2005 NRC

2005 NRC - Cheraw, SC

2005 NRC Callbacks

2005 NRC Qualifiers

1.      '04 NFC-AFC Dewey's Drake Of Moon River, Gary McIlwain and Lowell Schwab, Bovey, MN
2.         FC-AFC Creek Robber, L.M., Ken Jackson, Duvall, WA
3.         FC World Famous Magical Mischief, L.M., Ryan Gelardi, Woodland, CA
4.         FC-AFC Nick Of Time Lone Ranger, L.M., Charles Hines and Linda Lancaster, Hinsdale, IL
5.         FC-AFC Penmark's Mountain King, L.M., Penny Youngblood and Susan Spalter, Dallas, TX
6.         FC Two Step's Cocky Little Dude, L.M., Jan Schrader and Linda Noga, Madisonville, TX
7.         FC Justin Time Mr. Moto, L.M., J. Scott Anderson, Beaverton, OR
8.         FC Vinwood's Don't Look Ethel, L.F., Michael Kammerer, Montgomery, TX
9.         FC-AFC Rammin' Hot Chili, L.F., Randy and Mindy Bohn, Reinholds, PA
10.       FC-AFC Clubmeads Road Warrior, L.M., Frank Kashevarof, Woodinville, WA
11.       FC-AFC Hawkeye's Shadow, L.M., Marvin Blount, Greenville, NC
12.       FC-AFC-OTCH Law Abiding Ezra, L.M., B. and D. Cleveland and J. Rasmuson, Fountan Inn, SC
13.       FC-AFC Carbon Copy Of Horn Creek, L.M., Frank Kashevarof, Woodinville, WA
14.       FC-AFC Carolina's Smoke On The Water, L.M., Kay and Clint Joyner, Smithfield, NC
15.       FC-AFC Watermark's Hidden Bay Trapper, L.M., Greg Bartlett, Valley View, TX
16.       FC-AFC-CFC Comstocks Bodacious, L.M., John and Anne Marshall, Addison, ME
17.       FC Eagle Ridge Fullback, L.M., Chris Cocallas, Glenview, IL
18.       FC Bee-Line Butch, L.M., R. Cordell, Danville, CA
19.       FC-CFC Wild Bill-Double Or Nothin', L.M., Blair and Joan Down, Vancouver, BC
20.       FC Barton Creek's O Mustad, L.M., Mike Haring, Katy, TX
21.       Blackstar Shark SFR, L.M., Stephanie Batman, LaCygne, KS
22.       FC-CFC Windsor's Royal Puck, L.M., D. Williamson and D. Millikin, Corpus Christi, TX
23.       FC-AFC Coolwater's Ice Tiger, L.M., William Wertz, Buena Vista, GA
24.       FC-AFC Carolina's Electrik Gypsy, L.F., Kay and Clint Joyner, Smithfield, NC
25.       FC-AFC RSK's Smooth Sailing, L.M., Vicki Worthington, Lockport, IL
26.       FC South-Paw Mr. Blue Stomper, L.M., Steven Peters, Warsaw, VA
27.       FC-AFC Sally's Power Drive, L.M., Jenny Grasse, Annadale, NJ
28.       FC-AFC Tiger McBunn, L.M., J.M. and L.K. DuBose, Hillsborough, NC
29.       FC Harley's Super Triven Mac, L.M., Ronald Stainback, Middleburg, NC
30.       FC-AFC Trumarc's Pudgie Mac, L.M., Michael Kammerer, Montgomery, TX
31.       FC-AFC Lake Park In Pursuit, L.M., Charles Bearden, Wichita Falls, TX
32.       FC-AFC Showthyme, L.F., Penny Youngblood, Dallas, TX
33.       FC Candlewoods Autumn Run Vince, L.M., Debbie and Brian King, Manhattan, MT
34.       Roughwater's Bam Bam, L.F., Fred Hershberger, Lee's Summit, MO
35.       FC-CFC Miss Scarlet, L.F., Clint and Marion Stroud Swingle, Elverson, PA
36.       Shadow Warrior VII, L.M., Ed Labanara, Bainbridge Island, WA
37.       FC Mad River's Maggie McBunn, L.F., Mike Cicero and Frank Baird, Ferris, TX
38.       FC Third Creek's Delta Dawn, L.F., Lori and Larry Morgan, Brighton, CO
39.       '05 NAFC-FC-CFC Day's End Northern Express, L.F., Jane and Mark Sutter, Lilburn, GA
40.       '03 NFC-AFC Five Star General Patton, L.M., Debra Bredeson and Elly Muth, Sussex, WI
41.       FC Mizpah Miss, L.F., Floyd Bradley, Overton, NV
42.       '05 CNAFC-CFC-FC-AFC He's Czar Nicholas, L.M., Norm Elder, Cartier, MB
43.       FC-AFC Volwood's Peaches And Cream, L.F., Jack and Florence Vollstedt, Junction City, OR
44.       FC-AFC-CFC Countryside Tecate, L.F., John and Anne Marshall, Addison, ME
45.       FC Mr. T's Maxuis Of Oz, L.M., J. and S. Tonko, Tower, MN
46.       FC Top's Challenger, L.M., Glenn Scheihing, Billings, MT
47.       FC Roughwaters Judge Adv. Gen., L.M., Jim Beck, Sioux Falls, SD
48.       FC-AFC Windy City's Secret Signal, L.F., Charlie Hines and Linda Lancaster, Downers Grove, IL
49.       FC CK's Madam Goldie, L.F., Marion and Clint Swingle, Elverson, PA
50.       FC-AFC Gunstock's Fast Eddy Felson, L.M., Charles and Yvonne Hays, Princeton, MN
51.       FC-AFC Wood River's Franchise, L.M., Bill and Gay Fruehling, Ketchum, ID
52.       FC-AFC Tartan Prime Time, L.M., Barbara and James Howard, Longmont, CO
53.       FC-AFC Watermark's Wizard, Fred Kampo, Oshkosh, WI
54.       FC-AFC Wood River's Air Apparent, L.M., Bill and Gay Fruehling, Ketchum, ID
55.       FC-AFC Longshot Black Talon, L.F., Robert Willow and Paul Mocciaro, Colonia, NJ
56.       FC-AFC Pee Dee Quick, L.M., Nancy and Lasal Banty, Rochester, NY
57.       FC Fargo II, L.M., Jane and Jerry Patopea, Junction City, OR
58.       FC Sea-J-Pleasant River Blue, L.M., John and Anne Marshall, Addison, ME
59.       FC-CFC-CAFC Taylorslab Magic Trick, MH, L.M., David Aul, Arlington Heights, IL
60.       FC Candlewoods Rokee Ely-Jah, MH, John and Ashley Wilson, Parksville, MO
61.       It's All Over Now baby B lue, L.F., Kip Kemp, Pontotoc, MS
62.       Hardscarbble's Windfall, L.M., Steve Bechtel, San Francisco, CA
63.       FC-AFC Plourde Honor O'Fox Hill Farm, JH, L.F., Sandi McCourt, Waterford, CT
64.       FC-AFC Blackwater Ruby II, L.F., Ron and Jane Ainley, Dubuque, IA
65.       FC-AFC Topbrass Ascending Elijah, Gold.M., C. and B. Cleveland, and Judy Rasmuson, Clinton, CT
66.       FC-AFC Morgan Le Fae Of Buckshot, L.F., Win and Susie Purtell, West Bend, WI
67.       FC-AFC Sandman's Sadie Lady, L.F., Jay Hearnsberger, Springhill, LA
68.       FC Luetchs Fool Gold, L.F., Keith Luettjohann, Sigourney, IA
69.       FC-AFC Trumarc's Lean Cuisine, L.F., John Russell and Judy Aycock, S. Hampton, NH
70.       FC Remington's Duk Dawg, L.F., Linda Johnson, Joliet, MT
71.       FC-AFC High Tech CEO, L.M., J. Wrenn and L. & E. Haskins, Bethlehem, PA
72.       FC Buckshots Scar Face, L.M., Dorothy Metcalf, Oxford MD
73.       Trumarc's Stormin Norman II, L.M., Mark Rosenblum, Dallas, TX
74.       FC MMR's Gypsy Leather, L.M., Mel Milton and Patti Kiernan, Tacoma, WA
75.       FC Lean Mac's Scooper Star, MH, L.M., Chad Costa, Modesto, CA
76.       FC Candlewoods Ebonstar As Good As It Gets, Bob and Ann Heise, Rochester, MN
77.       FC-AFC The Julia Hendrix Experience, L.F., Gary and Mary Ahlgren, Winters. CA
78.       FC-AFC Sally's South Paw, L.M., Jim Dorobek, Fremont, OH
79.       Miss Bee Havin, MH, L.F., Forrest Faulkner, Edgemoor, SC
80.       FC-AFC Doctor Feelgood VI, L.M., William and Sara Goldstein, Florence SC
81.       FC By Golden Ponds Easy Livin, L.F., D. and M. Honeycutt, Fort Worth, TX
82      Watermarks Mardi Gras, L.F., Mary Tatum DVM, Houston, TX
83.      FC Low Coauntry Drake, L.M., Corrine Thompson, Sheldon, SC
84.      AFC Wautaga's Bull Gator, L.M., Steve O'Connell, Tallahassee, FL
85.      Classic Loose Cannon, L.M., Judith Pond, Elk Grove, CA
86.      Castlebay's Heir Borne, L.F., Henry McNeil, Jr., Philadelphia, PA
87.      AFC Portland's Muddy Waters, L.M., Edward Bodziuch, Portland, OR
88.      FC Berger Lake Faith, L.F., Penny Youngblood and Bruce Loeffelholz, Dallas TX

