2019 NRC Merchandise On Sale!

2019 NRC Hats / Visors and Programs for Sale!

2019 National Open Hats for Sale!! 

We will be shipping the remaining National Open hats to the Retriever News office in Wisconsin. We are pleased to offer the Retriever Community the opportunity to purchase a hats and visors as a souvenir of this event. We are requesting that you complete an order online for your hat (or visor) and make payment online.

Please follow This Link to Place Your Order!

The cost for the hats are $30 each or 3 for $65. (This cost includes shipping)
The cost for the Avery visors are $30 each or 3 for $65.  (This cost includes shipping)
The cost for the pink and blue visors are $35.  (This cost includes shipping)

We will not be shipping these until after the event. The above color choices are available now, but may not be after the event. Any questions? Don't hesitate to contact us: 262-278-4201 or email: info@theretrievernews.com

2019 National Open Programs

If you Would like to order a 2019 National Open Championship Program Catalog as a keepsake you can order one here as well! They will be $8.00 each (S&H included). Mailed out after the event.

Please follow This Link to Place Your Order!

RN Store Merch

End Of Day 6 - November 14, 2019

The judges have called it a day at 4:29 pm.

We started the 8th Series at 12:53 with dog #89 and finished the day with dog #33. We had 14 dogs come to the line in 3 hours 22 minutes which is approximately 14.5 minutes per dog.

Here is what has happened this far...

No Bird / Rerun - 3
Handle - 8
Pick Up - 4

We will be back here tomorrow to finish the 8th Series with dog #34 starting at 7:00 am. One test dog will come to the line at 6:45 am.

Everybody have a good night and always remember, a day in the field is better than a day in the office!

Good Night!

Handle - 33. FC AFC CNAFC CFC PEKISKO'S IRONMAN, "Rusty" LM, Sharon van der Lee

Lifetime Pts
Open 31; Amateur Pts: 57.5; Derby 26

Time: 4:12 pm

Flyer - Very Good

Right Retired - A quick turn on his line and Rusty head to the right retired bird.

Short Retired - Rusty carried the line to the pond but missed the bird. He was handled back to it.

Long Retired - Rusty faded left going into the area but he made the correction and got his bird.

Handle - 27. FC AFC COLD BLACK JACK, "Jack" LM, Paul Sletten

Lifetime Pts
Open 34.5; Amateur Pts: 54; Derby 12

Time: 4:00 pm

Flyer -Straight to the bird and Jack scooped it up.

Short Retired - Jack got to the road before the correct pond and broke down. A short hunt and he headed back home. A quick handle sent him back for his bird.

Right Retired -A quick hunt one canal short then he crossed and got it quickly

Long Retired - He went through the short retired area and kept going very deep. He came back on a run towards his bird and got it.

22. FC AFC BAYOU TECHE SWING FOR THE FENCE, "Foxx" LM, Lauren Hays Curtis

Lifetime Pts
Open 34; Amateur Pts: 27; Derby 23

Time: 3:47 am

Flyer -Good job to the flyer

Short Retired - Foxx went into the area and back with the bird.

Right Retired -Right to the bird

Long Retired - Foxx entered the field left of the bird and deep. His hunt pattern extends inward to bring him to the bird.

2019 NATIONAL OPEN – SCRAPBOOK VI

Please enjoy these candid shots from the 7th Series of the 2019 NRC …

a FOLDING drone – COOL

 

Pick Up - Rerun - No Bird - 21. FC AFC CROPPER'S FIRE IN THE HOLE, "Deep" LM, Al Arthur

Lifetime Pts
Open 50.5; Amateur Pts: 22

No bird on the retired, Deep came right back for his rerun.

Time: 3:31 pm

Flyer - Excellent Mark!

Right Retired - Quickly out to the fall and the bird.

Short Retired - Deep went right in on the bird and missed it. Had problems handling, wanting to keep hanging by the blind. He then had to be picked up.

Recap - Still Early in the 8th Series Water Quad – Can You Handle It?

