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Retrievers readied for trials competition
By Steve Bowman
Great Outdoor Games staff

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. — Last week Jerry Day and Super Sue rested.

That's a big deal, considering that while they rested hundreds of retriever/handler teams from around the world were competing in the International Grand Hunt in Canada.

The hunt is like the Super Bowl for retrievers. Day, though, didn't want to take any chances in this week's ESPN Great Outdoor Games, opting instead to rest in hopes of repeating their gold medal performance of a year ago.

In his mind, Super Sue has enough titles. The yellow Labrador is the only retriever in history to have earned top titles from all three competitive retriever organizations — HRC (Hunting Retriever Club), AKC (American Kennel Club) and NAHRA (North America Hunter Retriever Association).

But their trophy case has room for at least one more gold medal.

The quickest way to do that was to sit out the Grand. Day isn't sure he could have handled two straight weeks of high caliber competition. He's having heart problems, and will be wearing a monitor during competition.

Given the caliber of competition is the final round Sunday, Day's day of rest is warranted.

"There are better marking dogs, and there are better handling dogs, but there is no better marking and handling dog than Super Sue," said Justin Tackett, event organizer.

Day always seems to get Sue set up perfectly. But if Sue has trouble this year, it will be physical. The yellow Labrador is 11 years old and Day is battling with health problems of his own.

Those expected to challenge include:

  • Coolwaters Winning "Ticket" is considered the finest blind-retrieve running dog in the country.

    Handler, Alexandra Washburn has played the game long enough to make a gold medal happen. But there are questions on how well the retriever/handler team can handle a gun at the line.

    Ticket is not used to gunfire. The retriever did well at the North Carolina qualifier, but this test will be more difficult than the qualifiers.

  • Wherley's Sour "Mash" could rebound from a slow start last year. Jackie Mertens guided her to a silver medal after they had problems with the gun.

    Expectations are that Mertens has worked with Mash enough on marking off the gun barrel since last year. If they have it down it will be race.

  • Grand Hunting Retriever Champion Pepper owned by Larry McMurry. Pepper is considered the best pure hunting dog in the field. Not only is Pepper an eight-time Grand Hunting Retriever Champion, the Labrador spends almost every day in the field.

    The teams marking abilities are impeccable, but the long marks, 300-yards plus, could be a difficult challenge.

  • Woody, handled by Mark Miles, is the youngest dog in the field, but has shown a tremendous amount of talent. The black Labrador was the only untitled dog in the Super Retriever Series qualifier in Arkansas last March, but the dog ran through the field of veterans to secure a berth in the Great Outdoor Games.

    Pundits say "Woody handles like a Ferrari."

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