2008 National Amateur Retriever Championship

Comments from the judges...

2008-06-21T21:27:00.010-04:00

...........................Photo from left to right, Bruce Ahlers, DVM, Roger Fangsrud and Steve Kompf.

I was fortunate to visit with the judges and will pass along some of their thoughts regarding this National.

From Steve Kompf: "We've had such a great group to work with and all of the committees have worked hard to provide good mechanics. Look, we've not really had any late nights out here and that's saying something for this number of dogs. And regarding the dogs entered, overall as a group they are very nice dogs and watery dogs. It's good to see.

"We hope we've put marks out there and not just birds placed where you have to run forever to get to them. Each of us has had input for bird placement...we all have strong personalities but we've shown we can sit back and listen, too. Any time we've had differences we've been able to move on from them.

"The toughest thing is to get numbers down. It must be done. And we've found out it's very difficult to evaluate the work as a whole to do that."

Roger Fangsrud shared: "I can't say enough about the mechanics of this field trial. They've kept the timing right on and it's been impressive.

"And the throwers are the best I've ever worked with...they volunteer with enthusiasm and they can sure throw!" [Kudos to Co-Chairs of the Bird Throwers, Alan Pleasant and Hugh Arthur, and their committee.]

"My feeling on the type of dog we're looking for is one where marking is the most important quality of all. We may be looking at the blinds a little less but of course they still count. We want to see natural marking and how it overpowers training.

"And I just love the area and the people here.

"As far as my co-judges go, well, we are partners in crime, and we lucked out as a group...we really get along."

And Bruce Ahlers, DVM, contributed the following: "This has been just beautiful countryside for a National. We've wanted to have tests to bring out the flavor of the area and the characteristics specific to this area. That's why we've used these beautiful stick ponds and the things you've seen.

"I'm really pleased with my two co-judges, we've gotten along great and we've fed off each other to put up tests that we feel are quite challenging.

"Bird placement is key to bringing out the best marking ability in these dogs, and to showcase those with great style and desire. That's what we're looking for. We don't want to just keep eliminating dogs until there's one left that hasn't handled. We want a National Champion that is a stylish and wonderful marker that is a pleasure to watch."

Cutter is enjoying the attention...

2008-06-21T19:13:00.004-04:00

...and is hamming it up in the Town & Country Pub at his party!

Congratulations to 2008 NAFC Cutter!

2008-06-21T18:39:00.006-04:00

.................................................................................................................................................Left to right, Steve Kompf, judge; Bruce Ahlers, DVM, judge; owner/handler Jeff Talley; Cutter; and Roger Fangsrud, judge--CONGRATULATIONS!!!

The second photo includes Jeff's wife, Cindee, and daughter Jordan.

Update on internet connection...

2008-06-21T18:37:00.004-04:00

...Hello, big congratulations to 2008 National Amateur Retriever Championship Winner, CUTTER, (AFC Hawkeye's Coast Guard) and JEFF TALLEY, as you surely already know...we've not had any internet signal whatsoever during the two tests today and now I will try to catch you up while at Talley's winner's party...

All the finalists...

2008-06-21T18:36:00.013-04:00

..........................................................gather by the waiting winner's table...waiting with suspense to learn who the new National Amateur Champion will be....

Oh, what a feeling!

2008-06-21T18:36:00.008-04:00

....Jeff Talley has finished with both of his dogs, which is a tremendous accomplishment in and of itself, and at the very moment this photo is taken he has learned the big news---Cutter is 2008 National Amateur Field Champion...Jeff said a few minutes later: "It's a dream! It's all about the dogs, but to do something like this--you work hard, but you don't think it will ever happen to you--This is just a dream..."

Dreams can come true!!!

Judy Pond

2008-06-21T18:35:00.004-04:00

...This is Judy's first National Amateur after quite a tenure in the sport. Big Congrats!

Dick Fenner of Official Guns

2008-06-21T18:34:00.025-04:00

.....................................................................Dick Fenner is more or less an institution as far as Official Guns at Nationals go. After all, he's shot at 53 of them. Wow! But, this year, by the looks of things, you'd think: "He can't shoot anymore."

Wrong. Well, I remember hearing some story about how he recently went to Argentina and had a blazing time down there.

But, did you know that Fenner has never missed a bird in his entire National shooting career? And now, while shooting with one arm, he maintains that streak. The only concession is that he must shoot at non-retired stations as it's difficult to move his wheelchair quickly; it's no problem to accommodate this situation.

What happened to Dick Fenner? A freak accident, the kind none of us expect, hit him, literally, soon after last year's Utah-based National Amateur. He fell off a ladder and struck his head. But, he insisted he was fine and it was that evening before his wife was able to drag him, under protest, to the hospital. It was a few weeks before he was diagnosed as having had a stroke; whether or not the fall attributed to that is unknown.

Scheduled to be Captain of the Guns for Morgan Hill in California that November, he was heavily involved in rehab so able Ron Foley took over.

But, here he is again, ready, willing and able!

(Richard Smith, Eastern time zone's Co-Captain of the Guns, explained some things about the Official Guns for me to share with you. The Guns have a Captain and Co-Captain for each time zone, and they are self-inclusive, responsible for every detail to facilitate smooth running of the Official Guns and smooth shooting rotations at Nationals.
With an admirable working system in place, the Guns rotate duties and keep tallies on every member so that the shooting of flyers and popping at dead bird stations becomes evenly distributed for all. And, when any Gun is running a dog in a National, he doesn't shoot until such time as his dog goes out, if and when that occurs.
Also, each time a Captain of any time zone retires, the current Co-Captain moves up in rank and then picks his own Co-Captain. For example, Richard's father passed position of Captain to Dan Kingston [edit--prayers for Dan Kingston's family and Godspeed to Dan, who passed away June 23...he will be missed], who in turn passed it to Bruce Doing and Richard is current Co-Captain and will move up, as did his father, when Bruce retires. )

The Heart of Pogo

2008-06-21T18:34:00.016-04:00

...I wanted the story of Pogo. So, all week I pestered her co-owner until we finally pegged some time to fill in the blanks around that which I already knew about this neat little dog.

Here goes: Veteran field trialer Martha Russell has raised a number of puppies for Judy Aycock. So, it was nothing unusual for her to step in and offer to raise another for her, this one out of "Ford" (FC-AFC Fordland's Bored Out Ford) and "L'il Ms" (L'il Ms Hot Pursuit).

When down in Texas for a nephew's wedding, Martha met with Judy and played with the puppies in that litter.

"Which one?" she asked.

"Which one do you want?" Judy returned.

Since Martha was taking the puppy in the plane's cabin with her, she elected to choose the small female; Pogo was eight weeks old.

She kept her for about six months, and by that time, Trumarc's L'il Ms Pogo was blossoming into a special little dog that could not only mark but run hard while doing it...and was unusually strong in the water as well.

Judy ran her in a few Derbies. However, when Pogo was between one and two years she came down with a mysterious illness. No diagnosis could be made, but she became deathly ill and almost died. While fighting to live, she spent much time in Judy and Ed's home being nursed back to health. With a pitiful appetite, she'd barely nibble at little cans of Mighty Dog. Then, just as mysteriously, she rallied and began to gain weight and improved in general. Soon, she was back at field trialing--she still wanted to play the game--as she placed fourth with Judy in an Amateur when she was just two.

Due to personal reasons, Judy decided to sell Pogo. Danny Farmer looked at her for a client who decided she was too much dog, and then Martha approached John about buying the plucky female. John consented and the Russells left Pogo with Danny for several months.

"Maybe as long as a year," Martha stated. "But we originally bought her for John to run, because I was running Pow at the time. So we took over. John had great success in running her, but never felt comfortable with training her."

(A note from me: Indeed, he did, as I enjoyed watching him with her several times, most notably in Klamath Falls, Oregon a few years back at the National there when she finished as a strong contender for the title.)

