The test is called for the night...

... In the morning, one test dog will run at 6:30 a.m. and the first running dog will be #35.

Dog #33 is having a tough Handle on Rt Flyer

It didn't happen. End of the road for Lil, depending...there is a search team out for that flyer right now... and the judges have excused the dog in the first holding blind, which was #35. The flyer on the right has been found near where Lil first conducted her quest... Charlene Koeth is understandably disappointed... she mis-marked it herself, to boot.

Pirate worked it out...

Dog #32, FC-AFC Land Ahoy went deep second and got the left flyer, and then got deep of the middle retired but worked back into it for handler Jerry Patopea.

Really Nice job for #31

Gotta be happy with that one, Steve!

FC Seaside's Pelican Pete and handler Steve Yozamp

Handle for #30 on middle retired

It looked as though Free (Citori's No Holds Barred) was going to work back into the mark after going deep, but when that hope faded, handler Bill Sargenti brought her back into the bird.

She has her third bird.

Handle on Left Flyer--Dog #29

NFC-AFC Hunter Runs BooBoo handled on the left flyer second after going up deep, and then came back in and got the indented middle retired bird.

Handle--Dog #28

... On the middle bird. Is currently hunting the retired flyer. Now has it...

FC-AFC Hardscrabble Roxie McBunn and Handler Ray Voigt

Handle for #23

FC Seaside's Bullwinkle and Mark Smith.. Drove deep on the middle mark...

Then, Moose drove out and with a short hunt recovered the left flyer.

Billie Gets Three Nicely

... Just a bit deep on the left flyer and then back into the bird...

#22, FC Shadow's Whiteshoes and Karl Gunzer

Fizz is up...

Nothing to it!

Don't take that comment literally... at this time.

Nice job.

(#20, FC-AFC Hardscrabble Carbunnation and Judy Rasmuson)

Land Triple with Two Flyers and Two Retired

The go-bird flyer, 195 yards out, is a duck, and the two retired marks are both hen pheasants. Tough falls for both marks. The left-hand flyer at 266 yards is a wide fall and is shot first. The second bird, indented at 149 yards is a very tight angle back fall and it lands in a thick clump of brushy grass.

This test has an honor.

Dog #18 is on the mat... Got 'em!

... and has just been sent for the go-bird. Now, Flint has recovered the middle retired bird nicely.

Flint is hunting for the left retired flyer. He's been deep of the bird left and right and is now down where the guns are hidden...

Now has the third bird! Nice job...

(FC Moonstones Ignites On Impact MH and Ty Rorem)

Test Dogs Have Commenced...

The first test dog is currently handling... this is a land triple. I'm back still getting set up so that's the best in news for the moment...

Both test dogs handled on both retired marks.

Callbacks for the Fifth Series

Forty-six (46) dogs are back

2, 4, 5, 7, 14, 15, 18, 20, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 47, 48, 49, 51, 53, 54, 55, 56, 58, 60, 61, 65, 67, 70, 71, 72, 74, 75, 78, 84, 85, 88

At the new site! No callbacks yet...

The move is now underway...

... be back as soon as possible...

Running as last dog...

... Reagan put forth a nice effort on this blind for handler Michael Moore. She thought about some left influence 3/4 of the way to the blind, but Michael worked and she conceded that he knew best...

Tex gave a passing thought...

... to the point, but handler Mark Smith convinced him to play ball and do the blind. (#83, FC Bayou Teche Tex)

Two Dogs Remain...

Workin' The Line...

Handler Rob Erhardt worked hard on the whistle to do just that with Ham, (#79, FC-AFC-CNAFC-CFC Moonstones Hug and Moochie) to complete this blind.

Merlyn and Jerry Were A Team...

... on this blind, very nice--wonderful--blind... (#78, FC Merlyn IV and handler Jerry Patopea)

Announcement

The first fifteen handlers for the next test... estimating, that is, guessing who is back with a starting number for the next test of #18... meet at the end of the parking lot to caravan over to the new test site asap.

Dog #75, Diva, Smoothed Out...

... once she got off the point, Diva (#75, FC Mitimat You Go Girl, had a pretty respectable blind from then on for handler Paul Sletten.

This Blind Took Some Doing...

... But Charlene Koeth and Molly got 'er done. (#74, FC-AFC-CFC-CAFC Runnin's Molly B)

Good Job for #72, Diesel...

... FC Premier's RSK Powerstroke, for handler Alan Pleasant... 

Really nice job... Emmit!

... with an excellent initial line, for #71, Emmit (FC Watermark's Running Back) and handler Jim Gonia

Piper had a good job...

... overall, for handler Mark Edwards. That's dog #70, FC Wing Magic's Standpipe Moon.

What a stop and cast!

Toward the end of Guide's (#68, FC-AFC Nightwings Marsh Leader) blind, he ducked to get out just a bit early on the left. Handler Karl Gunzer got him stopped and cast him back to the right, AND Guide got back in to shave some more water en route to the bird.

Okay for #67...

