Silverbrook Kennels is owned and operated by me, Trish Jagoda of Fredericksburg, VA. I have been training and competing Labrador Retrievers since I acquired my first Lab, GMHR/WR Lacey J "Lacey", on April 4, 1981. I started much the same way everyone else does; I knew nothing about training hunting dogs... Lacey taught me that the right dog can make a person look very good. I owe "big Lacey" credit for the success I have enjoyed through the years. Her blood is the root of my competition and breeding stock to this day, 20 years later.
We were invited to participate in the first ever NAHRA National Invitational Field test in May of 1985 as test dog. We did not accumulate the necessary points needed to qualify for the event by the restricted time allotted the previous December. Although running as just a test dog, Lacey had collected more points, including her "Master Hunter" title in the 5 months between December and May, than half of the competitors who were entered.
In the first few years of NAHRA's existence, points were accumulated each calendar year. The top 30 dogs were invited to participate in the, all expenses paid, NAHRA Invitational event. It was not unusual to see any where from 240 to 300 points piled up per dog in one year. Lacey always seemed to get her points and qualify for the event. In the second National Invitational in 1986, I was the only female handler to be invited and the first to qualify a dog at the event. Since 1986 to the present, I have qualified every year to run the Invitational.
Again through Lacey, I was fortunate to produce
"Midgie", her Daughter, GMHR/WR Southland Bomber's Black Lace.
When looking at the history of Silverbrook Kennels, this Mother/Daughter
team could not go unmentioned. These girls racked up more points and titles
than any other Mother/Daughter team in the history of the NAHRA program.
In the three years between 1987 and 1989 the two had accumulated nearly
1200 points and many "All American Team" honors. At the age
of 6, Midgie became one of a handful of dogs to reach the "1000 lifetime
points" distinction.
On Easter of 1988, I received a gift from my brother Jack and his wife. His name is "Petey", GMHR/WR Southland Repeat Performance. Petey is extremely well bred and an outstanding producer, siring dogs throughout the country. These retrieving maniacs are referred to fondly as, "Petey Pups". Petey ran his first NAHRA Senior test in 1989 at the age of 9 months. In 1997, at 9 years old, he became Silverbrook Kennels second 1000 lifetime points competitor.
The union of "Petey" and "Midgie" in 1991, produced my current "Lacey", GMHR Silverbrook's Lacey J. Following in the outstanding footsteps of her Mother and Father, Lacey is a Grand Master Hunting Retriever. Now, almost 10 years old, she has qualified for 8 Invitationals and is a second generation "1000 lifetime points" competitor.
In 1992, I was chosen as the first female to judge a National Invitational. The site was Savees Island in Portland, Oregon. During that event, a co-judge informed me of the availability of an outstanding traditional field trial dog, FC/AFC/MHR Westwind's Bold Tiger. "Tiger" was the "1984 AKC High Point Derby Dog of the Year" and a 5 time National Finalist; Tiger acquired his NAHRA Master Hunter title in less than 30 days. Tiger's name appears on "AKC's list of all time high scoring dogs". Since his arrival in 1992, Tiger has sired countless litters. Consequently, there are so many NAHRA titled dogs throughout the country sired by Tiger, that it would be impossible to count them all. Tiger passed away in 1996 leaving a legacy that has, (as written by Tim Schrack, Huntingdon, PA) "...improved the genetics of East Coast dogs for years to come."
Many Master Hunters, All Americans, and 1000 point dogs at Silverbrook Kennels will be descendants of these four great animals; Lacey, Midgie, Petey, and Tiger. The basic premise at Silverbrook Kennels, is to perpetuate this kind of working drive, determination and desire. My personal success, as well as the future success of this kennel, originates from these outstanding lines of working Labrador Retrievers.
Silverbrook Kennels
50 Red Fox Lane
Fredericksburg, VA 22406
Phone 540-720-3661
FAX 540-720-3631
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