And the Canadian National Field Trial Champion is #4 2xNFTCH NFC TRULINE’S JUST FLOYD, Owned by Amie and John Henninger, and handled by Amie Henninger.

The National Amateur Field Trial Champion is #65 NFTCH-NAFTCH-AFTCH-AFC BAYPOINT THANKSGIVING DREAM, Owned by Bernard Landry, and handled by Bernard.

Congratulations Finalists!

Day 7

Here we are on the final day of the 2024 Canadian National Retriever Championship.  We have 14 dogs heading into the 10th series and one will be the new NFTCH!  Of the 14 dogs we have 9 pro-handled dogs and 5 amateurs vying for the title.   If a pro is named NFTCH, then there will be the an NAFTCH title  awarded to the top placing amateur handler.  Todays forecast is variable, depending on which weather app you check, we may get a thunder shower in the morning, or it may hold off until later this afternoon.  It was a low of 15 degrees overnight, so a warmer morning than the last few days and will be 25 degrees mid-day. Wind gusts 8-15 km out of the east.

The test is a water quad on the property of Rhonda & John Hyatt.  The far and left-hand shore have heavy cat tails and the pond is mostly covered with weed making it hard slogging for the dogs, the first 20-30 yards are lunging water.   There were some test adjustments this morning so the first test dog came to line at 8:30.   The guns are shot long right #1, a drake mallard thrown L-R at 193 yards, and this gun stays out.  #2 gun is center left, a hen mallard at 210 yards thrown R-L and lands in the water at the front side of the heavy cat tails gunners retire. Gun #3 is in the center and172 yards and thrown angle back R-L with a hen mallard, gunners retire. #4 is down the left hand short at 188 yards, a drake thrown on to the point L-R and gunners also retire.

The first test dog was Jameson – he got hung up in the series of cat tail points en route to the go-bird and need to be handled.  He was sent for the center bird (#3) and did a good job.  He was sent for #1 stand-out gun and took a line towards gun #3 up the center of the pond, came out behind the gun and need to be handled.  The last bird to pick up was #2, he took a line to the left of the bird and came up short and headed for the mowed slot in the cat tails and was asked to handle him to the bird, rather than let him hunt.

Test dog two was Putzi and Anne Steer.  Putzi also needed to be handled to the go-bird. She did a good job on #1 right hand gun, and #2 center left bird that lands in the water.  She needed to be handled to #2 center bird.  The test is approximately 22 minutes.  Dog #40 came to line at 9:20 and the rain has started…  Cel service is weak so will update as we can.

9:50am #40 Dan & Grit – handle

10:20am #42 Dan & Ruby – handle

10:56 #45 Chuck & Tommie – handle

11:20 #65 Bernard & Cooper – completed

11:43 #68 Dan & Bronco – completed

12:05pm #4 Amie & Floyd – completed

12:30  #55 Chuck & Nick – handle x 2

Bird change and short break.  Will resume @1:30pm

1:45 #14 Lorne & Murphy – handle x 2

1:55 #20 Dan & Quiz – handle / PU

2:31 #21 Connie & Jamie – completed

2:55 #75 Chuck & Prize – handle / PU

3:20 #25 Dave & Georgia – handle / PU

3:45 #31 Richard & Cisco – handle x 2

4:13 #33 Glynn & Spade – handle x 2

Once the series is completed, we meet at headquarters to crown the new NFTCH and possibly NAFTCH.

We thank all sponsors and supporters who have made this a tremendous event.  Thank you to the judges for giving their time, the workers for carrying out the many tasks, the property owners for graciously sharing their land and water, and our local hosts – camp Harwood, and the Andrew’s for hosting headquarters.

On behalf of the NRCC, I would like to thank my colleagues helping me to bring you daily reporting – Karen Carson and Carrie Whenham.  My sincere thanks ~ Hope Roberts