2004 NARC - batavia, NY

2004 NARC Callbacks

2004 NARC Qualifiers

1      NAFC-FC ADAMS ACRES CHEROKEE ROSE, L.F., John and Martha Russell, S. Hampton, NH
2      FC-AFC CANDLEWOOD COURT JESTER, L.M., Mike Fullerton, Montgomery, MN
3      FC-AFC WOOD RIVER'S MAKE MY DAY, L.M., Bill and Gay Fruehling, Ketchum, ID
4      FC-AFC CREEK ROBBER, L.M., Ken Jackson, Duvall, WA
5      FC-AFC VOLWOOD'S MOLLIE, L.F., Jack Vollstedt, LaQuinta, CA
6      FC-AFC HIWOOD KLEEN SWEEP, L.F., Roy and Jo McFall, Anchorage, AK
7      FC-AFC REDLINE WILDERNESS HANNA GO, L.F., Robert and Leta Rovelstad, Edgerton, WI
8      FC-AFC CARBON COPY OF HORN CREEK, L.M., Frank Kashevarof, Woodenville, WA
9      NORTH MOUNTAIN NUMBER ONE, L.M., Laura Nordberg, Middleton, ID
10    FC-AFC SHOE STRING BUCK, L.M., Gary and Mary Ahlgren, Winters, CA
11    AFC PLOURDE HONOR O'FOX HILL FARM, JH, L.F., Sandi McCourt, Waterford, CT
12    FC-AFC WATERMARK'S HIDDEN BAY TRAPPER, L.M., T. and M. Stiglich and R. Glaze, Hibbing, MN
13    FC-AFC GUSTOCK'S FAST EDDY FELSEN, L.M., Charles and Yvonne Hays, Princeton, MN
14    FC-AFC KENSBRIDGE DARKLY HANDSOME, L.M., Nan Ruby, Florence, OR
15    FC-AFC CUDA'S BLUE RYDER, MH, L.M., Charles Tyosn, Davis, CA
16    FC-AFC WORLD FAMOUS TELLIPATH, L.F., Ryan and Sal Gerlardi, Woodland, CA
17    FC-AFC M AND M'S BUNS OF STEEL, L.F., Margaret and Mitchel Brown, Monticello, GA
18    SKYBUSTERS RAPID FIRE, L.M., Lynn McGreavy, Ravenna, MI
19    FC-AFC CASTLEBAY SWEET SUCCESS, L.F., Charles Hines, Hinsdale, IL
20    AFC KENSBRIDGE DAY TRIPPER, L.F., Nan Ruby, Florence, OR
21    FC-AFC PEE DEE QUICK, L.M., Nancy and Lasal Banty, Rochester, NY
22    AFC SKY HI'S HUSKER POWER, L.M., Theodore Shih, Golden, CO
23    AFC NICK OF TIME LONE RANGER, L.M., L. Lancaster and C. Hines, Hinsdale, IL
24    AFC LEAN MAC'S SASSY FRANKLIN, L.M., Bradley Crawford, Winamac, IN
25    FC-AFC RAMMIN HOT CHILI, L.F., Randy and Mindy Bohn, Reinholds, PA
26    FC-AFC CAROLINA'S ELECTRIK GYPSY, L.F., Kay and Clint Joyner, Smithfield, NC
27    FC-AFC WINDY CITY'S SECRET SIGNAL, L.F., L. Lancaster and C. Hines, Hinsdale, IL
28    FC-AFC BAYOU BEND'S EBONSTAR PEG, L.F., Lee and Rose Jolley, Lafayette, LA
29    AFC WATERMARKS BIG SKY PINK, L.F., Maurice Smith and Mary Tatum, Park City, MT
30    FTCH-AFTCH TNT'S MR PEABODY PRAIRIEMARSH, L.M., John and Janice Gunn, Abbotsford, BC, Canada
31    FC-AFC TRUMARC'S LEAN CUISINE, L.F., Judith Aycock, Sanger, TX
32    FC-AFC CHANCES ARE MEIN SCHATZIE, L.F., Nona Bauer, Labelle, MO
33    JACO'S SON OF A GUN,  Gold.M., J. Warren, Larkspur, CO
34    AFC HAWKEYE'S VIKING, L.M., Mary Hillmann, Caldwell, TX
35    FC-AFC BART'S EBONY DART, L.M., Loren and Carol Morehouse, Warrenburg, MO
36    FC-AFC JK'S CREEKSIDE TOP PAWS PEPE, L.M., Jessie and Skip Kent, Sparta, GA
37    FC-AFC OTCH LAW ABIDING EZRA, L.M., B. and D. Cleveland and J. Rasmuson, Clinton, CT
38    SANDMAN'S SADIE LADY, L.F., Jay Hearnsberger, Springhill, LA
39    FC-AFC JB'S SO RUDE, L.F., Dick and Charlotte Kaiser, Hazel Green, AL
40    FC-AFC DOCTOR FEELGOOD VI, L.M., Wm. and Sarah Goldstein, Florence, SC
41    PRAIRIEWIND HAWKEYE, L.M., Newt Cropper, Ocean City, MD
42    FC-AFC SALLY'S SOUTH PAW, L.M., Jim Dorobek, Fremont, OH
43    FC-AFC FLASHFIRE'S RIGHT ON TARGET, MH, L.M., Karen Price, Chino Hills, CA
44    FC-AFC MAPLE CREEK'S MAGGIE MAY, L.F., Brad and Sonya Bowyer, LaGrange, GA
45    FC-AFC PIN OAK'S RIP CURL, L.M., Marvin Baumer, McKinney, TX
46    FC-AFC CAROLINA'S SMOKE ON THE WATER, L.M., Clint and Kay Joyner, Smithfield, NC
47    FC-AFC FORDLAND'S BORED OUT FORD, L.M., Sam Milton, Raymond, MS
48.   AFC EMBERAIN RUGBY, Gold.M., Linda Browne, Ronan, MT
49.   AFC DUST DE4VIL'S LAST SPARK, L.M., Tim and Heidi Coulson, Riverton, WY
50.   FTCH-AFTCH-AFC TNT'S EXPLOSION, Gold.M., John and Janice Gunn, Abbotsford, BC
51.   FC-AFC MAX MILLENNIUM, MH, L.F., John and Cynthia Cavanaugh, Easton, PA
52.   WORLD FAMOUS MAGICAL MISCHIEF, L.M., Ryan and Sal Gelardi, Woodland, CA
53.   FC-AFC SUNCREST ROCK'N ROLL, L.M., Arnold and Linda Erwin, El Cajon, CA
54.   AFC MARSH PRAIRIE QUICK PICK, L.M., Joe and Tal Broyles, Baton Rouge, LA
55.   AFC BAMS LIBERTY BELLE, MH, L.F., W. and S. McKnight and J. Garland, Bigfork, MT
56.   FC-AFC IRON LINES ANNIE OAKLEY, L.F., Mark Perrizo, Downey, CA
57.   SURESHOTS CHIPPEWA AMIK, L.F., Barbara Furlano, Las Vegas, NV