2005 NRC Stake Info

Dates: Sunday, November 13, 2005 through Saturday, November 20, 2005.

Location: Properties in and around Cheraw, SC

Field Trial Secretary: Tony Snow -- 15174 Channel Drive -- LaConner WA 98527-4736
                                    Phone: (360) 466-2476   Cell: (206) 419-0386 Fax: (360) 466-0487
                                    EMail: [email protected]

Entry Fee: $250.00

Judges: Mary Williams Ahlgren -- Winters, California; Albert Cope -- Quinlan, Texas; Laura Parrott -- Monroe, Louisiana

Information on Premium: Premium and owner/handler information will be mailed to the owner of each dog qualified beginning September 15, 2005, and thereafter will be mailed to each qualified owner immediately upon receipt of confirmation from Retriever Field Trial News of the qualifications. Handler's packets will be available at the Jameson Inn on Saturday, November 12, 2005.

Entries Close: 12:00 Noon PST Thursday, November 3, 2005 for dogs that have qualified through October 28, 2005. Send entries to:
                      Tony Snow
                      2005 National Retriever Championship Secretary
                      15174 Channel Drive
                      LaConner WA 92857-4736

For dogs which qualify at: Metro Alliance Ret. Club, Palmetto Ret. Club, Tidewater Ret. Club, and Southern Arizona Ret. Club.

The entry must be phoned to Secretary, Tony Snow at (206) 419-0386 no later than Noon PST on Monday, November 7, 2005. Entry form and fee must be given to the Secretary prior to running the National Championship Stake.

Do not send entries by method that requires signature.

NRC OFFICERS

President:                    Grayson Kelley            Vice President:      Judy Powers
                                  1309 Kelly Road                                       N8110 Brookdale Road
                                  Apex NC 27502-9570                                  Sheboygan WI 53083-5218

Secretary/Treasurer   Tony Snow                  Directors:             Kirk Naisbitt -- Reno NV
                                     15174 Channel Drive                                  Mike Kammerer -- Montgomery TX
                                     LaConner WA 98257-4736                          Bill Goldstein -- Florence SC
                                     [email protected]

FIELD TRIAL COMMITTEE

Chairman:               L. William Goldstein MD            Members:      Grayson Kelley -- Apex NC
                                  320 Cherokee Road                                       Judy Powers -- Sheboygan WI
                                  Florence SC 29501                                          Tony Snow -- LaConner WA
                                  H: (843) 661-7482                                          Kirk Naisbitt -- Reno NV
                                  W: (843) 317-6600                                           Bill Goldstsein -- Florence SC
                                  Cell: (843) 610-0439
                                  [email protected]

