2006 CNARC
2006 CNARC CALLBACKS
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2006
Pre-National Activities
Sunday, 10th September, started with a clear blue sky and cool North breeze with a definite hint of autumn in the air. After last night’s opening banquet, most competitors tried to relax the day before the scheduled first test on Monday. Today would be vet check for the female dogs as well as handler and dog photos for the 67 competitors. A total of 69 dogs had entered but #46 and #57 became scratches yesterday.
The Saturday night Banquet was a great start for the host Pine Ridge Retriever Club members who had been working hard for many months preparing for this event. After the traditional opening procession led by piper, Connor Cooper, PRRC President and MC Jim Ling welcomed all. After National Anthems and Toasts, we all had a moment of silence for those trialers lost this past year and most recently, Corrine Hunt and Joyce Little. Jim introduced the 3 judges, Marg Murray, Western Zone, Fred Benjaminson-Central Zone and Nancy Fraser-S. Ontario Zone. They had arrived Wednesday to set up tests among the rolling pastoral hills and ponds near Brighton, Ontario on the north shore of Lake Ontario.
NRCC President Gerry Burmaster reported that the afternoon Directors Meeting approved next years National Amateur to be held near Logan Lake, British Columbia in July 2007 with Judges, Jim Green- S. Ontario Zone, Art Roy- Eastern Zone and Phil Macmillan- Central Zone.
The major Sponsors for the NRCC were recognized as vital to the future of Canadian Nationals, They included Nestle Purina Petcare, Official Dog Food Supplier, Eukanuba, an Official Major Sponsor, Tri-tronics, Official E-collar Supplier, Winchester Canada, Official Ammunition Supplier, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Canadian National Sportsman Show and Dogs Afield. A huge selection of Silent Auction items attested to the many other sponsors and patrons.
After a homestyle dinner, and more presentations as well as reports by Chief Marshall, Dan Yeomans and the judges, the starting dog number was drawn by Carol Brethet and Diana Howard. Dog # 24 was the lucky starter. A lively Calcutta then ensued, led by Dave Thompson, Field Trial Chairman but also well-known for his auctioneer skills. The highest bid went to Jim Swanson’s, FTCH AFTCH Seasides One to Many, top point dog in Canada this year with over 90 points. Next highest bids went to Dennis Voigt’s, NAFTCH FTCH AFTCH AFC Prairiemarsh Madness and Anne Marshall’s, NFTCH FTCH AFTCH FC AFC Comstock’s Bodacious. Speculation was prevalent on who the Finalists would be. Next Report will be Monday night after the day’s tests. A land triple is scheduled for the opener.
The Saturday night Banquet was a great start for the host Pine Ridge Retriever Club members who had been working hard for many months preparing for this event. After the traditional opening procession led by piper, Connor Cooper, PRRC President and MC Jim Ling welcomed all. After National Anthems and Toasts, we all had a moment of silence for those trialers lost this past year and most recently, Corrine Hunt and Joyce Little. Jim introduced the 3 judges, Marg Murray, Western Zone, Fred Benjaminson-Central Zone and Nancy Fraser-S. Ontario Zone. They had arrived Wednesday to set up tests among the rolling pastoral hills and ponds near Brighton, Ontario on the north shore of Lake Ontario.
NRCC President Gerry Burmaster reported that the afternoon Directors Meeting approved next years National Amateur to be held near Logan Lake, British Columbia in July 2007 with Judges, Jim Green- S. Ontario Zone, Art Roy- Eastern Zone and Phil Macmillan- Central Zone.
The major Sponsors for the NRCC were recognized as vital to the future of Canadian Nationals, They included Nestle Purina Petcare, Official Dog Food Supplier, Eukanuba, an Official Major Sponsor, Tri-tronics, Official E-collar Supplier, Winchester Canada, Official Ammunition Supplier, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Canadian National Sportsman Show and Dogs Afield. A huge selection of Silent Auction items attested to the many other sponsors and patrons.
After a homestyle dinner, and more presentations as well as reports by Chief Marshall, Dan Yeomans and the judges, the starting dog number was drawn by Carol Brethet and Diana Howard. Dog # 24 was the lucky starter. A lively Calcutta then ensued, led by Dave Thompson, Field Trial Chairman but also well-known for his auctioneer skills. The highest bid went to Jim Swanson’s, FTCH AFTCH Seasides One to Many, top point dog in Canada this year with over 90 points. Next highest bids went to Dennis Voigt’s, NAFTCH FTCH AFTCH AFC Prairiemarsh Madness and Anne Marshall’s, NFTCH FTCH AFTCH FC AFC Comstock’s Bodacious. Speculation was prevalent on who the Finalists would be. Next Report will be Monday night after the day’s tests. A land triple is scheduled for the opener.
