Friday May 25 – Flight B – Test 6 – "You and Me"

"You and Me" is a Water Triple with a Diversion Shot, Land Blind and a Water Blind. This test began shortly after 10:00 am after an extended morning rain delay. There is a "Momma/Poppa" gun station located to the left of the line.The left side of this bird station shoots and throws a dead bird up the hill at 85 yards. The right side of this bird station then shoots and throws a dead bird to the right landing at the end of the point at 50 yards. The third bird is a swing to the right, where there is a well-concealed station below the level of the dyke on the far right side of the test. This station shoots and throws a bird splashing into the water at a tempting 30 yards.

The dogs can pick up the birds in any order, but the Diversion Shot sounds after the dog picks up the bird that lands on the hillside. The Water Blind is an angle entry into the pond under the arc of the second mark across a small piece of water to the left side of this point at 45 yards. Finally, the Land Blind is run to the right of the mat along the top of the dyke where the bird is planted at 60 yards.

When we arrived at this Flight, only a couple of dogs had run. The bird that seemed to be giving the most difficulty was the Land Blind where we saw many dogs falling off the dyke to the right. There were cheers from the gallery as each dog/handler team left the line having completed this final series of the 2018 MAI.

Friday May 25 – Flight A – Test 6 – "Good, Bad and Ugly"

"The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" is a Water Triple with a Diversion Shot, Land Blind and a Water Blind. On the right of the test, a gun station throws a dead bird to the left onto the dyke at 80 yards. To the left of the mat is a “Mom & Pop” gun station that shoots and throws a dead bird to the right landing at the end of a point at 47 yards. The third bird is a large throw to the left up the hill at 35 yards.

After the dog picks up this go-bird, there is a Diversion Shot. After all three marks are picked up, the dog runs a Water Blind angle entry into the pond to the right at 60 yards. Finally, the dog runs the Land Blind under the arc of the left hand bird located 51 yards from the mat.

When we arrived at Flight A this afternoon, they had run about half their dogs. Several dogs have handled on the right hand mark. The gallery called this mark "interrupted," because the throw went behind a large tree to the right of the line and was obscured from view from a moment. Many dogs went over the dyke and had to be handled back to where they could wind it.

Thursday May 24 – Flight B – Test 6 – "You and Me"

"You and Me" is a Water Triple with a Land Blind and a Water Blind. To Come …

The test began late Thursday afternoon, but had to suspend operations because of lightning. Dog #19 ran last today … tomorrow, they will start with dog #21.

At 7 am each day there will be a bitch check for the female dogs. We will be starting with dog number 39 after the test dogs have run tomorrow. Dogs will run in order. The test dogs are at 7:45 and the first running dog will be at 8:00 am.

Thursday May 24 – Flight B – Test 5 – "The Grassy Knoll"

"The Grassy Knoll" is a Water Triple with a Water Blind and a Land Blind. Handlers will be facing this water test from atop a mound with a slight south wind at their back. The first gun station is located on the left shore of the pond, throwing a dead bird right onto an island at 63 yards. The second gun station is directly in front of the line on the other side of the pond. This station throws left landing on the far shore at 50 yards. The third bird is in a second pothole to the far right of the line thrown to the left at the far shore. The line to this bird is across the pond, over a land bridge to the next pothole and the far shore to get the bird at 62 yards.

At the invitation of the Judges, the Land Blind and Water Blind can be run in any order. The 77 yard Land Blind is located to the far left of the test out or the area of the marks crossing a gravel road to a grassy terraced field. The line to the Water Blind at 92 yards is under the arc of the first bird, skimming the island where the first bird had landed.

The credit for the test diagrams goes to Terry Elliot – Thank you, Terry!

We arrived with this test full underway and hoping to finish this afternoon and start their Sixth Series. The talk in the gallery was positive and they were optimistic that they could meet this challenging test when their time came. A number of dogs we saw lined both blinds and the work we watched was generally good.

