Gallery Greetings 4 |
by Ken McCartney, an avid Field Trialer
DAY Four: Sixty-seven dogs to a “double flyer quad,” oops, that shows you what rumors are good for. It’s a triple with a flying duck, dead duck, and flying rooster. Apparently a time concession was made for a 5:30 PM workers’ party.
The trial came back to reality yesterday. The test did not work as well as the judges hoped. The wind did not co-operate. It gave away the test and was not strong enough to keep the gallery cool. Depending on who’s thermometer you believe the temperature climbed to nearly ninety. The spectators were moving all day to stay in the shade. Umbrellas were everywhere.
The judges cut rate is on a perfect pace. They need to average nine in order to have ten finalists and that is where they are. When it is done this way, rather than by a numbered mistake rule, there are always some close calls left shaking their heads. We lost last years’ (2) winner with a couple big hunts, but some of the other fourth series handles that were dropped were not that tarnished before. At the mid point there had been only six handles. A three in line, flyer long, middle bird retired is a concept mark everyone that aspires to be here need train on occasionally.
The judges had the guns pop the second and third throws at the top of the arc rather than prior to the throw. I could not tell if it had much of an effect. The angle to the birds was such that it took very little head movement to see all three. The dogs did not get lost. The failures were blowing through the retired to the flyer or hunting for the flyer on land instead of the water.
The gallery was positioned where a large portion of the field of play was not visible. By day’s end the viewing was from gallery two—the parking lot with binoculars where all three birds could be observed nicely.
I asked several seasoned veterans when there first national took place. Most said that they went to one before they were able to qualify. In response to “what has changed the most,” I saw a lot of head scratching and only a few issues recognized; radios, four wheelers, vehicles (can you image no dog trucks and lots of Chevy station wagons?). The really remarkable thing is what has not changed. Three judges, blinds, marks but not more than four, ducks, pheasants, committees, workers parties, partying workers [this year’s gun captains sought out “some quality bar time” last night], holding blinds, rotation is new but has been used in nationals “a long time now,” McCall, live stations, dead stations, galleries, news reporters, port-a-potties, sunshine, and the list goes on. There are tough nationals and not so tough but over all this year’s winner has an accomplishment comparable to those before. Probably even more so than major league sports where the rules change even more than ours.
According to an avid spectator (Lisa Hays, Charlie and Yvonne’s lovely daughter) “about twelve dogs started today with a handle in the first series.” The data base was empty as to handle yesterday but at least one handled there are got back, Nan Roby (66).
“So, tell me first timer what is it like that impresses or surprises you?”
“I am thrilled. Every buddy who runs a dog in a dog trial should try to qualify for one of these. The feeling is just wonderful. This is a marvelous place.”
Victor Garcia (103)
“The organization impresses me. So many people doing so many things and doing them well. It dwarfs a weekend effort.”
Steve Robbin (67)
“You make think I am naïve, but I expected with his quality of dogs to see a lot of real perfect work. That first series proved to be anything but. I guess they are just dogs and can have their days.
Holly Garcia (103 spouse)
“ I suppose I expected it but when I opened the catalogue and saw the titles on the competition it really made an impression. These are good dogs at a time in their lives when they are succeeding.
Larry Morgan (95)
By my crude count 63 FC AFC’s, 20 AFC’s (one with two Canadian titles), 6 FC’s, 5 with N’s (including one 2n and on Canadian n), and 16 untitled dogs.
The trial came back to reality yesterday. The test did not work as well as the judges hoped. The wind did not co-operate. It gave away the test and was not strong enough to keep the gallery cool. Depending on who’s thermometer you believe the temperature climbed to nearly ninety. The spectators were moving all day to stay in the shade. Umbrellas were everywhere.
The judges cut rate is on a perfect pace. They need to average nine in order to have ten finalists and that is where they are. When it is done this way, rather than by a numbered mistake rule, there are always some close calls left shaking their heads. We lost last years’ (2) winner with a couple big hunts, but some of the other fourth series handles that were dropped were not that tarnished before. At the mid point there had been only six handles. A three in line, flyer long, middle bird retired is a concept mark everyone that aspires to be here need train on occasionally.
The judges had the guns pop the second and third throws at the top of the arc rather than prior to the throw. I could not tell if it had much of an effect. The angle to the birds was such that it took very little head movement to see all three. The dogs did not get lost. The failures were blowing through the retired to the flyer or hunting for the flyer on land instead of the water.
The gallery was positioned where a large portion of the field of play was not visible. By day’s end the viewing was from gallery two—the parking lot with binoculars where all three birds could be observed nicely.
I asked several seasoned veterans when there first national took place. Most said that they went to one before they were able to qualify. In response to “what has changed the most,” I saw a lot of head scratching and only a few issues recognized; radios, four wheelers, vehicles (can you image no dog trucks and lots of Chevy station wagons?). The really remarkable thing is what has not changed. Three judges, blinds, marks but not more than four, ducks, pheasants, committees, workers parties, partying workers [this year’s gun captains sought out “some quality bar time” last night], holding blinds, rotation is new but has been used in nationals “a long time now,” McCall, live stations, dead stations, galleries, news reporters, port-a-potties, sunshine, and the list goes on. There are tough nationals and not so tough but over all this year’s winner has an accomplishment comparable to those before. Probably even more so than major league sports where the rules change even more than ours.
According to an avid spectator (Lisa Hays, Charlie and Yvonne’s lovely daughter) “about twelve dogs started today with a handle in the first series.” The data base was empty as to handle yesterday but at least one handled there are got back, Nan Roby (66).
“So, tell me first timer what is it like that impresses or surprises you?”
“I am thrilled. Every buddy who runs a dog in a dog trial should try to qualify for one of these. The feeling is just wonderful. This is a marvelous place.”
Victor Garcia (103)
“The organization impresses me. So many people doing so many things and doing them well. It dwarfs a weekend effort.”
Steve Robbin (67)
“You make think I am naïve, but I expected with his quality of dogs to see a lot of real perfect work. That first series proved to be anything but. I guess they are just dogs and can have their days.
Holly Garcia (103 spouse)
“ I suppose I expected it but when I opened the catalogue and saw the titles on the competition it really made an impression. These are good dogs at a time in their lives when they are succeeding.
Larry Morgan (95)
By my crude count 63 FC AFC’s, 20 AFC’s (one with two Canadian titles), 6 FC’s, 5 with N’s (including one 2n and on Canadian n), and 16 untitled dogs.
