National Retriever Club – 2021 Champion

The winner of the 2021 National Open Championship is #51 FC-AFC Holland Cliffs Play It Again, "Luke" BLM and owner/handler Alvin Hatcher. Congratulations!

The NRC 2021 Finalists …

Congratulations to the 2021 NRC Finalists!

1. FC-AFC Rimfires Once Inna Blue Moon, "Blue" BLM, Al Arthur

2. NFC-FC-AFC I'm Ur Search Engine, "Google" BLM, Alan Pleasant

5. FC-AFC Drake's Bay Izzy, "Izzy" BLF, Dave Smith

9. FC-AFC Beaver Runs Zig Zag Zeke, "Zeke" BLM, Andrew Curtis

16. FC-AFC Hockley Creek's Switch Hitter, "Mickey” BLM, Robby Bickley

23. FC Yippee Kai Yea McBunn, "Kai" BLF, Dave Smith

24. FC Ellsd's Going On A Trip Grab Ur Camo, "Camo" YLM, Jim Beck

25. Beaver Runs Raymond For Sheriff QA2, "Raymond" BLM, Andrew Curtis

26. FC-AFC Seaside's Smarty Jones, "Smarty" BLF, Kenny Trott

32. FC West Bay's Jolly Roger, "Jack" BLM, Tony Flowers

33. FC Heartbeat's Sweet Georgia Peach, "Peaches" BLF, Andrew Curtis

42. FC Jimaviche's Hollandaise Jammer, "Jammer" BLM, Kenny Trott

44. FC-AFC Tucked Away At River's Edge, "Tucker" BLM, Alex Abraham

51. FC-AFC Holland Cliffs Play It Again, "Luke" BLM, Alvin Hatcher

61. FC Trumarc's Gratuity, "Tippy" BLF, Danny Farmer

64. FC Fine Lines Sympathy For The Devil, "Jagger" BLM, Rick Stawski

68. AFC Razor's Buckshot, "Shooter" BLM, Ty Rorem

73. FC-AFC Midnight Trains Texas Ranger, "Deets" BLM, Chris Ledford

Tenth Series Recap

The final test, Tenth Series, was held at Goose Pond. It was Water Triple with Two Retired, a Flyer and a Sluice. It began at 10:58 am and ended at 4:16 pm. There were five handles, four double handles, and three no birds.

Tenth Series Complete @ 4:16 PM

9. FC-AFC Beaver Runs Zig Zag Zeke, "Zeke" BLM, Andrew Curtis

FC-AFC Beaver Runs Zig Zag Zeke (Zeke)

Lab Male

SR87577102

5/10/2015

Sire: FC-AFC Indian Height's Get Away

Dam: Kerry Around A Duk Dawg

Breeder: Jim Houldridge

Owner: Tom Strickland, Bert & Leigh Windham, Albany, GA

Handler: Andrew Curtis

Zeke came to the line at 4;01 pm.

Flyer - Good recovery of his flyer.

Left retired - Landed and drove the hillside very wide left. Zeke moved himself over and got the bird.

Middle retired - Across to the far point, then to the end. Back in the water. Out behind the left holding blind. He curved right along the tree line for a couple of loops. Then he dug in the cover for his bird.

5. Handle – FC-AFC Drake's Bay Izzy, "Izzy" BLF, Dave Smith

FC-AFC Drake's Bay Izzy (Izzy)

Lab Female

SR89840605

10/1/2015

Sire:NFC-AFC Windy City's Mighty Mouse

Dam: FC-AFC Thieven Satin Breeze

Breeder: William & Kristina Tidd

Owner: Richard & Rick Wilke, Amherst Junction, WI

Handler: Dave Smith

Izzy came to the line at 3:48 pm.

Flyer - Straight to the bird.

Middle retired - Swam straight across to the point. Into the back cove. Came out left of middle retired. Ran right of gunners to the tree line. Came back and got his bird.

Left retired - Good line across the lake. Over the base area of the point into the corner. Ran up right of the guns into the trees on the right. Cut back left along the tree line. Handled.

