Pre-National Training Information | First, Second, and Third Series
Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Series | Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Series
Tenth Series | Finalists and Winner | Celebration | Intro Page

Pre-National Information

Pre-National Training began back in Wisconsin. On the weekend before the beginning of the Stake, Mike and the dogs flew to California with Handjem staff, Dave Smith and Ben Vallin. They were met at the airport by Luann Pleasant’s dog truck. Luann generously loaned Mike her dog truck for the entire trip. Latigo Hext who works for Luann and one of her clients, Dan Partington, assisted in setups throughout the entire time Mike was in California.

Training began in near Redding and then later at the training land designated by the National Retriever Club.

Latigo Hext and Dan Partington with Mike at the winner table.
They were a valuable part of the training team from the
day the Handjem arrived to the day they left. 

Ben Vallin, with Mike at the trophy table, is a veteran of working at Nationals.  He is a great shot and has an amazing throw.

Dave Smith, Mike’s talented assistant trainer, had left early in the week before a picture could be taken of him.

There were seven dogs qualified for the National from Handjem. They were:

#10 FC AFC Five Star General Patton “Patton”
Handled by Mike Lardy; Owned by Deb Bredeson and Elly Muth

#82 FC AFC Redline Wilderness Hanna Go “Hanna”
Handled by Mike Lardy; owned by Robert and Leta Rovelstad

#53 2000 NFC FC AFC Maxx’s Surprise “Prize”
Handled by Mike Lardy; owned by Sherwin Scott

#65 FC AFC Watermark’s Wizard “Wizard”
Handled by Mike Lardy; owned by Fred Kampo

# 32 FC AFC Chckamauga Choo Choo “Chicka”
Handled by Lynne DuBose; owned by Lynne and Mac DuBose

#49 2002 NFC FC AFC Cashman’s Fat Lady Zingin “Zinger”
Handled by Mac DuBose; owned by Lynne and Mac DuBose

#77 FC AFC Windy City’s Secret Signal “Cody”
Handled by Charles Hines; owned by Charles Hines and L. Lancaster

Lynne DuBose running Chicka in the Third Series. 
Lynne and Chicka have been Finalists multiple times at Nationals.

Mac DuBose waiting in a holding blind in the Third Series. 
Mac and Zinger won the National Open in 2003.

Charlie Hines and Cody about to run the Seventh Series

Note: All photos in the 2003 NRC report by Marilyn Fender unless otherwise indicated. 

Pre-National Training Information | First, Second, and Third Series
Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Series | Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Series
Tenth Series | Finalists and Winner | Celebration | Intro Page