Retrieving a retired island bird in front of a flyer can be a tough challenge and this test is no exception. With nine dogs having run we have seen 5 handles on this bird alone, 3 pick ups, and only one clean job.

Dogs sent for this bird and missing the need to check down for the island can end up perilously close to the flyer guns and need a handle, or else work their way to the long retired bird and then need a handle on the short bird. The dogs that commit to hunt the area of the retired guns can show us that – where island birds are concerned – the saying "Find the bird boy find the bird" does not necessarily apply. The many pieces of water and tall cover that dot this test area make handling to the island bird far from easy.

Handle - Rerun - No Bird - 15. FC AFC PEPPERJACK'S MARSH SURFER, "Dude" LM, Misty Melo

Lifetime Pts
Open 21.5; Amateur Pts: 16; Derby 32

Dude had a no bird but came right back for her rerun.

Flyer - Good line to his bird.

Short Retired -He ran to the right of the holding blind and went under the arc. dude continued to run beyond and was handled to the bird.

Right Retired - Good Mark

Long Retired -Initially Dude was wide left of the mark. He worked his way over to grab the bird.

Handle - Rerun - No Bird - 14. FC AFC HOCKLEY CREEK'S SWITCH HITTER, "Mickey" LM, Robby Bickley

Lifetime Pts
Open 70.5; Amateur Pts: 95.5; Derby 24

Mickey had a no bird on the short retired at 2:59 pm. They had a dog go get it and Mickey came right back for his rerun.

Time: 3:05 pm


Flyer -Came in way left but worked it out quickly

Right Retired -Hunting the area left and right of the bird, then Mickey went deep left for a big hunt but got it!

Short Retired - He went in on the bird but missed and was handled back to the bird.

Long Retired- Out to the retired gun station and right to his bird.

***Gun Change*** 8th Series

We are at our first gun change for the 8th Series at 2:48 pm after dog #13 finished her test.

We started the with dog #89 at 12:53 pm. We had 8 dogs go so far in just under two hours. They are averaging about 15 minutes per dog.

This test is proving to be a difficult one....see below for yourself...

Handle - 4
Pick Up - 3

We will be back with dog #14 Mickey with handler Robby up next!

Handle - 13. FC AFC LUBYS AND WHITEWATERS PIRATES JEWEL, "Jewel" LF, Ray Voigt

Lifetime Pts
Open 82.5; Amateur Pts: 67; Derby 2

Time: 2:37

Flyer -Nice job on her flyer

Right Retired - Jewel entered the area from the far left and turned to pick up the bird.

Short Retired -Good line to the bird but she missed it and started deep. She was handled back to the bird.

Long Retired -Very good line to pick up her bird.

A Closer look at the Eighth Series

The 8th Series Test is a Water Quad with One Flyer and Three Retired

We apologize for the error, but the first bird thrown actually a retired hen pheasant (Long Retired) thrown angle back right at 248 yards (not a rooster).

Bird #1 – Long Retired Hen Pheasant – 248 yards

Bird # 2 – Retired Hen Pheasant – 130 yards

Bird # 3 – Retired Hen Duck – 141 yards

Bird # 4 – Flyer Hen Duck – 200 yards

Eighth Series sketch by Missy Bell

Diagram of Eighth Series by Rich Pingatore

Pick Up - 11. FC AFC STRAIGHT TO THE HEART-DAGGER, "Dagger" LM, Johnny Armstrong

Lifetime Pts
Open 42.5; Amateur Pts: 45.5; Derby 33

Time: 2:16 pm

Flyer -Nice line to his flyer

Short Retired -  Dagger came in on the left side of the bird and went under the arc. He missed it on his first pass and had to hunt around the blind. He continued his hunt but it got tight and went behind the guns. A very extended long hunt but he persisted and got it!

Right Retired -Came in from the left and got it.

