Series 10 In The Books

Series 10 Land Quad was in the books at 10:34 am

Color Commentary

 Pat Burns and Nancy White a competitor at the 2016 NARC

Quick Info about Using this Blog…Labels

A new feature we have incorporated into the blog this year is the use of labels. Which basically categorizes our posts for you, if you know how to use them. In order to use this handy feature, you must be using your web browser view (web view) on your computer or tablet or phone. It will NOT work if you are using the “app view” from your smartphone or device. So if you are on a phone, or device, please scroll to the bottom and click “view web version” to use this feature.

So Now that you are looking at the web version of the blog, you can start using the labels to see groups of relevant posts. For instance, if you want to see how Dog #17 has been doing throughout the  NARC, you can click on the 17 label under one of the posts for that dog and it will bring up all posts which were labeled 17. So you should see each post Dog #17 was in from beginning to the present! It’s pretty cool!

There are labels for each dog #, and there are also labels under the posts for info, which is all the informational posts, test, which will bring up all informational posts directly related to all of the tests,  photos or videos which will bring up all posts with a photo or video in them if you want to review them all….etc.  Enjoy the use of this new feature!

Series 10 — Test Dogs

Test Dog # 1

Michael & Bo

Came to the line at 7:47 am

RF: Smacked it!

HF: made a rapid retrieve

DF: Pinned it!

MR: went into the mark just to the right of the blind drove a bit deep and was Handled to the bird.

Test Dog # 2

Margot & Bug

Came to the line at 7:55 am

RF: hammered it!

HF: front-footed it!
DF: went wide left of the fall area, est a hunt and then hunted the area and found his bird.

MR: went deep and enroute to the DF then the dog was Handled to the bird.

 

Series 10 Land Quad Test Description

Today we are located in Cabot, VT home of the Cabot Farms where they make array of goodies but are most known for their cheeses.  The wind is still as we overlook this hay field nestled on the mountain side. With the view of the mountains in the back drop and a look at three flyers in this 10th Series the dogs will surely be licking their lips while the handler's knees get a bit weak.

The mat is placed on a grassy knoll overlooking a rolling hay field facing due North. The first mark to be thrown in this 10th Series Land Quad is a Drake Mallard Flyer located up the middle of the test. This Flyer will be shot to the left with bird landing in medium to heavy cover. This mark measures a distance of 243 yards and stands out for the test.  We will refer to this mark as the DF or Duck Flyer.

The next mark in this quad is a big swing past another gun station which will throw later to the far right of the test. There are three gunners situated on a gentle side hill. This station shoots another Hen pheasant flyer to the right. This bird is landing on the down slope of the hill in heavy cover and measures a distance of 157 yards.  We will refer to this mark as the HF or Hen Flyer.

The third mark is located in between the DF and HF. The gunners are standing in front of a couple bushes located behind them. The bird is thrown hard angle back to the left and hip pockets to the DF, this bird is a dead Hen pheasant landing in medium cover. After the dog is given their number the gunners then retire into the bushes. This mark measures a distance of 113 yards and will be referred to as the Middle Retired or MR.

The final bird in this 10th Series Land Quad is a Rooster pheasant thrown to the left landing on a side hill in medium to dense cover. This gun station is a swing to the far left of the test. This station remains visible and is situated on a grassy knoll. This mark measures a distance of 108 yards from the mat and will be referred to as the RF or Rooster Flyer.

 

Left side of the test

Right side of the test

1- Drake Mallard Flyer - 243 yds

2 - Hen pheasant flyer - 157 yards

3 - Retired hen pheasant - 113 yards

4 - Rooster pheasant flyer - 108 yards

The Champion Will Be Announced Today

Series 10 is located an hour away from the headquarters in Stowe, VT in the sleepy little mountain town of Cabot.  The weather is gorgeous now at 7 am but, it is calling for pleasant temperatures.

A BIG THANK YOU

To: Doug and Cindy Burinton from Lyndonville, VT who donated all the hay bales for the 10th Series Land Quad. We appreciate your generosity!


