Wondering if we have a running order and a list of passes.

Thanks to the MI crew for putting on a great test. Your hard work is appreciated.

i was looking for a list myself.

i was looking for a list myself.

First of all thanks to everyone involved in putting together and working this test! Great grounds and people!
A special thanks to Master B Flight judges Bruce Smiley and Bill Craig!

"Gunner" is a new GMPR and it is hard to believe only 2 years ago I was picking him out of the litter.

John Kruger

I want to thank everyone who participated in this test this past weekend in Michigan. It did not go off without a hitch and was almost over before it started. Franks truck broke down in the middle of the field, Rooster got Skunked, My son who was a bird boy had to go to the ER(he is ok) and one of our CPR Judges had to leave due to a family emergency. All happened between sunrise and the first dog to have run in my Master flight on Saturday and with Shaun and Joe being new to there positions the stress level was extremely high and we were tested before we tested.
Once again this group of dog men and women stepped up and chipped in to help and pull off another successful test. Troy Benson and Holly Cart filled in at CPR as Judges, The farmer who owns the property, his tractor and Keith Probanz and his mechanic skills got Frank on the road. My daughter Jaclyn stepped in for Ty and planted blinds and Rooster put up with his own smell all weekend. Doug Powell and his co Judge Charity worked extremely hard to finish there Saturday stake on Sunday morning prior to Sundays test beginning and Mike Lattaue was the handler who did not complain and hit the field earlier then normal on Sunday. What a weekend and what a great group of hard working people but honestly I am glad its over and I bet they are too.

I want to thank our Chair Shaun Greene for pulling this off and busting his butt all weekend trying to keep the test moving. I assure you this was not the normal test and you did great. Joe Dickerson was our Secretary and that was all the stress he could handle- Thanks Joe and Congrats on your 2 passes with JD.
Our CPR judges Mark Chinavare, Mike Garver, Holly Cart and Troy Benson. MPR/Apr Judges Doug Powell and Charity Zigler, MPR Judges Bruce Smiley, Troy Callahan, and Bill Craig. Bill and Troy B also did APR on Sunday.
Our helpers were outstanding once again Matt Coelpert, Eric Monske, Matt Dye, Bill Dunk, Justin V, Darrin W. Our kids Jackie, Ty and Case,Holly Cart, Brad and Andrew Wright and the one and only Keith Probanz( outstanding work ethic and simply a great guy).

These are the Dogs I know  passed-
Ripping Hot Thunder-Keith Pilkey- CPR
Northstars Jet into the Sky-Darrin Williams- CPR, APR
Mackinaws Wild Wyatt-Bill Dunk -CPR, APR
Carts Island High Cost of Livin'- Holly Cart- CPR
Walnut Hills Devil Dancer-Mike Miller- CPR
Bella -Tom Johnson- CPR
Hrk's Kenais Scarlet Sun- Tyler Swiderski APR-
RLK's Eye of the Tiger Rock-Scott Olson- APR, MPR
Little Red Feather Duster-Matt Coelpert- APR
Princess BathSheba of HRK -Robert Van Dan Hoef- MPR, GMPR
Vara Gators G'Force ZZ Top- Catherine Burch - MPR, GMPR
HRKs Cams Prince Charming Duke- Mark Chinavare 3.5 and 4x GMPR

HRKs Buckeroo Deezle got his APR handled by our Chair Shaun Greene

I want to thank all my customers for there patience with me and the trust with their dogs,-thank you.
Especially Frank, Shaun, and Matt who have shown incredible passion for this dog thing. thanks for all your help.
Bill Dunk has the bug too and has been very supportive, saddle up the ride begins!
Mike Miller and Jim Springer-two constant observers and their breeding's had big weekends.