58.   CLUBMEADS ROAD WARRIOR, L.M., Frank Kashevarof, Woodinville, WA
59.   FC-AFC WINIFOX SCREAM'N YELLA ZONKER, L.M., Ken Neil and Brenda Little, Jupiter, FL
60.   FC-AFC MACKS LITTLE MAGIC, L.F., Kay and Wendall Willams, Dickinson, TX
61.   FC-AFC TRUMARC'S PUDGIE MAC, L.M., Michael Kammerer, Montgomery, TX
62.   FC-AFC HIDDEN BAY'S BWM, L.M., Don  Erickson and Jeff Talley, Stillwater, MN
63.   DR COPPER PHD, MH, L.F., Wayne Dodson, Thomasville, GA
64.   NFC-AFC CASHMAN'S FAT LADY ZINGIN, L.F., J.M. and L.K. DuBose, Hillsborough, NC
65.   FC-AFC RSK'S SMOOTH SAILING, L.M., Vicki Worthington, Homer Glen, IL
66.   FC-AFC VOLWOOD'S PEACHES AND CREAM, L.F., Jack Vollstedt, LaQuinta, CA
67.   AFC BIG SKY'S RED PLANET, L.M., Maury Smith, Park City, MT
68.   AFC FOX HOLLOW'S CUT N RUN, L.M., Martin Kirby, Pinckneyville, IL
69.   FC-AFC SHOOT SCOOT'N PADDY, L.M., Jim and Nancy Smith, Boise, ID
70.   FC-AFC HIGH TECH CEO, L.M., James Wrenn and Ed and Linda Haskins, Raleigh, NC
71.   FC-AFC HONKY TONK OUTLAW, L.M., Jerry Wickliffe, Pattison, TX
72.   AFC PIN OAKS BLACK POWDER MAGGIE, L.F., Judy and Dave Fowler, Dodd City, TX
73.   FC-AFC CHICKAMAUGA CHOO CHOO, L.F., J.M. and L.K. DuBose, Hillsborough, NC
74.   FC-AFC ESPRIT'S POWER PLAY, L.M., Martha and John Russell, South Hampton, NH
75.   FC-AFC HUNTING HILLS BLACK ICE, L.M., John Thomas, Rocky Point, NC
76.   AFC CREEKSIDES MOSES MALONE, L.M., Jessie and Wm. Kent, Sparta, GA
77.   AFC TAPPER JAKE, L.M., George Francis, Chesterfield, VA
78.   FC-AFC HAWKEYE'S CANDLEWOOD SHADOW, L.M., Marvin Blount, Jr., Greenville, NC
79.   CROPPER'S WALKS ON WATER, L.M., Richard Thoma, Akron, NY
80.   AFC SKY WATCH LIVE WIRE, L.M., Ray Vreeland, Conklin, MI
81.   03 NFC-AFC FIVE STAR GENERAL PATTON, L.M., Debbie Bredeson and Elly Muth, Sussex, WI
82.   TRUCKEE'S MS KATE, L.F., John Unbehaun, LaCrosse, Wi
83.   AFC SHOW ME THE MONEY, L.M., Michael Loggins, Turpin, OK
84.   FC A SHOT OF EZRA, L.M., Phil and Mary Heye, LaGrange, KY
85.   AFC WAUTAGA'S BULL GATOR, L.M., Steve O'Connell, Tallahassee, FL
86.   FC-AFC MORGAN LE FAE OF BUCKSHOT, L.F., Win and Susie Purtell, West Bend, WI
87.   FC-AFC YOYOU KAYTEE KK, L.F., Hillary Roger Brooks and Carol Lilenfeld, Camden, SC
88.   BURN'S GOLDEN PHOENIX, Gold.M., Bev and Jerry Burns, Columbus, OH
89.   DISTAGON'S ATV OF NORDIAS, Ches.M., B. Smith, Conor and Bruce Mitchell, Spring City, PA
90.   AFC BERTRAM'S BLAZING FIREWATER, MH, Ches.M., Kurt Bertram, Barrington, NH
91.   AFC FAT CITY CHASE, L.F., Robin Christiansen, Hailey, ID
92.   FC-AFC LARS WING N' A PRAYER, L.M., Robert and Patricia Larsen, Thompson, CT
93.   FC-AFC JJ'S DESIRE TO GO, L.F., J.M. and L.S. Patterson, Addison, IL
94.   IVORY'S QUACKEN US UP, L.M., Jen and Jeff Seitz, Ida, MI
95.   FC-AFC DEWEY'S DRAKE OF MOON RIVER, L.M., Gary McIlwain and Lowell Schwab, Bovey, MN
96.   FC-AFC BLACKWATER RUBY II, L.F., Ron and Jane Ainley, Dubuque, IA
97.   SOUTH BAYS NEW YORK TITAN, L.M., Gerard Troha, Sayville, NY
98.   RIVERSIDE'S RAGGEDY ANN, L.F., Linda and Gary Noga, Bonham, TX
99.   AFC-FTCH-AFTCH BIG BLUE'S DISTANT THUNDER, L.M., Nancy and Lasal Banty, Rochester, NY
100.  AFC WIDGEON'S LEAVE 'EM WEEPIN', L.M., Todd Scheuble, Webster, MN
101.  AFC WAGTAILS RARE INDIGO, L.M., Dennis Mitchell, Yankton, SD
102.  RIVER REVEILL'S DOUBLE DARE, L.F., Dan Myers, Wheatridge, CO
103.  TARTAN PRIME TIME, L.M., Barbara and James Howard, Longmont, CO
104.   HAWKEYE'S COAST GUARD, L.M., Wm. Hillmann and Jeff Talley, Caldwell, TX
105.   MAD RIVERS IN THE HUNT, L.M., Jon Monroe, Tomball, TX
106.   BOSHI JAMES' CUTTING EDGE, L.M., Shonene and James Garrison, Portland, OR
107.   FC-AFC CLUBMEAD'S HEAD OVER HEELS, L.M., Ronald Kiehn, Jackson, WY
108.   FC-AFC BLUE WATER SPECIAL, L.M., John Pampy, Bend, OR
109.   AFC POZZY'S POINTS TO PROFIT, L.M., Chas. and Yvonne Hays, Princeton, MN
110.   FC-AFC JAYBARS WESTSHORE BEAU, L.M., Jerald Kamphius, West Olive, MI
111.   FTCH-AFTCH WANNAMAKERS SPOOKY JUNE, L.F., Mark and Denise Hays, Burlington, ND
112.   AFC GUNSTOCK'S CEDAR RIVER KEEPER, L.M., Charles and Yvonne Hays, Princeton, MN
113.   DEEP WATER COLONILA SUNFIRE, Ches.F., Michael and Johanna Coutu, Harrisville, RI
114.   ESPRIT'S ODD MAN RUSH, L.M., John and Martha Russell, South Hampton, NH
115.   FC TANGATA MANU, L.M., Bradley and Diane Clow, Casper, WY

