The Workers' Party

Doug and Sonya Bush work it out on the dance floor!

Marcy Wright, Becky Eckett, Jean Grammer and Tom Hartl

Brad and Diane Clow

Dave Sniegowski, Vickie Worthington and Alice Carruth

Dana and Craig Stonesifer

Mitch & Linda Patterson and Jamie & Bill Woodson

Bob West and Tom Vaughn

Karl Gunzer of Purina and Lester Langley

Judge Ron Ainley thanks all the workers

Chairwoman Ginger Cope

End Of The Day

The test ended at 5:30 pm

#64 ran and Picked Up on the Flyer.

This dog will be rerun in the morning.


We will resume Series 5 in the am at the Edwards Training Kennel.

Test dog will be at 6:30 am

First running dog will be at 7:00 am

Handle 63. NAFC-FC Coolwater's Hawkeye Legend, "Legend", LM, Alex Washburn

came to the line 5:11 pm

Flyer: angled behind the guns, over the dam, then left into the middle of the field, then took a right over to the fall area

LR: into the second pond, straight to the fall area got deep brought back to the area and est a hunt and then was handled to the bird.

MR: ran to the holding blind and over to the bird.

Handle 62. FC-AFC Dottie McFizz, "Dot", LF, Ray Voigt

Flyer: Down hill, good angle, across the pond; over levee and out to fall area and her bird

LR: Down hillside over levee into the cove; out and up towards telephone pole; halfway up a quick turn left and back down to the bird

MR: Down hill - no water- going very wide left; far left and deep hunting; left side hard and handled

61. FC Trumarc's Gratuity, "Tippy", LF, Danny Farmer

came to line at 4:49 pm

Flyer: Smacked it!

LR: pinned it!

MR: into the left corner, over the dam, up the hill, turned left going wide left and very deep up the hill, est a hefty hunt on the left-side of the holding blind before eventually hunting over to the area to grab the bird.

Handle 59. FC Road Warriors Dieter Brock, "Deets", LM, Dave Rorem

came to the line at 4:49 pm

Flyer: smacked it!

LR: nice mark!

MR: down the hill, cut the corner, over the dam, up the left side of the hill and handled to the bird.

Handle 57. FC Westwinds Pin One For Me, "Grover", LM, Eric Fangsrud

Flyer: made a loop and a scoop of the bird.

LR: over the dam got deep and right of the cove, then est a hunt deep before coming into the shore to snatch up his bird.

MR: down the hill into the left corner of the pond, over the dam, drove up the hill began to hunt just shallow of the mark made several passes shallow of the area before the dog was handled to the mark.

Handle 52. FC-AFC Atlastastar, "Rinny", LF, Scott Harp

came to the line at 4:03 pm

Flyer: took a true path to the bird running hard up the hill thru the fall area not breaking stride got deep to the phone pole looked as if dog was going to continue to the MR and was then handled to the bird.

LR: over the dam into the cover exited right of the holding blind, one loop behind the blind, got wide right and worked into the shore to come up with the bird.

MR: cut the corner, headed up the hill, angling to the left then made a moved to the right but still behind the blind and up to the hay bales, est a big hunt before getting the bird.

51. NAFC-FC Dottie Ray's Ivy League, "Ivy", LF, John Henninger

came to the line at 3:53 pm

Flyer: entered the pond, angling to the right drove up the hill to the right-hand phone pole, made a pass to the right then to the left and over to the bird.

LR: stayed left across the cove before the holding blind, went left of the holding blind to the next point and snatched up her bird.

MR: clipped the corner of the pond up the hill heading left of the holding blind, made a loop on the left then to the right and  over to retrieve the bird.

48. FC Lane's Krewe Chief, "Chief", LM, Mark Smith

came to the line at 3:43 pm

Flyer: Stepped on it!

LR: ran down the hill over the dam, was on the left side of the cove over to the point, left of the blind then to the far shore and then to the bird.

MR: cut the left corner of the pond, over the dam, up the hill wide left half-way up the his started to fade to the right, got wide right and then worked over to the area to retrieve the bird.

45. FC Bluegoose's Passion for Jazz, "Louie", LM, Chris Ledford

Flyer: into the pond, swimming an accurate angle across the pond, squared upon the exit, went over the dam arrived to the mark under the arc made a rapid retrieve.

LR: down the hill over the dam into the cove, exiting right of the holding blind, made a few circled deep and into the area to grab the bird.

