Canadian Contingent Heads South to the 2009 JRTCA National Trial

by Shirley Buist, November 9009

Each year a number of Canadian Jack Russell Terrier owners and breeders make the trek to Havre de Grace, Maryland to see how their beloved terriers stack up against the best of the breed at the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America National Trial. The trial was held at the lovely old Steppingstone Museum Park from October 16th - 18th.

Much to the dismay of the organizers, a nor 'easter rolled in on Thursday and stayed all weekend making it a challenge to participate in the various events. The weather couldn't dampen the spirits and drive of these feisty terriers and their owners however, as the show carried on regardless. The camaraderie among terrier folk was evident all weekend as a helping hand was never far away when needed. Besides, what are a few extra layers of clothes and a little mud when there are terrier activities to enjoy?

As in other years, the weekend began with a day of racing on Friday and Canadian Andrea Rawski and her Jack Russell Terrier Bandit started things off right with a fourth place finish in the Adult Dog Steeplechase for terriers 12.5 – 15”. Congratulations Andrea!!

Saturday brought more rain and cold temperatures but Sue Lubchynski and her puppy Coltsfoot Willoughby didn't let that slow them down a bit. Willoughby placed fourth in his 6 – 9 Month Puppy conformation class, third in the Novice Puppy Go To Ground, first in the 6 – 12 Month Puppy Barn Hunt and ended his day with a bang with a first place finish in the 6 – 12 Month Puppy Field Lure Coursing! Wow!!! Great job Sue & Willy!!

Sandra Barnett also had a successful day in the conformation ring with her bitch puppy Little Eden Mave taking second place in the 6 – 9 Month, smooth class. The Working Division saw Sandra's lovely dog Brockwood Zoom take a second place in his over, rough/broken Working Terrier Dog class while her bitch Brockwood Reflection garnered a third place in the under rough/broken Working Terrier Bitches. Congratulations Sandra!!

Also in the soggy conformation ring on Saturday, Cairnbrae Scuffle owned by Shirley Buist and expertly handled by Bob Boyd placed second in the rough/broken, 9 – 12 Month Bitch Puppy class while Cairnbrae Torch won her Veteran Working Terrier Bitch Class. Yay Torchy!!

Still more rain and mud on Sunday but that didn't deter little Coltsfoot Willoughby as he placed second in the Sunday edition of the Puppy Barn Hunt. That's quite a little man you've got there Sue!

Cairnbrae Torch returned to the conformation ring on Sunday for the Family Division accompanied by her daughter Cairnbrae Bewitch and her granddaughter Cairnbrae Minx where they took a second place ribbon in the Breeder's Three Generation class ... good girls!!

The Open Division saw Sally Holmes handle Conquest Brit to a well deserved second place in the largest conformation class of the trial ... Bitches, 1 year and older, 10 up to 12.5”, rough/broken. We loved that little victory skip, Sally!

As the weekend drew to a close for our group from the Great White North, they looked forward to a warm, dry drive home with all the terriers contently snoozing in their crates. Congratulations to you all and thank you for making us all proud in knowing that Canadian terriers can still hold their own against the toughest competition in North America.