NUMBER   DOG

      4   FC-AFC PAINTER'S MAJOR MOTION, LM
          Owner:  J.J. Heneghan
          Handler: Jim Gonia
     10   NFC-AFC CANDLEWOODS TANKS A LOT, LF
          Owner:  Marion Stroud Swingle
          Handler: Mike Lardy
     20   FC-AFC ST. CROIX PELI-CAN, LF
          Owner:  Mark Edwards and Roger Reopelle
          Handler: Kenny Trott
     21   FC AFC CHENA RIVER CHAVEZ, LM
          Owner: Marion Stroud Swingle
          Handler: Dave Mosher
     24   FC DUST DEVIL'S SHOOT THE MOON, LM
          Owner: S. D. Bechtel, Jr.
          Handler: Bill Totten
     34   NAFC-FC MD'S COTTON PICK'N CROPPER, LM
          Owner: Newt CropperandKaren Rabeau
          Handler: Newt Cropper
     35   CFC BANDANA'S YELLOW ROSE, LF
          Owner: S. D. Bechtel, Jr.
          Handler: Bill Totten
     55   FC-AFC HIGHSTRAIGHT FLUSH, LM
          Owner: John and Debbie Morgan
          Handler: Mike Lardy
     63   FC RIPARIAN MARIAH, LF
          Owner: Cliff and Jeanne Garland
          Handler: Bill Eckett
     65   FC-AFC REBEL RIDGE CODY'S MISCHIEF, LM
          Owner: LarryandLyn Wharton
          Handler: Ed Forry
     80   FC-AFC LINK'S ROYAL TOUCH OF CLASS, LF
          Owner: Beverley D. Lincoln
          Handler: Bill Eckett
     85   FC AFC CANDLEWOODS DESERT STORM, MH, LM
          Owner: Donald Wolf
          Handler: Donald Wolf

These reports are a compilation of different sources of information received through long-distance phone conversations and internet communications. The total accuracy of some of these reports may not be complete but are provided as the best information we have.

Eighth Series Land Triple, facing a bowl or ravine with a set of guns to the left and across, 200 yards on the rim throwing to the right and in slightly over the edge. The second bird was to the right and closer with the bird thrown converging tight to the left. Then a flyer was shot from the first gun station to the left and way out (a mama and papa). The dogs handled on all three birds. 34 dogs ran this series and 16 dogs were dropped. There were 18 dogs called back to the ninth series.

Ninth Series Water Triple. The line was above the end of a pond looking down the pond. At the other end of the pond and back from the water a gun was throwing from left to right and in front of a dike and then retired. In to the right and up the hill a gun threw a converging bird to the left down to the base of a point and tight to the long bird, on the right side of the pond, then retired. A flyer on the left was shot from left to right into the pond. The dogs had quite a bit of trouble on this test. Five dogs were dropped after the ninth series. 13 dogs were called back to the tenth series.

The Tenth Series will begin Saturday morning, probably a Water Quad, and most likey the final series of this National Championship Stake.

The 1996 National Open Retriever Champion will be one from this elite group of retrievers!

NUMBER    DOG
4	FC-AFC PAINTER'S MAJOR MOTION, LM Owner: J.J. Heneghan Handler: Jim Gonia
10	NFC-AFC CANDLEWOODS TANKS A LOT, LF Owner: Marion Stroud Swingle Handler: Mike Lardy
20	FC-AFC ST. CROIX PELI-CAN, LF Owner: Mark Edwards and Roger Reopelle Handler: Kenny Trott
21	FC AFC CHENA RIVER CHAVEZ, LM Owner: Marion Stroud Swingle Handler: Dave Mosher
24	FC DUST DEVIL'S SHOOT THE MOON, LM Owner: S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Handler: Bill Totten
34	NAFC-FC MD'S COTTON PICK'N CROPPER, LM Owner: Newt CropperandKaren Rabeau Handler: Newt Cropper
35	CFC BANDANA'S YELLOW ROSE, LF Owner: S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Handler: Bill Totten
55	FC-AFC HIGHSTRAIGHT FLUSH, LM Owner: John and Debbie Morgan Handler: Mike Lardy
63	FC RIPARIAN MARIAH, LF Owner: Cliff and Jeanne Garland Handler: Bill Eckett
65	FC-AFC REBEL RIDGE CODY'S MISCHIEF, LM Owner: LarryandLyn Wharton Handler: Ed Forry
75	FC STORM'S RIPTIDE STAR, LM Owner: Marilyn Fender Handler: Mike Lardy
80	FC-AFC LINK'S ROYAL TOUCH OF CLASS, LF Owner: Beverley D. Lincoln Handler: Bill Eckett
85	FC AFC CANDLEWOODS DESERT STORM, MH, LM Owner: Donald Wolf Handler: Donald Wolf

Weather today was the best so far...warm and sunny.