MR: across the pond, angled toward the flyer guns, then angled left up the hill, made a few passes back and fourth before retrieving the bird.

44. Silver Star's Watch'em Like A Hawk, "Hawk", LM, Ray Voigt

Flyer: took off on an angle behind the gun station, got to the dam and began to veer to the right and straight to the bird.

LR: Smacked it!

MR: entered the pond, over the dam, up the hill on an angle left, near the holding blind the dog made one jumbo loop to the right then turned left to the holding blind and over to the bird.

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

came to the line at 3:01 pm

Flyer: entered the pond made a hard left exiting the pond got up on the hill behind the gun station went to the phone pole then made a move to the right and got the bird.

LR: took an accurate path toward the fall, made one loop deep and snatched up his bird.

MR: ran at the holding blind the whole way, went a bit deep to the hay bale then turned toward the fall and had the bird.

40. FC-AFC Mulligan Off The Rainy "T", "Mully", LM, Wayne Curtis

came to the line at 2:41pm

Flyer: pinned it!

LR: down the hill over the dam into the cove and straight to the are, missed the bird on the up wind side, went deep to the phone poles turn in and hunted his way into the area to complete the retrieve.

MR: holding a left angle away from the holding blind to the hay bales on top of the hill turned to the right,and over to the bird.

Handle 39. Eh...What's Up Doc, "Doc", LM, Dave Rorem

Flyer: got to the area and worked it out quick

LR: a few loops in the area to scoop up the bird.

MR: entered the pond went over the dam and begin up the hill then the dog was Handled to the bird.

46. FC-AFC Make It Happen Captain, "Cappy", LM, Jerry Patopea

Flyer: a loop and a scoop

LR: down the hill over the dam, into the pond, swam parallel with the blind, exited right of the holding blind, made a move left down the shore and grabbed his bird.

MR: down wide left, ran around the pond, began to hunt way wide left and the dog was handled to the bird.

Chatter

Chatter

"This test would be great for a one-eyed stiff necked dog"

 "Holding blinds – why so many?"

"This test could help you or hurt you"

"There's no place I'd rather be, no matter what the dog does"

"If it wasn't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all"

"Beautiful town, Bonham, TX! Can we come back?"

Just a few quotes from the people walking around the 2016 National Retriever Championship …

37. FC-AFC Tremblin Earth's Cosmic Rider, "Tex", LM, Al Arthur

came to the line at 2:18 pm

Flyer: into the pond, swam at an angle left of the gun station, over the dam turned right into the area and missed the bird. made a loop deep, then turned toward the fall to retrieve the bird.

LR: over the road to the cove, swam to the left of the bird which was on the up wind side, hunted deep and wide right, then had to hunt into the area to complete the retrieve.

MR: clipped the corner of the pond over the dam, heading up the hill leaning a shoulder to the right, half way en route began to angle over to the left entered the mark on the left side of the holding blind, and had to hunt his way right, and over to the bird.

36. NFC-AFC Robber's Stray Bullet, "Bullet", LM, Alan Pleasant

Flyer: a loop and a scoop

LR: into the pond, ran up the hill even with the holding blind over to the far shore, turned and got the bird.

MR: into the left corner of the pond, running up the hill angling to the left ran up the hill to the holding blind and right over to the bird.

33. FC-AFC Nordic Warrior, "Odin", LM, Eric Fangsrud

came to the line 1:56 pm

Flyer: Smoked it!

LR: picture perfect!

MR: cut the left corner of the pond, over the dam, up the hill pushing toward the holding blind, est a hunt shallow of the fall, making it to the nearest phone pole near the gunners of the flyer, then he turn and continued up the hill to the holding blind, turned and went down the hill to the pole again then up the hill to finally work it out and retrieve the bird.

Gun Change

Gun change at 2:52pm

This maybe our last gun change of the day!!

Zulu Warrior Sighting

A Zulu Warrior was sighted watching the Fifth Series …

Just kidding, this is Mark Atwater's super duper camera on a tri-pod

Come visit Mark and Shannon at the UpClose Photo tent on the grounds to look at your pictures!

31. FC-AFC Lanes Lets Get Ready To Rumble, "Ali", LM, Ryan Brasseaux

came to the line at 1:46 pm

Flyer: hammered it!

LR: down the hill over the dam, into the cove, exited at the holding blind, and drilled it!