Long Retired -Way way deep left and could not be handled so was picked up

Handle - 5. FC AFC RED DOG'S AIN'T MISBEHAVIN', "Zoe" LF, Greg Bartlett

Lifetime Pts
Open 39.5; Amateur Pts: 31.5; Derby 10

Time: 2:02 pm

Flyer -Zoe went through the water and to her bird.

Short Retired -Her line took her under the arc of her bird running close to the holding blind and passing her mark she was handled back to it.

Right Retired - Very good mark.

Long Retired - Faded a little left but came in on her bird.

Handle - 3. FC AFC SUNDOG'S MAXIMUM PURSUIT, "Max" LM, John Henninger

Lifetime Pts
Open 84; Amateur Pts: 42.5; Derby 17

Time: 1:48 am

Flyer -Had dead aim on this one!

Long Retired -  Max ran through the short bird to get out to the mounds and back in to the bird. The wind is in the dogs favor when they get deep.

Short Retired -A good line - This bird is on a small island - Max ran through the arc and missed it, then was heading back to the mound so he had to be handled. Was a difficult handle but he got it.

Right Retired - Got It!

Handle - 96. FC AFC YOURS TRULY INDIGO, "Tru" LF, Chris Ledford

Lifetime Pts
Open 32.5; Amateur Pts: 32; Derby 20

 1:34 pm

Flyer - Tru went through the water obstacles and directly to the bird.

Short Retired - She went left of the bird and drove long. Was handled back to the bird.

Right Retired - Directly to the bird.

Long Retired - Through the water obstacles and out to the bird.

Pick Up - 94. FC NORTH DAKOTA'S PRAIRIE MAGIC, "Maggie" LF, Charlie Moody

Lifetime Pts
Open 18.5; Amateur Pts: 7.5; Derby 5

1:16 pm

Flyer - Maggie went under the arc for one loop then out to the bird.

Right Retired - She worked her way straight to the bird

Long Retired - She took a line through the short retired and kept going straight to the long retired.

Short Retired - Out to the blind and hunted the area where the blind was on the mound deep of the holding blind. Handled with difficulty and had to be picked up

Pick Up - 91. NAFC FC KIRKWOOD'S ACE OF LONE STAR, "Lexie" LF, Casey Adams

Lifetime Pts
Open 24; Amateur Pts: 62.5; Derby 77

1:06 pm

Flyer - Excellent line out to the long bird. Straight to it.

Right Retired - Angled off to the left, Lexie adjusted and came out of the last piece of water and put her nose on it!

Short Retired - Out to the blind with one loop around, Lexie got deep and was handled to later than be picked up.

89. FC VINWOOD'S MILLION DOLLAR BABY, "Babe" LF, Danny Farmer

Lifetime Pts
Open 46; Amateur Pts: 11; Derby 57

12:53 pm

Flyer - Babe went into the first pond at the base of the mound and through the second piece of water to go straight to her bird.

Right Retired - Into the second pond and straight to bird

Short Retired - Into the area, short and to the left of the guns, but Babe quickly got her bird.

Long Retired - Straight out under the arc and on to her bird.

8th Series Test Dogs

Jaida & Brent

Flyer - Jaida went for the Hen Duck Flyer first, clean retriever, got it!

Right Retired - She went through 2 or 3 small pieces of water and back out to the left leg of a tall tower. Good Job.

Short Retired - Traversed the cover and the pond to get her bird clean.

Long Retired - Right to the area, with several loops and she got it.

Total Time: 14 minutes



Cash & Bente

To the line at 12:25 pm

Flyer - Nice Line, smacked it!

Middle Retired - Out to the  fall area and quickly found the bird.

Long Retired - Into the first pond, then the second and the third pond where the dog swam down the middle of the channel and ran out to the fall area where he established a hunt and got the bird.

Right Retired - Nice line, stopped short of the last piece for a quick turn and then onto the bird.

Total Time: 13 minutes

8th Series – Water Quad with One Flyer Three Retired

The 8th Series Test is a Water Quad with One Flyer and Three Retired

The mat faces NE and is on top of a mound. The wind is SSE at about 4 mph and the clouds have cleared and it is warming up. This test will take roughly 13 minutes per dog.

