Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Welcome to Day Three of this Event

The day has begun in the low forties once again, but today's high should push 80. It's brilliantly clear and promises much sun as Test Three will conclude and a water blind will commence for Test Four.

Chief Marshal Gary Zellner (front) gives direction to stations in the field.

Julie Cole, Able Assistant to Chief Marshal

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Jumping "Lil" as Test Dog--Charlene Koeth and Lilwait


They came to the line just a few minutes after 7 a.m. and demonstrated similar conditions to onlookers.

First running dog to the line--Three Handlers in One View

At 7:20 a.m., Mark Medford and #76 approached the running line. Nice job!

Some nice work

This morning for early dogs--see photos of contestants to come soon--here's one photo for now...

#77, Ken Steele with Rough

Dave Opseth and Talla, #80, turn in an awesome performance

Jinx, #83, heads for the left-hand bird for handler Jeff Lyons.

Handle for #84

Michael Moore and Reagan... a quick one at that.

Here, Reagan heads for the right-hand bird.

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Talking on the Line...

That would be #85, Diamond, with Bill Daley

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Handle on Right Bird...

Number 87, Pete Goodale with Zeus

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More Nice Work

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Handle on #90

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Last Dog for Test Three on Line at 9:30 a.m.

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TEST FOUR--WATER BLIND

Callbacks for Test Four

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39, 40, 43, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 53, 54, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 63, 64, 66, 68, 69, 70, 71, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 83, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 94, 95, 96, 98, 99, 101 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 109, 111, 112

That makes 17 dropped from Three, and 86 teams remain

First test dog ran at 10:20 a.m.

"Lil" runs as first test dog and nears the blind from the left of the line to it; at this point the stick pile is close to the limb overhang.

Mark Medford (multiple dogs), although eating on the fly, is the picture of concentration as he watches the test dog.

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Changes made to the test

The stick pile where the bird is located for the blind was moved deeper into the field after the first test dog demonstrated that the shadows

The judges confer about changes to the water blind.

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Second test dog launched at 10:35 a.m.

The judges requested that test dog handler Andy Kahn put Cutter to the left of an obvious stump on the shoreline while running the blind.

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First Dog to the Line at 11:00 a.m.

That would be #12, NAFC Cutter with Jeff Talley.

Here are instructions for this test, found in the holding blinds-- and that is "please watch your footing" since the hillside is steep in places and is quite rock-strewn; also note that lateral movement is allowed.

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Sixth dog about to come to line...

Here the water truck comes through as it has periodically yesterday and today... this helps keep dust down from traffic on the roads.

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Thus far in early dogs on this blind...

We've had a little of everything. Some dogs have had early whistles between the line and the water's edge, a few dogs have had nice clean blinds with few whistles, some have been packed with whistles, and the blind can get dicey at the end. Dogs exhibit a tendency to peel left when going under the tree branches on the far shore instead of running straight out deep of the shore and to the bird.

Chad Baker and #15, Grady, leave the line.

Gary Zellner and #18, Kimber

Bill Fruehling and Shaq, #19

Wayne Stupka and #20, Misty

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Pickup for #21

Nash decided not to cast into the far water for handler Brad Bellmore

Waiting...

in the holding blind is #22, Steve Bechtel; he reviews the posted instructions

As #25, Suzan Caire takes off her number...

she receives the bird from Dancer and hands it to the judge

Pickup for #29

Extreme Difficulty at the end for #31

Way left behind the trees after many whistles leading up to it.

Some nice jobs include...

(and note--not limited to ) ... 22, 38, 40, 50

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Announcement--One More Bird Change-- After #80

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A Reminder--Next Rotation, for the Fifth Series-- is 39

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Clouds are moving in for overcast conditions...

and the Wind is picking up a bit

Larry Calvert, #32, is on line while #34, Lanse Brown, waits in the last holding blind.

Charlie Hayes on line running Dancer

Jeff Schuitt and #37 as Nate delivers his bird

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Prime Poses for a Portrait

with Barb Howard (team #38)

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Candid shots ...

Michael Spalding leaves the line with Drake, #39

And Bill Goldstein takes delivery of his bird...#40

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We are currently up to #79. Wind continues to rise...

but so far hasn't affected dog work too much... it could as it continues to pick up velocity and it seems to be coming more inward toward the line.

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Just like in a western movie...

found near this fourth test

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Steward Change in progress

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Pickup at the end and way left for #98

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Pickup for #4

At the end of the blind. Time is currently 5:35 p.m. However, of note, Chief Marshal Gary Zellner is currently headed out to the blind to determine whether a bird was there. No bird--but the dog will be judged on his blind prior and up to that point--it wasn't good, plus he has a previous handle.

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ANNOUNCEMENT FOR TOMORROW

MARKS--LAND/WATER QUAD at Root Ranch North of Klamath Falls

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Last dog has picked up the bird at 5:55 p.m.

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CALLBACKS

3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 28, 31, 32, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39, 40, 43, 45, 46, 47, 49, 50, 54, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 63, 64, 66, 68, 69, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 83, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 91, 92, 95, 96, 99, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 111, 112


DOG #39 STARTS


TEST DOG at 7:15 A.M.


70 DOGS ARE BACK