Sunset Magic...

In the morning...

... Test dog will run at 6:30 a.m.

Dog #75 is on line -- LAST DOG

Paul Sletten & Diva

The judges have just excused #77 from the first holding blind. Chris Ledford and Sky will be on deck first thing in the morning...

Diva, FC Mitimat You Go Girl, is after her last bird... and has it with a hunt... no handle.

Molly, By Golly!

... FC-AFC-CFC-CAFC Runnin's Molly B has just brought three birds back to handler Charlene Koeth, way to go!

Dog #73 Handles...

This photo shows the "wall" to the left of the left station that appears to be influencing dogs to flare out to the right, where they often end up behind the left gun

... This is "Moses" (FC-AFC Holy Cross's Moses) and Steve Yozamp, on the middle bird.

The sun is sliding down toward the horizon...

Here is what the sun looks like at this moment

as the shadows begin to lengthen...

Diesel has 'em clean...

Dogs often tend to pull right when going toward the middle bird, It's thrown to the left... but the right-hand side of the holding blind station may look to dogs as the longer swim.

... for handler Alan Pleasant. Diesel is #72, (FC Premier's RSK Powerstroke)

Crowd Pleaser!

Nice job for #71, Emmit (FC Watermark's Running Back) and handler Jim Gonia.

... right now, #70, Piper is after his left bird. He broke right out there at the last, but then recovered and now has the bird. He's in the water headed for the middle bird. And now has it... way to go. Mark Edwards just said "whew"...

Quick re-bird....

right now... as a dog moves into the first holding blind...

Handle in Progress...

... for #69, FC Fresh Squeezed "Juice" after a hunt for the left bird.... and Dave Smith. Juice now has the last bird.

Guide is a Leader...

... Dog #68, FC-AFC Nightwings Marsh Leader, has just slapped this test. Nice job.

Handle

Lilly

Lilly (#67, FC Adams Acres Water Lilly) came used her head to stay in the area hard for the left bird, but as she went right, Bill Sargenti handled her to the bird. Clean handle. Nice job on the third bird...

Handle on Left Bird

Dog #66 is working hard to recover the left bird. He's putting on a hunt... up into cover, down into flat short of the gun... now going right, Handle... had to work on the handle. Now has the last bird.

Second Handle of this Test

Just as a comment, the third dog running, #65, has also gone to the right of the left gun. He then peeled further right on into the middle bird. He now must still recover the left bird.

Now, Aero ((FC-AFC Landover's Right On Target) is handling on the left bird from right of the gun. He has the bird.

Handle

Handle-- for Dog #64, Pride (By Golden Pond's Legacy) ensuing right now, on the left bird of this test. Pride went to the right of the left gun, as did the first dog. He was in danger of switching, it appears, when handler Bill Eckett put the horn on him.

Now, he's swimming on the middle bird... and has it.

The first dog is in the holding blind and ... has done the test. Dog #63, FC-AFC Wine Glass "Lucky" Strike and Al Arthur went to the right of the stand-out gun on the left, but recovered the bird.

A final look at the line... time is ticking while a search is underway for a flyaway pheasant from the previous setup...  now we are about to get underway

The second test dog is up right now... the first test dog team of Janis Olsen and Horns or Halo had some trouble. Now Don Graves and Ruby have done nicely.

Definitely--a water triple is materializing...

Order will be middle, left, right...

Callbacks

Here, the judges confer before callbacks are delivered. L to R, Ed Haskins, Lee Jolley, and John Goettl

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90

start with dog #63

The judges tent is walked to the right, and announcer Dean Ellis (R) moves his umbrella stand

The move is still in progress. A water blind is being set up... Scratch that... looks like marks. This isn't something I've been told, just looking and this is what I'm seeing. Trying very hard to get the photo thing sorted out to have this blog flooded with photos soon :)

Eva ran last by design... due to her number and her no-bird... and she had excellent marks and then one-whistled the blind.

... and dog #38, Edge (FC-AFC Machthree's Edge) went a bit deep and back into his left mark... and now has the blind...

Two dogs remain, including the one currently running, which is #38.

A water blind will follow this test and it will be started today. That's quite a coup!

And now we have Alan Pleasant and dog #35 with his marks collected, and he's setting up for the blind. A bit of action at the end, and he's got it...

Dog #28 is back from his no-bird. This is Roxie (FC-AFC Hardscrabble Roxie McBunn) with handler Ray Voigt. Nice job!

We are running low on dogs... as in about to conclude this test. Dog #40 just had a no-bird.

