2010 INVITATIONAL
DETAILS

revised 8/22/10

Dates
The test will be held Thursday, September 23rd through Sunday, September 26th, 2010. If inclement weather interferes with an assigned test day, a make-up day may be added on Monday September 27th 2010.

Location
The test will be held at Brownell’s Hunting and Shooting Complex near Searsboro, Iowa.
http://www.bigspringsrange.com

Directions to the Grounds
http://www.bigspringsrange.com/directions.php


View 2010 NAVHDA Invitational HQ & Test Site Locations in a larger map

Entry Fees
The test entry is $350, payable to NAVHDA in US Funds. Entry will close midnight 5/1/10 and must be submitted on an official Test Entry Form located on the NAVHDA website, www.navhda.org in Forms Express. Entries can be submitted with a credit card via facsimile to NAVHDA’s Central Office at 847-255-5987 or email to mbondi@navhda.org. Or entries can be mailed to:

NAVHDA—Invitational Entry
P.O. Box 520
Arlington Heights, IL 60006

Entries can be sent beginning January 1, 2010 and will close at midnight, May 1, 2010. Entries received after May 1, must have been postmarked by or before May 1, 2010. Be sure to indicate which day you wish to run. Days will be assigned in the order entries are received.

Females in Season
All females in season will run on Sunday. In order to allow the test to proceed expeditiously, handlers who wish to run more than one dog on Sunday will only be allowed to run female dogs. Handlers running only one dog may run a male dog on Sunday.

Test Sites
The following photos are examples of what test locations may look like:
Potential blind site:


Exercise Area and Available Training Birds
No participating dog is allowed to train on the grounds after May 1, 2010 through the completion of the test. Invitational entered handlers and their dogs may participate in other sanctioned testing events at the Brownell’s Hunting and Shooting Complex during that timeframe. There will be a designated training area available during the days of the Invitational. Please contact Don Cross to arrange access to the training area and to order birds. Call him at 641-521-4445 or email him at DJCross@iowatelecom.net. Orders for birds will close August 31, 2010. Handlers will be responsible for all birds ordered unless your cancellation is received before that day.

Daily Activities
Handlers must be checked in on the grounds by 6:30 a.m. Opening ceremonies will begin promptly at 7:00 a.m. Each handler and dog will rotate to the different testing sites throughout the day.

Test Workers
Whether you are handling a dog, or coming as a spectator, working at the Invitational is not only a fun and productive way to see great dog work, it is an outstanding way to learn more about this test. The Invitational is an International event, which means each of us plays a part in its success. This test requires 40 workers per day. If everyone who handles a dog offers to volunteer at least one day, there would be a sufficient number of workers. Workers need to be on the grounds by 6:30 every morning to meet with their site marshal.

View Job Descriptions

View current Work Schedule

** ALL VOLUNTEERS MUST BE MEMBERS OF NAVHDA INTERNATIONAL

To volunteer your services please use the Volunteer Form which will automatically be sent directly to Tim Clark via email.

The preferred point of contact is through the Volunteer Form which will go directly to Tim Clark. Please fill out the form completely and he’ll do his best to accommodate everyone. Please note all gunners must be approved by the Invitational committee. If you are interested in being a gunner, contact Marilyn Vetter at mvetter@pressenter.com. Potential Invitational gunners must have previously gunned at a NAVHDA UT test and have a note of reference from a NAVHDA Judge.

NOTICE TO HANDLERS:
The following jobs require volunteers to actively participate in the running of the test and could be interpreted as violating the standing rule that handlers can’t train or run on the grounds until they’ve completed testing. Therefore, handlers will not be allowed to hold the following jobs until they’ve completed testing:

In the field:
Bye Dog

At the Blind and Honor Site:
Test Dog
Retrieving Dog at the Honor

At the Double Mark Retrieve and Heeling Site:
Test Dog

Handlers may volunteer for all other positions.

Meals on the Grounds
Breakfast will be served daily at the Invitational Headquarters Location (the Big Springs Shooting Complex) prior to the start of the ceremonies. Lunch and concessions will be sold at each test site daily. All stands will be manned by local Youth Scholastic and Trap Shooting Clubs. We ask that you support the efforts of these young students with your patronage.

Evening Events
Entertainment
The Big Springs Shotgun Range will be open for Trap, Skeet & 5-Stand Sporting Clays September 22-24 from 5:30-8:30 pm. Each round of Trap and Skeet is $3.50 and each round of 5-Stand Sporting Clays is $5. Ammunition (12, 20, 16 & 28 gauge) is sold at the range; prices vary. Bring your break-action guns and join the fun! Prizes and contests are available. www.bigspringsrange.com

Receptions & Dining
NAVHDA and its major corporate sponsors will be hosting receptions with heavy appetizers Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings from 6-7:30 at the Linden House (202 East St, Lynnville, IA 50153), located just five miles west of the test headquarters and at the B&B where the judges are staying. The events will be open to all handlers, volunteers, judges and spectators. A cash bar will be available.

