Saturday arrived cold and partly cloudy. Temperatures were in the low 30's and there was frost on the grass and windshields. Again, only a light wind was evident.

Although test 9 was ready for a test team at 7 am, Mother Nature did not co-operate. A hanging fog over the pond obliterated the guns and judges waited for the rising sun to burn it off.

By 7:40 am, after a single test team had run, number 98 stepped to line to continue the series. The long marks were illuminated by the rising sun and dogs had a much better look at them as they fell, then the day before. The wind remained in the same direction(s) an variable.

The close shot flyer proved too much for # 6 and unfortunately, he broke. There were two switches and some handles. As previously, the two long birds presented the most problems. After an exciting wipe out flyer and the delayed bird, the two long marks  with their hip pocket configuration could become nebulous in the dogs' mind.

By 12.35 the test ended when dog 43 returned to line. (He ran out of order last because of an earlier injury.)

Participants caravan to the tenth series site a good distance away. There the callbacks were given and 15 contenders remained. Nine had been lost. They were: 6, 41, 43, 48, 67, 71, 87, 92, and 94.

GALLERY COMMENTS :

Long birds hard to see at times

The bridge and steps constructed by Gary Ratzlaff  are wonderful!

Beautiful wildflowes and scenery on long walk very pleasant.

Exciting tast to watch!

The tenth was a land quad with all shot flyers and two retired guns. The site was an expansive pasture which rolled down to a narrow, winding creek, then up again to a sagebrush studded hill beyond. There were strips of brush and large pine trees dotted the field. Four set of gunners were positioned within. The first set was to the far right, past a heavy brush line, they shot a flying duck to the left where it landed in sage and grass 234 yards out. The second set was to their left, across a different strip of brush. They shot a flying rooster to the right landing in grass 244 yards away. The third position was also to the left, but farther up the hill. The shot a flying rooster to the left which fell in sage and grass 200 yards away. The last set was also to their left and shot a flying rooster ridden out to the left which landed in shorter pasture grass 165 yards from line. The order was right to left, around the horn. As the dog was sent for it, the left middle and far right gunners retired to blinds behind pine trees.

Two test dogs were run and at 2:38 pm the first dog, number 101 arrived on line.

A spate of misfortunes plagued the series. There were no birds, escaped birds that seem to vanish, reruns and long hunts. Eventually it smoothed out  and all dogs were run. The mind blowing flyers, distance and sheer number of natural obstacles distracted dogs form each mark. Fragrant sagebrush and pheasants did not aid them either.

Unfortunately, one dog hunted to near heat exhaustion and had to be picked up, preventing him from becoming a finalist.

By 7 pm all had completed and all gathered deep behind the test for the awards. Each finalists was introduced and given the finalist ribbon and a red bandana for the dog printed with "1999 National Amateur Finalist" on it.

The winner was then announced as NAFC FC Candlewoods Bit O Bunny, with owner Hank Mc Neil handling.
Cameras flashed and all congratulated each other. Hank announced a victory dinner at a local establishment and invited all participants to attend. After, the crowd dwindled as the sun set and all returned to town to celebrate and prepare to return home.

GALLERY COMMENTS:

Overall a good National - Fair, tough tests, good mechanics and weather.

The dog work was outstanding.

A "clean" winner.

Good view from the gallery on most tests - interesting to watch.