Chief Marshals:   H.J. McNinch                                Craig Stonesifer
                                840 Coachman Drive                    3282 Leipsic Road
                                Simpsonville SC 29861-4126         Dover DE 19901-1421
                                H: (864) 963-8798                           H: (302) 734-7684
                                Cell: (864) 270-5207

                                Jeffrey Talley
                                6024 Leigh Read Road
                                Tallahassee FL 32308-1915
                                H: (850) 222-3700

COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS:

Hostess: Kay Joyner -- Smithfield NC (919) 934-5974 -- Sara Goldstein -- Florence SC (843) 661-7482

Merchandise: Sara Goldstein -- Florence SC (843) 661-7482

Bird Throwers: George Francis -- Chesterfield VA (804) 777-8195 -- Burke Earley -- Youngsville NC (919) 554-9454

Game Stewards: Vickie Lamb -- Register GA (912) 952-9339 -- Tommy Parrish -- Clinton SC (864) 833-0469

Official Guns: Bruce Doing -- Werst Halifax VT (802) 968-7581

Grounds: Kendall Gaskins -- Greenville NC (252) 353-5262 -- Chris Bishop -- Gresham SC (843) 362-0801

Traffic: Swinton Anderson -- Beaufort SC (864) 415-1123

Corporate Sponsor Liaison: Dennis Bath -- Belleville IL (608) 233-5619

Chairman's Special Committee: J. McNeely DuBose, MD -- Clint Joyner

Official Veterinarians: Nick Elam, DVM -- Powhatan VA (804) 794-4105
                                     John Sherman -- Raleigh NC (919) 785-3210

Official Announcer: Ken Neil -- Jupiter FL (561) 743-2956

Official Photographer: Ken Andrews -- Grafton WI (262) 375-0595

Set Up Artist: Eleanor Trew -- Collierville TN (901) 240-9998

Qualifications: Mary Knapp -- Retriever Field Trial News -- Sussex WI 262-278-4201

ACCOMMODATIONS:

Headquarters:    Jameson Inn                                 Inn Cheraw
                          885 Chesterfield Hwy                    320 Second Street
                          Cheraw SC 29520                         Cheraw SC 29520
                          (800) 526-3766                            (800) 535-8709
                          (843) 537-5625                              (843) 537-2011

OTHER ACCOMMODATIONS:

Days Inn                  Econo Lodge                     Holiday Inn Express            Comfort Inn
820 Market St         710 Market St                   Kings Hwy                        903 South 5th St
Cheraw SC 29520     Cheraw SC 29520              Bennettsville SC                  Hartsville SC 29550
(800) 325-2525          (800) 424-6423                  (800) 222-5783                  (800) 228-5150
(843) 537-5554          (843) 537-2101                  (843) 479-1700                  (843) 383-0110

Campgrounds:

                Cheraw State Park                                    Sand Hills State Forest
                100 State Park Drive                                  PO Box 128
                Cheraw SC 29520                                      Patrick SC 29584
                (843) 537-9656                                          (843) 498-6478
                Cabin Res: (866) 345-7275

Accommodations also available at: Moree's Sportsman's Preserve -- (843) 378-4831

AIRPORTS:      Florence SC (Delta & SU Air) about 45 min to Cheraw
                        Charlotte NC about 1 1/2 Hour to Cheraw
                        Columbia SC about 1 1/2 Hour to Cheraw

RENTAL CAR COMPANIES:

    Avis (800) 831-2847               Budget (800) 527-7000
    Hertz (800) 654-3131             National (800) 227-7368

FOOD SERVICE:

Food service will be available on the trial grounds throughout the National, provided by Mad Caterers.

BITCH CHECK:

Bitch check will be conducted on Saturday, November 12, 2005 immediately following the National Retriever Club Annual Meeting in the parking lot adjacent to the old National Guard Armory. Dr. Nick Elam DVM, will conduct the Bitch check.

TRAINING BIRDS:

November 2, 2005. Birds may be picked up each morning between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. beginning Tuesday, November 8, 2005.

TRAINING AREAS:

Training areas will be allocated each day by lottery drawing STARTING TUESDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 8, 2005 at the Jameson Inn. A list of training areas with descriptions and photos of each will be available along with maps, directions, and rules and regulations pertinent to each area.

CONTESTANT AND WORKERS PACKETS:

Contestant and Workers Packets can be picked up in the Breakfast Room at the Jameson Inn, starting at 10:00 a.m. and Saturday, November 12, 2005.

SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS AND SOCIAL EVENTS:

NRC Board of Directors Meeting: Saturday, November 12, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. in the Cheraw Chamber of Commerce Office.

Retriever Advisory Meeting: Saturday, November 12, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. in the Cheraw Civic Center (old National Guard Armory).

NRC Annual Meeting: Saturday, November 12, 2005 at 3:00 p.m. in the Cheraw Civic Center.

NRC Cocktail Party: Saturday, November 12, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. in the Club House at Cheraw State Park. Appropriate attire for this event is Cocktail attire for the ladies and Coat and Tie for the gentlemen.

Town of Cheraw Bar-B-Que: Sunday, November 13, 2005 starting at 6:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Town of Cheraw. COMES AS YOUR ARE. SC Hwy 9 West (843) 537-4010.

Workers Party: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. at the Club House of the Cheraw State Park. (US-52 South of Cheraw)

Saturday, November 12, 2005

Saturday is dedicated to addressing the running of the stake - present and future. Meetings begin early in the morning with the National Board and various committee meetings. Worker and contestant packets were distributed at the Jamison Inn while the Merchandise Committee offered NRC clothing and other articles at a civic building across town.

At 2 pm, the Retriever Advisory Committee was called to order by Nelson Sills. A brief review of the proceedings follow - (Complete info will be published in the January RFTN issue):

Nelson announced that the entire Performance Department of AKC was present and introduced each of them , then called on Bill Speck to announce a new policy AKC had inplemented for retriever trials. It was a much easier method of starting new clubs by having a mentor club sponsor a probationary new club event the first year. It would eliminate the old "A" restriction. Championship points would apply at the new trial.

