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This trial brought out ten teams for competition: four SchH 3s, four BHs, one Tracking 1, and one Tracking 3.  Six AM at the tracking field, weather was sunny and brisk with a temperature of 49 degrees, but no wind disturbed the air so competitors and spectators enjoyed the morning.  First on the field were Kayla Von Moore's Barron and Bryan.  Kayla took a minute to get her head in the game, but once she started, things smoothed out considerably.  Brian's patience and cool handling kept the team on track for a passing score of 70 points.

The first team for the SchH 3 track was Kasina Vom Haus Grossen Hund and Kelly.  They presented a nice picture through most of the track, but Kassina's occasional loss of concentration and crooked article indication left them with a score of 92.  Next to track were Junior Vom Haus Grossen Hund, and Tom for their Tracking 3 title.  Junior showed an outstanding picture throughout the track, finding all the articles and earning an excellent score of 97 for their effort.  Next were Kayoz Vom Diener (Oz) and Jim for their SchH 3 track.  Jim was trying to earn a qualifying score for the Nationals, so the spectators watched closely and hoped for the best.  At about the halfway mark, the crowd began murmuring as Oz and Jim were putting in an excellent performance and the judge had yet to make a mark on her paper.  The tension mounted throughout the rest of the track as people guessed at the score, it was clear they would score high, but how high was the question.  Cheers erupted after the critique when we found out Jim and Oz had scored 100.

The third SchH 3 team on the field was Tygar Vom Haus Grossen Hund and Tom.  Veteran competitors, this was also their chance to qualify for the Nationals.  Only one error was attributed to the team.  Tygar slowed, but did not indicate one of the articles.  An eight-point deduction put their score at 92.  The final SchH 3 pair to track was Ike Von Hesson Nassau and Doug.  Ike was in good form and finished with an 87 score.

In the afternoon at Kincaid Park's Hundeplatz Field the wind kicked up and kept the competitors cool.  The BH teams performed their temperament test and the first two took the field.  Elke Vom Diener and Leslie had no trouble with their obedience while Isis Vom Leerburg and Ginger performed an excellent long down.  Isis and Ginger showed a very nice picture during obedience while Elky and Leslie took their turn for an excellent long down.  Next on the field were Reicher Vom Hausreid and Vincent on the long down and Daika vom Figaro and Corinna  doing obedience.  Both teams easily met the standard for obedience and were passed to the next phase.  All four teams passed the obedience, temperament and traffic portions of the BH.

The Bar-b-que was fired up after obedience for the BHs was complete.  A stiff wind away from the field kept the smell of roasting hot dogs and burgers from distracting the SchH 3 teams on the field for obedience and protection.  Kassina and Kelly performed their obedience well and earned 90 points.  Doug had tempered Ike's exuberance with a run up Flattop (a very challenging half-hour run with a 2,500 foot increase in elevation) after tracking, and scored respectably in obedience with 78 points.  Oz and Jim were well on their way to qualifying for Nationals with an obedience score of 91.  Tygar and Tom were making up ground lost during tracking with a score of 94, which was also the high obedience score for the trial.

In the protection phase, the field was covered in the front half by helper Mark Chaffin, and the back half by helper Hans Brinke.  All teams earned pronounced designations for their protection work.  Kassina's enthusiasm created some difficulty in the obedience part of the protection routine, however, she and Kelly earned 80 points for a total score of 262.  Ike and Doug were in fine form and earned 85 points for a total of 250.  Oz and Jim fulfilled their hopes to qualify for Nationals with a protection score of 96 and total of 287.  Oz and Jim were high in tracking, protection and overall.  Tygar and Tom showed an excellent picture, earning 95 points for a total of 281, also a qualifying score for Nationals.

The Kenai Schutzhund Club would like to thank our trail secretary, Valerie, for judiciously keeping the paperwork in order; Ginger, Chris and Mark for capturing the action on film and video; front half helper-Mark Chaffin, back half helper-Hans Brinke for excellent helper work; and Mark Chaffin for braving 18-inch high wet grass and laying exceptional tracks.  We also thank our judge Ann Marie Chaffin for her expertise and conscientious judging.  Finally, we would like to thank Roman, our trainer, for his hard work and dedication to our club, and for helping us have such a successful trial season.