2. NFC-FC-AFC I'm Ur Search Engine, "Google" BLM, Alan Pleasant

NFC-FC-AFC I'm Ur Search Engine (Google)

Lab Male

SR770328/08

3/14/2013

Sire: NAFC-FC Texas Troubador

Dam: Little Miss Enchantress QAA

Breeder: Kristi & James Roberts

Owner: Leon Stepanian, Manakin-Sabot, VA 

Handler: Alan Pleasant

Google came to the line at 3:28 pm.

Flyer - Google quickly retrieved his flyer.

Left retired - Landed on the far shore just below the gunners. He made a couple exploratory passes and began to climb the hill to his bird.

Middle retired - Got his bird.

1. Handle – FC-AFC Rimfires Once Inna Blue Moon, "Blue" BLM, Al Arthur

FC-AFC Rimfires Once Inna Blue Moon (Blue)

Lab Male

SR94166603

6/2/2016

Sire: NFC-AFC Windy City's Mighty Mouse

Dam: FC Tremblin Earth's Touch Of Choclate Reese

Breeder: Gregg Leonard

Owner: Mike Crow, Mathews, AL

Handler: Al Arthur

Blue came to the line at 3:15 pm.

Flyer - Close to the right shore and literally snagged it on the run.

Left retired - Over the far point, turned right for a loop to the right. Then a second before he drove to the bird.

Right retired - Took off wide right of the flyer guns. Stopped and handled across the lake.

51. Rerun – FC-AFC Holland Cliffs Play It Again, "Luke" BLM, Alvin Hatcher

FC-AFC Holland Cliffs Play It Again (Luke)

Lab Male

SR93914505

5/27/2016

Sire: FC-AFC Good Idea's Have It Your Way

Dam: Contender's Marina Del Rey MH

Breeder: Jason Heffelmeier

Owner: Alvin Hatcher, Huntingtown, MD

Handler: Alvin Hatcher

Luke came to the line for a second time.

Flyer - Nice job.

Left retired - Moved across the pond, landed on the point, then re-entered the water and drove the hill to his bird. Well done.

Middle retired - Nice move through the pond and across the point. Luke drove the hill and bent into the bird. Well done.

73. Handle – FC-AFC Midnight Trains Texas Ranger, "Deets" BLM, Chris Ledford

FC-AFC Midnight Trains Texas Ranger (Deets)

Lab Male

SR78472901

6/3/2013

Sire: FC-AFC Nick Of Time Lone Ranger

Dam: Phifer's Midnight Train To Georgia MH

Breeder: Eric Vance Phifer

Owner: Cade Gentry, Auburn, AL

Handler: Chris Ledford

Deets came to the line at 2:47 pm.

Flyer - Got it.

Middle retired - Very wide left to the tree line. Came down the tree line all the way to the middle retired.

Left retired - Went deep again. Handled back to the bird.

68. AFC Razor's Buckshot, "Shooter" BLM, Ty Rorem

AFC Razor's Buckshot (Shooter)

Lab Male

SS00334401

4/21/2017

Sire: FC Sweetie's Easy Rider

Dam: Razor's Da Cuttin Edge

Breeder: Scott Anderson

Owner: Larry Vaske, Worthington, MN

Handler: Ty Rorem

Shooter came to the line at 2:29 pm.

Flyer - Very good.

Middle retired - Shooter exited in a good spot. He came up between the retired guns. A couple of loops in the area and he moved over to pick up the pird.

Left retired - Perfect!

33. Double Handle – FC Heartbeat's Sweet Georgia Peach, "Peaches" BLF, Andrew Curtis

FC Heartbeat's Sweet Georgia Peach (Peaches)

Lab Female

SR87160107

4/9/2015

Sire: FC-AFC Calculated Risk

Dam: AFC Cropper's Good & Plenty

Breeder: Bruce & Betty Hall

Owner: Julie Kobach, Mequon, WI

Handler: Andrew Curtis

Peaches came to the line at 1:50 pm.

Flyer - Peaches jumped in with a big splash and grabbed her duck.

Left retired - Across the point and up the backside of the gunners. Circled the area between the retired guns and was handled.

Middle retired - Got to the far shore. Landed behind the gunners. Checked left, then right a couple of time before being handled.

