Weather...

...just as dog #26 was finishing up at the third test, the dark sky was engulfing the Magnusson property and the winds picked up to a concerning level. The Retriever News computer headed for the safety and dryness of a strategically placed vehicle while our line reporter stayed until the last bird was picked up...coincidentally, the same time the rain started to fall.

Now, we have gotten into our cars and moved to the front lot of the Magnusson property for safety and to retain the lushness of the grounds near the test. The storm is giving us all she has at the moment - sheets of rain, claps and rolls of thunder, strikes of lightning and a constant wind.

Possibility of 2 inch hail in the area...

This should not last for too long, but we will be keeping you in the know as the day clicks on...

UPDATE: Unconfirmed reports that a pro dog truck had its windshield smashed by hail from this storm. Safety first, people. When there's hail it's best to stay inside your vehicle, or better yet, indoors.

A view of the "storm lot" from the Retriever News-Mobile.

26. LAKE PARK DIAMOND IN THE RUFF, LM, Charles Bearden

...excellent job on the flyer...he went wide right, went back and got the right-hand bird. On the middle retired, he when to the first island, crossed the second and went over third and got the bird with a beautiful mark.

25. FC-AFC TRUMARC'S COSTALOTMORE, LM, Mark Rosenblum

...had a good flyer and was clean on the right-hand bird. Going for the long, middle retired, he crossed the back of the first island and kept swimming to the end of the pond. He got out on the levee and was deep out of sight. He worked his way back and got the bird.

24. AFC DUCKBLIND'S REAL MCCOY, LF, Cheryl Richardson or Dave Opseth

No-bird...

23. FC-AFC WATERDOGS IRON DIVA, LF, John Stracka

...had a nice flyer, a hunt on the right-hand bird, came back limping so the handler elected to pick her up.

MCS Photography

MCS Photography - 2012 NARC Gallery

22. UPON THE WINGS OF AN ANSWERED PRAYER, LF, Bill or Micki Petrovish

No-bird...

16. JAYBAR AMERICAN IDOL, LM, Barbara Younglove

re-run...did a good job on the flyer. Choosing the middle retired second, he swam to island one, then all the way to the levee, came back in and picked up the bird clean. On the right-hand retired, he went deep, recovered, came back down and picked up the bird.

Magnusson Property...the Facts

- 300 total acres
- The trial area being used the past few days is 100 acres
- There are more than 30 ponds
- Started development in the 1960s
- Ponds have been designed by the Magnussons

21. FC-AFC CALCULATED RISK, LM, Bruce Hall

...had very nice flyer, went high-right going for the right-hand bird with a few loops between the island and the holding blind, went out and picked it up clean. for the long, middle bird he swam for the first island and cut right to the bank and up the hill, worked his way back to the levee and out to the island and got the bird.

Weather...

...it has been announced that we are under a severe thunderstorm warning. According to the radar, this line of storms has just reached the western shore of Michigan and may be arriving in our area within an hour or two. It is expected that running will be delayed for an undetermined amount of time...more updates on this as soon as they are available.

20. FC-AFC SHADOWS SWEET SOMETHING, LF, Mark Medford

...had an excellent flyer and excellent right-hand bird. went wide right for the middle retired and was handled back to the bird.

A Test Assessment from a Handlers P.O.V

The test seems to be handled slightly different today by the handlers given more of a left-to-right wind. It appears handlers have to go more at the bird to be in position to retrieve it - yesterday it seemed the handlers were safe getting under the arc of the bird to be in position for retrieve. Lighting is now very good - at any rate, dogs have to be right instead of left of birds today to wind them...

19. FC-AFC WORLD FAMOUS ROSA BARKS, LF, Alanson C. Brown III

...had an excellent flyer, was clean on the right-hand mar. On the long, middle retired she swam up the left-hand pond to behind the holding blind, up to the levee for a small hunt, then out to the island for a clean retrieve.

Wind is now up to approx. 15-20 mph.

Pick-up Dogs

Richard Dresser and the official pick-up dog yesterday, "Teddy."

Richard Herpolsheimer's, "Baby," is excited to be today's pick-up dog.

18. AFC WINDY CITY’S MIGHTY MOUSE, LM, Charlie Hines

...had a good flyer followed by a clean right-hand bird. The line to the middle-retired took him directly to the second island, over it, to the bird on the third island. Very nice job.

Behind the line...

Coffee break...

View from the gallery.

The Brenda Little Store.

17. FC-AFC ROBBERS' STRAY BULLET, LM, Dan Hurst

...had a nice flyer, went deep right but picked it up clean. On the long, middle retired, he ran the left bank all the way down the line to the levee. He was handled back to the bird.

