2002 NRC

2002 NRC - St. Louis, MO

2002 NRC Callbacks

2002 NRC Qualifiers

    1.        NFC-AFC EAGLE RIDGE ROCKET SAM, L.M., Bill Bowen, Albuquerque, NM
    2.        FC-AFC BLUE WATER SPECIAL, L.M., John Pampy, Poway, CA
    3.        FC-AFC DUST DEVIL'S SHOOT THE MOON, L.M., Steve Bechtel, San Francisco, CA
    4.        FC CK'S THE MILLENIUM FALCON, L.F., Marion and Clint Swingle, Elverson, PA
    5.        FC-AFC HAWKEYE'S CANDLEWOOD SHADOW, L.M., Marvin Blount, Jr., Greenville, NC
    6.        FC-AFC BLACKWATER RUDY, L.M., Dave Harter, Omaha, NE
    7.        FC-AFC CREEK ROBBER, L.M., Ken Jackson, Duvall, WA
    8.        FC-AFC CHENA RIVER WILD LADY, L.F., Ann Rauff, Portland, OR
    9.        AFC WINIFOX HOT SHOT, L.M., Whitney Ralph, Monson, MA
    10.       FC-AFC CANDLEWOOD COURT JESTER, L.M., Mike Fullerton, Montgomery, MN
    11.       FC-AFC MIDKNIGHT SHOT IN THE DARK, MH, L.M., Diane Green, Tahoe City, CA
    12.       FC-AFC MORGAN LE FAE OF BUCKSHOT, L.F., Win and Susie Purtell, West Bend, WI
    13.       FC-AFC BAYOU BEND'S EBONSTAR PEG, L.F., F. Lee and Rose Jolley, Lafayette, LA
    14.       FC CANDLEWOODS AUTUMN RUN VINCE, L.M., Debbie and Brian King, Fredonia, WI
    15.       FC-AFC WATERMARK'S HIDDEN BAY TRAPPER, L.M., Rodney Glaze, Mesquite, TX
    16.       FC-AFC DEWEY'S DRAKE OF MOON RIVER, L.M., Gary McIlwain and Lowell Schwab, Bovey, MN
    17.       FC-AFC CARBON COPY OF HORN CREEK, L.M., Frank Kashevarof, Woodenville, WA
    18.       PLEASANT RIVER BLUE WING, MH, L.F., Milly Welsh and Charles Hayden, Davidsonville, MD
    19.       FC RSK'S SMOOTH SAILING, L.M., Vickie Worthington, Lockport, IL
    20.       FC TRUMARC'S IN PURSUIT AGAIN, L.M., John Larkin, San Antonio, TX
    21.       FC HIGHPOINTS TROUBLESOME SUGAR, L.F., M. Huffman and R. and P. Lawrey, Tupelo, MS
    22.       FC-AFC JAZZTIME ALBERTAWIND V PEKISKO, L.F., Anna and Larry Calvert, Charlo, MT
    23.       FC SEVEN COME ELEVEN, L.F., J.M. and L.K. DuBose, Hillsborough, NC
    24.       FC MR. MAGIC IV, L.M., Dave Hemminger, Marshalltown, IA
    25.       FC CHENA RIVER WILDFIRE, L.M., Bill McCourt, Waterford, CT
    26.       FC-AFC MAPLE CREEK'S MAGGIE MAY, L.F., Brad and Sonya Bowyer, LaGrange, GA
    27.       FC-AFC YELLOWSTONE'S TNT EXPLOSION, L.M., Tim and Heidi Coulson, Riverton, WY
    28.       FC-AFC ADAMS ACRES CHEROKEE ROSE, L.F., John and Martha Russell, S. Hampton, NH
    29.       FC LONESTAR'S SCARLETT OF TARA, L.F., Russ Weiss, Overland Park, KS
    30.       FC MISS SCARLETT, L.F., Marion Stroud Swingle, Elverson, PA
    31.       FC-AFC CANDLEWOODS REBEL RIDGE PDQ, L.M., Lyn Yelton, Elkton, MD
    32.       FC FAT CITY JUICE, L.F., Nathan Limoges, Sioux Falls, SD
    33.       FC GIG 'EM BY SURPRISE, L.M., Matt and John Harris and Dudley Millikin, Andover, MA
    34.       FC-AFC HIWOOD KLEEN SWEEP , L.F., Roy and Jo McFall, Anchorage, AK
    35.       NFC MAXX'S SURPRISE, L.M., Sherwin Scott, Phoenix , AZ
    36.       FC- CFC COUNTRYSIDE TECATE, L.F., John and Anne Marshall, Addison, ME
    37.       FC WINGOVER'S LITTLE JOE, L.M., Dudley Millikin, Jr., Andover, MA
    38.       FC-AFC HARLEY'S NIGHTHORSE, L.M., Ron Pfister, Larkspur, CO
    39.       CK'S MADAM GOLDIE, L.F., Clint and Marion Stroud Swingle, Elverson, PA
    40.       NAFC-FC CANDLEWOOD'S RAMBLIN MAN, L.M., Jim and Judy Powers, Sheboygan, WI
    41.       FC-AFC REDLINE WILDERNESS HANNA GO, L.F., Robert and Leta Rovelstad, Edgerton, WI
    42.       CNAFC PRAIRIEMARSH MADNESS, L.M., Dennis Voigt and Fiona McKay, Linsday, ON, Canada
    43.       FC AUTUMN RUN'S TAILWIND, L.F., Irwin and Susan Purtell, West Bend, WI
    44.       FC BRANTLEY'S LEAN CHENA, L.F., Jeff and Brantley Perloff, Mobile, AL
    45.       FC-AFC TIGER MCBUNN, L.M., J.M. and L.K. DuBose, HIllsborough, NC
    46.       FC-AFC VOLWOOD'S MOLLIE, L.F., Jack and Florence Vollstedt, La Quinta, CA
    47.       FC-AFC CAROLINA'S SMOKE ON THE WATER, L.F., Clint and Kay Joyner, Smithfield, NC
