Series 7 Water Triple Test Description

We have moved to Kent Sweezy's Stick Pond Property, directions are located in the online training and testing manual.

Weather conditions were challenging and wet when we arrived. It was pouring rain while the grounds crew, bird stewards, and marshal's were working to set the test up. We are standing on the top of a hill with the mat facing Northwest. We are over-looking this very busy stick pond, there must be 200 dead trees sticking out of the water. A ducky setting in this rainy weather. The wind is blowing lightly out of the East.

The first bird to be thrown in this water triple is straight up the middle of the test situated on a side-hill about 40-50 yards deep of the end of this stick pond. This bird is a dead Hen Pheasant thrown to left landing in medium to heavy native grasses. This mark is measuring at 250 yards and retires into a clump of trees. (Long Retired)

The next mark to be thrown in a swing to the right and shallow of the first mark. This mark measures at a distance of 109 yards and is situated deep of the water's edge next to two pine trees where the gunner's retire in an invisible holding blind. This is a dead drake Mallard thrown to the right, landing on the side of the pond in heavy cover. (Right Retired)

The go-bird and Flyer of the test is a Drake Mallard Flyer. This is a tough bird for the dogs to stay still and watch as it is thrown hard angle back to the left landing just off of the shoreline in the open water. The Flyer is only 40 yards from the line and has a sluice. The are the only guns to stay out.
Another challenging test, again putting the Judges in total control. If the dogs manage to retrieve all three birds the test will take between 14-16 mins per dog. (Flyer)

Flyer Station

Long Retired

Right Retired

Good Luck To All!!!

Callbacks to the 7th Series

Callbacks to the Seventh Series :

1, 2, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 21, 24, 26, 30, 32, 33, 35, 37, 38, 39, 40, 42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 50, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 63, 64, 70, 72, 73, 78, 80, 82, 85, 87, 88, 89, 92, 93, 94, 101, 102, 105, 107, 108

53 Dogs callback to the 7th Series

4 dogs were dropped : 43, 61, 66, 90

Dog #38 Starts the 7th Series

Series 7 will be held at the Kent Sweezy Test Site, directions are in the on-line Training/Test Site Manual


Good Luck To All!!!

Pat's Perspective -- Red Zone (6th Series Land Blind)

The photo I have shown below focuses on the end of the 6th series land blind at this years National Amateur Championship.  The trouble area is highlighted.  I like to call this the Red Zone.  It is an area of extreme danger. Let me tell you all of the factors that make this Red Zone super challenging. 

First of all you are going right through the fall area of the previous days flyer pheasant.  The line to the blind is very close to the island of trees and 20-30 yds deep of them.  The blind planter and holding blind are left and behind that island.  In order to be downwind of the blind you had to be in a very small corridor.  If you misjudged the depth and gave your dog a come in whistle too soon, many of them took that as permission to hunt and get out of control.  These handlers really had to be on their game to execute good Red Zone handling. 

Red Zone is one of my passions in coaching handlers.  I guess I got it from Rex!

24. FC-AFC Valtor's Hayseed Kid, "Kid," LM, Breck Howard

Came to the line at 10:27 am

2 whistles to reach the tulles, carrying this cast all the way to the trees, 3 whistles to get past the trees where he went out of sight needing 2 whistles to finish the blind.

This dog concludes the 6th Series....

21. FC-AFC In The Hunt Farm's Executive Sweet, "Sweet," LF, Linda Bogusky

Came to the line 10:24 am

2 whistles to get to the tulles, 1 whistle just deep of the tulles, carried this cast all the way to the left hand group of trees, 1 whistle at the trees and to check down on the bird.

20. NAFC-FC Dottie Ray's Ivy League, "Ivy," LF, Andy Kahn

Came to the line 10:21 am

4 whistles to reach the tulles, 1 just deep of the tulles, 2 to get past the trees, and 2 to retrieve the bird

19. FC-AFC Good Idea's Outta Sight, "Stevie," LM, Ken Neil

3 whistles to the tulles, 1 whistle just deep of the tulles, carrying the cast almost to the bird, needing 1 addition whistle to retrieve the bird.