Party Report...

The Women's Field Trial Club dinner was quite the success last night, according to its invitees. It was a reportedly large turnout that braved part of the intense storm last night. Some got a little wet, but the party moved indoors and continued on to success.

4. FC-AFC REBEL RIDGE'S DEVILS LUCK MH, LF, Jeff Lyons

...re-run after two no-birds...she did a fine job on both the flyer and the right-hand bird. She swam to both the first and second island going for the middle retired. She went back to the left-hand bank by the retired gunners, quickly re-entered the pond to the third island and recovered the bird. Excellent job...

16. JAYBAR AMERICAN IDOL, LM, Barbara Younglove

...re-run due to the flyer.

15. FC-AFC LOW COUNTRY PORKY, LM, John Kabbes

...had a nice flyer, he handled on the right hand bird after going straight to the island and missing it, he was handled quickly back. He had a perfect mark on the middle-retired bird. Good job.

14. AFC WATERMARK’S SHADOW DANCER, LF, Charlie Hays

...had a very nice flyer. On the way to the right-hand bird, went up the hill by the holding blind but came quickly back down to pick it up. On the long, middle bird he swam to the second island over the third, over the levee and out. He quickly came back swam to the island and located the bird.

13. AFC TEXAS TROUBADOR, LM, Martha Russell

...had an excellent flyer. He did a very nice job of hitting the water and going straight to the right-hand bird. Excellent line to the long-middle bird, but missed the island over the levee and was handled back.

12. AFC COOLWATER'S KNOCKOUT, LM, Alex Washburn

Excellent job on the flyer. Hunted the short end of the pond, and had to handle on the right-hand bird. For the long-middle bird, the dog went up the left-hand pond to the gunners, stayed right on the left-hand shore and levee but had a hunt before he was able to gout to the island to pick the bird up clean.

11. FC-AFC WESTWOODS IRON MAN, LM, Bruce Ahlers, DVM

...had a good flyer and right-hand bird. On the long middle bird he went into the left-hand pond, came out at the gunners, and hunted deep and left. He worked his way back to the main pond and then out to the island to the bird.

2012 NARC Photos

Molly Schlachter of MCS Photography is on her way to the grounds will all of her pictures. She will be set up by the food truck behind the 3rd test...

Picture Trivia...

Can you guess which pro has these white legs?

4. FC-AFC REBEL RIDGE'S DEVILS LUCK MH, LF, Jeff Lyons

No-bird...his second...going back another 6...

10. FC-AFC SEASIDE'S PELICAN PETE, LM, Bob Zylla

...nice flyer. Missed the right-hand bird, went up the hill, came back down and got the bird. On the long middle bird, swam the left-hand pond to the gunners, had a hunt, then moved to the island and got the bird.

9. FC-AFC WOLF CREEK CR SKEETER, LM, Robby Bickley

...had a nice flyer and a small hunt on the right-hand bird. On the middle bird, he swam to the first island, went off to the right to the back levee, went deep right, but recovered, came back, and picked up the bird clean.

5. FC-AFC RIVERRUN’S TRUE NORTH, LM, Marty Peterson

(Hi Mom!)

Very clean on the flyer and the right-hand bird. Swam to the second island for the middle bird, out to the third island and picked it up with a beautiful job.

(another computer glitch...here is #5)

Gun change...

8. AFC FARGO'S ECHO, LM, Marion Carey

...had a nice flyer, he went deep on the right-hand bird but came back down to the island and picked it up. On the middle bird, he swam to the first island, went off to the right to the right shore, down to the far levee and back out to the fourth island and to the bird.

Weather...

...8:35 a.m. a small breeze has started picking up from the southwest...the sun is working hard this morning, the breeze feels nice.

7. AFC TEXACO’S HIGH TESSE, LF, Alex Abraham

...did a nice job. On the right-hand bird, she took every piece of water early and then ran deep up the hill. She worked her way back down to the bird. She had an excellent mark on the long middle bird, swimming to the fourth island and picking it up.

113. NFC-AFC CANDLEWOOD'S SOMETHING ROYAL, LF, Ken Neil

...on a no-bird re-run, #113 had a very good flyer. On the right-hand bird she went deep up the hill but came back down to the bird. On the middle bird she went down the left-hand levee to the left-hand pond to the far end of the levee, she worked here way back to the island witha clean run.

