The Judges

The Calgary English Springer Spaniel Club is proud to present the 2010 Canadian National Spaniel Field Trial championship judges.

MICHEL BOURDEAU - VANIER, QUÉBEC

I grew up in a small village south of Montréal near the USA border. My love for the outdoors was instilled at an early age on my grandfather's and uncle's farms hunting ruffed grouse and rabbits through the forests. When I was sixteen I had my first introduction to hunting dogs. They were beagles and coon hounds, owned by my uncle and older friends at the local club, where we trained, held field trials and hunted rabbits, foxes and coyote. At a young age I left my native soil to pursue my studies for a career at sea. These kept me away from all hunting for some years. Springer Spaniels came into my life in 1988 when I bought my first puppy as a family dog for my daughter and hopefully to be used by myself for hunting upland game. Sadly the dog was not a field breed Springer.

At about that same time there was a new interest in Québec for field breed flushing Springer Spaniels. With a few other like enthusiasts, in 1992 I participated in the formation of the «Club de Chiens de Chasse de Québec» (Hunting Dog Club of Québec). The Club was recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club the same year. My club interests led to my attending spaniel Field Trials where I saw what well trained Spaniels could do and I got really interested in participating in Field Trials. Shortly thereafter, I acquired my second Springer, this time a field bred Springer Spaniel pup I named «Blaze». My first field trial as a participant was in a minor stake in 1994. I became hooked on the trialing game and have been ever since. Over the years I have carried out all of the various jobs associated with putting on and running field trials. Back in those days, due to the demands of my profession in the Canadian Coast Guard, I wasn't able to train and trial as much as I would have liked.

In more recent times, I've had the opportunity to own and handle a number of Springer Spaniels and to be active in training, trialing, judging and competing against some of the best Spaniels and their handlers at field trails across the country. In addition, every Fall I religiously and extensively hunt my dogs on wild birds including ruffed and spruce grouse, woodcocks and ducks. So over those years, having run and used my dogs for both trialing and hunting, I am fully aware of the value of a great high quality gun dog and of the teamwork required in both trialing and hunting.

I was flattered to have been nominated by the Calgary English Springer Spaniel Club to judge the 2010 Canadian National Open Championship and I am deeply honoured and humbled to have been chosen by my colleagues to judge that Trial. It is an event with a storied history. I look forward to sharing that task with my co-judge Jason Givens. To all participants, congratulations on having qualified your dogs and entered the trial. I thank you for the opportunity and the privilege of judging your dogs. I wish you all the best of luck.

-Michel Bourdeau

JASON GIVENS - CAMBRIA, WISCONSIN

I got my first Springer in 1990 and she started a love affair that has been the center of my life ever since. While she was short lived, the following year I got another young Springer who introduced me to the world of field trials. Fete and I traveled the country and with her help I have met so many wonderful people and am proud to have friends across North America. I started judging in the mid 90's as well as professionally training dogs shortly thereafter. It has been an incredible ride since and I have been graced with winning a National, judging several National, and completing numerous championships along the way.

When not competing Spaniels, one can find me in the field hunting large and small game while I enjoy both the beauty of the outdoor world and the wonderful dogs we share our lives with.

Thank you for honoring me with the privilege of judging your dogs at this event. I am thrilled to be able to work with a knowledgeable dog person and good man like Michel, and I have no doubt that we will have a great time seeing all of your dogs work. Good luck to all.

-Jason Givens

 

Alternate Judge

If either of the elected judges is unable for any reason to perform his assigned duties, the substitute judge will step in.

JIM WILLIS - VERMILLION, ALBERTA

It was the fall of 1990 when my family & I were invited by Alex Stewart to our first spaniel field trial. Walking the course and watching these field bred spaniels perform, was a sport in which I had never experienced before. Thanks to Ray Nault for taking the walk around the flagged course with my family and I explaining to us just what was going on. By the time I made my way around the course I was hooked on these intelligent English Springer Spaniels, and in December of 1990 I purchased Netook Courtman LL Anita from David Ogilvie. This is where it all started!

Now it's 2010 and I haven't regretted purchasing that first springer. In 1998 I championed Anita. In 2002 I championed my second field bred springer Prairiewest Tikka.

Over the years Colleen and I along with our family have made many new friends and have enjoyed the sport of Field Trialing the English Springer Spaniel.

I would like to thank the Calgary Club for inviting me to have my name stand as a judge nominee for the 2010 nationals. Even though I am your alternate Judge I will be there cheering on all the handlers and their dogs. GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!

-Jim Willis

 

 

Last updated on August 12, 2010