MR: jumped in the pond angling toward the flyer, got over the dam then ran under the arc of the flyer, then began to veer left toward the fall, reached the top of the hill before turning and coming into the area to snatch up his bird.

Conditions Report

Wind south, southwest at 11 mph gusting up to 15 mph. Current temperature 87'F.

Hold onto your umbrellas!!

Gay Houser, our Official Announcer

"Pretty in Pink!"

30. FC-AFC Drake's Bay Parting of the Sea, "Moses", LM, Wayne Curtis

Flyer: traveled a true path at the fall area ran past the bird got deep near the telephone pole, est a hunt deep before working into the area to retrieve the bird.

LR: down the hill across the dam into the cove, exited to the right of the holding blind, made a huge loop wide and right, then a loop left before making way to the bird.

MR: into the left corner of the pond, over the dam, up the hill toward the holding blind, came in left of the blind going deep and angling away from the bird, back to the right side where he looped and got the bird.

28. FC Hilltop's High Society Lady Ga Ga, "Lady", LF, Danny Farmer

came to the line at 1:27 pm

Flyer: took a path wide and left of the gun station, then took a deliberate right and retrieved the bird.

LR: ran across the dam into the cove exited to the right of the holding blind, went deep of the holding blind then deep up the hill, before coming down the hill to retrieve the bird.

MR: caught the left corner of the pond, over the dam, turned left up the hill and left of the holding blind, then made a big move to the right making just a few loops in the area and got his bird.

27. FC-AFC Dottie Ray's League Of Her Own, "Dottie", LF, John Henninger

came to the line at 1:17 pm

Flyer: made a couple quick turns in the area to grab the bird.

LR: straight to the bird.

MR: picture perfect mark!

Handle 26. FC-AFC-CNFC-CNAFC Nightwings Marsh Leader, "Guide", LM, Bill Sargenti

came to the line at 1:06 pm

Flyer: hammered it!

LR: straight to the bird.

MR: cut the left corner of the pond, over the dam,traveling wide left of the holding blind, the dog was driving the hill hard making it to the telephone pole before he was handled to the bird.

25. NAFC-FC Hardscrabble Roxie McBunn, "Roxie", LF, Ray Voigt

came to the line at 12:58 pm

Flyer: made one loop in the area and nail it!

LR: over the dam into the cove, swam at the right side of the holding blind, ran the bank and scooped the bird.

MR: got in the left corner of the pond, ran hard up the hill angling wide left of the holding blind, made a gigantic loop to the left then made a move to the right and had her bird.

Pick Up 22. FC Back By Popular Demand, "Petey", LM, Alan Pleasant

came to the line 12:45 pm

Flyer: swam toward the gun station, then made a couple passes in the area and had the bird.

LR: across the road angling wide right up the hill and even with the telephone pole the turned to the bird.

MR: into the pond angling toward the flyer guns over the dam, right of the gun station, thru the fall continued up the hill then over to the mound then made it to the hay bales, the gunners came out to help the dog before the dog retrieved the bird. With gunner help the dog got the bird.

Gun Change

we had a gun change at 12:37 pm

take a cool break on this hot day!

Braum's Best Ice Cream in TX.

 Thank you, Russ Reavis!  :-)

20. FC-AFC Cool Fuel, "Nitro", LM, Rich Pingatore

came to the line at 12:28 pm

Flyer: cut the pond, crossed the dam, went left of the gunners deep, turn around and went to the bird.

LR: down the hill left of the dam hit the water and went straight to the bird.

MR: into the pond, taking left corner over the dam and drove up the hill wide left, angled to the right for one loop before the holding blind, and then progressed onto the bird.

Jamie Woodson - An Amateur Perspective

Jamie Woodson is in a short list of amateur handler's here competing at this years 2016 National Retriever Championship. A National mostly dominated by the Professional Field Trial Trainers, quite an achievement as an amateur to qualify! Jamie has been kind enough to share with the world her experiences here at the National. Thank You, Jamie.

   "Sadness or Euphoria"
-An amateur competitor's perspective

By: Jamie Woodson #68

Nov. 16, 5:30 a.m. - Bill and I deliver donuts to the gunners and head to the parking area designated for the handlers. It's still dark and we prepare #90 Baby, as she is fourth dog to run this 5th series, a big water triple.  And then, oh *#%$!  Baby is limping on her back right leg. 