Just a little hunt on the flyer for dog #39, and then he got the left bird... now he's running the blind with handler Andy Kahn.

(FC-AFC Camino Weight Cutter)

A No-bird for dog #38

Dog #37, Streak, (FC-AFC Dixie City Jam II) and Al Arthur just completed the test with good marks and blind...

This is Pirate...

Dog #32, Pirate, has just come back for his re-run. He hunted the left bird, and it was not the best fall, but recovered it and has just completed the blind.

And #36, Bravo, (FC Watermark's BB Standing Ovation is running the marks, has them both nicely... and is about to run the blind

Well... holding true to the earlier disclosure you read here! Alan Pleasant has just garnered another no-bird, this time with dog #35.

Dog #34, King (FC Seaside's Kingfish, did nicely for handler Ty Rorem.

Re-run up for #24, Dozer and Al Arthur. (FC-AFC Peakebrook's Brawny Force). Two nice marks later, the blind is being planted...

Nice marks with a loop on the left for the re-run of #27, FC-AFC Riverrun's True North "Pete" and handler Jim Gonia.

Dog #33, Lil (FC-AFC Lil Chin Music) has just scooped up the marks... for handler Charlene Koeth. And a nice blind... good job.

Well... Gary Zellner headed out on the four-wheeler to retrieve the pheasant... and it ran away on him. Anyway... some minutes later and Gary has solved the problem... we'll be underway again shortly.

Another no-bird, this one is for #32...

Dog #31, Pete (FC Seaside's Pelican Pete) and Steve Yozamp have just done nicely.

Dog #30 and Bill Sargenti are coming to line now to hopefully break the streak of no-birds.

Nice job! This is Freedom, Citori's No Holds Barred.

And here's another no-bird, up for #29. He's been excused for six dogs...

Well. Dog #28 up... and his flyer was way short... at the gunner's feet. The dog's number was called. This was a really bad flyer fall! So... the dog was sent, got deep of the bird, and then he wouldn't come back in for it, as though he felt he was winding the bird crates/gunners. The judges asked handler Ray Voigt to pick up his dog.

And now, this dog will run at the end. Good decision, in my humble opinion...

No-bird on Dog #27...

A small hunt on the left bird later, and now #26, Chad, (FC-AFC Jazztime Hanging Chad) is running-- now has run, the blind for handler Bill Totten.

A small hunt on the left bird for #25, Dealer (FC-AFC Sureshot's Texas Hold'Em) and Marv Baumer. He's running the blind and nearly at the bird.

And now we have a no-bird for #24, Dozer and Al Arthur

Nice marks and a check whistle at the end for #23, FC Seaside's Bullwinkle, and Mark Smith...

Good job for Billie, #22, (FC Shadow's Whiteshoes) and Karl Gunzer.

And a nice job for #21, Hawk, FC Counterpoint's Sidekick and Alan Pleasant.

Fizz did nicely for handler Judy Rasmuson. This is #20, FC-AFC Hardscrabble Carbunnation.

Back to running, and #19, Bitsy (FC-AFC Wham Bam's Just a Little Bit) and Amy Hunt have done a nice job.

Another gun change has been quickly orchestrated... the gun changes thus far are done in the twinkle of an eye. Well, nearly, anyway...

Okay... we have a few nice jobs in a row... including Dogs 16, 17, and 18.

#16, Abby, FC Abby's Little Cooper, handled by John Henninger


#17, Louie, Bluegoose's Passion for Jazz and handler Chris Ledford


#18, Flint, FC Moonstones Ignites On Impact MH and handler Ty Rorem

Moses, dog #15 has this test in the bag... for handler Wayne Curtis. (FC Drake's Bay Parting of the Sea)

All the way from the North Pole.

Well, the journey was worth the trip for handler Thomas Wilkerson and #14, FC-AFC Chatanika's High Water "Haylee"...

Such a smooth operator! Nice job for Mootsie, #13, and handler Ted Shih. (FC-AFC Freeridin Smooth Operator)

Dog #12, Pow, (FC-AFC Hardscrabbles Powder My Buns) did nicely for handler Al Arthur

Leica, #11 (Leica II) did well for handler Jerry Patopea.

Folks, this test is going by the wayside quite quickly! It seems safe to say that we'll be done with this test pretty soon, and the whisper is about starting another test yet today. That would be news for a National... to go into the third series on Day One! Just sayin...

