National Amateur Retriever Championship Blog


2022 National Amateur Retriever Championship Blog

Friday, June 24, 2022

8th Series Recap

Friday, June 24, 2022

8th Series – Land/Water Quad with Two Flyers and Two Retired and an Honor

27 Dogs Started this Series

Test Dogs started out the day today at 8:32 am, beginning with "Maci." There was a delay between the first and second test dog to groom the grounds. After that, at 9:31 am "Henry" was up next to run as test dog. Handlers had a good preview of what to expect for the 8th series and we were ready to go!

Our first running dog #5 FC-AFC Chopper's Final Approach, “Billie,” LF, with handler Joel Harris, officially started the 8th series running at 9:54 am!

The weather started in the 60’s and reached into the low 80’s this afternoon. We had a slight breeze that did have an impact on the test and mostly sunny conditions for the majority of the day as well.

Here is how things turned out for the 8th Series…
No-Bird / Re-Run (7): 41 – 51 – 53 – 62 – 69  – 76 – 92
Handles (10): 5 – 15 – 35 – 38 – 41 – 46 – 48 – 61 – 66 – 74
Double Handles (0):
Pick-Ups (6): 1 – 8 – 62 – 69 – 76 – 92
Scratches (0):
Injuries (0):

Our last running dog this afternoon to close out the 8th Series was dog #92 AFC-CAFC Windcrestrpmlegend Of The Past, “Poncho,” LM, with handler Jim Dorobek. They came to the line at 5:21 pm and completed the test. This test was then officially in the books at 5:25 pm. 

27 dogs were sent from the line in this series, taking a total of 7 hours and 31 minutes. There was a delay this afternoon, which made the testing period longer, but generally it took about 10-12 minutes per dog to run this test.. 

Callbacks and instructions for the 9th Series will be forthcoming! Stay Tuned!

Pick-up – Rerun – 92. AFC-CAFC WINDCRESTRPMLEGEND OF THE PAST, “Poncho,” LM, Jim Dorobek

Poncho and Jim came back to the line at 5:21 pm

RF – Out to the flyer – had a significant hunt and began to expand to the Right Retired – Handler picked him up.


Pick-up – Rerun – 76. FC-AFC SHORT STACK- DOUBLE OR NOTHIN’, “Shorty,” LM, Delma Hazzard

Shorty and Delma came to the line at 5:02 pm

RF – Long bird but just on the edge of the half moon mowed in the heavier cover – worked her way past it, then back this way and she got it!

LF – Into the pond – out to the bird fall area and missed ... it was a shorter bird – worked it out after going deep, and he got it.

LR – Out to land and back into the far pond. Great line, but he missed it  – got deep and hunted left to right – had to handle and then picked up.


Pick-up – Rerun – 69. SEASIDE’S MOJO MOXY, “Boots,” LF, Jeff Schuett

Boots and Jeff came back to the line at 4:40 pm

RF – Through the tail of the pond and to the bird. Very good mark!

LF – Boots went through both ponds and on to her bird!

RR – She swam the entire channel and exits in line for the bird. She misses it and is handled back in to the bird.

LR – Drove out past the bird. Was handled and picked up.

Pick-up – 1. NAFC FC-AFC BRISTOL’S NORTH SLOPE PTARMIGAN, “Ptar,” LM, Doreen Comrie-Bristol

Ptar and Doreen came to the line at 4:23 pm

RF – Excellent line to the bird!

LF – Swam the ponds, got out – had a short hunt and got it!

RR – Swam the channel – over the point – out to the fall area, made a few loops before he got his bird.

LR – Swam to the land mass between the ponds, ran out to the back side of the Left Retired and kept going – waited – then handled, but they couldn't get it. Picked up.


No-bird – 92. AFC-CAFC WINDCRESTRPMLEGEND OF THE PAST, “Poncho,” LM, Jim Dorobek

Poncho and Jim came to the line. They had a No-bird on the Flyer. 

Will return ...

Announcement

Test Resumes at 4:18 pm

Announcement

We have been informed that there will be a slight delay in the trial. They have run out of birds. Operations are temporarily suspended until they get more birds.

Pick-up – Rerun – 62. AFC QUEEN BEE OF AUTUMN RUN, “Buzz,” LF, Jamie Woodson

Buzz and Jamie came to the line at 3:08 pm

RF – Into the cover and she got it!

LF – Down the channel and she got her bird.

RR – Excellent swim down but missed it! Had to handle and then the gunners had to help – Picked-up.


