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. Visitors as well as participants are welcome at all our events.
The Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet was held on January 31, 2026 at Shawn O’Donnell’s Irish Pub in Everett, WA. Dr. Anders Thoreson, DVM at Klahaya Animal Hospital in Snohomish, WA, our featured speaker, shared valuable information on aspects of dog training and competing in both hot and cold weather.
In addition to electing the 2026 Officers, both dogs and their handlers were recognized for their field accomplishments during 2025. Leighton Harder was awarded the RHRC Member of the Year honor and Misalyn Armstrong received the President’s Award.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
RHRC Club Training Day – Saturday, March 14, 2026
Snoqualmie Valley Retriever Grounds, Carnation, WA
***********************
Basic and Advanced AKC Judges Seminar – May 15 – 17
Hosted by Marin Retriever Club in California
Basic Seminar – Friday, May 15; Advanced Seminar – Saturday and Sunday, May 16-17
Additional details: www.entryexpress.net under “Seminars”. Classroom work will be at the Holiday Inn Express in nearby Suisun City. CA Field work will be at the CRTA Denverton, CA property. This promises to be a very informative seminar with in-depth discussions on the many rule changes recently announced by AKC.
Recap of Rainier’s 2025
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.
In May, to prepare for the upcoming Hunting Tests, RHRC held a Training Day for all levels of retrievers. It was well attended.
RHRC held 2 AKC sanctioned Hunt Tests in 2025. Our spring test was held on May 17/18 and our fall event ran on August 9/10. Both events were held on the Snoqualmie Valley Retriever Grounds and were well attended. All levels were tested: Junior, Senior and Master.
Throughout the summer, RHRC members participated in local field events as well as the Master Amateur Invitational (held in Maine) and the Master National (held in Texas).
Our Fun Fall Field Day was held in September at the Snoqualmie Valley Retriever Grounds. All levels of retrievers were welcome: Beginners to Master Hunters.
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.