Sunday, November 9, 2003 |
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Tests 1 and 2 - Land double, retired gun and blind
Sunday morning participants awoke to a steady rain. It was in the low fifties and the weather channel forecast rain for the entire day. However once at the site, it began to clear and the day became partly sunny and warm. Wind was variable and non existent at times.
The first and second series was a land double with a retired gun and a blind deep to the left of the flyer gun. The line was located on top the land side of a dike. Nearly straight out form it, a set of guns stood on the dame side of the dike road. They threw a dead hen pheasant a bit back to the right. It landed on the bottom of the fairly steep dike side, in hay stubble about 171 yards from line. Deeper to their left a set of live guns shot a flying hen pheasant well ridden out to the right. It also fell in the hay stubble about 320 yards out. To the left of the flyer guns a blind was placed at the base of a hay bale nearly 400 yards from line. After the last mark was recovered, handlers received the dog on a mat to the left of the line. The blind was run from there.
Test dogs were called to the line about 7 a.m. The first was AFC Fire N Ice's Whistlin Dixie LF Owned and handled by Mike Palazzolo. His work was quite nice. After, Judges decided to wait to run the second because the rising sun behind the line obscured the handler.
The second dog AFC Suncrest Rock N Roll, LM hunted the flyer but also completed well. It took about 10 + per dog.
At 7:38 the first running dog, #45 appeared on line. As each team approached the line, announcer Dean Ellis called the owner and handlers names along with the dog's titles.
The flyer falls were varied and most well ridden out. The color of the hens closely matched that of the high hills behind the marks. Lighter pheasant scent also made location a bit difficult and most dogs shopped for the bird. The right, retired mark was quite "meaty." To recover the bird, dogs had to start down the dike, then drop off to the field below. Behind the mark was an elevated ridge with a few pine trees. In some cases, depending on the switching wind, it could make scenting difficult. It was a well placed mark and no matter what the wind, or no wind - it was difficult to find. A number of long, loose hunts and handles occurred (Of the first 28 dogs run by shortly before noon - 8 had handled.) It did not appear that the test could finish on Sunday. (Of the first 8 dogs run, 4 were National Field Champions).
About 1 p.m there was a brief shower but after, the day remained sunny and warm with switching winds. The test remained challenging throughout with some spates of handles intermixed with good jobs. The light waned as dusk approached and the tests were suspended about 5:05 p.m. after dog 23 ran. There would be a test dog (1) at 6:45 Monday. There were 21 dogs to run and would commence with dog 24. No partial call backs would be given. Through dog 23 there were 15 handles and one pick up plus numerous wide, loose hunts.
The Rex Carr Memorial Supper hosted by Nestle Purina Pet Care was on deck for 7p.m just a block from HQ. Most planned to attend the event.
The first and second series was a land double with a retired gun and a blind deep to the left of the flyer gun. The line was located on top the land side of a dike. Nearly straight out form it, a set of guns stood on the dame side of the dike road. They threw a dead hen pheasant a bit back to the right. It landed on the bottom of the fairly steep dike side, in hay stubble about 171 yards from line. Deeper to their left a set of live guns shot a flying hen pheasant well ridden out to the right. It also fell in the hay stubble about 320 yards out. To the left of the flyer guns a blind was placed at the base of a hay bale nearly 400 yards from line. After the last mark was recovered, handlers received the dog on a mat to the left of the line. The blind was run from there.
Test dogs were called to the line about 7 a.m. The first was AFC Fire N Ice's Whistlin Dixie LF Owned and handled by Mike Palazzolo. His work was quite nice. After, Judges decided to wait to run the second because the rising sun behind the line obscured the handler.
The second dog AFC Suncrest Rock N Roll, LM hunted the flyer but also completed well. It took about 10 + per dog.
At 7:38 the first running dog, #45 appeared on line. As each team approached the line, announcer Dean Ellis called the owner and handlers names along with the dog's titles.
The flyer falls were varied and most well ridden out. The color of the hens closely matched that of the high hills behind the marks. Lighter pheasant scent also made location a bit difficult and most dogs shopped for the bird. The right, retired mark was quite "meaty." To recover the bird, dogs had to start down the dike, then drop off to the field below. Behind the mark was an elevated ridge with a few pine trees. In some cases, depending on the switching wind, it could make scenting difficult. It was a well placed mark and no matter what the wind, or no wind - it was difficult to find. A number of long, loose hunts and handles occurred (Of the first 28 dogs run by shortly before noon - 8 had handled.) It did not appear that the test could finish on Sunday. (Of the first 8 dogs run, 4 were National Field Champions).
About 1 p.m there was a brief shower but after, the day remained sunny and warm with switching winds. The test remained challenging throughout with some spates of handles intermixed with good jobs. The light waned as dusk approached and the tests were suspended about 5:05 p.m. after dog 23 ran. There would be a test dog (1) at 6:45 Monday. There were 21 dogs to run and would commence with dog 24. No partial call backs would be given. Through dog 23 there were 15 handles and one pick up plus numerous wide, loose hunts.
The Rex Carr Memorial Supper hosted by Nestle Purina Pet Care was on deck for 7p.m just a block from HQ. Most planned to attend the event.
Pat Lamantia
(Purina, surrounded by AKC contingent and others) 
Merchandise /Hostess wagon with Gunners waiting
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Gallery - Tests one and two
Roy Pelton (Eukanuba) with a full load of wares
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