Jean-Luc Maheux receives handlers packet from NRCC
President Gerry Burmeister and Eukanuba Rep. John Sharpe Trailers set up at Gahonk Kennels, National HQ near
Brighton, ON on the shore of Lake Ontario |
PRCC President, Jim Ling led by traditional
piper at the Opening Banquet. Top bid in Calcutta auctioned by FT Chairman
Dave Thompson, went to Jim Swanson and dog #14 |
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2006
Competitors and workers arose to a superb fall day, partly cloudy and quite cool at 45 degrees. Easterly winds had a definite bite and fleece or down jackets were quickly unpacked. The first test site was about 9 km away and the caravan departed promptly shortly after seven. While judges and workers finalized the first test, announcer Lorene Wilson welcomed all. Today was 5 years after the tragic 911 events in that rocked the world. We all joined in a moment of silence in memory of the lost citizens and rescue workers. Trialers contemplated how lucky we are to be able to pursue our passions today.
The honorary test dog was 12 year old 2004 Canadian National Amateur Champion, FTCH AFTCH FC AFC Melmerby’s Maggie Mae, a YLF, owned and handled by Joe Renouf. Maggie was well on her way while the bird was at the top of the arc!
The honorary test dog was 12 year old 2004 Canadian National Amateur Champion, FTCH AFTCH FC AFC Melmerby’s Maggie Mae, a YLF, owned and handled by Joe Renouf. Maggie was well on her way while the bird was at the top of the arc!
Soon judges called for test dogs to run a land triple facing north in a rolling cut hayfield. It offered scattered clumps of trees and cover patches. A steady easterly breeze crossed the test from right to left.
The right hand station at 174 yards threw a drake duck steeply back to the left along a bush edge and over a strategically fallen tree. The left hen duck, a fairly big swing, was thrown to the right at 166 yards in a patch of cover. The last bird down, a drake duck was in the middle, thrown left at 222 yards. About 50 yards to the right of the middle station was a group of “Bigfoot” Canada Goose decoys. There were two gunners at each station and none retired.
The first test dog was a Male Flatcoat, Hardscrabbles Kaotic Kosmos, owned and handled by Anne Steer from Maxville Ontario. They did a good job so judges changed the order to left, right and middle and retired the right gunners. The second test dog, Moira River Maddy, a BLF, owned and handled by Greg MacInnes of Belleville Ontario also turned in a nice job. Judges decided to not retire the right station and called the first dog, # 24 about 8:20.
The test appeared very doable for the dogs. Some excellent performances were turned in. Some dogs went to the wrong side of either the left or middle birds and hunted before recovering. Others went wide and deep of the left bird. However, most dogs that went wide of either the middle or right bird scented it and had a good mark. Until 11am the right gunners and bird were in shade. This bird was thrown steeply back almost behind the guns but since it was separate from the other marks and bounded by the forest edge, most dogs did well. The test finished at 3pm and callbacks came quickly-all dogs back!!
Before 4pm judges had set up and run the two test dogs on a single land blind. The line was moved 100 yards to the right. The blind was at 275 yards and located between the middle and right marks but just left of a large clump of trees.
The right hand station at 174 yards threw a drake duck steeply back to the left along a bush edge and over a strategically fallen tree. The left hen duck, a fairly big swing, was thrown to the right at 166 yards in a patch of cover. The last bird down, a drake duck was in the middle, thrown left at 222 yards. About 50 yards to the right of the middle station was a group of “Bigfoot” Canada Goose decoys. There were two gunners at each station and none retired.
The first test dog was a Male Flatcoat, Hardscrabbles Kaotic Kosmos, owned and handled by Anne Steer from Maxville Ontario. They did a good job so judges changed the order to left, right and middle and retired the right gunners. The second test dog, Moira River Maddy, a BLF, owned and handled by Greg MacInnes of Belleville Ontario also turned in a nice job. Judges decided to not retire the right station and called the first dog, # 24 about 8:20.
The test appeared very doable for the dogs. Some excellent performances were turned in. Some dogs went to the wrong side of either the left or middle birds and hunted before recovering. Others went wide and deep of the left bird. However, most dogs that went wide of either the middle or right bird scented it and had a good mark. Until 11am the right gunners and bird were in shade. This bird was thrown steeply back almost behind the guns but since it was separate from the other marks and bounded by the forest edge, most dogs did well. The test finished at 3pm and callbacks came quickly-all dogs back!!
Before 4pm judges had set up and run the two test dogs on a single land blind. The line was moved 100 yards to the right. The blind was at 275 yards and located between the middle and right marks but just left of a large clump of trees.