64. Double Handle – FC Fine Lines Sympathy For The Devil, "Jagger" BLM, Rick Stawski

FC Fine Lines Sympathy For The Devil (Jagger)

Lab Male

SR710711/0

12/11/2011

Sire: NAFC-FC Cody Cut A Lean Grade

Dam: Weller's Dream Keeper MH

Breeder: Janet Weller & John Weller II

Owner: Kurt & Cory Markling, David Pichotta, Monticello, MN

Handler: Rick Stawski

Jagger came to the line at 2:08 pm.

Flyer - Very nice. Landed in front of the gunners.

Left retired - Left the line out into the lake. Came out going to the left retired blind. Got close. Changed directions and moved away. Had to handle back to it.

Middle retired - Into the first cove. Over the point with the gunners. Headed wide right. Handled.

61. Double Handle – FC Trumarc's Gratuity, "Tippy" BLF, Danny Farmer

FC Trumarc's Gratuity (Tippy)

Lab Female

SR655904/03

11/22/2010

Sire: FC Candlewood's Man In Black

Dam: Crop Duster's Payoff Gal MH

Breeder: Carole & Hollis Robison

Owner: John Larkin, San Antonio, TX

Handler: Danny Farmer

Tippy came to the line at 1:33 pm.

Flyer - Perfect.

Left retired - Into the big water just off the tip that's by the gunners. Then angled left and went to tip of the far point. Handled in area between the back and the left retired gun.

Middle retired - Handled from early on to get correct line. Got the bird. 

51. No Bird – FC-AFC Holland Cliffs Play It Again, "Luke" BLM, Alvin Hatcher

FC-AFC Holland Cliffs Play It Again (Luke)

Lab Male

SR93914505

5/27/2016

Sire: FC-AFC Good Idea's Have It Your Way

Dam: Contender's Marina Del Rey MH

Breeder: Jason Heffelmeier

Owner: Alvin Hatcher, Huntingtown, MD

Handler: Alvin Hatcher

Luke came to the line at 1:20 pm but did not get a bird.

Rebird & Gun Change @ 1:19 PM

25. Rerun/Handle – Beaver Runs Raymond For Sheriff QA2, "Raymond" BLM, Andrew Curtis

Beaver Runs Raymond For Sheriff QA2 (Raymond)

Lab Male

SR96231309

11/2/2016

Sire: FC-AFC Lanes Lets Get Ready To Rumble

Dam: CFC Pilkington's Perspicacity

Breeder: Chad Griffin

Owner: Bert & Leigh Windham, Albany, GA

Handler: Andrew Curtis

Raymond came to the line for a second time at 1:03 pm.

Flyer - Nice recovery.

Left retired - Landed behind the gunners. Did a quick loop and went into the trees to nab the bird.

Middle retired - Ran across the end of the point to the middle retired gun. Then he headed wide right as he exited the water and disappeared. Handled to the bird.

42. FC Jimaviche's Hollandaise Jammer, "Jammer" BLM, Kenny Trott

FC Jimaviche's Hollandaise Jammer (Jammer)

Lab Male

SR87153709

4/10/2015

Sire: FC-AFC Trumarc's Hollandaise

Dam: Double K's Easy Drivin' Night Hog

Breeder: Douglas Graham

Owner: Bobby Lee, Diboll, TX

Handler: Kenny Trott

Jammer came to the line at 12:48 pm.

Flyer - Went a little wide right before jumping in for his bird.

Left retired - He took the left line across the lake and got out at the base of the point, heading wide left to the tree line. Quickly went back down to the blind and back up to his bird.

Middle retired - Back in the lake and out to the tip of the far point, over and into the back side. Up to the woods in the area between left and right retired. Moved right to hunt. Went deep but moved to the bird.

44. FC-AFC Tucked Away At River's Edge, "Tucker" BLM, Alex Abraham

FC-AFC Tucked Away At River's Edge (Tucker)

Lab Male

SR674940/05

4/7/2011

Sire: FC-AFC Nubian V

Dam: Twin Pine's Crank Her Up MH

Breeder: Elissa Kirkegard

Owner: Alex Abraham, Havre de Grace, MD

Handler: Alex Abraham

Tucker came to the line at 12:31 pm.

Flyer - Well done.

Left retired - Across the pond and up the hill to the bird. Excellent job.

Middle retired - Nice line to the shoreline. Then he drove the hill and disappeared from our view. He came back in view and grabbed the bird.

