WELCOME to the Official Blog of the 2016 National Amateur, June 18-25 held this year in Stowe, Vermont. This year's Blog is brought to you by the Retriever News and our Official Sponsors Purina and Avery and also Sponsored by Ainley Kennels,Move The Dog,Mountaintop Custom Kennels,YBS Media,Elite Retrievers and Retriever Training Forum. We hope you enjoy these multi-daily updates and please come back often! This year we encourage visitors to participate in the National Amateur discussion located in the comments section of each post. These areas are a great outlet for remote communication and commentary for those unable to attend this year's NARC. Also, please keep an eye out for trivia, surveys and other interactive activities!The Retriever News team consists of Tina Styan, Gwen Jones and Tera Lanczak. We would also like to welcome Pat Burns, of Elite Retrievers this year as a Contributing Sponsor to the blog. Please don't hesitate to share any items of interest or photos that you think the retriever community might be interested in. Send submissions to Tina Styan at: tstyan@theretrievernews.com Subject Line: 2016 NARC Blog. Thanks in advance and enjoy the coverage...
We will post callbacks to the 5th as soon as we receive them tonight. For those that are at the event, the Callbacks will be posted at the Headquarters, Town & Country Resort
3 whistles to get in, 2 to get out on the peninsula, carried over the peninsula 3 to get on the point, 2 to get off the point, 3 in the water, 1 at the bird.
49. FC-AFC Delpond's Aunt Jemima, "Jemma," LF, Mark Menzies
1 to get in, 2 in the water, 2 to re-enter, 8 to get on and off point, missed it, got in running water scalloped the shore 6 more whistles to finish the blind.
46. FC-AFC Bay Blue's All American Girl, "Libby," LF, John Russell
3 to get in, 2 in the water, 1 to get on the peninsula, 1 to get on the point, re-entered the water, then got out ran the bank, needed 2 whistles to finish the blind.
got in early, then got out and re-enter up front, made it to the peninsula, 1 to get on the point, 1 to get off the point, 2 in the water to retrieve the bird.
16. Mac's Sweet Eleanor Rose, "Rosie," LF, Mike McDaniel
1 to get in, dog got out early, 2 to get in again, 2 to get on the peninsula, carried near the point, 2 to get on the point, 2 to re-enter, 2 in the water, to carry to the bird.
8. AFC Trifecta's Black Gold, "Slick," LF, Lisa Kane
1 to get in, 1 in the water, carried onto the peninsula, 1 to re-enter, 7 to get the point, missing it, multiple whistles given near the end to get the bird.
6. Daybreak Second In Command, "Joshua," LM, Bill Landau
1 to get in, carried to the peninsula, 1 to get out, 1 to re-enter, dog exited and then went out of sight until the dog reappeared running the land by the holding blind, then 2 to retrieve the bird.
110. Chances R Jean Louise Finch, "Scout," LF, John Goossen
3 to get in, 2 to get on the peninsula, 2 to re-enter but missed it and ran the land re-enter and exited the water, lost sight of the dog then he reappeared at the bird.
107. FC-AFC Windy City's Mighty Mouse, "Mickey," LM, Charlie Hines
lined into the water, 1 in the water, 1 to get on the peninsula, 1 to re-enter,carried over the point re-enter on his own and went straight to the bird. WOW!
105. FC-AFC Contrails Sky Queen, "Reina," LF, David Opseth
3 up front past the corner, 2 to get in the water carried onto the peninsula, 1 to re-enter, 4 to get onto the point, but missed it staying in lunging water and then ran to the bird.
2 up front carried it near the peninsula, 1 to get out carried over the peninsula and to the point, 1 to get off the point, 6 just past the point while in the water, 1 near the end to finish
95. Red Dog's Ain't Misbehavin', "Zoe," LF, Sydney Gardave
2 to get in the water, carried to the peninsula, 1 to re-enter, 3 to get on the point, missed it, got in lunging water, 1 near the end to finish the blind.
92. FC-AFC-AFTCH Jaybar American Idol, "Reuben," LM, Barbara Younglove
2 to get in the water, 3 while swimming to reach the peninsula, 1 to re-enter the water, 3 to get up on the point, 2 to r-enter, 1 to retrieve the bird.
