THE 14th ANNUAL

MATT CARSTENS

 Growing up in North Carolina, Matt Carstens never saw a dog sled or a dog team and rarely ever saw snow. Then in 1994 Matt read James Michener’s novel “Alaska”. He was living in Daytona Beach, Florida at the time and the novel so inspired him that he hopped in his pick-up truck and drove almost 6,000 miles to the Last Frontier where dog mushing is the state sport. In 1996, back in the lower 48, Matt bought a husky, then another….until he had a whole yard full. In 2001, Mitch Ingerson offered Matt a job dog handling, a “dream job”. Dog mushing has now become Matt’s lifestyle and he enjoys it that way! Winning has also become a way of life: Matt won the CanAm 250 in 2006 and 2009. Since 2006 he has placed in the top 5. He has won the Eagle Lake 100 in 2006 and 2007 and the 100 Mile Wilderness in 2007. In 2008 he placed 3rd in the John Beargrease Marathon and also won the most coveted “Best Kept Team Award”.

Photo courtesy of Nevahome Kennels

Will be our featured speakers

 

JOHNN MOLBURG

will speak on scootering and bikejoring

As a youngster, Johnn Molburg participated in the New England Sled Dog Club's junior races and continued to run dogs as an adult. He has won 3 ISDRA Gold Medals and a Silver World Cup. Johnn has raced in New England, New York, the mid-Atlantic States,  Michigan, Minnesota, Colorado, several Canadian provinces and Germany. Johnn and his wife Nancy own and operate Arctic Star Dog Sleds.         

Photo by Nancy Molburg

 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

                                                                                     Saturday

                                                                               9:00       Fair/Vendor building opens

                                                                               9:30       Jerry Vanek, DVM

                                                                                                 “Common sled dog parasites—why you’re at risk and why you’re 

                  not winning”  

                                         

    10:30      Matt Carstens

                                                                 “Observations & analysis of sled dog behavior”

                     Noon      Break (food, shop, schmooze)

           1:00        Sebastian Schnuelle

                                                                                      "Training slow, to run fast" a talk about training for long distance racing 

        

           2:30       Jerry Vanek, DVM

                                                                                                                                       “Serum Run ’25—the biennial reenactment of the 1925 diphtheria serum  

                            relay race to Nome”

                                                                               5:00        Vendor building closes

                                                                                       Sunday

                             8:00       Fair opens/rig race registration

                 8:00      Vendor building opens

8:30       Rig race

                       

                                            10:30       Sebastian Schnuelle   (approx. to follow race)

                                                                             "2000 miles in a month ", a talk about running the Quest and the   

                                 Iditarod back to back” 

        12:00      Johnn Molburg**

'                                                        “Bikejoring and scootering with your dog(s)

                                                                                                               Following Johnn's presentation, others will be available to show more                                        options fo"small teams."

            1-3:00     Jerry Vanek, DVM

                                                                                                                                     "An introduction to rehabilitating sled dogs" (presentation to be followed by

                                                                          hands- on laboratory with willing canine volunteers)  

                                                                                3:00        Fair closes

                                                               Campers must be ready to leave fairgrounds

                                                                         

                                                                        * Temperature permitting; if it’s too hot, the race will not take place.

                                             ** If raining, Johnn Molburg’s presentation will be held in the Speakers' Building

                                                                            

.

Please Note: While dogs are welcome at the fair, they MUST be leashed at all times and please come prepared to pick up after your dog.

Admission Fee:  adults (age 14 on up):  $5

                                       ages 8-13:  $2

                                         under 8:  free  

Parking is free 

  RAFFLE TICKETS: $1.00  6/$5.00       

Dryland, Sunday 8:00 AM (registration)

 1-2 dog bike, 1-4 dog rig, 5-6 Dog Rig Classes-Short distance to be determined; Registration Sunday 8:00 AM/Start 8:30 AM

(temperature permitting)

LODGING IN HOPKINTON/CONTOOCOOK, NH AREA

Camping Information -please read  before arriving

$25/NIGHT (plain site)

                  $40/NIGHT (for power hook-up)   

                                                                                                                  

Directions:(go to Green Gate Entrance only)

At the Hopkinton Fairgrounds in Contoocook, N.H.  Located right off I-89, 45 minutes from Manchester and just west of Concord. From the east take I-93 to I-89, then exit 7 and follow signs for the fairgrounds. From the west, take I-89 to exit 7. For best directions go to  http://www.hsfair.org/generalinfo.htm

Entrance is via the GREEN GATE only

 

For vendor or more information contact:  Amy Dugan (207) 695-3754,  info@mtnridge.com ,Faye Krause (207) 457-3949 or Lucille Murphy(207) 445-5550 questions@mainemadedogsleds.com , or mmdogsleds@fairpoint.net).

JOIN US FOR A FUN AND EDUCATIONAL WEEKEND OF "TALKING DOGS"!