16. Rerun – FC-AFC Hockley Creek's Switch Hitter, "Mickey” BLM, Robby Bickley

FC-AFC Hockley Creek's Switch Hitter (Mickey)

Lab Male

SR797744/07

8/29/2013

Sire: NAFC-FC Texas Troubador

Dam: FC-AFC Dance Hall Gal

Breeder: James Roberts & Joe O'Brien

Owner: Robby Bickley, Gainsville, TX

Handler: Robby Bickley

Mickey came to the line again at 12:13 pm.

Flyer - Straight to it!

Left retired - Into the lake, across the far point, and up to the right of the left retired guns. One loop in the field, and he turned back left to the bird.

Middle retired - Skimmed the left corner of the flyer guns as he went over the point. Swam the big water, got out wide to the right away from the bird. Circled deep and out of sight. Came back and got his bird.

32. FC West Bay's Jolly Roger, "Jack" BLM, Tony Flowers

FC West Bay's Jolly Roger (Jack)

Lab Male

SR79979708

10/9/2013

Sire: NFC Two Rivers Lucky Willie

Dam: FC-AFC In The Hunt Farm's Executive Sweet

Breeder: Linda & Tom Bogusky

Owner: Tony Flowers & Hank Culp, Salisbury, NC

Handler: Tony Flowers

Jack came to the line at 11:57 am.

Flyer - Quick recovery of his duck.

Left retired - Got to the far shore. Made a little loop below, then drove up a bird.

Middle retired - Landed right of the fall, went deep and was out of site for a bit. Then back in view and over to the bird.

26. FC-AFC Seaside's Smarty Jones, "Smarty" BLF, Kenny Trott

FC-AFC Seaside's Smarty Jones (Smarty)

Lab Female

SR95837403

9/29/2016

Sire: FC-AFC Seaside's Gorgeous George

Dam: Reedcreek's Center Cut

Breeder: Patti & Larry Simmons

Owner: Derek Smith, La Salle, CO

Handler: Kenny Trott

Smarty came to the line at 11:45 am.

Flyer - Smack! Straight to it.

Left retired - Swam the lake, went over point, then into the area between the left and middle retired guns. Hunted back and forth, then went left and got the bird.

Middle retired - Into the first cover, over the tip of the point with the flyer guns. Out across the lake, then up through the fall area and worked it out.

25. No Bird – Beaver Runs Raymond For Sheriff QA2, "Raymond" BLM, Andrew Curtis

Beaver Runs Raymond For Sheriff QA2 (Raymond)

Lab Male

SR96231309

11/2/2016

Sire: FC-AFC Lanes Lets Get Ready To Rumble

Dam: CFC Pilkington's Perspicacity

Breeder: Chad Griffin

Owner: Bert & Leigh Windham, Albany, GA

Handler: Andrew Curtis

Raymond came to the line at 11:42 am, but did not get a bird.

24. Handle – FC Ellsd's Going On A Trip Grab Ur Camo, "Camo" YLM, Jim Beck

FC Ellsd's Going On A Trip Grab Ur Camo (Camo)

Lab Male

SR85315101

11/20/2014

Sire: Lucy's Lefty Dakota Thunder

Dam: FR's Elegant Grace

Breeder: Jessica & Casey Dowler

Owner: Brent Stille & Shane Olean, Sioux Falls, SD

Handler: Jim Beck

Camo came to the line at 11:20 am.

Flyer - Very nice bird.

Middle retired - Great line to the mark. Got to the area, shook the water from his swim, and picked up the bird.

Left retired - Angled across the pond and point, but drove the area behind and right of guns. Was handled to the bird.

 

23. Double Handle – FC Yippee Kai Yea McBunn, "Kai" BLF, Dave Smith

FC Yippee Kai Yea McBunn (Kai)

Lab Female

SR81611403 

2/25/2014

Sire: FC-AFC Rev Blu Genes

Dam: FC-AFC Indi Go Girl

Breeder: Darlene & Thomas Houlihan

Owner: Mac & Lynne DuBose, Steve Roegiers, Hillsborough, NC

Handler: Dave Smith

Kai came to the line at 11:00 am.

Flyer - Kai got a double sluice.

