Thursday, June 19, 2008 |
9:30 am
6th Series - Water Blind
The lucky 50 handlers that made the cut for the 6th series, arrived in the early dawn at the stick pond located in another field at the Simonds' property.
The setting is stunning. Framed by tall stands of pines, the meadow surrounds a large pond with dead trees of varying heights through out, especially in the foreground.
The line is set back against the treeline with the trees continuing to the handlers left. A narrow channel of water is immediately in front of this wooded corner and must be taken at an angle.
6th Series - Water Blind
The lucky 50 handlers that made the cut for the 6th series, arrived in the early dawn at the stick pond located in another field at the Simonds' property.
The setting is stunning. Framed by tall stands of pines, the meadow surrounds a large pond with dead trees of varying heights through out, especially in the foreground.
The line is set back against the treeline with the trees continuing to the handlers left. A narrow channel of water is immediately in front of this wooded corner and must be taken at an angle.
6th Series - long view
Dogs must angle across the channel, cross a broad shoulder and reenter
into the main stick pond, bisect the long scented point which extends
from left to right, reenter the bay and swim to the duck, planted at the
waters edge, 10 inches (!!) to the left of an orange tape wrapped
short log, 299 yards distant.
6th Series - Close up of blind
Just to keep things a bit interesting, once the dog is on the shoulder after the first water, a gunner can be seen seated (no dry pop or throw) to the left on the hillside before the point.
The first test dog team of Margo and Ammo came to the line at 7:42 am. Ammo carried a nearly perfect initial line to the scented point. With 2 casts of the point to get back on line, the duck was in hand in less than 4 minutes!! With the swim back, this team took 7 minutes to complete.
The second test dog team of David and Talla, took the mat at 7:50 am. Talla's initial line was more to the left, requiring several casts to the right to get back online before the point. Talla also approved of the judges scenting of the point, and required a few casts to get off and swim to the blind.
Handlers were allowed to view the line, and then the first running dog for the 6th series, # 70 Joan Fine and Ruffie, took the mat to officially start the 6th at 8:04 am. This team had a nice smooth blind.
Some of the dogs have been affected by the gunner on the left, or the 'thicket' of sticks in the water straight ahead, requiring many casts to the right. The seemingly benign stand of pines just off the point with the duck, has caused problems for some handlers already.
Judges announced they will rescent the point every 10 dogs.....and that this will be the only series we do today (we'll see!)
The first test dog team of Margo and Ammo came to the line at 7:42 am. Ammo carried a nearly perfect initial line to the scented point. With 2 casts of the point to get back on line, the duck was in hand in less than 4 minutes!! With the swim back, this team took 7 minutes to complete.
The second test dog team of David and Talla, took the mat at 7:50 am. Talla's initial line was more to the left, requiring several casts to the right to get back online before the point. Talla also approved of the judges scenting of the point, and required a few casts to get off and swim to the blind.
Handlers were allowed to view the line, and then the first running dog for the 6th series, # 70 Joan Fine and Ruffie, took the mat to officially start the 6th at 8:04 am. This team had a nice smooth blind.
Some of the dogs have been affected by the gunner on the left, or the 'thicket' of sticks in the water straight ahead, requiring many casts to the right. The seemingly benign stand of pines just off the point with the duck, has caused problems for some handlers already.
Judges announced they will rescent the point every 10 dogs.....and that this will be the only series we do today (we'll see!)
The crowd gathers in the gallery to watch the 6th Series
ok, we are on dog 87. #86, FC-AFC Wood River's Franchise and Bill Fruehling, just ran and had a very tough time of it....updates later!
11:00 am Update
We are moving along pretty smoothly, and the judges are thinking that they may be able to move on to the 7th series today. Rumors indicate that the 7th may possibly be a land blind held on the gorgeous property owned by John and Martha Russell.
Dog number 10, Bayou Teche Miah and Stephen Ritter, is working as we speak, and there is just one more line viewing for the handlers, then just the running dogs. There have been some really nice work accomplished here, and also some that was not so pretty. We'll see how the judges move forward.