    48.       FC FARGO II, L.M., Jane Schmidt and Jerry Patopea, Junction City, OR
    49.       THE MAN IN BLACK, L.M., Mark Huffman and David Gilliland, Tupelo, MS
    50.       FC-AFC VOLWOOD'S PEACHES & CREAM, L.F., Jack and Florence Vollstedt, Junction City, OR
    51.       FC-AFC MAX MILLENNIUM, L.F., John and Cynthia Cavanaugh, Easton, PA
    52.       FC PENMARKS MOUNTAIN KING, L.M., Penny Youngblood and Susan Spalter, Dallas, TX
    53.       FC CUDASHUDABENA PLAYGIRL, L.F., Chris Carlgren, Junction City, OR
    54.       FC-AFC GUNSTOCK'S FAST EDDY FELSEN, L.M., Chas and Yvonne Hays, Princeton, MN
    55.       FC-CFC-CAFC EL NINO, L.M., Blair Down, Bridgetown, Barbados
    56.       FC-AFC TAILWIND'S TRAVELIN GYPSY, L.F., John Thomas, Rocky Point, NC
    57.       FC-AFC TEXAS WB COCKY TWO STEPPER, L.M., Bill and Jan Schrader, Madisonville, TX
    58.       TEAL MCKENZIE II, L.M., Glenn and Christine Lokay, Vail, CO
    59.       FC TEQUILA SUNRISE IX, L.F., Cecily Dunlap and Lori Oliver, Winnetka, IL
    60.       FC-AFC FOX HOLLOW'S LITTLE BUDDY, L.M., Martin and Barbara Kirby, Pinckneyville, IL
    61.       AFC COUNTESS OLENSKA, L.F., John and Cindy Cavanaugh, Easton, PA
    62.       SALLY'S SOUTH PAW, L.M., Jim Dorobek, Fremont, OH
    63.       FC SUGARFOOTS LONE STAR RASCAL, L.M., Dorothy Metcalf, Oxford, MD
    64.       FC-AFC CASHMAN'S FAST LADY ZINGIN, L.F., J.M. and L.K. DuBose, Hillsborough, NC
    65.       FC MAGNUM'S JUDGE-EM, L.M., Peter Ketola and Gary Zellner, Brighton, MI
    66.       FC A SHOT OF EZRA, L.M., Phil and Mary Heye, LaGrange, KY
    67.       R.P.M. XENA, L.F., Roger and Pat Magnusson, Onaway, MI
    68.       TWO STEPS TOMBOY, L.F., Michael Davis, Friendswood, TX
    69.       FC CLUBMEAD'S HEAD OVER HEELS, L.M., Ronald Kiehn, Jackson, WY
    70.       FC MAXAMILLION OF GREEN ACRES, L.M., Don Nindorf, Superior, WI
    71.       FC-AFC WOOD RIVER'S MAKE MY DAY, L.M., Bill and Gay Fruehling, Ketchum, ID
    72.       M & M'S COOPER, L.M., Mark Clark, Puyallup, WA
    73.       FC GIG 'EM BY SURPRISE, L.F., Matt and John Harris and Dudley Millikin, Andover, MA
    74.       FC BENELLI GAME GETTER, L.M., Sharon Thompson, LaGrange, KY
    75.       FC-AFC HIGHPOINT'S PACHYDERM PARADE, L.F., Jeff and Lori Sanders, Southaven, MS
    76.       PLEASANT RIVER KATE, L.F., John and Anne Marshall, Addison, ME
    77.       FC-AFC CANDLEWOOD'S RITA REYNOLDS, L.F., Mary Howley and Sue Reynolds, Portage, WI
    78.       FC HARLEYS SUPER TRIVEN MAC , L.M., Ronald Stainback, Middleburg, NC
    79.       FC-AFC RAMMIN' HOT CHILI, L.F., Randy and Mindy Bohn, Reinholds, PA
    80.       SALLY'S POWER DRIVE , L.M., Jenny Grasse, Annadale, NJ
    81.       HEARTBREAK KID, L.M., Greg Oothoudt, Champlin, MN
    82.       TOOTALOO TRUDY, L.F., Ben Lee, Concord, NC
    83.       FC COSMO'S TEXAS TANGO, L.M., Craig Charbonnet
    84.       FC-AFC CHICKAMAUGA CHOO CHOO, L.F., J.M. and L.K. DuBose, Hillsborough, NC
    85.       FC-AFC SUMMER THYME II, L.F., William Bowen, Albuquerque, NM
    86.       FC-AFC SHOWTHYME, L.F., Penny Youngblood, Dallas, TX
    87.       CNFC-CAFC-FC LISONALLY'S ONE FOR THE MONEY , L.M., CJ Howard, Oakville, ON, Canada
    88.       FC-AFC HIWOOD CITATION, L.M., Dr Pat McGonagill, Tyler, TX
    89.       FC-AFC FEATHER OF SWEETBRIAR, L.F., Bob and Suzanne Kennon, Baton Rouge, LA
    90.       FC-AFC BOC ADVERSITY, L.M., Eugene Anderson, Denver, CO
    91.       FC-AFC FLASHFIRE'S RIGHT ON TARGET , MH, L.M., Karen Price, Chino Hills, CA
    92.       FC HARMONY'S HEY YOU HARRY, L.M., Virginia Atterbury, Palm City, FL
    93.       FC-AFC PEE DEE QUICK, L.M., Nancy and Lasal Banty, Rochester, NY
    94.       WINN'S CHATTAHOOCHEE SPLASH, L.M., J. and V. Chastain and J. Kent, Marietta, GA
    95.       FC CREAM, L.F., Bruce Brown, Charlotte, NC
    96.       FC SEMAPHORE RULE OF THUMB, L.M., Hillary Rogers Brooks, Camden, SC
    97.       FC MACKS LITTLE MAGIC, L.F., Wendall and Kay Williams, Dickinson, TX