A word from our Chairman - Martha Russell

The Health Of Our Canines Is Most Important

Today we had a chance speak with the dynamic duo of health care providers on the grounds at the 2016 NARC;

Dr. Jennifer Brown DVM & Dr. Jennell Apell DVM

Dr. Jennifer Brown DVM

Callbacks To The 10th Series

2. NAFC-FC Texas Troubador, “Tubb,” LM, Martha Russell

7. FC-AFC Texaco’s High Tesse, “Star,” LF, Alex Abraham 

17. Road Tripp, “Tripp,” LM, Mark Medford 

21. FC-AFC In The Hunt Farm’s Executive Sweet, “Sweet,” LF, Linda

50. FC-AFC Mulligan Off The Rainy “T”, “Mully,” LM, Randy Spangler 

70. FC-AFC Greenwing Tall Timber, “Krumz,” LM, Craig Stonesifer 

72. FC-AFC Fresh Squeezed Juice, “Juice,” LM, Mark Medford 

78. FC-AFC B Bumble, “Stinger,” LM, Fred Kampo 

82. FC-AFC Coolwater’s Hawkeye Legend, “Legend,” LM, Alex Washburn 

92. FC-AFC-AFTCH Jaybar American Idol, “Reuben,” LM, Barbara Younglove

102. FC-AFC Atlastastar, “Rinny,” LF, Martha Blank 

105. FC-AFC Contrails Sky Queen, “Reina,” LF, David Opseth 

107. FC-AFC Windy City’s Mighty Mouse, “Mickey,” LM, Charlie Hines 

Dog #17 will start the 10th Series

Dogs Dropped - 19,  58, 73, 93, 94, 108

13 dogs called back to the 10th

Test Dog at 7:45 am

Location - Jones & Leinoff 

561 Bolton Rd, Cabot VT

 

Seven And One Half Hours

Seven and one half hours!

That is the number of hours the news team was able to sleep. Thanks to our wonderful Judges for excellent time management and preservation of our National event!

Thank you to all the volunteers, committees, and friends who have supported the field trial sport always and especially over the last month!!! The National Championship could not happen without all of the gracious people who donate their resources for the 2016 NARC.

Mattie Goes Pro....59. FC-AFC Maple Creek's Mattie Mae, "Mattie," LF

An interview with #59 FC AFC Maple Creek's "Mattie" Mae the oldest competing dog of the 2016 NARC.........

Owners - David & Kara McMahan

Series 9 -- Test Dog

Test Dog # 1

Margot & Bug

Came to the line at 7:49 am

GO: Straight to the bird

HF: Nice mark!

RR: ran a path at the gun station, jumped into the woods, down to the point to scoop up the bird.

DF: arrived on the far shore to the left of the gun station, the dog popped and was Handled to the bird.

Test Dog # 2

Micheal & Bo

Came to the line at 8:13 am

HF: drilled it!

RR: reached the area then went a bit deep and was Handled to the bird.

GO: hammered it!

DF: Nailed it!

Series 9 Water Quad with an Honor

This morning the Series 9 Water Quad is being held on Kate Simonds' Stick Pond. As we meander thru the woods on a two-track road, all of sudden the trees opened to reveal our location. The most beautiful setting yet to appear in this 2016 NARC. Tucked away in a rolling valley is the most magnificent stick pond and marsh we have ever seen! It is big and there are many places to put birds where dogs will get lost en route, may not make the swim, or just plain forget where it is.

The mat is facing due West and the wind is calm out of the East at 2-4 mph. Previously mentioned, we are over-looking a large stick pond that is even busier than the one the dogs were tested in yesterday. This stick pond boasts soggy marsh grasses, heavy cover, and about 500 sticks sprinkled throughout the water. The first mark to be thrown in this water quad is a Drake Mallard Flyer near the end of the pond. The drake is thrown hard angle back right and lands in short to medium native grasses. This the longest mark in the test measuring 314 yards. We will refer to this mark as the Drake Flyer (DF).

The next mark to be thrown is also a Flyer. A swing to the left of the pond reveals a gun station that appears from behind a single large pine tree near the water's edge. This station is holding a Hen Pheasant Flyer and shoot it to the right as well. The gunners then retire into a holding blind concealed by the large pine tree. This flyer is measuring a distance of 220 yards and is also landing in short to medium native grasses. We will refer to this mark as the Hen Flyer (HF).

The third bird to be thrown in this water quad swings us to the same shore as the mat. The gunners are standing in front of a treeline that extends to the water's edge. This station is throwing a dead Hen Mallard to the left and the bird is landing on the right-hand shore at the tip of a point in heavy marsh grass. This mark is measuring a distance of 180 yards and then vanishes into the treeline to retire. We will refer to the this mark as the Right Retired (RR).

The final bird to be thrown comes out of a boat in the middle of the test placed at a distance of 180 yards from the mat. The gunners in the boat are throwing a dead mallard drake to the left. This bird is landing on a marshy point that extends off of the left-hand shore of this magnificent stick pond. This station remains visible during the test and will be referred to as the go bird (GO).

