An Amateur Competitor's Perspective
By: Jamie Woodson #68
While we will likely train a bit tomorrow morning in the Bonham area, the sun is effectively setting on my first
experience pre-national training for a National Open. And, what a cool (and humbling) experience it was!
experience pre-national training for a National Open. And, what a cool (and humbling) experience it was!
Our training group was a large one with 17 dogs including Maddie, the official bitch test dog for the National.
Handjem's Ray Voigt, Fox Hollow's Wayne Curtis, and Red Rover's Luanne Pleasant presented all the dogs
and handlers with challenging tests. As one of four amateur handlers in the group, I particularly appreciate
the care and attention they took to design challenging, safe, and meaningful tests with every set up.
Handjem's Ray Voigt, Fox Hollow's Wayne Curtis, and Red Rover's Luanne Pleasant presented all the dogs
and handlers with challenging tests. As one of four amateur handlers in the group, I particularly appreciate
the care and attention they took to design challenging, safe, and meaningful tests with every set up.
My goals going into pre-national were pretty simple.
1. Get into rhythm with Keeper in a different environment than a normal weekend field trial. Adjust to the intensity
and excitement of more flyers, more holding blinds, and more, well... everything!
and excitement of more flyers, more holding blinds, and more, well... everything!
2. Cement the habit of watching my flyers and MARKING them. Flyers are unpredictable and national flyers are an
awesome thing to witness as they are thrown and shot by the most skilled throwers and gunners in the country.
I can't handle to a bird if I don't know where it is!
awesome thing to witness as they are thrown and shot by the most skilled throwers and gunners in the country.
I can't handle to a bird if I don't know where it is!
3. Stay calm and be a learner. Mistakes, hunts, and unexpected surprises are inevitable. Get myself in a mindset of
calmly learning and simultaneously avoid getting frustrated at the moments when my dog or I make mistakes.
calmly learning and simultaneously avoid getting frustrated at the moments when my dog or I make mistakes.
4. Remember that some of this is about surviving moments that are totally out of my control - like conditions, flyers, etc.
5. Have fun and enjoy every moment. It really is a privilege just to be here.
I have had two previous pre-national training experiences. Both preceded National Amateurs and both were under
the watchful eye of Coach Ray Voigt and Handjem.
the watchful eye of Coach Ray Voigt and Handjem.
It's probably psychological, but preparing for this National Open seemed harder than my two national amateur
experiences.
experiences.
Every bird, every test, every scenario presented the dogs and handlers with both physical and intellectual challenges.
Each day brought us long (and I mean really long) flyers utilizing both pheasants and ducks. Water blinds tested
courage and honesty, even for the most watery dogs. Marks included tough angle entry and exits that tested even the
most experienced retrievers. Terrain, wind, and cover were expertly used against us as each bird was placed with
finesse. Each dog had moments of greatness and moments that can only be described as - completely and utterly
common.
Each day brought us long (and I mean really long) flyers utilizing both pheasants and ducks. Water blinds tested
courage and honesty, even for the most watery dogs. Marks included tough angle entry and exits that tested even the
most experienced retrievers. Terrain, wind, and cover were expertly used against us as each bird was placed with
finesse. Each dog had moments of greatness and moments that can only be described as - completely and utterly
common.
I am still amazed at all the work and effort that goes into even the pre-national experience.
Individual members of our group and their families were always ready to lend a hand whether taking birds, setting
up tents, marshaling or shooting flyers. Brothers Andy and Glen Curtis deserve tremendous thanks for all they did
for us - sunrise to sunset. Catching birds, shooting flyers, throwing marks, setting up and taking down tests. They
both must be exhausted.
up tents, marshaling or shooting flyers. Brothers Andy and Glen Curtis deserve tremendous thanks for all they did
for us - sunrise to sunset. Catching birds, shooting flyers, throwing marks, setting up and taking down tests. They
both must be exhausted.
Landowners Judy Aycock, Martha and John Russell, and Beverly and Robbie Bickley allowed us (and a few other
groups) to train on their magnificent properties and we truly can't thank them enough!
groups) to train on their magnificent properties and we truly can't thank them enough!
Last, I honestly don't know what we would do without Dr. Jennell Appel of SportVet. The care, conditioning advice,
and expertise that she provides is second to none in the country.
and expertise that she provides is second to none in the country.
So, what am I feeling as the sun sets on this pre-national experience? I am feeling like we learned a lot and
accomplished most of our goals. Importantly, I have a feeling of deep gratitude for the chance to be here!
accomplished most of our goals. Importantly, I have a feeling of deep gratitude for the chance to be here!
Tomorrow is the opening meeting and the draw for running order. Keeper is #68 and Baby is #90.
Best of luck to all! May the wind be with you and your flyers be friendly!
-Jamie Woodson #68