In front of the mound are a series of potholes running North. The field is filled with water structures criss-crossing it.

The first mark is a retired hen pheasant (Long Retired) thrown angle back right at 248 yards.

The second bird is a short retired (Short Retired) hen pheasant at 130 yards, thrown to the right  and lands on an island with the gunners retiring behind a tree on shore.

The third bird is a retired hen duck thrown to the left at 141 yards. The line will be through a  different pothole across a field road and through another water structure to the bird.

The fourth station is a flyer duck (Flyer) shot approximately 200 yards to the left. The dog will cross the pothole at the back of the field road, area of cover, another water structure and out into the field to retrieve the bird.

The 8th Series Test is a Water Quad with One Flyer and Three Retired

We apologize for the error, but the first bird thrown actually a retired hen pheasant (Long Retired) thrown angle back right at 248 yards (not a rooster).

Bird #1 – Long Retired Hen Pheasant – 248 yards

Bird # 2 – Short Retired Hen Pheasant – 130 yards

Bird # 3 – Retired Hen Duck – 141 yards

Bird # 4 – Flyer Hen Duck – 200 yards

Eighth Series sketch by Missy Bell

Diagram of Eighth Series by Rich Pingatore

Callbacks to the 8th Series

38 dogs were called back to the 8th Series. They are... 3, 5, 11, 13, 14, 15, 21, 22, 27, 33, 34, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 47, 49, 50, 52, 53, 56, 60, 61, 66, 67, 68, 72, 73, 77, 81, 85, 86, 87, 89, 91, 94 and 96.

15 dogs dropped were: 12, 18, 23, 28, 35, 43, 44, 54, 55, 58, 70, 71, 74, 80 and 84.

8th Series First Running Dog #89

Test Dogs to start and the First Running dog to follow...

It's a Wrap - Series 7 - Water Blind

Our Seventh Series Water Blind came to an end with dog #73 finishing their test at 11:26 am.

We started the morning off with dog #74 at 7:12 am.

We had one dog that was a "No Go," and another that picked up.

We are staying in this area for Series 8.

73. FC VROMAN'S IN THE FILMORE, "Reggie Hammond" LM, Dave Smith

Came to the line at 11:22 am

Initial line through the cover, 2 whistles to get in the water and go to the first point, 2 on the first to get off and 1 while swimming to the second point. 1 on top of the second point, 2 to get to the far field, 3 in the field to the mound and 1 on the bird.

72. FC RMR EBONSTARS MAGIC SH, "Emmy" LF, Clint Avant

Came to the line at 11:16 am

Initial line caught the end of the cover and carried to the edge, 1 whistle to get in the water and 1 more to get out on the first point. 2 whistles to get off the first point and 3 more swimming toward the second point. 3 to get onto the 2nd point, 1 to get off, 2 more to the far shore, 4 to cut through the cover and get to the mound on the far left. 1 more whistle to get on the mound and to her bird.

71. FC AFC DUCK BUSTER'S RED BARRON, "Buster" LM, Paul Sletten

Buster took an initial line through the cover to the edge, with a whistle to get into the water and up onto the point, 1 whistle to get off the point and swim to the next point and another whistle off to the far point. 2 whistles in the cover and 1 more whistle at the mound and he got his bird.

68. FC AFC BEDAZZLED II, "Be" LF, Danny Farmer

Came to the Line at 11:07 am

1 whistle after the cover and 1 more to the first point, 5 whistles to the 2nd point and off again, 2 whistles through the cover, 1 at the base of the mound and to carry her up the hill to her bird.

70. FC AFC INDIGO HELLO DOLLY, "Dolly" LF, Edward Forry

Came to the line at 11:03 am

1 whistle on the road to the first point, 2 more to get off the point, 5 whistles to the far point and 1 more off, 2 whistles to drive to the mound and 1 more to the bird.