11:00 am Update
We are moving along pretty smoothly, and the judges are thinking that they may be able to move on to the 7th series today. Rumors indicate that the 7th may possibly be a land blind held on the gorgeous property owned by John and Martha Russell.
Dog number 10, Bayou Teche Miah and Stephen Ritter, is working as we speak, and there is just one more line viewing for the handlers, then just the running dogs. There have been some really nice work accomplished here, and also some that was not so pretty. We'll see how the judges move forward.
Mac DuBose studys the 6th series water blind
The temps are cooling off, and there is absolutely no wind. Surprise, surprise - there are some very ominous looking clouds hanging over head, and it is now starting to sprinkle.
1:00 pm Update
The weather continues to be bleak, as dog # 46, T-Street Tess and John Skibber, goes to line to run the 6th series of the NARC. There have been some really good jobs, but unfortunately, dog number 32, AFC Candlewood Justin Xinga and Judy Pond, had to pick-up.
The wind is starting to pick-up, and this seems to be affecting some dogs on the scented point.
There are only 9 dogs left to run, so it looks pretty likely that we will get done in a couple hours. If this holds true, the committees will be on the hustle to get everything ready for the 7th series.
1:00 pm Update
The weather continues to be bleak, as dog # 46, T-Street Tess and John Skibber, goes to line to run the 6th series of the NARC. There have been some really good jobs, but unfortunately, dog number 32, AFC Candlewood Justin Xinga and Judy Pond, had to pick-up.
The wind is starting to pick-up, and this seems to be affecting some dogs on the scented point.
There are only 9 dogs left to run, so it looks pretty likely that we will get done in a couple hours. If this holds true, the committees will be on the hustle to get everything ready for the 7th series.
Judges tent at the 6th series
2:15 pm Update
We have just finished the 6th series water blind, but we're not out of the water yet, as it is now starting to rain.
Dog number 66, '07 NFC-AFC Candlewoods Something Royal was the final dog. The judges are now deliberating callbacks and they will be announced at this same site. Once these are given, it'll be time to pack up the gear and move on to the next location, which is still yet to be given.
We have just finished the 6th series water blind, but we're not out of the water yet, as it is now starting to rain.
Dog number 66, '07 NFC-AFC Candlewoods Something Royal was the final dog. The judges are now deliberating callbacks and they will be announced at this same site. Once these are given, it'll be time to pack up the gear and move on to the next location, which is still yet to be given.
NARC Secretary Fred Kampo (L) & Retriever News President Mark Rosenblum (R)
We will post callbacks as soon as they are released.
Awaiting the callbacks...
3:00 pm Update
The callbacks are in and 10 dogs have been dropped after the 6th series. These dogs are #s 32, 37, 46, 52, 53, 78, 85, 86, 101, and 121. This leaves 40 dogs have been asked to come back for the 7th series.
The 7th is a Land Blind, and is in fact going to be held on the property of John and Martha Russell. The first dog to run will be # 112, AFC Hawkeye's Coast Guard and Jeff Talley. The caravan is headed over as we speak.
4:50 pm Update
7th Series - Double Land Blind with a Poison Bird
The 7th series is underway on some beautiful rolling terrain. The test is a double land blind with a poison bird. All birds in use are hen pheasants.
The callbacks are in and 10 dogs have been dropped after the 6th series. These dogs are #s 32, 37, 46, 52, 53, 78, 85, 86, 101, and 121. This leaves 40 dogs have been asked to come back for the 7th series.
The 7th is a Land Blind, and is in fact going to be held on the property of John and Martha Russell. The first dog to run will be # 112, AFC Hawkeye's Coast Guard and Jeff Talley. The caravan is headed over as we speak.
4:50 pm Update
7th Series - Double Land Blind with a Poison Bird
The 7th series is underway on some beautiful rolling terrain. The test is a double land blind with a poison bird. All birds in use are hen pheasants.