2004 NARC Stake Info

DATE:  June 13-19, 2004
ENTRY FEE:  $200.00
LOCATON:  Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area  and Private Grounds in and around Alabama, New York
ENTRIES CLOSE:  June 7, 2004

Training Ground Availability (Pre-Trial Included)

CLUB OFFICERS:  Ray Vreeland, President, Conklin, MI; Elizabeth Jerome, 1st VP, Minnetrisa, MN; Charles Tyson 2nd VP, Davis, CA;
Wayne Bleazard, 3rd VP, Murray, UT; Mark Rosenblum, 4th VP, Monroe, NC
JUDGES:  Tim Coulson, Mountain Time Zone; Mitch Patterson, Central Time Zone; Gary Zellner, Pacific Time Zone
FIELD TRIAL HEADQUARTERS:  Holiday Inn, Batavia, NY 585-344-2100
FIELD TRIAL COMMITTEE:  Mark Rosenblum, Chairman, Monroe, NC; Ray Vreeland, Conklin, MI; Elizabeth Jerome, Minnetrista, MN;
Charles Tyson, Davis, CA; Wayne Bleazard, Murray, UT; John Russell, South Hampton, NH; Martha Russell, South Hampton, NH;
Jim Dorobek, Freemont, OH

COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS:
SPECIAL:  Glynn Matthews, Wheatfield, NY; Richard Thoma, Akron, NY; Warren Price, Tonawanda, NY; Lew Weller, Blazendale, NY
MARSHALS:  Martha Russell, South Hampton, NH; Jim Dorobek, Freemont, OH
HOSTESS:  Jessie Kent, Sparta, GA; Laura Parrott, Monroe, LA
GUNS:  Bruce Doing, Captain, West Halifax, VT; Richard Smith, Co-Captain, Riverhead, NY
TRAFFIC:  Francis Keenan, Brockport, NY
GROUNDS:  Gerry Pozzebon, Niagra Falls, Ontario
MERCHANDISE:  Kate Rosenblum, Monroe, NC; Lou Vreeland, Conklin, MI
GAME STEWARD:  Bob Willow, Watha, NC
BIRD THROWERS:  Rick Millheim, Oxford, NY; Alan Pleasant, Angiers, NC

ACCOMMODATIONS:
Headquarters:
Holiday Inn (full Service)
Batavia, NY  Coordinator Pat Abrams 585-344-2100
Mention "National Amateur Retriever Club" for Special Rate

Most other hotels located on same exit as Headquarters

Ramada Inn Limited
Batavia NY 585-343-1000
585-343-1440

Comfort Inn
Batavie NY
585-344-9999

Days Inn
Batavia, NY
585-343-1440

Microtel Inn & Suites
Batavia, NY
585-344-8882

Super 8 Motel
Batavia, NY
585-344-4151

Campgrounds:
Le-Ti Campgrounds
Batavia, NY
585-343-8600

Darien Lakes State Park
Darien Center NY
585-547-9242 

Dollinger's Courtyard
Medina NY
585-798-0016 

Six Flags Darien Lakes 
Darine Center NY
585-599-2211 

Sky Line Camping Resort
Darien Center NY
585-591-2021

Yogi Bear Jellystone Camping/Cabins
North Java NY
585-457-9644

AIRLINES:

Batavia, NY is located approximately halfway between Buffalo and Rochester, NY. Both cities are an approximate 30 minute drive
from Headquarters.

TRANSPORTATION RENTALS:

Both airports have full rental care facilities with all major companies available.