67. FC AFC HOLLAND CLIFFS IN HOT PURSUIT, "Chase" LM, Alvin Hatcher

Chase & Alvin

Initial line went through the cover with Chase getting his first whistle to get in the water. This carried on to the right tip of the first point. One whistle during the swim for adjustment and two to get on the next point. Two to get to the far shore, one to get across the field to the mound and the final two to get the bird.

66. FC BLACK ICE'S CARBON COPY OF AMMO MUD BUD "BUDDY" MH, "Buddy" LM, Dave Rorem

Buddy & Dave

Initial line from the mat went through the cover to the bank. One cast to get to the first point and two to get off and swim where he got two more whistles to get to the next point. One to get off the point and across the water to get through the field and all the way to the mound. One check down at the end. Wow!

61. FC TANKS FOR THE MEMORIES II, "Hope" LF, Greg Bartlett

Hope & Greg - 10:48 am

Through the cover and into the water before Hope got her first whistle to get on and one to get off of the first point. Three more in the water to get to the land and three in the channel with the final three to get through the cover.

60. FC TIGER MTN'S BETTIN' ON BLACK, "Gamble" LM, Mike Taylor

Gamble & Mike - 10:44 am

A whistle in the cover and one to get out, Gamble went into the water and to the point where he got one whistles on and one to get off of it. Getting two more to get to the next point and off he got three more blows from Mike to get across the and in the cover. Two more came in the far cover to take them mound.

58. FC TRULUCK'S GOIN' JESSIE, "Jessie" LF, Danny Farmer

Jessie & Danny

Jessie got two cast to get through the front cover and two more to get in the water. She came in wide left on the next point taking three casts to get back in to the water for a swim. Danny gave her two whistles to adjust her line during her swim. This carried her on and off the point to where she received two more whistles to get to the far side. Multiple more whistles trying to get the line to the mound, Jessie stayed to the left but came in left to right over the mound and got her bird.

56. FC CHICAGO BLUES STAR, "Scrapper" LM, Ray Voigt

Scrapper & Ray

Getting through the cover and to the bank, Scrapper got his first cast to get to the point. Taking three whistles to get off of it with one more to follow in the water for a line adjustment to the second point. Up on the edge with one cast to get off and one more in the cover, Scrapper took two more whistles from Ray on the mound to his bird.

55. FC AFC DOCTOR CABERNET JUST IN CASE, "Doc" LM, Al Arthur

Doc & Al - 10:32 am

Doc went through the cover and got two whistles on the road to the get to the first point. Two more to get off of it and three to follow to get to the next point. Doc received another 3 to get over the other side of the channel and two in the cover and two last whistles at a loose end.

54. FC AFC CHOPPER'S FINAL APPROACH, "Billie" LF, Joel Harris

Billie & Joel - 10:26 pm

One cast into the cover and on to the first point Billie went. One more to get off the point that carried her to the far field with getting only three more casts and she had her bird.

53. FC LOUISIANA BLACK MAGIC SPELL, "Hex" LM, Tim Milligan

Hex & Tim - 10:22 pm

Hex's initial line brought him into the cover. He got his first whistle to get out of it and go in the water, then on to the first point. Two more whistles to adjust line and get off of the point with one more to follow to adjust his swim. One on the second point to get him off and one at the far shore with two more to just get in the cover for direction change and the final two with a check down on the mound for the bird.

52. FC HORSETOOTH'S PENALTY SHOT, "Deke" LM, Kenny Trott

Deke & Kenny

Deke's initial line went through the cover with one whistle to get in and one in the water to get on the point. Two to get off the point and two more whistles to adjust line in the water. One to get on the second point and one more blow to get off. Two more whistles came before the next shore that carried Deke half way across the field. Kenny blow two more times to get him to the mound and one last one to the bird.

50. FC AFC KERRYBURKE'S MARSH MADNESS MH, "Maddie" LF, Misty Melo

Maddie & Misty - 10:21 am

Maddie went through the cover and got one whistle on the road. Taking another in the water and one more get on the point and two to get off. Back in the water she got a whistle to adjust that carried her to the shore. One whistle to get Maddie off and over the far side that carried her through the cover. The end whistle and on the bird for a nice blind.

