2001 NRC - Cheraw, SC

2001 NRC Callbacks

2001 NRC Qualifiers

Qualification Requirements: A 1st place carrying five Championship points plus 2 additional Championship points in Open, Limited, or Special All-Age Stakes in AKC Member or Licensed Trials in the current calendar year. Winners of the previous year's National Championship, current year's Canadian National and the current year's National Amateur Championship Stake are automatic qualifiers -- but the last named must be handled by an Amateur in the National.

1. NFC MAXX'S SURPRISE, L.M., Sherwin Scott, Phoenix, AZ
2. FC MISS PINK, L.F., Marion Stroud Swingle, Elverson, PA
3. FC CHARLOT'S BLACK LIGHTNING, L.F., John Howard, Missoula, MT
4. FC CASE HARDENED COLORS, L.F., Joe and Connie Beitler, Medford, OR
5. NAFC-FC-CFC-CAFC CANDLEWOOD'S BIT O BUNNY, L.F., Henry McNeil, Jr., Philadelphia, PA
6. FC COOT FARM CHARCOAL II, L.M., Roger Williams, Barrington, NH
7. FC-AFC FORDLAND'S BORED OUT FORD, L.M., Sam Milton, Raymond, MS
8. FC-AFC ROUGHWATER'S SNAP CRACKLE POP, L.F., Monty Wulf, Blair, NE
9. FC SHOW-BIZ LIZ, L.F., Suzanne and John Hendersn, San Lius Obispo, CA
10. FC CANDLEWOODS RITA REYNOLDS, L.F., Mary Howley and Sue Reynolds
11. FC-AFC ADAMS ACRES CHEROKEE ROSE, L.F., John and Martha Russell, S. Hampton, NH
12. FC-AFC HAWKEYE'S CANDLEWOOD SHADOW, L.M., Marvin Blount, Jr., Greenville, NC
13. FC-AFC CALL ME YANKEE DOODLE DANDY, L.F., Northrup Larson and Rodney Glaze, Centerville, MO
14. FC-AFC FEATHER OF SWEETBRIAR, L.F., Bob and Suzanne Kennon, Baton Rouge, LA
15. FC-AFC TRU LINE'S TOO LE GIT, L..M, Glenda Brown, Santa Barbara, CA
16. FC-AFC CANDLEWOOD REBEL RIDGE TNT, L.F., Madelyn Yelton, Elkton, MD
17. FC BENELLI GAME GETTER, L.M., Sharon Thompson, LaGrange, KY
18. FC-AFC TRUMARC'S FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, L.M., Mark Rosenblum, Monroe, NC
19. FC-AFC CASHMAN'S FAT LADY ZINGIN, L.F., J.M. and L.K. DuBose, Hillsborough, NC
20. PIN OAK'S RIP CURL, L.M., Marvin Baumer, McKinney, TX
21. FC-AFC HIDDEN BAY'S BMW, L.M., Don and Elaine Erickson, Stillwater, MN
22. FC-AFC SOURDOUGH'S SLICK NICK, L.M., Paul Brundige, Memphis, TN
23. FC-AFC TEDDY'S EBONSTAR JAMES, L.M., Steve and Emily Faith, Louisville, KY
24. FC TRUMARC'S IN PURSUIT AGAIN, L.M., John Larkin, San Antonio, TX
25. FC-AFC HARLEY'S NIGHTHORSE, L.M., Ron Pfister, Larkspur, CO
26. FC BEAVERDAM'S EASY RIDER, L.M., Sally Bridges, Methuen, MA
27. FC-AFC VALTOR'S O.C. PETE, L.M., Joe and Gretchen Augustyn, Claremont, CA
28. FC-AFC CANDLEWOOD COURT JESTER, L.M., Mike Fullerton, Prior Lake, MN
29. FC-AFC KENSBRIDGE DARKLY HANDSOME, L.M., Nan Ruby, Florence, OR
30. FC HIGH TECH CEO, L.M., James Wrenn and Ed and Linda Haskins, Raleigh, NC
31. FC-AFC VOLWOOD'S MOLLIE, L.F., Jack and Florence Vollstedt, La Quinta, CA
32. FC-AFC HIWOOD TROOPER, L.M., Roy and Jo McFall, Anchorage, AK
33. FC-AFC-CFC-CAFC DB'S CRACKER OF CLUB MEAD, L.M., Don berard, Mohave Valley, AZ
34. FC LULU LULU LULU, L.F., Marion Stroud Swingle, Elverson, PA
35. FC-CFC-CAFC EL NINO, L.M., Blair Down, Bridgetown, Barbados
36. FC EAGLE RIDGE ROCKET SAM, L.M., Bill Bowen, Albuquerque, NM
37. FC-AFC SHOWTHYME, L.F., Dennis Smith, Waco, TX
38. FC HUNTERS MARSH ABI, L.F., A.C. Ray, Wichita, KS
39. WATERMARK'S WILD TIME, L.M., Thomas Parrish, Clinton, SC
40. AFC IRON LINES ANNIE OAKLEY, L.F., Mark Perrizo, Downey, CA
41. FC NORTH OF THE BORDER, L.M., Michael Kammerer, Montgomery, TX
42. FC-AFC CARBON COPY OF HORN CREEK, L.M., Frank Kashevarof, Woodenville, WA