Frank Fraquelli passed both days with Smokie getting his MPR and GMPR both ZZ and Smoke are out of Gator and Jim Springers Vera Spoof. So a big congrats to both of you guys.
Sauk Rivers Weekend Warrior-Gunner- owned by John Kruger passed to get his GMPR.
Dazzling Drake got another pass on his way up to the 4x- Congrats Ryan Pasman
Joe Dickerson got his 2.5x and 3x GMPR. Can't wait to get the big guy wet.
Mark Schmiedeshoff and SPlabs Indiana Cutter with the 3.5 and 4x
Mike L and Jim Guffy passed a bunch of dogs as usual thanks for supporting our test.
I know I missed several and I didnt mean too. Thanks for supporting our test and congrats to everyone who ribboned

Congrats to all that passed and participated. Sounds like a helluva weekend! Special one for Mr. DW and his boy Jet, sounds like Darin has the fever now!

Ditto Dale on all the thanks. Shaun and Joe were really presented with some challenges that frankly I did not even realize till the end of the day Saturday. Given that Bill and I could roll forward with our MPR flight and not realize most of the issues were going on is a testament to them handling things.

Special thanks to Andrew Wright who did a fantantastic job helping us all weekend, and to Bill Dunk, Ryan Passman (for running and willing to do anything else at the same time), John and Holly Cart, Brad Wright, Matt(for gunning and running back to Dundee for pheasants Sun), Keith Pobanz, you guys kept our flights running both days. Also thanks to Bill Craig for coming up from KS on short notice to judge for us and Troy Callanan coming off his Saskatchewan hunt to judge Sunday. It was enjoyable judging with both you guys. I will wait for the results posted before any further handler/dog congrats so I dont miss any.

Thanks everyone for coming out. Thoughts and prayers with Garver Thanks also to Shaun for working through the various issues, Troy Benson for stepping in and judging, Doug and Charity for having to be flexible and deal with things. Thanks to our judges for being willing to stay on grounds at the Omega "palace" homes so we cut down on HT expenses and everyone who brought campers out for lodging.

Edit - Thanks to Mark Chinavare, Holly Cart, Rachel Swiderski and Shannon Greene on coordinating and grilling lunches and Saturdays dinner.

As chair I just want to say THANK YOU!!!

Like Dale said, we did it but not without a hitch or 2 along the way. Overall though that don’t matter, we all had fun, saw some great dogs do their thing and lots of handlers and owners got to take home some ribbons.

Huge thanks to all our judges Bill Craig, Charity Ziegler, Holly Cart, Troy Benson, Mike Garver, Bruce Smiley, Troy Callanan, Doug Powell and Mark Chinavare. Thank you for your patience with me while we tried to work through everything that was thrown at us along the way.

Thanks to all our help throughout the weekend. Thank you Justin, Darren, Ty, Jackie, Casey, Holly, Bill and Andrew for running wingers. Eric Monske, Matt Dye and Jon Cart for gunning. Keith Probanz for being one heck of a worker and everything he did (A LOT). Brad Wright and all the others that I’m not even aware of for marshaling throughout the weekend. Big thanks to Matt Colpaert, he busted his butt and was my right there with me making sure this thing didn’t tank along the way. Joe Dickerson for his secretarial duties. Rachel Swiderski for all her help behind the scenes. And my wife Shannon, thanks for your help and support.

Thank you Todd for being there all weekend and taking pictures.

Special Thank you to Dale Swiderski for all your patience with me from the start of this whole process through the end, couldn’t have happened without your guidance. Thanks for a great dog, all his training and your putting up with me and my dogs for the last 2 years.

Thank you owners and handlers for supporting our test, without the dogs there ain’t no test. I hope I can return the favor to a test or 2 in the spring by bringing a dog or 2 to run, we shall see.

Sorry to anyone I did not have a chance to talk to at some point or say thank you and good bye to before you left.

I know I forgot some people, not on purpose.  

Congratulations to all owners and handlers who took home ribbons.

Shaun

Thanks to Dale and the HRK group for taking Rock to the show and doing it up right. Its not easy to take a dog that hunts corn fields with 8 to 10 men and is expected to retrieve birds that he never pointed, move on birds as the gun swings, and run the bank so as not to be in the water on re-swings ect ect. I probably forgot a few other coached "guide dog tricks" but job WELL DONE, thanks Dale.

