Pat’s Perspective
Here we are six days into the National and we are 10 dogs or so into the Sixth Series. This is typically where the National begins. We just completed two blinds yesterday. The numbers have been reduced from 153 to 70. Very often this test is a quad with two flyers. I understand that was the judges plan. However, with hot and humid conditions predicted for later today, the judges pulled one of the flyers and the honor. It is great to see that the well-being of the dogs takes a high priority.
I am always amazed how your first impression on what the dogs are going to do turns out to be wrong. It appeared that the valley would square the dogs to the right on both retired guns. I thought that would produce big hunts and handles. It has done that to some degree, but they seem to recover pretty quickly. Just when I thought a pattern was developing things are changing. A few dogs are now climbing the hills to the right. I am not sure if the conditions are changing or the handlers are reacting to the previous running dogs? And now a dog comes up and drills all three birds. It was awesome! I never get tired of watching an incredible effort. It sends chills down your spine.
This test is likely to undergo multiple changes through the course of the day. Keep an eye on the blog for more updates. Things are really getting exciting…