And how did Martha end up running her?

"I did all her training, and John suggested I start running her, too. She's a neat little dog...special, like she was as a puppy."

And she's special indeed. She decided to go on living, and she's finished a National with John and now one with Martha.

And that's the story of Pogo. For now.

Tenth series

2008-06-21T18:34:00.008-04:00

.................................................................................Pam's drawing, and more to come...

First Time and Nine Series for Jeff Telander

2008-06-21T18:33:00.022-04:00

.......................................He qualified...but didn't plan to come. After all, it would essentially take up two weeks of his life, or more.

"I debated on whether I wanted to do this--come to the National--it seemed like such a huge time commitment. But then I also thought this might be my only opportunity to get here, and I felt I owed it to her..."

Now, you may jump to the conclusion that he means "Sinner" when he refers to "her" but he just might be referring to previous co-owner, Martha Voshell, (now deceased) who was responsible for Jeff's involvement with his beloved dog.

Telander had been in the competitive obedience arena six years ago and had earned OTCH... He went to Connie Cleveland for higher learning toward field and hunt tests, and -- presto -- he got hooked on field training...and never looked back.

Five years old when he picked up his first bird, Jeff's dog, Broad Reach Diesel, finished to QAA a year and a half later. Diesel may have continued on from there but due to an injury was retired.

Now, enter Martha and Buddy Voshell, friends who operated a triple-purpose Labrador kennel for bench, obedience and field performance. Martha had been diagnosed with metastastic cancer when she informed Jeff she'd bought a dog for him. It happened to be from a cross done by Milly Welsh and Charles Hayden.

People often asked Martha why she got a field puppy at this stage of her life--with such enormous complications to face--and she'd say, "The devil made me do it." That, coupled with the fact that this puppy's sire was FC Runnin with the Devil set the puppy's name in stone. Broad Reach Devil Made Me Do It, or "Sinner" hurtled into the field trial world. That was Fall of 2002.

Jeff did the basics and then sent Sinner to Jamie Balesdent for a winter. Alan Pleasant also had her for a year. Then, Jeff brought her home and resumed her training until he bcame faced with a heavy job workload; he now places her with Dave Smith in the summer and winter while he keeps her fall and spring.

Since last fall he's picked up an Amateur win at the Down East trial and also won Blue Ridge's Open this spring. With a second in the Open for Dave Smith at Snowbird, Sinner is also qualified for this year's National Open.

Who did Jeff join for pre-National training? Well, none other than the Lardy group, which consisted of Mike, Mac and Lynne DuBose, Judy Powers, Chad Baker, Charlie Hines, Judy Rasmusson, Karl Gunzer, Charles Tyson and Joan Fine.

"Everyone was helpful. And I want to thank Allen Voshell for his support and his interest in Sinner."

His thoughts on this National?

"I've had a really good time, but it's all much more grueling than I anticipated. Up late, back up early...it's not a restful experience! I wasn't prepared for how demanding this really is.

"But now that I've done it one time, I want to do it again--I want to qualify and come back and see what we can do!"

Test nine

2008-06-21T18:33:00.010-04:00

..........................Pam's drawing shows the test. The long bird on the right is thrown left at 320 yardsand the guns/thrower retire into the treeline. On the right, shot and thrown second at 190 yards is a hen pheasant thrown flat to the right and into the hip pocket of the flyer located in the middle of the test; the flyer station shoots a rooster flyer angled back to the right at 210 yards.

Pro trainer Alan Pleasant had these comments about the test: "There is plenty of room to miss that short bird and go deep -- and there is a lot of scent playout off that flyer fall. Plus if you miss the long retired out far to the outside, there is tons of room to go deep and really get into trouble in that deep cover."

Saturday morning is here...

2008-06-21T18:32:00.005-04:00

.... and tenstion electrifies these last two series of the 51st National Amateur Retriever Championship.

Here we have photos of Leo "Pete" and "Coach" Plourde, with #76, FC-AFC-CFC-CAFC Miss T, MH rocking in the ninth.

Also, #73 FC-AFC Trumarc's Stormin' Norman II with owner/handler Mark Rosenblum.

Remaining dogs that have not handled...

2008-06-20T17:22:00.002-04:00

...after Test Eight: 25, 45, 51, 66, 70, 73, 76, 87, 103, 112, and 114.

These are not callbacks. Simply, this is a listing of dogs without handles on marks (nothing included regarding other work such as hunts on marks or blind work) up to this point...which is the end of the eighth series.

Cutting a handsome profile...

2008-06-20T16:56:00.003-04:00

............................................is #100, Inherit the River "Cutter" owned by Janis Olsen and Robert Reuter of Truckee, California and handled by Rob Reuter...and he has terrific manners in the holding blind.

Final update for now...

2008-06-20T16:44:00.004-04:00

...Test Eight closed with three consecutive handles; unfortunately, those were numbers 11, 15 and 17; and #15's handle became a pickup.

The early news on Test Nine is that it will be about a thirty minute drive from Headquarters and there may be NO internet signal. It's a possibility that nothing will be posted tomorrow until the National is over, but we'll give you an update about that situation as we can.

Callbacks will be given later...

...thanks for reading.

When the going gets tough...

2008-06-20T15:57:00.011-04:00

...................................what would you do? I know...you expected to read "the tough get going." Well, that is the case in the story I'm about to share with you, but I'll ask you again, what would you do in the face of tragedy and adversity?

Many of you know real estate icon Benjy Griffith of Macon, Georgia from "back in the day" when he competed in trials (1980s) with such dogs as "Doc" (FC-AFC Another PHD) and his pride and joy, "Red" Hawkeye's Indian Red, a little golden male that ran like the wind, in Benjy's previous days in the field trial sport. He also owned Super Babe, a female that he sold to Lanse Brown; this little female amassed over 100 all-age points.

Benjy was as healthy as the best of us when one day, while playing a rigorous game of tennis, tragedy struck him on the court as he tore a carotid artery and was disabled immediately. He was rushed to a major medical center where he received all the necessary care and was put on a hepa-drip, but at 5 p.m. his condition became grave as he threw a clot. This was July, 2005.

Brain damage. Loss of control to his right side. It's been a long haul over the past 2 1/2 years but he's worked hard at rehabilitation. This involves technical advancements and old-fashioned treadmill work. He still has no use of his right arm, has extreme difficulty making his right leg work, and he has trouble with speech.

He can't play tennis anymore. He can't do many of the things that he used to take for granted...(probably, things many of us are guilty of...taking for granted, that is). But, this has brought him back to the dogs in ways that are very meaningful and special to him.

And Benjy has run this National through series five with #107, Premier's Iron Man Ozzy, "Oz". Although snap decisions are quite taxing, he's dealing with them while experiencing the joy of running dogs again.

Think about it. Benjy cannot use his right arm. In order to give right-hand casts, he uses his left arm by crossing it over to the right, as you can see in the enclosed photo. He also can't walk very well, but although he uses a cane to reach the line, he abandons it to move about when handling...and deals with the problems he encounters with a leg that won't work right when he has to move fast.

In the fifth series, Oz took off for his second retrieve, sent for the right-hand retired bird set against the tree line. He disappeared around the corner of the woods just deep of the bird, and when he reappeared, he was steaming across the field to the left. By the time Benjy was able to react with a whistle, Oz was at least 100 yards from his bird and it would have required massive right-hand (arm) casts to hope to recover the bird.

Up to this point, Benjy was in pretty decent shape with Oz. He assessed his situation, and accepted that what was required would be more than he could handle at that moment. He called Oz in to him. And he turned to the judges and politely said, "That's it. Thank you."

"You don't want to handle to that bird?"

"No, thank you. We're through."

Benjy realized his limitations at that moment and accepted them more graciously than might be expected.