4. FC-AFC REBEL RIDGE'S DEVILS LUCK MH, LF, Jeff Lyons

No-bird...going back 6 dogs

3. SQUEEZE PLAY II, LM, Paul Brown

Clean flyer. Took all pieces of water on the way to the right-hand mark, picked it up clean. Going for the long middle mark the dog swam up the left-hand pond and got out behind the holding blind. He crossed back over to the main pond, out to the island, and picked up the bird. Quick and clean.

2. AFC CAMINO GO FOR THE PIN, LM, Jim McFarland

...had a nice flyer, a small loop on the shore close to the blind going for the right bird, then went ahead and got it. Got out early, hunted shirt on the middle bird. He had to be handled back down the levee, and eventually back in the pond to get the bird.

2012 NARC Judges

Bill Fruehling, Chris Willett and Carl Ruffalo

116. FC-AFC SML STELLA'S GOT HER GROOVE, LF, David Didier

The flyer was clean. On the right-hand bird, she took every piece of water on line to the bird, then stepped on it. On the middle bird, she channeled all the way down the left side of the pond, then up and over the levee, and out into the far field. She was handled back to the bird.

115. FC-AFC SURESHOT'S TKO, LM, Alvin Hatcher

...had an excellent flyer and a very clean right-hand bird. For the long middle bird, he swam to both the first and second island, swam back across to the holding blind with a brief hunt and then plunged back in to the third island to retrieve the bird...very nice.

On an island...

There are four islands in this pond. The one closest to us on the right-hand side is where they throw the right-hand bird. The middle island has a large tree trunk that resembles a holding blind. The next island in this angled chain is directly across from the gunners and has a tall skinny tree. The island behind this, at the very back end of the pond, is where the middle bird is thrown.

Weather...

...not a breath of wind/breeze this morning. It is mighty calm and all sun...Temps are looking to get into the mid-80's today, but we are currently sitting in the 70's. The grounds are a bit wet from last nights storm, but I'm sure this constant stream of sun will dry it out quickly.

The forecast is calling for possible storms again this afternoon, but we will see as the day rolls along.

114. FC-AFC MERCY MERCY MERCY ME, LF, John Stracka

...came to the line at 7:21 a.m. He had a perfect flyer and right-hand gun, had to hunt to find the middle bird. He picked it up without a handle.

113. NFC-AFC CANDLEWOOD'S SOMETHING ROYAL, LF, Ken Neil

No-bird...

Test dog at the line....

At 7:00 a.m. test dog Dominator's Little Rebel, with handler Dave Sniegowski, came to the line and made quick work of the flyer. In going for the right-hand bird, he hit the first island, in the middle, angled right to the end of the pond and had to be handled back down the right shore to the island with the bird. Going for the middle bird, the dog went left, into a pond that led to the gunners, he had to be handled back to the levee between the ponds then over to the correct island with the bird after some difficulty.

The NARC team had two rangers loaded with men and pick-up dogs ready to head to the field as soon as the test dog ran. They were sent out to re-scent both islands for today's contestants.

The trial started early, at 7:15 a.m., first dog #113, came to the line and had a no-bird. The problem appears to be a popper.

There was lightning in the distance...

...they are bringing the gunners in from the field, we will start tomorrow with 113. NFC-AFC CANDLEWOOD'S SOMETHING ROYAL, LF, Ken Neil...more info for tomorrow's testing to come.

As soon as the dog trucks and committees were all cleaned and packed up, the rain began to fall, followed agressively by high winds, lightning and thunder. It was an intense storm for a while, but it quietly subsided leaving a light rain, calm breeze and double-rainbow in its wake. The sun, that is surely about to set at any moment, is now back out, saying goodnight to the dogs who will perform at their highest level tomorrow.

NOTE: There will NOT be any partial callbacks for this evening...

We will start again, with the remainder of Test 3, at 7:00 a.m. with test dog and first dog will run at 7:30 a.m.

112. FC PINEHURST’S ALL THAT JAZZ, LF, James Hurst

...she took some time to get the flyer, did a very nice job on the right-hand mark, ran the left levee of the pond, jumped in and went straight to the bird.

111. LIL MISS KARIZZMA, LF, Brian Biesemeier

Double-Handle

Weather update...in a picture!

The blue dot = the 2012 NARC Grounds...just heard a low rumble of thunder...the wind has picked up slightly and the temperatures cooled. We are currently running dog #111 and awaiting further instructions on the rest of the days testing.

110. AFC ROCKLIFFS JUSTDOIT, LM, Paul Foster

...nice flyer and right-hand bird, the middle bird came out left on the left levee, down to the end, came back out to the island to pick up the bird.

109. PADDLE CREEK'S PACK YOUR GRIP, LM, Chad Baker

...traveler just delivered three perfect marks with speed and a ton of style.