The middle gunners from the first series sat in their chairs while the blind was run. In the valley and half way to the blind the Bigfoot goose decoys had been repositioned. The line was through the middle of them. These decoys were very visible to the handlers but not to the dogs until they had run about 50 yards. The first test dog, Kosmos, showed whistles might be needed early and casting required through the goose decoys. The second test dog, Maddy, however lined the blind. Dog # 38 started and had a good job. Once again there were many good jobs but some dogs really struggled getting through the decoys. A few went right of the clump of trees which was considerably off line. Only a couple of dogs lined the blind but quite a few had only one to two whistles. The test finished shortly after 7 pm. Callbacks arrived at headquarters and 2 dogs were lost, # 7 and 43. The scheduled starting test for tomorrow was a water blind at Gahonk and Nilak kennels.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2006
Headquarters came alive long before 6 am as generators were started and workers arrived for the day’s tests. Before 7am, judges had set up a water blind on the ponds in front of the headquarters. The blind had a 65 yard entry into the corner of a pond and then a shoreline swim over one point before driving up a hill to a duck- a total distance of 166 yards. A gunner sat in white off to the right on the road-they also directed traffic.
Test 3 - Water Blind
The first test dog Kosmos had great difficulty making the entry. The corner water, shoreline cover, cool temperatures and raw east wind (left to right towards shore) made the entry a challenge. The second test dog, Maddy, got the easier fat entry to the left, but then required a quick whistle to get back on line. After test dogs, judges wisely scented the point since returning dogs crossed it. This made the test more equal for early and late dogs.
The first dog, #53 ran at 7:20 and had a good job. Throughout the test the wind blew easterly although it gradually got stronger. The early sun rise had promised approaching weather and by 8:30, the complete cloud cover, brisk wind and temperatures brought out the heavy jackets. Work varied considerably but many dogs completed the 5 minute test with about 4-6 whistles. The last dog ran at 12:30. Eight dogs had picked up when they ran down the dyke and shore and wouldn’t get in the water. Others had poor work but only the pickups were dropped. They were dog numbers. 19, 22, 23, 28, 35, 40, 45 and 69.
The first dog, #53 ran at 7:20 and had a good job. Throughout the test the wind blew easterly although it gradually got stronger. The early sun rise had promised approaching weather and by 8:30, the complete cloud cover, brisk wind and temperatures brought out the heavy jackets. Work varied considerably but many dogs completed the 5 minute test with about 4-6 whistles. The last dog ran at 12:30. Eight dogs had picked up when they ran down the dyke and shore and wouldn’t get in the water. Others had poor work but only the pickups were dropped. They were dog numbers. 19, 22, 23, 28, 35, 40, 45 and 69.
Test 4 - Water Triple
Judges moved the line about 100 yards to the left and quickly set up a water triple. The first gunners on the right were across the pond on the far hill and threw a drake (135 yards) to the right amongst some scattered cut hay. The middle gunners (166 yards) at a round hay bale threw a hen to the left and retired. The last bird down on the left (114 yards) was also across a pond and gunners threw a drake slightly in and to the right. A roadway separated the two ponds and invited “roadrunners to avoid water on the right and middle birds.
First test dog, Kosmos ran at 1:40 and found the road route easier and thus went wrong side of both birds on the far hill. The second test dog, Maddy ran the road once and hunted wrong side on the right bird but took water and got the left bird cleaner. First dog, #66 ran at 2pm and had an excellent job. Generally work was fairly good with a few quick wrong side hunts. There was quite a bit of cheating but also some excellent work when dogs took honest lines to each bird. One dog had handled by 5pm as it became quite evident that the test wouldn’t be finished today. Estimates were that as many as 15 dogs might run tomorrow. Heavy rains are forecast overnight so conditions could be very different in the morning. Meanwhile all will head for The Eukanuba National Party. More tomorrow!
First test dog, Kosmos ran at 1:40 and found the road route easier and thus went wrong side of both birds on the far hill. The second test dog, Maddy ran the road once and hunted wrong side on the right bird but took water and got the left bird cleaner. First dog, #66 ran at 2pm and had an excellent job. Generally work was fairly good with a few quick wrong side hunts. There was quite a bit of cheating but also some excellent work when dogs took honest lines to each bird. One dog had handled by 5pm as it became quite evident that the test wouldn’t be finished today. Estimates were that as many as 15 dogs might run tomorrow. Heavy rains are forecast overnight so conditions could be very different in the morning. Meanwhile all will head for The Eukanuba National Party. More tomorrow!
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Rain started during the night and occasionally was very heavy. We awoke to misty and drizzly weather albeit a little milder because of the heavy cloud cover. By 6:45 gunners were out in the field to run the last 20 dogs on the water triple. This was a great effort by the workers considering the conditions. Furthermore, the party the night before undoubtedly affected the ease of an early rise.
Eukanuba, an Official Major Sponsor to the NRCC had hosted a National Party that featured fresh pickerel (wall-eye), chicken wings, corn, and French fries all cooked outside in large kettle-pans by Albert Coles and Randy Van Norman. What a feast! Eukanuba rep John Sharpe gave out dozens of prizes to participants. Silent auction bidding was lively and many items were sold off.
