The Winner is. . .

Update Note

I added an update and post national wrap up at the end of this page. Have a look at some important Thanks You’s. Saturday's report also has a sketch of the 10th series included now.

63 AFTCH Oakridge Rtvr Going All The Way QFTR
Owned by Lorraine Hare, handled by Lorne Langevin





Finalists for 2009 Canadian National Retriever Championship

7 Kapriver Emmy Lu-LR-F, owned by Victor Ricci, Handled by Dave Thompson

9 Wynflat’s G.P.S.-LR-F , owned and handled by Lorne Langevin

27 FTCH-AFTCH Baypoint’s Star Of Ladnermarsh-LR-F ,owned by Jerome So, handled by Dan Devos

32 No Strings Attached-LR-M , owned by Carl Clark, handled by Allan Haggerty

43 FTCH-AFTCH Moira River Maddy-LR-F , owned by Greg MacInnis,Handled by Dave Thompson

45 Taylorlab Calumet’s Big Blue-LR-M , owned by Harold & Sharon Gierman, handled by Sharon

57 The Springwaters Rippin To Go-LR-M , owned by Ronald ModestoHandled by Charles Dygos

58 Laird’s Cynful Elegance-LR-F , owned by Christopher & Cynthia Parkinson, handled by Ray Smith

59 Bluenorth’s Under A Lucky Star-LR-F , owned by Ted & Cynthia Gadawski, handled by Ted

63 AFTCH Oakridge Rtvr Going All The Way QFTR-LR-F-owned by Lorraine Hare, handled by Lorne Langevin

64 FTCH-AFC Jaybar’s Click On-LR-M, owned by William & Betty Hoythandled by Charles Dygos

65 Pilkington’s Abby Of Kawartha-LR-F owned by Tony Scheller, handled by Dave Thompson

70 FTCH-AFTCH Bluenorth’s Alces Americana-LR-M, owned by Ed & Sharlene Zeerup, handled by Kevin Cheff



Post National Wrap-up

The morning after the celebration was another beautiful day with heavy fog in the valleys. The headquarters was quiet as I took a reflective early morning walk with my dog. At the entrance, the trademark black Labrador directional sign of the Pine Ridge Club looked the same as it had 10 days earlier. Obe went over to say hello as everybody else packed up to say good-bye.



No National is ever alike and this one had all the characteristic ups and downs, joys and frustrations and finally excitement. The heavy workload and strong contribution by judges, workers, host club and Sponsors seems a necessary toll but perhaps makes it all the more rewarding.

Worker’s Party and Thanks

I didn’t get the opportunity during the National to highlight the Worker’s Party on Thursday night. It was a celebration and thanks of all the effort put in by so many. At the head of the list of Thank You’s was the Major Sponsorship by Purina, Tritronics, Dogs AField and Ducks Unlimited. Jim Green, our Field Trail Chairman reminded everyone that their contribution has become essential to the conduct and quality of Canadian Nationals. He also identified the work of all the volunteers that make such events possible. Many of those I have already identified during the week because of their involvement with mechanics. But it is the behind the scenes folks that go unnoticed all too often. People like Honey Wilson, FT secretary, and Anne Hall, Treasurer and main program/catalog designer.



Anne (L) and Honey (R) always working!

Diane Ling did a lot behind the scenes on the Socials, Judges care and the Banquet and was assisted by many other including Barb Hawley, Grace Burmaster, and Jane Thompson. Jim Ling, NRCC president was also PRRC Financial Chair, working closely with Ann Hall. We had a big and competent set-up crew including Donna LaHaise, John Chevalier, Ann Hall and Anne Steer along with stalwart Albert Coles. Traffic and Parking flowed smoothly all week thanks to Richard Dresser, Bill Cummings and Don Wilson.



Richard Dresser runs the 10th with Test dog "willie" as judges watch!


Equipment folks were everywhere this week pitching in as needed. Trialers like Don Martin, Tony Scheller, Glynn Matthews, Tom Hawley, Ron LaDuke and Gerry Burmaster.



Don Martin in action!

At Gahonk headquarters Dave and Jane Thompson masterminded almost every aspect of this National but notably Social events, Grounds, Silent Auctions, Banquet and Worker’s Party. They made a huge contribution. Jean House was there at Gahonk throughout behind the scenes implementing many details. Dona Martin, was the Official Photographer. Jim Green also thanked Dennis and Fiona for the web reporting and identified the role that Dennis played as NRCC Corporate Sponsor Liaison.