... but it took some effort for handler Bill Sargenti with Lilly (FC Adams Acres Water Lilly

Okay for Aero...

... and handler Dave Rorem. That's #65, FC-AFC Landover's Right On Target.

Okay for #63...

Dog #63, FC-AFC Wine Glass Lucky Strike and handler Al Arthur

... And A Nice One...

... for #61, NFC-AFC Candlewood's Something Royal "Windy" and handler Ken Neil

Really nice job...

... for #60, FC-AFC Sureshot's TKO, Tyson, and handler Alan Pleasant

Okay for Cash...

He did get out a bit early but good job for #59, FC Jazztime Empty Wallet and handler Bill Totten

Nice Work for #58

Handler John Henninger worked the line to the blind with Tiny (FC Little Bit Dangerous)

Overall Nice Blind...

... with a few casts in the vicinity of the point, handler Ray Voigt worked with Jet to keep the line to the blind in play for a nice job. (#57, FC-AFC Jet Black Bustin Thru The Brush MH)

Casey Worked Well ...

.. with Handler Randy Koch to put together a nice blind. (Dog #56, Vista's Case of Purple)

Nice One...

... for #55, FC-AFC Waterdogs Shock and Awe and Paul Sletten with an inital line down to the water and shaving right, thinking H2O.

Ali Had A Good Job...

... Dog #54, FC-AFC Lanes Lets Get Ready To Rumble and Mark Smith

Louie Performed... For Scott

With an intial line into the water, he teamed well with Scott to the bird. Nice blind. (Dog #53, FC-AFC Candlewood GoldenDaze Louie)

Blue Did Nicely...

... Dog #51, FC-AFC Sara's Blue Streak and Al Arthur just put a good one together.

Took Some Work...

... between Dog #50, Diesel (FC Road Warrior's Duramax) and handler Bill Sargenti.

Willie and Dave Do Nicely...

... on this blind, that's #49, NFC Two Rivers Lucky Willie and Dave Rorem

Okay... Dog #50

... That is Bart, FC-AFC Lil Bit's Cote D'Or Pinot Noir and Alan Pleasant

A Few Thoughts...

... This is a water blind.

I mean... this is a WATER blind. And it's the first one of the National, too! (The first of two...)

Let me elaborate... as many of you know, water blinds tend to be a little light weight at Nationals. There are various reasons and excuses and such for this, but in general, "qualifying stake" level water blinds are often run at Nationals. Time is often cited as a reason, with numbers of dogs and allotted daylight paired with necessary series to run, and yet to run.

Sometimes, you see a qualifying level water blind and a slightly more difficult one. Seldom, however, do you really see tough, get-down-to-it water blinds at Nationals.

This water blind has some teeth to it.

Boss Dog...

That was a nice blind... between Dog #47, FC Me D Boss and handler Jim Gonia...

A nice one for Sugar...

... Dog #46, FC-AFC Shadows Sweet Something and handler Chris Ledford on this blind.

Terra Firma...

... unfortunately was just too tempting for #45, FC-AFC Nebo's Grandma "Ruby" despite valiant efforts from handler Al Wilson

Extreme Point Oriented...

for #44, Ruckus (FC Contempt of Court) as handler Ray Voigt worked hard to get him out of there and on to the bird.

With a Yo-Yo Near the Point...

Here, Kark Gunzer hunkers down in the holding blind while #42 is running the water blind

... Dog #43, Lily (FC Knollwood Sweet Lily) wanted to fluctuate left and right around the point instead of driving back, but from there handler Karl Gunzer worked her out to the bird.

Good job for Tia...

Dog #42, FC-AFC Bayou-Star Beyond Independent and handler Danny Farmer. Tia came to play!

Glare is Building on the Water...

... And glints of sunshine are catching every wavy ripple out there right now...

After a struggle to keep the line... PICK UP

... toward the blind, Chance got out somewhat early left and then pulled up the hill and began running on the plateau. Handler Larry Calvert has been trying to get him back down to the bird, and just picked up. (Dog #41--FC-AFC-CFC-CAFC Jazztime Last Chance V Pekisko)

Overall...

... nice blind for #40, Eva and Lanse Brown, with some precautionary casts at the water's onset.

Short Break...

... for rebird and blind planter change... handlers and spectators may quickly view the line...

Out to Sea...

... Oh my... it appears that Cutter (FC-AFC Camino Weight Cutter) may be zeroed in on the far blind and decoys that is deep and way right of the blind... he's going out to sea, and now finally handler Andy Kahn has been able to turn him back toward the bird. He has it now.

Edge And Steve...

... Were a team on this blind, nice job for #38, FC-AFC Machthree's Edge and Steve Yozamp

Workmanlike Blind...

.... for Dog #37, Streak (FC-AFC Dixie City Jam II) and handler Al Arthur; Al kept Streak in the picture.

On the Same Page...

Bill Eckett and Bravo (#36, FC Watermark's BB Standing Ovation) just had a nice one.

