Phase II of the 2016 National Amateur Retriever Championship has officially begun. The 5th series land quad marks the beginning of phase II. This is where the National turns into “The National.”
Hen flyer pheasant memory birds are the norm. And a tough fall can be a deal breaker. Some of my most vivid memories at Nationals have been 5th series land marks. It is not uncommon to walk up and look at one of these quads with 2 flyers and utter “Oh My God ...”
Today’s test challenged handlers to think outside the box in regards to order of picking up the birds. Some handlers insisted on getting the short retired gun before the long flyer. And others chose to go with the dog’s preference and get the flyer first. Each way presented its own consequences. The dogs that retrieved the short retired 2nd tended to push off that line and set up a hunt behind the long flyer. When that happened their hunts took them very close to the longer retired gun. Others that took the flyer prior to the short retired were at risk of lining by the short left bird. All in all, the handlers were forced to read their dogs and be willing to go to plan B.
What you will see develop is, the dogs that are really on their game, will start to rise to the top. The marking setups will get more challenging and you will witness some incredible dog work.
Take it from someone who has been there ... When a great dog gets in the zone, it will take your breath away.
Take it from someone who has been there ... When a great dog gets in the zone, it will take your breath away.
So stay tuned for an exciting 2nd half of the 2016 National Amateur!
