2007 Fall Grand pics

[quackaddict2]

well ya all know by now the kook pulled it out.

no words can describe what im feeling,it's just huge

you guys and gals with HRCH dogs have got to do this.it's an experience i will remember the rest of my life
don't believe everything you hear about a grand.im telling you it is very doable

the test where challenging but fair and well thought out[they where really no tuffer then a good solid finish test with a bit of meat to em]

also everyone there who had been to a grand were more than willing to help out us rookies and the judges did their best to help us relax and run a smooth test

well what im trying to tell yas is if the quack idiot[without a doubt]the biggest fumble butt to run a dog can do this,you can too

a little dedication,training and a keen retriever and yer off to the races

now lets get to the pics,this is gonna take like 5 replys to my own post to get all the pics up so hold off on yer replys until you see me holding the ribbons

well i left my camera at the motel so i missed getting pics at the banquet and raffle fri. nite so lets start with sat. morn and A B C and D flights lining up and waiting to go to their tests

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it wasn't long and familiar faces were spotted and old friends began graviting towards each other.i was with flight B and here we are at our first water waiting for the handlers to be called up

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check out the fashion statement john's making[he's got no idea i got this shot]

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finally we are asked to come up to the line

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our judges greet us and go over the gun safety

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the test is explained,and the test dog is brought up

3 marks,a blind and a honor

honor dog fires a dry shot to set up the blind once the duck calling stops

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then it's first mark

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second

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big swing to the third [the go bird]

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dog returns with the go bird

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there he is with the first bird out

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and there's that center bird

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now lets pick up that blind

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sun. morning has us waiting to be called up to view our first land test

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we are greeted by the judges,once again the all important gun safety talk and then the test is laid out for us

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[quackaddict2]

this time we walk up and shoot the blind and run it first

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then its another triple with a diversion bird as your dog returned with the last bird

here we go around the horn,bird one

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two

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THREE!!!!

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finally the dog returning with the diversion bird

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here's the view from the gallery

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handlers and spectators look on as we each get our chance to run[check out mike with the one finger salute]

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mon. morn has us handlers at our second water test and the judges instruct us once more on safety and go over the mechanics of the test

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test dog is brought up,three marks,a diversion and a blind

first mark

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second

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now the third

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as the pup returns with the last bird a double shot is taken at the diversion setting up the blind

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the dog is sent on the blind

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here's the view from the gallery

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[quackaddict2]

mon. the gallery looking on as the action continues

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tues morn at our 4th test site [final land]

the rigs in the parking lot have dwindled [check out my wifes little escape parked with the big boys]

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once more the judges take us through safety and the mechanics of the test

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test dog runs,three marks a blind and a honor

honor dog fires a dry shot when the calling stops to set up the blind and the marks are unleashed

one

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two

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THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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veiw from the gallery

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now i was told i was to receive a ribbon after passing the second series

but did not realize they where being handed out sun. nite[only the quack could mess that up]

i received it at call backs mon.[wished i had some pics of that]

here's call backs tues nite,we are going to the fith and final series

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wed. morn has us staging one last time at headquarters waiting to leave for the final test site,the upland

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by this time new friendships have been forged and alot of comradery

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finally we are led to the test site[ the place is abuzz]

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we are greeted by our judges and safety and the mechanics of the test are gone over

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[quackaddict2]

paul finishes up going over the test and the test dog is put through the paces

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first a walk up,the pup returning with a bird after showing steady on the walk up

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now the second phase the dog quarters and hunts

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a second test dog shows steady at the walk up before it is sent

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and here's the flush as the dog charges in[a moment later that dog sat and stayed steady to the flush and the shot

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now this says it all HRC and family

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pics of the test underway

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now i guess it's a good thing we didn't miss the final ribbons being passed out

first the dogs with their first grand passes

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[quackaddict2]

now ribbons are handed out to all the new GRHRCH

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and here we are folks the kook myself and our ribbons.the black one was for passing the second series and the big green one is our first grand pass

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LIFE IS GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kevin Hannah]

AWSOME pictures and congrat's on the first pass:clap2: :clap2:

[Tollergirl]

Who needs television when we have Al? Great pics, been waiting all week for those!! And of course to you and the Kook a huge:

!!!!CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

:bf_new: :bf_new: :bf_new: :bf_new: :bf_new: :bf_new: :bf_new: :bf_new:

[tollerlover]

WAY TO GO AL!!! and Katie of course!

[rleclair]

Hey Al - CONGRATULATIONS!!!

A job well done. We will have to get together and celebrate!!

Randy

[Jojoe]

WELL DONE AL!! Congratulations!:first:
With the size of those ribbons you are gonna need big wall.

[2labs]

As always great pics. question when are you putting on your first semanair ?. Kidding aside you have earned it:clap2: .

[MHgoldk9]

Way to go Al and Katie,awesome job,I'm bettin' you weren't to nervous on that upland test:eek: :pukey:

Tim

[franklauzon]

As everyone has said, good pics, and good job Kook!

[rocko]

Great JOB!!!!! Excellent write up and pics!!

[just chessies]

Beautiful pictures, you and your dog did each other proud. Thanks for sharing :nice work: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

[Treasurehunt]

Congrats Al & Katie:nice work: Fantastic pics too!

[Wayne]

Al great job with the pics, considering one would have thought that you had enough to worry about.

Great team effort over the coarse of the week.

A well deserved pass to say the least.

Wayne R.

[duxbac]

Congrats to everyone who participated. Some very good dogs did not have a good week but to those who did, WOW !!! (Some day maybe I'll join you.)

Thanks Al for the pics!! Super job.

I made it to Omega Farms on Monday night (about 7:00 p.m.). Only one guy around but the grounds were magnificant, 3,000 acres of land with a slight roll and sprinkled with maintained ponds. Nice.

Again congrats to everyone.

[nimkii]

Nice pics and congrats to you both...

[browndog]

Al that is awesome. I knew you and Katie could do it. The test sites all looked great. I really like the looks of the water holes they had you in. Now I guess you can get out and do some duck hunting eh!

Congrats again,

Scott

[FowlWeather]

Thanks for getting the picture of the fat Texan getting his ribbon.

[Drew Good]

Great pics once again Al and a huge Congrats on your pass :spoton: :spoton:

Drew

[LET'M RUN]

Congrats Al,well done. You and Katie had a great year and a storybook ending. You have proven that you can play with the big boys and I hope to see you and cheer you on in getting that GRHRCH title next you.:rockon:

[Mike Bons]

Great Pics!! Congrats Al, and to all of you who ran. Way to go.
Mike