Series CALLBACKS 

Judges:  Marty Knibbs and Mike Noland

Notes from Afield!

 

Friday October 25th:  Busy day to day.  Sunshine and temps in the 50's.  Still had wind but overall very nice.
This morning we continued on with the third series with dog #29 under Judge Knibbs new to the line
and dog #40 which needed a second contact.  We finished the third at 11:15.  The judges took a break
for lunch to discuss callbacks for the fourth series.  By 12:30 the fourth series was underway.  The original
plan was to finish the fourth and do the water series.  However we didn't complete the fourth until 4:15.
Callbacks were given and we will start the fifth series in the morning followed by the water series.

Thursday October 24th:  The sun graced us with it presence today.  The temp was in the middle 40's with the ever
present wind.  We finished up the second series  at 1:30.  The judges wasted no time on callbacks and we rolled right
over the third series course.  If folks can remember back to the 2005 National here in North Dakota,
the third and fourth series were run on either side of a field brake.  That said, the field break did not allow
for handlers, or the bird planter to cut through to the other side.  Two Marshals were used and folks had to pick a side
and formed two galleries.   This year, the same courses were used but were run in the opposite direction.  Two Marshals,
two galleries.  This year the bird panter was able to navigate the wind break where openings existed and planted
both sides.   The complete third series callbacks are posted below.  One full round was made.  The day was called
at about 4:15 to allow folks to get to the Banquet.  The even side ended with one contact for dog #40.  Yep, that
me.  I will finish my run in the morning.  Have to admit that I have no idea which dog finished on the odd side.  The weather
forecast for tomorrow is another sunny day.  We may see 50 but will not hold my breath.
High point awards were presented at the banquet tonight as well as the Harold Bixby award.  I will post those on the
placements page after the conclusion of the event.  The 2014 Judges were also announced. 
They will be Rumi Schroeder and Jim O'Shea.

Wednesday October 23rd:  Snow on the ground this morning but the weather forcast promised
clearing later in the morning.  The course was 43 flags on the outbound course, 35 on the return.  Dogs had to
prove themselves in the thick brome cover with understory.   Bird proved challenging with the wet
snow on the cover and were wiley and flightly as the day progressed.  We completed the First Series
at about 2pm and moved right into the Second.  We finished the day at 5:30 with dogs 15 and 22.   We will
start again in the morning with dogs 17 and 20.   Total callbacks are noted below with 62 dogs back to the second.

Tuesday October 22nd:  Training occured from 10 'till 2 then back to the hotel headquarters
for the FTC meeting.  The Welcome Banquet was held after the meeting.  Good food and fellowship.
Introductions to the Judges, the Gun Team, the Marshal Team and the Bird Planter were done.
Handlers meeting at 8am on the grounds before the start of the First Series Wednesday morning

Monday October 21st:  Bismarck is a busy town these days with the booming oil industry.  Just a few miles east of town,
black angus cattle range in huge pastures.  The temperature this afternoon reached 40 for a short will with a
mix of clouds and sun.  As always, the wind is ever present.  Tomorrow will be training, then back to the hotel
headquarters for the ECSCA/FTC meeting.  Afterwards there will be a Welcome party.

I will post updates as I can.