43. FC MIDKNIGHT SHOT IN THE DARK, MH, L.M., Diane Dangler, Tahoe City, CA
44. FC-AFC HIWOOD KLEEN SWEEP, L.F., Roy and Jo McFall, Anchorage, AK
45. CAROLINA' SMOKE ON THE WATER, L.F., Clint and Kay Joyner, Smithfield, NC
46. FC TEQUILA SUNRISE IX, L.F., Cecily Dunlap, Winnetke, IL
47. FC-AFC CHENA RIVER WILD LADY, L.F., Ann Rauff, Portland, OR
48. FC-AFC MORGAN LE FAE OF BUCKSHOT, L.F., Win and Susie Purtell, West Bend, WI
49. FC TRUMARC'S SILVER LINING, L.M., Duncan and Ellen Christie, Westport, MA
50. HE'S CZAR NICHOLAS, L.M., Jim and Mimi Kramer, White Bear Lake, MN
51. ISLAND ACRES GOLD RUSH, L.F., Ed Minoggie, Portland, OR
52. UTOPIAN HIGH PASS, L.M., Lou Petralli, Grants Pass, OR
53. FC-AFC REBEL WITH A CAUSE, L.M., Ernie and Tina Sullivent, Amarillo, TX
54. FC-AFC LITTLE GO GATOR, L.M., Greg and Kim Heier, Crete, NE
55. AFC WOOD RIVER'S MAKE MY DAY, L.M., Bill and Gay Fruehling, Ketchum, ID
56. FAT CITY CHASE, L.F., Robin Christensen, Hailey, ID
57. NAFC-FC CANDLEWOODS RAMBLIN MAN, L.M., Jim and Judy Powers, Sheboygan, WI
58. FC MISS PINK, L.F., Clint and Marion Stroud Swingle, Elverson, PA
59. FC MAXAMILLION OF GREEN ACRES, L.M., Don Nindorf, Superior, WI
60. FC WATERMARK'S THE BOSS, L.M., Mary Tatum and Mary Howley, Houston, TX
61. AFC LINDELL'S BLACK MAGNUM, MH, L.M., Patrick Lindell, Alexandria, MN
62. NAFC-FC FISHTRAP CALAMITY, L.F., Ray Bly, Sprague, WA
63. AFC PEE DEE QUICK, L.M., Nancy and Lasal Banty, Rochester, NY
64. WINGOVER'S LITTLE JOE, L.M., Dudley Millikin, Jr., Andover, MA
65. FC-AFC TAILWINDS TRAVELIN GYPSY, L.F., John Thomas, Rocky Point, NC
66. NFC-AFC CROPPERS RIVER WATER BLACK TEAL, L.F., Marilyn Boatright and Kirk Naisbitt
67. WILLOW RUN'S SON OF A SAILOR, L.M., Scott Carruth, Ravenna, TX
68. CHANCES ARE MEIN SCHATZIE, L.F., Nona Bauer, LaBelle, MO
69. SEMAPHORE RULE OF THUMB, L.M., Hillary Rogers Brooks, Camden, SC
70. FC-AFC DISTAGON, Ches.M., Bruce Mitchell and Wm. Smith, Clayton, NJ
71. FC CREAM, L.F., Marion Stroud Swingle, Elverson, PA
72. FC HUNTING HILLS NATCHEZ TRACE, L.M., Debbie and Brian King, Fredonia, WI
73. FC KEVIN'S CROSS CHECK, L.F., Lowell Schwab, Maple Grove, MN
74. FC-AFC DUST DEVIL'S SHOOT THE MOON, L.M., Steve Bechtel, San Francisco, CA
75. FC-AFC JB'S SO RUDE, L.F., Dick and Charlotte Kaiser, Hazel Green, AL
76. LEAN MAC'S KODI, L.M., Jim Dresen, Woodbury, MN
77. FC-AFC HI COTTON'S AT WITS END, L.F., Lanse Brown, Kalispell, MT
78. TOP GUN HURRICANE, L.M., Brian Hoffman, Blue Springs, MO
79. FC POZZY'S IN PURSUIT, L.M., Mark Rosenblum, Monroe, NC
80. FC CANDLEWOODS AUTUMN RUN VINCE, L.M., Debbie and Brian King, Fredonia, WI
81. HIGHTEST SINK OR SWIM, L.F., Debra Folsom, Oroville, CA
82. AFC NORTHWIND GALE FORCE, L.F., Mark Akkola and Wilton Davis III, Eagle River, AK
83. FC HUNTING HILLS BLACK ICE, L.M., John Thomas, Rocky Point, NC
84. FC BLACK RIVER'S BIG OL' TRUCK, MH, L.M., Alan Pleasant, Angier, NC
85. FC-CFC-CAFC LISONALLY'S ONE FOR THE MONEY, L.M., CJ Howard, Oakville, ON, Canada
86. FC MISS SCARLET, L.F., Marion Stroud Swingle, Elverson, PA
87. FC PENMARKS MOUNTAIN KING, L.M., Penny Youngblood and Susan Spalter, Dallas, TX
88. FC LONESTAR'S SCARLETT OF TARA, L.F., Russ Weiss, Overland Park, KS
89. FC-CFC PIPERS TOP GUNNER, L.M., Mary Knapp and Carroll Kieckhefer, Sussex, WI
90. FC-AFC PLOURDE HONOR O'FOX HILL FARM, JH, L.F., Sandi McCourt, Waterford, CT
91. RAMMIN' HOT CHILI, L.F., Randy and Mindy Bohn, Reinholds, PA
92. FC-AFC SUMMER THYME II, L.F., William Bowen, Albuquerque, NM