TOURIST INFORMATION:

Brian Staebell (NARC Coord)
Genesee County Chamber Of Commerce
210 East Main Street
Batavia NY 14020
585-343-7440
1-800-622-2686
Email: [email protected]

TRAINING GROUNDS:

The special committee and the Chamber Of Commerce have procured many training grounds in the Batavia/Alabama areas. A listing
of properties will be available in the next few months.

SPECIAL ATTRACTION:

The Batavia area is the home of  Jell-O. The Jell-O Gallery is located in a historic 19th century house located in nearby LeRoy, NY.

Saturday, June 12, 2004

Saturday is spent in meetings and last minute tune ups for dogs. Contestant packets are distributed by the Hostess Committee  who also offer quality  Club logo emblazoned merchandise for sale.

Shortly after lunch, all gathered at Holiday Inn, NARC Headquarters, to attend the Retriever Advisory and Annual National Amateur  Retriever Club  meetings. Below are brief reports of  each.

The Retriever Advisory Committee meeting was called to order by Chairman Marshall Simonds shortly after 2 p.m. On the dais were members Nelson Sills, John Goettl, Bill Speck, Gordon Heldebrant and Jerry Mann.

They announced that several of the proposed changes from the previous year had been approved by the AKC delegates. They were:

1. Delete the rule that all birds must fall on fresh ground and that was no longer relevant.

2. Delete the use of restrained live birds .

3. Limitations on gun movement were revised discouraging long walks to retire and unnecessary movement that could distract dogs.

4. A rule was enacted that allowed judges to decide if a dog who had failed a marking test should be allowed to honor on or off lead.

5. How to handle a contestant with multiple dogs running one out of order. Judges would have to decide what they considered the circumstance to be. If they felt it was deliberate, they could drop the contestant and refer the matter to the F.T. Committee or judge it as an honest error carrying no penalty.

6. A blind retriever would be mandatory in the Qualifying stake

Not approved was:

Prohibiting Amateurs to judge a pro they had a dog in training with.

Three new proposals includes:

1. Holding blinds would be only allowed in a test if they concealed gunners or a  potentially dangerous object in the test.

2. Dry guns would not be allowed as part of a marking test. In combined marking and blind series, they could be used but only in conjunction with the blind.

3. Derby dogs could be brought to line on a collar and leash, but the collar would have to be remove before running the dog (At this time a derby dog may run with a choke collar on)

A request for a Junior handler provision for trials seemed unclear and the committee asked for input. (Later a vote was taken and many approved of such a provision.

The suggestion of the creation of an Amateur Trained and Handled stake had no support and was dismissed.

A ballot would be sent to all clubs in early July.

Topics suggested for next year includes what to do about large entry trials as the test quality seemed to be declining as a result. A lively discussion followed and several suggestions were received.

A Judging guideline manual was in preparation and would be available in a few months.

The meeting was adjourned at shortly after 3 p.m. 

NARC Annual Meeting

Ray Vreeland , President, called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. The minutes, and treasurers report were accepted, and roll call completed.

Sponsors and landowners were thanked and all welcomed to the stake.

The 2005 Board of Directors were voted on and include:

    Liz Jereome, Pres. 
    Charles Tyson, VP 
    Wayne Bleazard 
    Mark Rosenblum 
    Ron Ainley

Liz Jerome then announced that the 2005 stake would be held at Virginia Minnesota from June 19-26. Judges are: Bob Willow, Kevin Scoval, and Linda Erwin.

After Field Trial Chairman Mark Rosenblum announced that, for the first time, the NARC would pick a random number to begin the stake There had been some speculation why a kiddie pool was filled with water and orange dummies, but it became crystal clear when Mark brought his Lab house pet in. He sat him down and gave a remote back cast to the pool. The inevitable happened and the dog avoided the water. After some prompt and a careful selection, dummy #82 was delivered to hand. That would be the first dog -FC AFC Blackwater Ruby II.

Other info included:

Rotation was 82 - 7-32-57. Test dogs at 7:30 a.m.; 2 holding blinds, handler must be on the mat to send his dog;

First Test (s) - A land double with a blind

Shortly after 4 p.m. the meeting adjourned with an invite for all to attend the pre national cocktail hour at 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 13, 2004

Land Double With a Blind

Test 1- Left (Retired) Mark

Right flyer

Both Photos close up to show terrain

Test 2  (?)  Blind - Planter Standing at bush

Sunday arrived sunny warm and breezy with temps in the 60's and a noticeable humidity. Both caravans left on time taking about 1/2 hour to arrive at the test site. By 7 a.m. gunners were in the field and birds were bring shot to supply the first running dogs.

The line was set atop a 4-5 ' mound and faces an area of grass strips. The uncut areas were nearly 4' high in spots.  The test was a land double followed by a land blind about 90 degrees to the right of the flyer mark.

Judges tweaked the test a bit but by 7:40, the test dogs were called upon to demonstrated combined series.  The first team did well on both, but the second team had a great deal of difficulty on the blind. After, early handlers were allowed to view the line for several minutes. At 8:10 the first competing dog, #82 appeared on line.

The two marks were bout 60 degrees apart. To the left, a dead hen pheasant was thrown flat to the right. It landed in the tip of a heavy strip of cover (The same on that the gunners stood behind) about 135 yards from line. Deeper and to the right, a flying hen was shot to the right. The falls were varied as some of the birds wanted to go straight up, while others were well ridden out.  It landed about 190 yards away. Both marks were nearly down wind.

Varied falls on the flyer caused some hunts but most were successful. A few had  long hunts, however and a few handled on it . The line to the left mark went through two strips of cover, the first of which had some unseen standing water in it. Since the cover was relatively high, dogs lost their mark going through it.  Dogs would get to the area and hunt the open space around the strip of cover or drive through the area to the tree line behind. Several had to be handled after going out of sight for significant periods.