Left retired - Swam straight across to base of point. Turned for a loop in the open field left of the guns. Ran deep left, then back to shore over by the middle retired guns. Back to left retired, deep of middle retired, then handled back to left retired.

Middle retired - Into first cove, over the point with the flyer guns, and out across the big water to the open field. Lost sight of the dog. Whistle was blown until Kai was back in sight and put her on to the bird.

16. No Bird – FC-AFC Hockley Creek's Switch Hitter, "Mickey” BLM, Robby Bickley

FC-AFC Hockley Creek's Switch Hitter (Mickey)

Lab Male

SR797744/07

8/29/2013

Sire: NAFC-FC Texas Troubador

Dam: FC-AFC Dance Hall Gal

Breeder: James Roberts & Joe O'Brien

Owner: Robby Bickley, Gainsville, TX

Handler: Robby Bickley

Mickey came to the line at 10:58 am and did not get his bird on the middle retired.

Tenth Series – Test Dogs

Test dog 1: Full Choke Winchester (Chester), handler Deborah Gardner, came to the line at 10:18 am.

Flyer - Straight to it.

Left retired - Entered the pond and had to handle in first 20 feet of water. Got to the first point and had to handle again.

Middle retired - Had guns come out and shoot as a single.

 

Chester took 14.5 to complete the test

Test dog 2: Another Cup Of Jo (JoJo), handler Kathy Scott, came to the line at10:33 am.

Flyer - Straight to it.

Left retired - Swam first cove and over point across lake. Touched tip of far point and went back in the water. Hunted between the left and right retired. Worked it out.

Middle retired - Excellent line across to the area right of the guns. Went deep and worked his way back to the bird.

 

Jo Jo took 13.5 minutes to complete the 10th.

10th Series – Water Triple with Two Retired, a Flyer and a Sluice

The mat faces south overlooking Goose Pond. The near shore has an irregular shoreline with clumps of growth. The far shore is framed with mature timber of intermittent pine and deciduous trees in fall color. The wind is constant, coming from the northeast.

Bird One – Middle Retired: These gunners are on the opposite shore and up the hill, and will be throwing to the right. The line will go up between two large trees. The bird is a hen pheasant at 330 yards. The line will take an angle down, skimming the tip of a point, and across the pond. Coming out, they will cross the road and drive the hill. Guns are retired.

Bird Two – Left Retired: The hen pheasant is 310 yards. This bird is thrown left, almost straight back, into shade of trees that extend from the timber. The line takes them across the base of the point, across the road, and up the finger of timber. Guns are retired.

Bird Three – Flyer: The flyer station is a hen mallard at 135 yards. It sits on the near shore at the base of a point. The line from the mat will angle down the slope across the road, then across some grassy areas, to another section of road, and entering the water at the base of the point. Dogs will swim past some decoys to the bird. The shot will be followed by a sluice.

10th Series – Water Triple with Two Retired and a Flyer

Middle Retired – 330 yards

Left Retired – 310 yards

Flyer – 135 yards

10th Series sketch by Official Artist Jean Wu

Callbacks to the Tenth Series

All 18 Dogs Called Back to the Tenth Series. 

1, 2, 5, 9, 16, 23, 24, 25, 26, 32, 33, 42, 44, 51, 61, 64, 68 and 73. 

0 Dogs Dropped. 

Dog #16, FC-AFC Hockley Creek's Switch Hitter (Mickey), will be the first running dog.

Ninth Series – Recap

The Ninth Series – a Land Triple with Two Retired, a Flyer and an Honor – at Palmetto Field moved very swiftly and all the dogs did well. It began at 7:16 am and finished at 8:51 am for a total of 1 hour, 35 minutes - our quickest test yet.

There was only one handle and three no birds. All dogs were called back to the Tenth Series for the grand finale.

Bye Dog 8:51 AM – Test 9 Complete

The bye dog came to the line at 8:51 am. The Ninth Series is complete.

42. Rerun – FC Jimaviche's Hollandaise Jammer, "Jammer" BLM, Kenny Trott

Jammer came to the line again at 8:47 am.

Flyer - Very nice up the middle. Sharp left and on it.

Short retired - Came in on left of trees. Jumped into cover and got it.

Right retired - Beautiful mark.

64. FC Fine Lines Sympathy For The Devil, "Jagger" BLM, Rick Stawski

Jagger came to the line at 8:40 am.

