Thursday, June 22, 2000 |
Tests 5 & 6
Thursday arrive cooler and wet. The continuation of the fifth was run in the rain for the first few dogs. Later it became mostly cloudy and cool. Chickamauga Choo Choo had recovered nicely overnight and was her old self.
Dogs seemed to fare better than yesterday, perhaps it was the temperature or the moisture that aided them. The fifth finished up about mid-day and callbacks came a bit later. The "Coffin" valley test was prophetic for the 31 lost. Forty five were called back to try the sixth. Those dropped were: 3, 6, 11, 13, 14, 17, 19, 20, 23, 27, 29, 30, 34, 35, 45, 48, 65, 68, 70, 72, 74, 75, 78, 80, 82, 86, 88, 92, 96, 98, and 99. Sadly, Quick and Eba fell victim to the fifth.
It took a bit of time to set up the Sixth series, a land blind crossing the lines to the previous series marks and people took time to discuss recent events.. The Workers party was held last evening on the ranch grounds and featured a humongous buffalo rump roast with all the trimmings. Le Grande owner, Harry Peterson had produced the buffalo meat for the daily burgers and party roast. In the past few days he had also conducted tours of the ranch and his buffalo herd for stake participants. He has a fascinating operation.
Dogs seemed to fare better than yesterday, perhaps it was the temperature or the moisture that aided them. The fifth finished up about mid-day and callbacks came a bit later. The "Coffin" valley test was prophetic for the 31 lost. Forty five were called back to try the sixth. Those dropped were: 3, 6, 11, 13, 14, 17, 19, 20, 23, 27, 29, 30, 34, 35, 45, 48, 65, 68, 70, 72, 74, 75, 78, 80, 82, 86, 88, 92, 96, 98, and 99. Sadly, Quick and Eba fell victim to the fifth.
It took a bit of time to set up the Sixth series, a land blind crossing the lines to the previous series marks and people took time to discuss recent events.. The Workers party was held last evening on the ranch grounds and featured a humongous buffalo rump roast with all the trimmings. Le Grande owner, Harry Peterson had produced the buffalo meat for the daily burgers and party roast. In the past few days he had also conducted tours of the ranch and his buffalo herd for stake participants. He has a fascinating operation.
Test Six - Land Blind With A Cold Honor
By about 2 p.m. the sixth was ready and dog #16 initiated the 4-5 minute test. It was an approx. 400 yard land blind run from the left side of the previous series, across at least 3 mark lines back up to the top ot the valley somewhat in the vicinity of the long retired mark. It also included a "cold" honor where the running dog honored while the previous dog picked up a mark. He would then run the mark, a dead bird thrown by a pair of guns about 75 yards from line toward the line to the blind. (some wondered if this would constitute the land honor).
The blind, a dead pheasant, was placed between two large trees which gave handlers a "goal-Post" landmark. The line ran past a huge spread of goose decoys left standing from the previous series. One dog lined the blind and there were numerous impressive performances. The most difficult part seemed to be the end as dogs were influenced by wind and terrain. Again, the gallery had a good view of the series. Judges had camo holding blinds placed in front of the gallery so no white coats could be seen
Dogs seemed to do quite well on this concept and the test progressed smoothly. There was talk of a water blind to be started today after the land blind concludes, but this was not certain.
The test concluded about 5:30 p.m. and judges decided not to start another today. Only one dog, # 16 was missing when the call backs were posted. Forty-four would challenge the seventh. The next test, possibly a water blind, will begin Friday morning. Caravans will leave from the Wal-Mart parking lot at 6:15 for workers and 6:30 for contestants . Again, test dogs are scheduled for 7:30 - first running dog at 8 a.m.
The blind, a dead pheasant, was placed between two large trees which gave handlers a "goal-Post" landmark. The line ran past a huge spread of goose decoys left standing from the previous series. One dog lined the blind and there were numerous impressive performances. The most difficult part seemed to be the end as dogs were influenced by wind and terrain. Again, the gallery had a good view of the series. Judges had camo holding blinds placed in front of the gallery so no white coats could be seen
Dogs seemed to do quite well on this concept and the test progressed smoothly. There was talk of a water blind to be started today after the land blind concludes, but this was not certain.
The test concluded about 5:30 p.m. and judges decided not to start another today. Only one dog, # 16 was missing when the call backs were posted. Forty-four would challenge the seventh. The next test, possibly a water blind, will begin Friday morning. Caravans will leave from the Wal-Mart parking lot at 6:15 for workers and 6:30 for contestants . Again, test dogs are scheduled for 7:30 - first running dog at 8 a.m.
Announcer Dean Ellis
Judge Suzanne King
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Masochists viewing line
Camouflaged sixth series gallery -No white jackets!
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