No-bird – 76. FC-AFC SHORT STACK- DOUBLE OR NOTHIN’, “Shorty,” LM, Delma Hazzard

Shorty and Delma came to the line at 2:58 pm. They had a No-bird on the Flyer. 

Will return ...

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Handle – 74. FC-AFC BROOKDALE’S JET BLACK GHOST RYDER, “Ryder,” LM, Jim Powers

Ryder and Jim came to the line at 2:44 pm

RF – Very nice mark!

LF – Across the water and straight to his bird!

LR – Split the difference between the 2 retired guns and disappeared into cover. After an extended hunt he was handled to this bird.

RR – Ryder takes a piece of the water but exits early throwing him behind the blind. He takes a couple turns deep and comes back in for his bird.


 

No-bird – 69. SEASIDE’S MOJO MOXY, “Boots,” LF, Jeff Schuett

Boots and Jeff came to the line at 2:39 pm. They had a No-bird on the Flyer. 

Will return after 6 running dogs.

Rerun – 53. AFC RAZOR’S BUCKSHOT, “Shooter,” LM, Larry Vaske

Shooter and Larry came to the line at 2:28 pm

RF – Straight to the bird

RR – Into the 1st piece of "L" pond – got out quickly and went wide right of the blind – turned left and came around the blind and out to the bird!

LF – Hunted a while for his bird, but he worked it out and got it!

RR – Into the "L" pond and out – quickly ran straight to his bird!


 

Handle – 66. FC-AFC HOPE SHE’S A DUK DAWG, “Oakley,” LF, Bubba Joiner

Oakley and Bubba came to the line at 2:18 pm

RF – Excellent mark!

LF – Through the water and then on to the bird!

LR – Across the pond and landing just a little right of the flyer guns – he was handled to this bird.

RR – Very good mark!


 

Rerun – 51. AFC LAGUNA CREEK’S FIRST MATE, “Sailor,” LM, Sonya Harrigfeld-Jackson

Sailor and Sonya came to the line at 2:02 pm

RF – Nice job!

LF – Out through the fall area after swimming both ponds  – a few loops and he got it!

LR – Ran the dry land all the way and came in behind the left retired – hunted both left and right before circling the blind and going out left for his bird.

RR – Skimmed down the right side of the pond, cutting into the water in a few places – drove hard on to the bird!


 

No-bird – 62. AFC QUEEN BEE OF AUTUMN RUN, “Buzz,” LF, Jamie Woodson

Buzz and Jaime came to the line at 2:05 pm. They had a No-bird on the Flyer. 

Will return after 6 running dogs.

Handle – 61. AFC BEAVER RUNS COOLHAND LUKE, “Luke,” LM, Bert Windham

Luke and Bert came to the line at 1:49 pm

RF – Great style! Through both ponds and out. His line took him right of the guns as he entered the water, but he corrected and got his bird.

LF –Very good!

RR – Luke took most of the main channel and then exits in a great spot to continue – out and on to his bird!

LR – Good line but came in left of the fall. Worked the area wide left and was handled as he neared the flyer area.


 

Word for the Day … WIND!

At the Eighth Series, the word for the day is "WIND!" Throughout the test, the wind has blown, stopped and swirled. During the run of the first Test Dog, the wind changed direction 180 degrees from start to finish. The changing winds have resulted in different conditions, often favoring one bird while making another difficult. Several dogs have barely missed marks and gone deep into the field where a whistle was the only way to save them.

56. AFC ELI’S BIG CHIEF, “Chief,” LM, Heather Pfluger

Chief and Heather came to the line at 1:38 pm

RF – Got to the area – had to hunt it up – Nice mark!

LF – Into the 1st pond and through the 2nd – veered right and came in right of the guns – hunted wide and then back for his bird.

RR – Skirted the right side of the pond, went deep and out of sight for awhile – came back in with his bird!

LR – Really nice mark!


 

Handle – Rerun – 41. AFC BAYOU TECHE PERFECT GAME, “Koufaxx,” LM, Lauren Hays

Koufaxx and Lauren came to the line at 1:26 pm

RF – Through the water and right on his bird!

RR – Entered the area right of the holding blind but quickly bent left to locate his bird.

LF – Through both water structures and on to his bird!

LR – Koufaxx headed toward the right retired – was handled – has multiple whistles to move to the mark.


 

No-bird – 53. AFC RAZOR’S BUCKSHOT, “Shooter,” LM, Larry Vaske

Shooter and Larry came to the line at 1:15 pm. They had a No-bird on the Flyer. 

Will return after 6 running dogs.