17. Road Tripp, "Tripp," LM, Mark Medford

Initial lined carried deep to the tulles, 1 whistle at the trees, 1 whistle to clear the trees, then a few more whistles to complete the blind.

101. FC-AFC Lanes Lets Get Ready To Rumble, "Ali," LM, Bobby Lane

Came to the line 10:14 am, 2 whistles to tulles, 2 whistles to get past the trees, 2 whistles near the end to complete the blind.

Note: This dog ran out of order because he wasn’t on the grounds when his number was original call.

13. AFC Jorja's Tarbaby Tempest, "Tempy," LF, Jake Fredericks

Came to the line 10:12 am, 3 whistles to the tulles, 1 whistle deep of the tulles, carried all the to the bird with a cautionary whistle at the end.

12. NAFC-FC Hardscrabble Roxie McBunn, "Roxie," LF, Bill Benson

Came to the line 10:09 am, 3 whistles to reach the tulles, 1 whistle at left hand group of trees, 1 whistle at the end to complete the retrieve

11. FC-AFC Aksarben's Black Skyy MH, "Skyy," LM, Alice Woodyard

Came to the line at 10:07 am, 2 whistles to get to the tulles, 1 whistle to reach the trees, needing only one more whistle to check down on the bird.

9. FC Utopian Sixteen Hands, "Hunter," LM, Gary Zellner

Came to the line at 10:05, 1 whistle in front of the tulles, 2 whistles at the trees, and 1 whistle to check down on the bird.

7. FC-AFC Texaco's High Tesse, "Star," LF, Alex Abraham

1 cast to get through the tulles and reach the trees, 1 cast to get deep to the trees and several more whistles to complete the blind.

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

1 whistle to reach the tulles, 1 cast that carried him near the bird, needing several whistles to complete the blind.

1. FC-FTCH Handjems Artful Dodger, "Dodger,” LM, Jim Dorobek

2 whistles to get to the tulles, 3 to reach the trees on the left side, 3 to finish out the blind and retrieve the bird.

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

Dog came to the line at 9:54am

1 to reach the tulles, 1 just deep of the tulles, carried all the way to the trees, and 1 to check down on the bird.

107. FC-AFC Windy City's Mighty Mouse, "Mickey," LM, Charlie Hines

3 whistles to reach the tulles, 1 just deep of the tulles, carrying this cast past the trees, near the bird, needing 1 additional whistle to check down on the bird.

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

Dog came to the line at 9:50am

2 whistles to reach the tulles, 1 just before the trees, 1 in front of the trees, 1 to get past the trees and 1 to check down on the bird.

102. FC-AFC Atlastastar, "Rinny," LF, Martha Blank

2 whistles to reach the tulles, 1 to get deep of the tulles, carried this cast almost to the bird, needing only 1 to check down on the bird.

94. FC-AFC Contempt of Court, "Ruckus," LM, Susan Bledsoe

3 whistles to drive through the tulles,  carried this cast almost to the trees, needing 3 whistles to clear the trees and 1 whistle at the bird.

93. FC-AFC Dottie Ray's League Of Her Own, "Dottie," LF, Andy Kahn

Dog came to the line at9:41am

1 whistle to get through the tulles, 3 just deep of the tulles to reach the trees where the dog went out of sight, needing several additional whistles to complete the blind.

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

Dog came to the line at 9:36am

2 whistles to get to the tulles, 1 to get deep of the tulles, carried the cast to the trees, needing 4 additional whistles to complete the blind.

90. FC-AFC Freeridin Miss Kitty, "Kitty," LF, Theodore Shih

Dog came to the line at 9:33am

2 whistles to get through the tulles, 1 just deep of the trees, needing several additional whistles to complete the blind.

89. FC-AFC Ruff Rivers Oasis On The Plains, "Colby," LF, Northrup Larson

Dog came to the line 9:30am

3 to get to the tulles, 1 to get past the tulles, the dog carried this cast to the trees, needing just a few quick whistles to complete the blind.

