2015 NRC: Nov 6, 2015

Friday, November 6, 2015

The Set-Up Crew …

Thanks to all the folks who worked so hard this past week to prepare for the National. Thanks to Field Trial Chairman, Julie Cole, for this great photo.

"… Will work for Bloody Mary's!"

Many Hats …

This gentleman wears many hats … can you guess who it is?

Where's "head cook and bottle washer?"

Teamwork...

Just to let our audience know that there are more than just the three ladies under the tent working on the blog. Tina Styan, the Managing Editor of Retriever News makes posts and does most of the photography – this will be her 21st National (now, of course, that counting two Nationals a year, plus the Master National.) Gwen Jones is a volunteer who joined the team back five years ago when the event was in Vicksburg, MS the first time! She follows and records what every single dog does for each series – she doesn't miss a beat and has been an invaluable asset for the News and has been with us for 13 Nationals. Tera Lanczak, another volunteer, joined the Team back in 2012 when the National Open was in Texas. Tera is partial to the Field Trial Nationals and has only missed one – this is now six under her belt. Tera inputs most of the information into the blog to create a play-by-play of the event!

But there's more to it then just the three Retriever News Team Blog members. While we are on site, we are supported by the two staff members of Retriever News, Sara Sommerfeld and Regina Vandenlangenberg. We get assistance from some folks in the form of sketches and diagrams. We have others who send us photos they have taken. And many people share in the comments portion of the blog which both warms our hearts and keeps us on our toes. We appreciate people pointing out omissions, sometimes it is hard to keep up … we're only human.

We are very grateful to our Sponsors. It is very expensive to bring three people on site for more than ten days and they are the reason we are able to bring this event to life … So don't you hesitate to join in and be part of the Blog!

Getting Ready For The Dance

Everyone is using the last couple days to prepare for the Main Event. Many of these Handlers and Retrievers are coming from varies parts of the country to compete. It's important to expose these canine athletes to climate, terrain, vegetation, & water in this region.

Danny Farmer & NRC Dottie

Kenny Trott, Ryan Brassaux, Steve Yozamp, Bill Totten, Milton & Sherry McClure, Bobby Lane,
Steve O'Connell and John & Martha Russell are doing a little work off of a mound.

The training groups are treated to a grander view of the mountain range while they train their dogs on the designated training grounds. This is a look at Mt.Shasta. For a look at the many training grounds available and the gracious landowners – click the link to see the Training Grounds Booklet:

http://www.theretrievernews.com/uploads/5/0/1/0/50103541/2015_nrc_directory_screen.pdf

Early Scratches

We have two scratches to announce … one due to injury, the other is a bitch in season. We may have more as the official bitch check is tomorrow after the General Meeting:

61. FC-AFC Tucquan's Ode To Sweetness JH "Payton", LM, Sammie Thompson

74. FC Mossy Oak's Fowl Language "Naughty", LF, Steve Blythe

Reminder about Time Zones …

Just a quick note to remind everyone that the RN Blog team is here on location in Corning, California. The time stamps from our blog posts will reflect this Pacific time zone. So if you are in the Midwest or the East, waiting for updates in the morning...when it is 8:00 am there...it is only 6:00 am (or 5:00 am) here in California....so we are just barely getting underway at that time.

Just so there is no confusion! Thank you!

Feeling Thirsty?

We have traveled from Sacramento where we fly in to, north to Corning, California where it is cool and DRY! The humidity yesterday was 30%. The surroundings look parched except where they water around the Rolling Hills Casino. And, of course, the fairways and greens on the golf courses!