Once the marks were recovered, a blind was run from the same line. The line to it was 90 degrees to the right. It was a dead hen pheasant marked by a small bush about 135 yards out. It was also a crosswind blind. Dogs seemed to favor the the left once leaving the mound . Since the wind blew from right to left, a cast to the right was also into the wind. A number had multiple cast refusals. After the first strip of cover, a heavier one, surrounded by thicker cover  and backed by a piece of running water also pushed dogs left. Until about noon, there was quite a bit of trouble on the relatively short blind.

About 12:30 a moderate, persistant rain began and visibility became poor. Also dog 13 scratched due to an injury. Later dog 31 also scratched. Dog 10 was skipped over without an explanation.

The rain stopped by mid afternoon; the sun returned and it became hot and humid with temps in the low 80's. The wind switched and the left bird appeared to be more "do-able". The blind was then nearly into the wind and some dogs seemed to have trouble hearing some whistles (maybe). After 64 dogs had run, 7 had handled and 3 picked up on the marks.

The Test(s) could not be completed before dusk and was suspended at 8:10 p.m.after dog #72 ran. 
It will resume at 7 a.m. Monday with the test dogs. #73 will be the first running dog - there are 10 dogs left.

(L to R) Bill Speck, Dennis Bath, Nelson Sills

Gallery Test 1

FC-AFC Creek Robber on line

(L to R) Swede Anderson, Jeff Warren, Barbara Howard

Monday, June 14, 2004

Test 3 from line

Close up showing planter

Third Series -  Water Blind

Monday morning was cloudy, humid and breezy. with temperatures in the high 60's.

By 6:30 a.m., gunners were back in the field, ready to complete the combined test. Unfortunately, upon arrival  they found all 4 porto pots had been knocked off the trailer by some evening revelers..

By 7 am the lone test team ran and were quickly followed by the first contestant , # 66, a rerun from the previous day. Although still cloudy, the sun appeared briefly from time to time.

The work appeared better than the previous day and the test was completed by 8:25 p.m. The test was quickly dismantled and all were directed to a field about 1/2 mile down the road, across the main highway. While the next test was being organized, the call backs were announced.  9 had been either scratched or lost to the series. Scratches were 10, 13, and 31. Dropped were: 20, 33, 36, 87, 95 and 97. 89 remained for the third, a water blind.

Clouds cleared and the day became sunny, warm and bright.

The line for the blind was located on the backside of a dike facing the left shore of a pond. In front of the line (almost a no-see-um-) was a 2' pile of grass and hay. It was on line to the blind

To recover the bird , a dead hen pheasant. dogs had to stay on line past the mound, go down the dike into a flooded field and angle into tightly to the shore of the pond.  Beyond was a point of sparse cattails right in front of a small bay that had a large stand of trees edging the shore. Dogs could easily get lost behind them if the refused a cast. The wind angled in toward the shore from right to left and provided another excuse to land. Once past the point, they had to skim the shore in lunging water to where the bird lay, marked by a small bush about 145 yds. from line.

The test dogs ran shortly after  9 a.m. and both completed with little difficulty.

At. 9:30 a.m., the first dog, #7 tried the third. After a few ran, it appeared the test could be successfully completed with 4-7 whistles, although some were cliff hangers! It moved quickly taking about 4-5 mpd. The gallery was told if they wore white, roving marshals armed with spray paint would color them orange. He he......

The work remained generally good throughout the series. There were a few that virtually lined it, but most had several whistles. Later dogs had paths to choose from, however not all led to the desired area.  It was announced that no other test would be started after the blind. By 4 p.m. the test was completed and callbacks followed a short time later. Only 3 dogs had been lost. They were 24, 38 and 44. Eighty Six  remained for the fourth.

By early afternoon, Gary McIllwain had mistakenly worn a white sleeveless shirt into the gallery and was promptly sprayed orange. Effective, maybe - but there may be retribution later.

Tuesday the fourth series would begin in an adjacent area with test dogs at 7:15; first running dog, # 32 at 7:30. It was rumored to be land marks.

Gary McIllwain after spray encounter

Announcer Dean Ellis

Food Truck

Judges, (L to R) Gary Zellner, Tim Coulson, Mitch Patterson

Tuesday, June 15, 2004

Test 4 from line

Close up of retired guns

Land/ Water Triple with two retired guns and an honor

After a violently stormy evening, Tuesday arrived sunny, warm and humid. Temps were in the low 70's and there was a heavy dew on the grass. Once on site, the roads were a quagmire of mud. The food truck was stuck  and the hostess wagon mired in the goo. Minor problems for the stalwart crew and soon most made the exciting, slippery ride to the site and watched as the test dogs ran, right on time - 7:15 a.m.  One handled on the long bird, the other did not.

The test was a land/water triple with two retired guns and an honor to the right. The line was up on a hill of stubble corn and weeds. The land dropped down to an oval water filled  (lunging) depression with weed covered spoils surrounding it. Beyond, the land rolled upward and was covered with 2' tall grassy cover. The first set of guns  was located high on the far hill to the right. The threw a dead hen pheasant slightly angled back to the left. It fell about 200 yards away. Just to the right, closer in, at the bottom of the hill, the second set shot twice and threw a dead duck flat also to the left. It fell in the grass covered spoil mounds 90+ yards from line. Lastly, just in front of the line a set of flyer guns then stood up and shot a flying hen mallard to the left about 35-40 yards out . It was very exciting and invited a break for either the honoring or running dog. As the dog recovered the flyer, the other two guns retired to camo blinds. The wind angled back from right to left across the test (Yardage estimated)

The first running dog, #32 came to line at 7:40 a.m. and produced excellent work. Although it only took 7-8 mpd, long hunts and handles extended the time on the early dogs.

