Just gotta put up a lil Brag about Fall Testing thus far. Some may have been wondering where I've been, as it's been a very busy Fall with little time for much more than a quick pass through to see what the hot topics have been.

Testing started back in the end of September with a weekend at Freeland Kennel Club/Antracite Brittany Club, followed by a weekend at McKee Besher WMA/Mason Dixon GSPC, a couple weekends off and then 3 weekends in a row back up in PA at the Freeland KC grounds with Shuykill GSP Club, Eastern GSP Club and Delaware Valley GWP Club; finishing up this past weekend for a few weekends off for much deserved Grouse and Woodcock hunting for the puppers. I have nothing but KUDO'S for these Clubs, particularly for those using the Freeland grounds. For anyone that has never run there in a Test or Trial; the grounds are excellent and the Clubs use ONLY the most experienced Judges available to them with many, many years of watching dogs under their belts. Add in great food, great camraderie and a lot of talk about bird dogs and it just doesn't get much better!

The results thus far have been encouraging as Heinz(Rugers Black & Gold VD Himmel SH) finished up his Senior Hunter Title on October the 24th at the Eastern GSPC Hunt Test at Freeland. Heinz is a Black Roan male from my breeding owned by Parry Tomlin that really has a set of wheels on him! This boy has one goal when I put him on the ground and that is to find birds, no matter how much ground he has to cover to do so! At one point during his 1st SH run, it was suggested that he may be "teleporting" as he would cover one complete edge, disappear around the back side and just moments later, mysteriously materialize on the edge on the OPPOSITE side of the field! LOL! This young boy has been receiving his training in very small doses and if the Winter goes well with him, will be seeing a lot of Field Trials come Spring. No pix with all his ribbons yet, as I'm waiting for Parry to get them all to me this weekend for a good photo op.

Young Wyatt(Snip's Sixth-Sens Wyatt JH) owned by Jon Sensinger and bred by Brenda Roe and Rick Hopkins; has gotten 5 of his required 6 legs towards his Master Hunter Title. Being the mischievious 16 month old he was when we started Master Testing in September, he's had a few bumps along the way where he has performed like the Master dog he is maturing into most days, but had a few of those "I'm still just a puppy!" days that left me shaking my head and the Judges disappointed that they were not going to be able to award him a Qualifing leg. Those that have Tested at the higher levels know the scenario's.... those ones that leave you asking, "WTH just happened?" LOL! Jon and I decided that Jon and family couldn't bare another weekend without the young man at home and a few weeks off to Grouse hunt would do him good, but we plan to finish him up on his Master Title with that last needed leg in a few weeks. Mainly, Jon just wants to go bird hunting!

Last but not least was the star of the season for me, Dollar(Shady Cove's Bumin Money for Whisky MH) owned by myself, soon to be co-owned with me by Lisa Sensinger and bred by Kim and Jim Rohr in Western WV. Dollar finished his Master Hunter Title this past weekend and earned  quite a following of Judges along his path, whom repeatedly had high praise for him and kept reminding me that he made me look like I actually know what I'm doing! LOL! In 2 of his Test he earned 10's in 5 out of 6 of his scores with a 9 and under one particular Judge in another Test, whom owns Brittany's and "doesn't particularly care for Shorthairs"(his words), received the highest compliment "that I had better start collecting Dollar and get frozen on him, as he is one he!! of a Shorthair"!

I'm looking forward to a couple weeks of chasing Grouse and Woodcock here in the Appalachian's and being able to spend  some more time back on board and contributing where I may. Apologies for the life story from this Fall, but it's been a great Fall so far!

So as not to leave this post without at least 1 picture, here is a pic of Dollar with some of the Judges that awarded him with praise, Qualifiers and a lot of affection.