20:07:04
Rain. Wind. Fog. (10:30 to 19:00 )
Trial day. Run broken up into three segments mainly by getting lost in fog.
Jump:-He ran for a total of about 25mins with a bit of go and handled well. Didn't make second round, thank god, due to disjointed nature of run. Positive Note:- He is looking quite fit and feels hard to the touch.
12:10 19C Little Wind. Hazelbank Park.
Jalad:- This was a run around for the pup with a bit of dropping and recalling. Added spice was a point on a starling which he held until Misty who was on a lead bumped him.
Black Mountain. 16:10 21C SW 1-2.
Misty:- She wasn't herself today, a bit lethargic. She ran for 40mins. Handled quite well and seems to have developed the tendency to quarter but not neatly as yet. She had a succession of false points. This is not the disaster it may at first seem as they were proper false points, not haunts or larks etc. She was demonstrating her inclination to hunt and point game. In fact there were several times that she stopped and watched a few larks away without showing any inclination to chase until another of those dammed wood pigeon snatched defeat from the jaws of victory and enticed her into a dander down the mountain. She even backed Jalad when he pointed. This is a time for softly softly, I am not worried about overall control, the youngsters must NEVER be chastised in any way on game. Up to the flush that is. If she isn't steady to wing I can go back and reinforce the drop but not in the presence of game. It will come together eventually. This is the start of Misty's Long Day which is planned for Sunday when we are going to count at Glenarm Castle. She will get a long run tomorrow night, several, say four runs on Saturday and should be ready for grouse on Sunday.
Jalad:- Off the lead the whole time Misty was running. He has become quite a large pup all of a sudden and the long grass and heather wasn't the big problem I had expected. He pointed a few larks, he backed Misty a couple of times and pointed bog cotton. He was quite steady when Misty showed an inclination to steal one of his points. This is the most forward, and mature, pup I have had since Roi
Really quite pleased the way things have come on all of a sudden and can't wait to get to Scotland.
I try not to give dogs human attributes, but I know before I go out to feed that Jump will be in a huff because he was left behind. Although he is a smart dog he won't remember he was left behind until he sees the other two brought back into the kennel. He won't look at me for at least a half an hour.
24:07:04
13:00 Beechfield. Overcast but warm. Spots of Rain.
All dogs:- Just a run about in preparation for Misty's Long Day tomorrow. A visitor prevented me taking any dogs out late on last night. The young dogs get a good gallop in the fields, chase the odd lark and dump a lot. Misty had a good thrash about.
24:07:04
16:00 Clandeboye Estate.
Misty:- A good walk in the forest which marches Beechfield. The bitch on her own. A good 45mins working close in the wood. She quartered a small field near the release pen in an exemplary manner and handled well. She pointed and produced three coveys of young pheasants from heavy cover She looked like a pin cushion when we were finished. These coveys weren't in the game plan but did no harm. In fact they got her really hunting hard. This is turning into quite a clever little dog, but that doesn't necessarily mean she will be any easier to finish. On todays performance I would be quite happy to keep her as my shooting dog but I feel she has what it takes to win trials. Has anybody seen that tube of Super glue? I have a handle to stick on.
25:07:04
08:30 15C ENE 1-2 Fine Rain & or drizzle.
Misty:-After a couple of minutes she ran quite well in high heather. Quartering well and I didn't really have to use the whistle at all. She did cut short a few times but must have run for about an hour in total. Usually with Breeze.
Breeze:- Quite pleased, showed a lot of guts in the heavy stuff. Handled well and strangely enough took in more ground than ever before even thought this was tough going. About 50Mins in total.
Jump:- Pace, drive, flat, handled a dream ran for about 45mins in total.
Luke:- The retired gentleman's shooting companion. Tore the hill to shreds, but was a bit wayward on the whistle. As Sod's Law suggests all the birds found by my dogs were found by Luke and not Misty.
This count is a part of a high level project so I don't wish to comment on what was seen. The heavy heather was above my waist, the middling stuff came to about the top of my gaiters and the "Good" stuff came to about half way up my calf.
Lexi,Jalad,& Jet:- They got a 15Min free run at the end. Lexi isn't showing much at present but she is a glider and can go like stink in peat hags.
Just enforce, practice, the drop away from game and get it to such a level that the dog willingly obliges , almost without thinking so that when game is involved you, hopefully have full control of the situation.
27:07:04
17:55 Black Mountain Light Northernly breeze. Misty. 18.5C
Misty&Breeze:- 40mins. Concentrated on Breeze. This is a bit of a paradox of a dog. He is as fit as a flea and went like the wind today. Strangely enough I am pleased to say that he took me on a couple of times and he has the capability to be a really outstanding animal. You would wet your pants if you saw him on point. I hope he goes like this in the forthcoming trials. Misty ran quite well and I just dropped her a few times to keep her in check.
Jump:- Poor old Jump. I have started to prepare him for Scotland where control is must more of a requirement. He is a bit baffled when you turn him at 300 yards, He sort of looks at you and seems to say " Me? Turn? Are you really sure?"
Still, when you have his beat set he turns of his own accord and you don't really have to blow at him much.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Join! (free) 
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