2001 NRC Stake Info

DATES: November 11-17, 2001
LOCATION: Cooper Black Memorial Field Trial Area -- Moree's Sportsman's Preserve -- Cheraw, South Carolina
ENTRY FEE: $300.00
INFORMATION OF PREMIUMS:
Premiums and owner/handler information will be mailed to the owner and handler of each qualified dog beginning October, 2001, and there after will be mailed to each qualified owner/handler immediately upon receipt of confirmation from RFTN of the qualification. Handler packets will be available at the Jameson Inn on Saturday, November 10, 2001.
ENTRIES CLOSE: 12:00 Noon, EST, Thursday, November 1st for dogs which have qualified through October 28th. See special entry instructions in RFTN for dogs which qualify only after that date, November 2-4th, Southern Arizona, Metro Alliance, Mobile, and Palmetto Retriever Clubs. Send entries to:
    Larry Wharton
    NRC 2001 Championship Secretary
    167 brook Road
    Falmouth, ME 04105
    610-999-3309 (Cell)
FIELD TRIAL CHAIRMAN:
    Grayson Kelley                e-mail: [email protected]
    1309 Kelly Road               (Cell) 919-612-4581
    Apex, NC 27502              (Fax) 919-716-9623
    (W) 919-716-6911
    (H) 919-362-5362
CORPORATE SPONSORS LIAISON: Dennis Bath
FIELD TRIAL SECRETARY:
    Larry Wharton
    167 Brook Road
    Falmouth ME 04105
    610-999-3309 (Cell)
CLUB OFFICERS:
    President - Clint Joyner                    Vice President - Jackie Mertens
    4 Nottingham Place                            13N145 Randall Road
    Smithfield MC 27577                        Elgin IL 60123
    919-934-5974                                      850-929-7502

    Secretary/Treasurer - Larry Wharton
    167 Brook Road
    Falmouth ME 04105
    610-999-3309 (Cell)
JUDGES:
    Barbara Butcher Cross                    DeWitt Boice
    11953 Kern Road                           1790 30th Street, Suite 160
    Redding CA 96003                         Boulder CO 80301
    530-549-3363                                303-678-8677

    Linden Strandberg
    W370 S5501 Hwy ZC
    Dousman WI 53118
    262-965-3247
FIELD TRIAL MARSHALS:
    Bill Goldstein                                     Chuck Kimbrel
    320 Cherokee Road                       421 Pinelea Road
    Florence SC 29501                        Griffin GA 30223
    843-661-7482                                770-238-3160

    Joe McNinch
    534 Coachman Drive
    Simpsonville SC 29681
    864-963-8798
HEADQUARTERS:
    Jameson Inn                                           Inn Cheraw
    885 Chesterfield Hwy                    320 Second Street
    Cheraw SC 29520                        Cheraw SC 29520
    800-541-3268                              843-537-2011
    843-537-5625                              800-535-8709
    Attn: Mattie Thomas                     Attn: Raju Patel
OTHER ACCOMMODATIONS:
    Days Inn                                               Regency Inn
    820 Market Street                        710 Market Street
    Cheraw SC 29520                       Cheraw SC 29520
    843-537-5554                             843-537-2101
    800-329-7466                             800-401-0073
    Attn: Vijay Desai                         Attn: Phakor Patel

    Holiday Inn Express                    Comfort Inn
    King's Hwy                                903 South 5th Street
    Bennettsville SC                          Hartsville SC 29550
    800-222-5783                             843-383-0110
    843-479-1700                             800-228-5150
CAMPGROUNDS:
    Cheraw State Park                        Sand Hills State Forest
    Highway 52 South                        PO Box 128
    Cheraw SC 29520                        Patrick SC 29584
    843-537-9656                              843-498-6478
ANNUAL MEETING:
 Saturday, November 10, 2001, at the Theatre On The Green, 213 Market Street, Cheraw SC 29520 at the conclusion of the Retriever Advisory Committee meeting which is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m.
GAME STEWARDS                    OFFICIAL GUNS:
    Vicki Lamb                                    Dan Kingston
    PO Box 74                                     6331 Canterbury Drive
    Register GA 30452                         Easton MD 21601
    912-852-5118                                410-822-5690
HOSTESSES:                                MERCHANDISE:
    Kay Joyner                                    Sara Goldstein
    4 Nottingham Place                        320 Cherokee Road
    Smithfield NC 28577                      Florence SC 29501
    919-934-5974                                843-661-7482
BIRD THROWERS:                      TRAFFIC:
    Jeff Talley                                     Burke Earley
    6024 Leigh Read Road                    185 Glendale Drive
    Tallahassee FL 32308                      Youngsville NC 27596
    850-893-5746                                (H) 919-554-9454  (W) 919-523-2781
GROUNDS:                                   OFFICIAL VETERINARIANS:
    Richard McDonald                          John Sherman DVM                Craig Stonesifer DVM
    1513 Bay Creek Road                      6417 Wynbrook Way               3282 Leipsic Road
    Hartsville SC 29550                         Raleigh NC 27612                    Dover DE 19901
    843-332-3329                                 919-469-0947                          302-734-7684
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCER:            QUALIFICATIONS:
    Gene Kirby                                      Retriever Field Trial News -- Mary Knapp
    3501 Corvair Drive
    High Point NC 27265
    336-869-5527
OFFICIAL REPORTER
    Marilyn Fender
    Pickett, WI
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER:            BITCH CHECK:
    Ken Andrews                                         Veterinarians: Dr. John Serhman, Dr. Craig Stonesifer
    1709 --11th Avenue                                 Location: Theatre On The Green, 213 Market St., Cheraw SC 29520
    Grafton WI 53024                                   Time: Immediately following the conclusion of the Annual Meeting
    262-375-0595
COCKTAIL PARTY:                                    WORKERS PARTY:
    Date: Saturday, November 10, 2001                  Date: Wednesday, November 14, 2001
    Time: 7:00 p.m.                                                                  Time: 7:00 p.m.
    Location: Cheraw State Park Clubhouse              Location: Cheraw State Park Clubhouse
AIRLINES:
    Raleigh-Durham, NC -- All major airlines
    Charlotte, NC -- All major airlines
    Columba, SC -- All major airlines
    Florence, SC -- Delta, US Air
RENTAL CAR COMPANIES:
    Hertz                                        Budget
    800-654-3131                            800-527-7000