Bird dogs, coonhounds and especially his beloved retrievers help to keep Benjy focused and working toward more rehabilitation. He's not giving up.

He is living his life.

Please...live each day to the fullest!

Well-marked routes...

2008-06-20T15:52:00.004-04:00

...are the norm at this National. The Traffic Committee and Grounds Committee deserve kudos for the hard work they're investing to get folks from Point A to Point B in good fashion.

Here you see a helpful sign and part of the trail (carved out by Grounds) to the gallery and the eighth test.

(Traffic is chaired by Mike Coutu and Ginny Sislane; Grounds is chaired by Bruce Butler and Mark Isenberg.)

One more bird...

2008-06-20T15:49:00.003-04:00

...for Dusty Brown, as he leaves the mat in a yellow streak to round it up.

Visitors from abroad...

2008-06-20T15:43:00.004-04:00

......................................Larry Wharton, our official announcer, gave visitors from the Netherlands a warm welcome over the loudspeakers. Their names are Henny M. Schoor and Yel C. M. Boomgaard; they have brought their two Labradors to the States to run a hunt test in Maine this coming weekend. These women planned the National into their trip so they could view a few setups before going to Maine.

Henny tells me that there is no down time with paperwork or customs to bring dogs "across the pond" from the United Kingdom into the United States. However, the reverse is not true; she states that U.S. citizens need eight months of lead time to finish paperwork and meet regulations to travel with dogs to the UK.

It's My Turn...

2008-06-20T15:40:00.003-04:00

...#84, Mickey Rawlins of Lost Hills, California heads to the line with "Molly" in the eighth series.

Just a few comments...on Test Eight

2008-06-20T15:35:00.003-04:00

...Contestant Bill McKnight, Bigfork, Montana: "Really good bird placement."

...Contestant Steve O'Connell, Tallahassee, Florida: "To make it sure enough tough, throw that bird way out into the water."

...Pro Bill Eckett, Missouri: "Most of the dogs are doing this test so far...four haven't done it but the others are completing it in some form or fashion with various types of hunts...pretty setting for this test, too."

Pam's rendition of Test Eight

2008-06-20T15:32:00.005-04:00

Update...

2008-06-20T15:02:00.002-04:00

...Unfortunately, #91 had to pick up. A few handles include #56 and #84...

Trial statistics...

2008-06-20T11:15:00.002-04:00

...prior to the running of this eighth test, 16 dogs are clean, that is to say, without any handles on marking tests.

These numbers are: 11, 17, 25, 45, 51, 56, 66, 70, 73, 76, 84, 87, 91, 103, 112 and 114.

Making the journey to the line...

2008-06-20T10:03:00.002-04:00

...Carl Ruffalo and Cody pause for a candid shot as they head toward the water triple.

Drink in the air...

2008-06-20T09:48:00.001-04:00

...Someone should bottle and market this pungent yet sweet North Woods air we're privileged to breathe on this day. The mixture of conifers, birch, low-lying tag alders, ferns and mostly hidden wild strawberries scattered about is absolutely tantalizing to the senses. Come get you some! We expect a moose to make a cameo appearance at any moment.

This property is owned by J. Kent Sweezey and located between Stowe and Morrisville off Stagecoach Road. It is a gorgeous North Woods setting which requires an effort to access with regard to parking and moving spectators and contestants, whether that be by ATV or on foot. That being said, it is well worth it!

Scratch that time average...

2008-06-20T09:35:00.003-04:00

...Dog #21, who unfortunately had to pick up, worked for 22 minutes before that occurred; dog #25 took 14:33 to complete the test and dog #26 took 17:41...sooooo, scratch that previous time average per dog. This test is likely to take all day by virtue of the time involved; also, severe weather is predicted this afternoon. Currently it is trying to rain and I'm huddled with all these electronics under an umbrella of sorts. (We started with dog #18...according to the count, dog #17 would have been first dog, but that team had already started a test, so #18 was "it" this morning.)

Some final pruning was needed...

2008-06-20T09:29:00.004-04:00

........................................Dr. Bruce Ahlers, judge, stands near some brush that contains a staub he is worried might injure a dog. Equipment was procured to eliminate the danger before any dogs were brought to the line.

Once the two test dogs ran...

2008-06-20T09:26:00.002-04:00

...the judges grouped together for a final conference. (Left to right: Bruce Ahlers, D.V.M., Steve Kompf and Roger Fangsrud)

The first test dog this morning...

2008-06-20T09:23:00.002-04:00

....Margo Brown and Pine Acres Pass the "Ammo" did a nice job on this water triple.

Greetings this morning at Test Eight...

2008-06-20T09:12:00.006-04:00

............................................I'm going to quickly get a picture of the test up for you...more to come as soon as possible. We've had a number of logistics problems this morning with regard to where the running line is and where we actually have a broadband signal where I can transmit out.

Here is the eighth test, a water triple that is taking thus far an average of about eleven minutes a dog. That average could change.

The birds are all ducks and the test has two retired guns initially...If you look closely in this picture deep behind the flyer guns you will see the longest station. The right-hand station is more visible in the photo. Also, the flyer duck is sluiced, as all water flyers have been thus far in this National; once this bird is retrieved, the flyer station retires inside the bushes you can see just deep of where they are standing.

Test Seven is history...

2008-06-19T19:00:00.003-04:00

..........................................and here is Pam's picture to close things out for us. Also, it's been announced that callbacks will be given at Headquarters later this evening. Also, information as to location, starting number, and times for test dogs and first running dogs will be posted at Headquarters. Please see this site, or Jean's page, for those details later tonight.

Thanks for reading!

Just a few dogs remain...

2008-06-19T18:45:00.003-04:00

...........................................and Test Seven will be in the books. Dog #108 has just been called to line.

Here, Gary Unger takes the hen pheasant from #91 FC-AFC Small Craft Advisory "Rough" after the first blind and hands it off before tackling the second blind.

This test is winding down...

2008-06-19T18:41:00.004-04:00

...Lynne DuBose takes the last bird from #83, FC-AFC Great Bunns of Fire and hands it to judge Bruce Ahlers, DVM.

Some candid photos of early running dogs on this blind...

2008-06-19T17:53:00.003-04:00

............................................Steve O'Connell sends #18, FC-AFC Watuaga's Bull Gator "Bull", on the long blind while Kim Johnson waits in the blind with #21, AFC Super High Flyer.

We'll get this test done today...

2008-06-19T17:51:00.003-04:00

...the test dogs ran at 4:30 p.m. and running dogs are moving quickly on this short four-minute test.

Here Yvonne Hays leaves the line with #126, Birdy.

Seventh Series double land blind

2008-06-19T17:44:00.006-04:00

...........................................For the seventh test of this National week, we've made a short move from the Simonds' property; now we are basically in the "front yard" of John and Martha Russell's beautiful Vermont estate. You won't be able to see much about the test from this photo, but there is a short blind at a distance of 45 yards on the left planted at a bush. The long blind is 200 yards out along a side hill. Off to the right at 155 yards a set of guns shoots and throws a poison bird when the dog gets to the line and then the judges give the handler a number so that he or she can commence with running the test.

It will be very helpful when Pam Ingham finishes her drawing and I'll post it whenever I get it.

Wait no more...

2008-06-19T13:34:00.004-04:00

........................................for Pam's drawing of Test Six's water blind. Here it is, courtesy of my camera

All the pieces to the puzzle...

2008-06-19T13:25:00.003-04:00

...Joe Broyles accepts delivery of the bird from his dog, Quick, and hands it over to the judge.

Rumor has it...

2008-06-19T13:20:00.004-04:00

...that we will move after this test to nearby property for Test Seven, a land blind.

Here, Tommy Parrish and Chase leave the line after the water blind.

Intense concentration...

