Ridgewyn English Springer Spaniels was founded in 1977
and inherited with humble beginnings from Denis
FitzPatrick in 1981 by Cherrie Spring. Over the years,
Cherrie developed a vision for the Ridgewyn kennel which
strove for quality in breed type, function and
temperaments. She has done this with the friendship and
guidance of many great people in dogs.
In the early 1980s, Cherrie hired Gary Zayac to show Ch.
Ridgewyn Garfield and the rest, as they say, is history. With a
shared commitment to breed excellence, the precedent was set for
the future. As a result, Ridgewyn dogs have become a noteworthy
example in breed type, temperament and range of viability for
all pure-bred dogs. They have a reputation around the world for
genetic integrity; soundness physically and in temperament, as
well as excelling at all levels of dog competition. These
qualities seem to persist even to an advanced age as most
Ridgewyn doge age gracefully into their silver years, having the
gifts of health and stamina.
Even though the focus of Cherrie’s breeding program has been
in conformation, Ridgewyn dogs have been very competitive in
other areas of dog competition including obedience, agility,
fly-ball, tracking and field events. On the west coast, several
Canine Assist and Delta Dog programs have recruited springers
from Cherrie because of their desire to work and depth of
compassion and loyalty that is required to work with the
disabled. Several Ridgewyn dogs have also been well-known
Therapy Dogs and Assist Canines. In the conformation ring,
Ridgewyn dogs have won the ESSFTA National Specialty six times
between 1979 and 2001 in addition to numerous winners’ class
dogs during that time. The kennel has bred some of the top
winning Springer Spaniels in breed history. For almost every
year since 1981, there has been a Ridgewyn dog in the top 10
dogs for points in all breeds and systems. In one of those years,
the top three ESS were Ridgewyn brothers, Ch. Springerlane's
Ridgewyn, Ch. Springerlane's Fenwick, and Ch. Springerlane's
Churchill.
After producing twenty two champions out of three litters, Ch.
Ridgewyn’s Rachel Rachel (Rachel) was the ESSFTA Brood Bitch of
the Year for three consecutive years and the top-producing bitch
on the history of the breed. We salute the outstanding
contribution that Rachel has made to our foundation and to
several other kennels around the world. Some of the other
outstanding dogs that this kennel has bred and owned include: Ch.
Ridgewyn’s Isabelle (Isabelle), Ch. Ridgewyn’s Blueprint ( Ryan),
Ch. Ridgewyn Fleur de Lis ( Iris), Ch. Ridgewyn’s Flowerchild (Flower),
Ch. Ridgewyn’s Incantation ( Renee), Ch. Ridgewyn-N-Belvoir
Uprising (Sunny), Ch Ridgewyn’s Runabout (Stanley), and Ch.
Ridgewyn’s Legacy (Lars).
While Ridgewyn dogs have won international attention for
their outstanding ‘show dog’ status, their greatest
accomplishment is that they are wonderful companions for their
owners and the communities that they live in. Beauty fades and
the glory days of the ring are fleeting, but what is enduring is
Ridgewyn's commitment to breed type and health which creates
well-balanced springers. That comment is in response to a
promise made so many years ago, “trust your heart, your eyes,
and your hands, not what the crowd does, and the rest will
follow.” In the end, when the limelight is turned off, it is
having a loving companion that is beautiful in body, mind and
spirit that is the greatest legacy a breeder can leave.
In 1998 Cherrie received her Registered Counselors (RC)
license after receiving her training in Energy Medicine. She
also holds certificates in Tellington Touch, Acupressure and
Canine, Feline and Equine Massage. She has worked with Physical
Rehabilitation after injury and surgery for several veterinarian
clinics incorporating these modalities.
Throughout this time, she has been developing her gift as a
professional animal communicator. She works with owners,
veterinarians and professional trainers on a wide variety of
animal issues including general wellness, behavioral problems,
difficult medical issues and end of life decisions. She assists
the animals by making their wishes and feelings known to their
human counterparts. She has helped owners locate lost animals
and has worked with law enforcement canines on case
investigations. Her skills in animal communication coupled with
years of canine competition particularly qualify her for working
with preparing animals for both the physical and motivational
aspects of training and competition.
In addition to working with animals she has also works with
her husband, Chris Hatlestad, MD assisting with energy
rebalancing or intuitive medicine for his patients.