Fiona sketches the 10th

Our Gun Captain did a fantastic job rounding up help from almost everybody that came to the grounds. Some of the volunteers offered their help on multiple occasions. The complete list for the week is huge and includes the following: Peter Martin, Dennis Harwood, Ann Steer, Larry Coe, Medie Robinson, Chris Mason, Glynn Matthews, Ron LeDuke, Bruce Kelly, Jim Green, Shirley Greener, Rich Dresser, Richard Davis, Les Oakes, Pierre Matthieu, Marg Murray, Ray Smith, Katie Dygos, Heather Stewart, Lori Walsh, Jane Thompson, Tony Schiller, Jim Ling, Dennis Voigt, Gerry Burmaster, Lorne Langevin, Chris LaCross, Dana Young, Mike Prechitko, Al Moroz, John Chevalier, Shirley Greener, Paul Lalley, Ted Gadawski, Tim Crone, Pearl McGinn, Randy Seip, Ron LaDuke, Chris LaCross, Don Martin, Kevin Cheff, Lorne Langevin, Allan Haggerty, Colin McNicol, Marty Kress, Jim Blake, Fred Benjaminson, Dennis Voigt, Pierre Mathieu, Marg Murray, Bill Kennedy, Greg McGinnis, Ron Malton, Jim Ling, Tom Hawley, Rob Cumpson, Bill Cumming, John Mairs and Carl Clarke, Ken Crosby, Dennis Harwood, Heather Stewart, Lori Walsh, Don Wilson, Jeff McCann, and Sandi Bond.

At the end of the night, Jim Green was also thanked for over-seeing the entire National-always a challenging and daunting task. I would be remiss if I did not identify that this entire group of volunteers was supported and sponsored by Purina with dog food, bags and various other gifts of appreciation. Again our thanks to Purina reps, Lauralee Camilleri, Les Oakes and Tim Crone.

Outside the Host club, we must never forget the year-round work of the NRCC and the executive. Marg Murray, Secretary Treasurer masterminds all the logistics for both Nationals. Of course our judges at this event, Larry Baker, Dan Yeomans and Wes Place probably had the greatest responsibility of anyone. Our thanks to them.

Finally, I want to again thank Retriever News for bringing this web report to you and a special thanks to Tina Ebner, Managing Editor for her efforts and consultation.

Our congratulations to the winner, Lorraine and Teezer with handler, Lorne. The stars were aligned for you!

Saturday, 19 September - 9th-Land Quad-10th Water Quad

We awoke to another clear day but there was frost on the pumpkins at 32 degrees. We caravanned north a few miles to a large cut hay field valley where the line was high on the east side. Across the big valley was a steep hillside with goldenrod, scattered orange sumach clumps and a few pine trees. The land quad started with a long gun 244 yards on the right throwing a drake to the left into the cover. On the left but long at 340 yards another pair of gunners stood in the far hillside cover and threw a drake right. Then the shorter right hand pair threw a hen duck steep angle back left into cover at 120 yards. Finally on the hill to the left a pair of gunners with a huge throw threw another hen angled down the hill and shot twice. Both the long guns retired. There was a group of Canada Goose decoys left of number 3 guns at 90 yards.The wind was very light from the north on right to left.
The first test dog, Grouse, run at 8:00 am by Tom Hawley did an excellent job. The second test dog, Nick with Marg Murray also did well but had to hunt long and hard in the area of fall of the long bird to scent. Judges scented all the areas and the test was a go at8:40 with dog no. 9 coming to line. Dogs started off doing quite well although there were a few hunts. At one point there was even discussion about whether there were enough hunts or weak birds but then we had some looser hunts on both long retireds. A couple of dogs drove the far hillside and we had a couple of handles, by the first bird change at 11 dogs. After the bird change the wind became more variable, sometimes from the left, sometimes from the right and also there seemed to be an uphill flow on the longest bird. We’ll be done close to noon when it is expected we will move back to headquarters for a water quad. Lately the dogs have been doing well There is lots of speculation about who and how many Finalists.