Billy Joel has an old song "Sadness or Euphoria" which includes the lines "For we are always what our situations hand us . . . It's either sadness or euphoria."  How true. 

Fearing the worst but hoping for the best, we soon realize that she has only picked up a sticker in her paw (photo of actual thorn attached). Our friend (and, in this case, life support giver) Dr. Jennell Appel, DVM, confirms that all is okay and Baby is good to go. Now, all we have to do is run this very challenging set of marks - no big deal, huh?

So, in this instance, it's not sadness but euphoria as we watch Baby have a nice job, despite one good sized hunt, and we leave her future in this National to the decision of the judges - with fingers crossed, of course.

The remainder of my day will be spent watching these great dog/handler teams compete, hoping all stay healthy, and trying to prepare myself for my eventual swing at the plate late this afternoon.

I'm also going to think about Billy Joel's words and try to remember that, in this moment, this situation has handed us euphoria. Not just because a potential injury turned out to be nothing or because Baby made it through a challenging test, but because we are so very fortunate to be living this joyful experience, with each other and with our wonderful companions. 

Until later today, may the wind be in your favor and your flyers be friendly. 

Jamie Woodson #68

18. FC-AFC Moonstones Melody, "Jones", LM, Florence Sloane

came to the line 12:02 pm

Flyer: into the corner of the pond, hard angle to the right over to the bird.

MR: over the dam into the right corner of the cove,heading toward the fall, made a few tiny passes in the area and had the bird.

LR: down the hill over the dam past the holding blind on the left got to the far shore and kept going and going and going then the dog popped and after waiting a good while before the dog made a move down the hill straight to the bird.

17. FC-AFC See Jane Run For Blue, "Jane", LF, Chris Ledford

came to the line at 11:53 pm

Flyer: Smacked it!

LR: down the hill over the dam, into the cove behind the holding blind and to the bird.

MR: entered the left corner of the pond, over the dam up the hill angling toward the area, skimmed the left side of the holding blind and deep made a move to the right, then went way right up by the hay bales over to a mound then made a few passes before grabbing the bird.

Pat's Perspective

I have been sitting here watching the dog work through midday. I have been trying to figure out why the dog work has been as good as it has been. It seems that the dogs that are to the left climb the hill to the right and find the holding blind and end up getting the bird with varying degrees of hunts. One other observation is the difference in color of the brush around the holding blind. I am not sure if the dogs can see the difference in the color? These dogs today are so well prepared and difficult to trip up. After just writing this, the next had to be picked up. One thing for sure is that there will be lots of changes in the dog work over the course of a 11+ hour test.

This test is a break from tradition,  typically the 5th series is more of a land test. This test uses quite a bit of water. It's a good thing today with 80 degree temperatures. This is hump day and there is lots more to come. Stay tuned.........

Conditions Report

Severe clear! 81 'F wind out of the south, south west at 7mph.

Droning On …

Pat Burns demonstrates the drone

Tips for using the Blog "Tabs"

A NEW FEATURE!

Along with the new look of our blog, came a few new features! Almost everything works exactly the same as it has in years past, but here is a quick tip to help you navigate your way!
 

Using the Top Tabs…

This part of the blog is pretty simple. The new tabs on top make finding certain information on the blog really easy for you! It works just like a regular website!

Here are the top tabs highlighted in "web view" or from a laptop or desktop computer:

Here is what the top tabs look like on a device, or phone:

On your phone you click the arrow as shown above, and all of the available tabs will appear for you to choose from. On a desktop computer or web view, you just click on any tab, such as the Order of the Draw, to see the information on that page. In the case of "The Order of the Draw" you will see....The Order of the Draw!!

Or click "1st Series" to see the Test 1 info, "2nd Series" to see test 2 info, and so on . There are also tabs for "The Finalists", "Our Sponsors" and "Blog Instructions". When you click on each of these tabs it will open up that page of info on the blog, when you are done viewing it that tab, simply click on the "Home" tab to get back into the regular blog action!

Handle & Handle 19. FC Beadle's Turbo Nina, "Nina", LF, Ty Rorem

came to the line 12:13 am

Flyer: pinned it!

LR: down the hill, into the cove swam past the bird missing it and going deep got to the telephone pole and kept going and was then handled to the bird.

MR: caught the corner of the pond exited veering to the left drove the hill got past the holding blind way left and kept running until the dog was handled to the bird.

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