What a great weekend!  I had a wonderful time.  Marshalling, I got to spend a lot of time with all the MPR handlers and watch a lot of great dogs.  It was great to spend a weekend with my oldest son doing something that we both enjoy.  We met some great new people and got to spend time with others that we only get to see when we can make it to these events.

Thanks to Bruce Smiley for letting Kenai and me share the master test dog duties with Cruz.  I had a lot of fun and got to try out my handling skills in public.  I hadn't handled Kenai in a test environment since I completely fouled up a couple of HRC seasoned tests early in his career.

I was pleased to find that I still root for every dog, on every run, and sweat it out just almost as much as the owners.  Our gallery was one big team supporting each other right up to the last dog.  What a blast!

Congratulations to Dale, passing every dog on day two.  His handling is even better than when I met him a couple of years ago and then he was no slouch.  Congrats to the guys that got their 4X.  Mark S told me it was bittersweet and I know exactly how he feels.  My grats to these are on the individual dog threads.

Gotta give gratz to Frank Fraquelli for taking Smokey to his GMPR and for fellow Gator pup ZZ getting her's also.  Both impressive dogs.

Kenai pup gratz:  Holly Cart for CPR on Cash, Matt Colpaert and Ty Swiderski for APR's on Winnie and Scarlet.

Thanks to Marc, Rachel, Holly, and Shannon for some great meals.  I'll see you all next spring.

Sounds like this test was one for the books and not soon to be forgotten!   As I'm reading all the posts it strikes me that this is just what I love about the people in the APLA - willing to pitch in and help not only the club but each other, rooting other dogs and handlers on even when they're running with you, and doing what it takes to put on a great event.    Congratulations to all the owners, handlers and of course the dogs!    Several 4 timers, sounds like some real up and coming ones to keep an eye on and just a great show.  Michigan sure has a great talent pool and I hope to get back home someday to run with you all.     CONGRATULATIONS AND JOB WELL DONE TO ALL !

First I gotta say let's keep Garvers Dad in your prayers and give him support in a trying time. Had a talk with Mike and things seem level now, but he is still not out of the woods.

What a weekend at Omega, other than front end eating Woodchucks, I have done pretty decent with the dogs there.

All the worker bees were as always quite "above and beyond" getting things done, and had to be. Saturday starting before dawn  we had  a few curveballs come at us, as mentioned.

I have a few to single out and thank for helping me and letting things keep rolling. Keith P  took a look at my truck, came out to me as I was shuffling dogs for Dale and getting ready to run the master upland, said he can fix it if we can get it lifted, as Bill Dunk was on one of those fancy phones finding a parts store that was open and had the part thanks guys, later Keith snuck off to get it. . What a guy !
Jim Springer and Mike Miller teamed up with Mikes "Turtle Wagon" (Dog trailer), loaded the dogs and drove me around both days. 

Had fun with the set-ups. Judges had fun messing with me, I even had a chance to let one of my favorite mottos prove its worth "Trust your dog" but had some serious doubt for some nerve wracking minutes. 

Thanks Bob and Chuck for letting me run Midge and Boogie, cool dogs both..

Duke laid the smackdown as we were losing daylight on Sat. in master upland and gave me enough time to get Smoke out there, (I had told him he had 5 minutes, 8 at tops, that dog (Duke) listens to me).

Dale, Mark, Shaun, Matt........Simply Thanks.
The Swid kids were fun to be around, and did a great job as  bird-boys/girl.
Eric and Matt gunning both days, outstanding.
 
Holly and Troy stepped right in when Mike had to go...dog folks are very good folks for the most part from what I've observed.
What can  you say about judges that have fun, obviously enjoying the dogs! I noticed more smiles at this test when running the upland, that was cool.

I , like Bruce, will save some more dog comment  'till after the official results get Posted....Joe (I'm so overwhelmed)Dickerson?  You did fine and it can't be easy !

