail.

After the training sessions all participants were able to take their Brittanys out to run in the bird field, find quail, and have fun!

Thanks to Sue Drazek and Herb Reid for their help. The Training Day would not have been a success without them! [Editor's Note: Thanks to Greg Storey for all his energy and efforts in making this event so successful!]

Submitted by Greg Storey-Trainig Day Coordinator

September 12, 2007 - NVBC is pleased to announce the NVBC Training Day Saturday, October 13th to be held at the McKee Besher Wildlife Management Area Seneca, Maryland from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The event is scheduled the day before the NVBC Fall Hunt Test and at the same location as the Fall Hunt Test.  The Training Day is intended to provide an opportunity to run your dog in an environment similar to a hunt test but in a relaxed and informal structure.   

This simulated hunt test allows our Brittany’s to do what they were bred to do, find and point birds. This large preserve provides a safe environment for both you and your dog. Whether you and your Brittany are new to the field or are an experienced team, this is a great opportunity to work your dog on planted quail, meet other members, share experience and show your support for the club.

The NVBC will ask for a donation of $10.00 per dog entered in the event to cover the cost of birds.  Two birds will be provided for each dog entered.

No food will be available but bottled water will be available for sale.

For information contact Greg Storey at (703) 361-0334 or email gstorey@comcast.net.  Also please let Greg know if you plan to attend so that we can determine the number of quail required.

Please join us for The Northern Virginia Brittany Club’s Training Day at the beautiful McKee-Besher Wildlife Management Area located in Seneca, Maryland. This is about 30 minutes off of the River Road exit on the Capitol Beltway.

Directions

Take I-495 (Capitol Beltway) to the MD-190 / River Road Exit (Exit 39) toward Washington / Potomac. Merge onto MD190 West toward Potomac. Go approximately 10.8 miles (road will end). Turn LEFT onto ROUTE 112. Continue for 4.6 miles (you will begin to see the signs for the McKee Besher Wildlife Management Area on the left). Turn LEFT on Sycamore Landing Road. Go 100 yards and turn LEFT into Pavilion Area.

April 17, 2007 - This was our first trial at Clear Spring, MD and though we had some bad weather to deal with, we managed to have a good time and a successful trial.

Thanks to everyone who pitched to help make this happen.  Our club member Doug Welsh spent most of the day in the saddle planting birds.  Other club members from Maryland BC , Rappahannock BC, and Tidewater  BC dove right in to lend a helping hand.  Thanks Ashley, Beth, Art and Doug for helping make the trial happen.

The Jim Lee Trophy was won by FC AFC RJA’s Paws-Z-Trac owned and handled by Bob Anders in the Amateur Gun Dog stake.  FC AFC Sigbrit-Hope’s Qtrback Sneak owned by Wayne and Barbara Pepin and handled by Tom Tighe won the Open Gun Dog stake and also captured the Mid-South Gun Dog Challenge. 

Thank you again to all who participated in our trial.  Hope everyone had fun and will plan to come to Clear Spring again next spring.

RESULTS:
Open Derby (5S)
Judges: Ken Fisher & Art Cohen

1. Wyngold’s Iron Butterfly(B) by CH Black Buttes Bronze Touch x CH Wnygold’s Kissin Kate; o: Goldie Coates, h: Brian Riggle
2. Broken Wing’s Dead Ringer(B) by NAFC Piney Run Sam x Little Chik ATEE; o/h Jeanne Rozowski
3. Knine’s Ghost Rider(D)by DC Redlines Tequila Smoker x Tucalota Creek Picabo; o: Andre Columbe, h: Brian Riggle
4. WITHHELD

Amateur Gun Dog (19S)
Judges:  Howard Shultz & John Ward

1. FC AFC RJA’s Paws-Z-Trac(D) by DC AFC RJA’s Zac-A-Tac Allmac x FC AFC Allmac’s De-Na Dixie; o/h Robert Anders
2. JJ’s Special Edition(D) by DC AFC The Whiz Kid x JJ’s Sweet Cinnamon Sue; o/h John Chokran
3. DC AFC Cisco Del Prado(D) by DC AFC The Whiz Kid x DC Keystone’s Rica Del Prado; o/h Les Casselberry
4. Rovans Rock Ridge Win Jammer (B) by Rovan’s Dust Devil Dan Clark x Hits Rovan Twister; o/h Philip Bogdanovitch

Amateur All-Age (6S)
Judges:  Jeanne Rozowski & Art Cohen

1. WITHHELD
2. WITHHELD
3. WITHHELD
4. WITHHELD

Open Gun Dog (19S)
Judges:  Ivan Clark & Ronnie Clark

1. Sigbrit-Hope’s Qtrback Sneak(D) by NGDC DC AFC Hope’s Dandi Don x CH Sigbrit’s Chienne De Chasse JH; o:  Wayne & Barbara Pepin, h: Tom Tighe
2. Buck’s Big Deal Lucille(B)by FC Hi Proof Bootlegger x FC Buck’s Cross Country Kate; o/h Frank  Bocanfuso
3. JJ’s Wandering Star(B) by DC AFC The Whiz Kid x FC JJ’s Sweet Cinnamon Sue; o/h John Chokran
4. Tomar’s Locust Hill Jak(D) Gordon Setter by FC AFC Locust Hill Chocolate Chip x Tomar’sRenegade Hot Ticket; o/h John Ward

April 11, 2007 - The Northern Virginia Brittany Club's Spring 2007 Hunt Test was held at the beautiful McKee Besher WMA in Seneca Maryland on April 1st. This year we were lucky in missing the forecasted rain and had three Master, one Senior and fifteen junior dogs qualifying.

The club would like to thank everyone who participated and would like to extend special thanks to our marshals DeWayne Stevens and Greg Story, to our official guns Mike Spencer and Pat Dady, and to our secretary Veronica Stevens for the work they did on this successful event. Paul Douthit handled the mailing and finances and Tom Mauter for his work on posting all the event information on our web page.

Thanks also go to some of the best bird planters on the east coast, Scott Brabson, Matt O’Donnell, Leo Kahng and John Stiles. Abigail Stiles spent her day running between the fields with the judges score sheets.

 Our judges Jim Birdsell, Charlene Gibson, and Smokey Hiles did a great job. The club would like to extend a special thanks to Stephanie Snyder for rearranging her schedule to fill in as a judge and prevent a potentially bad situation.

Without the help of people like you this events would not be possible. THANK YOU!!!!

Congratulations to Leo Kahng and Morgen and to John Thereault and Bessie for getting perfect scores in the Junior Hunt test.

The following handlers and their dogs also successfully qualified:

Master Hunter

• William Zinger and Dune
• Keith Patton and Shelby
• Dan Rice and Tuff

Senior Hunter

• William Marlow and Timmie

Junior Hunter

• Diane Stumpf and Earl
• Joe Hudgins and Cooper
• Sue Linthicum and Annie
• Bill Kelly and Rocky
• Dean Snyder and Kiki
• Arthur Boyce and Eden
• Bill Kelly and Bentley
• Jessica Smith and Daphne
• Wilson Craddock and Booker
• Greg Storey and Hershey
• Matt O’Donnell and Dixie
• Matt Rand with both Bozeman and Whistler
  

If you are interested in getting involved with the Hunt Tests please contact Herb Reid at (703) 503-7912.

January 9, 2007 -The Northern Virginia Brittany Club officers are elected for 2007. Complete listing at NVBC Officers.