Helene Huffer, Event Coordinator – helene@hmhdesign.net
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WELCOME & VERY IMPORTANT DETAILS
Welcome!
The Poodle Club of America is looking forward with delight to welcoming you to its 2025 National Specialty Hunt Tests at beautiful Mt. Ararat Farm in Port Deposit MD. Mt. Ararat is one of the finest dog training facilities in this part of the country and we are extremely grateful to Gaby Buck and the entire Buck family for allowing us to use this wonderful facility for our event. We want to thank all of those who make such an event possible.
First, of course, our judges. We are grateful for your time, your expertise and your enthusiasm. We understand that by being here, you are taking time away from your own dogs and we appreciate that very much. We also greatly appreciate your support of our breed. We want to express our gratitude to the two local clubs that are supporting the Poodle Club of America in this venture. The Waterland Retriever Club and the Maryland Sporting Dog Association are providing both equipment and workers for our training day as well as our tests. We also want to express our appreciation to the many others who have volunteered their time to work at this event — friends, family, members of groups who train at Mt. Ararat Farm, and of course, many of you who will be entered. Without all of you this event could not take place. Please accept our most sincere thank you.
The Poodle Club of America is an AKC member club and also a member of the Master National Retriever Club. All participants and guests are expected to follow AKC Rules and Guidelines with respect to their conduct at this event. Please respect this property and its owners. If you meet Gaby and/or her sons, introduce yourself and express your appreciation. Please drive slowly and park in designated areas and take all of your trash with you when you leave.
The Officers and Directors of the Poodle Club of America as well as the members of the Hunt Test Committee are very excited about this, the second year of our National Specialty Field Events return to Maryland. In addition to the tests themselves, we have a training day Thursday, to be followed by an informal Pizza Party that evening and a Welcome Party on Friday. Check the details below.
By the way, make certain you don’t miss the Swag Alert!
We look forward to having you join us for what we hope to be one of the best Specialty Events ever! Check back often for updates and additional details. They’ll be posted on the PCA Website under the 2025 Hunting National Events.
We have obtained a discounted rate for the all-suites TownePlace Suites by Marriott Edgewood/Aberdeen. The rate is $189 + tax per night with a $50 per stay dog fee. The number of these rooms is limited, first come/first served. To receive this rate, reservations must be made by September 2nd and a minimum two-night stay is required. Reservations cancelled less than 14 days prior to stay result in charge of one night’s rate + tax. Ask for the Poodle Club block.
Phone: 443-558-4000
See you in Maryland!
Helene Huffer, Event Coordinator
TRAINING DAY
Thursday October 2nd, will be a pre-test training day.
There will be a spaniel session and a retriever session.
Entrants may participate in one or both.
Each session will work on both land and water.
The spaniel session will be run by a very accomplished expert who will offer tips and coaching to those who would like it.
Cost: $35 per dog, per session, birds (fliers) included.
RSVP and prepayment required
Go to PCA website and click on SHOP
PIZZA DINNER
Right after the conclusion of the training sessions, pizza and salads will be served in the former Show Cow Barn at Mt. Ararat Farm. This is designed to make it an easy night for all.
After a quick dinner everyone can head back to the hotel and get a good rest to be ready for the retriever test on Friday.
Cost: $12 for pizza. $16 for pizza and salad.
BYOB.
RSVP and prepayment required
Go to PCA website and click on SHOP
WELCOME PARTY
Our Welcome Dinner is scheduled for Friday evening, October 3rd.
It will be held in the grand, historic residence,
the centerpiece of the Donaldson Brown Conference Center.
It stands high on the banks of the Susquehanna River, but is literally just steps away from the test fields and ponds of Mt. Ararat Farm! At the request of many who attended last year, our cocktail hour will be held outside, offering what’s been called a Million Dollar View of the Susquehanna Valley and the river below. You can feast and fete knowing that your dog is safe and comfortable right outside the door on this private farm.
Dinner will be a delicious buffet, concluding with an ice cream sundae bar with all of the fixings.
The huge dining room provides lots of space for mingling; one can move from table to table and visit with everyone in the room.
Cost: $57, tax and gratuity included
Dress, casual (no need to go back to the hotel to change!)
BYOB
RSVP and prepayment required
Go to PCA website and click on SHOP
(Want a peek at the location in advance of the party? Visit https://donaldsonbrown.com/)
Schedule
Thursday October 2, 2025 – Training Day for Retriever and Spaniel Tests
Friday October 3, 2025 – AKC Retriever Tests JH, SH, & MH – Judges: Micky Novak and Mary Harding
Saturday October 4, 2025 – PCA Certificate Tests WC/WCX & UWC/UWCX
Sunday October 5, 2025 AKC Spaniel Tests JHU, SHU, & MHU – Judges: Kate Ostrowski and Jim Zimmerman
Store Links
Training Sessions – $35 per session (Retriever and/or Spaniel)
Thursday Night Pizza Party – $12 Pizza only & Pizza and Salad $16
Friday Night Welcome Party – $57
2025 PCA National Hunt Tests Donations