A Thank You to Today's Landowners

A Thank You to Today's Landowners

The 7th and 8th Series are being held on the "Lassen Investment Property," an 80-acre property specially developed for retriever training. The Lassen Investment Property was set up by its original owner and avid trialer, Peter Lane, for shared ownership by seven retriever enthusiasts. Peter owned the lumber mill that used to operate next door; the ponds on this property were originally used for storing logs before being repurposed and remodeled as Pete's training ponds. The seven shares have turned over from time to time and are now owned by Dick Ellis (one of the original owners), Jerry Patopea, Diane Morley, Don Graves, Chris Hatch, Steve Cote and Marilyn Dahlheim.

A BIG THANK YOU to these owners for their generous invitation to hold a portion of the 2019 National Open here.

49. FC ELLSD'S GOING ON A TRIP GRAB UR CAMO, "Camo" LM, Jim Beck

Camo & Jim - 10:06 am

One whistle to out of the cover and one on the road with one more to get in the water and Camo was off. He got one to get off the land and three more whistles came to get him on the next point. One to get up and three to the end getting through the cover.

47. NFC AFC I'M UR SEARCH ENGINE, "Google" LM, Alan Pleasant

Google & Alan

Google's got two whistles to clear the cover. Two more and he was in the pond with one to follow to get up on the first point. Two more to get back in the water with two to adjust the line during the swim. One to get onto and off the next point with one more to follow before the far shore and one just as he got out. Two to the mound and one more to the bird.

Pick Up - 44. FC ROAD TRIPP, "Tripp" LM, Mark Medford

Tripp & Mark - 9:57 am

Tripp's initial line went into the cover where he got two whistles. He got out with one more to get in the water. He carried this to the next point, then got three more whistles to get off of it. Three more came to adjust his line. He went to the left of the mound by the first point and wanted to stay there until he ended up getting picked up.

43. FC AFC HYFLYERS LIFE IN THE FAST LINE QAA, "Crash" LM, Wayne Curtis

Crash & Wayne - 9:51 am

Getting through the cover, Crash received his first whistle on the road with two more to follow in the water going to the point. The next two were to get off the point that took him up on the far shore. Wayne gave three more whistles to bring him over to touch the point and two to get out and through the cover. Five more came through the cover to end loose.

41. FC AFC 3R'S MR T SMOKEN JOE, "Smokie" LM, Dave Rorem

Smokie & Dave - 9:46 am

A whistle to get into the cover and one to get out took Smokie through the water to the point. Two blows from Dave to get him off the point and two more to get through the water to the next point. Smokie got another whistle to get off of this point and one more during his swim to get to the land. With the final near the end with a check down

40. FC AFC BLUEWATER'S TIGHT LINES, "Catch" LM, Tim Mueller

Catch & Tim

Catch's initial line brought him through the cover. Getting his first two whistles to get in the water and two more to get off the point. Catch got an additional two whistles to adjust his swim that carried him to the next point. Another blow to get off of it and one more in the water for adjustment with the final whistle in the field to the bird and a check down.

39. FC AFC KIRKWOOD'S ACE OF A HIGHER GRADE, "Deacon" LM, Casey Adams

Deacon's initial line went through the cover. He got one whistle to get in and this carried him to teh first point. One to get off of the point adn to adjust the line of his swim. One to get on the next point  with two to get stopped on the far shore and two to get to the mound. The final two was to get the bird.

Workers' Party Doings …

Here are some photos from the Tuesday night Workers' Party at the Rolling Hills Casino. The party had originally been planned as the NRC did four years ago with a tent set up on Clear Creek Sports Club near the clubhouse. But this time around, it was different. The rental company had to break the agreement with the NRC because our tent was needed to house firefighters for the recent Sonoma Fire. This is a  harsh reality for the residents of California as some of the most extremely dry conditions imaginable continue to plague the state.