90. FC-AFC Freeridin Miss Kitty, "Kitty," LF, Theodore Shih
3 up front carried near the peninsula, 1 to get out and re-enter the water, 2 to get on the point & off. dog ran the shoreline, 1 more put her on the bird.
89. FC-AFC Ruff Rivers Oasis On The Plains, "Colby," LF, Northrup Larson
3 whistles to get in, 1 to get out, re-enter carried to the point, blew several whistles on the point, while in lunging water got 1 more whistle near the end to retrieve the bird.
87. FC-AFC Leica Sabertooth, "Tiger," LM, Terry Rotschafer
4 whistles from the mat to enter the water, 1 to get out on the peninsula, 3 to get on the point, 1 to get off the point, 1 in the last piece of water to carry to the bird.
85. FC-AFC Chopper's Final Approach, "Billie," LF, Joel Harris
4 to get past the corner carried into the pond, 1 to get out on the peninsula, 1 to re-enter, 1 to high and dry on the point, 1 to re-enter, 2 near the far shore, and a few more to finish the blind
82. FC-AFC Coolwater's Hawkeye Legend, "Legend," LM, Alex Washburn
1 to get in and carry mid way to peninsula, 1 to tighten up on the shore,carried onto the peninsula, 1 to re-enter, 1 to get on the point high and dry, 1 to get off the point, 2 to finish. A text-book performance
80. FC-AFC Spirit of Denali-Genet, "Genet," LF, Bill Barstow
3 whistles up front, 1 to get in, 1 to get on the peninsula, 1 to re-enter carried to get up on the point, 1 to get off the point, 2 to stay in the water, 1 to finish it out.
75. AFC MS Micro Doodle Dandy, "Micro," LF, Tom Bogusky
2 whistles up front carried into the water, 2 to get over the pennisula,1 to re-enter, 6 in an attempt to get on the next point, 3 toward the far shore and 1 to finish the blind.
74. AFC Wood River's Mr Big, "George," LM, Bill Fruehling
6 whistles from the mat to the corner of the pond, 2 to enter the water carried to the peninsula, 2 to get re-enter, 2 to get high and dry, 1 to get off the point, 3 to finish
3 whistles to get past the corner of water, 1 to get into the water carried to the pennisula, 1 to get off point carried to the next point, 1 to get off the point and re-enter, 1 near the end and 1 to check down at the bird.
72. FC-AFC Fresh Squeezed Juice, "Juice," LM, Mark Medford
1 just past the road, 3 up front to enter the water and carry to the peninsula, 1 to re-enter, 1 to get high and dry on the point, 1 off the point to re-enter, 1 to finish the blind and make the retrieve. 5 mins 50 sec to completion.
71. AFC Rawhide's Rowdy Trail Boss, "Rowdy," LM, Tommy Grimes
1 to get past the corner, 2 to enter the water, carried to the pennisula where the dog ran land to the second point where he was given another cast to re-enter the water, 3 whistles near the end to complete the retrieve
FC Hardscrabble's Seaside Shutterbug, "Bug", LF
Owners Mitchel & Margret Brown
Handler Margot Brown
3 whistles up front, 1 whistle on the point, several whistles in the next piece to get her near the point with no avail, as slide past the point going out to sea, needing several whistle to retrieve the bird on the opposite shore
Test Dog #2
AFC Colonial's Hubba Bubba, "Bo", LM
Owners Micheal & Johanna Coutu
Handler: Micheal L.Coutu
4 whistles to get past the corner of the pond, 1 whistle over the point 1 to high and dry on the second point and just a few to finish it out.
Series 4 brings us to the East end of the Simonds Bliss Hill Rd property. We are facing due west about 50 yards from a pond we have not yet seen on this property. The pond features several peninsulas on the right-hand shore. It also features a irregular shoreline with ample amounts of native grasses. This is a very black & white, along the shore Water Blind. Just a water blind, nothing more, nothing less. The wind is steady out of the Southeast, coming due east at times. The distance on this blind is measuring 225 yards. Taking roughly 6 mins a dog.
We have been instructed to remain at the Series 3 test site until we are instructed to move to the next sight. The next test site in just across the street. The Callbacks will be given at test site Series #4. Please be patient and courteous while we wait for the test to be set-up for Series 4 Water Blind.
M: arrived left of the gunner's est a hunt deep and left of the fall, hunting his way to the bird.
