Wednesday morning arrived, looking to be another perfect day of weather.
There was a breeze blowing from the west and temperatures rose to 21
degrees by 10:00 AM. Hopefully, the thundershowers would hold off today;
yesterday’s test had been completed just in time.
Test 4 was in the same vicinity as the water marks, running from the top
of the mound where the left-hand gunners had stood. It was 277 yards in
length, but mostly land so the test took about 4 ½ minutes per dog.
The initial line was a slight “no picture” for the dog, as they could not
see the steep embankment they would need to run down, about 50 yards out
from the mat. Dogs either wanted to run down the gentle slope to the
right, or square off to the left. Early whistles were common.
Once the dog entered the pond, they disappeared out of sight for a short
time. The judges had indicated they wanted the dog to be put through the
bulrushes on the far side of the pond, rather than the two opening slots
on either side. Once up on land back of the pond, whistles were needed to
keep the dog fighting the slight crosswind. Most dogs came at the blind
from the upwind side, as at the end the terrain was pushing them right.
Some very good jobs, but the average was about 8 whistles. This test will
be completed in a timely fashion and then it is expected there will be
land marks.
Test 4 was completed at 12:20 PM. A caravan moved a short distance over
to the next field which had been cut with a few bales remaining in it.
Callbacks were given by the marshal, Tom Murray at that site. 6 dogs had
been dropped from the fourth series, they were: 6, 26, 38, 51, 65 and 76.
Starting dog for the fifth series would be dog number 39.
Set-up for this test took longer than expected and it will not get done
today due to the workers’ party. It was scheduled to shut down after dog
73.
Test 5 - Land Quad
The fifth was a land quad with two retired guns. Order of throw was long
left mark (drake) at 277 yards shot first, then short retired right mark
(drake) at 85 yards shot second. Outside left retired mark (hen mallard)
at 190 yards was shot third and last bird down was the outside long
station at 208 yards (hen mallard). After the marks were picked up, the
handlers moved over to the left mat to honour.
The first test dog had no problem, but the second test dog handled on two
birds. The judges moved one gun station slightly. The first running dog
started at 2:15 PM.
The test was picked up in various orders. Most handlers took the long
visible go-bird first and then tried for the short retired mark second.
Some dogs blew through that mark to the other visible gun. Then the
handlers had to try for the short mark again. Some dogs sent for the
outside left retired mark could not resist the enticement of the visible
guns and went for that bird instead. A few handlers selected the short
retired mark first. All in all, a variety of work with some handles and a
double-handle.
The National Workers’ Party is to be held at Holden Community Hall, where
the banquet was also held. The 2006 National Retriever committee will
acknowledge all the sponsors there, they are greatly appreciated. Purina
as the official dog food supplier to the National, Eukanuba as an official
major sponsor, Tri-Tronics as the official e-collar sponsor of the
National, Winchester as the official arms supplier to the National, Ducks
Unlimited, Dogs Afield and Cabelas all as major sponsors. Without them,
these Nationals would be very difficult to hold. Thanks to them all.
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| Male test dog Max with Bruce Macdonald, Female test dog Sunny and Robin Dean on Honor |
Marshal Tom Murray reading callbacks and Gun Captain Don Pollock |