2002 NRC Stake Info

Saturday, November 9, 2002

(Below are highlights of the two meetings and Pre National cocktail party. More info will appear in the January 2003 issue of Retriever F.T. News)
Saturday is filled with meetings, contestant packet pick-ups, merchandise buying and culminates with the pre National cocktail party. Officers, Committees and others meet to decide last minute details and plan for the future of the stake.

At 2 p.m. the first general meeting was that of the Retriever Advisory Committee. There committee representatives from AKC and the National clubs accept procedure and rule change suggestions, discuss them with participants and Club representatives who later vote on them. Three proposed rule changes had been discussed earlier and voting had begun. The remaining clubs have until December 31st to vote on the propositions. They are:

The issue of determining a pro from an amateur.

Creating an Owner/Handler Qualifying Stake

Mandatory elimination of a dog that handles in a Derby.

Although the votes in favored passage of all three, there were a large amount of clubs uncommitted and those could change the final result.

Four new questions would be addressed in 2003. Those are:

Can a dog be run with a neoprene vest?

If an amateur judges a trial his pro is running - is this an unfairness to other contestants?

How far and when should retired guns move?

After a good deal of discussion, the the committee will address all and report later.

The meeting adjourned at shortly after 3 p.m.

After a short recess the National Retriever Club began their annual meeting. Following opening
business (roll call, etc.) Tony Snow recognized several people for outstanding achievements in the sport. The 2002 stake is dedicated to Dennis Bath, a tireless worker and long time competitor who received a standing ovation. Next, 2 senior pro handlers, Bach Doar (retiring this year) and J.J. Sweezey were warmly lauded by the crowd. Lastly, Charles Bunn, retiring President and Editor in Chief of Retriever Field Trial News was presented with a sculpture by incoming President and Editor in Chief, Dennis Bath.

Several donations were announced followed by the 2003 Club slate of officers. They are:

    President, Bill Daley
    VP Jim Cope
    Sect/Treas. Tony Snow
    FT Chairman Kirk Naisbitt
    Zone Rep, Judy Powers
    Zone Rep, Grayson Kelley

Dennis Bath, Corporate liaison then thanked all the sponsors and supporters, naming what each contributed. They are Nestle Purina, Eukanuba, Tri Tronics Deskin Trailers, Kent Cartridge, Dogs Afield, Dick Cook, Chris Smith, Chris Chantland and newcomer, Dogtra.

These wonderful sponsors/supporters enable the club to hold a first class stake, not only through their donations, but innovative and nutritional products for the dogs as well.

The 2003 NRC will be held in Oakdale CA, from Nov 7-15. Judges will be: Jackie Mertens, Larry Wharton and Myron Chidester.

After a number of stake procedural announcements, Charlie Bunn drew the starting number. It was dog #19, FC-AFC Candlewoods Court Jester.

The first series will be a land double, first test dog at 6:45 Am.; first running dog at 7:15 a.m. (light permitting)

Shortly after the meeting adjourned with an invitation to the party starting at 6 p.m. in the same room

At 6 P.M sharp participants began to arrive at the Holiday Inn Ballroom There had been an awsome transformation -women in evening frocks, men in suits and ties- dramatically different from the usual sweat shirts an pants!