Click on photo to enlarge





Finished at noon with Callbacks almost 40 minutes later. The test took a bigger toll than most thought and 13 dogs have been called back to the 10th. The Finalists are #’s 7, 9, 27, 32, 43, 45, 57, 58, 59, 63, 64, 65, and 70. We’re moving to a water quad an awaiting set-up at Headquarters at 1:15pm.Tenth Series

It’s taken until 2:00 pm to set up the 10th Water Quad and get everybody gathered. The test was set-up on a hillside over-looking the same set of double ponds where we did the 8th series water blind yesterday. The first test dog was Richard Dresser with Willie. He had 3 good birds but missed the longest retired and eventually had to handle. The second test dog, Briar, run by Marg Murray had hunts on two but smacked the longest bird. The long bird is being changed as I write this so I won’t describe more until it is official.

Revised 10th. The longest bird was moved in across the pond to land. Another test dog, Tiny was run by Dennis Harwood. After he handled, the judges declared a go. No. 1 gunners were across the right hand pond at 145 yards on a clearing in the forest. They retired. No. 2 was across the left hand pond and down the shore at 200 yards. They also retired. No 3 was a big throw to the left on land at 158 yards (retired) and the last bird was in front to the right of the line at 90 yards. It was thrown into open water. After a few dogs we were getting some hunts but the dogs were getting the birds. The test was finished by 6:00 pm approximately. We are awaiting results. Only 1 dog handled and there were considerable good jobs. Quite a few dogs had short hunts on # 3 and quite a few dogs landed on the shore behind # 2. Also dog hunted in the forest opening on #1. Halfway through the test, # 1 and 2 gunners were in deep shadow and then the sun glare on the water became extreme. Consequently several dogs did not see #2. However, as testimony to the dogs, they often did well. At this point the gallery has not singled out a single dog but speculation is mounting. Of course, only the judges have seen ALL of the work.



The 10th Series Water Quad. This is a panorama shot so click on it to enlarge

Friday 18 September 7th Series Water Triple

Under rain threatening skies, the set-up crew was on the scene at 5:50 am. By 6:45 we had a few showers that did not last long as the cloud cover lifted and thinned. The judges had set up a water triple with two retired guns overlooking the same pond where we ran the 4th series water blind. This time we were on the opposite side of the pond but about the same height and 70 yards from the water. The middle gunners were first at 265 yards. Their bird landed in the same spot as the poison bird of the 4th and 5th. They threw a duck to the left so that the line to it angled into a corner of the pond, across an isthmus angled a second pond and then about 80 yards on land. Number two guns were wide to the right and across another pond-a duck thrown left at 155 yards. Both gunners 1 and 2 retired into camouflaged blinds. Finally the third bird was on the left thrown right into the pond with a splash at 110 yards. The first test dog no. 29, Grouse, with Tom Hawley was on the line at 7:40 She had good right and left birds but had to handle on the middle retired. The next test dog was no. 40, Nick with Marg Murray. He got the birds without handling but skirted some water and ran the spit on the middle bird.

Before starting the judges moved the left bird in cloer and called the starting dog, no. 54 to line at 8:16. Unfortunately, they handled on both retireds. The next dog, no.57 also handled showing that the test that looked doable was not a piece of cake. Fortunately the next two dogs did get the birds without handling. Now at 10 am we`ve run 10 dogs with 4 handles, some big hunts and some very good work. The wind has changed from southerly to northerly and we had 10 minutes of rain. Variability in everything is the word today






Noon--we're runningthe 21st dog, no.30. We've had 6 handles usually after a big hunt and also we've had a pick-up. We'll be done mid-afternoon and the crew is preparing a water blind for later today.

It's only 50 % cloud cover now and warming up into the 60's. The wind has settled in to be steady from the NE but it is still not giving the birds away. I'll report back at the end of this series.

I ran last dog no.52 at 3:00 pm.

Callbacks show 25 dogs back. Dogs dropped are 17,22,23,41,46,49,50,54,62,66, and 75.
Dog 64 starts
Gotta run-there setting up water blind right now -it's 3:30

Quick look at 8th water blind-moving quickly with a return route on land. Dogs are doing quite well-at least most of them. Details and description later after I run! Should get done before dark easily but not before some big shadows!





6:05 and the last dog has run-good thing because the sun is getting low and in the big valleys here it gets dark early. I don't think the dogs had any visibility issues despite them being in the sun and the handlers in the shade- acredit to the dogs. Overall work was pretty good but I'm sure the judges with their cumulative scores will be able to do what they need to do.

