FC Midnight’s Madness, Pat Nolan                               Owner David Peper, Maddie, Pat Nolan

1993 National Open                                                 26 Open points including three wins in 1993

Hugh Arthur of Sandhill Kennels trained and ran Maddie for Randy Whittaker. We had heard that Maddie might be for sale, so we made sure to watch him run at a trial or two. One night, after dinner at a trial, some clients and friends went out for a beer. The nearest place open was a bowling alley. As we crossed the parking lot, Dave Peper was debating the pros and cons of such a purchase. Then, as we walked into the alley, a huge sign greeted us: 

“MIDNIGHT MADNESS SPECIAL” 

…. Dave decided to buy the dog. 

The next morning after talking with Hugh and Randy, Dave closed the deal and bought Maddie. Maddie won the Open that day and finished his Field Championship.  

For years after that, when tailgate discussions at trials would turn to how hard it is to succeed at the trial game, Dave would say, “Ah, I don’t think this game is so tough. I bought one dog at 7:30 in the morning and he made his Field Championship by 2 o’clock that afternoon.” 

(It is a tough game. Many years the average age of new Field Champions is 5 ˝ years old. Most of these dogs start play training at seven weeks and serious training shortly thereafter.)