While these party animals were ready, the party was not. The late meetings probably delayed set up and they were held at bay outside the ballroom until 6:30. Once in, participants were treated to a wonderful array of hot and cold morsels, fruit and raw veggie trays, custom sliced beef and ham roasts, and a variety of cheeses, including several wheels of Brie.

The bar did a brisk business and later, several items were raffled off. It was a very pleasant evening but the early Sunday start beckoned people to their rooms in anticipition of the 4:30 wake up calls. (However the hotel phones were "out" at HQ, so some may have been late. (This report was a victim of the outage).

Charlie Bunn, Mary Knapp and Dennis Bath

Judy Powers presenting the Judges gifts

Sunday, November 10, 2002

A warm and breezy morning greeted workers. It was in the low 60's with the forecast predicting the mid 60's . Historically, it is much cooler and most people came prepared for winter like temperatures. It was a pleasant surprise.

Test One - Land Double with Retired Gun

A beautiful sunrise greeted early participants . About 6:46 test #1, a land double with retired gun, was ready for a test dog. They were: AFC Dakota's Rascal Ryan LF, co-owner Joanne Laub handling and Fox Hollow's Cut and Run, LM, handled by co-owner Marty Kirby. Joanne demonstrated the test first with some hunting followed by Marty who needed a handle on the retired mark.

The test was set on a fairly high, grassy dike. The line faced directly down the road on the top of the dike. A set of live gunners were positioned about 120 yards out and shot a flying rooster to the right where it fell at the base of the dike in grassy cover. A second set was stationed deep with in the field to the right of the dike. There were large patches of taller, irregular shaped brown cover with strips of shorter green cover between them. A brush lined winding creek lay between the base on the dike and the expansive field where the gunners were. They threw a dead rooster sharply back to the right where it landed in the edge of the taller brown cover about 248 yards from line. After they threw, the live bird was dispatched. As the dog was sent for the flyer, the second set retired to a well camouflaged blind to the left.

At about 7:15 the first running dog, # 19 arrived on line and produced a pleasing test. It took about 5-6 minutes to complete.

The very visible and exciting flyer fell down to the grassy cover below the dike, but a number of dogs and down the road a while before angling down to the base where it lay. Some lost their mark and had to hunt for it. Others over shot it and had to hunt back, while others had deeper falls and had to cross the strip of cover lining the creek and a few hunted short, caught by old fall scent.

The retired bird mark was fraught with distractions. Dogs would angle down the dike a bit to the left or right, then square the cover lined creek where they lost sight of their mark. Once in the expansive field beyond, the large patches of cover looked remarkably similar and some would not angle to the one where the mark lay, but parallel it instead. Others hunted the right patch or the green strip between them. Those that did arrive near the mark were tempted to duck into what appeared to be one of several "slots" in the cover. A switching wind over the pheasant made scenting difficult. Once in the cover, dogs could not be seen and nervous handlers moved to and fro hoping to see the dog reappear with he bird. Alas, many were stunned to see the dog reappear on the far left of the patch in a green strip, well out of the area and without the bird. There a number hunted fruitlessly , a few trying to return to the old flyer mark. Early, it was nearly impossible to handle them back to the fall, but later conditions seemed to improve. By mid afternoon there were a couple of pick-ups and a significant number of hard and loose hunts on that bird.

The partly cloudy morning turned into a mostly cloudy afternoon with light intermittent rain, gusty winds, and falling temperatures. There were numerous no-birds for the last 20 or so dogs, bit the series was completed at 4:25 p.m. afyer dog #18 returned to line.

Most participants quickly wrapped up their day and drove to the "tack house' on the Busch grounds. There Purina hosted a wonderful supper for all.

Shortly after 7 p.m. callbacks were posted at HQ. 83 dogs were invited back to the third. 4 dogs had been lost. They were: 2, 26, 28 and 33. (Previous dogs scratched were: 24, 37, 77, and 87.)

The next test(s) would be a land and land/water blind in the same area. Test dogs at 6:45, First running dog #43.

Sunrise 6:30 a.m.

Wentworth Lions Lunch Wagon

View from Gallery

Gallery, Test One

Monday, November 11, 2002

Test 2 - Double land (Some water) Blind

Morning arrived partly cloudy, cold and with little wind. Temperatures were in the low 30's at 6 a.m. By the time most arrived the test, a double land blind through the previous days marks, were nearly ready. The line had been moved back toward the gallery about 30-40 yards. The left blind (to be recovered first) was located in the green strip to the far left of the retired gun blind. It was a dead rooster about 285 yards from line. The second was to the right, located on the edge of a green strip, tight to a point of higher brown cover. It, too, was a dead rooster nearly 325 yards away. Both were marked by an orange stick..

By 6:50 it was light enough for a test dog and Marty was called to line. He experienced two rough blinds. The next dog fared even worse and never recovered the right blind. Those graphic demonstrations had a sobering effect on the observing handlers. The show went on, however and at 7:22 the first running dog, # 43 stepped confidently to line. He and several following dogs produced unexpectedly good work.; but alas, it was not to continue.