Many of the dogs got a good IL which was though a small shoreline bush. The next hazard was a log in the water on an angle. This log was hard to climb over at one end so most handlers put their dogs over the shoreline side. Then a point was to be traversed before angling onshore. The first 50 yards along the shore had running water on one side and a small pothole on the left. Dogs tried to grab both. In additon because all of the dogs were brought back on land to speed the test, dragback became noticeable for some dogs. A few handlers had brief panic moments at the end especially if they were speedy or smelled the blind planter trail. The total distance of the blind was 223 yards. We expect callbacks shortly for the 9th!

Callbacks just in-3 dogs dropped, no. 8, 11 and 39. Dog 9 will start a Land Quad!

Thursday 17 September 6th Series Land Quad

Note re Wed. tests- Fiona now has sketch up of Series 4 and 5 at the end of yesterday's report. Go back and have a look.

Early this AM it was clear, cold at 40 degrees and we still had a strong northerly wind. However, by the time the sun was rising it was getting cloudy and the wind had died. But before we tell you about the 6th series, you should know what you missed last night.

Fish Fry

Last night, we had a great fish fry, a Pine Ridge Retriever Club signature tailgate party. The Wall-eye and Rainbow trout were obtained by Jim Green but it was Randy Van Norman and his crew including Wingman Alias Wingding, Peter Thorne that put on the show. They had fries, fish and wings all done to perfection. Folks came back again and again and at the end Randy treated us to strips of goose breast superbly cooked.

Series 6-Land Quad

Upon arrival at the site were greeted with an amazing line set-up. Landowner Jeff McCann had arranged a bank of large square bales behind the judges and in front of the gallery. The Purina tents and line were tucked into an alcove.





Landowner Jeff McCann behind his alcove of hay bales. Jeff and Cathy run a large mixed farm operation specializing in market steers. They also use these steers in Team Penning and Ranch Sorting everyweek and Fiona and I have often enjoyed that with our horses. Kathy used to field trial but now their dogs are cowdogs. I wanted Jeff to run his Heeler, Bull as test dog but he declined! It's landowners like the McCanns that make it possible to conduct Nationals like this on new grounds.A huge thanks from all!

In the large pasture field to the north, 4 gunner stations were placed with 3 of them in an Inline configuration with a 4th to the left. The 3 Inline birds were all thrown to the left and the order was middle, long left, far left and short right go-bird. The two middle gunners retired into well-camouflaged holding blinds. All birds were mallards. The distances 110, 160, 215 and 295 yards (see photo) There was an honour on the left.
The first test dog, Diva, picked up the inline first, from short to long before getting the long stand up last. It was clear that it was easy to drive deep on the middle retired.
The second test dog, Hon:sti, picked up the go-bird and then went long. On being sent for the middle retried, he again went long and was handled. He got the left stand-up last
As we started the cloud cover was 100% and a very light breeze from the NW contrary to the forecast which promised NE swinging to south..
The first dog came to line at 8:15 am. The test soon started to take it’s toll. By the time we had a first gunner change after 13 dogs, we had 4 handles and 1 pick-up. There were also considerable hunts. Most handlers are taking the go-bird and then the middle retired. There is no consistency yet in which of the longer bird is picked up 3rd. By 10 pm we saw signs of the wind shift to the NE and by 10:30 there was an easterly angle to it although it is still variable. An easterly wind could help the dogs going wide and long for the retireds. We’ll report back in a few hours, as indications are the test is going better for the handlers now.

1:00 PM Quick update- We've had 4 more handles bringing the total to 8 plus the pick up. Quite a few good jobs mixed in. The consitins are quite sunny now woth scatered puffy cumulus clouds. It's warmer up to almost 70 degrees and the wind reminas quite light. It is also variable from the NW, N and NE often changig between dogs. If one bird gets wind saved the next doesn't. I'm off to gun the last rotation so I probably won't update until it's over.

The test finished at 3:30 pm. Work continued to be erratic as we has a few more handles, a few over-run and loose backside hunts as well as a break. Stay tuned for Callbacks.

Meanwhile we’d like to thank our volunteer gunners and throwers once again single-handedly rounded up by Jacqui Pepper. Included today were Peter Martin, Dennis Harwood, Ann Steer, Larry Coe, Medie Robinson, , Chris Mason, Glynn Matthews, Ron LeDuke, Bruce Kelly, Jim Green, Shirley Greener, Rich Dresser, Richard Davis, Les Oakes, Pierre Matthieu, Marg Murray Ray Smith, Katie Dygos, Heather Stewart, Lori Walsh, Jane Thompson, Tony Schiller, Jim Ling, Dennis Voigt, Gerry Burmaster, Lorne Langevin, Chris LaCross, Dana Young.