Sorry I missed Mark and Marks Baptism, but had to get the truck going,.
Jim and Mike, again thanks for putting up with me, and Miller you really went beyond to come back Sunday to help me out. Enjoy that Dancer dog she's a fine one.
Jim give Vera an ear scratch from me. Glad you could share the moment.


.........Paco

ps...what do an internet evangelist be ?

This was my 1st APLA event and I have to say I was very impressed. I’m used to salmon tourneys where you want to beat the other guy, but what I saw this weekend was something I would much rather be a part of. EVERYONE is cheering for each other and their dogs. No one wants anyone to loose. As Brad says above, I was getting just as nervous as the owners watching other dogs run. It was great to hear everyone cheer when you’re sitting on the sidelines and see a solid point. Heck there was a few times I should have gotten on the road to get home, but I found myself staying as I didn’t want to miss a single dog run.

To Shaun…… With everything that happened this weekend on your 1st time as Chair, you did a stand up job. You handled everything like a Pro. Be proud of yourself.

Matt, Thanks for all the long hours you put in with Dale on not only wrestling Wyatt, but all the other dogs as well.

Todd….. The Picture biatch. Thank you. Without you we would not have the wonderful pictures of our dogs. If I’m ever having a bad day, I just have to flip thru some pics you took of our dogs having fun and it always brightens my day.

Dale…… I want to thank you for what you did with Wyatt. I know the "little guy" was a handful at times and tested your nerves, but he turned out great. I also appreciate the extra time you spent trying to explain all this stuff to me. I enjoyed coming down and helping out on the weekends, I learned a lot. Whenever you need a guy to toss a bumper, you just let me know.

To all the others in the APLA Crew, I want to thank you as well. Thanks for taking the time to answer any questions I had while standing on the sidelines, and thanks for making me feel welcome. I have been bitten by the bug, so I hope you guys let me hang out with you some more.

BTW Dale……. I ran Wyatt last nite on a 60-70 yd blind. Set him up so he would naturally pull to the left. That dog sat on every whistle and took every cast . NO Collar on him. He did fantastic!

I don't think I have stopped smiling yet. Congrats to everyone who owned or ran dogs. Thanks to everyone who helped set up the event and keep everything going and a big thanks to Dale for getting ZZ to her GMPR Title.

This was the first time I actually ran a dog in APLA. It was not pretty but I now have my feet wet and can't wait to go and play at the next event.

It is really nice to meet new people at the events and see faces that you have not seen for awhile.....very very cool.

Now time for the grouse woods.
Look out Frank--more late night phone calls. LOL

Frank is right this time, great dogs and great people. I enjoyed it all.

Being able to make the trip for my third year in a row.... it was a real treat to get to share the drive time with some new dog addicts Darin and Justin and hear their excitement in their voices! As they should they both have some pretty special dogs and hunting partners for years to come !

Thanks to the Mi group for asking me to make the trip to judge. It was a great time to get to Judge with my good buddy Mark for a couple days even if the first day wasnt a planned one. Garver GLAD TO HEAR he is starting to feel better thoughts and prayers headed your way.

Congrats to everyone on their passes ! Special congrats to Dale ...who didnt fail a master dog all weekend 7 for 7 wow ...think hes got it figured out ? Sure seems like it! Congrats also to Frank .... I think he was 4 of 4 between CPR and Master... Nice work old man glad to hear the truck is back on the road now you can hit the grouse woods with those dogs ! We will have to have some late night phone calls sooner than later !

Good work to everyone that chipped in and made the weekend even possible much less the great sucess it was.

Also Congrats to Dave and Joyce Buntje on there new APR dog red! Fall isin the air ducks this weekend already !!!

Great test,grounds ,and people that worked and made this event happen.Dale and Frank a big, THANK YOU,for everything you've
done in the short time I've been around these great dogs.

The test was a great one. After all the morning hiccups, things went pretty smooth. I want to thank everyone who attended and passed dogs. Maybe next year you will see a spring MI test.

Look forward to seeing results posted