Continuation of Fifth Series Land Quad: This morning the remaining 13 dogs ran the 5th series...about half doing very well and the other half handling. Of the 61 dogs, 20 were dropped, leavng 41 to run the 6th series land blind.

Dogs Dropped Affter Fifth Series Land Quad:

         NUMBER   DOG

              1   FC KIBURZWAY'S BROAD REACH JAY, LM
              9   DELTA'S WISE GUY, LM
             12   FC CHUGACH HILLS MONTANA JAZZ, LM
             19   FC AFC ESPRIT HOCUS POCUS, LM
             23   FC CANDLEWOOD'S HARLOT FOLEIGHTER, LF
             30   FC AFC CANDLEWOOD'S ZACKLY RIGHT, LM
             31   FC DARE TO DREAM, LM
             33   FC-AFC LUCYANA'S FAST WILLIE, LM
             40   DUBLINS'S IRISH MIS, LM
             46   NFC-AFC VINWOOD'S TAKES A LICK'N, LM
             54   HAWKEYE'S ACE OF HEARTS
             57   FC PUT UP YOUR DUKES, LM
             60   FC AFC-CFC RYAN'S BUD OF COLUMBIA BASIN, LM
             61   FC PRAIRIE PEAK CHICA'S LEWIS, LM
             71   FC-AFC TWO TALL JONES, LM
             77   TANK'S TOO LEGIT TO QUIT, LF
             78   FC-AFC-CFC-CAFC TRULINE KEEN EYED KATE, LF
             81   FC JAZZTIMES ALASKAN RENDEZVOUS, LM
             82   FC-AFC CORNERSTONE WIZARD OF OZ, LM
             86   FC-AFC LandM'S KWIK TRIP, LM

Callbacks to Sixth Series:

         NUMBER   DOG

              3   FC-CNAFC FREE TRADE, LF
              4   FC-AFC PAINTER'S MAJOR MOTION, LM
              5   FC-AFC BIRDPERFECT
              6   FC WESTWINDS TRAPPER.  LM
              7   TRUMARC'S MACKIE MAX
             10   NFC-AFC CANDLEWOODS TANKS A LOT, LF
             11   FC-AFC RONFLEAUX, LM,
             13   CROPPER'S ONE EYED JACK, LM
             14   FC-AFC SNAKE'S PONY EXPRESS,  LM
             20   FC-AFC ST. CROIX PELI-CAN
             21   FC AFC CHENA RIVER CHAVEZ, LM
             22   FC LOOEY LOOEY, LM
             24   FC DUST DEVIL'S SHOOT THE MOON, LM
             27   NAFC-FC EBONSTAR LEAN MAC, LM
             28   FC JOY'S LUCKY PICK, LM
             29   FC-AFC MISTY MORNING WOODY, LM
             32   1996 NAFC-FC CANDLEWOOD'S BIT 0 BUNNY, LF
             34   NAFC-FC MD'S COTTON PICK'N CROPPER, LM
             35   CFC BANDANA'S YELLOW ROSE, LF
             36   FC CANDLEWOOD'S GOTTA BE GOOD, LF
             37   FC-AFC LOKI'S MOONLIGHT MAGIC, LF
             43   FC AFC RIPARIAN RHAPSODY, LF
             45   CANDLEWOODS HOMELY HANNAH, LF
             48   FC MS CHIEF, LF
             50   FC-AFC WESTWIND'S HEADandSHOULDERS, LM
             52   FC-AFC WESTWINDS CHANCES ARE, LM
             55   HIGHSTRAIGHT FLUSH, LM
             62   FC-AFC FISHTRAP DEBBIE DOES DUCKS, LF
             63   FC RIPARIAN MARIAH, LF
             64   FC AFC WEBSHIRE'S HONEST ABE, LM
             65   FC-AFC REBEL RIDGE CODY'S MISCHIEF, LM
             69   FC TEXAS-DOUBLE OR NOTHIN', LM
             70   FC RIPPIN MAX A MILLION, LM
             72   FC SAMANTHA OF WATERTON
             73   FC DUST DEVIL'S QUANTUM LEAP, LF
             74   FC-AFC MAT BURNS, LM
             75   FC STORM'S RIPTIDE STAR, LM
             79   FC AFC HIDDEN BAY SUPER CRUISER, LM
             80   FC-AFC LINK'S ROYAL TOUCH OF CLASS, LF
             85   FC AFC CANDLEWOODS DESERT STORM, MH, LM
             89   FC-AFC SUGARFOOT'S TRIAL'N TRAVIS, LM

Sixth Series Land Blind: Starting at 10:30 AM, the 6th series was a single land blind run from slightly right of the line for the marks. The blind was between the shorter gun that was up the series before and the long retired gun. A few dogs had bad initial lines and a few dogs had rough endings, but none of the dogs really failed the blind. All dogs were called back. The land blind finished at 12:40 PM. 41 Dogs to 7th Series.