88. FC-AFC Candlewood's Life Is A Highway, "Freeway," LM, John Stracka

3 casts to get through the tulles, carried up to the trees, 1 to get past the trees, needing a few more whistles to complete the blind

87. FC-AFC Leica Sabertooth, "Tiger," LM, Terry Rotschafer

2 to reach the tulles, 2 just deep of tulles, 1 at the trees, carried almost to the end, needing a few more whistles to complete the blind.

85. FC-AFC Chopper's Final Approach, "Billie," LF, Joel Harris

Dog came to the line at 9:21am

2 to get through the tulles, carried the cast to the trees, needing 1 to clear the trees, 1 just deep of the trees, and 1 at the bird.

82. FC-AFC Coolwater's Hawkeye Legend, "Legend," LM, Alex Washburn

Dog came to the line at 9:18am

2 to reach the tulles, 2 to reach the left hand group of trees, carried near the end, needing 1 more to complete the blind.

80. FC-AFC Spirit of Denali-Genet, "Genet," LF, Bill Barstow

1 in front of the tulles, 2 just deep of the tulles, 1 near the end carried all the way to the bird.

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

Came to the line at 9:10am

Blew the first whistle at the tulles, carried past the left group of trees, needing only 1 more whistle at the end to complete the blind

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

4 to reach the tulles, 1 just deep of the tulles, 1 near the left trees, and 1 at the bird.

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

Dog came to the line at 9:04am

First whistle at the tulles, 1 just deep of the tulles, 1 in front of the trees, 3 more to complete the blind.

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

Came to the line at 9:02am

1st whistle at the tulles, carried the cast past the left trees, only needing 1 more whistle to check down on the bird!

66. Backwater Sweet Bay Magnolia, "Bay," LF, Keith Pharr

Came to the line at 8:59am

2 to reach the tulles, 4 to reach the left group of trees, 2 to get past the trees, the dog disappeared behind the trees, and needed several more whistles to complete the blind.

64. FC-AFC Make It Happen Captain, "Cappy," LM, Gary Zellner

Came to the line at 8:56am

1st whistle was blown at the tulles, and 1 just deep of the tulles to carry it to the trees and 1 just deep of the trees, and one more to check up on the bird.

63. FC-AFC Lock Five's My Mother's Keeper, "Keeper," LF, Jamie Woodson

Came to the line at 8:54am

2 whistles to the tulles, 1 to reach the trees, 1 in front of the trees and 2 more to complete the blind.

Pick-up 61. AFC Tucked Away At River's Edge, "Tucker," LM, Alex Abraham

2 whistles to get through the tulles, 2 whistles just deep of the tulles, 1 whistle near the left trees, dog got loose behind the trees, handler attempted to handle to the blind, but had to pick up the dog.

59. FC-AFC Maple Creek's Mattie Mae, "Mattie," LF, David McMahan

Came to the line at 8:48am

3 whistles to get through the tulles, 1 just before the trees, 1 in front of the flyer, 2 to get past the trees and 1 more to check down on the bird.

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

Came to the line at 8:46am

2 whistles to the tulles, 1 just deep of the tulles carried all the way to the end, needing only a few extra to check up on the bird.

56. FC-AFC Sundog's Maximum Pursuit, "Max," LM, Andy Kahn

2 to reach the tulles, 1 at the left hand group of trees, 1 to clear the trees, 1 at the bird

52. FC-AFC FTCH Alexus - Pursuit of Perfection, "Lexi," LF, Lynn Cole-Kimball

Came to the line at 8:41am

2 to reach the tulles, carried the cast almost to the bird, needing 1 whistle to check up at the bird.

51. Watermark's Ramrod, "Rowdy," LM, Gary Storch

Came to the line at 8:38am

His first whistle was blown in front of the tulles, 1 at the trees, 2 to get past the trees and 1 to check up on the bird.

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

Came to the line at 8:35am

Great initial line carried to and through the tulles, blowing the first whistle just before the left hand set of trees, needing 2 to clear the trees, and  2 more to complete the blind.

48. FC-AFC Bayou Teche Eye On The Ball, "Slider," LM, Lauren Hays

Came to the line at 8:33am

First whistle blown at the tulles, carried it all the way near the end, needing a few whistles near the bird to make the retrieve and complete the blind.