Pete Simonds then addressed the ongoing problem of large trials and how to alleviate them. Recommended were: additional trials, rule changes to allow clubs to hold a third trial per year, a change of territorial restrictions between trial giving clubs from 350 to 200 miles, and an optional Friday start for Amateur stakes.

Also, the Junior handler stake acceptance, permission to hold a Master hunt test and Qualifying at the same trial and the prohibiting of mechanical decoys were included. These recommendations would be sent to each club for a vote shortly after the National stake.

After, the Professional trainers role in the sport was discussed, especially their advantage of having multiple entries and the lenghty wait for some pros who are running multiple stake and are late to appear. Should anything be done to "level the playing field for amateurs? A lively discourse followed with a number of suggestions presented. They ranged from pros employing 2 trucks, one for the major stakes and another for the minor events, to a plea for the PRTA to put on 5 or 6 trials per year to keep the sponsoring Clubs from "burning out".

Pete Simonds also noted that bird dog trials schedule a running time for each dog and if the handler is not present at that time, the dog is dropped. Perhaps that was a possibility.

With that the meeting adjourned at 3:05 p.m.

After a short intermission, The National Retriever Club Annual meeting was called to order in the same hall. After the formalities of accepting the financial statement and the minutes, Tony Snow thanked all the sponsors and presented them with a plaque in recognition of their contributions. He then announced the 2006 NRC Officers. They were: President, Judy Powers,V. Pres., Kirk Naisbit, Secretary/Treas. Tony Snow. Dr. Wm Goldstein, Mike Kammerer and Lee Jolley .

Co Marshal Joe McNinch then held a box full of numbers for someone to draw the starting number from. Anna Mock, daughter of Cara and Felix drew number 7 , Mr. T's Maxus Of Oz, LM owned by J and S Tonko and handled by Dave Rorem.

After,Bill Totten announced the recipients of the PRTA land improvement grants.They were: Western Montana, The Phoenix /Southern California consortium and the Manitoba Gun Dog Assn.

Lee Jolley, 2006 Chairman presented some particulars on the event. It would be held at the August Busch Wildlife area in Weldon Spring, MO. He also announced that a number of improvements that had been made since 4 years ago. Judges would be: Robin Gulvin, Linda Harger and Craig Stonesifer.

The starting rotation would be 7-27-47 and 67, Test would be a double and a blind at the Cooper Black Trial Grounds. Test dog a 6:45, running dog about 7 a.m.

There was a bit of a glitch in the running order so it was announced that dog 3 would follow number 5 and dog 74 followed 68. When Danny Farmer mentioned he had dog 1 and 80, Dog 80 was moved to run after number 75

All were invited to the Pre National Cocktail party at 6:30 at the Cheraw Park clubhouse and at 4:50 the meeting adjourned.

Roy Pelton (L) and Dave Rorem

Chris Chantland and Judy Powers

Sunday, November 13, 2005

It was dark and cold at 4 am. as alarms and wake up calls beckoned workers from their warm beds. Temperatures were in the 40's but a high in the mid 70's was predicted. As the caravan slowly formed in the Wal-Mart parking lot, . shivering participants quaffed steaming coffee to warm and wake themselves . The caravan left promptly at 5:30 for a 25 minute ride to the Cooper Black wildlife area. It was still dark upon arrival, but ATV's were in the field, setting up the test.

Once dawn broke,the line could be determined. It faced a large, rolling field with a dirt road running parallel to it about 15 yards from line. The road had 2-3 foot high sand banks on both sides. Once past the road, the land rolled down , then back up in the distance. It was covered with dry grass and weeds, some of which had been mowed into wide, random strips. The combined test was a land double and a blind.

Series one- Land double, retired guns

Series 2 - Land Blind (close to right of far tree stand)

Two sets of gunners were wide spread and deep within that field, The first set was on the far left, near a stand of green pine trees. They threw a dead hen pheasant to the right, across one of the strips. It landed in the heavier cover beyond about 250 yards from line. A live bird station was to the right and closer to the line. The shot a flying rooster pheasant ridden out to the right. It fell randomly in either the strip or sparse higher cover about 175 yards away. The order was dead left mark; live flyer. As the dog retrieved the flyer, the left guns retired to the treeline behind them. Once the dog was on it's way back from the flyer, the live gunners retired behind a blind.

Test dogs were called to line at 6:45 a.m., The first was Rammin Sweet Candy, LF, handled by Mindy Bohn. She was followed bu Ebonstar Gotta Zoom, LM, handled by Burke Earley. The former did it, while the latter demonstrated some of the pitfalls dogs could encounter by handling on the left mark. It took about 6 Min. per dog (mpd).At 7:12 the first running dog, number 7 appeared on line.

The flyer falls were wide and varied, with some hard hunts required to recover them. The left, retired gun proved particularly troublesome. A light and/or down wind combined with a hen pheasant proved very challenging. Most of the early dogs would start on a good line, but then roll down the hill to the left and/or run up the closer strip. Since the bird lay across the farther one, they could not wind it. Some ran deep past it, well out ot the area and had to be handled back. Others hunted the area to the left of the retired guns. Out of the first twelve, nine were handled to the mark and it took about 10 minutes per dog. Early spirits sagged as upcoming contestents witnessed the train wreck ahead.

A second mat was to the right of the mark mat . It faced the right side of the same field. There a blind was positioned about 200 yards from the line-close to a patch of bushes and a tree.. Just passed the mat and on line to the blind was a 4-5' tall bare bush with a fallen tree to it's right. To recover the pheasant, the dog had to take a part of the bush and some of the higher cover beyond before crossing the dirt road. After, there were three telephone poles slightly angling across the field, perpendicular to the line.. To be on the correct line to the blind, the dog had to pass the closest one on the right and the others on the left. All the suction was to the left, including the slope of the land, with the wind blowing from the right. Therefore a cast away from the suction was also into the wind. The fallen tree and bush in front and to the right of the handler made casting to the right difficult. The wind switched about 9:30 and made the left mark easier, but the blind more difficult.