Callbacks to Seventh Series:

              ALL 41 DOGS WERE CALLED BACK

Seventh Series Water Blind: The 7th series was a single water blind, and the first dog was launched at 1:45 PM. Like the 4th series water blind, this one had a long land entry (down a hill), and was a shoreline blind across a point. There was a poison bird on the left (upwind) which didn't appear to give the dogs any trouble. Only 7 dogs were dropped after the water blind. 34 Dogs called back to the 8th series to begin on Friday morning.

Dogs Dropped Affter Seventh Series Water Blind:

       NUMBER   DOG

             11   FC-AFC RONFLEAUX, LM
             13   CROPPER'S ONE EYED JACK, LM
             27   NAFC-FC EBONSTAR LEAN MAC, LM
             32   1996 NAFC-FC CANDLEWOOD'S BIT 0 BUNNY, LF
             64   FC AFC WEBSHIRE'S HONEST ABE, LM
             72   FC SAMANTHA OF WATERTON, LF
             89   FC-AFC SUGARFOOT'S TRIAL'N TRAVIS, LM

Callbacks to Eighth Series:

         NUMBER   DOG
              3   FC-CNAFC FREE TRADE, LF
              4   FC-AFC PAINTER'S MAJOR MOTION, LM
              5   FC-AFC BIRDPERFECT
              6   FC WESTWINDS TRAPPER.  LM
              7   TRUMARC'S MACKIE MAX
             10   NFC-AFC CANDLEWOODS TANKS A LOT, LF
             14   FC-AFC SNAKE'S PONY EXPRESS,  LM
             20   FC-AFC ST. CROIX PELI-CAN
             21   FC AFC CHENA RIVER CHAVEZ, LM
             22   FC LOOEY LOOEY, LM
             24   FC DUST DEVIL'S SHOOT THE MOON, LM
             28   FC JOY'S LUCKY PICK, LM
             29   FC-AFC MISTY MORNING WOODY, LM
             34   NAFC-FC MD'S COTTON PICK'N CROPPER, LM
             35   CFC BANDANA'S YELLOW ROSE, LF
             36   FC CANDLEWOOD'S GOTTA BE GOOD, LF
             37   FC-AFC LOKI'S MOONLIGHT MAGIC, LF
             43   FC AFC RIPARIAN RHAPSODY, LF
             45   CANDLEWOODS HOMELY HANNAH, LF
             48   FC MS CHIEF, LF
             50   FC-AFC WESTWIND'S HEADandSHOULDERS, LM
             52   FC-AFC WESTWINDS CHANCES ARE, LM
             55   HIGHSTRAIGHT FLUSH, LM
             62   FC-AFC FISHTRAP DEBBIE DOES DUCKS, LF
             63   FC RIPARIAN MARIAH, LF
             65   FC-AFC REBEL RIDGE CODY'S MISCHIEF, LM
             69   FC TEXAS-DOUBLE OR NOTHIN', LM
             70   FC RIPPIN MAX A MILLION, LM
             73   FC DUST DEVIL'S QUANTUM LEAP, LF
             74   FC-AFC MAT BURNS, LM
             75   FC STORM'S RIPTIDE STAR, LM
             79   FC AFC HIDDEN BAY SUPER CRUISER, LM
             80   FC-AFC LINK'S ROYAL TOUCH OF CLASS, LF
             85   FC AFC CANDLEWOODS DESERT STORM, MH, LM

The 1996 National Open Championship may be completed on Friday, with a possibility of going to Saturday, with three more series to go!

Summary of Callbacks and Dogs Still in Contention (through 7 Series)

Fifth Series Land Quad with 2 retired guns. Test also had some water in it. The judges adjusted their test twice, ending up with the quad in which all birds were thrown to the left. The left bird was a flyer, the next bird was about 200 yds out and retired, the middle right bird was standing up and the right hand bird was retired. They were shot right to left.

The first running dog started the 5th series at 8:55 AM. 47 dogs ran until 5:00 PM, when it became too dark to run any more dogs. This leaves 14 dogs to run tomorrow (Thursday). It was a fairly long land test, taking an average of eight to ten minutes per dog.

The weather was misty in the morning, but no rain, and cleared up in the afternoon, becoming warm (maybe 60's?) and sunny.

The first running dog was #72, FC Samantha of Waterton, who did a good job on the test. Ten dogs handled of the 47 who ran today, including: FC-AFC Misty Morning Woody, NAFC-FC Ebonstar Lean Mac, FC-NAFC Candlewood's Bit O'Bunny, FC-AFC Lucyana's Fast Willie, FC-AFC Cornerstone Wizard of Oz, and NFC-AFC Vinwood's Takes A Lickin'. There were a number of large hunts as well.