Tonight we are off to the Worker’s Party in town. That’s the deal about Canadian Nationals –it’s either dog work or party time- either way we like to work hard or play hard.

While we wait for Callbacks here's some snapshots.

Under the Tent of the Inner Circle


View from the field back to the line -click to enlarge


The Gallery behind the bale wall- this test was worth watching every dog because of all the variability.

CALLBACKS

We're down to 36 dogs with 14 dropped. They were 13, 26, 28, 29, 31, 35, 36, 37, 38, 40, 53, 56, 72, and 73. Tomorrow is a Water Triple at Headquarters with dog # 54 starting.

Wednesday 16 September-Test 4 and 5

We awoke to the coolest morning yet with a northerly breeze and light cloud cover. By 7:30am, the gallery was gathered on a high hill over-looking a pond and large pasture hills with scattered bushes, trees and lots of little ups and downs. The judges had set up combined Test 3 and 4-water and land blinds with a poison bird. Two gunners were placed at 135 yards in the valley. They threw a poison bird. After the judges gave the handler a number, the Water blind was picked up first and then the Land Blind. The water blind (175 yards) to the left of the gunners was an entry down a hill into a corner of the pond. The line angled across an isthmus and angled back in just past a small point for an angle exit and on shore for about 10 yards to a hen duck. The land blind (305 yards) was to the right of the poison bird, down into the valley and then up the hill. As the dog climbed the hill, trees on each side and various rolls created hazard. It was easy to loose a dog to the right or left of the key-hole. handlers were allowed to move forwards about 35 yards after their dog crested the hill in front. The poison bird was not picked up. The wind was angling in from the NE making it a cross-wind for the water blind and almost at the line for the land blind. It was steady at about 10 mph which made it cool in the shade where the handlers were at the start.

The first test dog, Diva, handled by Gerry Burmaster, had trouble on the water blind, being influenced by the poison bird. Her land blind showed how easily a dog could disappear. The second test dog, Hon:sti, handled by Jim Green had controlled blinds on both land and water but showed that at the end of the land blind, it was easy to get into trouble. There were a few early delays as vehicles got relocated. The first dog, #35 started and showed that the water blind could cause problems. Handlers went to school quickly and didn’t gamble on the land blind. Most dogs needed at least 4-7 whistles on each blind. A few did get in trouble and unfortunately by noon after almost 30 dogs had run, there were two pick-ups, # 51 and # 61. We should be done by late afternoon. I’ll report if the test changes. The wind is picking up a bit now which may cause more problems.

2:00 pm. The test has made a turn for the worse over the last hour or so. We’re at dog # 7 now. # 1 picked up the poison bird and #’s2, 5 and 6 have just picked up. Even before that there were several dogs lost to the left but eventually they got the bird. Some are speculating that the backlit handlers are harder to see with the sun now overhead. But even the water blind is causing trouble. Strong winds now appear to be making the dogs “wilder” and less responsive. The luck of the rotation is always a factor at Nationals on all day tests.

3:00 pm The cloud cover has been gradually buiding all day from the clear skies this am. Now for the first time the shadows are disappearing and the handlers might be more visible. We're at dog 13 and the last several have done quite well.

4:30 pm The wind dropped a bit and the sun is off to the side. Work is generally better although the hazard of dragback in the last 1/3 of the land blind persists.

Dog # 34 was the last dog and came to line at 5:10pm. Unfortunately it was a pick-up.

Today's volunteer gunners and blind planters were Mike Prechitko, Al Moroz, John Chevalier, Ann Steer, Medie Robinson, Chris Mason, Shirley Greener, Gerry Burmaster, Paul Lalley, Ted Gadawski, Tim Crone and Pearl McGinn.

Callbacks soon!

Everything is going very smoothly at this National. Field Trial Chairman Jim Green haas put together an excellent team. It means he can watch over the whole operation, steering the boat and letting others do the rowing. So far no one overboard!

Here's a rare shot, Equipment Chairman, Albert Coles paused long enough to be in focus. Albert is everywhere and totally on top of all the necessary stuff to keep a National moving smoothly. Great Job!