A number of dogs finally ducked to the left once near the end. There they disappeared into the stand of brush and had to be called out - some with more success than others. The challenging combined test was very difficult for early dogs but began to be more do-able toward noon

By afternoon the wind rose and lighting conditions improved. Although there was some excellent work, sporatic handles still occured and there were a couple of pick-ups. Unfortunately the tests could not be completed before sundown and they were suspended at 5:20p.m. after dog number one ran. There are 5 dogs left to run on Monday and there will be no partial callbacks tonight. Starting time is 6:45 a.m. for the single test dog.

A Bar B Que was being hosted at 6:30 p.m.by the Cheraw Chamber of Commerce and all were invited to attend.

Test one, behind line

Dick Cook displaying wildlife and dog jewelery

L to R Jim and Jackie Gonia and Jan Snow

Chris Chantland exhibiting his art work

Monday, November 14, 2005

The supper last night at Bob's Bar B Que had been a rousing success. The food was excellent and the hospitality outstanding. However, reality returned Monday as wake up calls arrived.

It was dark, mild and cloudy at 6 a.m.as early participants travelled back to the Cooper Black Area Temperatures were in the 50's with another day in the 70's predicted. Five dogs were left to run the combined first and second series. Once on site, a light mist hung over the field. Also, dog # 67 who had been dropped Sunday was back in the running. (was called in for a rerun and found the bird on the way back) Therefore there were 6 left dogs to run.

A single test dog was called to line at 6:42 a.m (Mindy and Candy). After, a low fog rolled in partially obscuring the left mark. Judges decided to wait until the rising sun burned it off. About 20 minutes later, the first running dog, #2 came to line at 7:15 a.m. - only to receive a no bird, as did the next dog. Once adjusted, the remaining dogs completed the combined series. The results were similar to the previous morning as 3 of the 6 (50%) handled on the left mark.

Callbacks came quickly and only 6 dogs had been lost. They were: 9, 13, 16, 18, 33, and 36 .Seventy-four remained in contention.

A caravan was organized for the next site an short way down the road. Gunners were stationed in the field and the site ready as the caravan arrived. The third series was a land/water triple.The line tent faced two lobes of water that terminated on the right. A gravel road ran between them and turned to the left, paralleling the farther lobe.Grassy terrain rolled down from the line toward the water. It rose upward again from the ponds. To the right lay a swale with a strip of bushes and higher cover running parallel to the line.

Test 3 left

Test 3 right - Flyer guns

A trio of gun stations were positioned around the right end of the water area. The left pair was across the second water on the shore. At first they threw a dead duck across the road to the right. After the first test dog judges moved them to across the road. There they threw the duck slightly in to the left where it landed on the shore, 155 yds from line. A second station was located at the top of the bushy strip. They threw a dead rooster to the left that landed in the bushes about 165 yards away. A short distance to the right of the line, another group shot a flying duck angled back to the left. If fell only about 75 yards from line.The order was: left, middle, right. As the dog was sent for the flyer, the other two guns retired.

The first test team, ,Early and Zoom came to line at 8:50 a.m. and pinned each bird. It was after that, judges deliberated and moved the left mark.. The second team of Mindy and Candy did well on the test also. It took about 6-7 MPD to complete

At t 9:27 a.m., dog 27 initiated the water triple.

Although the series looked relatively bland-it was deceptive. The middle bird proved challenging for several reasons. If dogs blew through a space in the bushy strip they could drive up the hill behind and hunt there. After recovering a freshly shot duck, perhaps they were looking for another . The pheasant was harder to scent also and lay downwind at times. A few passed the strip, winded the left gunner stations and recovered that one first. Of those, some hunted the middle mark before switching to the left mark. A few handlers sent for the middle mark twice before recovering it.

To open the marks, some handlers took the outside birds first. That was successful in many cases, but a few drove up the hill between the left and middle mark. Some hunted their way back while others handled.

As the test progressed, there would be small clusters of rough work followed a stretch of excellent jobs. Again, the test could not be completed by dusk and was suspended at 5:18 after dog 12 returned to line.To this point there were 17 handles and/or pick ups- also some of the handles were second ones. There are 11 dogs left to run in the morning. There will be one test dog run at 6:45 a.m. with the first running dog, #14 running shortly thereafter. A water blind is rumored to follow test 3.

Judges, L to R: Laura Parrott, Albert Cope, Mary Ahlgren

Dave Mosher - Strategy Planning Session

The "Mad" Lunch Truck

Gallery - Test 3

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Tuesday arrived warm and cloudy.It had rained over night and intermittant showers were forecast for most of the day. Temperatures hovered around 60 with about 75 predicted for later in the day.

Test 3 - close up of retired guns

Heavy clouds darkened the site considerably, but the test dog ran about 6:45 as scheduled (no problem). However the judges decide to wait for a little while for conditions to improve. At 7:10 the first running dog, #14 appeared on line. Conditions appeared much the same as on Monday except for lack of wind and number three was completed at 8:37 a.m. when dog #26 returned to line. In all there had been 19 handles an/or pick ups.

It was announced that the parking area would be moved a short distance and callbacks would be given at the old site. Within a few minutes the callbacks arrived. - 8 had been dropped and #28 scratched due to illness. 63 dogs remained for the fourth, a water blind from a line to the far right of the previous one. Those lost were: 17, 28, 38, 46, 59, 63, 64, 65, and 77.

The test was constructed as the cars were reparked a short distance to the left of where they had been. Intermittant rain was light, but not well received by most. Later the sun reappeared occasionally and it became warmer.

Test 4 from line

Test 4 close up

The 4th series faced the same rolling field from a different direction. It was a long angle entry water blind. The line was on top of a hill that rolled down to the right shore of a pond. A wide penninsula protruded from the right with a receeding shore on the back side. Beyond was another bay and behind it, a spit of land extending from the shore. The bird was placed on the spit without a marker. Contestants were told it was in line with a short dead tree that was between two taller ones on the far shore. A pair of gunners sat on the far side of a gravel road that wound arond the shore. They were also were the blind planters as the spit began a short distance in front of them. Empty bird crates rested by their side.