With the 14 dogs left to run the land quad Thursday morning, there were no call backs given Wednesday.

Weather: Rainy, windy, and cold.

Completed Third Series Water triple. Twelve dogs dropped. #2 FC-AFC Cedar Valley's Hi Bird Turk, #16 FC-AFC Cookie's Spot 'Em Now, #17 FC Annie's Super Flex, #25 FC Calumet's Sonic Boom, #26 FC Mick the Quick, #39 FC Counterpoint's Jeremiah, #44 Raindancer's Dryland Drifter (Canadian Nat'l Champion), #49 FC-AFC Gunstocks Butch From Winifox, #51 FC-AFC Hawkeye's Dandy, #56 FC-AFC Carolina's Liquid Smoke, #66 FC Big Deal Lucille, #87 FC Esprit's Cool It. 74 Dogs to fourth series water blind.

Fourth Series Water blind: The water blind started this morning at 11:40, with dog # 28. It had a 100 yard downhill entry, and was almost a shoreline blind. Dogs had to go over a point, then out of the water and up a hill to get the bird. It was rainy, windy and cold.

Thirteen dogs were dropped after the water blind: #8 FC Pintails Hunter's Choice, #15 FC-AFC Rio Lago, #38 FC Sugarfoot She's A Dandi, #41 FC Monarch's Damn Yankee, #47 FC-AFC Code Blue, #53 Wood River's Boot Scoot'n Boogie, #59 FC-AFC Kerrybrook's Good Time Girl, #67 FC-AFC Ashley's Scooteroo, #68 Jerryru's Persuader, #76 HandM Swamp Harley, #83 FC Broadreach Pebbles, #84 FC-AFC Riparian Roughrider, #88 FC Tank'em By Surprise.

61 Dogs were called back for the fifth series (land marks or blind) which will begin Wednesday morning.

Several of the dogs "in good shape" after four series:

#5 FC-AFC Bird Perfect, John Cavanaugh
#6 FC Westwind's Trapper, Bill Totten
#7 Trumarc's Mackie Max, Judy Aycock
#10 NFC-AFC Candlewoods Tanks A Lot, Mike Lardy
#12 FC Chugach Hills Montana Jazz, Danny Farmer
#20 FC-AFC St Croix Pelian, Kenny Trott
#27 FC-NAFC Ebonstar Lean Mac, Mike Lardy
#32 FC-NAFC Candlewood's' Bit of Bunny, Hank McNeil
#43 FC-AFC Riparian Rhapsody, Jay Stine
#50 FC-AFC Westwind's Head and Shoulders, Jerry Kamphius
#62 FC-AFC Fishtrap Debbie Does Ducks, Ray Bly
#63 FC Riparian Mariah, Bill Eckett
#78 FC Truline Keen Eyed Kate, LuAnn Pleasant

Completed first and second series. Dogs dropped after the first two series (land double and land blind) were #18, FC-AFC Waggs, and #42, FC Crow River Hi Res Scanner. 86 Dogs back to third series.

Third Series Water Triple. Water triple began but there were several dogs left to run on Tuesday morning.

88 Starters (89 Entries, with one scratch, Dog # 58, Justin Time Zoe)

Weather: Beautiful day with brisk North wind

First series and second series.: Nice land double and blind. 24 dogs have handled with 2 held over to run tomorrow AM.

The first series consisted of a thrown dead pheasant for the first mark (left hand mark, about 150 yards, with retiring gunners, thrown from left to right) followed by a live flyer pheasant (right hand mark, again about 150 yards, stationary gunners, and thrown from left to right) and then a blind retrieve, of approximately 300 yards, with the line just to the left of retiring gunner station. Many dogs did exemplary work, pinning both marks, and requiring only a few whistles on the blinds, but some dogs did really struggle on either one of the marks, and a few had problems on both marks. Most of the really "big name" dogs were already "rising to the top", handling this series with little problem.

Contributors: Special thanks to Sue Reynolds for the detailed daily reports from Ardmore -- which only Sue's excitement for Nationals and these great dogs could provide. And to Regina Poer who has tirelessly helped me fill in the "holes" with running orders, call backs and test descriptions. And to Mike Lardy for providing information about the status of the dogs which will run in the Tenth Series (of which he has three). And to Jackie Mertens for providing information from the NRC Catalog. And to Marilyn Fender and Ron Mandsager for providing information they have had about this National Championship Stake. [djw]

1996 National Open Retriever Championship Starters in Order of the Draw

1996 National Open Retriever Championship Qualifiers

National Retriever Club, Inc.

Past Winners of the National Open Retriever Championship