Eukanuba, an Official Major Sponsor to the NRCC had hosted a National Party that featured fresh pickerel (wall-eye), chicken wings, corn, and French fries all cooked outside in large kettle-pans by Albert Coles and Randy Van Norman. What a feast! Eukanuba rep John Sharpe gave out dozens of prizes to participants. Silent auction bidding was lively and many items were sold off.
Day 3 - Finish Water Triple
All day the gallery huddled under tents to avoid rain, fog, and wind.
Judges called for a single test dog shortly before 7 although visibility was very poor as fog rolled in and out of the tests. The wind had switched to the south and began moving to the south west. This made for a different test. After the test dog ran (#23-Bruny), handlers saw how different the test was. The road was still a factor but the wind and hill interaction produced wilder hunts and chances of switches. There was a short delay before dog #44 ran and then a longer delay as fog obscured the gunners. The holding blinds were later refilled and dogs began to run with frequent interruptions to wait for a clear moment.
Today, there were more handles and pick ups as well as some loose hunts. It was evident that the birds were much harder to see and that the different wind direction was less helpful than yesterday. The last dog ran just before noon and unfortunately it was not the scheduled #65 who had injured himself the day before. Callbacks arrived almost instantly to show 51 dogs back for the 5th series. Dogs dropped were 18, 34, 48, 54, 55 and 65.
Test 5 –Land Blind/Poison bird
The caravan moved all to a field near the site of Test 1 and 2. Judges had set up a land triple with a long (390? yard) retired middle station, a shorter 250 yard left station and an 85 yard go-bird. Visibility of the long birds was poor and white ribbons on the birds were brought into play. Test dogs Bruny and Maddy struggled on both long birds and judges realized that this test was not suitable under these conditions and at this time of day since another split test would result.
Today, there were more handles and pick ups as well as some loose hunts. It was evident that the birds were much harder to see and that the different wind direction was less helpful than yesterday. The last dog ran just before noon and unfortunately it was not the scheduled #65 who had injured himself the day before. Callbacks arrived almost instantly to show 51 dogs back for the 5th series. Dogs dropped were 18, 34, 48, 54, 55 and 65.
Test 5 –Land Blind/Poison bird
The caravan moved all to a field near the site of Test 1 and 2. Judges had set up a land triple with a long (390? yard) retired middle station, a shorter 250 yard left station and an 85 yard go-bird. Visibility of the long birds was poor and white ribbons on the birds were brought into play. Test dogs Bruny and Maddy struggled on both long birds and judges realized that this test was not suitable under these conditions and at this time of day since another split test would result.
Test 5 - 360 yd. blind on left- poison bird on right, later picked up
Judges spent some time trying to come up with a shorter but reasonable test under the conditions. Finally, they decided to design a land blind with a poison bird. The line was moved but the land blind was located where the long middle retired bird had been thrown at a distance of 360 yards
The dogs would have to navigate some wild cover and a ravine before striking out across a cut hay field with a wind quartering right to left. The early cover was part of a horse and cow pasture that was circled by an electric fence. Workers had to disable the fence and move the wires to higher stakes so dogs would be unaffected. Judges positioned two gunners 125 yards away right of the line. They threw a duck to the left towards the line. Maddy, the first test dog showed hazards on both sides of the line. The next test dog, Bruny was asked to pick up the poison bird after the blind. This became the test and the first dog, #10 was called to line shortly before 2pm.
He showed the effects of wind and distance and had much trouble at the end. This soon became the pattern that dogs would veer left at about 275 yards and then often not take the casts into the wind to get back on line. At the very end they would scent the blind or see the marker and race over some 40 yards from their off line location. Quite a few dogs smelled the poison bird en route although it seemed relatively easy to get the initial line as well as handle off of the poison bird when smelled. When asked to retrieve the poison bird after the blind, dogs got it but several hooked the gunners or had hunts. Gradually conditions got a little better and the wind subsided. However, the suction and push to the left continued throughout the afternoon. Rain or mist came and went. Several clean dogs had weak blinds. The test finished about 6:30 pm. Call-backs showed 46 dogs invited to the 6th series - a scheduled land quad). Dog # 26 will start. Dogs dropped were #10, 17, 41, 56, and 60.
The dogs would have to navigate some wild cover and a ravine before striking out across a cut hay field with a wind quartering right to left. The early cover was part of a horse and cow pasture that was circled by an electric fence. Workers had to disable the fence and move the wires to higher stakes so dogs would be unaffected. Judges positioned two gunners 125 yards away right of the line. They threw a duck to the left towards the line. Maddy, the first test dog showed hazards on both sides of the line. The next test dog, Bruny was asked to pick up the poison bird after the blind. This became the test and the first dog, #10 was called to line shortly before 2pm.
