The pine tree laid in the dog’s path and first scented point were reported in error in yesterday’s posting. The judges decided against the first scented point before the test dogs ran, then removed the pine tree after the first test dog ran.
Test 8 - Water Blind
Test dog # 67 AFTCH Dakota’s Quickdraw, MH WCX owned and handled by Bev Fowler ran at 0745 and at 0800 dog # 23 Carronade’s Tenacious Tess, MH owned by Nicki Schirmeister and handled by Luanna Pleasant started the day’s activities.
The scented point proved difficult with an average of 10 whistles required to complete the test.The test was completed by 0930 and the following dogs were dropped. Dogs # 4, 15, 24, 35, 38, 46 and 51.
Test 9 Land Quad
The ninth series, a tight land quad with two retired guns was set up on rolling cut hay fields with round bales scattered throughout. The setup crew had everything ready and at 1020 female test dog AFTCH Pilkington’s Kayte of Southgate, owned and handled by Bill Cumming, ran followed by male test dog She Kon Kawera Honti. The first competitor was # 68 Gahonk’s Ain’t He Handy, owned by Larry Anderson, handled by Dave Thompson.
The memory bird, center right at 292 yards, was a cock pheasant thrown right. The second bird, center left at170 yards, was a duck thrown left then the gunners retired. The third gun, on the right at 248 yards, threw a cock pheasant left, then retired. The go bird, on the left at 119 yards threw a cock pheasant right.The tightness of the marks and the placement of the round bales caused some problems and many had to handle.
The following dogs were dropped. Dogs # 10, 17, 23, 28 and 34.
The 12 finalists and gallery proceeded back to Harry and Risa Loyens’s property for the last test, a water quad with two retired guns.
The Finalists
# 8 FTCH AFTCH Pilkington’s Wylie Hunter
# 9 FTCH AFTCH Justin Time Zoe’s Nine-One-One
#18 FTCH AFTCH Clubmead’s Pop The Cork
#30 FTCH Dudley Do Right XXXII, CD WCX MH QFTR
# 47 FTCH Miss T
#48 Corycharmegs P.D.G. Vader
# 52 Slam Jam Make Sure It’s Broke, MH
# 59 FTCH AFTCH FC AFC Comstocks Bodacious
# 60 FTCH Biggun’s Big Chill
# 61 FTCH FC AFC Yoyou Kaytie K.K.
#65 Jaybar Click On
# 68 Gahonks Ain’t He Handy
The set up crew of Jim Green Larry Deleemans, Al Haggerty, Ron Craig and others had everything ready. Honey Wilson, again, as she had done all week, had the gunners and throwers lined up.
Honourary Test Dog FTCH AFTCH Dippomarsh Madonna, owner-handler Harry Loyens ran a single, then female test dog Pilkingtons Kayte Of Southgate, owner-handler Bill Cummings ran. The judges moved one mark in and because of time restraints the second test Mjolnir’s Arwen Evenstar, owner-handler Peter Mottola, graciously stepped down so the last test could get underway.
Dog # 18 FTCH AFTCH Clubmead’s Pop The Cork, owned by Pat Fitzpartick, handled by Bo Taylor, started the test at 1530.
Test 10 - Water Quad
The starting line was a few feet to the right of the starting line for the blind in series eight. The memory bird, center left, was a retired gun standing on shore at 106 yards and throwing a duck right, landing in the water along the shore. The line to it required an angled entry to the water, swim across open water, through marsh grass, back into open water, to the shore. The second gun, center right, at 148 yards, also stood on shore and threw a duck left along the shoreline. A long swim through open water, to the far shore was required for this retrieve. The third gunner, on the left at 133 yards, threw a duck from shore, right, into marsh grass and then retired. An angled entry to the water then a swim through naturally- scented marsh grass and sticks was required. The go bird, on the right, at 140 yards, was a duck thrown from shore, landing on a point. A sharp angled water entry was required, then a swim past a point onto the next point. The two retired birds provided a variety of answers.
At 1900 the last dog ran and everyone returned to the Port Rowan Community Center to await the judges decision. Dennis Voigt, on behalf of the NRCC, thanked the judges for their time and effort over the week, and for setting up the excellent test that were presented to the competitors. The twelve finalists were presented with awards and the winner was announced.
The winner of the 2005 National Open
# 59 FTCH AFTCH FC AFC Comstocks Bodacious, Owned by John and Anne Marshall, handled by Anne Marshall
