vom Riverwoods | Kleemann 2000

News & Highlights

2000 KLEEMANN
by Rich Dobey

On September 27, 2000, Willie and Rob Engelking, Steve Kosmicki, and I loaded dogs and departed for Breman, Germany. This was the test of a life time for Steve and me. The "BIG KS!" Rob and Willie had been there before. We arrived ten hours later and were met by Joseph Shulte-Wülwer who transported us and the dogs to Surwold where we stayed and trained for two days.

World Field Trial for Deutsch-Kurzhaars
Then we were off to Beschlingen/Thuringen for the first ever World Field Trial for Deutsch-Kurzhaars (Weltchampionat) coordinated by Herr Hammeran and Herr Harter. The trip to Thuringen was about eight hours but very scenic as it took us through the mountains. We stayed at what used to be a summer camp for kids when under Soviet rule. Accommodations were comfortable. The format for the field trial was a little different. Search pattern, pointing, steadiness, and retrieving were scored. Birds were not shot.

The World Field Trial for DKs -Judd vom Riverwoods, H/Rob Engelking placed 3rd in the competition.

If your dog held through the shot, then a dead pheasant was brought out and thrown directly in front of your dog. The dog had to hold steady until released and then make the retrieve without flaw. It was a little different twist and caught some dogs unprepared. We had four dogs entered: Nora vom Riverwoods, Judd vom Riverwoods, Jake vom Riverwoods, and Basko von der Jydebek. Jake and Nora failed to make the first cut. Basko made one cut and Judd passed all cuts. It was then left up to the judges to decide which of the final dogs placed where. Judd ended up placing 3rd. Congratulations to Rob Engelking (handler) and Pat Adams (owner) on a fine showing. Italy had the top dog and also took the team trophy.

Let The Training Begin
On October 2nd, we returned to Surwold where we trained and apprenticed at a VGP held by Klub Oldenberg (JGHV). On October 6th, Jerry Kellogg arrived with his dog, Orna Vom Riverwoods. On October 8th, we began our trip to Munchen (Munich). We stopped along the way to meet friends of Willie Engelking and Hermann-Josef Schomakers. We trained on their reviers. Our first stop was at Gutter Chistie's. He is a wine maker and his new wine was great. A five gallon jug accompanied us to Munchen along with several bottles. Our next stop was at Richard Kauther's revier located on the Rhine. We spent two days there and had a marvelous time.

The clock was ticking down and it was time to get to Munchen. We checked into our hotel on Tuesday evening and registered for the KS. Wednesday was a free day for us so we went to downtown Munich to sightsee and shop. It's a neat town. We had to visit the Hofbruhus.

Zuchtschau
Thursday activities began with the Zuchtschau at 1:30PM. The collection of DKs was awesome. I don't envy the judges job. It was a difficult undertaking. Orna, Ester, and Bosco maintained their "V" ratings. All others were "SG." It was nice to have the Zuchtschau out of the way and a few less butterflies to contend with. Because of transportation and language problems, Rob (Judd and Ester), Steve (Nora), Jerry (Orna), and I (Jake) were all in the same group. Our group would do both field and water work on Friday. Some groups did half their work on one day, and the balance on the following day. It sounded good to us to have it all on one day. I believe there were 16 groups total.

Field and Water Work
We began with the field work, and I can't tell you how insistent the judges were on seeing a complete slalom search. Most dogs were required to perform three searches. My first search was in a pumpkin field with plastic sheeting laid between the rows. It was a little different to say the least, but there were hare and pheasant in there.

Next came the water work. We drove an hour to get there. The water was great. It was only about 40 meters wide but probably 200 meters long with plenty of vegetation and additional backwater that you couldn't see but only hear as the dog thrashed through it. As it so happened, Herb Hasemann was one of the water judges at the location we were taken to. It was great to see a familiar face. The water work consisted of the usual, search without a duck, search with a duck, and gun sensitivity with retrieve of a dead duck.

The final scores were read to us at the water site. Tears of joy and sorrow followed the readings. The KS was over.