To recover the bird, dogs had to angle down the slope of the hill, enter the near, small bay, then get back on land to the right of a boat on the edge of the shore. After, they had to cross the penninsula , re enter the water and swim to the spit where the bird lay about 175-200 yds. from line (guess). Along the way were a number of opportunities for the dog to go out of sight and the wind blew toward the shore.. Contestants were instructed that they could move laterally only.

The first test team of Mindy and Candy ran at 9:08 follwed in quick succession by Burke and Zoom. Both had numerous whistles, but good control. It took 4-5 MPD to complete

Dog 47 initiated the series at 9:20 a.m. The first few dogs needed a number of whistles to keep them on line and on their way to the water. It seemed obvious that judges expected dogs to exit the near bay to the right of the boat and early handlers directed their dogs accordingly. A number of dogs ran toward the gun station instead of angling down the hill toward the water and early correcyions were needed. Others took fairly good lines down toward the shore but slid along the edge, ignoring the left casts into the first bay. A few never got in that bay and ran across the land, out of control to the far shore. Most got in there, but with various degrees of success.

By 1:43, the fourth was completed as dog 45 returned with his duck.

An announcement was made that a Land blind would be run in the area of the combined first and second series. Participants were asked to wait until callbacks were given and all would caravan to the fifth series site. Once again, callbacks came swiftly and 10 dogs had been lost- 53 potential NFC's remained. Those dropped were: 3, 5, 10, 15, 22, 37, 55, 61, 62, and 73.

Test 5 - Land Blind

The fifth was ready as the caravan arrived. It was held in an area to the right and behind the second series blind. The line was located on top a knoll in an area randomly dotted with tall sapling pines. A large wood pile was a short distance down the hill to the right of the line. Two logs lay to the left of the pile and were on the way to the blind. Beyond the pile, the hill dropped off to the field below. There was a sandy road with 2' high edges winding through that area . The blind, a rooster was planted across the far road and marked by a 2-3' pine seedling about 175 yards away (X).

The test dogs tried the test about 2:25 pm and clearly demonstrated a number of pitfalls culminating in one being picked up. It took only about 3 minutes to complete. The first running dog, #68 came to line at 3:35.

It was difficult to get a good line. Dogs either wanted to go to the right or square the road when going left. Both directions needed an early correction. If they squared the road, they were well off line and had to be cast to the right. It was an into the wind cast and some would scallop back instead of truly correcting their line. Once near the road, dogs tended to slide along the near side instead of crossing it. After crossing the road, dogs could be out of sight behind the cover and sand ridges lining it. Some ran, unseen, along the backside appearing well out of the area before the handler could find them. A sunny period prevented dogs from seeing their handlers and the casts they frantically gave them.

By 5:10, all 53 had run and number 5 became history when dog 66 returned to line. After, it was announced that callbacks would arrive later in the evening. Wednesday there would be water marks at Moree's Game Farm. A caravan would leave at 5:30 from the Wal-Mart parking lot .

Callbacks arrived after supper and 4 had been dropped. Forty-nine were still in contention. Those lost were: 20, 29, 34 and 79. Unfortunately Carbon Copy of Horn Creek was among them. Dog 21 will start in the morning.

Jim Dorobek and Dana Stonesifer

Burke Earley recuperating after running test dog

04 NFC Drake and Bill Eckett- Test 3

L to R: Craig Stonesifer and Dr. Bill Goldstein

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Wednesday arrived unseasonably warm and with a full moon. Temperatures were in the mid 60's at 5:30 a.m. A high of 80 was predicted by mid day with thunderstorms in the afternoon.

As announced, a caravan formed in the Wal-mart parking lot and left promptly at 5:30.m.It was about a 20 minute ride to Moree's Game farm on Highway 52. The site was a good distance inside the farm and activity could be heard in the distance but it was still very dark. As dawn broke A fairly large flooded corn and grass field could be detected.

Test 6 Left

Test 6 Right

Water Triple With Two Retired Guns

Three sets of guns were around it. The first was stationed in a large, camoflaged blind within it. Another rested on the right shore, while a third (live guns) was on the left shore. The sixth series was a water triple with two retired guns. The middle position fired first and threw a dead duck angled back to the right. It splashed into the grassy water about 125 yards from line. The right guns then threw a dead duck angled back to the left. It landed in a patch of flooded grass about 80 yards out. The last set shot a flying duck well ridden out to the right. After it landed in the flooded field, it was sluiced twice. It was about 90 yards from line. The line was on a road between the left and right marks with the middle bird nearly straight out from it. Behind the middle holding blind several decoys had been placed in the water. As the dog was sent for the flyer, the middle and right guns retired.

It took a while to organize the sixth so the first test Mindy and Candy did not appear until 7:18. Burke and Zoom followed shortly thereafter. Candy did well, but Zoom handled on the middle mark. The first running dog, #21 was called to line at about 8 a.m. It took about 8-9 minutes to complete.

All birds fell in the water and were usually hidden by the flooded vegetation. The right mark converged with the middle bird and was the cause of many problems, Most of the pond was lunging water, but there was some swimming also.

After recovering the flyer (sometimes with a hunt), handlers sent their dogs fot the right, short mark. At first there was little wind and when it did arrive, the middle and right marks were nearly downwind. Some dogs went between the right gunner station and the bird , then swam deep, or went near the shore. Most recovered the mark in a short time. However, when sent for the middle bird, some were hesitant to take the rather tight converging line to it. Instead they would go to the left of the gun station, hunting fruitlessly out of the area, or take the correct line, miss the bird, then hunt wide and loose. Some landed on the far dike for both the middle and left birds ,A few seemed drawn toward the decoys. Those needed to be handled. In some cases it was their second handle. Of the first 21 dogs , 7 had handled (33%).

Dog 19 completed the sixth at 4 p.m. The test had remained constant throughout the day. At it's conclusion, 15 of the 49 had handled on the demanding marks - still about 33%. (Thankfully, thunderstorms had not materialized).

As dinner was served at the workers party, callbacks were given. 41 had survived the water marks and would run the seventh. Those dropped were: 2, 12, 14, 27, 35, 39, 50 and 56. The seventh would probably be land marks and would be held at Moree's again. Starting dog is #31 and there will be no caravan.