2008-06-19T13:12:00.003-04:00

...Judy Rasmusson monitors her dog's progress on the blind through binoculars...

...and Peter Goodale studies the end of the blind from his vantage point in the holding blind.

Double Duty...

2008-06-19T12:01:00.004-04:00

...well, in a convoluted sense, anyway. This photo shows the white-coat chair person out scenting the point, which he does every ten dogs, while the blind planter (he's in partially submerged and in dark clothing deep of the next point back) has just put out another duck and is wading back to his holding blind where he will be out of sight.

Still no official word on whether or not we'll see the start of another test today. This one should finish about 2 p.m. or thereabouts...

Changing of the guard...

2008-06-19T10:42:00.003-04:00

.........................................While the blind planter and white-coat/point scenting person are being changed out, Mac DuBose waits in the last holding blind with #11, FC-AFC Gimme Five More.

Back to the sixth...

2008-06-19T09:01:00.004-04:00

....................................................Here's where we are in the line-up. Thus far, work is pretty similar without much really good work.

Zip--Zap

2008-06-19T08:52:00.002-04:00

Two views of the "mobile blog post"...(I've been asked to put this up--please feel free to use your delete key--Ha.)

Puttin' on the ritz--Worker's Party rewards the workers...

2008-06-19T08:33:00.006-04:00

...Who come from all time zones and give unselfishly of their time to make these Nationals run smoothly. The party, held downstairs at the Town & Country last night, included baked chicken and ham with all the trimmings and Ben & Jerry's ice cream sundaes, (build-your-own), were available for dessert

Here are a few snapshots from last night's party. There is one taken during the raffle, one of John Parrott squiring Martha Russell around the dance floor, Newt and Karen Cropper puttin' on the ritz, one of Bill Eckett/Chris Ledford/Terry Rotschafer and general photo.

Two views of the sixth--water blind

2008-06-19T08:18:00.003-04:00

One view is taken on the line. From this position, you cannot see the white-coated person sitting out in a chair on the sloping hillside to the left of the pond and the blind.

The second view is taken from a location toward the gallery so that you can see where the white-coat is placed. This person does have a function...he scents the point every 10 dogs. (The actual blind planter is hidden in the woods.)

The person in the chair certainly seems to attract many dogs once they approach a view where they can see him. There is much pull to the left (less angle and H2O to contend with overall) and the white coat contributes to that.

Kicking off the sixth...

2008-06-19T08:10:00.009-04:00

......................the first dog has run the Test Six water blind, which is set up in Pete and Kate Simonds legendary stick pond.

I'll post some pictures in a few minutes. By now you've heard the results from Wicked Wednesday, with 27 dogs dropped (posted on Jean's page--she has 26 listed but her numbers don't include #119, Stan Chiras, who had to scratch Susie before the start of the fifth due to an injury that is getting worse) from the fifth test...and 50 dogs are remaining to vie for 2008 National Amateur Field Champion.

(Photo shot during the test dogs.)

Words of wisdom...

2008-06-18T17:48:00.002-04:00

...Chris Ledford's advice to his clients:

"This test is tough and tight, and you've got to run by the water on a bird, and the wind is factor. On this test, you have to be comfortable but bold. And, you have to bear down and relax."

(Clarification--No pros have been allowed to view any tests from the line.)

Living clean--or clean living?

2008-06-18T17:30:00.004-04:00

Here's a new statistic for you: At this moment, 21 dogs are clean--that is to say, with no handles in any marking tests--through the fifth series. There are an additional 7 dogs left to run in today's last group of dogs that have not yet handled prior to running today...any of those remaining 7 could join the ranks of the Clean 21.

(Cutter, #112, is currently living clean.)

How do you spell RELIEF?

2008-06-18T16:37:00.006-04:00

Answer: Doing-This-Test-Successfully.

With 58 out of 77 dogs having run at this time, 26 dogs have handled and of those 26 handles, four of them were double-handles in this test, 5 additional dogs have picked up, 1 dog froze on delivery for the last bird, 1 broke on the second flyer, and 1 is a scratch due to a lingering injury.

In the last gunner's rotation (and we are changing guns and throwers out right now) 21% of the group of dogs have done the test without handling.

Overall, there is barely a 44% success rate (keeping the glass half-full.)

(In the photo, Jerry Younglove waits in the holding blind with Cree.)

Patience, my friend...

2008-06-18T14:08:00.002-04:00

...Charlie Hines waits with Cody, #102, during the gun change.

I spoke with him about his recent handle with Ranger on this test.

"That was my fault," he revealed. "Ranger's leg is somewhat atrophied and he kicked off a bit left and I didn't help him. He didn't really have a mark, but still he was only 10 yards off when he missed it and I think I could have done better."

We've moved through the second gun change...

2008-06-18T14:05:00.002-04:00

...of Test Five. In the first group of dogs, 7 dogs handled or picked up for 37% problem rate and in the second group of dogs the percentage rate of handles or pickups went up to 50%.

Test Five--Drawing Rendition

2008-06-18T14:00:00.002-04:00

...Courtesy of Pam Ingham. You go, girl! These are really beautiful drawings that complement the photos greatly. Or probably, vice versa.

Amendment

2008-06-18T11:24:00.003-04:00

One of the pickups listed through 19 dogs was actually instructed to do so by the judges and will receive a re-run twelve dogs later. That is #68.

Through 22 dogs a double-handle (dog was handled on both retired birds) can be added to the mix.

Neither rain, nor floods, nor closed roads...

2008-06-18T11:05:00.005-04:00

...were going to keep John Skibber and his dog Tess from running their first National. Literally speaking. Skibber, a surgeon, had trouble taking time off but planned to train a week in Iowa with Tess and trainer Scott Dewey before hooking up with Scott's friend and fellow trainer, Kenny Trott, at the National.

Just a day and a half into Iowa training, that massive storm system we've all seen on the news hit the Hawkeye State with force. Flooding chased Skibber out of Iowa while Dewey was left to deal with rising water in his parents' home. John hit the road at 3:30 a.m. that Monday, headed for Plan B (training with Wayne Curtis) and encountered detour after detour due to closed roads. Finally, he arrived in Wisconsin and was able to train with Wayne, Rick Wilke and Pete Hayes for a few days. Then, rain hounded him to Vermont where he hooked up with Kenny and trained Saturday morning.

Skibber, #46, grew up in Pennsylvania and hunted with beagles. It wasn't until he began his medical career in Texas that he obtained a Labrador. "A retriever is the hunting dog to have around Houston," he stated.

As is a familiar note with many of us, his first Lab was a $250 newspaper find; that dog eventually became qualified all-age. "I've paid a lot more money than that for many dogs since then that never became QAA!" He laughed dryly.

Much help was obtained from training partners Jerry Wickliffe, Ed Fullerton, John Monroe, and W. Stupka from the Port Arthur area.

And it was time to move on to a competitive dog as John became more addicted to field trials. He settled on a Maxx (Lean Mac) x Mx. Costalot puppy and to make the story short, traded that dog Archie (Archer's Paradox) back to Judy Aycock in exchange for a Kweezy (FC-AFC Trumarc's Lean Cuisine) puppy.

"I didn't care who she [Judy] picked as a stud to breed to Kweezy...but I knew I wanted a female puppy," John shared. "And I just wanted to stay in field trials more than anything."

Kweezy was bred to FC-AFC Code Blue and John's puppy from that first Cody x Kweezy cross is here with him this week.

Her name is T Street Tess.

"Tess is a special dog to me. You know, she reacts like a dog, for example, like when you let her out with other dogs, she'll cut up for a few minutes--she does things other dogs do--but her most endearing quality is that after she runs around a bit she'll come back and just stay and walk with me. She enjoys being with me."

They've completed the fifth test this morning as they were third to run.

I asked John to explain what this National means to him.