LR: took off on a path at the fall reached the levee and began to angle hard right. exited the pond on the right shore punching deep and was Handled to the bird.
40. FC-AFC Shelbie's Liberty Bell, "Libby," LF, Chris Byers
F: pounded it!
M: stayed on the correct side of the mark entered under the arc went a bit up the hill then turned to come into the area and retrieve the bird.
LR: took a good path toward the area, exited and then disappeared in the tree-line, then reappeared near the holding blind and worked her way to the bird for a job well done!
M: arrived at the shore to the left of the gunner's then est a hunt and kept moving left and deep before making a move to the right and hunting up the bird.
Pat Burns interviews former 2013 NARC Winner Andy Kahn. Andy had qualified 3 dogs for this event and just finished running his last dog on Day 2 of Series 3.
Handled 18. FC-AFC Son Of A Preacher Man, "Billy Ray," LM, Duncan Christie
F: Pinned it!
M: arrived to the shoreline near the white rock, looped around the gunners and to the bird.
LR: angling hard right in the first pond exited & re-enter on a hard right again, exited the the pond on the right-hand shoreline then est a hunt and was Handled to the bird.
We have 27 more dogs to run this 3rd Series Water Triple With An Honor.
We are running Series 3 at The Simonds Bliss Hill Rd property, pg 42 in the training/test manual posted on-line. The mat is set on a grass knoll a top of a hillside. We are over-looking a large technical pond with several points the dogs will have to negotiate. It looks as thou it would be easy to get re-routed in this pond and forget where you are going! A challenging piece of water, to say the least.
The first gun station to be thrown is situated to the left of the pond and deep of the first piece of water the dog looks at. The gunners are standing on the left shoreline of a second pond deep of the levee of the first pond. This station is throwing a dead hen mallard hard angle back to the right, parallel to the shore. This station measures a distance of 220 yards and disappears behind a group of trees to retire after the dog's number is given. The next bird to be thrown in this water triple is situated up the middle of the first pond, in the middle of the test measuring 173 yards. The gunners for the second station are sitting on the back hillside of the first pond. It was originally thought to be a technical pond at first glance. However, it is a series of small ponds arrange in a matter to present many places for the dogs to square the edge, get out early to run land, en-route hills to loose sight of destinations, all very challenging to these canine athletes. The second station is throwing a dead rooster pheasant flat and to the right, landing short to medium cover. The final bird is 157 yard from the mat, go-bird of this water triple is a hen mallard flyer. This bird is shot to the right as well and lands in short to medium. It is taking about 8 mins 30 sec a dog to complete this test. The dogs will honor for this series.
Please see the link at the top left side of the blog for pictures, sketches and video of the test.