He showed the effects of wind and distance and had much trouble at the end. This soon became the pattern that dogs would veer left at about 275 yards and then often not take the casts into the wind to get back on line. At the very end they would scent the blind or see the marker and race over some 40 yards from their off line location. Quite a few dogs smelled the poison bird en route although it seemed relatively easy to get the initial line as well as handle off of the poison bird when smelled. When asked to retrieve the poison bird after the blind, dogs got it but several hooked the gunners or had hunts. Gradually conditions got a little better and the wind subsided. However, the suction and push to the left continued throughout the afternoon. Rain or mist came and went. Several clean dogs had weak blinds. The test finished about 6:30 pm. Call-backs showed 46 dogs invited to the 6th series - a scheduled land quad). Dog # 26 will start. Dogs dropped were #10, 17, 41, 56, and 60.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2006
Test 4 - Land Quad
The caravan left about 7:15am under less foggy but still misty conditions. Temperatures were mild at 60 degrees. The test site was located about 5 kilometres away in a hayfield with many large round bales. At 8:15 test dogs were called to line to run a fairly short but tight quad with two retired guns. The 3 stations on the left side were in line with the short and longest retired. The short bird was quite close to the middle station. Claude Lafontaine and Bruny had a good job but Tom Hawley and Dreamer handled on two. Judges noted a wind shift which allowed dogs over-running the short bird to get a wind save. This and a general dissatisfaction with the test led to the announcement that the test was scrapped at 8:35. Handlers breathed a sigh of relief and all headed to the breakfast wagon compliments of Purina. Meanwhile the judges went to another nearby field to set up another land quad.
While Judges designed the land quad, a mantis landed on a handler's truck.
Were the prayers for the handlers or the judges ??
Were the prayers for the handlers or the judges ??
This quad had some similar principles but was bigger and more widespread. It faced north in a mixed hay field with many large round bales. On the far right at 239 yards gunners threw a duck to the right to a point of goldenrod cover. A few bales were en route. Next the middle right gunners at 113 yards threw at duck angled back to the left. They retired when the dog was sent for the go-bird. The third bird was middle left at 214 yards and also thrown slightly back left. They also retired. Finally the go bird on the left at 109 yards was thrown squarely to the left. All birds were ducks.
Test 6 - Land Quad with two retired gun marks.
Test dogs ran at 10:15. The wind was southerly or south westerly and the test dogs winded the short retired on the right. However by the time contestants ran, the wind seemed to be south easterly or easterly and dogs to the left of this difficult bird got scent. It soon became apparent that the all birds could cause problems. Dogs hunted wrong side of the long right bird, over-ran the short retired and went both sides of the long retired. A few dogs had loose hunts on the last bird down. Casualties began to mount. About 3:30 the wind shifted to the north east, making the short retired easier but causing many problems on the two left birds. When the test ended at 4:30 there had been 4 double handles, 8 single handles and 3 pickups plus some very loose hunts. Workers scrambled to clean up in anticipation of Workers Party tonight in Brighton. Callbacks came about pm showing dogs back to the 7th series scheduled to be a water triple. Dogs dropped for the 6th were 2, 3, 5, 16, 20, 24, 27, 37, 42, 51, 58, 61, 67. Dog 39 will start the 7th.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Day 5 - Water Blind and Water Triple
A cloudy day with North easterlies and quite mild in the 60’s greeted everybody at a large pond in a valley near Headquarters. Everybody was surprisingly alert after last night’s Workers Party which I will try to report on later. Judges had set up a water blind of 260 yards. Right in front of the mat especially on the right side were some shrubs that biased lines to the left. Halfway to the water at about 35 yards a large round bush had to be skirted. At the water’s edge, a gunner sat in a chair with the true line entering the water just left of him, 55 yards from the mat. A long isthmus snaked across the pond and required the dog to do 3 entries and 3 exits. The isthmus was scented and returning dogs scented it further. The requirements for the blind were obvious-enter the water left of the gunner, swim and exit on the right-run down the isthmus a bit and enter into the water on the right. Then, swim down that shore, exit on the left, cross the isthmus and renter left into the final corner before exiting and driving up the hill another 80 yards to the duck. The wind angled across from the left. Jim Green ran the first test dog, Hon:tsi and did a nice job until missing the final corner. He handled the dog back and navigated the corner for the benefit of handlers. Tom Hawley with Dreamer had much more trouble, especially with the scented isthmus. He also indicated that getting all the blind elements could be a challenge. The first dog number 39 was called to line shortly after 8 am. Dogs did quite well on this blind as handlers strived to get all the requirements. Quite a few dogs were wide to the left on the initial line and required whistles to get them over. A few dogs were skinny or missed the last corner water. There was considerable speculation about the seriousness of these errors, but there was hope most dogs would be back. Indeed after the last dog ran at 11:10am and callbacks arrived shortly thereafter, we saw that the generosity of the judges persisted. Unfortunately one dog was lost, # 9. A water triple was planned with dog 59 starting and the gallery was asked to vacate the area for the set-up.
