Jerry Day and Super Sue. Alex Washburn and Just The Ticket. The names are synonymous with the Retriever Trial competition of the ESPN Great Outdoor Games presented by Dodge.

The two esteemed Labrador retrievers handled by Day and Washburn have won a collective four silver and gold medals, more than any other canines since the Great Outdoor Games were first held in 2000. Sue and Ticket won gold in 2001 and 2002, respectively; Sue took the silver in 2002 while Ticket is the reigning silver medal winner.

The rigorous physical demands of performing at the highest level of the Great Outdoor Games and the Super Retriever Series, its qualifying arm, have, not surprisingly, taken a toll on the Ticket and Sue, now 11 and 12 years old, respectively. The effects are not unlike what professional athletes face as their careers wind down.

Ticket, for example, suffered a freak ailment several years ago when veterinarians discovered Washburn's prized Lab had three fused discs in her spine. Instead of retiring Ticket, the resilient Washburn resorted to combining hydrotherapy for treating the back disorder with softer training to bring the dog back up to competitive strength.

The routine has paid off with Ticket and Washburn taking the medal stand for the past two years. Still, Washburn has claimed both times that Ticket would go into retirement. Apparently, Ticket has had other plans.

Keeps on ticking

"I've been very conscious over the past three years that she is getting older," says Washburn. "I'm not running her in trials for that reason. It's a take it a day at a time sort of approach."

Last year, for instance, Washburn decided the month prior to the Reno games that Ticket was fit for competition.

"Each year she surprises me and rallies when it comes time to perform," she continues. "But I plan to maintain her competitive spirit at a level where she is comfortable and that will not jeopardize her health."

Washburn points out that expectations sometimes surpass physical ability when it comes to hunting and competing with senior canines.

"I've always believed that you should let the dog tell you when it's time to quit or cut back on hunting or competing," she says. "It's a tough time because the dog might appear healthy and in peak condition."

She continues, "I always look for telltale signs like early fatigue or disinterest. Those are the signs that the dog is sending to you that it's time to back down."

Washburn backed off Ticket's training regime in favor of bringing on her next generation of retrievers, namely Honda, Ready, and Ripper. Washburn believes all three dogs have championship potential. Ripper, she says, has been an early surprise after taking third place at the Super Retriever Series event held in New Orleans.

"I ran Ripper there because she has developed the trust that is so important between dog and handler in the competitions," says Washburn, who is already qualified to run in the 2004 Great Outdoor Games with Ticket.

So what about Ticket?

"As long as she is fit and having fun then we'll keep going," says Washburn. "She just likes to compete and feels left out if she's left in the kennel."

And with that said, this Ticket stays wound up enough to keep on ticking.