As folks entered the ballroom, they were given drink tickets and collected their door prizes provided by Avery Sporting Dog, Purina and Retriever News. People gathered and spoke about how the National was going so far. The food served was a Mexican buffet, complete with enchiladas, fajitas and a nacho bar. It was a fitting meal for California and was delicious to boot!

As the committee pictures were being taken, folks were asked to look under their chairs for a paw print sticker for a chance to win an e-collar. There were some very lucky folks and three people went away with the special prizes donated by Garmin and Dogtra.

Chairman Rob Reuter thanked everyone present for their hard work during set-ups and week of the National. Dean Reinke from Purina was "in the house" and he was honored by 2019 NRC President Julie Cole who announced that he was retiring at the end of the month and wanted to thank him for all he had done for both National clubs. Dean assured us that we hadn't seen the end of him and that he would be turning up at a field trial sometime in the near future. Congratulations, Dean!!

Jerry Cacchio and Kelsi Toth of Purina

[Gary Zellner]    Chester Koeth and Rich & Karen Pingatore

Becky Eckett, Susan & Dewitt Boyce and Monte Wulf

NRC Board Member Jeff Tally, Dean Reinke of Purina and Andy Kahn

Chief Marshal Gary Zellner, President Julie Cole and Dean Reinke of Purina

Chairman Rob Reuter, Chief Marshal Gary Zellner, President Julie Cole and Dean Reinke of Purina

Hostess Chair Robin Gulvin hands out the "PAW" prizes …

37. FC WATERMARK'S MYSTERY, "Mystic" LF, Alan Pleasant

Mystic & Alan - 9:34 am

Mystic went through the cover and got two whistles on the road to get her to the water. One to get on and off the point. One to adjust her line in the water. She went up and off the point of her own volition. Two more whistles to get her adjust on her exit and the final three came in the cover.

36. OAKRIDGERTVR MADE MY DAY, "Maddie" LF, Ray Voigt

Maddie & Ray - 9:29 am

Maddie's initial line went through the cover. She got two whistles at the road that took her to the next point. One to get off of it. Three more whistles came in the water to adjust her line and get her on the land. One more whistle to get her off with five to follow to get through the cover to her bird.

35. FC GEMSTONE'S SKYY BLUE, "Skyy" LM, Scott Harp

Skyy & Scott - 9:24 am

Skyy's initial line to the tip of the first cover. One cast to get to the cover, with two more to get in the pond. Two more casts to get on a correct line. Coming off the next point, Skyy went to the following one on the left side of it. He had problems getting off but made it to the last point. On and off this point with four whistles and he got to the mound with the last two whistles for the bird.

34. FC LITTLE CREEK'S AUGUST MOONSHINE, "Gus" LM, Dave Smith

Gus & Dave - 9:19 am

Gus's initial went into the cover. The first and second casts were to get in the water. A little wide left on the first point so Gus took three more whistles to adjust the line and get back in to the water. Three more to get the line up and over the second point. He carried this to the far field with getting two more whistles to the mound and the last one to the bird.

33. FC AFC CNAFC CFC PEKISKO'S IRONMAN, "Rusty" LM, Sharon van der Lee

Rusty & Sharon - 9:11 am

Through the cover and then Rusty received two whistles on the road. One one and one off the channel. Three more to get over the and up the hill.

28. FC TRUMARC'S COMEDIENNE, "Wanda" LF, Danny Farmer

Wanda & Danny - 9:06 am

Initial line went deep into cover. Danny blew one whistle to get Wanda out and one on the road. Three more to get off of the point and into the water. Wanda got four more whistles to get through the water and on the point. One to off and this carried Wanda out the other side to the drive the cover and get to the base of the mound. One more cast and she had her bird.

***Gun Change*** 7th Series

We had quick gun change after dog #27 Jack completed his bird.

27. FC AFC COLD BLACK JACK, "Jack" LM, Paul Sletten

Jack & Paul

Jack's initial line went straight with getting his first cast into the cover. Two more to get into the water and two more to on the second point. One to get off and for the swim. One to adjust the line swimming. Jack skimmed over the end and continued out and went across the field. Two final whistles at the mound to the bird.