7th Series
When standing on the mat, the long blind is directly in front of you at
200 yards. Then, about 30˚ to the left is the short blind at 45 yards.
The poison bird is to the right of the long blind at 155 yards. The 2
poison bird throwers are not retired, but are standing in waist high
cover. Handlers are being asked to retrieve the short blind first, and
then the long blind.
7th Series - Long view
Though #53 was originally recorded as a drop, Judy and Kicker have been reinstated and will be back to run the 7th. This means that there will be 41 dogs running, not 40.
The first test dog team of Dave and Talla came on line at 4:30 pm, and shortly thereafter, Margo and Ammo cam on line. Margo was asked to send Ammo close to the nearby treeline so that the handlers could see the dangers when the dog disappeared out of sight.
6:00 pm Update
There is a re-bird taking place right now, so it is an ideal time for an update.
The weather has finally cleared and there are only about 12 dogs left to run. It is taking approximately 5 minutes per dog to run the 7th series, so it is expected that the test should be done by 7:00 pm.
6:55 pm Update
7 down, 3 to go!
The 7th series of the 2008 National Amateur Retriever Championship came to a close at 6:50 pm. The sun decided to make an appearance for the last 2 dogs.
There were no pick-ups during this test, and no one stood out as being much worse or much better than the other. The judges will work on their callbacks and hash out who deserves to move on to the next step towards that coveted NAFC title.
Callbacks will be given later tonight, as will the location and starting times for the 8th series. We promise to give more details and post some pictures later tonight. Please forgive us, for it has been a hectic day, filled with lots of action, bad weather, and quick moves.
9:50 pm Update
When the callbacks were posted tonight, it was revealed that dogs 88 and 111 have been dropped from the competition. This brings us down from 41 dogs to just 39 left to move on to the 8th series. Those called back are #s 10, 11, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21, 25, 26, 27, 36, 38, 41, 43, 45, 48, 50, 51, 53, 55, 56, 58, 66, 70, 73, 76, 82, 83, 84, 87, 89, 91, 100, 102, 103, 108, 112, 114, and 126.
The 8th will be held on the Sweezey property in Morrisville, with the test dog starting at 7:30 am and the first running dog at 8:00 am. It will be a water triple. Let's cross our fingers that the weather will be good and the rain won't strike again!
The first test dog team of Dave and Talla came on line at 4:30 pm, and shortly thereafter, Margo and Ammo cam on line. Margo was asked to send Ammo close to the nearby treeline so that the handlers could see the dangers when the dog disappeared out of sight.
6:00 pm Update
There is a re-bird taking place right now, so it is an ideal time for an update.
The weather has finally cleared and there are only about 12 dogs left to run. It is taking approximately 5 minutes per dog to run the 7th series, so it is expected that the test should be done by 7:00 pm.
6:55 pm Update
7 down, 3 to go!
The 7th series of the 2008 National Amateur Retriever Championship came to a close at 6:50 pm. The sun decided to make an appearance for the last 2 dogs.
There were no pick-ups during this test, and no one stood out as being much worse or much better than the other. The judges will work on their callbacks and hash out who deserves to move on to the next step towards that coveted NAFC title.
Callbacks will be given later tonight, as will the location and starting times for the 8th series. We promise to give more details and post some pictures later tonight. Please forgive us, for it has been a hectic day, filled with lots of action, bad weather, and quick moves.
9:50 pm Update
When the callbacks were posted tonight, it was revealed that dogs 88 and 111 have been dropped from the competition. This brings us down from 41 dogs to just 39 left to move on to the 8th series. Those called back are #s 10, 11, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21, 25, 26, 27, 36, 38, 41, 43, 45, 48, 50, 51, 53, 55, 56, 58, 66, 70, 73, 76, 82, 83, 84, 87, 89, 91, 100, 102, 103, 108, 112, 114, and 126.
The 8th will be held on the Sweezey property in Morrisville, with the test dog starting at 7:30 am and the first running dog at 8:00 am. It will be a water triple. Let's cross our fingers that the weather will be good and the rain won't strike again!
