Jim wins the National Amateur Field Trial Championship for the second time.  2001 2002 NAFC FC Candlewood's Ramblin' Man owned by Jim and Judy Powers won the National Amateur for a second time --- handled by Jim.

Ram was born on April 4, 1994. His sire was FC AFC Wilderness Harley To Go and dam was Tanks Candlewood Kate. He was bred by Jack Vanden Boogard.

Owners Judy and Jim Powers, from Sheboygan, Wisconsin, have been active participants in field trials for years. They not only run dogs but are both All Age judges. They donate time and effort continually to the sport as workers. Judy will Chair the November 2002 National Retriever Championship in St. Louis.

This is the fifth consecutive National Amateur championship won with dogs trained by Mike Lardy. In addition to having trained the five most recent NAFC's, Mike also trained the dogs that won the championship in 1996, 1992 and 1990. This brings the total National Championships in the United States and Canada to Seventeen with the National Amateur AKC Championships to eight.

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The 2002 Stake

Jim returning from the line after a successful Seventh Series that had difficult water marks thrown from boats along with a flyer.	Judy calling Wisconsin on her cell phone with a report of the Seventh.
Test dogs and handlers arrived at the Tenth Series on an ATV decorated with multiple flags. Patriotic music played as they arrived and began to run.
Judy watching last series with friends Brian and Connie Cleveland and Mac and Lynn DuBose.	The trophy table with the traveling trophy for the winner, champagne glasses and silver frames for Finalists, and a special memorial framed picture for Dick Greenleaf (1917-2000)
The difficult left retired gun in the Tenth. It was thrown over the ditch of water to the right. Several holding blinds that confused some dogs were on the land. The gunners went into a holding blind near where you see them standing. The others were on the land in case the judges wanted a slightly different design. On the piece of land to the right there was a flyer station with the last bird down. Many of the dogs handled on this mark but Ram, after only a slightly bent line, leapt across the water to get the mark with style. There was another flyer to the left out of the picture.
The right long retired gun threw to the X. Winding creeks diverted many dogs from taking a good line. Many handled and others had huge hunts. Ram went like an arrow to the mark and picked it up with zero hunt. back to top
Judy and Jim threw a great party at the Shilo following the win.
Jim with Judy getting a hug from Roy Pelton at the party.
Enjoying the selection of food and beverages...
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Ram's 2001 National Amateur Championship