Day 2 Of Pre National Training

The weather this week has been ideal for training cool in the mornings and warming up to mid to high 70’s in the afternoon. The wind was blowing steadily out of the east at 3-5 mph until about 4pm when it became non-existent. The late afternoon conditions made it near impossible for the dogs to dig out and scent the fresh dead hen pheasant and hen flyer pheasant in the last series for the day.

The training group we hosted today included Dave & Ty Rorem of Rorem Retrievers, Wayne & Terri Curtis of Fox Hollow Retrievers, Kenny Trott & Marcy Wright of Horsetooth Retrievers,Bill Eckett of Blackwater Retrievers, Randy Bohn of Rammin Retrievers, and Rob Erhardt of Silvertip Retrievers.  The Amateurs in the group included Tom & Linda Bogusky, Chuck & Marge Mize, Sammie Thompson, Lauren Hays, Alice Woodyard, and Howard Simson.

Howard Simson, Tom Bogusky, Ty Rorem, Linda Bogusky, Alice Woodyard, Marjie Mize, Lauren Hays, Chuck Mize

Parking Lot of the Water Quad on The Guest House Pond
 



At The Line Of The Water Triple

Jerry Patopea and FC Merlyn IV



Ray Vreeland getting a feel for the test behind the line.
Al Arthur and FC Escaleras Black Explosion"Nitro" 

Running is Ray Vreeland & Cowboy, honoring is Al Arthur & Pow, calling the dog numbers Jane Patopea gallery was Jerry Patopea



Handlers are Paul Sletten and John Stracka



a new calf nestled near the group

Freeway stretching out getting ready to go to line

Photos

I am taking and editing them all from my iphone with an injured right hand due to a dog bite. YUCK!  However, I felt you would appreciate any info from the pre-national week of training since this is said to be the most fun part of the National :) Enjoy!!!

Day 1 of Pre-National Training

Monday morning brought cool temps of 52 degrees with a light breeze out of the west.  The sun was rising in a clear sky and the dogs sounded ready to train.  The group did a set of land marks which was a quad with a hen pheasant flyer and two retired birds. The field was of ample cover of varying heights and rolling hills. For the second set the group separated and set up a water triple with two retired birds and a wiper duck flyer.  Ouch!!! The dogs had to practice discipline in the water, focus on their marks, and remember the retired guns in which the dog had to run tight to the flyer station.  The other set was a beautiful double land blind with a hidden dry pop in a field with a ton of terrain and character brought to life by the trees and mini horses.

Pre-National Training II

Good Morning!! The groups for the pre-national training began to arrive to the Homestead Ranch owned by Royce and Rose Witte on Sun. eve. On Mon. morning I had the pleasure to escort Jerry and Jane Patopea around this 1000 acre cattle ranch that Bay Blue Kennels calls its winter home.  It took us about an hour to view the entire property while Jerry munched on his breakfast. Once the group reconvened they were off to train on some great terrain and cover. The Mon. group included Al Arthur of Sandhill Kennel, Alan & Gwen Pleasant of Black River Retrievers, Paul Sletten of Pine Edge Retrievers, Jerry & Jane Patopea Utopia Retrievers, Alex Washburn, Jerry Kamphuis, Ray & Lou Vreeland, & John Stracka.  Today we are hosting the Rorem/Eckett group which is said to have 20 participants.