47. FC Midway Twin City Limits, "Leo," LM, Seth Kelly

Came to the line at 8:30

2 to get through the tulles, 1 just deep of the tulles, 2 just before the left hand set of trees, 1 to clear the trees, 1 just deep of the trees and 1 more at the bird to complete the blind.

46. FC-AFC Bay Blue's All American Girl, "Libby," LF, John Russell

Came to the line at 8:27am

2 whistles on the levee to reach the tulles, 1 in front of the left trees, 1 to get past the trees, and 1 at the bird.

45. AFC Kirkwood's Ace of Lone Star, "Lexie," LF, Casey Adams

Came to the line at 8:24am

2 whistles to get to the tulles, 2 just deep of the tulles, carried all the way to the trees on the left, where he went out of sight, needing several whistles to complete the blind.

44. FC-AFC Bob and Ed's Excellent Adventure, "Chef," LM, Ed Krueger

Came to the line at 8:22am

Blew the first whistle at the tulles, 1 just before the left hand set of trees, 1 at the trees, carried almost to the bird, needing only 1 more to complete the retrieve.

43. Holland Cliffs Sweet Inspiration, "Sugar," LF, Alvin Hatcher

Came to the line at 8:17am

Blew his first whistle at the tulles, needed 2 additional to clear the tulles and reach the left hand group of trees, dog curled behind the trees and needed several more whistles to complete the blind.

42. Aragorn XIII, "Aragorn," LM, Julie Cole

3 to reach the tulles, 1 just deep of the ditch, 2 at the end to check up on the bird.

40. FC-AFC Shelbie's Liberty Bell, "Libby," LF, Chris Byers

Came to the line at 8:12am

2 on the levee, 1 at the tulles, 1 deep of the ditch, 1 at the left hand group of trees, 2 at the end to complete the blind.

39. FC-AFC-FTCH Laird's Cynful Wisdom, "Wiley," LF, Chris Parkinson

Came to the line at 8:11am

Needed 1 on the levee, to carry through the tulles, 1 on the hillside deep of the ditch, 1 at the left hand group of trees, 1 near the end to retrieve the bird.

38. FC-AFC Wight's Goddess of Victory MH, "Nike," LF, Tracy Wight

Came to the line at 8:08am

Needed two on the levee to carry through the tulles, dog was angling hard right and needed 4 additional whistles near the trees to retrieve the bird to complete the blind.

37. FC-AFC Bluenorth's Rock Hard Ten MH, "Ten," LM, Barb Radtke

Came to the line at 8:06am

1 on the levee, carried through the tulles, 3 to get past the long flyer, 2 to get past the left hand set of trees and 1 to check down on the bird.

35. FC-AFC Lil Chin Music, "Lil," LF, Chester Koeth

Came to the line at 8:04 am

Needed 1 on the levee, carried through the tulles, near the left hand group of trees. Gave one near the trees, gave a come in whistle for the dog to reappear so that he could be casted to the bird for completion.

33. Dottie McFizz, "Dot," LF, Nancy White

Came to the line at 8:01am

2 to get through the tulles, 1 just deep of the tulles, carried almost to the end, the dog curled behind the left hand group of trees and went out of sight. The dog reappeared with the bird.

32. FC-AFC Mitimat Rock Paper Scissors, "Rocky," LM, Lydia Fekula

Came to the line at 7:59am

2 whistles to get through the tulles, lined to the left hand group of trees, 1 near the end and 1 to check down on the bird

30. Bay Blue's Indigo Girl, "Indy," LF, Marv Baumer

Came to the line at 7:56am

3 whistles along the levee to carry through the tulles, near the left hand group of trees, 1 whistle at the trees carried near the end with needing only 1 more whistle to complete the blind

26. FC-AFC Moxie Gunner, "Moxie," LF, Russ Hardy

Came to the line at 7:53am

3 along the levee, carried through the tulles, almost to the bird, blew one whistle and then the dog disappeared to the left behind the big group of trees. Then the dog reappeared with the bird.

