Words of wisdom...

...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?

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?

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...

...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...

...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

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

Amendment

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.