His response was immediate. "Think about it. It's the privilege in being here...to see these dogs and some of the best combinations of retrievers and Amateurs in the country. These dogs give us remarkable performances while they do what they were bred to do, and that is to retrieve game. That is the biggest part of this whole thing for me--to see them do what they were bred to do--and they do it so well.

Mid-morning buzz...

2008-06-18T10:52:00.003-04:00

...thus far, 19 dogs have run the fifth test. There have been four handles, two pickups and one break.

This photo is of Jim Carlisle's Zoom as he waits in the second holding blind to run...and when his turn came up he performed nicely.

Starting right on time...

2008-06-18T08:28:00.007-04:00

...................................................................

the first running dog hit the mat at 8:00 a.m. Here is a quick view of the test; disregard the mat in the foreground as an honor was predicted but then eliminated and the mat was used to receive each dog for delivery of the last bird.

Just a few dogs have run thus far with no handles but with varying degrees of work. More is coming up when possible....Thanks for reading.

Puttin' it on with four in the fifth...

2008-06-18T08:23:00.004-04:00

.........................................................................................Another gorgeous Vermont morning greeted all early risers. It's quite amazing how the rains at night have consistently given up pretty mornings, even yesterday's with the ground mist and fog.

Today, a mixed bag quad has been put together nearly on the front lawn of the Simonds' property.

Here, contestants watch as the first test dog has to handle on one bird. The order of the throws was then changed and the second test dog handled on three birds.

Back for one more round...

2008-06-17T23:42:00.002-04:00

...here is a bit more additional information for the fifth series:

Starting number is #43

Test dogs start at 7:30 a.m.

First running dog is scheduled for 8:00 a.m.

The test site will be at Simonds property; signs will be posted from Shaw's Grocery. There will be no caravans.

Good night!

Callbacks are in...

2008-06-17T23:19:00.002-04:00

Dropped from the fourth:

3, 14, 20, 24, 30, 35, 40, 47, 64, 65, 71, 75, 77, 81, 92, 117, 122

Signing out...

Raining and late hours

2008-06-17T23:07:00.002-04:00

Well, it's raining once again at night in Stowe as we wait for callbacks...oops, just a minute, I'm running back inside to check...

Pam's Drawing of Test Four

2008-06-17T18:21:00.004-04:00

......................................................................................................She did this from the gallery's perspective.

More comments on Test Four

2008-06-17T18:08:00.004-04:00

Fred Kampo from Wisconsin: "I like the test. It's a tough test."

Charlie Hayes, Princeton, Minnesota: "It's difficult and I like it. Sure it's tough. A dog that really wants those birds will focus and get them. Although there are times a dog can wind another bird, but if he really wants that bird he's after it won't bother him."

Danny Farmer, professional trainer, Texas: "Overall I like the test. What would I have done to change it? I would have stood the longer right hand gun where the bird lands and thrown the bird where the guns are now. That would have helped to eliminate the wind factor."

What is contributing to the difficulty of this test?

2008-06-17T15:59:00.003-04:00

Quote from professtional trainer Dave Rorem of Minnesota and Texas: "I love difficult tests, but this one, although the bird placement was good, had marks that were too tight for a swirling wind in high cover. Perhaps on a day with steady weather patterns it would be tough but doable.

"However, that isn't the case today much of the time. When I was throwing the flyer, there were four different wind changes and that affected at least five of the dogs I saw on my shift. They were hunting one bird and winded another and due to the high cover didn't know where they were or necessarily that they were picking up the wrong bird.

"In my opinion it wasn't so much about marks because of that as it was about luck...the wind played too much of a devil's advocate in the marks."

Rain has set in...

2008-06-17T15:29:00.003-04:00

...but without the sound, visual effects and danger brought to us earlier by thunder and lightning.

As of this writing, 55 dogs have run and 22 of them have been handled to one of the two retired marks. Some of these dogs are now carrying two handles. A few dogs have switched and handled, not necessarily in that order.

The cover is pretty high and some dogs miss either longer bird and keep on going into the big field deep of the birds, requiring handles back to either prospective bird. Some dogs get to the right of the right-hand longer gun (technically the middle gun of the test) and put on substantial hunts well behind the concealed holding blind and finally must be handled to that bird.

Weather suspends the test...

2008-06-17T11:39:00.003-04:00

...momentarily. Hopefully we'll be up and running soon, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

A quote from Ted Shih of Golden, Colorado, who just lost both of his bullets after the third series: "The tests were straightforward and challenging. My only complaint is that I and the dogs didn't do better."

On the fourth test...

2008-06-17T11:05:00.002-04:00

"Good to get 'em all without handling, especially at a time when it doesn't seem possible!" from Bob Johnson with Weezer...sentiments seconded by pro Andy Attar.

View from the hill...

2008-06-17T10:54:00.004-04:00

.........................................................Here is the way the test looks from just inside the gallery rope up on the hill.

Tal Broyles, from Louisiana, on gallery view: "It's a beautiful morning, and we've got a great view of the test!"

Gallery viewing was quite limited in the first setup, got better for the water blind, and is terrific for this test.

As I write, the heavens have dumped some rain on us. It's letting up and the sun is coming back out, but thunder is rolling and cracking ominously...the test is still running.

Candid Comments going into the fourth series...

2008-06-17T10:10:00.002-04:00

From time to time I'll post comments and thoughts from handlers and pro trainers related to this National. Here are a few thus far:

John Pampy, Las Vegas, Nevada, on the third series water blind: "Well, it didn't have much water. I'd have liked to have seen more water in it, you know, more of a traditional water blind. But we run what they set up."

Jerry Kamphius, West Olive, Michigan, on the water blind: "Well, it was okay for a National third series water blind. It was a bit ticky-tacky, but you see that in short blinds."

Andrea Meisse from Rocky Point, North Carolina on the water blind: "They got it done quickly and it was okay for this stage in a National."

Hugh Arthur, pro trainer from Lincolnton, Georgia...a general comment: "Less is more. The less water you get in these first four series, the more chance you have to get back."

An exciting flyer...

2008-06-17T09:17:00.003-04:00

Check out the position of Dave Opseth's test dog while the exciting flyer is shot and then sluiced. To make the situation even more tempting, the line is elevated above the flyer. WELL, I AM GOING TO TRY TO POST WITHOUT THE PICTURE. It won't upload, signal is too weak. If I can get this and a few other posts on, I'll do pictures when I mobilize for a better signal.

Out of the first eight dogs, three have handled.

Also, signal strength is very iffy...I've been trying to get on and I'm told as those clouds go away, so will my signal... (See comment, above.)

Good morning!

2008-06-17T07:22:00.002-04:00

Well, keep your fingers crossed. I am, anyway. That's because at the moment I am on a hill near the fourth test and I'm picking up just enough signal to get on the internet. That's not the case when I'm down the hill and closer to the test. But, climbing up here is, of course, in my humble opinion, a much better alternative than having to mobilize and drive X miles to a signal.

Yesterday's blind, as you've probably seen from the callbacks by now (posted on Jean Wu's page) took a rather bloody toll on the dogs. Cumulative work and/or ragged or failure blinds are simply gone.

At some Nationals, you see blinds judged less harshly than others. That, however, is not a blanket statement, and please don't take it as such, for many factors go into callbacks and the way things shake down. But, in the final analysis on yesterday's water blind, there was not very much good work. That remained constant throughout the day. And the judges judged the blind.

And on this brilliantly sunny Vermont morning (after another round of storms last night) 94 dogs remain to tackle this fourth series water triple.

I'm told this signal may not hold out as the sun climbs higher in the sky. We'll see, but test dogs are being called to the line right now.

When I can, I'll be back up the hill to give it another try. Of course, trips in and out of here by vehicle, if necessary, will be less frequent.

Thanks for reading!

We're in the short rows now...