52. AFC CANDLEWOOD GAME OF PERSERVERANCE, “Percy,” LM, Jane Dunn

Percy and Jane came to the line at 1:06 pm

RF – Into the pond and straight to the bird!

RR – Into the long channel of the "L" pond – got out on a perfect line but turned right short of the bird – she quickly recovered and got it!

LF – Into both ponds – out deep – back to the bird.

LR – Nice line out but faded wide left and went deep and out of sight. Came back in and retrieved his bird!


 

No-bird – 51. AFC LAGUNA CREEK’S FIRST MATE, “Sailor,” LM, Sonya Harrigfeld-Jackson

Sailor and Sonya came to the line at 12:56 pm. They had a No-bird on the Flyer. 

Will return after 6 running dogs.

Handle – 48. AFC DOTTIE RAY’S BLACK RAVEN, “Raven,” LF, Andy Kahn

Raven and Andy came to the line at 12:42 pm

RF – To the area and she got her bird!

LF – Through both pieces of water and on to her bird!

RR –Good line across the pond but she broke wide left fr an extended hunt. She worked it out and got back to her bird.

LR – Raven's hunt pattern took her wide left then deep to where she needed to be handled to the bird.


 

Handle – 46. FC-AFC KID’S SIR DRAKE OF MILE MARKER SIX, “Drake,” LM, Breck Howard

Drake and Breck came to the line at 12:31 pm

RF – Ran just past this short flyer – a quick turn and he had his bird!

RR – Came in behind the blind – turned left out into the fall area and got it!

LF – Out across both ponds into the fall area – deep then back for his bird!

LR – Straight to the fall area – missed it – had a huge hunt and had to be handled to this bird.


 

Fun Fact

Here's a Fun Fact! We have 2 SETS of dog teams back to the 8th Series, that are full siblings/littermates, AND one set is Black and one set is Yellow! … Pretty Cool!

15. FC-AFC KIRKWOOD’S ACE OF A HIGHER GRADE, “Deacon,” LM, handler Mark Medford

and

33. FC-AFC HOLLAND CLIFFS BLADE A FINE LINE, “Dozer,” LM, handler Alvin Hatcher

DOB: 2/16/2016
Sire: NAFC-FC Cody Cut A Lean Grade
Dam: NAFC-FC Kirkwood's Ace Of Lone Star

These 2 teams only have 1 Handle for this National between them!


61. AFC BEAVER RUNS COOLHAND LUKE, “Luke,” LM, handler Bert Windham

and

66. FC-AFC HOPE SHE’S A DUK DAWG, “Oakley,” LF, handler Bubba Joiner

DOB: 2/19/2014
Sire: FC-AFC Drake's Bay Parting Of The Sea
Dam: Kerry Around A Due Dawk MH

These 2 teams have NO Handles for this National  yet!

43. FC-AFC DRAKE’S BAY IZZY, “Izzy,” LF, Rick Wilke

Izzy and Rick came to the line at 12:22 pm

RF – Through the water and to her bird!

LF – Very nice!

RR – Good position of the swim but out a little early putting her behind the gunners. But a quick turn and she was over to her bird!

LR – Good line! Got to the area and continued to drive. Worked the area wide left for an extended hunt but worked it out and got over to grab her bird.


 

Gun Change

Gun Change and Rebird at 12:05 pm

No-bird – 41. AFC BAYOU TECHE PERFECT GAME, “Koufaxx,” LM, Lauren Hays

Koufaxx and Lauren came to the line at 12:02 pm. They had a No-bird on the Flyer. 

Will return after 6 running dogs.

Handle – 38. FC-AFC BAYOU TECHE PAINT THE BLACK, “Madduxx,” LM, Jamie Woodson

Madduxx and Jaime came to the line at 11:51 am

LF – Great Job!

LR – Very good!

RR – Are there any superlatives left!? ... Nice mark!

RF – Came into the area wide left and went deep – he was handled to this bird.


 

Handle – 35. SILVERTIP SECRET WEAPON, “Lazer,” LM, Tom Hartl

Lazer and Tom came to the line at 11:38 am

RF – Out into heavy cover and he got it!

RR – Got his bird clean!

LF – Caught both ponds, came in left of the gunners to the back of the field – turned left for several loops and then got it!

LR – Swam down the channel of the "L" pond going toward the Right Retired and stopped as soon as he touched the bank and was handled to the correct bird.


33. FC-AFC HOLLAND CLIFFS BLADE A FINE LINE, “Dozer,” LM, Alvin Hatcher

Dozer and Alvin came to the line at 11:28 am

RF – Bam! Got it!

