By GEORGE MAHL Sports Editor

NORCO – The Great Outdoor Games, a television program that airs for about two weeks a year on the cable network ESPN, is the most watched outdoors show in the world. It attracts more than 10 million viewers each time it is aired. One of the events held during the Great Outdoors Games is the Super Retriever Series. Recently, qualifying for this event took place at the Spillway.

“We have over 60 dogs in competition this year,” said SRS Organizer Justin Tackett. “After this qualifying round, we will send the top two dogs to the Great Outdoor Games,” he added.

The Games will take place next July in Madison, Wisconsin.

During the qualifying dogs are judged on three things. First, they must make and remember a blind. Secondly, how they do on their line manners. In other words, how will these dogs do with hunting scenarios. And, what kind of control do they have. “They are judged on that part based on how they react on hand signals given by the hunter,” Tackett said.

Two of three judges have to agree for a person to earn points.

Several former medalists were on hand to try and get back to the highest level. Chris Akin, a former Great Outdoor Games Gold-Medalist, is excited about the opportunity to win two consecutive medals.

“This basically is a celebration of the great dogs of the United States run throughout the year. This is the best of the best right here,” Akin said.

A St. Francisville man also competiting at the Spillway is liking it just because of the dogs involved.

“A dog is the number one pet in America. I think this is just an enjoyable experience for everyone involved,” said Bill Morgan.

Akin, a resident of Jonesboro, Arkansas, said he has been all over the country attending these types of events.

“I think it’s more like where have I not gone rather than where have I gone,” Akin said. Akin said he has been from Canada to Louisiana and from Reno to the east coast.

Akin, a 15-year pro, said everything came together for him to win the 2003 Gold Medal in Reno.

“Everything just came together perfectly for us,” he said. “The timing was perfect in Boomer’s (Akin’s dog) lifetime for him to win a gold.”

The qualifying will air on ESPN 2 on February 21 at 9:30AM.