The Linden House has an extraordinary restaurant and lounge if you wish to dine there after. Please phone ahead for reservations and ask for Paula or leave a message with your name, date and time of reservation. Be sure to mention you are with NAVHDA. The number is 641-527-2332. For more information refer to their website http://www.lindenhouse.com/restaurant.html.

Invitational Banquet & Auction
The keepers at the Linden House are also hosting the Saturday evening social hour (6-7 pm), banquet (starting at 7 pm) and auction. Dine on prime rib, grilled chicken breasts, loaded mashes potatoes, vegetables, rolls, and desert for $35. A cash bar will be available. If you plan on attending, and we hope you do, please complete the attached form and send it in advance with payment to our hosts so they can adequately prepare a special evening for us: Banquet Form. In the event of inclement weather the banquet and auction will be moved to the Lynnville City Park Pavilion.

Closest Airports
The Des Moines, Iowa (DSM) is approximately 75 minutes from Searsboro.
The Cedar Rapids, Iowa (CID) is approximately 90 minutes from Searsboro.

Host Hotel
Comfort Inn & Suites
www.comfortinn.com
Phone (641)236-5236
1630 West Street South, Grinnell, IA 50112

Request the NAVHDA block rate of $69.99 plus tax and $5 for each additional person in the room. Dogs are welcome in the room for a one-time $15 fee. The Invitational test weekend is also a heavy college weekend so it’s recommended you book your rooms early. A complimentary deluxe breakfast is included, as is wireless internet service.

Other Hotels in the Area:

Days Inn
www.daysinn.com
1902 West Street South, Grinnell, IA 50112
I-80 and Hwy 146
Phone: 641-236-6710, Toll free 800-329-7466
Pets accepted with a fee. Complimentary breakfast and wireless internet service.

Best Western Pioneer Inn
http://www.bestwesterniowa.com/hotels/best-western-pioneer-inn/
2210 West Street S, Grinnell, Iowa 50112
Phone 641-236-6116, Toll free 800-780-7234
Pets allowed with restrictions and a fee. Complimentary full breakfast and wireless internet service.

Super 8
http://www.super8.com/Super8/control/Booking/property_info?propertyId=03455&brandInfo=SE
2111 West Street S, Grinnell, IA 50112
I-80 Exit #182
Phone 641-236-7888, Toll Free 800-800-8000
Pets welcome with permission and a fee. Complimentary breakfast and wireless internet service.

Country Inn & Suites
http://www.countryinns.com/hotels/iagrinne
1710 West Street South, Grinnell IA 50112,
Phone (641) 236-9600, Toll Free 800-596-2375
Complimentary breakfast buffet and wireless internet service. Dogs not allowed in rooms.

Bed & Breakfast in the Grinnell Area
Owned by Mel & Donna Beck
641-236-5843 or 641-990-0844

Camping Facilities
Fun Valley MotoX
(conveniently located just across the road from the blind site)
Three camping sites with water, electric and sewer hook-up, and several others with water and electric connections. On-site restroom and shower facilities are also available.
www.fvmotox.com
1066 500th Ave
Montezuma, IA 50171
Contact Chip or Becky Bryan at 641-891-6027

Diamond Lake Park
Electrical and primitive sites, shower facilities, pump station
Campground information http://www.poweshiekcountyparks.org/parks2dl.htm
Self register on-site. Daily fee is dependent on site type.

Rock Creek State Park
5628 Rock Creek East Street, Kellogg, IA 50135
(641) 236-3722
7 miles from Grinnell, electrical sites, modern rest rooms and showers, daily fee is dependent on site type.
Park information http://www.iowadnr.gov/parks/state_park_list/rock_creek.html
Reservations can be made 3 months in advance at https://eservices.iowa.gov/iowaparks/

Veterinary Care in the Area
Grinnell Veterinary Clinic
Dr. Alden Frischmeyer
1631 West St S Grinnell Iowa 50112
Ph. 641-236-4461 or 641-594-3191
http://www.grinnellveterinaryclinic.vetsuite.com/Templates/Clean.aspx
Email: gvet@netins.net

All Pets Veterinary Hospital
611 West Street, Grinnell, IA
(641) 236-6869

Emergency Contacts in the Area
Grinnell Regional Medical Center
210 4th Avenue, Grinnell, Iowa 50112
(641)236-7511, www.grmc.com
A map to the hospital can be found at: http://www.grmc.us/about/map.html

Host Chapter
Hawkeye Chapter


Additional Questions
All questions pertaining to qualifications, entries, refunds and registrations should be directed to Maria Bondi at NAVHDA’s International Office, Ph (847) 253-6488 or E-mail mbondi@navhda.org.

All other questions should be directed to Marilyn Vetter—Invitational Chairman at mvetter@pressenter.com or 612-839-0074.


ELIGIBLE DOGS       TENTATIVE RUNNING DAYS      DETAILS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS      RULES      HISTORY & PAST VCs

HOME