What a weekend! After several months of training the WGAA demonstration team finally got to show what it could do at the 2007 Shot Expo. Twelve dogs – 3 GSPs, 1 Pointer, 5 Labs, 2 L’Epagneul Bretons (Brittanys) and a Weimaraner, ran, jumped and retrieved over the two days before hundreds of people.
It is worth reflecting on the point that while there have been endless dog shows held at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds, this was probably the first time that a working gundog demonstration had been held. With shotguns used to fire blanks the dogs and handlers put on a realistic demonstration that had the crowd both enthralled and appreciative.
A special mention must be made of the effort that Graham Hayes made to get the team together and to choreograph the event – an event that ran for almost 1 hour. It needs to be appreciated that such an effort required training the team, writing the script, coordinating the dozens of pieces of equipment and assistants, liaising with the Showgrounds management and the SSAA staff, getting permits, etc, etc, etc.
On behalf of the club many thanks to Graham Hayes, Gary Bristow, Bob Bant, Norm & Tim Cloke, Alex Jevric, Kevin Phelps, Angie Bloomer, Alf Briffa, Andrew Yoemans, Joe Camilleri, Dean Watts, Dennis Maher, Jack Benetti, Kathy & Barry Oliver for the effort involved in training their dogs, performing, and helping with the many tasks during the actual event… they will never forget it!
It is worth reflecting on the point that while there have been endless dog shows held at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds, this was probably the first time that a working gundog demonstration had been held. With shotguns used to fire blanks the dogs and handlers put on a realistic demonstration that had the crowd both enthralled and appreciative.
A special mention must be made of the effort that Graham Hayes made to get the team together and to choreograph the event – an event that ran for almost 1 hour. It needs to be appreciated that such an effort required training the team, writing the script, coordinating the dozens of pieces of equipment and assistants, liaising with the Showgrounds management and the SSAA staff, getting permits, etc, etc, etc.
On behalf of the club many thanks to Graham Hayes, Gary Bristow, Bob Bant, Norm & Tim Cloke, Alex Jevric, Kevin Phelps, Angie Bloomer, Alf Briffa, Andrew Yoemans, Joe Camilleri, Dean Watts, Dennis Maher, Jack Benetti, Kathy & Barry Oliver for the effort involved in training their dogs, performing, and helping with the many tasks during the actual event… they will never forget it!