2008-06-16T18:08:00.003-04:00

...with eight dogs left to run on this blind. Callbacks will be given later tonight at the Headquarters.

It has been announced that the Workers Caravan will leave Shaw's Grocery at 5:30 a.m. and the Contestants Caravan will leave the same location at 6:15 a.m. Also, maps to the test site will be available in the lobby of Town & Country.

Test dogs will begin at 7:30 a.m. with the first running dog, #17 or the first dog on the callback list thereafter, is scheduled to come to the line at 8:00 a.m.

(Eloy Garcia from Alaska is pictured with his wonderful female, Molly, as they wait in the third holding blind.)

I'm powering down for now, having been on accessory power the past hour anyway. :)

Thanks for reading!

Potential Internet Problems Tomorrow

2008-06-16T17:36:00.002-04:00

Mike Coutu, Co-Chair of the Traffic Committee, has just informed me that we may have internet access trouble at the test site tomorrow. If so, we'll just have to see what or whether anything can be done to overcome such difficulties.

Worst case scenario is that you'll be deluged with quite a number of posts tomorrow night.

We'll do the best we can.

Thanks for reading.

Just a few statistics...

2008-06-16T17:16:00.004-04:00

...There were 30 dogs that handled in the first series. One dog also picked up. Three dogs were dropped as mentioned in an earlier post, and an additional dog, #104--Candlewoods Power Surge, owned/handled by Bob Larsen, scratched due to an injury following the first batch of five scratches.

So, that leaves 117 dogs in contention with the onset of the third series. Currently, we have run 97 dogs on this water blind.

Update and drawing

2008-06-16T16:12:00.002-04:00

At the present time it looks like we'll be able to finish this test today. It's warm and steamy but storms are going around and below this area so Lady Luck is still bestowing good weather upon us. Pam Ingham has just finished her drawing of this series so I'm attaching it; you can view it in larger detail on Jean Wu's page when scanning becomes available.

Triple Threats

2008-06-16T14:54:00.003-04:00

This National began with what could be a record number of handlers with three dogs entered. Although circumstances have skewed those statistics somewhat due to a few scratches, this is worthy of mention in my book.

This "category" was comprised of Judy Rasmusson, Jack Vollstedt, Ted Shih, Clint Joyner, Charlie Hines, and Tommy Parrish (one owned by Tommy and two owned by Kip Kemp) when the entries closed.

Since then, although Jack and Ted have three dogs in the catalogue, they're each only running two dogs and for different reasons.

Jack was only able to fly two dogs and had to make a tough decision on who to leave behind. Angel drew the short straw.

Ted's dog, Buffy, tore her ACL in pre-National training, this soon after recovering from injury, repair and rehabilitation to her other ACL.

Judy's dogs include #43--FC-AFC Hardscrabble Carbunnation "Fizz"; #54--FC-AFC Emberain Beau Geste "Beau"; and #80--AFC Topbrass Band on the Run "Band"...Jack's dogs include #28--Volwood's Big Old Rex "Rex"; #39--FC-AFC Volwood's Peaches and Cream "Peaches"; and #105--FC-AFC Volwood's Angel "Angel"...Ted's dogs include #62--Freeridin Maserati "Mozzy"; #79--FC-AFC Freeridin Smooth Operator "Mootsie"; and #97--FC-AFC Freeridin Vampire Slayer "Buffy"...Clint's dogs include #61--FC-AFC Carolina's Smoke on the Water "Little Man"; #92--FC-AFC Carolina's Electrik Gypsy "Girlie"; and #109--Carolina's Acoustic Storm "Sister"...Charlie's dogs include #72--FC-AFC Nick of Time Wild Wind Dusty "Dusty"; #89--FC-AFC Nick of Time Lone Ranger "Ranger"; and #102--FC-AFC Windy City's Secret Signal "Cody"...and Tommy's dogs include #37--Wild Chase for Blue "Chase"; #81--FC-AFC It's all over Now Baby Blue "Blue" (owner Kip Kemp); and #118--AFC Alpha Minnie Pearl "Minnie" (owner Kip Kemp).

Of honorary mention in the Triple Threat category are Mac and Lynne DuBose as Mac has two dogs and Lynne has one as mentioned in the Cape Fear Crew post.

Quite an accomplishment, folks! Good luck!

Put a little light on the subject...

2008-06-16T13:03:00.002-04:00

...currently, the sun is now out more than in and as you might surmise, while it's out the temperature is up. Here is a photo of the water blind, courtesy of Pam Ingham. She's doing some terrific drawings of the setups as well. However, they've not yet been added to the WRC pages because they've got to be scanned...you guessed it, there is no such capability out here. As soon as that dilemma is solved you'll be able to enjoy her renditions of the tests.

As we speak...

2008-06-16T12:13:00.002-04:00

...we have run 23 dogs on the third series water blind, which started at 10:45 with dog #118, AFC Alpha Minnie Pearl. Work is varied with many similar middle-of-the-road jobs, as well as a few good jobs and poor jobs. Sounds like a field trial!

Tech Talk...

2008-06-16T10:56:00.003-04:00

For your viewing pleasure, we are closing in on closing out the technical difficulties in posting pictures, thanks in huge part to Ben from Retriever News website land. The first success we've had can be found in the post titled "And back to this morning's training" from June 14. Check it out, and as time and battery life permit I'll be adding more photos to previous blog posts and soon, to new ones.

And we're moving on...

2008-06-16T10:28:00.004-04:00

...callbacks have been announced and three dogs have been dropped after the first and second series. They are #67--FC-AFC Drakes Bay Kate's Choice and Richard Wilke; #90--FC Keith's Reedy Fork Kate with Nancy Thomas; and also #125--FC-AFC Hightest Black Ty Affair with Chris Hatch.

We've moved in pretty quick fashion and test dogs for this water blind are running now...

When it rains, it pours...

2008-06-16T08:15:00.000-04:00

...two no-birds in a row, that is. But the third time's a charm...

Question: What will be...Test Three?

2008-06-16T08:09:00.002-04:00

Answer: A water blind on this same property. Series three will require a short move once the dogs and handlers have completed this first setup.

Did I say "We've got rain"...

2008-06-16T07:53:00.003-04:00

You know the popular saying "You've got mail"....well, on a similar vein, "We've got rain" but, thus far we've been extremely fortunate...because it's been raining at night. Plenty of it, but all at night. How long that luck will hold remains to be seen but the weatherman promised to break our good pattern on this day. We'll see.

Rains hammered us again last night--but it's good sleeping weather! If you can sleep at all with the National going on, that is.

The morning dawned overcast and in the mid-50's, but with no precipitation. You can smell it in the air, however.

Since the test has carried over into today, many folks have the opportunity to sleep in or to go and get a hearty breakfast at one of the excellent eateries in town, and those folks with no dogs left to run on this test may also, of course, be out training for the next test.

Fewer folks are on the grounds this morning but the line area was still crowded as test dog was run by Don Driggers at 6:58 a.m. this morning and his dog did an exemplary job on the test. The first running dog for today, #74, FC-AFC Fat City Pacer with DeWitt Boice, came to the line at 7:25 a.m.

Visibility is not ideal this morning.

As of this moment, six dogs have run and two of them have handled on the retired bird of the marks.

Technical difficulties--really--we're trying!

2008-06-15T17:41:00.005-04:00

Well, folks, we've been through three battery packs and have been trying to upload some photos, which may at least partially account for major battery drain in using juice, BUT we hope to rectify the problem tonight. You can be assured we'll keep working on it.

Also, this property has been good to us from the standpoint of broadband signal...some of the National test sites will not have that luxury and I'll make trips when possible toward Stowe or Morrisville to accomplish connection. But we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

For now I can give you the update that presently a new total of 20 dogs have handled in addition to the 1 pickup. The sun is still high and warm although the wind has died down a bit. Work has overall remained constant throughout the day, regardless on wind direction with regard to the marks. A few changes have been noted on the blinds with earlier dogs falling more left of the blind and later dogs, with the North wind, being pushed right of the blind. We'll see what happens from here...