    Avis                                          National
    800-831-2847                            800-227-7368 

 FOOD:                                                      TRAINING GROUNDS:
    Available on grounds                   Posted at Headquarters
TRAINING BIRDS:
    Grayson Kelley                        Bill Goldstein
    1309 Kelly Road                       320 Cherokee Road
    Apex NC 27502                       Florence SC 29501
    919-716-6911                          843-317-6600
    919-362-5362                          843-661-7482

Saturday, November 10, 2001

Training virtually ceased about noon so participants could attend the annual meetings held at the Theater On The Green in downtown Cheraw.

The first was the Retriever Advisory Committee at 2 p.m. Pete Simonds revisited article #33 concerning the seriousness of a dog returning to an previously retrieved bird. It had been defeated last year by member club vote and was reworded so that it was clear that the dog would be subject to elimination only if it produced a systematic hunt when it returned to a previously retrieved bird. Most of the clubs had voted by ballot, but 10 were left to be polled at the meeting. Once polled, the measure was passed by a wide margin.

The Committee is also considering several other topics: What constitutes a pro - a better definition; The possibility of an owner (Amateur) handler Qualifying stake.; Gun Movement; Dog run out of order - what sanctions should be imposed so that there would be consistency and  the wording of a Judges affirmation statement to be signed by judges stating that they knew the rules and how to apply them. Then if there were violations, it would be possible to sanction those guilty of doing so.

After that meeting was adjourned, The National Retriever Club met in the same room.

It was called to order with a moment of silence of the Sept 11th victims and those in the sport who had passed away in the last year.

Dan Kingston was honored for his years of service with this National dedicated to him.

When asked, he drew the starting number for the Stake: #78, FC Utopian High Pass.

Then all the sponsors were thanked, especially Purina, Tritronics, Iams and Kent Cartridge for their generous donations

Later, information on the 2002 stake was provided by Chairman, Judy Powers. It will be held from November 10-16th at Weldon Spring, MO. The judges are Bill Kolstad, John Beyer and Tom Strickland

Current Chairman Chuck Kimbrel then announced that the rotation would be: 78 - 12 - 33 - and 54. Test dog at 6:30 - first running dog at 7.

The meeting was closed with an invitation to for all to attend the pre National cocktail party later that evening.

Sunday, November 11, 2001

Test 1 - Land Double with retired (R) Gun

Test  2 - Land Blind

Morning arrived cold and clear. Temperatures were in the low 40's and there was little wind. Both early caravans received a police escort to the edge of town in the pre dawn darkness. After, it was a relatively short ride to the site - at least for the later caravan. (The first one went down the wrong road and had to regroup.) Temperatures rose rapidly and by noon it was relatively hot, with temperatures in the upper 70's and bright sunlight.

The site was an expansive rolling field that sloped down to a brushy ditch containing running water. Beyond, the hill rose upward and was covered with short grass and small bushes. On both sides of the ditch, there were random, large bushy patches .

The first series slowly formed in the dark. As dawn arrived, it illuminated a double set of guns on the far side of the ditch, along with two running mats. The right set threw a dead rooster pheasant angled a bit back to the right. It fell on the near side of a  low, mound like rise about 192 yards from line. The second station was located to the  far deep left of them. They shot a flying rooster well ridden out to the left. As the dog was sent, the right right guns retired behind a bush to their left.

After the marks were recovered, the handler picked up the last mark on the mat to the left. From there he ran a single blind to the deep left of the flyer mark. It was also a rooster planted near a small green bush, 294 yards from line. The combined tests took about 8-9 minutes to run and would probably not be completed on Sunday.

The flyer was exciting and fell wide to the left. Between the line and ditch a large stand of bushes blocked the direct path and many dogs took one side or the other, altering their original route. The water filled ditch then caused some to square it and distracted them farther from their line. Some arrived behind the guns, others between them and the mark. A switching wind aided some while it hindered others. After a number of flyers were shot, scent was everywhere and dogs would hunt old falls before locating theirs.

