2015 AWSC National Specialty and Hunt Tests

Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the American Water Spaniel Club

August 12 - 16

New London, Wisconsin

The Club is very grateful to the many companies and individuals that supported the 2015 Nationals.  Your support for this event and the American Water Spaniel Breed is very much appreciated and valued by the AWSC.
See this year's list of donors.

Also, a big "Thank You" to our Headquarters Hotel,
 the Americinn
New London, WI

AWSC Conformation and Obedience Specialty

August 13, 2015 Hatten Park New London, Wisconsin Congratulations to the Best of Breed Traveling Trophy Winners, Sharren Rose, Linda Hattrem, and "Pixie"! See the Complete Show Results...

AWSC Field Events:
Hunt Tests - Roustabout - Water Trial            
August 14 - 16
Wolf River Game Farm
Shiocton, Wisconsin

See the Complete Field Event Results....

Congratulations to the Roustabout Winners!
Eric Wahlstrom, Cole Wahlstrom, and "Max"


Congratulations to the Water Trial Winners!

Novice Class   -   Lois McCracken and "Bea"
Gun Dog Class - Eric Wahlstrom and "Belle"
(This year's Open class called due to storm)

All About the 2015 Nationals

    The AWSC National Specialty and Hunt Tests were held over four sunny August days that were carbon copies of each other.
Temperatures were very warm, so the dogs were happy to get into the water.  The club welcomed arrivals on Wednesday with a pizza party, social hour, and libation acution.  Many new members and their fanilies and dogs joined in all the festivities and had some fun. 

Later, the club's Health and Genetics committee sponsored a seminar on Degenerative Myelopathy and its inheritance patterns.  Liz Hansen did a great job passing on a lot of information about this condition. (more information is available on the Health and Genetics page).

     The National Specialty was held at Hatten Park in New London on Thursday.  Hard work beautifying the contestants really showed, with some outstanding AWS conformation examples on display.

    Later, the annual Awards Banquet and Brown Bag Raffle were held at Crystal Falls Banquet Facility. A good time was had by all, especially the raffle winners!

    Friday's  Roustabout, a timed, tournament-style competition, was held on two upland fields.  Plenty of good dog work and some good shooting by handlers and their partners was great fun as always, with young dogs and old hard at the hunt.

The Water Trial was held in the afternoon warmth, with plenty of good water work on display.  Later, ribbons and trophies were presented to the winners at dinner prior to the club's Annual Meeting. 

Saturday and Sunday were the AWSC Hunt Tests.  Performing upland flushing chores and land and water retrieving, dogs and handlers were challenged at all levels.  While some earned ribbons and titles, all enjoyed the chance to learn what they needed to work on with their dogs.

Saturday evening we were treated to a fabulous dinner at the Wolf River Game Farm.  Afterwards, many items were presented for auction to the attendees including a hand-made AWS quilt!  The club wants to thank all those that contributed items that were sold at auction.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS!

THANKS to our Conformation and Obedience judges, Mrs. Ellen Hardin, Mrs. Meghen Riese-Bassel, and Ms. Lynn Tamms for contibuting their skills and interest in the American Water Spaniel breed.

 A HUGE THANKS to our Hunt Test judges, Tim Bauknect, Greg Brda, Larry Hinchman, and Dawn Schuster for giving us their time and energy.  They were each very skilled,  helpful and patient.  They kept the event fun despite the heat!

THANK YOU! to all of the Individual and Corporate Donors who contributed Specialty Prizes and Trophys!

THANK YOU! to all of the Individual and Corporate Donors who contributed to the Libation Auction, Brown Bag Raffle, Winger Raffle, and Banquet Auction.  We could not have done it without your help!

THANK You! to all of the club members across the country who contributed their time and energy to putting it all together

And finally, a Very Special THANK YOU! for those that supplied delicious homemade cookies and treats!

We hope to see you again at Baldwin, Wisconsin in 2016! 

Link to the 2015 National Specialty and Hunt Test Invitation