Flyer - Very good mark on Jagger's long flyer.

Short retired - Came into fall area just skimming the timber. Easily turned in for the bird.

Right retired - Very nice bird.

61. FC Trumarc's Gratuity, "Tippy" BLF, Danny Farmer

Tippy came to the line at 8:37 am.

Flyer - Out to area in front of guns. Two turns and got it.

Short retired - Under arc and a few quick turns by the blind. Then out to the trees and her bird.

Right retired - Came in to the fall area and scooped it up.

51. FC-AFC Holland Cliffs Play It Again, "Luke" BLM, Alvin Hatcher

Luke came to the line at 8:29 am.

Flyer - A quick left when she arrived at the area and on to the bird.

Short retired - Into the area under the arc. A right turn through the brush and on the bird.

Right retired - Pulled slightly left as he drove the hill to area of fall. Made a couple loops just deep of gunners and got it.

42. No Bird – FC Jimaviche's Hollandaise Jammer, "Jammer" BLM, Kenny Trott

Jammer came to the line at 8:28 am and did not get his flyer.

33. FC Heartbeat's Sweet Georgia Peach, "Peaches" BLF, Andrew Curtis

Peaches came to the line at 8:24 am.

Flyer - Excellent mark!

Short retired - Straight to the trees. Turned right for her bird.

Right retired - Came in just left of the trees for a quick turn. Went up toward the blind for a tight turn, then out to the bird.

44. FC-AFC Tucked Away At River's Edge, "Tucker" BLM, Alex Abraham

Tucker came to the line at 8:18 am.

Flyer - He knew where it was.

Short retired - Held his line to the trees and deflected left for a bit. He turned and jumped in the cover for the bird.

Right retired - A couple of loops deep of retired guns and worked over to bird.

32. FC West Bay's Jolly Roger, "Jack" BLM, Tony Flowers

Jack came to the line at 8:14 am.

Flyer - Stepped on it.

Short retired - Jack ran just a few strides beyond the cluster of trees with the bird. He quickly turned and got it.

Right retired - Very nice line and mark.

26. FC-AFC Seaside's Smarty Jones, "Smarty" BLF, Kenny Trott

Smarty came to the line at 8:10 am.

Flyer - Long bird. Smack.

Short retired - Came in close to the blind. Turned right and scooped it up.

Right retired - Wide left. Skimmed the blind. Turned right and straight to bird.

25. Beaver Runs Raymond For Sheriff QA2, "Raymond" BLM, Andrew Curtis

Raymond came to the line at 8:05 am.

Flyer - Wide left going out. Had to circle back right to get his bird.

Short retired - Came by the trees tight on the left. One short loop deep and quickly back to the trees to his bird.

Right retired - Skimmed the trees up to the brush and his bird.

23. FC Yippee Kai Yea McBunn, "Kai" BLF, Dave Smith

Kai came to the line at 8:00 am.

Flyer - Kai climbed the hill, turned to the left and had the bird.

Short retired - Her line took her close to the gunners. She began a hunt pattern deep and left of the gunner station. She finally expanded the area to find the bird.

Right retired - Lovely line to the bird.

24. FC Ellsd's Going On A Trip Grab Ur Camo, "Camo" YLM, Jim Beck

Camo came to the line at 7:53 am.

Flyer - Under the arc. Turned back left and got it.

Short retired - Came in left of trees. Turned away from the bird deep left. Hunted his way back to trees and bird.

Right retired - Went out wide left but curved in under the arc. With a few tight turns had his bird.

1. Rerun – FC-AFC Rimfires Once Inna Blue Moon, "Blue" BLM, Al Arthur

Blue came to the line again at 7:50 am.

Flyer - Tight loops in the fall area and got it.

Short retired - Straight to the trees. Tight hunt in the brush.

Right retired - Nice line out tight to trees. Straight to area and bird.

73. Rerun – FC-AFC Midnight Trains Texas Ranger, "Deets" BLM, Chris Ledford

Deets came to the line again at 7:44 am.

Flyer - Deets took a couple of turns to locate his flyer at the base of the trees.

Short retired - He came in wide left of the bird and under the arc. He turned left, then corrected right and moved in to his bird.

