’07 Master National Results: Steve has 5 Finalists!

The 2007 AKC Master National got underway Oct. 13 in the beautiful rolling countryside near Remington, VA. All 10 qualified dogs made the trip. After 8 days of tests, Team SRK had 5 Finalists-the most ever by a Texas trainer.

Topping the list this year was Nick’s Chocolate Rose, MH-MNH, who made the Master Natl. Hall of Fame with her third finish. Along with her 10 passes this Spring and another at Brazosport in September, the Master National gave her a perfect 12 of 12 for ’07. What a year! Congratulations to proud owners, Jim and Becky Mackey of Longview, TX. Rose is now the only chocolate female in the Hall of Fame.

Also among Steve’s Finalists were mother-daughter combo Robbin’s Red Ruby, MH-MNH and Kosmic Kate, MH. Ruby has now finished 4 consecutive Nationals at only 5 years of age. She is on track to break the all-time record for most consecutive passes as well as the most total finishes in Master Natl. history. Ruby is owned by Chris and Jennifer Robbins of Trophy Club, TX.

Not to be out done by Mom, Katie ran her first National like a veteran and did not handle on a mark all week. At age 2, Katie was the youngest Finalist of the field, just as her mom was in ’04. Katie is owned by Jack & Judy O’Connor of Kingwood, TX.

Steve’s other Finalists were Doc’s Perfect Storm, MH-MNH, owned by Dr. Stephen Anderson of Grapevine, TX and Rebel’s Best Son, MH-MNH, owned by Glenn Coterill of Hutchins, TX. This was the second Master National pass for both dogs, earning them the coveted Master National Hunter title. Both will be back next year, gunning for the Hall of Fame.

Team SRK now boasts 3 Master Natl. Hall of Fame members (Rose, Ruby and Sugar Bullet, MH-MNH) and 5 dogs with Master National Hunter titles, all accomplished since 2003!

SPRING ’07 HUNT TEST RESULTS:
10 Dogs Qualified for Master National

Steve started out the ’07 season with 8 Master dogs and 4 young dogs ready for the Senior. New rules recently enacted for the Master National would make it tougher to qualify for the ’07 event. In the past years, a Master dog needed 5 passes to qualify. With the new rules, a dog must pass 5 of its’ first 7 Masters or a total of 8 passes would be required. The new method is designed to reduce the number of dogs at the Master National, favoring more consistent dogs.

Regardless of the rule change, the Master dogs barnstormed through the Spring circuit with brilliant work. Check out these numbers: Rose & Sonny-10 for 10; Sugar & Stormy-9 for 10; Max & Lizzie-5 for 7. Bailey, who came back late from hunting season, and Ruby, who had a false pregnancy and allergy problems, still managed to qualify by Mid-May, bringing the total to 8 qualified.

Meanwhile, the young dogs ripped through the Senior in short order with all 4 attaining their SH title. All jumped straight into the Master, with Kasie, only 29 months old, gaining her Master title at Middle Tennessee. Katie finished the Spring with 4 Master ribbons, only 1 short of her title at just 25 months old. Rosie and Charlie started the Master a little later (April) and already had 2 Master passes by the end of the Spring circuit in Mid-May.

Kasie and Katie barely missed qualifying for the Master Natl. under the 5 x 7 rule and then headed up to Brian Hartfield’s Webshire Kennel in Wisconsin. With the upper Midwest circuit just starting up, both had a good shot at qualifying before the July 31 deadline.

Both youngsters had no problem adjusting to Brian’s handling, reeling off 4 passes each by July 15. This will give the Team SRK a total of 10 dogs to compete at the AKC Master National, which will be held Oct. 13-20 in Culpepper, Virginia.

All eyes will be on Rose as she goes for her third Master National silver plate, which would put her in the Master Natl. Hall of Fame. If she makes it, she will join Ruby and Sugar, who got in last year. Fewer than 100 dogs have attained this coveted goal.