Trying again
Sunday was a glorious day, the sun was shining a hint of a breeze, a beautiful day down by the Avon in Northam.
16 competitors took to the line for the first run of the day, judged by Mike. A double blind and a mark. Cover was heavy and gullies to scale. Rabbit blind to the right at 80m, rabbit blind down the middle at about 100m and short mark to the right at about 40m cast right to left. Pick up order right, middle left. Some magnificent performances with very few whistles, the dogs were spot on. Lost 2 dogs on that run
Gareth and Texi
Russell and Chief
The final run, and what a run. Judged by Allan Bartram. Flags on the left bank of the river. The competitors were introduced as they approached, the gallery were perfectly placed to see the run. 5 shot to the handler. Leave the pegs place the dog in the blind off to the left in a bushy area. Back down to the river edge. Shoot at the long blind. 150m upstream where a duck was placed on the left bank about 10m from the waters edge. Reload. Call your dog. Facing accross the river. Water, island, water and sand bars, then bank. Mark goes up thrown left to right, landing behind a tree in a gully. Dogs hunting the gully were out of sight. Fire at the mark. Turn 90 degrees to face back upstream, mark goes up from the island, thrown right to left landing on the left bank. Far enough back so the pick up was out of sight of the handler. Fire at the mark. Turn and pick up the first mark. Reload. As the dog hits the water after picking up the first mark, a diversion 2 bird is cast from the island back towards the far bank, in clear sight of the dog. Pick up the long blind. The channel is narrow and the dog needs to be sent on a direct line to avoid the very tempting left mark, or the diversion bird. This has landed round the end of the island, where if the dog hits the right bank, and is drawn to the bird after the island it is then out of sight...........a huge test of control. Wind made the left bird just too tempting for a few. Pick up the left mark last. There was visible relief picking up both the blind and the final mark.
5 dogs and handlers went out on the run, leaving 9 finishers
Heather and Czarda
Bob and Gundi
Lynn and Disco
Di and Molly
Kerry and Diamond
The finishers. Boy to get through 8 runs at a National is one incredible achievement.
The Winner - Mark and Scout with 396 points. They set the standard on the first run and held it there right to the end. Wow what a team, breathtaking.
2nd - Gareth and Joy on 375 points. An absolute pleasure to watch the consistency of this team, their experience and calm shone through. Joy wagged the whole way through.
3rd - Karl and Red on 370 points. Boy can that dog run beautiful lines. For such a young dog he will certainly have people looking over their shoulders and setting the bar high. Their future is very promising.
4th Jack and Fern on 365 points. A master of his craft and a devoted talented girl that is always such a pleasure to watch. Awesome
5th Bob and Kwik on 363 points. A gentleman and skilled team that are always competitive and hard to beat. They know whats required and heart and soul go into it.
Finishers, we take our hats off to you. What a feeling to be so proud to get through
Kevin and Tank
Di and Lani
Jack and Tsu
Judy and Josh
Highest Scoring Veteran - Gareth and Joy
Highest Scoring Non Champion was Di and Lani
Highest Scoring Youngest Dog was Karl and Red
Highest Scoring WA Dog was Judy and Josh
Highest Scoring WA Bred Doh was Heather and Czarda
Highest Scoring Minor Breed was Gareth and Joy
Highest Scoring Goldie was Heather and Czarda
Highest Scoring GSP was Gareth and Joy
Highest Scoring Victorian Lab was Mark and Scout
Best Opposite - i.e Lady Handler was Di and Lani
So many thanks to be made to all those who made this such a great weekend, competitors, stewards, judges, the committee and of course our fabulous caterers. Everyone knows who they are
We are proud to be part of this.
I learned so much from those who happily shared stories, experience and training tips. I saw how good dogs, great handling and timing shone through. How treasured and loved those dogs are, win or loose.
A couple of mentions that for me need to be made. For Judy and Josh, Josh was really unwell. Thankfully disgnosis was swift and he was on the mend and was glowing by the time the Nationals arrived. A brilliant way to finish his career a very proud Western Australian. Congratulations to you both you worked so hard to get there and it was well deserved.
Bob and Kwik. Bob announced Kwik has osteoarthritis and this may be his last appearance. A beloved dog that has achieved so much to be proud of. Kwik will be very much missed, but I'm sure like Monty he will be there supervising at most trials. He's never far from Bob's side.
Thank you thank you to all who competed, such pleasure and privilege to watch.
See you in Victoria next season
Kindest regards
Zoe