To recover the left bird, dogs had to angle down the fairly steep dike and pass through the cover lined creek. The line continued through a green strip and the higher patch of brown cover where the retired blind and all it's scent stood (That is were the planter hid). From there it went into the far green strip where a good number of dogs had hunted the previous day and where the bird lay.

The right blind bristled with hazards. The line went down the dike, through two small water areas surrounded by heavier cover, then through the cover lined creek into another green strip. It then slid close to a patch of higher brown cover into an area of green cover with a point of less dense, lighter brown cover behind it. The line went through that point where the bird lay , just on it's edge in short green cover.

On the left, the dog had to hold a good line while angling down the dike. Some tried to drop off while others went high, toward the previous flyer mark. Once to the creek, they could square it and also go off line. A real danger was through the heavier cover where the dog could not be seen for some time. The old scent and planter in the blind caught some dogs. and they would exit the cover in unexpected places. When in the shorter green strip (where the bird lay) others would not heed the whistles and/or handles requested, similar to yesterdays mark and refusals - some were out of control to near failure.

The line for the right blind was almost a a straight shot off the line but the two patches of water at it's base deflected dogs from their line. Early, many dogs tried to "coon" the area, but once the sun came out to illuminate and warm the area, the work was better. The next challenge was the creek as there they could square it and come up off line. Some wanted to go to the right and had to be quickly corrected. Not many were tempted by the higher cover on the left. However dogs appeared unwilling to handle once in the green. That problem was magnified at the end of the blind. Dogs would miss it on the left, then go out of control, refusing whistles and casts. A number had excellent initial lines only to have a horrendous end. At one point 3 out of 6 picked up and a number had very loose work. Control at a distance could be a problem.

One of the problems could have been that when the dogs looked up to the top of the dike to locate their handler, there was either a sun glare behind the dike or a cloudy whitish sky to obscure the handler.

By mid morning the day became warm and sunny with temperatures rising to the mid 40's. Again the quality of work seemed to go in streaks. Several very nice jobs, then rough ones.

Later dogs handled better than did earlier dogs, again possibly because of the lighting. The series ended at 5:15 p.m. at dusk. Callbacks came about 7:30 and listed 71 dogs back for the next series. Those lost were:46, 47, 50, 54, 56, 66, 67, 68,70, 73, 74, and 88 scratched due to an injury.

The next series is scheduled to be water marks at lake 35. Dog # 69 starts. Test dogs at 6:45, first running dog at 7:15

Judges L-R- Bill Kolstad,Tom Strickland & John Bayer

Dave Smith & FC-AFC Morgan LaFae of Buckshot

L-R-Debbie Morgan, Pert Wunderlich & Dottie Metcalf

L- Roger Manock, R- Jim Powers

Tuesday, November 12, 2002

Tuesday's weather was a duplicate of Monday. It was cloudy in the 30's with sun (and warmth) arriving by mid morning. The third was a land water quad set up around the left side of lake 35.

The line was located behind a winding gravel road and a good distance from the water. In front of the , the land dipped down to the shoreline edged by sparse, varied brown cover. To the left was a bay and curving shore culminating in a point protruding into the water from the left. A small, tree/brush covered island lay to the right. Between it and the point was a channel of lunging water. Deep of the site lay a large expanse of big water.

Test 3 - Land/Water Quad with Three Retired Guns

One set of guns was positioned on the far left, on top a fairly steep ridge with trees and brush covering the slope beneath. They threw a dead rooster to the right where it fell in grassy cover near or between the trees near the base of the ridge about 100 ids. out. A flyer station was positioned on the far right, in short grassy cover. The shot a flying drake to the right landing in the grass 90 yards away. Between these two marks there were two other sets of guns. One was on the island a short distance behind and tight to the flyer guns. They threw a dead duck to the left where is landed in front of a small reddish oak tree near the left shore 150 yards from line. A fourth group stood on the far point between the island mark and the left ridge guns. They threw a dead duck across the channel to the right where it landed in the island shore 180 yds away. The order was: left, middle right, middle, left, and flyer last. As the dog was sent for the flyer, the other three gunners retired to blinds very close to them. Just beyond the road and on line to the 3 right marks lay a pile of big branches that could deflect dogs from a line.

It took a bit of time to organize the quad, so the first test team Joanne and Ryan came to line at 7:05. They did an admirable job and were followed by Marty who needed a handle to recover one bird.
After, judges moved the live guns farther to the left, tightening the line to the right middle mark. At 7:26 the first running dog, #69 appeared on line.

The close flyer was exciting and could dim memory of the other three Some dogs did run past it and a few hunted the water with one handle up to noon. Most handlers took the far left pheasant second. It's placement on a side hill combined with the fact it was a pheasant, caused some "shopping" hunts. The last two converging marks caused the most difficulty. Many sent for the short, middle right bird third, only to have dogs slide down the left shore and hunt the far point. Some also sent for that bird second possibly hoping to leave an "alley" between it an the right middle mark to avoid a switch on these two relatively close marks. In either instance, dogs would go to the left point, hunt it and eventually lunge across the channel to where the duck lay. Others either hunted the water and would not come back while others viewed the channel '"picture' and drove between the 2 shorelines on their way to the distant big water shore. A number of handles occurred on that mark.