Thursday May 24 – Flight A – Test 5 – "Bridge Over Troubled Water"

"Bridge Over Troubled Water" is a Water Triple with a Water Blind and a Land Blind using all dead birds. Handlers will be facing this water test with a slight south wind at their back. It promises to be a warm day with "feels like temperature" near 95 degrees. This is a good day to work water. The test starts with a  mark to the far left of the test thrown to the right at 97 yards, landing on the base of a point. The middle bird is thrown to the left at 110 landing on the far shore. The dog must enter the water swim across and over the same point from the first mark and swim to the far shore to retrieve the bird. The third bird on the right is a 150 degree turn and is shot and thrown to the left at 60 yards.

After the dogs have picked up the three marks, there are two blinds to run by invitation. The Judges instructed the handlers that they can be run in any order. For the Land Blind, the dog will turn to the right and follow along the land side of the shoreline for a 45 yard land blind under the arc of the right-hand mark. The Water Blind is run to the right of the middle mark. It should provide some interesting suction from the marks when working to get this blind. The line to the blind is to the right of the middle mark, but this time the dog has to swim past the point of the first mark was on. He has another point to negotiate on the right before getting his bird. Some challenging angles will keep handlers and dogs on their toes on this test that is taking approximately 12 minutes per dog to complete.

The credit for the test diagrams goes to Terry Elliot – Thank you, Terry!

This water triple and double blind proved to be a challenging test. The first bird is on the left thrown to the right onto a peninsula. The Test Dog did not wind the fall area, reentered the water on the other side and had to be handled back to the bird.The line to the second mark is to go across the peninsula where the left bird was thrown and picked up. These two marks are "pinched" together. A "splash" go-bird is the third mark. 

The blinds are by invitation only with no specification on which one to pick up first. For the water blind, the peninsula that the first bird is thrown on makes a point about 50 yards out on a line to the blind. This acts as a place for dogs to wrap around or get behind and you may need to cast off or away from the point. The land blind runs along the shore and you must keep the dog on land while keeping them on a direct line to the blind to get the bird.

Wednesday May 23 – Flight B – Test 4 – "Whoa Baby"

"Whoa Baby" is a Land/Water Triple with a Walk-up and a Diversion Bird. The line is on a hillside facing north with a series of ponds to the left. The wind, although slight at 4 mph is gently blowing right to left. The handler exits the holding blind to the right and as they are walking to the line, a shot is fired for the walk-up bird on the right and the bird is thrown right to left landing in the pond at 40 yards in a slot between some Avery decoys. The next bird requires a 180 degree swing to the left to see the second bird fall into the cover on the hillside at 30 yards. Finally, the flyer is shot to the left landing in cover across the pond and up the hill at 130 yards. The birds can be picked up in order. The diversion bird is about 60 yards from the line to the left of the flyer and called for when the dog is returning from picking up the flyer. This test uses all ducks and takes approximately 9 minutes.

The credit for the test diagrams goes to Terry Elliot – Thank you, Terry!

We arrived at Flight B just as the Test Dogs were running this test. The areas of the fall were scented for the test dogs and so this evened up the field for the early contestants. With consideration to the wind, the diversion bird was thrown close to the shore so it did not float away. If the wind became more of a factor, it would make the walk-up bird more tempting as the scent would travel across the water. This affected a couple of dogs that we watched …

Wednesday May 23 – Flight A – Test 4 – "Mom and Pops Soup"

"Mom and Pops Soup" is a Land/Water Triple with a Walk-up and a Diversion Bird. This test begins with a walk-up where the handler and dog emerge from the holding blind and walk straight towards a small pond. When the handler almost reaches the edge of the water, the shot is fired and the bird falls on land across the water directly in front of the line at 35 yards. The second bird down is the flyer to the handler's right. This bird is shot across the gravel road and out into a field at 60 yards. The direct line to the area of the fall crosses near the right corner of the pond, through grass, across a gravel road and out into the field. Dead bird #3 is across the water to the handler's left. This bird station stands on the inside left side of a hooked peninsula, throwing across the peninsula and water to the far shore at 105 yards. When the dog picks up the third bird, a diversion bird is shot and thrown. This station is located to the far left of the line. The thrower stands on the shore and throws right back towards the line landing in the water. This Fourth Series test is taking approximately 8 minutes per dog.

