I grew up on a farm in beautiful rural PEI , where I enjoyed an upbringing richly steeped in outdoor traditions. As a teenager, I discovered my interest in hunting dogs by helping my uncle train his English Springer Spaniels for hunting and field trials.

When I was old enough, I purchased my own dog to train and hunt with. I didn't have any experience training retrievers, so I joined the local retriever club where experienced trainers showed me the basics and encouraged me to get involved in hunt tests and other club activities.

In June 1993 I participated in my first hunt test; and was immediately captivated by the challenging sport and it's friendly supportive atmosphere.

The rest, as they say, is history. Today, my wife Barb and I operate Yorkton Kennels where we lovingly breed and train Labrador retrievers. Between us, we have earned 32 CKC field titles on our dogs including the coveted FTCH, QFTR, GMH, MH and multiple WCX titles. We have also qualified dogs for 3 Canadian National Field Trial Championships and 1 Canadian National Amateur Field Trial Championship. Additionally, I occasionally dabble in obedience trials with my young dogs and have titled 4 dogs in that arena with multiple HIC and HIT awards.

I enjoy judging dogs in the field and take pleasure in watching well trained dogs eagerly do the jobs for which they were originally bred.

I consider it an honor to have been asked to judge the Canadian Master National Hunt Test and pledge to fairly judge thoughtfully constructed tests.

Walter Vessey

I am honoured and excited to have been asked to judge the Master National Hunt test in August of 2006.

I have been involved with the CKC Hunt test program since its beginnings in Western Canada . My old dog Muddy was the first Saskatchewan Master Hunter dog and I co-chaired the first 5 CKC Hunt tests hosted by my home-club, the Saskatoon Retriever Club. This strong and active Club is an excellent example of how the Field Trial and Hunt Test programs can co-exist and benefit each other.

My husband, Garry and I are both active participants in Hunt Tests and Field trials, having trained 4 dogs to their MH title, and one (FTCH AFTCH GMH ClubMead's Autumn Breeze) to the Grand Master Hunter level. I enjoy the challenge and excitement of Hunt test events as well as the genuine camaraderie between participants. I am also an avid waterfowl hunter, and like nothing better than sitting around a small pothole in a pea field with a few good friends and some great dogs waiting for mallards at dawn.

I am a strong believer in challenging our well-trained dogs and showing what they are capable of. I like realistic hunting scenarios, with lots of decoys, bird calls, boats and gunfire. I like to see dogs who are stylish and enthusiastic and willing to fight factors to get the birds. Dogs should also demonstrate that they are willing to work together with their handler as a team. I look forward to working with my co-judges to develop tests that are challenging, fun and exciting for the dogs and for the handlers and that emphasize the contribution that great dogs can make to a days hunt. I wish all of the participants good luck.

Sue Taylor

I grew up on a farm near Colborne, Ontario. My dad was an avid hunter so we always kept hunting dogs. As a teenager I became acquainted with pro trainer Mr. Bob Blyth who had moved his kennel operations from Streetsville to Colborne. Training with Bob I learned a lot about retrievers and soon became "hooked" on retriever training.

In the late sixties my wife and I established our Lab Kennel.

Since then we have bred and trained many Labs for hunting, field trials and more recently, hunt tests. My current dog "Alex" is a GMH. Over the years I have judged numerous field trials and hunt tests.

I want to thank the Master National Committee for inviting me to judge and I will do my best to help set up good, solid tests.

I would like to wish all handlers the best of luck and hope you have an enjoyable week.

Peter Wyckoff