The short right middle bird also proved dangerous. A few seemed to think they had recovered that bird and lined into the water to the right of the island. Very few, if any, recovered from that position and had to be handled. Others would channel down the left side of the island. A few recovered, but some handled. The series took between 9-10 minutes per dog and there was some doubt if it could be finished by night fall.

Changing light and switching winds affected the test to some degree, but the results remained fairly constant. By 4:55 p.m., lengthening shadows and waning light began to obscure the marks. After dog 60, the test was suspended until Wednesday morning. 4 dogs remained to run the third. No partial call backs were given and the test will resume with a test dog at 6:45, running dog #61, no earlier than 7 a.m.

The fourth test was rumored to be a land quad in a different area after the third was completed.

Eukanuba Dog food, Roy Pelton rep, hosted an wonderful dinner at a fine facility right on the way home from Weldon Spring. Weary participants welcomed the casual dining experience. The food, conversation , and company was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Kudos to Eukanuba and all involved.

Purina Reps, (L) Bob West,
Lisa Brooke, Pat Lamantia

Handlers viewing the test

(L) Jan Bunn and Dennis Bath

Eukanuba Rep, Roy Pelton

wednesday, November 13, 2002

Test 5 - Land Quad with 2 shot flyers

Two retired guns and an honor

Test 5 - Detail- center guns

As the sun rose, it was cool and clear with little breeze. Temperatures were in the low 30's for the low 60's predicted for the day. So far, the weatherman had smiled on the stake.

As the third test was being completed, the fourth was set up in a different area. By 7:15, gunners were in the field and most personnel were at the site. The third was expected to finish about 8 a.m. and all was read well in advance.

The previous test completed about 7:30 with two of the 4 dogs handling. Callbacks listed 57 dogs. 14 had been dropped Those lost were: 7, 11, 12, 17, 22, 23, 25, 29, 39, 30, 40, 49, 71, and 84.

The 5th was a land quad (The double blind counted as 2 series making the last series #4) was a land quad with two flyers. Test dogs were called to line shortly before 8:30. The first test team had two no birds and the second one before they could run the test. Joanne and Ryan fared OK while Marty and Paco had a handle on the left, middle mark

The test was set in a rolling grassy field with mixed weeds and patches of heavier, brushy cover. Both the left and right sides of the field had heavy tree lines. To the left, on the edge of the tree line a pair of guns threw a dead cock pheasant angled sharply back to the right where it landed in the sparse, mixed grass 135 yards away. Deep to their right was a group of flyer guns. The shot a flying hen pheasant ridden well out to the left. It landed in the grassy cover about 300 yards from line. A relatively short distance to their right and closer in, another pair threw a dead hen pheasant flat to the right landing about 275 yards away. To the far right of the line, well away for the other marks, live gunners shot a flying hen pheasant to the left, nearly toward the fall area of the distant right middle mark. It, too, was well ridden out and fell about 180 yards from line. The order was: Right middle (dead), left middle (flyer) left, dead bird then far right flyer. As the dog was sent for the right flyer, the right middle and far left gunners retired, leaving only the flyer guns in the field. There was also an honor mat to the left of the line.

At 9:25 the first running dog #89 came to line. She had a good series, but following dog did not fare as well. There were numerous handles and several pick ups . About half of the first 22 dogs handled. Several also turned in outstanding marks. Because of long hunts and several no-birds it was doubtful that this test would be finished today. The test was suspended at 5:05 p.m., after dog 63 ran, leaving 14 to run on Thursday. There was a workers party at HQ so the test was quickly wrapped up so volunteer workers could attend. The test will resume on Thursday with a test dog at 6:45, first running dog no earlier than 7 a.m.

Photographer Ken Andrews, Barbara Kirby and ?

The Gunner's Lair

Dusk over test 5

(L) Lyn Yelton and Marilyn Fender

Thursday, November 14, 2002

It was still warm, with temperatures in the mi 50's on Thursday morning. The forecast was a cloudy day and rain moving in for the afternoon. (However, the day remained partly cloudy with warm sunny spells and temps in the 60's. The rain didn't come until after 4 p.m.)

It was the morning after the workers party and some moved a little slower that normal. A gourmet meal and lively band provided an enjoyable evening for all. It is usually a well anticipated event.

Remaining contestants hoped for some type of weather/light/luck change that would benefit their dogs. The test had provided considerable separation at this time and they had overnight to think about it.
It was estimated that it would take two hours to complete.

The fifth series resumed early with most work being similar. Some had better work when the light improved. It completed at 10:26 with dog 85. Callbacks came swiftly with 36 back. It had been a decisive series. Those dropped were: 1, 4, 6, 8, 27, 32, 36, 38, 43, 53, 55, 58, 61, 64, 76, 82, 83, 85, 90, and 91.