The credit for the test diagrams goes to Terry Elliot – Thank you, Terry!

Jack Morris of Stellar Retrievers has 13 clients running the 2018 Master Amateur Invitational. Here are some of his comments on this test … The hazard of this test is also the "money bird." This bird is thrown left to right at 100+ yards. The line to this bird is 60 yards or so the the "J" hook peninsula, the dog should go up and over this piece of land and then re-enter the water. one caution is that you will not see your dog until it makes next shore until it’s headed up hill. A lot of dogs have cheated and run around on the hook, which has caused them to hunt behind the guns and also on wrong side of gun. This has caused some dogs to be handled to recover.

The third (last) bird – go bird – is a land flyer on the right of the test shot to the right. When the dog is returning with the flyer, a diversion bird is thrown from far left shore and creates a splash in the water. The problem is that some dogs do not see this bird and consequently need to be handled to make this retrieve.

Status on the Third Test for Flight B – DAY 2

Flight B ended their test for the day at 5:40 pm with 13 dogs left to run. We will start with dog number 35 as the third test resumes tomorrow.

At 7 am each day there will be a bitch check for the female dogs. We will be starting with dog number 35 after the test dogs have run tomorrow. Dogs will run in order. The test dogs are at 8:00 am and the first running dog will be at 8:15 am. Good Luck!

Tuesday May 22 – Flight B – Test 3 – "Three in the Air"

"Three in the Air" is a Land/Water Triple with a Water Blind and an Honor. The mat faces a spit of land that has water on both sides. The far end of the spit connects with a large sloping field. Upon the Judge's signal, the handler heals the dog emerging from the holding blind and sits the dog in front of the holding blind and then the handler retreats back into the blind – a "remote sit." The first bird thrown to the left comes from the far right corner of the left hand pond. This bird lands in the water close to shore in the middle of a peninsula 83 yards from the line. At the end of the spit on the far shore of the left-hand pond, a dead drake is thrown to the left, landing in the water near a patch of reeds and a group of geese and mallard decoys 61 yards out. The bird station for bird #3 is at the far end of the land bridge throwing from the far left corner of the pond down the shore to the right. This duck lands on the far shore 51 yards from the line.

After all three birds are retrieved, the handler lines the dog up for a blind. The line to the 50 yard blind is under the arc of the last bird down. Cutting the left corner of the right side pond, the blind is picked up on the far shore. At the end of the test, there is an honor to the left of the working dog. This is a long test, taking between 10-11 minutes per dog.

The credit for the test diagrams goes to Terry Elliot – Thank you, Terry!

When we arrived at this test in the late morning, it was well-underway. The gallery was huddled under canopies trying to find any amount of shade they could in the 85+ degree sweltering afternoon. They agreed that this was a good solid test. The "money bird" was close to the end of the point and the dogs had to dig out the second bird from the decoys. The Go-bird sets the test on the opposite pond as the dogs need to swing around 180 degrees from that mark to pick up the other two marks. And finally, the blind is under the arc of that bird.

The gallery felt that this was a good test with good decoy placement. The wind was right to left and not being favorable in any way to the dogs. After the birds return with the go-bird, there is not much for them to see with the low-floating birds and a pond dotted with decoys. For the third long bird, they practically had to swim right up to the bank on the far shore to scent the bird: it helps for the dog to get on the far shore bank in order to be downwind and get their bird.