...and we'll continue to endeavor to solve technical, power and photo difficulties...

Thanks for reading!

East or West?

2008-06-15T14:39:00.003-04:00

Sometimes as I look around at the backdrop of this first and second series, I find myself thinking I'm out West. Well...not really, but kind of. And I'm not a kind-of sort of gal.

Often the western Nationals have spectacular backdrops of various mountain ranges depending on the time zone and locale and without a doubt that scenery is always pleasing to behold. How can one tire of looking at such beauty?

Today's scenery is also a sight to behold. With the test held on Kate and Pete Simond's beautiful property off Bliss Road, we are surrounded by Vermont's Green Mountains and the Mansfield Range. To the East is Mt. Elsmore and to our Southwest is Mt. Mansfield, a mountain with its own history in skiing lore.

Gorgeous! Brought to us courtesy of these wonderful dogs we love, train and with whom we share our lives.

(Quick Update)

2008-06-15T14:24:00.003-04:00

As of dog #29, there have been 13 handles and 1 pick-up on the first setup.

This morning The Weather Channel listed winds for the day as light and variable...variable has been the operative word thus far. The wind has lately shifted so that it is blowing from the North which is the direction the marks are set. The blind is to the East so the current wind for it is a cross-wind. Gusts are up to 15-20 knots on estimation.

Dog work is quite varied with some dogs going wide outside and others behind the flyer and dogs running wide or inside, short and deep on the retired mark. Some dogs are getting in the water en route to the retired bird and then correcting nicely while others that elect to get wet end up getting lost deep of the bird and around the berm behind the pond.

Another update as I write: We've run 60 dogs as of 2:30 p.m...will we be able to finish this setup tonight? Everything will have to go just right and the light will have to hold...and it will make for a loooong one (day that is)...time alone will tell.

REMEMBER, for detailed information on handles and for test descriptions and test pictures/photos, please see Jean Wu's write-ups on our www.working-retriever.com/08narc/index.html and click on the appropriate link or day. This is also the place to look for other related detail information such as data from the meetings....regarding meetings, due to the party last night followed by storms and numerous power outages, Jean was not able to update her page last night and will post information generated from the meetings in her report tonight.

Thanks for reading...

The Cape (No) Fear Crew

2008-06-15T13:05:00.004-04:00

Well, whadaya know...a club from the southeast, based in Rocky Point, North Carolina and piloted by veteran field trialer John Thomas (J.T. to many of his friends) has 10 dogs running in this National.

The Cape Fear Retriever Club is well represented.

Here they are: Mac DuBose with #11--FC-AFC Gimme Five More and #19--FC-AFC Voigts Dyna-Maxx; Andrea Meisse with #36--AFC Trumarc's Lindsey; Jeff Telander with #41--Broad Reach Devil Made Me Do It; Bob Willow & Paul Mocciaro with #71--FC-AFC Longshot Black Talon; Lynne DuBose with #83--FC-AFC Great Bunns of Fire; Nancy Thomas with #90--FC Keith's Reedy Fork Kate; Gary Unger & Elizabeth Dixon with #91--FC-AFC Small Craft Advisory; Steve Ferguson with #110--AFC Brink's Barracuda Bingo; John Thomas with #111-Just Add Water II.

And J.T. just celebrated a birthday this past Monday during pre-National training as he turned 81 years young.

You go--Cape Fear!

Building a Dream...and Coming Full Circle

2008-06-15T10:26:00.007-04:00

Have you ever had a dream? Did you ever aspire to do something, or hope for something? One of two things usually happens once a dream is born...you either make a plan and act on it--therefore having at least a chance of making it a reality--or you keep dreaming.

Back in 1996, Charles Bearden of Wichita Falls, Texas, had a dream. At that time the owner of one Labrador named Dusty--obtained on the recommendation of good friend Mac McGee from breeder Dan Denicus--Charles had been to and worked at a few of his local club's field trials, and this served to whet his appetite to learn more about training, the people, and especially to see the best dogs in the country. He wanted to watch the cream of the crop. A little research revealed the National Amateur that year was going to be in Stowe, Vermont; having not been to the Northeast before, he planned a vacation with his wife, Vicki. And off they went.

Heralding from west Texas, Charles had a background in horses and cattle; he knew the importance of bloodlines and jumped to the conclusion that the same must be important in performance Labrador retrievers. So, prior to his arrival in Vermont, Charles studied pedigrees and had in mind some of the dogs he was hoping to see.

Charles and his wife arrived and watched most of the National (with a few sightseeing trips in afternoons, promised by husband to wife as part of the deal, to places such as the Trappe Family--from Sound of Music fame--Resort). As Charles says, "I was just another face in the crowd. We blended in with everyone, which is one of the great things of this game. People from all walks of life and economic backgrounds come together over these dogs. We watched and people were very friendly and helpful toward us."

Two of the dogs Charles had his eye on were Zipper (FC-AFC Rebel Ridge Cody's Mischief) and Dinah (FC-AFC Candlewood Rebel Ridge TNT) and they didn't disappoint Charles. As with most of the dogs at the National, he was impressed with their performance (and indeed, Zipper was a finalist that year) so he took a leap of faith.

With just a bit of trepidation, he drew a deep breath and approached Lyn and Larry Wharton (then married) and made a suggestive comment: "I don't know if you've thought of this, but in the event you ever breed those two dogs, I'd love to buy a puppy!"

Every six months thereafter, Bearden sent a letter to the East Coast inquiring on the status of this theoretical cross. A few years later, it did indeed transpire and Bearden was on the phone immediately to hammer out the details.

He got that puppy.

And over the years, he's invested the blood, sweat and tears necessary to make a good dog and to get ahead in this sport. He's dedicated and he works hard at improving himself and his dogs and he's a constant study of the game in all aspects.

And he's here this week, qualified with #22, AFC Lake Park Cody's Zipperoo, or "Rudy" for short, bred by Lyn Yelton and Larry Wharton. "And Stowe looks just the same as it did back then!"

Charles also shared some comments he feels are benefits that go hand in hand with the retriever game: "We get to meet good people, see the country...and most of all, we have the opportunity to play with one of God's greatest creations."

Rudy and Charles will be coming to the line to try their hand at Tests One and Two in just a few dogs. There's no telling how it will go, but Charles feels that in many ways, he's come Full Circle with his dream.

Indeed he has. And we wish him the best of luck.

And my heartfelt request to you? FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!

With ten dogs in the books...

2008-06-15T08:24:00.002-04:00

...there have actually been 13 numbers go by...three scratches are in this group, counting a new scratch with dog #104 due to an injury. Of the ten dogs that have come to the line, nine out of ten have run, one had a no-bird, and two have handled on the shorter right-hand retired bird...

NOTE: I am inserting a photograph of a drawing of tests one and two done by Pam Ingham.

And We're Off!!!!

2008-06-15T08:09:00.004-04:00

Storms hammered Stowe last night, dumping lots of rain and also putting power out in various areas; however, the morning dawned with heavy overcast skies but no rain. Scattered showers with a 50% chance of such are hovering over us...

The 51st running of the National Amateur Retriever Championship is off and running! Announcer Larry Wharton greeting all National contestants, workers and spectators and then played the National Anthem; to Larry's credit he had even erected an American Flag on an aluminum pole. It was very moving to salute the flag before the beginning of this National Amateur Championship stake.

Test dog number one with Margo Brown came to the line at 7:31 a.m. and took 6 minutes to complete the test. She handled on the short retired bird and had some difficulty with the blind. Test dog number two with Dave Opseth completed the marks without a handle and then had a good go toward the blind and ended with difficulty...this was also a six minute run.

