The 2009 Master National Event was held at The K C Beefmaster’s Bluff Creek Ranch in Manheim, Texas. The first tests began Sunday morning October 25th. It was cool with a mild southeasterly breeze and partly cloudy sky. Kitty was in Group B and her trainer/handler is Pat McHale of Ridgewood Kennels.

This series consisted of three marks (pheasants) from right to left, the first being a live flyer that landed at the bottom of a ravine or slightly up a hill. The 2nd mark angled back slightly left and landed against a brush line on the opposite side of a pond. The 3rd mark and go-bird angled back slightly right and landed approximately 50 yards out across a small ravine.

The go-bird wasn't much of an issue but may have burned some memory on the other marks for some dogs. Most dogs went for the middle mark next and many established a hunt but eventually had to be handled to it. The flyer (memory bird) also proved to be a challenge for many dogs. There were many dogs that required handling to either find the bird or keep them off the "old fall" of the middle mark.

We are very happy to report that Kitty performed Test 1 very clean and respectfully with no handles. We are very proud of her and look forward to test 2.

Test 2 began on Wednesday October 28. This test was a land/water combo which consisted of three marks (one of which was a live flyer) and a blind. The weather on the Monday and Tuesday prior were atrocious with around 4 inches of rain. This caused delays mainly on Test 1 and it was Thursday morning before Kitty ran the 2nd series.

The first mark was a long one that was placed right to left at the back side of a pond. The next mark was a live flyer to the left of the pond thrown from right to left. The last mark was short thrown from right to left and landed on the front side of the pond almost in line with the first mark. The blind was placed between the left bank of the pond and the spot where the flyer was landing.

Kitty got a nice break in the weather during her run. Pat sent her on the go-bird, then the flyer with no problems. After she was sent on the memory bird she made it to the water and got hung up in drag-back or something. Pat sensed trouble and started handling her across the center of the pond. She handled well and snatched up the bird. Her blind was clean and crisp.

Pat was feeling ill so we sent him home and told him we would get the callbacks for him. That was good for him because while waiting for the callbacks we were hit with VERY high winds and heavy rain. Cindi and I, along with many others, stood in the pelting rain waiting patiently while the judges hammered out who would be called back to run the 3rd series. The rain and wind finally settled and under a very light sprinkle we finally heard #144 called out! Here are some pics of Kitty's run:

Test 3 began on Thursday October 29. This test was a land test which consisted of three marks (one of which was a live flyer). The weather Thusday afternoon was scary as a cold front blew in hard and instantly lowered the temperature 20 degrees. It was Friday morning before Kitty ran the 3rd series and the weather was awesome by then.

The marks went from left to right with the first one landing on the edge of a mott of trees. The line to the mark went through a wooded ravine and up a gentle slope. The middle mark was the flyer, thrown from right to left in an open field. The go-bird was a short mark on the right thrown right to left. Most handlers picked their birds up right, left, middle. There was alot of handling.

Kitty hunted short and had to be handled to the left mark. She handled clean and picked up her other marks without any trouble. In spite of the handle she made the callback.

Test 4 began on Saturday October 31, 7:30 am. The weather was ideal with temperatures starting out in the mid 40's and clear skies. Throughout the day there was a mild Northwest breeze. There were 128 dogs called back so we had a lot of work to do.

This test was a land/water combo with a double blind. It consisted of three marks, left to right, with the last mark a flyer. The first mark was thrown left to right and short; it landed up a slope tucked in a small grove of trees and across a body of water divided by a thin finger of land. The middle mark was thrown right to left and landed near the water but on the bank. The flyer was hand-thrown from left to right and landed on dry ground. After picking up the marks two blinds were planted simultaniously; a short one on the left and a long one up the middle.

Kitty hammered the marks with no handles, then ran two very impressive blinds. God I love that girl!