Gallery Greetings 2 |
by Ken McCartney, an avid Field Trialer
Day Two A double blind that had all the challenge the handlers needed. Since this test will take all day, and it lacks that something special in terms of whatchability that the double had yesterday, let me digress and address some of the other activity and opportunities at a National Amateur Retriever Trial.
Since 1987, when the NARC first licensed its logo for use on clothing other than hats, the clothing concession has been a real money maker for the club. The popularity of logo'd merchandise keeps growing. Dating and identifying the region make for wonderful souvenirs. This year the program has reached a new level of level of convenience. There were no pretrial sales, so the contestants had first shot at the goodies. This year www.bubbasgear.com is in charge and next week when Hook gets home the whole line will be available on line for easy credit card purchase. There are 5 hats, 1 visor, one ladies' T Shirt, a Polo Shirt, a blanket, and a gear bag. Hook and his wife Robin field trial Labradors. For special requests E-mail [email protected].
One of my favorite's each year is the food concession. This year is no exception--Judy's Cook House, 208 359 908. Judy came over from 38 miles north of Idaho Falls and "is staying in a motel" like many of the rest of us. Her dog just past away and she is looking. She does have horses. Hers is a family business. Her daughter is her main helper and they have kids and grand kids in the service window. The menu is fairly varied and the wait time is serious. Good things take time. Prices are decent for 50 miles from no where and she does not run out during the day.
A new addition this year is Roche Sports represented by Michael Moore who trains Labradors with the clothing company's owner. This company has an extensive clothing line and caters to the owners' dog training friend with a nice color catalogue. I could not resist a reversible handling jacket, white and black with the NARC logo on both sides. Check em out at www.rochespoert.com. The club line with the NARC logo is discounted and will be available for everyone next week. Club and discount for quantity ordering is available. This may be a partnership we have been needing for a long time.
Dick Cook is here again this year. He specializes in fine Miniature Bird Carvings and Gold and Sliver Jewelry. He has done all the upland game birds and water fowl of North American and is working his way through the song birds. Carved pins range from $95 to $165. His gold pins start around $145 and are available in 14 and 18 carrot gold. He accepts Visa & Master Card and can be reached at (804) 758-4920, or catch him at the next National. He trains Labs.
Prairie Peak Metal works spread out umbrella stands, T-men, stack outs and bird drying racks as the sun continued to beat down. You can find fun things for field trialers at www.prairepeakmetalworks.com.
Along with Purina, Eukanuba, and the hostess wagon there were plenty of things to do in the parking lot besides covet the gunners lunch cuisine. Gunners are not so noticeable on a double blind day. They will be our favorites again tomorrow, no doubt.
Trial comments:
Dropping 13 dogs in the first series of a NARC Trial is a bit severe, but the test did the deed. The judges carried several dogs that are "wounded."
The problem with the handling was that it occurred after big hunts-not conducive to probable call backs. We did not see "a quick handle." No one wants to handle on "just a double." Many did, however.
The judges called for birds even if the handler did not, after about five seconds. It worked fairly well and made the day go somewhat more quickly. I heard speculation that the few dogs it bothered enough to miss a bird hunted so long that the actual time savings was minimal. School is out on the quick call. I work so hard on head turning, I am not sure I will train on it.
For three fourths of day one there was only one no bird. The last one fourth had many more. Including the last dog who came right back and got to it a few minutes before 9:00 PM. "The shadows were not to bad and I think she saw the birds pretty well." Steve Kompf (105).
PS. No fair counting off for proof reading error after 12 hours in the field and staying up late to get this on the same day. You really would appreciate Mary Knapp's work product with a 2pm posting from the field if you tried to do this sort of thing one time!!
Since 1987, when the NARC first licensed its logo for use on clothing other than hats, the clothing concession has been a real money maker for the club. The popularity of logo'd merchandise keeps growing. Dating and identifying the region make for wonderful souvenirs. This year the program has reached a new level of level of convenience. There were no pretrial sales, so the contestants had first shot at the goodies. This year www.bubbasgear.com is in charge and next week when Hook gets home the whole line will be available on line for easy credit card purchase. There are 5 hats, 1 visor, one ladies' T Shirt, a Polo Shirt, a blanket, and a gear bag. Hook and his wife Robin field trial Labradors. For special requests E-mail [email protected].
One of my favorite's each year is the food concession. This year is no exception--Judy's Cook House, 208 359 908. Judy came over from 38 miles north of Idaho Falls and "is staying in a motel" like many of the rest of us. Her dog just past away and she is looking. She does have horses. Hers is a family business. Her daughter is her main helper and they have kids and grand kids in the service window. The menu is fairly varied and the wait time is serious. Good things take time. Prices are decent for 50 miles from no where and she does not run out during the day.
A new addition this year is Roche Sports represented by Michael Moore who trains Labradors with the clothing company's owner. This company has an extensive clothing line and caters to the owners' dog training friend with a nice color catalogue. I could not resist a reversible handling jacket, white and black with the NARC logo on both sides. Check em out at www.rochespoert.com. The club line with the NARC logo is discounted and will be available for everyone next week. Club and discount for quantity ordering is available. This may be a partnership we have been needing for a long time.
Dick Cook is here again this year. He specializes in fine Miniature Bird Carvings and Gold and Sliver Jewelry. He has done all the upland game birds and water fowl of North American and is working his way through the song birds. Carved pins range from $95 to $165. His gold pins start around $145 and are available in 14 and 18 carrot gold. He accepts Visa & Master Card and can be reached at (804) 758-4920, or catch him at the next National. He trains Labs.
Prairie Peak Metal works spread out umbrella stands, T-men, stack outs and bird drying racks as the sun continued to beat down. You can find fun things for field trialers at www.prairepeakmetalworks.com.
Along with Purina, Eukanuba, and the hostess wagon there were plenty of things to do in the parking lot besides covet the gunners lunch cuisine. Gunners are not so noticeable on a double blind day. They will be our favorites again tomorrow, no doubt.
Trial comments:
Dropping 13 dogs in the first series of a NARC Trial is a bit severe, but the test did the deed. The judges carried several dogs that are "wounded."
The problem with the handling was that it occurred after big hunts-not conducive to probable call backs. We did not see "a quick handle." No one wants to handle on "just a double." Many did, however.
The judges called for birds even if the handler did not, after about five seconds. It worked fairly well and made the day go somewhat more quickly. I heard speculation that the few dogs it bothered enough to miss a bird hunted so long that the actual time savings was minimal. School is out on the quick call. I work so hard on head turning, I am not sure I will train on it.
For three fourths of day one there was only one no bird. The last one fourth had many more. Including the last dog who came right back and got to it a few minutes before 9:00 PM. "The shadows were not to bad and I think she saw the birds pretty well." Steve Kompf (105).
PS. No fair counting off for proof reading error after 12 hours in the field and staying up late to get this on the same day. You really would appreciate Mary Knapp's work product with a 2pm posting from the field if you tried to do this sort of thing one time!!
