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Huron Expositor, 2000-06-14, Page 7News Seaforth weimaraner is top bird dog in North America By Carl Stavros Linton News Record Staff Buddy, a weimaraner who • got hislstart in running bird dog trials in the fields of the Hullett Wildlife Area, is now top dog in North America: The five-year-old canine, owned by Cecil Beavan of RR2 Seaforth and officially named Northern Lights - This Bud's for You (Buddy for short), was recently named Dog of the Year for his breed by the Kasco Dog Food Company from St. Peters, Mo. Trainer and handler Mark Beavan, of RR2 Bluevale, said that the win was particularly notable as Buddy was chosen as the top dog in his breed from across North America. Not only was he chosen from across North America, but Beavan said no other Canadian dog has ever received such a distinction. "We are very happy with Buddy's performance," said Beavan, who was on his way to accept the prize at a ceremony at the Bird Dog Hall of Fame in Grand Junction, Tenn. At the National Amateur Field Championships held last December in Oklahoma, Buddy finished first out Of over 40 canine contenders to claim the tide, the first such prize for the Beavans. "That was a big win. He had placed (in the top four) at several other competitions over the year, but that was the big one," Beavan explained. Even though Buddy competes against both his breed and other breeds, he is truly in a class of his,own. Beavan explained that no other weimaraner from the United States or Canada even qualified for the extremely ,high standards established for the prize. "His placings at the regional competitions totalled 540 points from various placings and national competitions were what qualified him," he stated, adding that the only other requirement was that the dog must be fed Kasco dog food, widely used by trainers. But in order to accumulate the victories necessary to achieve such a standard of excellence, a bird dog must exhibit certain characteristics as -well as being trained to react properly to certain situations. Beavan explained that during a typical run in bird dog competition, the canine must seek out pheasants in the wild. Areas of land, such as Hullett ,Wildlife Area, are filledwith birds to ensure that the competitors have animals to locate. When a find is made, the dog must point and keep perfectly still. The handier. then locates the bird in the shrub hnd fires a blank into the -air, indicating to the animal that the mission was accomplished. Judges award Stavros photo North American champion bird dog Buddy is shown with his trainer Mark Beavon and his owner Cecil Beavan, who is Mark's father. the dogs points on their performance. Beavan 'said that there are several elements that Buddy possesses that makes him a champion bird dog. "He has a very stylish point (when he locates a bird), is very focussed and intense when running, and has good ground speed," Beavan stated. Buddy has earned over $1,600 US with his victories south of the border, and Beavan hopes that he will continue to be successful. "We have the mid - A t l a n t i c championships again'in October and the nationals in December. We hope that he does well in both of those competitions again this year." he said. Until then, Beavan will continue to challenge Buddy with the high calibre practice he receives at the Hullett Wildlife Area. Season. permitting, Beavan often makes the trip to Hullett to give Buddy the top-notch training that has helped make him a champion. Buddy will have the chance to compete on his home turf in trials this summer and fall before heading south of the• border again. Quoted 'He is focusse intense runni Mark &kayo Champion Buddy very dand when ng,' -- n, on bird dog • Matt Shurrie photo . Making an effort Daniel Connolly, o Grade 5 student at 5t. James School, participates in the separate school track and field championships in Goderkh lost Thursday. THE HURON EXPOSITOR, Juni 14, 2000-7 • REBUILDING IS UNDERWAY - Wilco and Antoine Kanters receive the first of two cheques to rebuild their hog ham from Mike Beattie. while, from the left. Jim Zyta. Alan Caner and Kevin Varley look on. tfp photo Reconstruction of hog barn underway l Eight days after a tornado tore the roof off a hog barn near Appin. insurance representatives were on hand to deliver the first of many cheques to pay for rebuilding that structure. - Jim Zyta. vice president North Waterloo Farmers Mutual Insurance Company claims and loss prevention services. said that insurance will cover the cost of putting the barn back the way it • was before the disaster hit. Because it was classified as a disaster' the usual deductible is waived Shortly afterwards. he. Mike Beattie and Allan Carter; the Seaforth representative from Gray Insurance. along with Kevin Varley. senior field adjuster with North Waterloo presented cheques to Wilco and Antoine.Kanters. One was for 550.000 under business interruption insurance the Kanters had purchased. the other was for 5150.000 which represents an advance payment. for repairs - • • • The latter was only an initial payment. Zyta said that $1.4 -mil- lion is set aside as a reserve towards the total cost of replacing the, hogbarn which housed 1.250 sows and 1.500 piglets. • Gray Insurance as the insurance broker had insured the build- ing from the day is was buil, about three years ago through North Waterloo. That coverage included basiness interruption coverage which the insurance reps said is not often purchased by farriers. Because the Kanters are basically out of business until the barn is up and running again. the SS0.000 payment ahouldtake the place of loss of income for the imnsed,ate-•tuture The barn was state of the art in design and measured 1 ti tt by •24g ft. Ttte new barn will be the same sur hccause only the (01 was Aestroyed. The concrete foundation and walls are. not dun - aged None of the hogs died in the tornado Wilco Kanters stud. - although some had shght-euts on them Howeverall were shipped out the day after the storm . The immediate task now is to clean out mbar rernaitis.and start the rebuilding. "We'll start right away." Kanters said Gray Insurance also hasttie insurance coverage it Bob and Tammy Galbraith'shouse on Olde Drive. two mules south of etre barn. It was severely damaged and an implement shed just north of the house was disintegrated by the tornado— We were hit witha double whammy.. Malcolm Gray•said last Wednesday morning. When asked by the TFP what was happen- ing at the house as far as insurance coserage was concerned. • Gray said "we are•waning on an engibeer's report to detrmune what to do" • As of Monday of this sleek. Bob Galbraith said. he still dos, not know what decision has been made regarding repairing or rebuilding the house. Gray Insurance Brokers Inc. Strathroy • Glencoe • Seaforth • West Lorne • Grand Bend 1-800.265-0959 SEAFORTH & AREA FIRE DEPARTMENT FIRE FIGHTERS' ASSOCIATION of ONTARIO CONVENTION 2000 AUGUST 4, 5, 6 & 7, 2000 THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO WELCOME VISITORS TO OUR TOWN PRODUCED BY THE HURON EXPOSITOR FOR THE SEAFORTH AND AREA FIRE DEPARTMENT There will be 1800 campers in town with day visitors as well. You can simply welcome them to, town, congratulate their efforts - or offer specials for the week they are here. 2 PARADES 1 SUNDAY 1 MONDAY SHOW THEM A WARM SEAFORTH WELCOME!!!! 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