As the test progressed it became abundantly clear this would produce some significant separation. 
Tightness of the lines to the two retired birds combined with the terrain tested the dog's courage, tenacity and marking. The body of water at the bottom of the hill provided relief during and returning from the marks. After half the dogs had run, there were 12 handles, including several pick ups, plus numerous long hunts. Problems were encountered on both retired marks, but more  so on the long one. The bright afternoon provided better lighting and increased scent improved the success ratio. 
By 4 p.m. it appeared that the series could not be completed on Tuesday, but it was not certain as yet.

The fourth finished shortly after 8:30 p.m. when dog 30 was excused from the honor. It had taken a toll on the field. There were 5 pick-ups and 3 breaks along with a significant number of wide, loose hunts.

The call backs arrived shortly after 10:30 EDT and 73 were invited to the fifth, rumored as a land quad. 13 had been lost.  Unfortunately, Creek Robber, Shoe String Buck and Cuda's Blue Ryder were among them. Dropped were: 9, 16, 23, 28, 37, 45, 57, 63, 71, 77, 88, 90, and 91.

Test dogs would run at 7:30 and the first running dog, #58 shortly after.

Judge Gary Zellner / Lasal Banty  and Quick on line

Hostess/Merchandise RV - Bargains!

Test 4 Gallery

(L to R) Charles Tyson, Ray Vreeland and John Russell
- Power Meeting

Wednesday, June 16, 2004

Land Quad with 2 retired guns

Test 5 close up of right 3 guns

It was partly cloudy, cool and breezy at 6 a.m. The new site was at the John White farm, somewhat closer than the other two and guns were in position by shortly after 7 a.m. The line faced a gently sloping mowed hay field that had numerous large bales lying randomly within. Mowed hay still lay in several strips a short distance from and parallel to the line. To the left, the field on the left side was unmowed, but had several bales lying in it.

Four sets of guns were positioned within. Three were to the right of the road and one to the left. The left was a short distance in the cut field, near a power line tower. They shot and threw a dead rooster pheasant angled back to the left. It fell in the hay about 50 yards out. The left middle mark was the longest at 175 yds. They threw a dead duck flat  to the left into the unmowed field.  Closer and to the right, a set of flyer guns shot a rooster to the right. It landed in short cover between bales 150 yards from line, tight behind the right flyer guns. The right set shot a live duck, also to the right, falling about 80 yards from line. The order was: left middle; right middle flyer ; far left; right flyer.  As the dog was sent for the short right flyer, the two left guns retired. It took about 9 mpd.

Test dogs were called to the line at 7:38. Grasse did well while Eric handled on two. At 8:03, the first running dog, # 58 arrived on line.

The right and left marks were usually recovered well. The problem was that the tight configuration of the right middle flyer to the right flyer guns was confusing and possibly a bit tense for the dogs. Combined with the fact that the right middle and left middle marks were both thrown out, the area between provided a safe haven  for dogs to hunt. After the right flyer a number of handlers tried for the short left bird next. Then they went for the right middle flyer. Dogs were reluctant to take the tight line behind the short flyer guns an arrived between the middle two gun stations. A number hunted their way to the left middle one, then when sent for the right middle, hunted all over, except were the bird lay. Many had to handle to it. A few successful jobs were produced by taking the two right flyers as a double, then the two left retired ones as a second double. A switching wind throughout the day would aid dogs on one mark while penalizing them on another.

The partly cloudy morning kept the dogs from overheating and for those who became warn, a kiddie pool and bucket of water was provided near the line.

The afternoon remained hot and and sunny. Dog work seemed to run in streaks. There would be an excellent  group, followed  by handles, pick ups or switches. An announcement was made mid morning that the fifth would be suspended at 6 p.m. so all could attend the workers party. There would probably be about 2 hours left in the morning. No partial call backs would be given.By 4 p.m 42 dogs had run with 16 that either handled or picked up. It  remained  brutal much of the day.

Thursday, June 17, 2004

The workers party was held in a wildlife art museum located in a 18th century village reconstruction. People strolled the grounds viewing many sculptures, gardens and quaint buildings. Inside, paintings, Remington sculptures, a live band and snacks were enjoyed by all. A wonderful supper followed and content, mellow participants returned to their "homes" as a light rain began.

Morning came a bit early for many revelers. A persistent rain added a touch of misery to the pre dawn darkness.. However, a sturdy group of workers found their way to the site and number 5 resumed.

Light rain remained throughout the balance of number 5. The results were similar to the day before. Of the remaining dogs, 7 fo the 18 handled or picked up. The last dog , #56 returned to line at about 11 am. All were told to remain at the site as a land blind would be run in the same area. After a test dog and some discussion, Judges decided on a water blind in a different area and all were told to wait to caravan to the new series. Callbacks came about noon and the 15 minute trip began shortly thereafter.  21 dogs had been lost to the demanding fifth and one, #76 had been scratched due to being in season. 51 potential NFC's remained. Those lost were:4, 5, 21, 26, 49, 50, 51, 54, 60, 61, 66, 67, 72, 73, 75, 78, 79, 81, 82, and 96. The sixth would start with dog #93.

Blind as seen from behind the dike line mat

Blind from top of dike

Sixth Series Water Blind

It took a bit of time to organize the sixth, a water blind with a poison bird. The blind began with a no-see-um line behind a dike. Up on the dike, on the right side, a set of guns shot and threw a dead duck back to the left. It fell at the water's edge about 40 yards from line. It  was a long angle entry over the dike into the water on the right shore of a large pond. The line continued tight past the poison bird and up on the point formed by the same shoreline. There was heavy cover on the shore and a bay to  the right where a dog could quickly disappear then easily reappear at the poison bird. All the suction was toward the shore on the right. However the duck lay deep within the pond beyond,on a float about 160 yards from line. Two trees on the point served as goal posts to mark where the blind was. A small sapling was on the left, with a dead trunk on the right. The poison bird lay near the water just past the cattails. The wind came into the line from left to right.