A cloudy day with North easterlies and quite mild in the 60’s greeted everybody at a large pond in a valley near Headquarters. Everybody was surprisingly alert after last night’s Workers Party which I will try to report on later. Judges had set up a water blind of 260 yards. Right in front of the mat especially on the right side were some shrubs that biased lines to the left. Halfway to the water at about 35 yards a large round bush had to be skirted. At the water’s edge, a gunner sat in a chair with the true line entering the water just left of him, 55 yards from the mat. A long isthmus snaked across the pond and required the dog to do 3 entries and 3 exits. The isthmus was scented and returning dogs scented it further. The requirements for the blind were obvious-enter the water left of the gunner, swim and exit on the right-run down the isthmus a bit and enter into the water on the right. Then, swim down that shore, exit on the left, cross the isthmus and renter left into the final corner before exiting and driving up the hill another 80 yards to the duck. The wind angled across from the left. Jim Green ran the first test dog, Hon:tsi and did a nice job until missing the final corner. He handled the dog back and navigated the corner for the benefit of handlers. Tom Hawley with Dreamer had much more trouble, especially with the scented isthmus. He also indicated that getting all the blind elements could be a challenge. The first dog number 39 was called to line shortly after 8 am. Dogs did quite well on this blind as handlers strived to get all the requirements. Quite a few dogs were wide to the left on the initial line and required whistles to get them over. A few dogs were skinny or missed the last corner water. There was considerable speculation about the seriousness of these errors, but there was hope most dogs would be back. Indeed after the last dog ran at 11:10am and callbacks arrived shortly thereafter, we saw that the generosity of the judges persisted. Unfortunately one dog was lost, # 9. A water triple was planned with dog 59 starting and the gallery was asked to vacate the area for the set-up.
The seventh series water blind
The eighth series water triple
Eighth Series - Water Triple
Setup took a while and then the caravan had to move across to the other side of the pond and get parked. We were now located on the north side of the pond with down wind marks one of which was back in the direction to the blind mat. The test was a spread out inline with middle guns shooting first at 174 yards. They threw a hen duck to the left to the base of a mound and large bush. Technically, the line would just enter a corner of the pond. Next the left gun at 251 yards threw a drake to the left. This bird was in a patch of tules and down the shore and across the isthmus of the water blind. The water entry on this mark was at about 100 yards. Finally, gunners on the left and on land threw a hen duck to the right into the forest edge. Both middle and left gunners retired into well camouflaged blinds. Test dogs showed that this test had many perils as both handled. The first dog ran at about 1:15pm and he and the next few dogs showed that many dogs could be lost here. There was a very strong tendency to over run the middle bird which most tried for secondly. Dogs would climb the hill towards the return line to the water blind mat. Some would recover and scent the bird. When sent for the long retired, dogs would make a reasonable entry but then channel in the near water to where they entered for the water blind or land on the isthmus and run down it to the mainland. There, many dogs would climb the hill. Some recovered quickly, many were handled and there were double handles. Scattered through the field were some very good or at least respectable jobs on all 3 birds. The test was delayed a couple of times as Charlois cattle were shooed away. Finally, it became apparent their desire for water would be best dealt with by pushing them through the test and beyond to a pond below. Towards the end of the afternoon the wind began to subside and the last few dogs ran with no apparent breeze. At this time there was more of a tendency to swim to sea to the far end of the pond. The test finished at 7 pm. The field was now narrowed to 18 dogs with 14 lost. Dogs lost were 1, 4, 12, 15, 29, 30, 32, 33, 36, 38, 49, 59, 62, and 68.
The 9th was scheduled as a land quad with dog #8 starting.
Setup took a while and then the caravan had to move across to the other side of the pond and get parked. We were now located on the north side of the pond with down wind marks one of which was back in the direction to the blind mat. The test was a spread out inline with middle guns shooting first at 174 yards. They threw a hen duck to the left to the base of a mound and large bush. Technically, the line would just enter a corner of the pond. Next the left gun at 251 yards threw a drake to the left. This bird was in a patch of tules and down the shore and across the isthmus of the water blind. The water entry on this mark was at about 100 yards. Finally, gunners on the left and on land threw a hen duck to the right into the forest edge. Both middle and left gunners retired into well camouflaged blinds. Test dogs showed that this test had many perils as both handled. The first dog ran at about 1:15pm and he and the next few dogs showed that many dogs could be lost here. There was a very strong tendency to over run the middle bird which most tried for secondly. Dogs would climb the hill towards the return line to the water blind mat. Some would recover and scent the bird. When sent for the long retired, dogs would make a reasonable entry but then channel in the near water to where they entered for the water blind or land on the isthmus and run down it to the mainland. There, many dogs would climb the hill. Some recovered quickly, many were handled and there were double handles. Scattered through the field were some very good or at least respectable jobs on all 3 birds. The test was delayed a couple of times as Charlois cattle were shooed away. Finally, it became apparent their desire for water would be best dealt with by pushing them through the test and beyond to a pond below. Towards the end of the afternoon the wind began to subside and the last few dogs ran with no apparent breeze. At this time there was more of a tendency to swim to sea to the far end of the pond. The test finished at 7 pm. The field was now narrowed to 18 dogs with 14 lost. Dogs lost were 1, 4, 12, 15, 29, 30, 32, 33, 36, 38, 49, 59, 62, and 68.