Test 6 - Land Blind

A land blind was quickly set up from the same line. It went through the right flyer mark to the right of the first brush lined tree to the left tip of another patch of trees and brush about 275 yards away. It was a hen pheasant marked by a red stick.

It was very do-able and only a few had difficulty. It began at 10: 40 with dog 14, took about 2 minutes per dog and was completed by 12:15 p.m. Only one dog, #63 was dropped leaving 35 for the 7th.

Test 6 - Water Triple with Retired Gun

A move was then made back to the dike where the first test had been held. It was ready when judges arrived but had to be reorganized due to a wind shift and would be a water triple. After some significant trimming (including cutting small trees) on a cattail covered point, an in line triple emerged. The line was on top the dike, but a bit farther back from that of the first series. It faced the same land /water area also, but more of the irregular left shore and water was visible. To the left, on the near side of a cattail lined creek, a set of flyer guns shot a flying duck which fell on the far side landing in grassy cover about 100 yards away. A second set was stationed on the left cattail lined shore at the base of a peninsula protruding into the lake from the left. They threw a dead duck angled sharply back to the right. It arched over a small bay landing on the cattail covered shore 115 yards out. Deep to the right, on the distant shore of the lake a third set threw a dead duck flat to the left that landed on the brushy shoreline about 308 yards from line. The order was: Far right, middle, left flyer. As the dog was sent for the flyer, the far guns retired into the tree line behind them. About 1:30 Marty and Paco demonstrated that the far bird was difficult to remember and handled. It took about 12 minutes to complete. By 2 p.m. dog 21 initiated the test. The first several dogs handled and one picked up, but then the wind switched a bit and work improved. The left flyer falls were varied and a number of dogs hunted the near side of the creek and/or drag back before recovering it. The middle bird lay across a small bay and some dogs hunted the peninsula or woods behind it before locating it. The most challenging mark was the long retired one. To recover it, dogs had to swim past the larger bay to the right of the middle guns, skim the tip of the peninsula , cross a wide, cut cattail point then swim/lunge a good distance to the far shore. Some dogs checked out the tip of the peninsula, or hunted the wide point beyond where drag back could hold them in there. As the test progressed, dogs began to run down the left shore beyond the point and hunt their way to the bird. About 3:30 it became very cloudy and rain began shortly after. Because of the dark conditions and rain , the test was suspended after dog 69 had run. It will resume on Friday with one test dog at 6:45; first running dog #72 no earlier than 7:00. No partial call backs were given.

(L) Chris Ledford and Jim Dorobek

(L) Linda Patterson, Dave Sniegowski
and Vickie Worthington

Test 5 Gallery

(L) John Morgan and Bach Doar

Friday, November 15, 2002

Dawn came slowly. It had rained most of the evening and more light showers were possible for the morning. Temperatures were in the upper 30's to low 40's. Only one test dog would be run prior to resuming test 7. The rain ceased before the first test dog , however it was too dark at 6:45 and the team ran at 7 a.m. with the first competing dog #72 at 7:30.

The cold air, gray, and big water discouraged dogs from taking a direct line to the far bird across the lake. Most ran around the bank, some well into the woods , then winded the bird once on the far side and recovered it. A few took a beautiful line to it and that took courage on the dog's part. It appeared that once a trail formed to it, others trailed their way to the bird.

The middle mark was well positioned and it caused some hunting. One or two winded the far bird drag back trail and had to be handled.

The flyer could be deceiving when it fell in the creek bed or beyond it. Several long hunts ensued and one handled.

There was also an honor to the left of the running dog and none broke on it

Series 7 finished at 10:20 a.m. and a move was made to the site of test 4 for a water blind. Call backs listed 27 dogs still in contention. Those dropped were: 15, 19, 21, 35, 57, 75, and 80. Seven had been lost.

It took some time for the caravan to arrive as several vehicles became mired in the mud at the old site and had to be pulled out. The water blind was ready to go when judges arrived and the test dogs were called to line at about 11 a.m.

Test 8 - Water Blind Close Up

Test 8 - Actual distance

The duck was about 365 yds deep, placed up on the side hill of a dike. There was a long land entry and the line was between the forth series point and island and continued back to the shore beyond. On the left bank hill, a gunner station just sat. - no shot or bird.( The first dog was run with a poison bird from that station, but judges decided not to use it) The handler was told he could move up to the road to handle laterally between two red ribbons once the dog entered the water. The test lasted nearly 10 minutes and began with dog 51 at 11:20.

Wind, the old marks and prospect of cold water attracted dogs to either and/or both shores. Some dogs that preferred to seek the shore were reluctant to leave it and there were cast/whistle refusals. The line went over the point where the left middle guns had stood and dogs were required to cross it. Some had difficulty there and a one or two disappeared behind it.

Because of the distance and time factor, judges used an ATV to meet the handler and dog at the gunner station. By 2:50, the test was completed when dog #20 returned. An announcement was made that callbacks would appear later that night at HQ.

Callbacks arrved about supper time and 18 potential NFC's remained. They were: 3, 5, 10, 13, 14, 16, 18, 34, 41, 42, 45, 51, 52, 62, 65, 69, 79, and 89. Those lost were:9, 20, 44, 59, 60, 72, 78, 81, and 86.

