"As a spectator who is hoping to receive my Springer judging license in the near future, I can not begin to tell you how informative and impressed I was with the information I received from this symposium. I loved the interaction of active breeders and the insight I received listening to the in-depth discussions. Thanks again for a wonderful job."

Nancy - Michigan

"The entire event was wonderful. The company was great, the presentation was very impressive, and the food was really awesome (hats off for Scott)!
Even though I am not a breeder....I believe being there for this was very educational and helpful. I learned so much more being there than what I have read in books so far!"

Michael- Michigan

"I am not a breeder and, in fact, have just gotten my first English Springer Spaniel. But I did attend the symposium, and came away with much more knowledge in a short time than I could have acquired in the normal "talk to people and attend shows" fashion.
Puppy fun day, too, was invaluable to me. It was really helpful to me to have Tarja Hovila, Jennifer Lawrence and Julia Merriman look at my 5-month puppy bitch and give me their evaluations of her. Again, I believe this accelerated my learning about Springers in general and my puppy in particular."

Jane- Pennsylvania

 "Being new to the show side of Springers, I really learned a great deal and I met a slew of great folks! My little 6 month old puppy is zonked out on the couch as she really enjoyed playing with the other youngsters! Thanks again!"

Mary - Ohio

 "To be honest, if I'd not had the honor of being a panel member for the International Breeders' Symposium in Toledo this past weekend, I'm not sure I'd have gone. But not attending would have been a huge mistake. I met more new people and dogs, learned more, and had more fun at this event than I have at any dog event in a very long time. The variety of people and dogs was "awesome" in the true sense of the word. The pleasure of meeting Tarja Hovila from Finland and Jennifer Lawrence from Australia was almost unmatched in my 33 years in Springers. If a 2nd Symposium is scheduled for 2004, please consider making the trip to Toledo a priority! I sure will."

Karen- Georgia

 "It was just.....it was SO wonderful. It was absolutely an incredible experience. Just getting to meet Tarja (and actually spending some time with her!) and Jennifer in person was, of course, a great experience. How often is that going to happen?! :) But, to see so many people from such *different* points of view come together at the symposium was really, really ...heartening! Wow, Wow, wow."

Michelle- Wisconsin

 "I am extremely proud and happy to announce that with a 52 Dog Entry (minus a few that didn't make it or couldn't show), that our Heidi not only took WB from the Bred-By Class, but also BW and BOB under Breeder Judge Ms. Tarja Hovila of Finland. Heidi having entered these shows with 6 points including a major I believe that Heidi has clearly proven that you can mix the American dogs with the English/Imports and come up with dogs that can cross the international boundaries and be accepted by American and European Judges alike. Not only a half and half but also a full English Import, as Robbie completed his American Championship with Majors under American Judge Nancy Cowley and Patricia Trotter, gaining his last point under Judge Mr. Laurent Pichard of Switzerland. Robbie furthered our pleasure by taking BOS to Heidi on Sat. as well as being pulled out for consideration for BOB on Sunday. Again under Patricia Trotter. Heidi again won the Bred-by class on Sunday."

anonymous

 Riding on a high that had only been a dream before Sat., on we went to the International Breeders Symposium hosted by David Swank at his home. What can I say other then Well Done! to David, Scott, Kathy Lorentzen, Julia Merriman, Jennifer Lawrence, Karen Foster, Tarja Hovila and all who attended and participated in the discussions. A wide range of topics were discussed by all and it was a meeting of the minds and thoughts the like that I have not seen in the past. Again a resounding WELL DONE! and THANK YOU! to all. Before the evening was over Ms. Hovila presented Tarey, who showed Robbie and I, who showed Heidi, beautiful Rosettes from Finland for BOS and BOB."

Kathy- Texas

 "It was a First Class event, everything thing was perfect. Symposium in Ohio Many thanks to David Swank and the Pittsburgh Club, for the fantastic job in putting on this event. David coordinated a first class event, from the outdoor setting in an exquisite yard to the food, raffle and wonderful food. The seminar was interesting and informative. It was very cold and windy, but David had a tent with sides that keep us nice and cozy, and when it got too cold outside, they had the food moved inside and allowed us to tromp through their home."

April- California

 "What a wonderful day we've had here in Ohio...capped of course by the symposium held at the home of David & Scott.. suffice it to say that Springer entry was incredible...due both to the wonderful variety of dogs shown and the fact that one dog gave me goose bumps to watch...something that hasn't happened in quite a while. As I sat under the tent in David and Scott's yard and listened to Kathy Lorentzen/Tarja Hovila/Julia Merriman/Jennifer Lawrence/Karen Foster discuss heads/fronts/markings/profiles/movement/health issues, etc. the thought kept coming through my head of what a once in a lifetime opportunity this was...and how I wouldn't have missed it for the world."

Teri – VA

 I would like to take the opportunity to say my biggest thank you to all concerned for the unforgettable Toledo weekend, in which I had the greatest pleasure to take part with and felt it was such a big honor to be one of panelists and to get the opportunity to judge in show. The biggest thanks go to David Swank..The 'primus motor' and soul of the all this happening; without you and your most devoting and patient work for this goal this had not happened.

And of course, all who arrived and wanted to make their important part of this great time for all Springer enthusiasts to spend time with each other chatting endless about our beloved breed, you all made these memories and may be some new thoughts to remain in our thoughts when we think and try to find the right ways to go on for the best goals of the breed in future. I personally enjoyed every minute of my trip..even the boring flights.

Many thoughts have runned since that in my head and would have liked to say even more about some things, as for example fronts and movements, may be had needed to grab another Finlandia vodka shot to get my English going more fluent in that cold weather of Saturday..
on the other hand we have still here weather like that, so am pretty used in such and of course have not got any sign of having got cold there.

Doggy sports have kept me still busy, have spent all day long as judging here today too, showing tomorrow, having exams in beginning of week...so I have to wait and see when I will get some more time to may be write more about things, which I feel I did not express yet enough. There was so much to talk, that I think we all could have spent a week with this symposium going on as chatting every night all night long about one piece of Kathy Lorentzen's magnificently moderated and planned programme's every different part of Springer in full details. As knowing Kathy Lorentzen's great knowledge and talents in writing super articles about breed I wait for her writing about this with greatest anticipation.

I was especially touched about the opportunity to meet Julia Merriman in person, who has been so long in this breed and has so long time perspective about what has happened with breed in past 40 decades in USA.

It was lovely to meet you all, it was such a great time all through there!

Kindest regards

Tarja Hovila

click here to view a photo collage from this event