Meet Vicki

Meet Vicki Worthington

Amateur Trainer........Breeder........Field Trial Competitor

I began working with Labrador Retrievers in the mid-1980's in Virginia. I was invited to train with some friends who competed in licensed field trials, and decided to give it a try. I was absolutely amazed by the abilities of these wonderful dogs, by their willingness to please, by their desire to retrieve regardless of the obstacles before them. I just had to have one!

I began my "education" with an older dog that was "washed out" from field trials. That way I could learn without doing any damage. I graduated from the wash-out to other puppies and started dogs. Along the way I was fortunate enough to have had:

AFC ESPRIT HARDBALL "PITCH"
FC-AFC ESPRIT PLAYING FOR KEEPS* "WAGER"
AFC ESPRIT FARFETCHED "FERGIE"
FC-AFC RSK'S SMOOTH SAILING "CRUISE"
FC OZARK'S COSMIC DREAM** "MADDEE"
WORTH-IT'S YOSEMITE SAM QAA with Open and Amateur Wins** "SAM"
CANDLEWOOD'S LABRACADABRA QAA with Open and Amateur placements "GENIE"

* Co-Owned with M. Brown
** Co-Owned with D. Sniegowski

I've owned many other wonderful dogs as well that didn't title--or didn't even make a trial dog for whatever reason. I can guarantee I loved them each and every one.

I moved to Illinois in 1995 and began the WORTH-IT LABRADORS odyssey. I continue my education and love of Labrador Retrievers every day. I hope to never stop learning more about the wonderful dogs that bless my life and the wonderful sport of Licensed Field Trials.

I have been interviewed by Ducks Unlimited, and had my views on choosing puppies published in their DU Magazine. As well as Ducks Unlimited I am active in several clubs that sponsor Licensed Field Trials:

THE AMERICAN AMATEUR RETRIEVER CLUB
THE MIDWEST FIELD TRIAL CLUB
WOMEN'S FIELD TRIAL CLUB

My dogs are professionally trained by Joe and Scott Harp at Twin Oak Kennels.