1. FC-FTCH Handjems Artful Dodger, "Dodger,” LM, Jim Dorobek 2. NAFC-FC Texas Troubador, "Tubb," LM, Martha Russell 3. NFC-AFC Robber's Stray Bullet, "Bullet," LM, Hank McNeil 4. B&D's Chocolate Mariah, "Windy," LF, Don or Bettye Brawley 5. FC-AFC SK's Dirty Little Secret, "Vegas," LF, Betsy Madden 6. Daybreak Second In Command, "Joshua," LM, Bill Landau 7. FC-AFC Texaco's High Tesse, "Star," LF, Alex Abraham 8. AFC Trifecta's Black Gold, "Slick," LF, Lisa Kane 9. FC Utopian Sixteen Hands, "Hunter," LM, Gary Zellner 10. AFC Lucyana's Full Speed Ahead, "Straight," LM, Laura Parrott 11. FC-AFC Aksarben's Black Skyy MH, "Skyy," LM, Alice Woodyard 12. NAFC-FC Hardscrabble Roxie McBunn, "Roxie," LF, Bill Benson 13. AFC Jorja's Tarbaby Tempest, "Tempy," LF, Jake Fredericks 14. FC-CAFC-CFC Jazztime Cut to the Chase, "Chase," LM, Paul Hanson 15. FC-AFC Ragin Eye Of The Storm, "Cane," LM, John Thomas 16. Mac's Sweet Eleanor Rose, "Rosie," LF, Mike McDaniel 17. Road Tripp, "Tripp," LM, Mark Medford 18. FC-AFC Son Of A Preacher Man, "Billy Ray," LM, Duncan Christie 19. FC-AFC Good Idea's Outta Sight, "Stevie," LM, Ken Neil 20. NAFC-FC Dottie Ray's Ivy League, "Ivy," LF, Andy Kahn 21. FC-AFC In The Hunt Farm's Executive Sweet, "Sweet," LF, Linda Bogusky 22. FC Topbrass Linekin's Riptide, "Rip," GM, Cam Clark 23. FC-AFC FWR'S Wood River's Highest Summit, "Denali," LF, Mark Brashear 24. FC-AFC Valtor's Hayseed Kid, "Kid," LM, Breck Howard 25. AFC 3R's Mister Cross Your T's, "Tommy," LM, Fred Kampo 26. FC-AFC Moxie Gunner, "Moxie," LF, Russ Hardy 27. FC-AFC McKinley First Ascender-Hudson, "Hudson," LM, Bill Barstow 28. FC Tremblin Earth's Cosmic Rider, "Tex," LM, Kate Simonds 29. Smoke'N High Heat, "Smoke," LF, Charlene Koeth 30. Bay Blue's Indigo Girl, "Indy," LF, Marv Baumer 31. FC-AFC RMR'S I Have a Dream, "Marti," LF, Joel Harris 32. FC-AFC Mitimat Rock Paper Scissors, "Rocky," LM, Lydia Fekula 33. Dottie McFizz, "Dot," LF, Nancy White 34. Cold Black Jack, "Jack," LM, John Stracka 35. FC-AFC Lil Chin Music, "Lil," LF, Chester Koeth 36. Gunstock's Harbor Houligan, "PJ," LM, Yvonne or Charles Hays 37. FC-AFC Bluenorth's Rock Hard Ten MH, "Ten," LM, Barb Radtke 38. FC-AFC Wight's Goddess of Victory MH, "Nike," LF, Tracy Wight 39. FC-AFC-FTCH Laird's Cynful Wisdom, "Wiley," LF, Chris Parkinson 40. FC-AFC Shelbie's Liberty Bell, "Libby," LF, Chris Byers 41. FC-AFC Good Idea's National Pair, "Dolly," LF, Ken Neil 42. Aragorn XIII, "Aragorn," LM, Julie Cole 43. Holland Cliffs Sweet Inspiration, "Sugar," LF, Alvin Hatcher 44. FC-AFC Bob and Ed's Excellent Adventure, "Chef," LM, Ed Krueger 45. AFC Kirkwood's Ace of Lone Star, "Lexie," LF, Casey Adams 46. FC-AFC Bay Blue's All American Girl, "Libby," LF, John Russell 47. FC Midway Twin City Limits, "Leo," LM, Seth Kelly 48. FC-AFC Bayou Teche Eye On The Ball, "Slider," LM, Lauren Hays 49. FC-AFC Delpond's Aunt Jemima, "Jemma," LF, Mark Menzies 50. FC-AFC Mulligan Off The Rainy "T", "Mully," LM, Randy Spangler 51. Watermark's Ramrod, "Rowdy," LM, Gary Storch 52. FC-AFC FTCH Alexus - Pursuit of Perfection, "Lexi," LF, Lynn Cole-Kimball 53. FC-AFC Cool Fuel, "Nitro," LM, Rich Pingatore 54. AFC Lake Park Diamond In The Ruff, "Ruff," LM, Charles Bearden 55. FC-AFC Hockley Creek's Big Hitter, "Manny," LM, Robby Bickley 56. FC-AFC Sundog's Maximum Pursuit, "Max," LM, Andy Kahn 57. FC Straight to the