108. FC-AFC L AND L JUST A GIGOLO, LM, Howard Simson

...had a very nice flyer and did an excellent job on the right-hand bird. On the middle bird, he swam almost to the end of the left side of the island, he got out briefly at the left, but quickly came around, back to the island and got his bird.

107. FC-AFC TEQUILLA'S HOT TAMALE, LF, Mark Medford

...just turned in three perfect marks, even hitting every piece of water on the way to the right-hand bird.

106. CASTLEBAY’S VAM PYRE, LF, John Russell

...had a very nice flyer, hunted short and away on the right-hand bird but picked it up clean. Handle on the middle bird.

105. FC GREENWING TALL TIMBER, LM, Craig Stonesifer

...picked up the flyer very quick, did a nice job. He went directly to the right-hand bird for a nice job. On the middle bird, the dog ran the long side levee, worked around the gunners and the end, came back out and got the bird off of the island.

104. FC-AFC LANES LETS GET READY TO RUMBLE, LM, Bobby Lane

Double-Handle...

103. FC-AFC LAND AHOY, LM, Gary Zellner

...he had a good flyer, a clean mark on the right-hand bird then swam to the island, got off in the middle for a brief hunt, and came back out and got the bird.

Gun change happening....after #103

97. FC-AFC CASTLEBAY'S NIGHT ROBBER, LM, Dave Seivert

after a no-bird, he had a nice flyer, handled on the right-hand bird and stayed left on the middle-bird but came back and retrieved it.

102. TONKAH ZEE OOMAH, LM, Chuck Mize

...had a very good flyer and a nice mark on the right-hand bird. He swam long right to the end of the pond missing the middle mark. He went deep but worked his way back to the bird.

Weather...

...wind has once again picked up. It's still out of the south, but it is gusting at 15-20 mph. Sun is still shining, but like before, the radar is showing severe weather...

Beep, Beep...yeah!

101. FC-AFC CITORI'S VISTA 40TH PRES, LF, Michael Moore

...had an excellent flyer and right-hand gun. She swam to the islands, hit both the first and second island and then cut left, back to the land holding blind. After hunting a little deep, she worked her way back to the third island and retrieved the bird.

100. FC-AFC-CFC-CAFC ADAMS ACRES MUDDY CREEK, LM, Jerry Younglove

...had an excellent flyer, he missed the small right-hand island and went deep up the hill. But he was able to work his way back and get the bird. He finished with a very nice job on the difficult middle bird.

88. SON OF A PREACHER MAN, LM, Duncan Christie

...following two no-birds, he came to the line and did a nice job on his flyer. He followed that with a very nice mark on the right-hand bird. He had a handle on the middle bird.

Yes, you have a question?

We have been asked by people keeping up with the trial, "Why all the no-birds? Is weather the problem?"

Answer: There have been multiples factors for no-birds, the wind has caused a problem, the narrow window for the flyer to land successfully and sometimes people just make mistakes.

As for the weather, the sun is back and the temperature is up. The wind is calm keeping the gallery comfortable and the tall grasses flowing. Still talk of rain this afternoon...we will see.

99. FC-AFC HARDSCRABBLE ROXIE MCBUNN, LF, Bill Benson

...has just turned in another set of perfect marks.

Gun change coming up after #103...

98. AFC CANDLEWOODS COMMANDER AND CHIEF, LM, Fred Kampo

...has just run a perfect set of marks.

97. FC-AFC CASTLEBAY'S NIGHT ROBBER, LM, Dave Seivert

No-bird....going back 6

96. FC KNOLLWOOD SWEET LILY, LF, Nancy White

Pick-up

Yes, you have a question?

We have been asked by one of the blog followers, "How much time does it take to pick up all of the birds when there is a no-bird flyer?"

Answer: About the same as a dog completing the test; anywhere from 10-12 minutes.

95. FC-AFC CUDA'S NEGRA MODELO MH, LF, Charles P. Tyson

...had a very nice flyer and the right-hand mark. He established a lengthy hunt to the left of the middle bird before returning and finding the bird.

Behind the line...

Conversation...

Direction...

Relaxation...

Superstition...

88. SON OF A PREACHER MAN, LM, Duncan Christie

No-bird...his second...going back 6 dogs...

94. AFC WRS BUGS BLACK MIST, LF, Wayne Stupka

...had a very nice flyer and right-hand bird. She went way left on the middle mark and finally made her way back to the bird.

93. FC-AFC FAT CITY PACER, LM, Dewitt Boice

Double-handle...

92. CNAFC-CFC MJOLNIR BLUEBILL OF ALLANPORT, LM, Scott Adams

Pick-up...