“Merlin”
NFC FC Creignant Mordred
5/14/1999 – 8/27/2013
English Cocker Spaniel
Owner: Ramon Rustia
Breeder: A. and B.C. Wyman (UK)
Whelped: 5/14/1999 Deceased 8/27/2013
Lemon and White Dog
By EFC Larford Cateran x Larford Emma
Merlin’s participation in U. S Field trials was limited to less than two years, however, he surely made a name for himself during that brief period of 2002 and 2003. He garnered two firsts, two seconds, and one fourth place in that time frame. His most significant first place was the 2002 National Cocker Championship held at Three Rivers Wingshooting, in Milo, Maine. Merlin’s handler in this trial and in all his competitions was Fred Bradley of Hawthorne Kennels, in Copake, NY.
At their first meeting Fred saw a look of brightness and honesty from Merlin. They connected. In the months that followed, Fred played with him using dummies and tennis balls. In training Merlin was calm but he was also intense; he had beautiful manners on lead. All he wanted was a definite “yes” or “no” so he could respond accordingly and satisfy. He could change on the wind faster than any dog Fred had ever seen – something beyond normal. Merlin kept proving his greatness as his training progressed and he entered his first field trials in the spring of 2002.
Judge Jason Givens gave us a vivid account of Merlin’s performance at the NCC in the fall of 2002: “Merlin had fantastic scores across the sheets through the series work. Starting off in the first with an expertly executed handling job through trees to a retrieve that had two different leftover birds in between the flush and the fall. Then he had an incredible runner in the fourth that the judge watched double back and reverse directions. The bird ran back past us and through the gallery and was caught by Merlin somewhere past the gallery and retrieved. He did that right before he was going to be told to call the dog back because I felt there was no way he could find that bird under those circumstances. Merlin then finished the trial with some incredible hunting teamwork. After a good first bird in the fifth, he quickly trailed a runner into heavy bushes. Just as it looked as if we were headed for trouble …, Merlin burst out into the open grass and started trailing the bird toward the road and buildings. He was stopped as he got out of range, and then quickly resumed the track when asked to do so as we got close. Then in a lightning fast shot, he lined to the berm along the trees at the edge of the road. With cars driving along the road the handler was told in a panic to stop him. We watched in awe as, with one whistle toot, Merlin stopped at 60 yards just as the large rooster darted over the berm 10 feet in front of him. A soft voice and quiet whistle then quickly brought Merlin racing back out of a dangerous situation to his handler as a National Champion. The fantastic team of guns agreed and bestowed him with their award.”
Gun Captain, Robb Cotiaux commented, “… Merlin and Fred Bradley truly represented the dog we would have taken hunting on any day. If you read the first few paragraphs in the Blue or Green Book of Spaniel Handling, we see these words leap off the page and become the judges National First Place reasoning: “Quiet, little handling, able to take direction to a blind fall, pursue runners to completion, steady to flush, diligent in pace.”
Merlin’s performance outside field trials was just as notable. His owner, Ramon Rustia, hunted Merlin extensively after his early retirement: on ducks, on wild birds, and at hunting clubs. Ramon said, “It was like winning the National Championship every day I took him out. He did everything right.” span>
Looking at Merlin’s performance history in and out of field trials speaks to his exceptional ability, however, his greatest effect on the cocker world will probably lie in the strength of his progeny. From seven breedings Merlin has sired thirteen offspring with performance titles and of these, eight are field champions. Two were high point dogs, one four years in a row. Many of his progeny have that same calmness and intensity; Merlin passed himself to them. These talented offspring have brought new interest and new handlers into competitions, and now their progeny are broadening participation even more. We will see the name “Creignant Mordred” appear on the pedigrees of future title holders; his legacy is assured.