Events
LCA Water Test
LCA All Breed Water Test
Saturday & Sunday, August 26-27, 2023
On August 26th and 27th, 2023, wisps of fog floated up from the still lake before the bright sun heated up the LCNW’s 3rd Annual Water Test Weekend. It was very warm in Western Washington over the 2023 Water Test Weekend, and the adjacent public beach was bustling both days. A week earlier, the LCNW took over the Nolte State Park great lawn for the LCNW Specialty & Social; this time exhibitors set up in close quarters to share the area of all-day shade adjacent to the lakefront.
Once again, we joined together with the Newfoundland Club of Seattle (NCS) to put on the two-day, double Water Test weekend. Yes, two separate working dog clubs held two separate tests - back to back on the same day - governed by separate regulations. The Leonberger Test (All Breed) is governed by LCA Rules; the Newfoundland Test (for Newfs only) is governed by NCA Water Test Rules. On Saturday, the NCS Water Test was first, followed by the LCNW Water Test. On Sunday, the order reversed and LCNW exhibitors tested first. Combining club test days has multiple benefits for the hosting clubs. Both can use the same judges, boundaries, equipment, and volunteers – and divide expenses. This year five Leonberger teams and seven Newfoundland teams competed in their respective tests.
Saturday, August 26, 2023
Each day the busy lake and shoreline provided plenty of distractions for all, but the dogs, who love swimming, did their best to stay on task. On Saturday, under judges Pam Saunders and Laura Gallagher, one Leonberger team successfully completed all exercises in the LCA Junior Division. One month before her tenth birthday - and riding high on her 1st placement in Veteran Females at the LCNW Specialty the previous weekend - Team Deja delighted the afternoon crowd on Saturday as she earned her very first water title in her very first water entry ever! Congratulations Anne & Deja, new LCA WD!
Sunday, August 27, 2023
On Sunday morning, the Leos tested first. Team Pippi, followed by Team Deja, started the day in Junior Division. The sun filtered through the tops of tall Douglas Fir trees as Team Dizzy competed in Senior Division. The air really warmed up while Team Baylor and Team Bensen made solid effort during the Excellent Division. All five dogs demonstrated strong swimming ability, but there weren’t any qualifiers on Sunday.
Congratulations Team Deja, new LCA WD!
The LCNW Water Test Committee is very proud of the five LCNW teams who trained and prepared for the 2023 Water Test weekend!
- Deja & Anne Olson: New LCA WD (Saturday)
- Bensen & Jody Woodruff
- Baylor & Jody Woodruff
- Dizzy & Lise Brandhagen
- Pippi & Lise Brandhagen
The Prizes
Each of the five dogs received a collagen chew as an entry gift along with a personalized wood ornament featuring an intrepid Leo jumping over waves. The qualifying Leo team earned a small Leonberger dish from Prairie Dog Pottery.
Many Thanks
Thank you to NCA Judges Pam Saunders and Laura Gallagher who provided insight and direction when we missed the mark. The judges really want to see everyone succeed! Thank you to the NCS for sharing Water Test Equipment, experience, and knowledge. The contributions and many prior test experiences of NCS members should be underscored. We are very grateful to both clubs for the hospitality throughout the weekend – how lucky we are!
A giant THANK YOU to all of the volunteers from LCNW and NCS (Newfoundland Club of Seattle) who made this weekend happen. Volunteers set-up, carried, called, swam, stood, rowed a boat, paddled a kayak, steadied, unrolled, gathered, managed boundaries, watched, waited, walked uphill/downhill/uphill/downhill/uphill, photographed, cooked, served, tore-down, cleaned up, provided hospitality/meals and - wait for it - brought in a tiny generator for a coffeemaker!
Thank you: Erin Andersen, Jody Woodruff, Wally Johnson, Lise Brandhagen, Jessica Hayes, Heather Striver, Jonathan Burnstein, Paul Brandhagen, Maria Nelson, Eric Nussle, Susan Abramski, Michelle Fuqua, Lanelle Warrick, Robyn Gallacher, Pauline Baldwin, Carrie & Darrell Schuur, Jo Nussle, Dean Edwards, Melody Music, Gina Craig, Eleanor Cantrell, Kristin & Richard Eberly, Marylou Zimmerman, John & Karen Olsen, Bryan Richardson, and Randy Heyd. The depths of our gratitude are immeasurable and far exceed the boundaries of the test area.
It takes a willing community to support a Water Test. In LCA and NCS tests, dog teams who train together cannot steward for each other. The LCA Water Test Regulations are still new, so it can be very difficult for a Leonberger club to have knowledgeable water volunteers. Building a great relationship and camaraderie with other nearby clubs can be beneficial for all clubs and enriching for new teams.
Did you know you don’t have to swim in order to volunteer for a water test? To learn more or discover how you can support LCNW working dog activities, please email a board member (LCNW Board Members) or secretary@leonbergerclubnw.com
Congratulations again to all Teams!
