Team One - Mike Clemens
I started tracking in 1979 and started track laying for various trials in that same year. In those days, the track layer would show up the day of the test, grab the map from the judge and go out and lay the track. There was never a problem. This was done for both TD and TDX.I passed my first TD on my first try in 1981 and my TDX on my first try in 1982 with probably my best tracking dog: Gisela. She also passed her Canadian TD and TDX on her first track. That dog lived to track I was just an annoyance on the other end of the lead.
I went on to found the Hudson Valley Tracking Club in 1987 and was training director for many years. When I departed the club last year it had well over 100 members and at one time did five tests a year. The highlight of the year was our beginning tracking seminar where most of the members were introduced to tracking.
I started judging TD in 1984 and TDX soon after. I started judging VST as soon as it became available. I lost track a long time ago how many tests I have judged over the years. I still enjoy the challenge of setting up proper AKC tracks for the conditions that are there. After Gisela I had Jodie who was a VDC3, Frieda who was a rescue and probably my biggest accomplishment was putting a TD on her, and the dog in this test Blitzen who puts every ounce of energy into what he does. I had to learn another way of handling to be able to hold on to him. Wilson Davis (GO Find) showed me many years ago how to wrap the lead behind my back, from this I lean back and away we go. I find it a great honor to be included in this trial and look forward to showing Blitzen.
