Article by Abbie Hanson:

The VCC Hunt Test Seminar was held Saturday January 14, 2006 at the Sandhill's Pointing Breeds Club grounds near Pinehurst, NC. The day’s event was coordinated by Bonita Austin. 

The VCC opened the training seminar to all pointing breeds, and was happy to have  Brittanys, Spinone Italiano and Vizslas training together.

The seminar was conducted by Dick Teal, VCC board member & AKC Hunt Test Judge. The class started at 9:30, and Dick spent a short time in the club house going over the score sheet, explaining each line and what the judges looked for during the test.  Next, each dog went into the field for some one-on-one training.  At approximately 1:00 pm, everyone sat down for a well-deserved lunch break while Bonita went to pick up a few more birds.  In the afternoon the dogs were worked in braces, giving dogs and handlers ! alike a taste of what they might experience in a hunt test by not being in the field alone.

Dick did a great job working with each handler and dog.  He focused his time on what the handler and the dog needed most, and was very encouraging to each dog and handler team.  Bonita did a great job coordinating the event and came through when more birds were needed, due to the first group of birds being shorted by the bird farm.  They both deserve a pat on the back for their hard work!