Series 6 Test Dogs

Test Dogs

Test Dog #1 Mike and Bo

Traveled a good angle along the levee, two whistles to get through the ditch, carried this line near the bird, needing only one more to check down at the tree.

Test Dog #2  Margo and Bug

Carried a good initial line to whistles to get through the ditch, one to get through the left flyer, dog was lost behind the trees and it was discovered that a bird had not been planted.

Series 6 Land Blind Test Description

This test is set on the same property as the 5th series.  The mat is to the North of where the 5th series began. We are overlooking the marks from the 5th series, at an angle across the levee and slightly to the right of the tulles for the short retired in the 5th series.  The dogs must hold a tight angle along the levee just under the arc of the long flyer. The single gunner is sitting at the long flyer station next to the bird crates stacked high. The end of the blind is through the arc of the long flyer deep and a bit right of a large group of trees. Many of the dogs hunted and went out of sight behind a large group of the trees just left of the line to the blind. The bird is nestled in medium cover at the base of a split tree.  The wind is coming from all directions and swirling in this valley. The end of this blind is a tricky one because the dogs can go out of sight in a heartbeat.  The handlers better be on their "A-game" because this blind is not given up by the wind!

The bird they are picking up on this test is a hen pheasant. The blind is measuring at 214 yards and is taking 2 minutes per dog to complete.

Good luck!

Pat's Perspective on the 6th series land blind:P Red zone handling required. The blind is about 20 yds deep of the cluster of trees on the left. The danger here is losing sight of your dog behind that cluster of trees. The wind is light and slightly right to left. You need to be on the left to wind the bird. However, there isn't much room there and the blind planter is on the left. Handlers need to be on there toes.

Worker's Party – What a great evening!

Dave Sniegowski & Judge Mitch Patterson

Mr & Mrs Derek Smith

Laura & John Parrott

Mr & Mrs Bob Scurria

Bob Hanssen and friend

Mr, & Mrs, Charles Beardon, Randy Whttaker and Kate Simnods

Add caption

Kathy Forsyth and Marty Kress

Bobby Smith (and his "loot!")

Olen Bielski, Co Captain and Richard Smith, Gun Captain

John Russell, Judge Mitch Patterson and Curt Showalter

The Band ...

Kelsi Toth and David Carrington of Avery

Judge Mitch Patterson and Judy Powers

Sue and Fred Kampo

Julie Cole, Mr & Mrs Ritch Pingatore

Kathy and Bob Walton

Judge Anna Calvert and Tom Vaughn

Jim and Judy Powers

Linda and Mitch Patterson

Laura & Alvin Hatcher

Marty & Dave Kress

Ken & Brenda Neil

Chairwoman Martha Russell welcomes and thanks all the workers

The Judges address the group

Judge Anna Calvert

Judge Chris Hatch

Let the dancing begin …

Pat & Marv Baumer

Missy & John Goettl

AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

We will be located at the same testing site as yesterday where the 5th Series was held. This means we will have NO SERVICE, so reporting will be substantially delayed. Please be patient with us as we are in very rural areas in the mountains!

Morning Has Broken

Well we finished the 5th Series yesterday. The 6th Series will be held in the same test site as the 5th Series, Simonds Elmore Ponds property.

This puts the Judges' is a great position to put forth whatever tests they choose. The Judges' have remained in total control from the word go! As they chip away at the number of dog's competing, it is obvious the Judges' have allowed the dogs & handler to eliminate themselves from the competition. The atmosphere around this national has been calm, cool and collected. People who have never met, who came to volunteer are working together like a well-oiled machine.

***A SHOUT OUT ***

to Judy Rasmuson - Chief Marshal & Barb Younglove- Co-Marshal for keeping all us ducks in a row. Not an easy feat as it is like herding cats at times.

***A SPECIAL SHOUT OUT***

to our Traffic Committee, the directional signage has been awesome!!! It has made it easy for the directionally challenged to find all the testing & training sites off of these curvy mountain roads!

There are cool temps & possible rain today. A new set of conditions the dogs have not yet been tested under. This should cover all the bases. Whomever Wins this National will have fully earned the right to be called A CHAMPION!

GOOD LUCK TO ALL GOING TO THE 6TH SERIES!!!