Long hunts could dim the retired mark memory and when sent for it, dogs would also be diverted by the cover changes and drive past the bird, hunting the expansive area deep of it on either side. After going long for the flyer, some appeared to believe the retired mark was long also. Again the lack of, or switching wind penalized some while rewarding others. A number of dogs would not return to the shorter fall area and/or appeared to wind the flyer crate at times and had to be handled to the mark. Of the first 35  dogs, 19 were handled and two picked up.

The blind was then run from the left mat. To recover it, dogs had to cross a dirt road and take an angle along the right,  brushy side hill of a flat dike. They had to hold that line through a bushy depression containing sparse saplings, to the hill which rose beyond.  Some dogs wanted to run down the dike while others fell off the side hill to the flatter land below. Both were off line and early corrections were needed. After mid day, dogs seem to line to the blind from the depression back - perhaps on a scent trail.

Earlier an announcement was made that dog 27 had scratched.

About 2  p.m. the test was illuminated by the sun and dogs did much better on the marks. By about 5 p.m. the light begain to wane and the test was suspended after dog 60 ran. It will resume Monday morning with a test dog at 6:45; first dog #61 at 7 a.m. There are 17 dogs left to run. No partial call-backs will be given.

(L) Kippy Stroud Swingle and Dudley Millikin

Announcer Gene Kirby (r) and Jack Morris

Bruce Mitchell and Gallery

Dave Rorem and FC-CFC-CAFC El Nino

Monday, November 12, 2001

Test 3 - Water Triple with Retired Gun and Honor

Once again we were blessed with a beautiful morning. It was clear, cool with little wind and temperatures in the mid 40's. Most found their way back to the site, especially those who had not yet run. (Probably awake most of the night .)

A single test dog was run shortly before 7 a.m. and the first running dog, # 61 arrived on line about 7:15. Conditions were much the same as the previous day with just a bit of difference in the wind. 
Dog work appeared to be better, but there were still a few handles. In all, 22 dogs handled on the marks. By 9:20 a.m. the combined series was completed and a water blind in the same area of the Cooper Black area was announced.

The line was set on the the dike from the previous series facing dow the water filled ditch toward the pons. A blind was set up on the side of a distant point. At least 3/4th of the test was land. At 10:03 the first of a succession of 3 test dogs tried the test and all failed when they either went out of sight or could not hear the whistles in the thick cover along the ditch/pond. Even additional grooming did not help.  After a brief discussion, judges decided to go with a water triple instead.

Call backs were announced while birds and gunners were rounded up. 10 dogs had been lost. They were 4, 11, 27, 39, 45, 59, 66, 70, 80, and 85 (including a scratch). Seventy-six remained.

The line was moved forward a good distance on the same side of the ditch, where it emptied into the pond. A set of 3 guns was positioned across the water, high in the field beyond. They shot twice and threw a dead rooster flat to the right where it landed in medium cover 250 yds. out. A second group of three was located just across the mouth of the water, and tight ot the deep, left one. They shot twice and threw a dead duck to the right where it landed on the shore, near the water in heavier cover about 170 yards from line. The third was a set of flyer guns a short distance to the left on the line, on the near shore. They shot a flying duck to the right which landed in the water about 48 yards away and was sluiced after it fell. As the dog was sent, the short, right guns retired to a bush on the left. There was also an honor to the right of the running line.

By 11:40 the series was ready and the first test dog appeared. After both did well, judges moved the line to the left about 30+ yards and reset the honor to the right. This put more of an angle to the marks across the water and made the flyer more" interesting" for the dogs. Another test dog was not run A switching, gusty wind varied from left to right across the test.

Both test dogs and most of the first few did it quite well, but then 3 in a row either handled or picked up.  After recovering the flyer, handlers usually sent for the short, retired gun second. Some dogs squared the water, came up behind the guns and drove up the hill toward the wrong side of the long mark. A few were handled. Others blew threw the short mark, recovered the long one and, when resent, tried to return to it again. A few hunted down the near shore, possibly held in by carry back 
scent.

It took 6-10 minutes per dog, and was suspended shortly after 5 p.m. when dog #44 was released from the honor. Test dog will run at 6:45 a.m and the first running dog, #45, at 7 a.m.

Judges (L to R) Linden Strandberg, Barbara Cross & DeWitt Boice

Gallery - Test 3 Good view of Test 

"Mads" Caterers - Good Stuff

Marshals (Lto R) Joe McNinch, Martha Russell, Chuck Kimbrel & Bill Daley

Tuesday, November 13, 2001

Like "Groundhog " Day, Tuesday's weather was a repeat of the previous several days. No one was complaining. Warm sunny days with cool nights were welcome by all. Locals, however, would have preferred some rain to alleviate the tinder dry conditions.

Light was good and the test dog was soon followed by the first running dog. At first the work seemed to be better, but soon the old hazards became apparent and there were handles and pick-ups. After noon, light flooded the guns and work again improved. The third ended at about 2:30 with call backs coming soon after. Twenty  two dogs had handled and several of those picked up. One broke on the honor. Sixteen dogs were dropped. Those were: 10, 20, 21, 22, 24, 37, 40, 43, 51, 55, 60, 74, 77, 82, 83, and 86. Sixty now remained in competition.