Saturday night was the formal dinner held at the Orlando Restaurant in Munchen. It was quite impressive and the entertainment was great. The speeches ran a little long (all in German) but the bier was flowing, so it was bearable. The bus ride to and from the Orlando was an experience. Try 10 lbs. in a 5 lb. bag.

Search Seiger
Sunday was the Search Seiger and the presentations began about 1PM. I failed to mention it, but the center of operation and the site for the Zuchtshau were held at the Olympic competition was held. It was beautiful Stadium in the area where the shootin and equipped

Left to right) Joseph Shulte-Wulwer, Hermann-Josef Schomakers, Steve Kosmicki, Jerry Kellogg, Heinz Sprock, Rich Dobey and Rob Engelking pose with DKs in front of the spectacular billboard of a DK on point surrounded by wildlife at the 2000 KS.

with the latest intechnology. The Germans take their shooting seriously. The emblem and pins for the 2000 Kleemann are beautiful. There are 13 different colors in it. It depicts a liver DK on point with duck, hare, hun, and pheasant around him. As you entered the Olympic area, there was a 15'x20' billboard with this emblem on it. It was spectacular as was the entire experience.

Thanks to the following members for the commitment of family, funds, time, and sweat. The NADKC will be better for it.

Basko von der Jydebek
Owner - Wilhelm Engelking
Handler - Hermann-Josef Schomakers
Breeder - Peter Andresen

Judd Vom Riverwoods
Owner - Pat Adams
Handler - Rob Engelking
Breeder - Wilhelm Engelking

Ester Vom Steinwitten
Owner - Willie Engelking
Handler - Rob Engelking
Breeder - Stefan Middeke

Nora Vom Riverwoods
Owner - Steve Kosmicki
Handler - Rob Engelking
Breeder - Wilhelm Engelking

KS Orna Vom Riverwoods
Owner - Jerry Kellogg
Handler - Jerry Kellogg
Breeder - Wilhelm Engelking

KS Adina Vom Bergsteiger
Owner - John Ratchford
Handler - Heinz Sprock
Breeder - Rick Day

KS Jake Vom Riverwoods
Owner - Rich Dobey
Handler - Rob Engelking
Breeder - Wilhelm Engelking

Our eternal THANKS goes out to Hermann-Josef Schomakers, Joseph Shulte-Wulwer, and their families for making our stay in Germany so unforgettable. Most of all, THANKS, Willie and Rob for being the catalyst, the organizer and the logistics experts for the trip. And most of all, again THANKS, Willie and Rob for sharing your friends with us.

After The KS

There was a time...another dream come true. Another unforgettable trip is over. It went by so quickly, only now have I thought back on all the special moments.

There was the time when we were driving into the mountains on our way to Beichlingen/Thuringen for the World Field Trial and crested a peak to see for the first time the spectacular beauty of the valleys, forests, and villages that seemed to go on for as far as the eye could see.

There was the time at the Opening Ceremonies of the World Trial when each country represented was called forward and we stood with our dogs as they played our National Anthem.

There was the time in Thuringen when the small village of Freyberg was making preparations for a huge bonfire to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the wall coming down, reunification, and FREEDOM.

There was the time in Thuringen when we returned to Willies’ boyhood home, and he found his closest boyhood pal after half a life time.

There was the time in Munchen when I unleashed JAKE for his first piece of work in the Kleemann.

There were the feelings experienced that day in October. Unsure, helpless, mad, joyous, devastated, astatic, it was a roller coaster all day that covered the full gamut of emotions. Don’t ask me why, it was just another test, but there is something about the “BIG SHOW” that tests your deodorant to the max. It’s a day you’ve got to experience.

There was the time when I took the duck from that good ole meat dog's mouth and our Kleemann work was finished.

There were all those great times when friends gathered and the libations flowed and a good story, a joke, and always laughter seemed to be the sole purpose in life.

And there were all those times when feelings swelled as we said, “Auf Wieder-sehen” to old and new friends. They are the most gracious hosts. Thank you one and all. ~ Rich Dobey

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