Heart-Dagger, "Dagger," LM, Johnny Armstrong 58. FC-AFC Choco Lickity-Split, "Choco," LM, Don Brawley 59. FC-AFC Maple Creek's Mattie Mae, "Mattie," LF, David McMahan 60. FC-AFC Good Idea's Have It Your Way, "Whopper," LM, Ken Neil 61. AFC Tucked Away At River's Edge, "Tucker," LM, Alex Abraham 62. NFC-AFC Keeno's Gizmo CC, "Gizmo," LM, Bruce Hall 63. FC-AFC Lock Five's My Mother's Keeper, "Keeper," LF, Jamie Woodson 64. FC-AFC Make It Happen Captain, "Cappy," LM, Gary Zellner 65. AFC Got It Made in the Shade, "Shade," LM, Bobby Smith 66. Backwater Sweet Bay Magnolia, "Bay," LF, Keith Pharr 67. FC Lil Whiskey Girl, "Lily," LF, Judy Despenas 68. FC-AFC Baypoint's Westminster Abbey, "Abbey," LF, Don Fregelette 69. FC-AFC JJ of Red Rock, "JJ," LM, Jim McBee 70. FC-AFC Greenwing Tall Timber, "Krumz," LM, Craig Stonesifer 71. AFC Rawhide's Rowdy Trail Boss, "Rowdy," LM, Tommy Grimes 72. FC-AFC Fresh Squeezed Juice, "Juice," LM, Mark Medford 73. FC-AFC Lubys and Whitewaters Pirates Jewel, "Jewel," LF, Jeffrey Schuett 74. AFC Wood River's Mr Big, "George," LM, Bill Fruehling 75. AFC MS Micro Doodle Dandy, "Micro," LF, Tom Bogusky 76. FC-AFC Indi Go Girl, "Indy," LF, Darlene Houlihan 77. Topbrass Montana Lonesome Dove OS, "Gus," GM, John Robinson 78. FC-AFC B Bumble, "Stinger," LM, Fred Kampo 79. AFC Red Dog's Anything Goes, "Porter," CBRM, Bill Burks 80. FC-AFC Spirit of Denali-Genet, "Genet," LF, Bill Barstow 81. AFC Winneshiek's Wild Wind Scamp, "Scamp," LM, Dave Robertson 82. FC-AFC Coolwater's Hawkeye Legend, "Legend," LM, Alex Washburn 83. Jet Black's Supersonic Boom, "Sonic," LM, Judy Powers 84. FC-AFC Good Idea's Texas Scratch, "Rosie," LF, Ken Neil 85. FC-AFC Chopper's Final Approach, "Billie," LF, Joel Harris 86. Knockout Punch II, "Joe," LM, Jim Cope 87. FC-AFC Leica Sabertooth, "Tiger," LM, Terry Rotschafer 88. FC-AFC Candlewood's Life Is A Highway, "Freeway," LM, John Stracka 89. FC-AFC Ruff Rivers Oasis On The Plains, "Colby," LF, Northrup Larson 90. FC-AFC Freeridin Miss Kitty, "Kitty," LF, Theodore Shih 91. FC-AFC Candlewood's Skyrocket, "Sky," LF, Tommy Parrish 92. FC-AFC-AFTCH Jaybar American Idol, "Reuben," LM, Barbara Younglove 93. FC-AFC Dottie Ray's League Of Her Own, "Dottie," LF, Andy Kahn 94. FC-AFC Contempt of Court, "Ruckus," LM, Susan Bledsoe 95. Red Dog's Ain't Misbehavin', "Zoe," LF, Sydney Gardave 96. Brink's Buster Brown, "Buster," LM, Jeffrey Bandel 97. AFC Lane's Thrilla n Manilla, " Frazier," LM, Michael Robicheaux 98. FC-AFC Watermark's Miss Kali Hart, "Kaylee," LF, Sonya Harrigfeld 99. AFC Trinity's Moose on the Loose, "Lucy," LF, Cindie Little 100. Kirkwood's Blue Grade Lady, "Gracie," LF, Casey Adams 101. FC-AFC Lanes Lets Get Ready To Rumble, "Ali," LM, Bobby Lane 102. FC-AFC Atlastastar, "Rinny," LF, Martha Blank 103. FC-AFC Forry's Charmed One, "Piper," LF, Lynn Budd 104. FC Delpond's Pretty in Pink, "Bella," LF, Mark Menzies 105. FC-AFC Contrails Sky Queen, "Reina," LF, David Opseth 106. FC-AFC Good Idea's Second Wind, "Vapor," LF, Ken Neil 107. FC-AFC Windy City's Mighty Mouse, "Mickey," LM, Charlie Hines 108. FC-AFC Buck IN Bobby, "Bobby," LM, Mary Ahlgren 109. FC-AFC Aran Island's Finnegan, "Finnegan," LM, Pat Martin 110. Chances R Jean Louise Finch, "Scout," LF, John Goossen