As the early handlers went back to the parking area to get their dogs, Wharton played some appropriate music to set the mood for this competition, such as Tom Petty's "Runnin' Down a Dream" and Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run"...

Dog number 93 approached the line at 8:07 a.m. and had a good clean run with a really pretty blind to start off official National dog work. Now, talk about a relief for that handler, which was Barb Howard with Prime! The pressure of running first goes without saying, and she can breathe a sigh of relief for now. A big bonus for her? Well, she'll never have to run Prime first at any other point in this stake...

More soon...

For your reading pleasure...

2008-06-14T21:38:00.000-04:00

...stay tuned for some inspirational sidebars...beginning tomorrow :)

Recapping National meeting highlights

2008-06-14T21:21:00.004-04:00

Specifics from today's meetings can be found on Jean Wu's recap of today's activities; included are the particulars for running order/rotation, handler instructions, how no birds would be handled and the like.

As mentioned in an earlier post, the first test dog will run at 7:30 a.m. It was also announced that the caravans would leave Shaw's Grocery on north 100 for the grounds which are only about ten minutes from that location; the first caravan (workers) would leave at 5:30 a.m. Signs will be posted from this grocery en route and to the grounds.

In the meeting, five scratches were announced, those being #44--Vicki Worthington's Petey; #94--Helen and Don Graves' Flyway's Ruby B. Gonia; #97--Ted Shih's Buffy; #105--Jack Vollstedt's Angel; and #116--Robert Hanssen and Terry Rotschafer's FC-AFC Meba's Ms Chief. Therefore, 121 dogs will start series one.

The expected test is a double with a blind.

Shortly after the meetings ended, a brewing storm let out its force on the community of Stowe and National goers. Additional storms are forecast through the evening with an 80% chance overnight.

And as I write this, thunder is booming and lightning is flashing everywhere, threatening for more rain in the coming minutes. As a matter of fact--Here it comes!

And back to this morning's training...

2008-06-14T20:57:00.003-04:00

Daylight comes early this far north and it dawned with a cool yet humid touch and the promise of a pretty morning. Training groups migrated to their designated areas rather quickly and began their setups for the day; some groups that I dropped in on were able to get in two training tests while others did just one. Was this due to group size? Perhaps, but in some cases, small groups elected to do just one test and wind things down for the day.

The large training group of Patopea, Arthur, Attar, Pleasant, Koonce, and Harp merged this morning after having been split up into two smaller groups (back in New York state) for the earlier part of the week, and they efficiently managed their dogs with a makeshift judge, marshall, and a series of holding blinds as they did a wide open double followed by a blind off the left hand gun and deep.

I also found and/or talked to the training groups of Danny Farmer and of Dave Rorem, and the amateur groups of Talley/Dorobek/Darnell/Goettl/Stonesifer and also the Jack Vollstedt group...tests consisted of straight-up wide open doubles, double with a blind to the side, double with a blind through the middle and/or run first, and three singles. Hen pheasants were the popular bird of choice for training--no big surprise there.

Cover is extremely high in many of the available fields in this area, although there are some fields of reasonable cover depth and height as well...and of course those fields were coveted by all groups.

One thing that I not only noticed but also heard comments of revolved around the tendency to really emphasize line manners in pre-National training, whereas that is not always the case with a number of trainers throughout the bulk of the year. The question and the thought was/is then raised as to how much this preoccupation or focus on line manners may or may not affect the overall performance and attitude of certain dogs.

Food for thought.

All groups operated smoothly as I saw it and were in the groove of dog work.

By noon or before everyone began heading to headquarters to pick up handler's packets and get ready for the meetings--one would center around rules (Retriever Advisory Committee), one around the RFT Entry service, and finally the meeting regarding National business. In the lobby of the hotel during this time, the Merchandise Committee had their clothing and gift items spread out and this, as always, was a high traffic area as people bought new shirts, hats, jackets, and the like. Friendly banter was shared by one and all prior to the meetings.

And now for the real draw...

2008-06-14T16:05:00.005-04:00

Today has been an incredibly hectic day...yours truly still doesn't have missing luggage, and was out very early dropping in on various training groups...more on that later...and then I was off to the meetings. This sort of news will be updated as soon as possible. I've got to try to find some clothes before the cocktail party begins or show up in the same borrowed t-shirt (not)...

...BUT, at the meeting today, 126 Vermont maple syrup bottles were arranged on a table near the front of the room and each bottle bore a tag with a number inscribed on it. NARC President Don Driggers summoned yours truly up to the front of the room to choose one of the bottles and thus reveal the starting number for tomorrow's first test. I looked, reached and picked one...and the tag revealed Number 93, FC-AFC Tartan Prime Time and co-owner/handler Barb Howard. (On a lighter note, all handlers will be given their bottles of maple syrup.)

Prior to Prime's appearance, the first of two test dogs will be called to the line at 7:30 a.m. Right now, as I type, we've got managed chaos as folks are swarming from the meetings and committees are grouping together to discuss strategies and schedules for tomorrow. In addition, the bitch check is being held in just a few minutes (commencing at 4:30 p.m.) behind the Town & Country by the official stake veterinarians.

I'll be back asap with ramblings about training groups from this morning and additional comments on National goings-on...Thanks for reading.

The Draw...

2008-06-13T21:05:00.005-04:00

Stowe is a charming "village" as many of the locals say, not far off the beaten path of I-89 north up Vermont 100. To get there one has to pass through Waterbury and go by (if you could) the Ben & Jerry's ice cream factory, and a number of other tempting establishments selling cheese, antiques, chocolates and assorted interests. And, throughout this afternoon people have been descending upon the quaint and picturesque community in anticipation of tomorrow's aforementioned meetings and necessary preliminaries always scheduled before each National officially begins.

It's very noticeable that everything is green around Stowe. Although "green" is an operative word in today's society, it's used here strictly in its native sense. Everything is green. Grass, trees, fields, more grass, as the cover is quite high in places...but everything is lush and, you guessed it, green.

By this evening, just before 7 p.m., contestants gathered around the front entrance to the Town & Country Inn (Headquarters) in Stowe for the nightly "draw" to determine which groups would get which training grounds for Saturday morning. Although there was much banter and light conversation, tension filled the air as well, partially attributed to the fact that this would be that last training session before the onset of National competition. Everyone wanted a suitable area to work on final tuning or to perhaps iron out something that has cropped up in the past week.

As soon as final plans were made, however, folks dispatched quickly for eating establishments and some hope for sleep as morning will come early. Most training groups start between six-thirty and seven a.m. to get one or a few good setups in before it's time to call it a day. It will be interesting to see what some of these groups do on this final morning, as well as how the dogs are running and how handlers' nerves are holding up. (What frame of mind would you be in this night? There is much to think about, tons to speculate, and a lot to worry and wonder...we'll see what tomorrow brings.)

See you then...

Are you ready to rumble?

2008-06-13T12:20:00.004-04:00

Another (not counting this brief update) post for NARC will appear sometime later this afternoon/evening as internet access allows...

...but thus far, weather has been the focal point of most pre-National training groups. Whether (no pun intended) we talk about New York state, or New Jersey, Pennsylvania, storied Vermont and local areas, temperatures have hovered between 90 and 100 degrees with high humidity and have included at least a few active severe weather alerts and thunderstorms. Living in south Georgia, I can attest it's no picnic to train dogs under those circumstances, but training must go on and trainers/handlers are dealing with the deck they're dealt accordingly.

Today in Vermont the temperature must be around 80 or thereabouts, giving a welcome respite from the past week...and of course lending to the supposition that training is full steam ahead in anticipation of the short day and meetings planned for the morrow's activities preceding Day One of National competition.

I'll be back with more later today!

Test...

2008-06-12T07:56:00.002-04:00

This is a test of the 08 NARC Blog System! This is only a test...