Announcer Ken Neil

Cheraw Clubhouse - Site of cocktail and workers parties

Gallery - Test 6

Dr. Bill Goldstein - Planning Session

Thursday, November 17, 2005

It was much cooler Thursday as a cold front had passed through the area over night. Temperatures were in the upper 30,s with a high of 55 predicted. It was also clear and dry with a gusty wind.

The seventh series a BIG land quad was still being organized as participants arrived. It had 2 shot flyers, 2 dead marks and an honor. The "money " mark was a shot hen pheasant about 300 yards away. Also, all of the guns retired after the dog was sent for the first flyer and there was an honor. Shortly after 7 a.m. the first test team arrived on line. Neither they nor the following test team could recover the long flyer without a failure hunt followed by unsuccessful handling - the dog appeared unable to hear the whistles because of distance and wind. After 4 dogs had failed, judges decided to scrap the test and move to Bennettsville for a water blind at the Becker property. Participants were told to wait at the old site for about 20 minutes so the blind could be set up at the new property. All would caravan to it when ready.

Test 7 Water Blind with Poison Bird from line

Test 7 Close up of blind area

Upon arrival cars were neatly parked and the test was readied. It was a long entry water blind with a poison bird. The line was located on the far edge of a gravel road that faced a pond with points and islands within A set of guns to the left shot and threw a poison duck to the right- not excessively close to the path to the blind. To recover the bird, a hen mallard, dogs had to go through a stand of high grass, over a low, wide brush pile and into the water. Beyond, that had to swim to a point , cross it and re enter the water. The line continued tight to a point on the left , then to the shore beyond. The bird was on the shore marked by a green clump of vegetation. It was between 250 to 300 yards from line and took about 7 minutes to complete.

Early dogs had a right to left wind that tempted them to run down the near shore to the left. Since the poison bird was also in that area, handlers were quick to put them back on line. The first point was raised and a dog could go out of sight behind it so tight control was necessary. Although dogs just had to touch the far point, some offered to run to the left, behind it where they could easily go out of control unseen. Later the wind was left to right - that permitted dogs to wind the poison bird while passing it.

A glare on the water made dogs difficult to see about 3;30 and judges called an intermission until it subsided . Amazingly the work was quite similar with the usual variations. It was completed shortly before 5 p.m. when dog 42 returned with his duck.

Call backs wre given later that evening listed 14 dogs dropped. They were: 8, 11, 21, 30, 31, 42, 43,( 47 Scratched), 49, 66, 70, 74, 75, and 78. The eighth would be water marks at Becker's Sand and Gravel - Dog 53 starts. Test dog at 6:45 a.m.

Hostess Wagon with Grayson Kelley

The Gunner Balliwick

Pros studying line

Waiting to run (L) Dave Mosher and Mike Lardy

Friday, November 18, 2005

It was quite nippy as participants drove back to the Becker property this morning. Temperatures were in the low 30's with a daytime high in the upper forties,however it became clear and sunny. Somehow the prospect of water marks was less appealing than it was two days ago when it was about 80 degrees.

At 6:30, four sets of gunners were positioned in and around the same pond as yesterday, however, the line was on the opposite shore. Again, the pond had islands and peninsulas within. The eighth test was a water quad with an honor and three retired guns.

Test 8 - Water Quad, Two Retired Guns and an Honor

The first set was located far down the near shore to the right. They threw a dead hen pheasant to the left, across a channel where it fell on the grass field180 yards from line. A second set stood on a peninsula nearly straight out from line. They threw a dead rooster across water to the left that landed on the back side of a small, weedy island 140 yards away. The third group to the near left, on a strip on land that separated two channels. They threw a hen mallard to the right. It landed in grassy cover about 100 yards away. Lastly, an set of live guns were across the two channels on the far shore, to the left of the closer one. They shot a flying hen mallard to the right that also fell in grassy cover a well up on the far shore about 170 yds away. The order was from right to left. As the dog was sent for the flyer, the remaining 3 gun stations retired to well camouflaged blinds.

The first test team of Mindy and Candy handled on the far right mark while Zoom and Burke did very well on all. After the judges conferred an decided to take out the left middle bird and move it to the far shore between the island mark and the far right one,There the guns were instructed to angle their bird, a hen mallard, sharply back to the right. It fell in grassy cover near the far shore about 140 yards out.The order remained the same, right to left and only two guns retired: the far right and island marks. It was still basically an in line quad. There was an honor to the right of the running dog.

Bill Goldstein tried the revised test with "Streak' and handled on the right mark. It took about 15 minutes to complete. Satisfied with the revised edition of the eighth, running dogs were asked to report for "duty". At 8:35 a.m., dog #53 initiated the impressive series.

The relatively short flyer excited dogs, possibly dimming memories of the other marks, some now retired. Most handlers tried for the island mark second, but some dogs missed it and recovered the longer, right middle shore mark second. If that occurred, handlers tried to pick up the long right one third. Once it was recovered they sent for the island bird a second time. Some did well, but other swam past the island to the far shore as if on a blind and hunted or tried to hunt the right middle area. Those required handling . Others, when sent for the far right bird, slid down the shore and hunted the back side of the gun station or well out of the area, deep against a tree line. A few tried to switch back to the left middle mark (not retired). The lines to all four marks angled into the water and had multiple "In and out" entries. Handling became an all too common occurrence. The body count soon added up and by the conclusion, 11 dogs had handled or picked up. Of the eleven, six had handled on two of the four marks. At 3:10, the definitive test was completed when dog 52 returned with his last mark. None had broke on the honor.

Callbacks would be posted after supper at both HQ's. The last two series (land marks) would be held at the Cooper Black area with test dogs at 6:45 a.m. The starting dog would be announced with the callbacks.

Callbacks came about 6:30 p.m. Fifteen potential NFC's remained. Sadly, twelve had succumbed to the 8th. Those lost were: 1, 4, 7, 26, 40, 48, 52, 57, 68, 71, 76, and 80. The starting dog for the ninth will be #19.

Joe McNinch and Jane Sutter

L to R: Lynne DuBose and Penny Youngblood

AKC, Purina and Howley Scoping the 8th

Jane Sutter on line - 8th Series

Saturday, November 19, 2005

Once again a brisk morning greeted early participants. There had been a killing frost overnight and vehicle windows required some heavy scraping prior to leaving the motels. However it was clear, with little wind and everyone found their way back to the Cooper Black Wildlife area.