This test is taking 19 to 21 minutes a dog. We will only hold the 9th Series today. The 10th Series is planned for Saturday.

Hen Pheasant Flyer - 220 yards

Right Retired - 180 yards - Hen Mallard

Drake Flyer - 314 yards

Go  ( Boat ) Bird - 180 yards - Dead Drake

*** Note: some of the distances/birds are a little different from this original "Test Book" sketch

Greetings Retriever Fans

The 2016 NARC is in the 9th Series, with only the two series left to run the tests are gonna be super tough! The Judges have been in control the entire trial! They have managed their time excellently. This will allow them to put up a test that may take all day long to run! These Judges have done an amazing job testing these dogs and handlers on their retriever skills. The Judges have put up tests that are both challenging and fair.

Today is no exception with the 9th Series Water Quad!!! The 9th Series is being held at Kate Simonds' Stick Pond - directions are in the online training/test site manual.

Hope to see you there !!!

An Interview With Ray Voigt - Handjem Retrievers

Today we interviewed Ray Voigt of Handjem Retrievers. Ray has been a professional retriever trainer for over 15 yrs. Ray explains some of the handler errors and pitfalls to the Series 7 Water Triple.

Part 2

Part 3

Callbacks to the 9th Series

2. NAFC-FC Texas Troubador, “Tubb,” LM, Martha Russell

7. FC-AFC Texaco’s High Tesse, “Star,” LF, Alex Abraham 

17. Road Tripp, “Tripp,” LM, Mark Medford 

19. FC-AFC Good Idea’s Outta Sight, “Stevie,” LM, Ken Neil 

21. FC-AFC In The Hunt Farm’s Executive Sweet, “Sweet,” LF, Linda

50. FC-AFC Mulligan Off The Rainy “T”, “Mully,” LM, Randy Spangler 

58. FC-AFC Choco Lickity-Split, “Choco,” LM, Don Brawley

70. FC-AFC Greenwing Tall Timber, “Krumz,” LM, Craig Stonesifer 

72. FC-AFC Fresh Squeezed Juice, “Juice,” LM, Mark Medford 

73. FC-AFC Lubys and Whitewaters Pirates Jewel, “Jewel,” LF, Jeffrey Schuett 

78. FC-AFC B Bumble, “Stinger,” LM, Fred Kampo 

82. FC-AFC Coolwater’s Hawkeye Legend, “Legend,” LM, Alex Washburn 

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

102. FC-AFC Atlastastar, “Rinny,” LF, Martha Blank 

105. FC-AFC Contrails Sky Queen, “Reina,” LF, David Opseth 

107. FC-AFC Windy City’s Mighty Mouse, “Mickey,” LM, Charlie Hines 

108. FC-AFC Buck IN Bobby, “Bobby,” LM, Mary Ahlgren

Dog #93 will start the 9th Series

Dogs Dropped - 11, 30, 39, 40, 59, 101

19 dogs called back to the 9th Water Quad

Test Dog at 7:45 am

Location - Kate Simonds Stick Pond

Test Dogs -- 8th Series

Test Dog #1

Micheal & Bo

Came to the line at 2:18pm

lined into the water near the point, re-entered and then went out of sight due to high grasses, the dog was picked up to do some trimming.








Test Dog #2

Margot & Bug

Came to the line at 2:45pm

1 to get into the pond, 1 in the water, missed the point and stayed in the water, re-entered, had a few more whistles in the second piece, to keep on-line and complete the blind

Series 8 Water Blind With A Poison Bird Test Description

We arrive at the Series 8 Water Blind on the opposite end of the ponds where we ran the Series 7 Water Triple on Kent Sweezy's Stick Pond property. The mat is situated on the hill-side tight against the treeline in between the RR & LR of the 7th series. We are now facing due west standing at the end of the land bridge about 25 yards from the water's edge. This is where so many dogs exited early in and hunted. The line to the blind is entering the first pond to then parallel the shore, clipping a small point in the first piece of water located on the left-hand shore. The dog then exits the pond in the corner at the land bridge. The dog must then re-enter into the second pond. However, the nifty element added to this blind is a poison bird. The bird is thrown away from the line to the blind and is virtually out of the picture. The two gunner's are at a distance of 170 yards. They are sitting deep and to the right of the path on the land bridge. If the dogs decide to take the path, it will carry them up the hill and to the poison bird. After the dog's re-enter they must carry a line parallel to the right-hand shore of the second pond. The bird is planted in medium length marsh grass about 70 yards deep and to the left of the poison bird station at the end of the second pond. Total yardage is 240 yards and the blind is taking 4 to 5 mins a dog to complete.