The 9th was scheduled as a land quad with dog #8 starting.
A view of the 7th and 8th series pond
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Day 6 - Land Quad
Fog delayed the start today as judges moved back to the field of the 6th series land quad. The caravan left headquarters at 8:40 and arrived to find a quad that crossed the lines to the 6th series quad, facing south-east. The middle right bird (a drake duck at 187 yards) was partly up a rise and thrown to the right into some wild grape, grass and poison ivy cover. Next the left gunners at 118 yards threw a hen duck to the right and then the middle left guns (173 yards) at the base of the rise threw a cock pheasant to the left into wild grape. These three guns were basically inline and all retired. The last bird down was another rooster on the far right thrown to the left at 73 yards. Both test dogs (Jim Ling and Cash) and Tom Hawley and Dreamer handled on the middle left bird. The breeze was light and variable but mostly from the north. It was clear that the middle left retired bird was going to cause problems. The first dog ran at 9:25am and it and the next two handled. Then a few dogs began to get all 4 birds cleanly. The test remained doable but very difficult to the end at 11:20am. We moved back to the Headquarters to receive call backs. There we learned that the following dogs were dropped 6, 8, 13, 50, 52, 53.
The Finalists for the 10th series are 11, 14, 21, 25, 26, 31, 39, 44, 47, 63, 64, 66. The test will be a water quad.
Fog delayed the start today as judges moved back to the field of the 6th series land quad. The caravan left headquarters at 8:40 and arrived to find a quad that crossed the lines to the 6th series quad, facing south-east. The middle right bird (a drake duck at 187 yards) was partly up a rise and thrown to the right into some wild grape, grass and poison ivy cover. Next the left gunners at 118 yards threw a hen duck to the right and then the middle left guns (173 yards) at the base of the rise threw a cock pheasant to the left into wild grape. These three guns were basically inline and all retired. The last bird down was another rooster on the far right thrown to the left at 73 yards. Both test dogs (Jim Ling and Cash) and Tom Hawley and Dreamer handled on the middle left bird. The breeze was light and variable but mostly from the north. It was clear that the middle left retired bird was going to cause problems. The first dog ran at 9:25am and it and the next two handled. Then a few dogs began to get all 4 birds cleanly. The test remained doable but very difficult to the end at 11:20am. We moved back to the Headquarters to receive call backs. There we learned that the following dogs were dropped 6, 8, 13, 50, 52, 53.
The Finalists for the 10th series are 11, 14, 21, 25, 26, 31, 39, 44, 47, 63, 64, 66. The test will be a water quad.
Test 9 - Land Quad
Day 6 - 10th Series-Water Quad
Shortly before 1pm everyone was led to a high hill over-looking a pond far below. After walking down a steep recently bull-dozed trail we encountered a series of large ponds with a big hill on the far side. Four gunners were stationed across. The first test dog, Jim Ling and Cash ran the test and took 30 minutes. The judges modified the test and brought one set of gunners around to the near shore. They decided to forgo the 2nd test dog in the interests of time. The test was shot from left to right. On the left at 290 yards a duck was thrown to the right angled back. They retired. The line was a sharp angle entry across the pond over a dyke into another pond and out into the field. Next, gunner straight across and 2/3 of the way up a hill at 261yards threw to the right and retired. The gunner down near the shore threw to the left along the shore creating an over under pair. Finally, gunners on the near shore but to the right at 27 yards threw a bird to the left. All birds were ducks. The first couple of dogs hunted far up the hill between the two left stations. This large opening had been created when the first test was modified. The wind was blowing from the south (right to left) opposite to when the test dog ran. The test was taking about 20 minutes so it is expected we may not have a winner announcement until near 7 pm eastern standard time.
The 10th series ended at 5:40pm. Only two dogs #26 and #64 did it without handling. Five dogs had gone into the 10th without a handle. Only dog #26 finished without a handle.
The winner was announced as #26 FTCH AFTCH Spice Girl owned and handled by Jean-Luc Maheux of Quebec.