Right retired - Went up the far hill and into the tall grasses. He turned left then back right to the bird.

16. FC-AFC Hockley Creek's Switch Hitter, "Mickey” BLM, Robby Bickley

Mickey came to the line at 7:39 am.

Flyer - Mickey made a couple of turns and had his bird.

Short retired - Around the trees and through the brush. He got the bird.

Right retired - He adjusted his line from the trees and went into the cover for his bird.

9. Handle – FC-AFC Beaver Runs Zig Zag Zeke, "Zeke" BLM, Andrew Curtis

Zeke came to the line at 7:34 am.

Flyer - Came in under the arc. Made a right turn, then a quick turn deep. Back left and out to his bird.

Short retired - He came in just in front of the blind. Looped to the right over to the bird.

Right retired - Went right of the tree line and up into the brush. He was handled back to the bird.

5. FC-AFC Drake's Bay Izzy, "Izzy" BLF, Dave Smith

Izzy came to the line at 7:29 am.

Flyer - Izzy went out to the fall area, made a few quick turns and got it.

Short retired - Under the arc, then turned left for a deep loop before returning to the trees for his bird.

Right retired - He took a line between the blind and trees. Turned right into the brush for his bird.

2. NFC-FC-AFC I'm Ur Search Engine, "Google" BLM, Alan Pleasant

Google came to the line at 7:24 am.

Flyer - Honor dog released after two no birds as Google headed to the flyer. He went straight to the bird.

Short retired - Good initial line. He deflected left, came around the back of the trees to break through and get the bird.

Right retired - Very nice mark. 

1. No Bird – FC-AFC Rimfires Once Inna Blue Moon, "Blue" BLM, Al Arthur

Blue came to the line at 7:21 am. He did not get a bird.

73. No Bird – FC-AFC Midnight Trains Texas Ranger, "Deets" BLM, Chris Ledford

Deets came to the line at 7:20 am. He did not get a flyer.

68. AFC Razor's Buckshot, "Shooter" BLM, Ty Rorem

Shooter came to the line at 7:16 am.

Flyer - Straight to the bird.

Short retired - Straight to the area and got it.

Right retired - Big, long throw. Shooter drove the field just left of the tree line. He entered the cover and got it.

Ninth Series – Test Dogs

First test dog: Another Cup Of Jo, "JoJo," handler Kathy Scott. She came to the line at 6:58 am.

Flyer - JoJo got the flyer duck with ease.

Short retired - She headed off to the middle bird and wound around the trees, coming through the brush to pick up her hen pheasant.

Right retired - She did a brief check as she started to climb the hill. Then she drove on for a little loop behind the gunners and on to the bird.

Second test dog: Full Choke Winchester, "Chester," handler Deborah Gardner. He came to the line at 7:01 am.

Flyer - Chester went down the hill and up behind the guns where he began a brief hunt that lead him to the bird.

Short retired - He pulled left and started a hunt pattern near the retired guns. He was handled down the hill and to the bird.

Right retired - He pulled uphill for a loop around the gunners to pick up his bird.

It took Chester 7.39 minutes to complete the run.

 

 

Ninth Series – Land Triple with Two Retired, a Flyer and an Honor

Test Nine is an indented Land Triple with an Honor. The mat sits on the side of a hill facing southwest. There are swells out across the field and the ground has wide mowed strips with heavy cover of broom straw.

Bird one is an indented station. The two guns are 145 yards straight in front of the mat throwing a dead hen pheasant to the right and into the cover at the base of a group of small trees. They then retire into a well-brushed blind, which is the second group of bushes from the line.

Bird two is a also a hen pheasant. The two gunners come out from a clump of bushes and throw to the right into a large area of broom straw. There is a line of sparse trees on the way to this fall area that pushes the dog left and away from the bird. This bird is to the handler's right, and it lands 230 yards from the line.

Bird three is a hen duck flyer on the handler's left. The gunners throw and shoot the hen angled back to the left landing approximately 190 yards from the line.

There is an Honor to the left of the working dog. This test takes between 3 1/2-5 minutes per dog.

 

Ninth Series – Land Triple with an Honor

Middle Retired – 145 yards

Right Retired –230 yards

Flyer – 190 yards

Sketch of the Ninth by Jean Wu