The line was quickly moved a  fair distance to the left. Surprise! It was the same line (and test) used for the water blind scrapped on Monday after 3 test dogs failed to complete it. Apparently the area had been re-groomed and two different test dogs were asked to run it again. It was a long angle entry through a depression into the water. From there it paralleled a brushy shore to the middle of a point beyond where a duck lay 347 yards from line. Both were well known Field Champions and could not complete the blind. It appeared they could not hear the distant whistles especially on the brushy shore or deep of the point.  Judges then moved the bird a short distance to the left, providing more water and less bank on "line". A third Field Champion was then invited to try the test. When she did it, Judges had the dogs called to line.

Dog 33 was first on line and tried to channel down the water after a valiant attempt, far beyond the 347 yd blind and had to be recovered by the handler and a marshal with an ATV. Dog number 34 completed with some rough work and 35 picked up. At 3:50 p.m., Judges scrapped the test and announced they would begin new test 4 on Wednesday morning. The location would probably be announced at the IAMS  hosted supper listed for 6:30 at the Hungry Fisherman restaurant.

During the delighful seafood supper sponsored by Iams (and open to all participants) word came  that there would be a double blind with a poison bird in the same area . Test dog at 6:45, first running dog  #36 at 7 a.m.

Merchandise, Stephanie Fullerton & Sara Goldstein

Bill Fabian, Bob George, Bill Eckett, 
Pat Burns and Wayne Curtis

Wednesday, November 14, 2001

Tests 4 and 5 - Land and Water Blinds with a Poison Bird.

In contrast to the last few days, Wednesday arrived cloudy, cold and damp with temperatures around 40 degrees. There was virtually no wind.

The site was the same as the previous day except the line had been moved to the left. It faced the pond same field  containing rolling, uneven land, a long water filled ditch culminating in the distant, large pond. The line was located on top a steep dike. The test was a double blind, one land - one water. Both were ducks located across the water with a set of 3 gunners between them. The guns were in closer than either blind., approx. 158 yards. They fired twice threw a dead duck to the right and the handler was on his own for both blinds.

The left blind was mainly a land blind. It was placed deep of and tight to the back of the poison bird guns. To recover it, dogs had to go down the steep dike, angle across rough terrain, the end of a water filled channel and to the rising hill beyond where the duck lay, marked by a green bush 288 yards from line. The line to the right blind also went down the steep dike, angled over the rough terrain to the shore beyond. Then they had to angle into the pond, across the water to the land, then pass close to the poison bird to the dead duck that lay in front of the right side of a bush 240 yards  away. The bird was down for both blinds and the dog never was sent for it.

At 7:15 the first test dog recovered the blinds in good order while the second was more creative, demonstrating how to select the poison bird over the blind. The first running dog  #36 appeared on line at 7:25 a.m.

When running the left blind, dogs would go down the steep dike then either run toward the poison bird or flare the line to it. Some tried to square the water or avoid it, also causing corrections.  Once out of the water, they would also flare the guns and drive deep up the hill, or suck toward the poison bird. Overall, most recovered it with several whistles. The right blind was at a fairly tight angle to the previous one and at a tight angle to the water. It was more difficult for the dogs to hold the line down the hill all the way to the water. A number either wanted to take the shore or square the pond. Those that squared the water were directly in line with the poison bird and needed an immediate correction(s) to put them back on line. A few passed so close to the poison bird they could wind it and turned toward it. Handlers had to be on guard for the unexpected.

The blind took about 8 minutes per dog and was completed at 2:20 p.m. when dog #34 returned. 
None had picked up on the blinds.

A caravan was quickly organized to go to the Becker Gravel pit near Bennettsville for the Sixth series, reportedly a water triple. Call backs were to be given there.

Once on the scene, a test dogs was coming to line to run the either the 6th or 7th series, depending on if the previous two blinds were counted as one or two series. Call backs were available and listed 60 dogs back - 10 dropped. After the test dogs ran, it was announced that dog number 7 was reinstated into the callbacks. So those lost then totaled 9. There were: 1, 5, 13, 18, 42, 53, 56, 64, and 75. Sixty-one remained in competition.

The test was a wide open triple around a pond with the middle and right guns retired and an honor.  All stations had three gunners in white.  The first were on the far right. They threw a cock rooster angled back to the left where It fell on the on the shore across water about 206 yards away. The middle set was far across the pond. They threw a hen pheasant angled back to the left. It fell in grassy cover 250 yards from line. The last was on the near left, but also across the pond. They shot a flying hen angled back to the right. It, too landed in the grassy cover about 146 yards out. As the dog was sent for it, the middle and right guns retired

The first test dog ran at 3:07 and the second shortly thereafter. When he returned, judges decided to change the test a bit. They moved the right bird a good distance farther right, then ran another test dog. He handled on 2. With that, judges called the first running dog, #54 to line.

The  runningthird dog was called in when the flyer disappeared. It was found alive a distance from the fall and he was granted a rerun. After, the test quickly disintergrated when there were several no birds,  the light began to wane and Marshals struggled to reschedule reruns.

At 5:12  the test was suspended until Thursday when the honor dog was released.

Thursday, November 15, 2001

Test 6 - Water Triple with 2 Retired Guns and Honor

Thursday morning was cloudy and a bit warmer than Wednesday with temperatures in the low 50's. 
The 25-30 minute ride went quickly and once on site, the test dog ran about 7:05 with the first competing dog, #65, shortly thereafter. Again, there were a few early no-birds but soon the test smoothed out and the light improved. The test took about 9 minutes per dog.

