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Saturday arrived picture perfect for the grand finale of the National Amateur Stake. It was in the high 40' s with clear skies at 5 a.m. Temperatures were forecast for the low 80's with partly cloudy skies.
The test had been reset by 6:30 a.m. for the last 5 dogs of the 8th series. At 6:48 the lone test dog ran demonstrated that despite glare from a rising sun in the handlers fac4e, the test was much the same as the previous day. Two variables were little wind and the far right. guns were in the shadows.
At 7:04, the first running dog appeared on line and produced good work. The other three did similar work,- sadly, the last dog picked up.
As the ninth was forming in a field deep to the left of the eighth, call backs were announced. There had been another deep cut, only 17 dogs remained to vie for the title. The 20 lost were: 3, 9, 12, 15, 26, 34, 41, 46, 47, 48, 50, 52, 54, 57, 71, 72, 89, 102, 104 and 106.
TEST 9- LAND QUAD WITH TWO RETIRED GUNS
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| Test 9 - 2 left marks |
Test 9- 2 right marks |
Test 9 - Two retired marks closer
The line was located on top a 4-5' mound and faced a fairly flat, grassy field with tall grass and bushes randomly spaced. Four sets of guns stood in an inline configuration at, about a 180 degree spread. To the far left stood a set of flyer guns. they shot a flying duck to the left where it fell in the grass about 200 yards away. To their right and about the same distance a second set threw a dead duck back to the left. It also landed in the grass about 200 yards deep. To their right and also about the same distance away, a third set threw a dead duck to the right, also landing in tall grass a bit over 200 yard out. The fourth set stood a short distance to the right of the line and threw a dead hen pheasant back to the left, only 40 yard away. The order was: left middle, right middle, flyer, short mark. As the dog was sent for the short bird, the two middle guns retired.
Test dogs were called to line 8:33. They demonstrated that the equidistant middle marks could be confusing.The first running dog, #77 arrived at 9 a.m. and did a good job. It took nearly 10 mpd to complete.
The short right mark distracted dogs from holding a firm mark on the other three. Varied flyer falls produced some hunting also.Bushes located in the field verge very similar in size and distance so dogs could become uncertain as to where they had stood. A number hunted the "no-man's land" between before either recovering on or the other or handling. Most handlers took the flyer second then either of the middle retired marks (Some dogs self selected) By 11;30, the last dog, #76 completed the ninth. Four had handled and one picked up.
TEST 10, WATER QUAD WITH 3 SHOT FLYERS
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| Test 10 Right |
Middle Marks |
Retired Mark |
A move was made back to Gary McIllwain's property where a Water Quad with three flyers was being constructed. Callbacks came promply and 14 possible NAFC's remained. Those lost were; 36, 86 and 95. First running dog was either 4 or 37 - a debate followed - 37 won. Test dogs came to line at12:40.There was art least one handle on the series. Four sets of gunners were positioned in a grassy field that sloped down to 3 ponds with a strip of land between each and back up beyond.. The shortest on was on the near side of the left pond. They shot a flying duck to the left where it splashed into the pond 80 yards from line. A second set was to their deep right. They shot a flying rooster to the left where it fell into the grass 210 yards out. Somewhat deeper, and also to the right, a third group shot a flying hen pheasant that arched over a gravel road and landed into the grassy field 190 yards away. The fourth set was stationed far to the right, on the end of an oval pond. They threw a dead duck to the left where it landed on the grassy shore nearly 230 yards away. As dogs were sent for any bird, they retired into the brush behind them. The order was: Middle right flyer, far right dead duck, middle left flyer, short left flyer. It took about 14 minutes to complete.
As the test dogs and each succeeding team came to line, Announcer Gary Sorenson proclained their name, title(s), owner and handler.
The test had a spread of 180 degrees. The three flyer stations diverted dogs from the far right retired mark.Varied falls caused wide hunts. The left middle bird could be reached without crossing any water. Surprisingly, the first 3 dogs produced good quads. In all, only one dog handled on the demanding marks.
The 10th went into the books after dog 32 returned to line about 4:15. The awards ceremony was held on the grounds and after introducing the finalists, Gary McIllwain announced the winner as #108 FC FTCH Days End Northern Express, Owned by J. and M. Sutter, handled by Jane Sutter. Everyone toasted the winner and finalist with champagne before heading "home". A party would follow later at Headquarters.