Callbacks Just In! We are down to 50 dogs.

The following dogs were dropped:
1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 14, 21, 24, 34, 51, 60, 61, 68, 69, 74

Tuesday, 15 September

A clear very bright sunny day. We are all on hold at 7:30 am due to a bright light in the east-stay tuned as the water triple marks are delayed.

At 8:00 am the gunners were sent into the field. The test was a water triple set on the double ponds in front of Gahonk Kennels. We’re sitting on a hillside over-looking the valley ponds with standing corn on the far hill side beyond. Far off to the south we can see the islands and bays of Lake Ontario. There is still considerable shadow from the sun as the test remains backlit. The first duck, a drake, is at the end of the pond at 135 yards and thrown to the right. These guns retire. The line to this is mostly land with a swim across a far bay. The second bird is a hen duck in the corner of the far pond and thrown left. The line to this cuts a corner. The last bird, another hen duck at 85 yards is splashed into a back bay to the right, just past an island in the close pond. There was an honour on the left.
Jim Green, ran the first test dog, Hon:sti. He went long when sent for # 2 and crossed the pond to get # 1. Then, went sent for the middle again, he overran, hunted the corn but eventually got the bird. Test dog number 2 run by Gerry Burmaster, was Diva. She also overran the middle bird and got the longest 2nd. Then she hunted backside of the middle before eventually getting it. The judges consulted and changed the test. They took out the middle bird and moved it on land to the left at 50 yards. This was now the number 2 bird and was thrown to the right. The honour was now placed further back and to the left. The 3rd test dog was FTCH AFTCH Pilkington’s Casper of Mt. Granite. Casper did fine on the revised test. The wind has settled in now from the NE making tangle down the pond from left to right. It’s quite cool at 50 degrees with this wind at 15-mph.
Dog # 20 started the 3rd series at 9:10 am. When sent for the short bird, she went deep and eventually hunted back to the long #1 bird before getting the short bird last cleanly. The next two dogs, #21 and # 22 handled on the short left bird. It seems that the dogs want to go long 2nd after the go-bird. The short bird is hip-pocket to the longest and is quite close and exciting. No doubt the handlers will be treating it with considerable respect after the first few dogs.
By 10:00 am we had run 8 dogs. We had several very nice jobs but then another dog # 28 also went a little wide on the short and eventually hunted back to the longest bird across the pond. She did get the short last then.
We've had the first bird change and ready to go at 10:50. The short left bird remains as a concern for most handlers. Here's a photo of the test.




The test has been moving along well with another 30 dogs in the clubhouse. They are all doing quite well now. However, we did just have our first handle as a dog overran the short bird two times. It seems that the scent has built up well enough on the short left bird for most to dig it out. The long bird has certainly had some hunts but mostly all in the area of fall. A few dogs have gone to the gunner’s feet on the go-bird but nobody has had any real problems. The wind is pretty consistent in direction but does vary a bit in speed. We’ve had quite a few no-birds. My dog # 52 somehow survived 2 no-birds in a row. With the mandatory go-back 3 dogs each time, some would save I got my money’s worth. I’ll be reporting back when it’s finished around 5:00 pm or so.

5:00 pm and we're done for the day. Work remained similar although some of the hunts on the long retired were a little sloppier.

Here's diagram of the test.

Thanks again to our Volunteer Gunners, Throwers and Blind Planters who were rounded up by our Gun Captain, Jacquie Pepper, shown to the left running last bye dog with Holly. Today we had Medie Robinson, Randy Seip, John Chevalier, Ann Steer, Tony Schiller, Shirley Greener, Glynn Matthews, Ron LaDuke, Chris LaCros, Don Martin, Richard Dresser, Kevin Cheff, Lorne Langevin, Allan Haggerty, Colin McNicol, Marty Kress, Jim Blake, Fred Benjaminson and Dennis Voigt

We'd also like to thank Dogs Afield again for supplying their great poppers-they've been flawless.

The judges are working on their Callbacks. I'll let you know as soon as I get them.

5:45pm- The judges have dropped 4 dogs. They are Dog #’s 15, 20, 25 and 67. We’re down to 65 dogs. Starting dog tomorrow is #35 and we caravan at 6:45 reportedly to land marks. See you in the morning!