Tuesday May 22 – Flight A – Test 3 – "Square in the Middle"

"Square in the Middle" is a Land/Water Triple with a Water Blind and an Honor. From the mat, the handler and dog are facing a beautiful pond. Upon the Judge's signal, the handler heals the dog emerging from the holding blind and sits the dog in front of the holding blind and then the handler retreats back into the blind – a "remote sit." The Judges signal for the first middle bird, a dead drake, located beyond the edge of the far side of the pond down a slight slope. This bird station throws to the right with the bird landing 45 yards from the line. Dead bird #2 has the thrower across the other side of the pond to the right of the first station. This angle back throw goes across the road and up a slight slope 85 yards from the line. There is a 180 degree swing for the last bird, the station is located on the far shore of the left-hand piece of water behind a bush. This station throws right down the shore, landing on a point at 90 yards.

When the handler completes the three marks, the team will then run the water blind. The line to the blind is straight out from the mat into the water. The dog must stay in the water and swim close to the shore to retriever the blind planted approximately 85 yards from the line on the edge of the right-hand pond. At the end of the test, there is an honor to the right of the working dog.

The credit for the test diagrams goes to Terry Elliot – Thank you, Terry!

We spoke to Jerry Mann, Field Director of Sporting Breeds from the AKC, and he felt that this third series test for Flight A was a challenging test. The "remote sit" is in keeping with the theme of natural hunting conditions and that's a good start, plus the bird stations are well-concealed with natural cover. The 180 degree swing to the left the dogs must make results from a duck call blown to get their attention so they can turn and locate it. This last third bird down takes their attention away from the first two birds they saw and they must remember them. Having the final water blind retrieve in the opposite direction where they just had success adds difficulty since they have not seen a bird go down that bank where the blind is located.

Monday May 21 – Flight B – Test 2 – "Walkabout"

"Walkabout" is a Land Triple with a Walk-Up, Flyer and a Land Blind. This second test begins as the handler reaches the line. The guns walk-out from the tree line on the handler's left and throw a dead bird to the right and then shoot. This bird lands approximately 40 yards from the line. Bird #2 is the long middle Flyer shot from right to left at 125 yards from the mat. This bird lands to the handler's right. Dead bird #3 is on the handler's right thrown to the left at 102 yards.

The Land Blind is positioned between bird #1 and the flyer bird #2. The blind is 20 yards deeper than the flyer and the line to the blind is under the arc of the walk-out bird. It is planted at the end of the treeline and has a tight keyhole end.

The credit for the test diagrams goes to Terry Elliot – Thank you, Terry!

We arrived at Flight B's second test at the halfway mark. We were told that most of the dogs were doing this test by picking up the right-hand dead bird first, then the diversion bird and lastly the flyer. There had been a few handles, but not many. There was very little wind at the bottom of the hill, resulting in finding the flyer mark more difficult. The hazard for the blind is the well-situated spruce tree which can block the handler's view of their dog if the dog gets behind it.

When asked for his opinion of this test, Russ Reavis, AKC Executive Field Rep. for the Sporting Group, said that he liked this test. The walk-up was done properly with the bird being presented first and the shot coming afterwards. The walk-up was well-concealed and all the marks were appropriate for a Master test. The line to the blind is under the arc of the walk-up bird and has a tight keyhole ending. Well done!

Monday May 21 – Flight B – Test 1 – "Slippery Slope" – DAY 2

Series 1 for Flight B ended at 9:30 am on day two. Dog #6 began the day and dog 24 completed this series. The conditions were favorable for the dogs this morning, losing one dog of the eighteen that had been left to run. 67 dogs have been called back to the Test #2.

The gallery and handlers were asked to remain on site while the judges debated the callbacks. We could see the workers across the field setting up the next series.

Sheer cuteness!