 

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2009 TRADE FAIR

Well, despite very poor weather Saturday many intrepid mushers  and mushing hopefuls braved the rain and enjoyed fantastic talks by all of our speakers. Matt Carstens gave a very insightful talk on his own observations of his kennel and racing dogs. Sebastian spoke on particulars of training techniques as well as his experiences on both the Quest and the Iditarod. On Saturday, Jerry Vanek, DVM spoke on both the Serum Run re-enactment as well as a comprehensive talk on canine parasites. Makes you think twice about letting the dog "kiss" you and makes you want to reach for the handwipes. Sunday afternoon he did a hands-on clinic and detailed discussion with videos on gait and gait abnormalities and diagnosing orthopedic injuries and how to treat them. For those of you who have never been blessed to hear Dr. Vanek speak, you have missed a unique treat. He combines an encyclopedic mind with stand-up comic wit which holds your attention and enhances learning. On Sunday, Johnn Molburg wow'd the newcomer crowd with techniques for biking and scootering with 1-2 dogs .ALL of our speakers went out of their way to meet 'n greet everybody and to make it a very festive event.

There is a place in heaven for volunteers and we know that Loranne Carey-Block and Rich Block, Christine Richardson, Joan Chapman, and Nancy Molburg will have openings if they choose to go there! Loranne and Rich did a fabulous job of getting the word out to New Hampshire at large and we can credit our excellent attendance to their diligence. Christine , our Rig Race Marshall, always

does a fantasic job. John Kenney and a surprising substitute on Sunday, Erik Dodge, did great jobs as announcers.

In a class of their own are Betty and Jim Lalla who, every year, have provided a home for our speakers, providing food, laughter and chauffering.  Thank you, once again!

I must also comment on the delicious food provided by Steve Holtby of "Fatboys" concession.

Everyone is on our "shortlist" to invite again! Thank you all for coming and participating.

Pictures and sponsors are below Rig Race results.

RIG RACE RESULTS

		1 DOG BIKE
Place	Time	Name
1	1:41	Ed Clifford
2	2:03	Peter Franke
3	2:16	Nate
4	2:30	Kelly McGrath
5	2:41	Baily Vitello
6	2:47	Mark
7	2:53	Peter Smart
8	3:15	Megan
9	3:23	Nova Clifford
10	3:25	Bonnie Tanguay
11	3:36	Ken Haggett
12	4:04	Nesto
13	6:31	Judith Reardon
		2  DOG BIKE
1	2:05	Krister Raasoch
2	2:09	Peter Franke
3	2:33	Kelly McGrath
4	2:40	Fran Plaisted
5	2:44	Allan Tschorn
6	3:27	Bonnie Tanguay
7	4:13	Tania
		3-4 DOG RIG
1	1:48	Ed Clifford
2	2:01	Jim Blair
3	2:12	Peter Franke
4	2:14	Marla BB
5	2:31	Justin Eddy
6	2:40	Bailey Vitello
7	2:59	Noah Pereira
8	3:00	Steven Davis
		5-6 DOG RIG
1	1:43	Ed Clifford
2	2:36	Marla BB
3	2:40	Allan Tschorn
4	3:08	Jim Blair
5	3:31	Justin Eddy
		Canicross
1		Ed Clifford
2		Bailey Vitello
3		Krister Raasoch
4		Sawyer Smith
5		Peter Franke
6	tie	John Gallant
6	tie	Danae Bryar

                  

 

                 

 

               

 

                  

 

               

 

                

 

               

 

              

 

             

 

We woud like to thank the following companies for advertising with us and making the Trade Fair possible:

Advertisers for 2009 Fair

                                                                        

                                                                         

                               The Fan Hitch

     

Thank you  DOCTORS FOSTER and SMITHTM for helping to support the 13th Annual Northern New England Sled Dog Trade Fair http://www.drsfostersmith.com 1-800-381-7179

          

                                               

                                    

 

 

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2007 TRADE FAIR

 

The 2007 Northern New England Sled Dog Trade Fair and Seminars was a resounding success!

Perfect weather, Perfect speakers

Thanks to great advertising by Rank Amateur Productions (Sue & Mark Hamilton),we had a record breaking crowd of over 300 people attend the fair this year. Folks came from as far away as Pennsylvania, Ontario,and the midwest to listen to great speakers like E.Turner Lewis,DVM who covered a variety of timely topics and questions pertinent to racing sled dogs, Johnn Molburg and his Mushing 101 (which this year covered the racing and historical aspects of New England mushing) and Rob Downey who spoke on the physiological complexities of training and overheating your dog

The new Women's Forum was a smashing success and moderator Wendy deCroteau brought out the best in her 3 panelists Joan Chapman, Jaye Foucher and Sue Ellis. Attendees report leaving the forum inspired and with an "I can do it too" attitude.

The biggest draw, however, was Lance Mackey, 3 time winner of the Yukon Quest and the 2007 winner of both the Yukon quest AND Iditarod.   Lance was our houseguest prior to the Trade Fair. Despite jet lag and fatigue he was unfailingly polite and could energize any room he entered-a superb raconteur at dinner as well-and never told the same story twice. BUT as the Trade Fair keynote speaker he was A DREAM!!! The crowd was way more than we expected with over 200 people on Saturday alone-SRO in a huge barn-he received many standing ovations-It was the best ever. Most of all, ALL DAY he made himself available to all and shook hands, signed hundreds of programs and was willing and eager to have his picture taken with everyone.(the same on Sunday) What a guy! We are fans now, not just of Lance the musher, but Lance the man.