Handlers were instructed that the poison bird would be thrown as they arrived on the mat. They could tell their dogs to sit and must wait for judges to call a number. After, they were on their own - no restrictions. Shortly before 1 p.m., the test dogs illustrated the perils of the sixth and by 1:15, the first running dog, #93 appeared. It took about 8 mpd.

It was difficult to get a good line because there was no "picture" from the starting line. Dogs were naturally drawn to the right where the poison bird fell. A number of dogs had to be handled up short to get the proper line into the water. After passing the tempting poison bird, it  was critical to cast the dog off the point to the left. Dogs with cast refusals that disappeared behind the point usually did not recover . A few dogs were unable to resist the temptation and recovered the poison bird. 
Beyond the point it became difficult to see the dog, especially because of cloudy conditions.. Binoculars were used by quite a few to observe their dog in that area.

The sixth was completed when dog 92 returned with the blind at shortly before 8 p.m. Callbacks and tomorrow's test would be available later at the Holiday Inn. As of 9 p.m.EDT the info had not arrived. Shortly after 10:30 the call backs were posted. Only 38 contenders remained. Thirteen had been lost. They were: 7, 12, 15, 19, 27, 30, 42, 48, 58, 62, 69, 70, 93 and 98. Unfortunately both Patton and Carbon had been lost to Thursdays tests.

The seventh was said to be a land blind back at the 5th series field. Test dogs would run at 7:30, no starting number was given.

Andy Attar and Leta Rovelstad

Test 5 Gallery

Retriever cooling pool - Wednesday

Purina Rep Roy Pelton with goodies

Friday, June 18, 2004

It was cloudy and humid with a good chance for rain again. There was little wind and a haze hung over the area. Temperatures were in the 70's at 6 a.m.. Upon arriving on site, a thick fog and light drizzle blanketed the series. Everything was put on hold until it cleared enough for the dog to see the handler. Finally, about 8:50 it had cleared enough and test dogs were called to the line to run a double land blind.

Seventh Series Double Blind from line

Double Blind Close up

The line was in the same area it had been for the fifth test, but faced about 60 degrees to the right. It was in the same cut hay field dotted with large round bales. Near the center was a strip of evergreen trees running perpendicular to but not all the way to the line. Nearly straight away from the line a planter sat in a chair. A hay bale was about 30-40 feet to the left. There a dead cock pheasant was placed in front of the bale 75 yards out. Deep to the left  on the other side of the tree line another dead cock pheasant was placed behind the third of 3 bales that were parallel to and a short distance left of the tree line. It was 175 yards away. Handlers were  told they were "on their own" . The blinds were positioned in a push pull,  tight configuration.

Test teams ran at shortly before 9 a.m. with the first running dog, #6 arriving at 9:11. It took about 4 mpd to complete.

The close proximity to the planter and tight lines cause some dogs to flare and early adjustment casts were necessary.   A few seemed reluctant to go close to the near bale,  prefering to go on either side instead. Others "ping -ponged" their way to the far blind, while some nearly disappeared into the tree line. The test went quickly and was completed by 11:26 by dog #3.

Callbacks arrived swiftly and 34 dogs were invited to the Eighth. Those lost were: 29, 32, 52, and 59.

Test 8 - Water Quad with 2 Retired Guns as seen from line

Test 8 - Quad marks closer to show detail

A quick move was made back to the site of #3 for a water quad  with 2 retired guns.- test number 8. The site was a long, wet walk to a small pond area. In front of it was an weedy, overgrown cut corn field,  In the pond,  peninsula protruded from the far shore of the pond. . It was nearly across from the line and angled in. On top of it a set of guns stood and threw a dead pheasant to the right, across the water to the far shore. It landed at the edge of the water in some weeds about 175 yards from line. To the right and closer to line, another set stood on the near edge of the pond and threw a dead duck across a bay of water to the left. It fell in heavy cover on the far, elevated shoreline about 120 yard out. Still closer and  also to the right, a third set threw a dead duck angled sharply back to the left. It fell in a patch of tall grass 60 yards away. Far to the left, on the near side of the pond, a set of live guns shot a flying rooster to the left. it landed in the 2+ foot  sparse grassy cover 150+ yards away. The order was: Left middle; right middle ; far left flyer; right near mark. A dozen decoys rested in the water to the left of the peninsula. Also, there was an honor on the right.

As the dog was sent for the short right mark, the middle guns retired, leaving only the far left flyer guns in sight.

By 12:47 all was ready for the test teams. The first one handled on 3 marks while the second on only one. Judges decided they liked what they saw and called running dogs to the line. Dog 22 was first to run as #18 was not there yet. Handlers usually tried to pick up the outside marks first, then the shorter (right middle) third and the long (left middle) bird last.

The nearly over and under configuration of the right three marks, distance, cover and cross water throws, made it difficult for dogs to mark the birds separately. The out of order flyer broke their concentration and could dim the two remaining, converging  marks.  It took about 10 minutes to complete. Of the first four dogs, only one handled on the demanding. marks. As the test continued, the wheels first loosened up and then began to fall off. Dogs began to handle and pick up  - all marks seemed to cause problems. Several handled on the flyer. Others confused the two middle marks  and after recovering, one, would forget the other. A few returned to the short right mark and required handling. Several disappeared into the dense cover on the right, eventually recovering one of the retired marks. Of the 34 dogs called back, 14 handled and/or picked up - about 41%.The test ended about 8:16 when dog 17 was released from the honor.

 Late that evening, callbacks arrived and just 16 survivors were invited back to the ninth. 18 had been dropped., Those in contention are: 2, 17, 18, 22, 25, 34, 35, 40, 43, 46, 56, 74, 84, 89, 92, and 94. Dog 18 will start. The ninth will be water marks back at the site of the last water blind. Those dropped were: 1, 3, 6, 8, 11,14, 39, 41, 47, 53, 55, 64, 65, 68, 80, and 93, 83, 85.

Saturday, June 19, 2004

The day started rainy, cold and miserable with temps in the 50's and a moderate wind. It slowly cleared and became sunny by mid morning.