Test #9 , probably watermarks will run a test dog at 6:45, first running dog, #13, not before 7:15 a.m.

(L) Jerry Younglove, Judy Powers and Rich Dresser

Test 8 from the penthouse "suite"

(L) Joe Broyles and F. Lee Jolley

Outdoor Life crew interviewing Joe Harp

Saturday, November 16, 2002

It was the final, decisive day of the National. The cold air crackled with excitement as contestants arrived at site 9. A cold, partly cloudy day was forecast for the area with temperatures rising to the mid 40's.. Early temperatures were in the low 30's with little wind and partly cloudy.

The ninth was a water triple with two retired marks under or tight to the arc of a close shot flyer. There were only 5 "clean" dogs going into the 9th.

Test 9 - Actual distance

Test 9- close up of far marks

Originally it was a quad, but judges moved the short left flyer to the right shore . Beyond was a far shore were two sets of guns stood, One was up on land and threw a dead duck flat to the left. It fell 115 yards out, straight away from line, in tall, sparse weedy cover 115 yds from line. To the left and right on shore another set threw a dead duck flat to the left that landed at the edge of the shore also about 115 yds. from line. The right shore flyer guns shot a mallard to the left and sluiced it in the water only 36 yds. out. The order was: left, middle, right. As the dog was sent for the flyer, the other two guns retired. A switching wind, cold water and closeness of the lines could divert dogs from their marks. A bunch of branches in the water right off the line could also divert dogs,

The test lasted about 15 mpd, began at 7:46 with dog 13 and ended at 12:22 with #10. 11 dogs were called back for the 10th They are: 5, 13, 14, 18, 34, 42, 45, 51, 52, 62, and 65. Those lost were: 3, 10, 16, 41, 69, 79, and 89.

Test 10, Land Quad, Actual Distance

Test 10, close up

The 10th was a land quad with two shot flyers and a retired gun beginning with dog 5. The line was on the top of a grass covered bunker and faced a rolling field covered with various tall, sparse grassy cover.

On the far left a set of flyer guns shot a flying cock pheasant well ridden to the left where it fell in the grass 293 yds. away. The second set was to the left and closer in. They threw dead duck angled back to the right about 190 yards from line. A third set deeper to the right shot a flying duck angled back to the left, also landing in the grass 225 yards away. The final set was located closer and to the right. The threw a dead duck angled back to the left falling about 140 yards away. The order was: Left, flying cock, left middle dead bird, right middle flyer duck and right dead duck. The test took about 12+ minutes per dog. It began at about 1:20 p.m. and completed at 3:15 with dog 51. Four dogs handled on the 10th, mostly on the left rooster.

After, it was announced that the awards would be made at Busch HQ. After a short ceremony, the finalists were announced and the winner asFC-AFC Cashman's Fat Lady Zingin', owned by J.M. and L.K. DuBose, Handled by Mac DuBose. Congratulations were given and the
Du Boses invited all to a Winners party a short time later at HQ.

(L) Jerry Patopea, Merry Lake, Jane Patopea

Bil Bowen & Lisa Hayes

Test dog, 9th series

2002 NRC Winner & Finalists

THE WINNER IS:

#51 FC-AFC Cashman's Fat Lady Zingin, LF
Owners, JM & LK DuBose, Handler Mac DuBose

Finalists

5. 00 NFC Maxx's Surprise, LM, Owner Sherwin Scott, Handler, Mike Lardy
13. Tootaloo Trudy, LF, Owner, Ben Lee, Handler, Bill Eckett
14. FC-AFC Creek Robber, LM, Owner, Ken Jackson, Handler, Jim Gonia
18. FC-AFC Tiger McBunn, LM, Owners, JM & LK DuBose, Handler, Mac DuBose
34. FC-AFC Adams Acres Cherokee Rose, LF, Owners, John / Martha Russell, Handler Merry Lake
42. FC Fat City Juice, LF, Owner, Nathan Limoges, Handler, Karl Gunzer
45. FC Harmoney's Hey You Harry, LM, Owner, J. Kent Sweezey, Handler, J.J. Sweezey
51. FC-AFC Cashman's Fat Lady Zingin, LF, Owners, JM & LK DuBose, Handler Mac Dubose
52. FC Sally's South Paw, LM, Owner, Jim Dorobek, Handler, Joe Harp
62. FC Autumn Run's Tailwind, LF, Owners, Irwin & Sue Purtell
65. FC-AFC Chicamauga Choo Choo, LF, Owners, JM & LK DuBose, Handler Lynne DuBose

Starters, Callbacks and Summary in Order of the Draw

For a complete report of the 2002 National Championship subscribe to The Retriever News, N8W22195 Johnson Dr., Ste 105, Waukesha, WI. 53186. Voice: 262-278-4201, Fax: 262-278-4208. email: [email protected]

2001 Defending national Champion

NFC-AFC Eagle Ridge Rocket Sam
Owned by Bill Bowen, Handled by Danny Farmer