The Rainier Hunting Retriever Club (RHRC) is located in the Puget Sound region of Washington State. Club members enjoy training and competing with their dogs. Many retriever breeds and skill levels are represented but one thing we hold in common is the love of a well-trained working dog.
On February 1, 2025, the Club held its Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet at Shawn O’Donnell’s Irish Bub. We celebrated our members and their dog’s accomplishments, elected 2025 club officers and enjoyed each other’s company.
The President’s Award of Merit was presented to Bill Woll who was also elected RHRC’s president for 2025. Chris Braswell was honored as Member of the Year, recognizing her tireless support of the club throughout the year.
RHRC will be holding an AKC Sanctioned Hunt Test on May 17/18, 2025. It will be held at the Snoqualmie Valley Retriever Grounds – 10810 W. Snoqualmie Valley Rd. NE, Carnation, WA (just south of Duvall). All levels will be tested: Junior, Senior and Master. Visitors as well as participants are welcome.
RHRC will be holding an AKC Sanctioned Hunt Test on August 9/10, 2025 at the Snoqualmie Valley Retriever Grounds. All levels will be tested: Junior, Senior and Master. Entries open on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 through Entry Express (www.entryexpress.net). Workers/Amateur Set Aside available on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Entries close Monday, July 28, 2025. Judges for the weekend are: Master – “Boogie” Lejeune Jr and Dave McPherson, Senior/Junior: Mike Collson and Scott Corley. Visitors as well as participants are welcome.
Recap of 2024
January provided an opportunity for our annual Awards Banquet. Members and their dogs were recognized for the hard work they put in during the 2023 testing season. Member of the Year was Misalyn Armstrong and the President’s Award went to Jean Fowler. Guest speaker, Dr. Adam Black DVM, shared information about the Avian Flu.
In February, RHRC held a training day at Cascade Retrievers in Monroe, WA. Many members and non-members had fun getting ready for the summer event season.
March brought a 2-day AKC Advanced Retriever Hunting Test Seminar for Judges and Handlers hosted by RHRC. We are grateful to the Master National Retriever Club for their $1,000 grant to assist with the costs of the event.
In May, RHRC hosted 3-day AKC Sanctioned Hunting Retriever Test at the Snoqualmie Valley Retriever Grounds. Thanks to the members, friends, professionals and judges who helped make this a reality for those who wished to compete.
In June, many RHRC members participated in the 2024 Master Amateur Invitational Event held on the Snoqualmie Vallely Retriever Grounds. Retrievers and their Amateur Handlers from all over the country participated in this premier retriever event.
In August, we celebrated our 40th Anniversary during our Fall AKC Hunt Test. To celebrate. every entry to our August test received a free raffle ticket for one free entry to many field events in 2025 (both AKC and UKC). We are grateful to the many clubs that honored RHRC.
In October we capped off the year with a Fall Fun Day/Volunteer Appreciation of training for members and newbies. Training opportunities for all levels (Junior, Senior, Master) were offered as well as a scrumptious lunch. The day was slightly rainy but the warmth of friendship and fun with our dogs more than made up for the drizzle
Bill ran his first AKC and HRC hunt tests in 2010. Watching what these hunting dogs were capable of totally captured his spirit and strengthened his love for dogs. This sport has become a passion since then! Bill, a long time Board member of both Rainier HRC and Cascade HRC, trains and competes with Faith and Maddie his two Master/Finished level labs. He has competed in every Master National event since 2012 and has qualified nine times.
Liz participated in her first hunt test with her chocolate Labrador "Hudson" in 2005. She has been a part of the community ever since, active in hunt tests and judging at all levels. A long time member of RHRC, she has held positions on the Board, chaired and volunteered for annual events and hunt tests. She currently runs "Vincent" and "Oliver" at Master level and "McCormick" is her upcoming star!
Misalyn has been captivated with Hunt Tests since 1996. She enjoys training, competing and judging dogs. She appreciates the camaraderie amongst other competitors in the sport. She trains, competes and loves her two girls (dogs) Harlee and Ellee.
Lee has been hooked on the hunt test game since 2005. Currently he has two dogs that he competes with, Zen and Otto. Lee has learned that no matter what happens during the day, there is always room to sprinkle in some fun. He is a certified CPA.