Change of Plans 8 pm

Just in--the weather forecast is unsuitable for the original plans for tommorrow. Now the expected test tomorrow will be near Gahonk kennels at Plumpton Farms. We expect a combined 4th and 5th Series comprising a water blind, a land blind and a mark.

Monday September 14 -Test 1 and 2

There will be several add-ins throughout the day so don't forget to refresh your browser. Also, click on the photos to enlarge them


The earliest disturbance at Headquarters was 5 am as Game Stewards, Tom Hawley and Ron LaDuke began to load up the birds. As the Campground awoke in the darkness, the constellation of Orion, the Hunter was prominent in the south. Nearby was the quarter moon and Venus, the morning star. For only one dog would the stars and moon be lined up correctly all week as we started day one. The caravan was ready to leave at 6:45am. It took a scenic back route for 30 minutes, passing by a flock of field-feeding Canada Geese a grazing white-tailed deer and a couple of dozen Turkeys. A sunny morning with a few scattered high cirrus clouds and temperature around 50 promised a good start.
Upon arrival at the first site, on the McCann family farm, everything was set up ready to go. The Honorary test dog was NFTCH NAFTCH FC AFC Prairiemarsh Madness (Tule) owned by Fiona and me shown after his retrieve with me to the left. Soon after, Jim Green ran the male test dog, FTCH AFTCH She:kon Kawera Hon:sti and Gerry Burmaster ran the female test dog, Graces Divine Detiny. Both "Hon:sti" and "Diva" did fine and the judges declared a go!
The test was a combined 1st and 2nd Series in a cut wheat field with stubble about 6-8" high. Triple land marks were run first followed by a Land Blind. The first bird, a drake duck was thrown to the left at 196 yards from the left pair of gunner. The middle bird at 175 yards was next, a hen duck also thrown left between two round hay bales.. The 3rd bird, a hen duck, at 90 yards was on the left. Between the two left stations but considerably deeper the judges had placed a couple dozen “bigfoot” goose decoys. After running the marks, the land blind was on the right at 215 yards and was a hen pheasant. Dog number 4, Miss T, run by Pete Plourde started at 8:12. The test is taking about 6+ minutes per dog which should get us finished shortly after 6pm. We’re having bird changes after every 15 dogs. Dogs are doing quite well on the marks although some hunt both sides and a few have started their hunts on the backside. The wind is a light cross-wind and pushing the dogs a bit but they soon smell the birds. The blind is being done by a lot of dogs in 3-5 whistles. I saw one line it so far but also several that had multiple whistles and struggled enroute. If the wind or lighting changes, the test could change and I’ll give you an update. Stay tuned, we’re off and running.

The Triple Land Marks



The Land Blind to the right of marks at station 1 and 2

2:00 pm and things are moving along quickly. There have been 3 bird changes already and it is now expected we will get done well before 5:00pm. The test has remained quite similar although the wind has picked up a bit to perhaps 15mph. We’ve had some very good work on the marks but it’s still easy to get backside of one. There has been only 1 handle on the marks so far. The blind is causing more problems for some dogs. Many start off to the right and then have dig back casts with the wind when handled. Others are flaring left, tighter to the guns and these require an early whistle. Overall, I think most people are just satisfied to get the first day under their belt. I expect my next report won’t be until we get Callbacks which should be early this evening.



Diagram by Fiona of the 1st and 2nd Series



The front row of the Gallery
Starting to get quite hot now- over 80 degrees-wishing they had put up the tents!


Update on test finale. Right near the end we had 2 no-birds with Dog’s 74 and 1. However, we were still finished by 4:20pm. Unfortunately one of the last dogs, No. 3 picked up on the Land Blind.

Thanks to our Volunteer Gunners, Throwers and Blind Planters gently coerced into duty today by our Gun Captain, Jacquie Pepper. Today we had Al Moroz, Medie Robinson, Randy Seip, Pierre Mathieu, John Chevalier, Marg Murray, Ann Steer, Tony Schiller, Shirley Greener, Jane Thompson, Bill Kennedy, Gerry Burmaster, Greg McGinnis, Ron Malton, Glynn Matthews, Ron LaDuke, Jim Ling, Tom Hawley, Bill Cumming, Chris LaCros, Peter Martin, John Mairs and Carl Clarke.



Also today our thanks to the very experienced team of Orley Hamilton and Ron Craig, our Assistant Marshalls.

CALLBACKS just in! All dogs that picked up the birds are back! Unfortunately No. 3 lost.