With a hunt on the left bird, Brook then did a nice blind for handler Michael Moore. (#10, FC-AFC Citori's Accept No Substitute)

Way to go, Skeeter... nice work for handler Robby Bickley. (That's #9, FC-AFC Wolf Creek CR Skeeter)

Mercy, (#7, FC-AFC Mercy Mercy Mercy Me) and Paul Sletten did well with a so-so blind...

And a nice job for #8, Cane (FC-AFC Ragin Eye of the Storm) and Alan Pleasant.

Please mark your records... Dog #6 is an official scratch.

Duce did this test for handler Bill Eckett... that's #5, FC DoubleDuce.

We're rolling right along. Dog #4, Bullet (FC-AFC Robber's Stray Bullet) has his birds collected and is running the blind right now.

Nice work for Ringo, with a check whistle at the end of his blind and nice marks for handler Jim Gonia. (That's #3, FC Beadle LC's Three Ring Circus)

Grady, #2, zoomed around just a bit on his left hand bird, and then had a few whistles from the right side of the blind.

Handler Alan Pleasant has had no-birds on two dogs today... he's just completed the re-run of #85, Ozzie (FC RSK's Oohs and Aahs) in nice style.

p.s.... Alan seems to attract no-birds in Nationals... just a personal observation that has been upheld here!

Pearl (#1, RC Rocky Creek's Full Tilt Boogie) commanded her marks and had a nice blind for handler Danny Farmer.

Nice work for Carson. He's #90 (FC Sorol Green River Indian Scout) and is handled by Karl Gunzer.

Levi did this test for handler Ray Voigt (#89, FC Maple Creek's Spirit Warrior)

She got her party started... Pink (#88, FC-AFC Seaside's Get the Party Started) did well for handler Al Arthur.

Shorty, (#87, FC-AFC Sanpitch River Shore Thing) had a hunt on the left bird to the ditch and right and back and way right, and then recovered the bird. He had one check whistle at the end of his blind for handler Bill Totten.

Really nice work for #86, Brutus (FC Nobody Moves Nobody Gets Hurt) and Ryan Brasseux

We now have another no-bird, third for the day. This one is on #85 and Alan Pleasant.

With a little hunt inside the flyer, Reagan (#84, FC-AFC Citori's Vista 40th Pres) had a hunt on the left bird and had a nice blind.

#83, Tex, did well for Mark Smith on the heels of the gun change.

(That's FC Bayou Teche Tex)

A quick gun change is in progress...

#82, Pink (FC-AFC Trulines Walla Walla Sweet) just did well for handler John Henninger.

Thief delivers to handler Scott Dewey

Thief and Scott Dewey are running the blind right now... and have just done the test.

Dog #79, FC-AFC-CNAFC-CFC Moonstones Hug and Moochie (Ham) did the test... for handler Rob Erhardt...

... as did #80, Haley (CNFC Road Warriors Lady Hawk) for handler Dave Rorem.

Merlyn, #78 (FC Merlyn IV) had an extremely long flyer and hunted it and then did well on the other two birds for Jerry Patopea.

Dog #77 all but stepped on the left bird... that's Sky (Candlewood's Skyrocket) and Chris Ledford. Nice job all the way!

HANDLE--currently, on #76, "Ozzy" (FC-AFC Premier's Iron Man Ozzy) and handler Al Arthur, on the left hand bird.

You Go Girl!

She did. That's #75, FC Mitimat You Go Girl (Diva) and handler Paul Sletten. Nice job.

Charlene Koeth is on deck right now and running the blind with Molly... the marks have been dispatched. Nice blind.
(FC-AFC-CFC-CAFC Runnin's Molly B)

Dog #72 is in the books for another Diesel (more than one call name Diesel in this National!--this one is FC Premier's RSK Powerstroke) and handler Alan Pleasant.

Dog #73, Moses, had a hunt on the left bird and a workmanlike blind for handler Steve Yozamp. (That's FC-AFC Holy Cross's Moses) 

Another nice left hand mark, this one for #71, Emmit (FC Watermark's Running Back) and handler Jim Gonia. Put a nice blind along with it.. good job.

Crowd Pleaser...

That would be #70, Piper (Wing Magic's Standpipe Moon) as he had wonderful marks and then lined the blind for handler Mark Edwards.

Piper and Dave have done the test nicely! (#69, FC Fresh Squeezed "Juice")...

Really nice marks and a workmanlike blind for #68, Guide (FC-AFC Nightwings Marsh Leader) and handler Karl Gunzer.

Lilly and Billy were a team... and did this test nicely. (#67, FC Adams Acres Water Lilly and handler Bill Sargenti)

The wind is doing a light swirl right now. For several dogs previous to this, it had turned and was coming right into our faces at the line.