Janet Wood and Pam Bunnell

Marshal Missy Lemoi reads Callbacks for Flight B to the Second Series

Monday May 21 – Flight A – Test 2 – "Snake in the Grass"

"Snake in the Grass" is Land Triple with a Walk-Up, Flyer and Land Blind. When the handler leaves the holding blind, he or she and their dog rounds the tent towards the mat. The walk-up bird is thrown from in front and just right of the handler up a hill landing 33 yards from the line. The handler turns back to his right where the flyer gunners are in front of the mat shooting the flyer to the left. This bird lands 65 yards from the line. Duck calls pull the dog to the far right where the holding blind is behind a cedar tree. The massive throw comes from the cedar tree, crosses the gravel road into the test. This bird lands 92 yards from the line.

After the three ducks are picked up, the handler lines the dog up for the blind. The large throw of bird number three has most dogs running under its arc, across the road and onto the planted bird in tall cover.

The credit for the test diagrams goes to Terry Elliot – Thank you, Terry!

We arrived to catch the end of the first Test Dog and hearty applause. Test Dog #2 came to the line and also did an excellent dog. The test averages 4-5 minutes per dog. The full body Avery geese decoys in the field of tall cover and heavy seeds seemed to have no effect on the dogs. We watched the next nine dogs run and while there were some hunts, there were no handles. The dogs seemed to make quick work of this test.

Sunday May 20 – Flight B – Test 1 – "Slippery Slope"

"Slippery Slope" is a Land Triple with a Flyer and an Honor. The test is situated in a green field dotted with Avery full body goose decoys. The mat is sitting at the top of a long sloping hill. Dead bird #1 is thrown to the right from a tree line located at the handlers left. The bird lands 140 yards from the mat in an open field in knee-high cover. Dead bird #2 is thrown from a row of shrubs and trees in front of the line. The bird is thrown to the left landing 71 yards from the line tight to the line to bird #1. Both the birds land downhill from the mat giving the dogs plenty of room to build up speed and miss their marks. The flyer is bird #3. The guns are to the right of the line. These gunners stand on the near end of the shrub and tree line hiding the gunners for bird #2. The flyer gunners throw and shoot from left to right with the flyer landing 67 yards from the line. There is an honor in this test to the left of the mat.

The credit for these test diagrams goes to Terry Elliot – Thank you, Terry!

The handler comes to the mat with a breeze crossing the mat from right to left. The flyer seemed to be both quick and easy for all of the dogs that we watched run this test. The middle bird was picked up second by most with a few tight hunts, but very little difficulty. Handling on the left-hand bird was necessary for quite a few dogs. The dogs would go down the hill for the left-hand bird and start hunting short or left forcing a handle.

Sunday May 20 – Flight A – Test 1 – "Two Cedars"

"Two Cedars" is a Land Triple with a Flyer and an Honor. The test site is located in a beautiful green field full of Avery full body goose decoys. Looking out from the mat, there are two cedar trees at an almost equal distance from the line. Dead bird #1 is thrown from the right tree towards the left tree landing 82 yards from the line. Dead bird #2 is thrown from the right to left. The throwers are behind the left cedar tree throwing towards a tree line with the bird landing in an open field 127 yards from the line. The handler and the dog will then need to swing to their far left. The flyer gunners will throw, then shoot bird #3 from left to right with the flyer landing approximately 85 yards from the line. There is an honor to the right of the mat.

The credit for the test diagrams goes to Terry Elliot – Thank you, Terry!

The rain delay has stopped with the clouds giving way to patches of sun. It is currently very humid, but the temperature is only 70 degrees. There is a light breeze blowing down the test from left to right. The test's only problem seems to occur with the right hand mark. The wind is very favorable to the flyer and the middle bird. Some dogs are going right of the right cedar tree and getting deep into the row crop before turning back towards the cedars and their bird. If this wind would die or change directions, the middle bird would give this test fits. The winger is tossing this bird and incredibly long distance. The test is taking approximately 4 minutes a dog …