Temperatures this morning are in the low 60s and it is expected to reach a high of 80. Due to a very thick blanket of fog that still covered the grounds at 7:30 am, there has been no running of test dogs yet. As soon as the fog lifts, the action will resume.
Fog blankets the site of the 7th Test
Noon Update
The fog finally lifted enough for the judges to run the test dog team of FC Watermark's Big Chief with handler Jim Cope at 8:25 am. Jim had to handle Chief on both the right and right-middle birds, but did a good job of demonstrating to the judges that testing could get underway. At 8:45 am, the 1st running dog, #36 FC Fish River's Out of the Park with handler Dave Rorem, was on the line and the 8th series continued.
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Test dog team of Jim Cope and Chief
run the 8th Series |
The handlers watch Jim and Chief during the test run |
There is very little wind to speak of and the clouds have hung around. There is only a 20% chance of rain, so it appears that we will be able to get through the entire day of testing without any more weather issues.
By noon, approximately 20 dogs had run the test, which is half of the remaining dogs. At this pace, we should finish up with the 8th Series around 3:30.
Evening Update
The 8th Series came to an end with dog number 15, FC-AFC Vinwood's Don't Look Ethel with handler Danny Farmer. This dog received 2 no-birds, so was sent back to the end since only three dogs followed her. Ethel and Danny were on the line at 3:18 and by 3:27, they had been excused from their honor.
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The gallery watches as Prime and Kenny Trott
return from the 8th Series |
Banner and Mark Mosher wait their turn in a holding blind at the 8th Series |
This morning produced 2 pick-ups (#s 11 and 105) and one dog (#87) broke. There were also a few more no-birds called than was hoped for, probably due to a slight wind that had started coming out of the Southwest. When the callbacks came in, it showed that 25 dogs (56% of the field) would go no further. The 20 dogs called back to the next series are #s 10, 15, 19, 20, 22, 36, 39, 46, 49, 53, 56, 58, 66, 67, 70, 77, 78, 82, 90, and 97. Number 56 will be the starting dog for the 9th Series. Again it was announced that the first 10 dogs would caravan to the next site before everyone else made their way.
Test 9 - Water Triple with Honor
Another fast and efficient move made possible by the Traffic and Grounds Committee meant that we were at the site of the 9th test in no time flat! The site was located on the eastern side of the Kammerer property and utilized a pond and land that has yet to be used in this National.
Test 9 - Left and Middle gun stations
The test is a Water Triple with honor. The middle bird is thrown first. It is a dead mallard drake thrown right to left, landing with a splash on the shore of the a pond approx. 342 yards from the line. The dog must swim the pond to reach the bird. The left bird is thrown next. It is a dead hen pheasant thrown right to left approx. 92 yards from the line. There is no swimming involved in order for the dog to retrieve this bird.
Test 9 - Right gun station
The final bird down (the go-bird) is on the far right. The handler must essentially line the dog in a 90 degree angle from the middle gun station in order to mark the fall. This bird is a live rooster pheasant thrown left to right, landing approx. 92 yards from the line. The left and middle birds face the West, while the right bird faces to the North; the line is situated on a mound similar to the last test. Once the dog is done running the test, he must honor to the left of the line for the next running dog.
At 4:07 pm, the first test dog team of Ed Aycock and Reggie came to the line. They did a nice job of demonstrating the test and had to handle on the middle bird. Reggie returned to the line at 4:16 with his third bird. At 4:17, it was Ty and Jazz's turn to show off their skills on this test. They did a nice job and did not have to handle on any of the birds.
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Test dog Reggie with handler Ed Aycock |
The Handlers contemplate the 9th Series |
As Jazz was returning with her last bird, Marshal Jim Cope announced to the handlers that there would be no running dogs tonight. This was due to the setting sun that was directly in the eyes of the dogs and handlers and causing a heavy glare off the water. This was met with applause from the handlers. Thus, at 4:20 pm, testing was at an end for the day.
Tomorrow, for the final day of testing, the test dog is expected on the line of the 9th Series at 6:30 am. The first running, #56 FC Mad River's Maggie McBunn with handler Michael Cicero, is expected on line at 6:45 am.
Have a good night and we'll see everyone in the morning. Prepare for a blustery final day of competition!
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