Test 9 -Water Triple 2 Retired Guns  ( More land in middle between water and land marks)

The ninth  was a water triple with two retired boat birds and a flying rooster on land to the left.The marks were spread in a 180 degree  configuration. The two boat marks were located  on the left end of a  flooded timber pond that had strips of saplings, dead trees, cattails and other weeds in the water. Each boat was moored on a strip and well camouflaged. The farthest one was deep and far to the right of the shot flyer mark.  There a gunner shot and threw a dead duck flat to the right. It landed in the flooded timber about 170 yards out. The second boat was in closer and to the right. That gunner shot and threw a dead duck at a sharp angle back to the left. It also fell in flooded timber about 140 yards away. Lastly, the flyer guns - far to the left on land and the shortest mark, shot a rooster well ridden out to the right. It landed in grassy cover about 60 yards from line. There was a strip of tall weeds and cattails at the water's edge (about 25 yards from line). Some cattails extended into the pond a good distance between the shore and left mark. Much of the water area was lunging depth.

It took about 15+ minutes a dog to complete. Tests dogs ran at shortly before 8 with the first running dog #18 at 8:20.

The wide angle of  marks with a short flyer tempted dogs to swing off the water marks and onto the flyer station as the birds fell. Some only got a glimpse of the ducks as they were thrown. Early dogs seemed to either do it very well or fail. Of the first 6, 2 picked up.There were loose hunts in the water, some to the far shore or an island deep on the right. Others ran down the shore for the middle, far mark and were out of sight  for some time. A few tried to switch or were hopelessly lost and needed to be handled. Nearly all handlers took the outside birds first, then the long middle retired mark. The two retired  marks were nearly down wind.

The day grew warm and sunny- the test  picturesque and challenging. By 12:20 all had run the 9th and callbacks came quickly. Twelve potential National Amateur Champions remained for the 10th. They were 2, 17, 18, 22, 25, 40, 43, 56, 84, 89, 92 and 94. Those lost: 34, 35, 46, and 74.

Participants were quickly moved to the Meadville Road area for a set of land marks. The test was ready upon arrival.  The Tenth was a land quad with three shot flyers and two retired guns  The line was located on top a dike over looking a huge grassy field that had randon mowing within. A short distance and parallel to the line was a cattail lined 12-15'  water filled canal. In the middle of the test a cattail lined ditch ran perpendicular to the water filled ditch. On either side stood a set of live bird gunners. The left shot a flyng rooster angled back to the righ 50 yds away: the right, a flying drake angled back to the left: 45 yds. out. Between them were two other sets. Deep to the right a set of gunners was located in the grassy cover. They shot and threw a dead hen pheasant  flat to the left. It fell in grassy cover  250+ yds.  from line. To the right and closer to line, a third set of flyer guns was stationed at the base of a power line tower. They shot a flying hen mallard to the right. It landed in the grass 170 yards away. The marks were arranged in a 180 degree spread. The order was: Long, left middle; left flyer; middle right flyer; far right flyer. As the dog was sent for the right bird, the two middle gunners retired.

The first dog, #92 arrived on line at1:45 p.m.It took about 15-18 minutes to complete and was downwind.

The ditches, heavy cover, wind and configuration of the marks made the test difficult for dogs. Varied falls on the shot flyers plus nearly nothing to mark on for the long bird tested dogs to their limit. Unfortunately, one dog, #17, could not be handled to the long mark and had to be pcked up. In all 6 other had handled on the marks - 5 had not.

By 5 p.m. the test ended when #89 returned to line. A move was quickly made to the White property, site of the 5th series, for the awards. There Chairman Mark Rosenblum thanked all workers, sponsors and land owners before introducing the finalists.

Finally, the big moment arrived and dog # 56, FC AFC Chickamauga Choo Choo handled by Lynne DuBose  was announced as the 2004 National Amateur Champion. It was the second time she had won the National Amateur at Batavia. The first was in 1992 with NAFC Gusto's Last Contol. She has also won another in 1998 with NAFC FC Hattie McBunn (Nevada).  The latest accomplishment made her the only person who has won three National Amateurs with three different dogs!

2004 NARC Winner & FInalists

2004 National Amateur
Retriever Championship

Batavia, New York - June 13-19, 2004

The Winner Is

FC-AFC CHICKAMAUGA CHOO CHOO
Owned by Mac and Lynne DuBose, Handled by Lynne

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Finalists

2. FC-AFC Maple Creek's Maggie May, LF, Handler Brad Bowyer
18. FC AFC Volwood's Mollie, LF, Handler Jack Vollstedt
22. FC AFC Carolina's Smoke On The Water,LM, Handler Clint Joyner
25. AFC Creeksides Moses Malone, LM, Handler Jessie Kent
40. FC AFC Carolina's Electrik Gypsy, LF, Handler Clint Joyner
43. FC AFC Nick Of Time Lone Ranger, LM, Handler Charles Hines
56. FC AFC Chickamauga Choo Choo, LF, Handler Lynne DuBose
84. FC AFC Plourde Honor O' Fox Hill Farm, LF, Handler Sandi McCourt
89. FC AFC Dewey's Drake Of Moon River, LM, Handler Gary McIllwain
92. fC AFC OTCH Law Abiding Ezra, LM, Handler Connie Cleveland
94. FC AFC Vollwood's Peaches and Cream, LF, Handler, Jack Vollstedt.

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Summary of Callbacks and Drops by Series

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Daily Reports of the Stake
By Mary Knapp

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For a complete report of the 2004 National Amateur Championship subscribe to The Retriever News, N8W22195 Johnson Dr., Ste. 105, Waukesha, WI 53186. Voice: 262-278-4201, Fax: 262-278-4204. email: [email protected]

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2003 Defending National Amateur Champion

NAFC-FC Adams Acres Cherokee Rose
Handler, John Russell