Twas a good one...

... for Dog #35, FC Maplecreek's Mini "Chopper" and handler Alan Pleasant

Around the point...

... to the right, King (#34, FC Seaside's Kingfish) needed some convincing from handler Ty Rorem to make the big swim from there to the blind... Ty won out.

Lil Had a Good Job...

... for handler Charlene Koeth. Dog #33, FC-AFC Lil Chin Music... with a good initial line.

A Good One for Pirate...

... Dog #32, FC-AFC Land Ahoy, and handler Jerry Patopea

Nice job for #31...

... Pete (FC Seaside's Pelican Pete) and handler Steve Yozamp

Left Was Inviting...

... The left-hand influence is being accentuated by the wind, which has really picked up and is pushing dogs toward that shore. Right now it's gusting 15 mph WNW.

Free and Billy got the bird...

And Also A Nice Job for Boo

Dog #29, NFC-AFC Hunter Runs BooBoo and handler Paul Sletten

Nice Job for Roxie...

Dog #28, FC-AFC Hardscrabble Roxie McBunn and Ray Voigt were a team on this blind.

Unfortunately...

... Dog #25, Dealer (FC-AFC Sureshot's Texas Hold'Em) had a poor job for handler Marv Baumer. He wasn't too water oriented, and just beyond the point pulled hard left, doing the remainder of the blind left and from land.

Dog #23 was right-influenced...

... on this blind with handler Mark Smith

Billie and Karl...

... Do the blind... Dog #22, FC Shadow's Whiteshoes and handler Karl Gunzer

That First Point is Everything...

... and so inviting to Hawk, #21 (FC Counterpoint's Sidekick), from there, Alan Pleasant steered him to the bird.

Working for the Bird...

... Handler Judy Rasmuson and #20, Fizz (FC-AFC Hardscrabble Carbunnation)

Lots of whistles all the way...

... many whistles were required between Bitsy and Amy Hunt, and Bitsy is now nearly back with her bird.

Good job all told ...

... for dog #18, Flint (FC Moonstones Ignites On Impact MH) and handler Ty Rorem

Lots of Trouble Up Front...

... that carried into the blind for dog #17, Louie (Bluegoose's Passion For Jazz) and handler Chris Ledford. Right now, Chris appears to have succeeded in changing Louie's mind... and maintained the same the rest of the way to the bird. Coming back now...

Many whistles for Dog #16...

... all through the blind, and is now delivering the bird. That's Abby, (FC Abby's Litte Cooper) and John Henninger.

Instructions for this blind...

The judges have announced that handlers may move laterally at will to handle their dogs. However, they may not move forward.

Land Attraction...

... Early on, for dog #15, Moses (FC Drake's Bay Parting of the Sea) and that ever-so-tempting first point. It's one of those "long run" points that beckons many dogs to stay attached as long as is possible.

Now, Moses is digging hard for the left shore a bit early on the far end. Moses has the bird for handler Wayne Curtis.

The North Pole Has Water...

... Don't let them fool you. Haylee, dog #14, FC-AFC Chatanika's High Water Haylee had a good job and is coming back now to handler Tom Wilkinson.

Brook has the bird...

... Dog #10, FC-AFC Citori's Accept No Substitute...Her first whistle was nearly to the water's edge, but she was inclined toward the first point for some whistles... and then worked to the bird from there for handler Michael Moore.

Skeeter and Robby...

... worked together on this water blind. Dog #9, FC-AFC Wolf Creek CR Skeeter.

Mercy Has A Nice One...

for Handler Paul Sletten

Dog #5 Works Through The Blind...

Duce awaits further instruction from Bill Eckett

... Some early whistles, and then Duce got with Bill Eckett and the program for this blind.

Left Shore Temptation...

... played a hand for Dog #4, as Bullet needed casts from the first point of land; Bullet also was attracted to the left terra firma a bit before land was required. He's coming back with the bird now.

Workmanlike blind for #3...

Ringo is about to deliver to Jim Gonia

coming back now to handler Jim Gonia. (Dog #3, FC Beadle LC's Three Ring Circus)

Grady, #2, had a nice job...

Chad and Grady

He's swimming back now. (Dog #2, NAFC-FC Cody Cut A Lean Grade) to Chad Baker

Dog #1 Has Delivered...

Danny Farmer and Pearl

... There is a long entry on this water blind. Pearl required some whistles early on and throughout the blind to its completion.

Dog #88 has completed the blind..

... good job for handler Al Arthur and Pink.

Test Four Begins--The First Dog Is On The Line...

... Right now... #85, has the blind in pretty good fashion.

First test dog is running

... right now...

both test dogs have run and demonstrated the test, run along the left shoreline ahead. This was the far shoreline for the Series Three marks.

The fog/ground mist is beginning ...

although it doesn't appear so in this photo!

... to lift just a bit. Announcer Dean Ellis is currently calling test dogs to the holding blinds.

Good Morning!

It's a very crisp morning and anticipation for test four is lacing the atmosphere...