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	At sixteen months, I ran him in his first Qualifying stake….he ran over the top of the memory bird and I ended up handling him - he was not called back for the next series. The following weekend, he ended up winning the Qualifying stake. He won a second Qual a month and a half later and was out of the Qualifying at 18 months….he then could only run the All Age stakes along with the Derby. He did OK but things were a little over his head. Then, at twenty five months, he JAMmed an Open and one month later got a second place in an Amateur, with another Amateur second the following month. He has continued in this way the last couple of years - finishing and placing in many of the all-age stakes. That win is such an elusive critter…..we were so very close several times but it just didn't happen.


	We were asked to be the male Test Dog for the 2003 National Amateur Retriever Championship in McCall, Idaho. This was a really scary, nerve-wracking adventure for me. Here we are, in front of all the best handlers in the country, showing them all the pitfalls of each test…..I was sure we could only look really stupid. Rugby was more than up for the adventure. He and I both made a couple of mistakes in those ten series, but overall, he ran a beautiful trial, especially considering the nerve factors (for me…he, of course, could care less…he just wanted those birds!!). When it was over, I received some really nice compliments on his performance from some wonderful people. He kind of hammed it up at times….I know he really likes the applause, and when we would come off the line, he sometimes would run to the gallery carrying his leash and show off.

We finally got that elusive win in August at the Montana Retriever Club in Billings, Montana. I knew Rugby had run a beautiful trial…..his last series was so gorgeous that I actually choked up while on the line watching him do his thing. This has happened a couple of times in the past and it really is embarrassing….I just kind of hope no one notices. He currently has 26 All-Age points and only needs that other "elusive win" for his FC.

He is such a wonderful, calm house dog…..lives with three other males and is the one that instigates the play, but also sees that the pups stay in line. This is when he isn't on the couch next to me while I am playing on my laptop. He has a flirtatious sense of humor but also has that special presence that makes people notice him. I feel so blessed to be able to have this dog sharing his life with me…..this guy is a team player to the ultimate and so incredibly intelligent and sweet. He looks to be reproducing his good qualities. A son from his first breeding had 23 Derby points and was qualified all age while in the Derby. Another pup that I have is just ten months old and looking really good, with that same trainability and willingness.


	Updated 7/9/06 - Light Farm Working Retrievers