Dog #66, FC-AFC Tealcreek Patton's "Saber" has just done the test with a workmanlike blind to wind things up.

Very nice job on the re-run for #60 (Tyson--FC-AFC Sureshot's TKO) and Alan Pleasant.

Aero, #65, (FC-AFC Landover's Right on Target) had a hunt wide left for handler Dave Rorem, and a tidy blind.

We are back to running dogs, and #64 (Pride, By Golden Pond's Legacy) just had quite a hunt for handler Bill Eckett and is about to run the blind.

Gun Changes in Progress...

With a hunt on the far side of the ditch, and some toying with the cover on the blind, #63 (FC-AFC Wine Glass "Lucky" Strike) did the test for handler Al Arthur.

Greg Lister works to cast Gauge back to the right

Dog #62, Gauge, (FC Westwoods Iron Man) had a substantial hunt all around the left bird, and also had some difficulty on the blind, getting through and on the left side of the cover about 3/4 of the way to the blind, but then he did recover the bird.

Miss "Windy", #61 (NFC-AFC Candlewood's Something Royal) had a loop and got the left bird en route to doing the test.

Alan Pleasant signals--the upcoming rerun was good

Mark Smith and Ali

Currently... a no-bird on the flyer for #60.

And coming up is the re-run for the first no-bird... that is #54. And Ali (FC-AFC Lanes Lets Get Ready to Rumble) hunted the left bird and overall had nice work.

In the photo is Mark Smith with Ali as they leave the line.

Cash (#59, FC Jazztime Empty Wallet) had a hunt on that left bird for handler Bill Totten.

With a hunt to the left of the left bird and some out in the short flat, #58 (Tiny--FC Little Bit Dangerous--and this dog is not so tiny) did the test for handler John Henninger. 

Ray Voigt and #57, Jet, leave the line

Casey (#56, Vista's Case of Purple) had a hunt on the left bird for handler Randy Koch...


... and #57, FC-AFC "Jet" Black Bustin Through the Brush MH crossed the ditch and back into the cover on the left bird for handler Ray Voigt.

Shock zoomed through this test for Handler Paul Sletten. (#55, FC-AFC Waterdogs Shock and Awe)

Retriever News Working Hard...

... perched in a good viewing spot.

L to R, Joule Charney, Tina Ebner, and Gwen Jones

No-Bird on the flyer (first of the day) for #54 right now...

Diesel (#50--FC Road Warrior's Duramax and Bill Sargenti) had a short hunt on the left bird and some whistles in the cover 3/4 of the way to the blind to do the test.

Blue (#51, FC-AFC Sara's Blue Streak and Al Arthur) had a left-bird hunt in doing their test.

Then #52, (Wingover's "Pedro" II) had a small hunt in doing this test for handler Mark Mosher.

And #53 had a nice job for Chuck Schweikert. (That's FC-AFC Candlewood GoldenDaze "Louie")...

Nice jobs for #48, Bart (FC-AFC Lil Bit's Cote D'Or Pinot Noir) with handler Alan Pleasant, and also for #49, NFC Two Rivers Lucky Willie and Dave Rorem.

With a  hunt around the holding blind and to the right before going  out to the bird, Boss (#47, FC Me D Boss) completed this setup for Jim Gonia.

#46, FC-AFC Shadows Sweet Something had a little hunt on her memory bird as she did the test nicely for handler Chris Ledford...

We're rolling right along... #44, Ruckus (FC Contempt of Court) had a nice flyer and just a loop-de-doop on the memory bird, along with a good blind...

... and now Al Wilson and Ruby (#45, FC-AFC Nebo's Grandma Ruby) have dispatched the test...

Lily (#43, FC Knollwood Sweet Lily) scooped up her marks and had a nice blind...

Dog 42, FC-AFC Bayou-Star Beyond Independent "Tia" did nicely with a little hunt on the memory bird...

The first running dog is on the mat... and now has been sent. Good luck to all, as #41 scoops up that first flyer.

It's a great day at Woodward Reservoir! Hopefully connection issues are resolved... both test dogs have run, and this is a straightforward opening test. Please see the full description on the Report.

The "Two Mark Duo" delivered an amazing rendition of our National Anthem following a moving opening welcome from announcer Dean Ellis.

Right now, we are waiting for the first running dogs ...

Good morning to this 2011 inaugural day of the National Open Retriever Championship! Temperatures are mild in the predawn hours and the day is already building with excitement. Stay tuned and I'll be back from the test grounds, once set up...