LF – Swam both ponds – came out wide left of the gunners – moved to the back of the field – turned and moved to the fall area and then his bird.

RR – You could not draw a better line directly to this bird! Nice!

LR – Across the pond down the center and out to his bird!


 

28. FC-AFC BUSTER POSEY MH, “Buster,” LM, Steve Kompf

Buster and Steve came to the line ...

RF – Very good!

LF – Nice recovery!

RR – Took a great line to the pond – looked good all the way out for a great recovery.

LR – Swam the first part of the line to the bird. Ran around the bottom of the structure but made a very smart correction of line  – and he had his bird!


 

21. FC-AFC BD NORTH SHORE’S INSTANT RAIN GEAR QA2, “Poncho,” LM, Malcolm Haith

Poncho and Malcolm came to the line at 11:06 am

RF – Made quick work of his hunt – Nice!

LF – Across both pieces of water, came into the clearing in front of the gunners – turned left and got his bird.

RR – Into the bottom piece of the L pond – 1 loop just deep of the right flyer guns – on to the right retired holding blind – took a few turns and he got it!

LR – In to the right pond – up across land to the blind – turned left and straight to the bird!


 

 

 

20. FC-AFC BAYOU TECHE EXPRESS, “Ryan,” LF,” Lauren Hays

Ryan and Lauren came to the line at 10:57 am

RF – Through the water and right on to her bird!

RR – Very good line. A couple circles close – and she's got her bird!

LF – Worked the area and on to her bird!

LR – Out to the area of the retired holding blind – Looping around a bit, but she gets her bird!

… and her GLOVE!

 

16. BUCK N FIRE FLY, “Twink,” LF, Mary Williams Ahlgren

Twink and Mary came to the line at 10:45 am

LF – Straight to the fall area and then her bird!

RF – Swam both ponds – came in right – a quick loop left and she got it!

RR – Into the "L" Pond – swam to the back right point – 1 loop short and got out and went wide right – deep – wide left and deep, but she worked it out and got her bird!

LR – Swimming the channel of the "L" pond to the area between right and left retired – looped deep and turned left – went to the fall area and found her bird!
 

 

Handle – 15. FC-AFC KIRKWOOD’S ACE OF A HIGHER GRADE, “Deacon,” LM, Mark Medford

Deacon and Mark came to the line at 10:35 am

RF –Around the end of the pond to the area of the fall. He makes a few circles in the cover to find his bird!

RR – Tight hunt around the holding blind and he is on his bird!

LR –Across the water and he lands right of the blind – Deacon puts on a  hunt right and deep – extends left and then is seen in the flyer area. He is handled to this bird.

LF – Very good initial line, carried across both pieces of water – a couple looks and he was on the bird!


 

12. AFC SALLY BE GOOD, “Sally,” LF, Terry Foltz

Sally and Terry came to the line at 10:20 am

RF – Excellent Job!

LR – Swam to the Left Retired area – established a hunt, got wide left and right – then back to the fall area for her bird.

LF – Swam both pieces of water  – hunted – and she got it!

RR – Down the right side of the "L" pond to behind the blind – went way deep through heavy cover, but came back and she got it!!



 

Pick-up – 8. AFC LUNATIK FRINGE, “Lulu,” LF, Kyle Broussard

Lulu and Kyle came to the line at 10:05 am

RF – Around the pond and to the area of the fall. Got it.

RR – Splash through the pond, over the point and back in. Out to the area and a little deep but she quickly recovers and is on her bird.

LF – Nice angle through the pond, entered the second pond and out on a great line. She has her bird.

LR – Very good initial line. She got to the area and into cover as she ran deep. When she came back into view she had to be handled away from the RR area. Lulu was picked up.


 

Handle – 5. FC-AFC CHOPPER’S FINAL APPROACH, “Billie,” LF, Joel Harris

Billie and Joel came to the line at 9:54 am

RF – Into semi-circle clearing –  went out of the pond – made a few loops and she got it!

RR – Across the lower "L" through the field and out to the bird.

LF – Swam the pond towards the guns – stayed left of the black log going out a few loops and she had her bird.

LR – Down the field into the narrow portion of the L pond – over the land-bridge – back into pond 3 and out going wide left. Cover is too tall to see ... finally have visual of the dog and she is way off line to the left – Billie is handled back to the bird.


 

8th Series Test Dog #2

Test Dog #2  ...

Hooray For Henry, “Henry,” LM, Marion Carey

Next up was Henry and Marion ... they came to the line at 9:31 am ... 

