Pat’s Perspective – 8th Series

Pat’s Perspective

8th Series

We have 9 dogs left in the 8th series.  This test will play a huge roll in deciding this year’s National Amateur Champion.  The front runners have about been cut in half.  The right hand retired gun has proven to be the downfall of many.  It has been strategically placed in a little saddle about half way up the hill.  There is a small square pond and a patch cover that diverts the dog’s route.  This is a very well placed bird.  I have witnessed some incredible displays of problem solving on this mark.  After 35 years of watching the greatest retrievers in the world, I never get tired of seeing them sort out a complicated mark.  This is one of those scenarios.  As a thunderstorm was bearing down on us, I watched Wayne Carey and Jack crush the test under very difficult conditions.  Wayne is the gentleman I interviewed earlier.  He is running his 1st national.  Their dream story continues.  We have dealt with rain, sleet, wind and lightning on this test.  It has taken its toll on everyone involved.  We are getting ready to move to the 9th series.  The home stretch is in view.  We will keep you posted as things unfold … 

Pat’s Perspective – 6th Series

Pat’s Perspective

6th Series

Last Saturday, 128 qualified dogs started the National.  As of Wednesday morning, 66 dogs qualified for the final half of the 2019 National Amateur.  One of the handlers just came into my tent and said that the National has just begun.  The 2nd set of landmarks is often the most difficult land marks in the trial.  This is where the cream starts to rise to the top. 

On this day, I am looking at a land quad with 2 retired guns and 2 flyers.  When I first viewed the line I thought, OMG.  However, the dogs seem to be making sense of the test.  It’s a testament to the quality of today’s dogs.  There have been hunts on all 3 memory birds.  But for the most part, little handling at this point.  The mechanics and time management have been phenomenal.  These judges have been spot on.  It appears that they will have 6 series completed by the end of the day.  That would give them 3 days to complete 4 series, which should be very doable.  Three of those series are likely to be marks.  And if the first 3 sets of marks are any indication, I can’t wait to see what’s coming next.  Winning this trial will come down to marks.  Just like it’s supposed to be.  So stay tuned in and we will keep you updated…     

Pat’s Perspective – Day Four of 2019 NARC – “The Bounce Of The Ball”

Pat’s Perspective

Day Four of 2019 NARC

“The Bounce Of The Ball”

As we enter the 4th day of this years National Amateur Championship, I am reflecting on my experiences of past nationals.  There are many factors that play a role in one’s success at a national.  We are on the 2nd day of the 4th series.  This test will last about a day and a half.  Over the course of that time,  the conditions can vary greatly.  Especially in these earlier series, the time in which you run can determine your destiny.  The two factors that will affect the test is the changing of wind direction and lighting conditions.  When you look at the callbacks, you will notice stretches of dogs that are out.  As well as consecutive dogs still playing.  These are likely to be determined by favorable and unfavorable conditions.  The winner of most nationals, is the one that is able to overcome running a test in unfavorable conditions.  After visiting with some of yesterday’s handlers, the ones that ran in the afternoon had great difficulty picking out the long retired gunners.  When the sun was no longer at your back, the gunners became backlit.  Sometimes a very subtle wind change can dramatically alter the difficulty level of a test.  In every sport, competitors will experience good and bad breaks.  This game is no exception.  Sometimes the outcome comes down to “the bounce of the ball”.  

Pat's Perspective – 2nd & 3rd Series Double Blind

Pat’s Perspective

2nd & 3rd Series Double Blind

 

Things are running quite smoothly here in Ronan.  We are a little over half way through this double blind and the judges appear to be in control. The main challenge here is quite obvious.  The first blind is a water blind that cuts the corner of water at about 200 yards.  If you study the shape of the pond, you’ll notice how easy it would be to run down the left bank of the pond.   The second blind is a land blind that angles a road and threads through a group of round hay bales.  There are strips of heavier cover that create blind spots and opportunities for drag back to build up. The dogs seem to want hunt around the last hay before the blind.  When you get past that point, judging the depth of the blind has posed a problem for some of the handlers. If the dog misses the bird and gets deep he discovers the blind planter.  Maintaining control at this point can be tricky. 

115 dogs started the 2nd series.  After watching 3 series, I’m certain the judges have a lot of material to judge.  The word on the street is of a very challenging set of marks for tomorrow morning.  Stay tuned…..

Pat’s Perspective – 1st Series 2019 NARC

Pat’s Perspective

1st Series 2019 NARC

When I walked to the line early this morning, I thought to myself that this test is a classic 1st series national test.  A hip pocket retired gun is always a challenge.  This test is no exception.  There are a number of factors that increase the challenge of the retired gun.  The first thing is its relation to the flyer station.  The second thing would be the cover strips.  If they square them, it leads the dog behind the holding blind.  The third factor is subtle terrain that also leads them to the right. There are 5 prominent hay bales to the right and deep of the retired gun. They definitely draw the dog’s attention. If the handler is brave and challenges the line to the bird, they are at risk of returning to the flyer.  If they are overly cautious, they are apt to find themselves too far right.  Early this morning, the holding blind was almost invisible.  So when the dog flares to right in an effort to avoid the line to the previous retrieve, squares the cover strips, rolls with terrain and focuses on the hay bales, they end up in a precarious position.  The work is getting better as the day has gone on.  The holding blind is easier to see now and the handlers have made some adjustments.  Also the increased scent from multiple throws appear to be aiding the dogs.  In the past it was very common to use hen pheasants in the 1st series.  I know that the handlers at this national are grateful they are using roosters in this test.  These nationals start slow and gain momentum as the week progresses. Stay tuned for more updates….