Varied flyer falls, usually quite wide, made the hen pheasant difficult to locate. As always, a hunt could dim the memory of the other two retired marks. The left mark required a line into and angling across the distant water. Those that squared it or avoided the water could arrive well out of the area. and hunt in "no man's land.  A fair number of hunts and/or handles occurred. The middle bird was also challenging. To recover it , dogs would have to angle down to the water and either take a notch between the islands or go over the middle one. Some dogs went to the right, taking mostly land to the far water. When/if they squared the shore, they arrived behind the guns or deep in front of them. Those behind could wind it if they got downwind, but those deep in front could not, and wide hunts, sometimes close to a switch occurred. Several handles were needed here also. A switching wind would benefit some while it penalized others.

The day grew warm and breezy.  Temperatures were in the mid 70's by noon. At one point the test was suspended until a low, roving helicopter left the area.

After 1 p.m., the wind rose and no-birds increased. Dogs with two would run at the end - as of 2:30, there were 4 with that honor.  The estimated time of completion was about 4:30 -5 p.m. Just before 8 p.m. the callbacks arrived at HQ.  Twenty seven remained. They were: 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 15, 23, 25, 26, 33, 34, 35, 41, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 52, 54, 58, 62, 65, 68, 71 and 78.

The 24 lost  were: 2, 14, 16, 17, 19, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 36, 38, 44, 57, 61, 63, 67, 69, 72, 73, 76, 79, 81, and 84.

The seventh series would be a water blind in the same area (Becker Sand and Gravel). Test dogs at 6:45, first running dog, #15 at 7 a.m.

Charlie Bunn, President RFTN & WRC

Iams Reps (l to r) Burke Earley and Roy Pelton

Series 6 Line

(l) Purina Rep Bob West and Mary Knapp, WRC-RFTN

Friday, November 16, 2001

Test 7 - Water Blind  with planter (Zoom in)

Test 7 - Full distance

Again, Friday morning arrived with delightfully clear skies, mild temperatures and little wind. 
The site was the same pond that was used Thursday, but the line had been moved to the far left end of it. It was a long angle entry to the narrow, point filled channel (the near side from Thursday). Judges  instructed handlers that the line was over the last, right point. The bird lay on shore beyond a bay behind it about 270 Yards from line. It was marked by an orange stick.

Dawn was just breaking when the first test dog was called to the line. When he could not recover the bird under control, a succession of 3 others were invited to try it. Just before 7:30 the last one completed it an the running dogs were called to the line.

The long entry was through several patches of high cover where a dog could be easily lost, mainly to the left, before the water. If they disappeared into it, they usually re-appeared on the open land to the left, well off line and in a position which discouraged the distant water entry. There was a pick-up or two from there. Those that traveled down the channel could be lost in the running water before the required point. If they cheated the water on the right, they could easily be lost in the dense cover on the right shore. Those would re-appear deep in the meadow to the right. Most of those were also mortally wounded.

The test took about  6 minutes per dog and ended with dog # 12 at 10:15.

The gallery was told to wait 1/2 an hour until the new test could be readied at Moree's. Call backs came swiftly and only 21 dogs remained in contention. Those dropped were: 6, 34, 46, 47, 49, and 78. Dog 41 would start test 8.

The test was being organized in a rolling grassy field as participants arrived. It was an in line triple with two retired guns.  Test dogs were called to line at 11:50 a.m.  After they ran, judges decided to scrap the test because of heavy cover.

The line was then moved a good distance to the right on top a rolling hill. A triangle triple with two retired guns was  quickly organized. One test dog was run at 12:50. He did it and the first running dog, #41 was called to line. She completed without handling but - no one could see what she did. When the same became true for the second, that test was also scrapped. Judges quickly drove down the road, apparently to examine another field. The gallery was told to wait until called.

Test 8 - Land Triple with Two Retired Guns

About 20 minutes later, participants caravaned to the new site, a pond/field within the Moree Game farm. The line was set "T" end of a gravel road facing  rolling fields intersected by old corn strips a fairly wide strip if sprouting winter wheat and tall, grassy patches.

Three sets of guns were located within the field. The closest was on the left, on the left side of a gravel road. They shot a flyer duck to the right, over the road, where it landed in the tip of a corn strip about 134 yards from line.  A second set was stationed to their right, a bit closer to line. They threw a dead hen pheasant to the right. It fell in a patch of cover and old corn 142 yards out. To the right and much deeper, a third set stood on the right side of a strip of winter wheat. They walked out into the strip a few feet and threw a dead rooster flat to the left. It landed in an old corn strip across the sprouting winter wheat field about 270 yards from line. The order was: middle, right, left flyer. As the dog was sent for the flyer, the middle and left guns retired to brush/blinds.

A switching wind blew from left to right across the test at varying angles. It took about 6 minutes per dog.

The first test dog ran, successfully at 2:40 p.m. The first running dog  #50 came to line at 2:50 p.m., only to receive a no-bird.

Some dogs ran to the left of the flyer guns and a few had hunts, but most recovered it well. Handlers then sent for the middle mark. There were also hunts on that, but most retrieved it after a short search. The right bird was the "money" mark. Dogs seemed reluctant to angle across the winter wheat strip into the old corn on the left where the bird lay. They could not wind it from the strip (right). And a number drove deep hunting out of sight behind the hill beyond. Some recovered quickly, but quite a few hunted fruitlessly for some time before locating it.