Good Luck To All!

The blind at the base of the tree between the left stump and the middle stump

The Poison Bird

Callbacks To The 8th

Callbacks to the Eighth Series :

2, 7, 11, 17, 19, 21, 30, 39, 40, 50, 58, 59, 70, 72, 73, 78, 82, 92, 93, 94, 101, 102, 105, 107, 108

25 Dogs callback to the 8th Series

28 dogs were dropped : 1, 9, 12, 13, 20, 24, 26, 32, 33, 35, 37, 38, 42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 51, 52, 56, 63, 64, 80, 85, 87, 88, 89

Dog #70 Starts the 8th Series Water Blind

Series 8 will be held at the Kent Sweezy Test Site, directions are in the on-line Training/Test Site Manual


Good Luck To All!!!

A Family Affair

Retriever field trials are a family effort: a competitor's perspective 

By: Jamie Woodson #63

Our prenational training group partner and friend, Chris Byers #40, snapped this shot yesterday as Keeper, Bill, and I were headed back to the truck after Keeper completed the seventh series watermarks. 

I love this picture. For me, it's worth so much more than a thousand words. Retriever sporting (and all sporting with dogs really) is one of the few where men and women compete equally. Bill happens to be the spectator this week, but we are commonly trading places from competitor to cheering spouse, depending on the weekend and the running order. 

There are so many incredible couples in this sport. For some couples, both the husband and wife compete. Couples like Lynne and Mac DuBose, Trudie and Tony Kuka, Judy and Jim Powers, Martha and John Russell, Lydia Fekula and Jeff Schuett, Linda and Mitch Patterson, Margo and Mitch Brown, Gwen and Milton Jones and many, many, more. 

For others, one spouse competes and the other cheers/worries from the gallery/truck/home like Sue and Fred Kampo, Nancy and Jonathan White, Brenda and Ken Neil,  Cheryl and Mike Robicheaux, Valerie and Bobby Lane, Suzanne and Mark Medford, Mary and John Stracka, Paige and Chad Baker and many, many more. 

There is also a third group, lovely couples like Zan and Jake Fredricks and Kara and David McMahan, where one spouse cheered from the sidelines for years and now both are stepping up to the line and cheering for each other from the gallery (or will be soon). 

Bill and I came to retriever sports via duck hunting. B.R. (before retrievers), Bill was an avid golfer and I was an eventer traveling the southeast competing with my horse, Mo Chroi. We worked and lived in two different cities (and still do). We realized pretty quickly that if we wanted to actually see each other, we might need to find hobbies that we could enjoy together. Since we both love to hunt and fish, we knew there were lots of ways to go. Needless to say, golf and the horses are in the rearview mirror for this season of our lives, but duck hunting, retriever sports and fly fishing have filled the gaps and made for some pretty incredible memories over the last 12 years or so. 

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I went out after the fourth series last year at the #2015NARC in Montana. Bill and his 3 year old dog, Baby, completed all ten series and were national finalists! It was one of the coolest experiences of our lives together so far. And not just because it was the first time in our marriage we were together for three weeks in a row! 😳

Retriever News follower Trevor Toberny commented that he always wondered if husband and wife competitors like Martha and John Russell are competitive with each other and if they like to beat each other 😜. I haven't asked Martha and John that question yet but I imagine they feel much like we do. 

These dogs are so amazing, the venues are continual and stunning examples of the beauty of rural America, and this sport is so freaking hard. To have your best friend, your partner, and your sweetheart, experience the highs and lows, the great days and the tough ones WITH you - it is truly a wonderful gift.

I also happen to know that it is way harder to be in the gallery than up on the line. Without question, it is more unnerving to be a spectator than a competitor. It is like the world moves in slow motion and you have to watch each test unfold like its an out of body experience. At least when I am on line, I am distracted by working with my dog and the whole process of competing/handling. Watching someone you love is unequivocally harder. 

As I sit in my truck on a gorgeous 60 degree morning in rural Vermont, typing my thoughts into my iPhone notes and trying to not be anxious about callbacks, I have this thought on my mind:

Whether you are a competitor, a spectator, or both, this is a great sport for couples and families. 

Who are your favorite couples to watch? Who did I miss? (I know my quick list is very incomplete.) Can't wait to hear your perspective on couples who are crazy enough to be part of this wacky sport and all the other family members who love and support us on the wild ride!

All my best,

Jamie

Conditions Report

Take notice of the wind & dog work now in comparison to the first handful of dogs who have run. This am it was as quiet and as still as it could be. The pond had a gorgeous mirrored image of our blue skies.

This am