RF – The bird was angled back. Henry is around the end of the pond and to the cover where he finds his bird.

LF – Through the first pond, around the next – Entered cover between the log and the gunners. He hunts the cover and moves far right. He is handled to this bird.

RR – Across the end of the pond, Henry drives up and right taking a portion of the mowed lane, but needs to be handled to his bird.

LR – Through the pond and around back of the holding blind and continues deep. After an extended hunt, Henry is handled to this bird also.

This test took Henry 13 minutes to complete ...
 

8th Series Test Dog #1

Test Dogs Came to the line ...

FC Semper Mt. Hood Maci, “Maci,” GF, Lee Herskowitz

First up ... Maci with handler Lee came to the line at 8:32 am ...

RF – Maci got a long flyer that went down in cover. She worked in the area and retrieved her bird.

RR – The initial line out was right. She crossed the pond and ran the ground behind the flyer station. She was handled to this bird.

LF –Through the water of the first pond and across the second one. A loop in one block of cover and across to the other. Back with her bird.

LR – Went deep of the bird. Hunted the heavy cover and was difficult to keep track of her movements. Maci came out of the heavy cover and worked over to the bird.

This test took Maci 17 minutes to complete ... They stopped the test to groom the grounds ...


 


 

8th Series – Land/Water Quad with Two Flyers and Two Retired with an Honor

The 8th Series – Land/Water Quad with Two Flyers and Two Retired and an Honor. The mat faces South. There is a gravel road running east to west 45 yards in front of the line. Just past the road are three beautiful new ponds. The pond on the right has curves and features with the main body in an "L" shape. The two ponds on the left have a wide land bridge between them running northeast to southwest. The four gun stations are positioned in a semi-circle around the ponds.

Gun Station #1 on the left is a drake mallard flyer. (we will refer to this bird as LF for Left Flyer) This station is 192 yards from the mat. The gunners throw then shoot the drake to the left out of the test. The dog takes both left ponds to get this bird.

Gun Station #2 is a dead hen pheasant retired gun station. (we will refer to this bird as LR for Left Retired) The bird is shot then thrown to the left landing about 202 yards from the line. They then retire into a well brushed blind.

Gun Station #3 is slightly shorter than gun station #2. (we will refer to this bird as RR for Right Retired) They are located at the top right of the L shaped pond. This is also a well brushed blind. This will be the far right side of the test. The gunners come out and shoot a hen mallard and then throw the dead hen duck to the left landing 200 yards from the line. They then retire.

Gun Station #4 is a flyer station on the near right. (we will refer to this bird as RF for Right Flyer)These guns come out and throw their hen pheasant then shoot it to the right. The bird lands approximately 140 yards from the line. These guns are located behind the bottom of the "L" in the L shaped pond.

There is an Honor to the left of the working dog. This test is designed for water on all birds. The order is left to right ...

Beginning with the drake mallard flyer. (LF)

Next is the left Retired throwing a hen pheasant to the left. (LR)

Third we have the Right Retired guns throwing a dead hen mallard to the left. (RR)

Last, is the hen pheasant flyer shot to the right. (RF)

This test is taking each dog approximately 13-17 minutes to complete.

8th Series – Land/Water Quad with Two Flyers and Two Retired

1st Bird – Drake Flyer – 192 yards

2nd Bird – Hen Pheasant – 202 yards

3rd Bird – Hen Duck – 200 yards

4th Bird – Hen Pheasant – 140 yards

Sketch of the 8th Series by David Morrison

Official Photographer – Mark Atwater – NARC ** SPECIAL **

Mark Atwater of UpClose Photo has announced that he will be holding a special for all the participants in this year's NARC …

2022 National Am Event Special – $59.95 per dog – GOOD through 7/1/22

INCLUDES: priority upload of your dog, long-term archive AND special discounts through out the year. 

PLUS your choice of one the following packages:

– (1) 8 x 10 print + (2) 5 x 7 prints + (1) LR Digital + free s/h ($90 value)

OR

– Four LR (Low Res) digital images ($80 value)

OR

– Full credit toward any other purchase


Here's the link: http://upclosephoto.com/narc-special


Workers' Party

We held the traditional Tuesday night Workers' Party at Splitz Bowling Alley. All the folks that volunteered their time at the trial gathered for some delicious food at the "Fajita Bar." Drinks flowed … conversation as well … and a good time was had by all! A later start the next morning was also a welcome announcement! We all got an extra hour's sleep!!

 

NARC President Andy Kahn

2022 NARC Chair Sonya Jackson