Test dogs ran at 7:30 a.m. with dog #30 at 8:00 a.m. The 4th test was held on the same body of water as the previous day’s water blind and it consisted of a triple with the long centre gun retired.
The test was run in a southeasterly direction crossing the neck and the marshy bunch grass of the water body. The running line was on a hilltop about 50 feet above the water. The go-bird, about 102 yards from the line and on the left, was thrown angle back into the open water from the close corner of the pond. The right-hand bird, shot 2nd, was thrown also from the corner of the pond angle back in amongst the grass clumps which lined the pond. This bird was approximately 206 yards from line and dogs had to hold their line across a side hill or risk an early entry into the water or backsiding the gun station. The long retired gun, shot 1st, was thrown across the crest of a hill on the far side of the marshy bunch grass and the gunners retired into a blind hidden in a small grove of pine trees. The line to this bird, approximately 248 yards long, was tight to the back of the go-bird gunners. At the time that test dogs ran, the gunners at the long gun station were not that easy to pick-out especially against the reflection on water that was over the crest of the hill. However, as the day progressed, lighting conditions improved and the gunners became more visible. The wind also picked-up—blowing in a southeasterly/easterly direction with gusts up to 25 miles per hour which lifted the judges’ marquis off its footings!
Most dogs made quick work of the go-bird retrieve. The right hand bird presented some problems largely w/dogs getting in behind the gun station, climbing the hill and taking some time to enter the water for the bird. The greatest challenge was the retired gun. The correct line required courage and perserverance to run close to the go-bird station and fight the harder-going terrain and cover. Many dogs fell-off to the right and landed half way between the right hand bird and the retired gun station. The wind was helpful to some, giving a whiff of the retired gunners and bird, but as the wind swirled some dogs drove high up on the hill between the guns and required a handle to keep them from returning to the old fall of the 2nd gun. The last bird was received in the honour position, a few feet down wind of the running mat. The delectable vantage point of this perch on the hill for the working and honouring dogs proved too tempting for 1 dog who broke on the honour.
The starting weather conditions were chilly and overcast. The temperature rose but continued to fluctuate between 19 ?C and 25?C with the wind. Few competitors were ever warm enough to shed their warm coats or hats and the sky opened with a couple of hours of showers in mid afternoon.
There were 5 pick-ups. 44 dogs were called back to the 5th series – a double land blind. Dogs 18, 23, 39, 43, 58, 61, 63, 67, 68, and 80 were not called back. Dog #48 is the first dog to run on the 5th series. Test dogs to run at 7:30 a.m.