The test was finished at 5:30 pm. Call backs came by 7 p.m. and listed 16 in contention. The 5 lost were: 7, 12, 26, 50, and 58.

The ninth is scheduled for the Cooper Black grounds - predicted to be water marks. Test dog 6:45, running dog at 7 a.m.

Saturday, November 17, 2001

Test 9, Delayed Water Triple with 2 Flyersand 2 Retired Guns  - Shown, test left, right and delayed flyer (r)

The first test dog ran at 7:25 a.m., taking 12 minutes. The second test dog ran at 8 a.m. The first bird down on the test was a 347 yard retired dead duck. It was thrown right and landed near the shore. To get there the dog had to first take a good sized piece of land and then enter water to swim a considerable distance past points on the right and left. Many dogs gave in to the points. Some got to the far shore in good shape but proceeded to drive up the hill beyond. Some came back on their own after long hunts and others had to be handled.

The second retired dead duck down was thrown to the right at the shore at 270 yards. To get there the dog had to go through a near pond where the fourth bird, a delayed live duck flyer had fallen. They then went over a good sized piece of land and entered water for a long swim to the far shore. Some dogs failed to re-enter and took land on the left to get to the bird.m with some difficulty, a few handled. Others did a fairly good job of holding their line.

The third bird down was a duck flyer to the left and thrown to the right on a hill about 90 degrees from the lines to the two retired guns. This bird did not cause many problems, but did provide an exciting distraction from the two retired guns. To get there the dogs had to go through water that included an area of running water, go between saplings and drive up a grassy hill to the fall area at 130 yards.

When the dog delivered the third bird down, the judges signaled for another duck flyer. three gunners had marched out right in front of the dog to shoot a flyer. The gunners and arc intersected the lines to both retired guns. the fall was in a pond right in front of the dog and slightly angled back to the left of the line to the middle retired mark. The splash was only about 73 yards from the line and electrifying to the dogs. Before being sent for the two retired marks, the fourth set of gunners (short) retired into bushes on the right.

The last dog ran at 2:15 p.m. There were seven handles and two pickups and one no-bird. The announcement was made that callbacks would be given at the next site.

Test 10

The line was on a hill overlooking a grassy valley with mixed length and type of cover. The judges' tent had two lard US flags on the side toward the gallery area. There the flags reminded everyone of the state of readiness that was still going on - with anthrax fears and tension concerning what terrorist tragedy might next occur.

The first test dog stepped to the line at 3:15 p.m. and signaled for the birds. Shortly after the Tenth Series had started.

The first mark down was a dead hen pheasant thrown to the right. The gunners then retired at 308 yards. The retired gun blind was easily seen - in contrast to the carefully hidden stations on earlier series. The dogs ran down through the valley and up a hill. Some went behind the gun and hunted their way to the dead pheasant while others did a good job of going directly to the mark.

The second mark down was at about 128 yards on a line slightly to the left of the line to the long gun. It was a cock rooster flyer thrown angle back left into fairly substantial cover. This caused many dogs to have a long hunt.

The third bird, a hen pheasant flyer, was further to the left near a gravel road at 104 yards. It was thrown over the road into the edge of taller cover. Some dogs had lengthy hunts but most did fairly well.

The last bird down was a hen pheasant flyer at a station way to the right and thrown right-angled back. It did not cause much difficulty or hunts.

There were three no-birds, two dogs handled and many had varying hunts from brief to very long. There was some concern that the test would not be finished before darkness made it too difficult to continue. Happily, the last dog ran while there was still sufficient light and the 2001 National Retriever Stake ended at 5:30 p.m.

2001 NRC Winner & Finalists

2001 NATIONAL RETRIEVER CHAMPIONSHIP
Cheraw, SC November 11-17, 2001

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The Winner is: 
25. FC-AFC Eagle Ridge Rocket Sam, LM, 
Owner, Bill Bowen, Handler, Danny Farmer

Shown (l to r) Judges Linden Strandberg, Barbara Cross:  
Handler, Danny Farmer, Judge DeWitt Boice

 
The Finalists

3. FC-AFC Dust Devil's Shoot The Moon, L.M., Owner, Steve Bechtel, Handler, Bill Totten
8. FC-AFC Lonestar's Scarlett of Tara, L.F. , Owner Russ Weiss, Handler Bill Eckett
15. FC-AFC Adams Acres Cherokee Rose, L.F., Owners John & Martha Russell, Handler, Pat Burns
35. FC-AFC Chena River Wild Lady, L.F., Owner, Ann Rauff, Handler Jim Gonia
41.  96/'99 NAFC-FC-CFC-CAFC Candlewood's Bit O Bunny, L.F., Owner Henry S. McNeil, Jr, Handler, Wayne Curtis
62. FC-AFC Cashman's Fat Lady Zingin', L.F., Owner L.K. and J.M. Du Bose, Handler Mac Du Bose
65. FC Trumarc's In Pursuit Again, L.M., Owner, John Larkin, Handler, Danny Farmer
68. Rammin' Hot Chili, L.F., Owner Randy & Mindy Bohn, Handler, Randy Bohn

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Summary of Callbacks and Drops in Order of the Draw

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Daily Reports
by Mary Knapp

For a complete report of the 2001 National Open 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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2000 Defending National Champion

NFC Maxx's Surprise, Owned by Sherwin Scott,
Shown with Handler Mike Lardy