Shortly before 1pm everyone was led to a high hill over-looking a pond far below. After walking down a steep recently bull-dozed trail we encountered a series of large ponds with a big hill on the far side. Four gunners were stationed across. The first test dog, Jim Ling and Cash ran the test and took 30 minutes. The judges modified the test and brought one set of gunners around to the near shore. They decided to forgo the 2nd test dog in the interests of time. The test was shot from left to right. On the left at 290 yards a duck was thrown to the right angled back. They retired. The line was a sharp angle entry across the pond over a dyke into another pond and out into the field. Next, gunner straight across and 2/3 of the way up a hill at 261yards threw to the right and retired. The gunner down near the shore threw to the left along the shore creating an over under pair. Finally, gunners on the near shore but to the right at 27 yards threw a bird to the left. All birds were ducks. The first couple of dogs hunted far up the hill between the two left stations. This large opening had been created when the first test was modified. The wind was blowing from the south (right to left) opposite to when the test dog ran. The test was taking about 20 minutes so it is expected we may not have a winner announcement until near 7 pm eastern standard time.
The 10th series ended at 5:40pm. Only two dogs #26 and #64 did it without handling. Five dogs had gone into the 10th without a handle. Only dog #26 finished without a handle.
The winner was announced as #26 FTCH AFTCH Spice Girl owned and handled by Jean-Luc Maheux of Quebec.
The 3 left birds of the 10th water quad. The last bird down is close off to the right.
2006 CNARC Winner & Finalists
2006 Canadian National Amateur
Retriever Championship
Brighton, ON - September 11-16, 2006
Retriever Championship
Brighton, ON - September 11-16, 2006
Hosted by the Pine Ridge Retriever Club
The winner is:
26. FTCH AFTCH Spice Girl
26. FTCH AFTCH Spice Girl
Owned and handled by Jean-Luc Maheux of Quebec
Finalists
11. FTCH-AFTCH Abaco's Esprit Goombay Smash, MH, Owner James Liviskie, Handler Jim Liviskie
14. FTCH-AFTCH Seaside One To Many, Owner James Swanson, Handler James
21. L & L Black Tie Affair, Owner Howard Simson, Handler Howard
25. AFTCH Hiwood Yukon Of Forest Dell, JH, Owners Sally Ann-Earl & Hugh Costello, Handler Sally
31. FTCH-AFTCH-FC-AFC Justin Time Zoe's Nine-One-One, Owners Jerry & Barbara Younglove, Handler Barb
39. AFTCH Buckshot's Quincy "A", Owner Neil Hunter, Handler Neil
44. FTCH Sandy's Tribute To Rockn Roll, Owner Vic Ricci, Handler Vic
47. NFTCH-FTCH-AFTCH-FC-AFC Comstocks Bodacious, Owners John & Anne Marshall, Handler Anne
63. FTCH-AFTCH Maxfly's Xena Rise, Owner Rick Cardinal, Handler Rick
64. FTCH-AFTCH Dakota's Quickdraw, MH QFTR, Owner Bev Fowler, Handler Bev
66. FTCH-AFTCH Melmerby's Sally Jean, Owner Joe Renouf, Handler Joe
14. FTCH-AFTCH Seaside One To Many, Owner James Swanson, Handler James
21. L & L Black Tie Affair, Owner Howard Simson, Handler Howard
25. AFTCH Hiwood Yukon Of Forest Dell, JH, Owners Sally Ann-Earl & Hugh Costello, Handler Sally
31. FTCH-AFTCH-FC-AFC Justin Time Zoe's Nine-One-One, Owners Jerry & Barbara Younglove, Handler Barb
39. AFTCH Buckshot's Quincy "A", Owner Neil Hunter, Handler Neil
44. FTCH Sandy's Tribute To Rockn Roll, Owner Vic Ricci, Handler Vic
47. NFTCH-FTCH-AFTCH-FC-AFC Comstocks Bodacious, Owners John & Anne Marshall, Handler Anne
63. FTCH-AFTCH Maxfly's Xena Rise, Owner Rick Cardinal, Handler Rick
64. FTCH-AFTCH Dakota's Quickdraw, MH QFTR, Owner Bev Fowler, Handler Bev
66. FTCH-AFTCH Melmerby's Sally Jean, Owner Joe Renouf, Handler Joe
For a complete report of the 2006 Canadian National Amateur Retriever Championship, subscribe to The Retriever News
N8W22195 Johnson Dr., Suite 105, Waukesha, WI 53186. Voice: 262-278-4201, Email: [email protected]
N8W22195 Johnson Dr., Suite 105, Waukesha, WI 53186. Voice: 262-278-4201, Email: [email protected]
Report and Photos by Dennis Voigt
2005 Defending National Amateur Retriever Champion
FC AFC FTCH AFTCH He's Czar Nicholas
Owners, Norm Elder/Pat Lindell, Handler, Norm
Owners, Norm Elder/Pat Lindell, Handler, Norm