23. FC AFC SILVER STAR'S WATCH'EM LIKE A HAWK, "Hawk" LM, Ray Voigt

Hawk & Ray

Hawk's initial line went through the cover to the edge of the bank. He received his first two whistles to get across and on the first point. One get off the point. He swam half way to the second point. Getting one whistle to skim the end of the second point. Three whistles to get out and line to the mound. Loose at the end going right and left and onto the mound to get his bird.

Recap - A Look at the 7th Series Water Blind

While yesterday's land blind was a "put your right hand in your pocket" sort of blind because it required numerous left casts to complete, today's water blind through a serpentine pond is requiring handlers to cast in both directions. A dog that is on line will enter water three times on this blind, and visibility is a recurring challenge because the lowered water level puts a dog out of sight for several yards after each water entry. A handler with good powers of dog prediction can be rewarded in a blind like this. The converse can be the case as well.

   

A few yards after leaving the mat the line enters a point of cover. Most dogs go into this cover without needing a cast but often tend to take too much of it, which pushes them to the left and causes them to want to "square" when crossing the first piece of water instead of carrying it at the angle. An angle across this first water will best position a dog when he gets onto the next piece of land, which is the large - and scented - point. Once the dog is on this point, the handler needs a healthy amount of right-hand influence to put the dog in the next water in a place where the handler will be able to see him again in time to pilot him back out of the water again. Most dogs are getting off this second point cleanly, after which they angle cross the final piece of water and exit to take a longish run through tall cover before arriving at the blind. A dog that is on line will show his bouncing head and tail to his handler, who is straining to keep him in view in case more casts are needed - as they sometimes have been - to get a dog to scale the side of the large mound where the blind is planted. (Since the tall cover is yellowish-brown it's easy to guess which color of bouncing dog shows up best!) As a final hazard in this blind the blind planter is on the back side of the mound. Quick whistles are in order to keep a dog from going over or around the mound and finding a blind planter before finding a blind.

   

Although it's a tough blind with plenty of places for a team to stumble, many who compete at the level of the 7th Series of a National Open are able to complete it with polish.

22. FC AFC BAYOU TECHE SWING FOR THE FENCE, "Foxx" LM, Lauren Hays Curtis

Foxx & Lauren - 8:48 am

Foxx's initial line went through the cover. Getting a whistle on the road and two more to get one the point and one to follow to get off. Two more whistles came from Lauren in the water and three to get Foxx to the other side. Two more blows of the whistle to get Foxx through the cover and a final check down at the bird.

21. FC AFC CROPPER'S FIRE IN THE HOLE, "Deep" LM, Al Arthur

Deep & Al - 8:43 am

Deep's initial line through the cover with his first whistle came on the road that carried him through the water. Getting one blow from Al to get on to the point and two to get off. Deep received three more in the water, followed by one to get on and one to get off the second point. One more in the water to adjust line in the water. One to get up on the land the the final three on a loose end to the bird.

18. FC AFC GUNSTOCK'S WIN CHESTER, "Chester" LM, Danny Farmer

Chester & Farmer - 8:37 am

Chester's initial line went through the cover. He got his first two whistles on the land to get into the pond. This carried him up on the point. One right cast to get off the point and two more for direction while swimming. One onto and second the point that carried to the far shore and two to get out. One down the field with one more to follow to past the mound. He came in to come up from the far side.

15. FC AFC PEPPERJACK'S MARSH SURFER, "Dude" LM, Misty Melo

Dude & Misty - 8:33 am

Dude's initial line went through the cover, with one whistle and he was on the first point. Two more on the point and he was swimming. One in the water for direction and one to get on and one to get off the second point. Two more to cross the field and one final whistle to get onto the mound and the bird.

2019 NATIONAL OPEN – SCRAPBOOK V

While we watch this fast-moving blind, please enjoy a few more candid shots from the 2019 NRC …