Test 9 Left - long gun retires

Test 9 right flyer (close up)

Test 9 was nearly ready as all arrived. It was in a field behind that of combined tests one and two and was a land triple with a long retired gun and a shot flyer on the right. The line faced a rolling grassy field that had mowed strips and a winding dirt road perpendicular to the line. A set of guns was located on the left,on the far edge of the road. They threw a dead drake back to the left. It landed on the lower slope of a gentle hill about 125 yards out. Quite far to the right and a bit deeper a set of flyer guns shot a rooster angled back to the left. It landed in the uncut strip on top of the slope,about 130+ yds. away. The third set was very deep in the field and fairly tight to the left mark. They threw a dead hen mallard to the left where it fell into cover along the slope of a swale. It was a good 250 yds. from line. The order was: Middle, left, right. There was an honor to the left of the running dog. When the dog was sent for the flyer, the middle station retired. It took about 5 minutes per dog

Test dogs were called to line at 6:50 a.m. Both hunted the middle bird a bit but did well over all. After they ran, judges moved the long mark blind closer to where the gunners stood to throw and camouflaged it well. At 7:22, the first running dog,#19 came to line.

The long mark fell along the slope of a swales. Early dogs had poor light but most recovered it with a hunt. Only one handled on it. The left mark could be deceiving as it was difficult to tell where it landed because of the back slope. The right, shot flyer excited dogs and that could dim the memory of the long, retired mark. Most dogs did well on the series, most hunting at least one of the marks. It progressed quickly and was completed at 8:50 a.m. when dog 72 returned to line. None had broken on the honor.

Test 10 was quickly organized in a distant field. Participants were asked to form a caravan and would be directed to the last site when ready. Callbacks were given and all were back as finalists!

In a few minutes the caravan traveled the short distance to number 10. As the caravan finished parking, the test dogs were called to line.

The tenth was a land/ water quad with three shot flyers and three retired guns. The line was on the far edge of a gravel, dike road. It faced a platter shaped depression beneath it. Beyond was a hill that rose sharply upward. The road curved to the right around the depression, at the base of the hill. A set of guns stood a short distance up the hill on the left.

Test 10 - Land Quad

The threw a dead duck flat to the right where it fell in the grass about 110 yards away To their right and higher on the hill a second set shot a flying drake over a mowed strip, angled back to the left. It landed roughly 175 yards away. The third group was also to the right, but closer to line. They shot a flying rooster to the right, well ridden out at least 180+ yards away. Lastly, the fourth set was to the right of them and down the hill quite a way. They shot a drake flyer to the right that fell near a strip of higher cover about 200 yards out. The order was: Left middle flyer, left dead bird, right middle flyer, right flyer. As the dog was sent for the right flyer, the other three sets of guns retired.

Test dogs ran at 9:45 a.m. and demonstrated that the flooded depression beneath the dike was very tough going. Converging left marks and ridden out flyers also caused problems. When one wounded duck landed in the water, judges moved the right station farther up the hill.

At 10;40, the first running dog , #19 initiated the demanding series. It took about 7-8 MPD to complete.

As expected, the sheer number of flyers, distance, cover changes and configuration of the marks caused some dogs to become confused and lose concentration. In all, six of the 15 handled and sadly, one was picked up when it switched. At 1:15, all had run and the test was completed by dog # 41.

It was announced that the awards would be given in a field in front of the gallery. Preparations were made as all waited for the Judges to deliver their verdict. The decision came quickly and finalists were invited to the blue clothed table. Resting upon it were the spoils of success - a blue ribbon and silver bowls for the owner (s) and pro handler. After introducing all the finalists, Grayson Kelly announced the winner as FC AFC Clubmeads Road Warrior, the three year old owned by Frank Kashevarof and handled by Jim Gonia. Instantly applause, congratulations, photos and sheer joy followed. It had been a long and challenging week for all finalists. It would be a good ride home.

2005 NRC Winner & Finalists

THE WINNER IS...
44. FC AFC CLUBMEADS ROAD WARRIOR, LM

Owner Frank Kashevarof - Handler Jim Gonia

Finalists

19. FC Candlewoods Ebonstar As Good As It Gets, LM, Owners Bob and Ann Heise,
Handler Dave Rorem

23. '04 NFC AFC Dewey's Drake Of Moon River, LM, Owner G. McIlwain / L. Schwab,
Handler Bill Eckett

24. FC AFC High Tech CEO, LM, Owners J Wrenn / E. Haskins
Handler Ed Forry

25. FC AFC Volwoods Peaches and Cream, Owners Jack and Florence Vollstedt
Handler Jack Vollstaedt

32. FC AFC OTCH Law Abiding Ezra, LM, Owners B and D Cleveland and J Rasmuson
Handler Connie Cleveland

41. FC AFC Tiger McBunn, LM, Owners JM and LK DuBose, Handler Mac DuBose

45. FC Bee Line Butch, LM, Owner Richard Cordell, Handler Bill Sargenti

51. '05 NAFC FC CFC Day's End Northern Express, LF, Jane and Mark Sutter
Handler Jane Suttter

53. FC CFC Miss Scarlet, LF, Owners Clint and Marion Stroud Swingle
Handler, David Mosher

54. '03 NFC AFC Five Star General Patton, LM, Owners Deb Bredeson and Elly Muth
Handler Mike Lardy

60. FC Candlewoods Rokee Ely-Jah, LM, Owners John and Ashley Wilson
Handler Bill Eckett

69. FC AFC Showthyme, LF, Owner Penny Youngblood, Handler Danny Farmer

72. '05 CNAFC CFC FC AFC LM, He's Czar Nicholas, LM, Owner Norm Elder
Handler Dave Rorem

Summary of Starters - Callbacks and Drops by Series

Daily Reports of the Stake
By Mary Knapp

For a complete report of the 2005 National 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]

2004 Defending National Champion

FC-AFC Dewey's Drake Of Moon River, LM,
Owners - G. Mcllwain & L. Schwab,
Handler - Bill Eckett