DVWC / GSWC Ratings

October 24, 2010.  Today was a beautiful day for the Delaware Valley and Garden State Weimaraner Clubs WCA Ratings tests.  I arrived at Colliers Mills at 6:30am and it was still dark (and creepy).  The sun rose quickly and we set up for the day's event.  Even though the grass was high and made picture taking a little difficult, I followed many braces and gave it a try.  The retrievings ratings were a bit easier to photograph and this was the first time I'd seen and participated in the retrieving ratings.  It's wonderful to watch this beautiful breed do what comes natural in hunting and retrieving. 

Nadine and Prada getting ready for Prada's first run at Novice Shooting Dog.

John decided to sit on top of this giant mound of sand to get a better view.  He was King of the Hill.  Good thing I snapped this picture just before he gave me another kind of bird :)

Sharon and daughter Prada reunite.  Of course they wouldn't stand still for a photo.

Sharon got some lovin' fom John before she went out in the field.

Sharon did not have a successful run at her NSD title.  I don't think this is her thing, like it is for Sawyer.

First up for Sawyer was the land retrieve.

Sawyer was off like a shot to get the bird....he looks like a giant schnauzer in this picture with his ears standing up like that.

But he returned with the bird and that's exactly what he needed to do.

Sawyer was successful with the land retrieve so we were off to the water retrieve part.  He needs to pass both pieces for the Novice Retrieving Dog (NRD) title. 

Dude and Sawyer driving to the water for the next part of the test.

I was worried about Sawyer going into the water to retrieve on the first try.  When we practice we usually start off with short retrieves and we build up distance.  He was a bit hesitent but with some encouraging he didn't disappoint me and went in to retrieve the duck.  I'm so proud of him!

Sawyer had his normal splashy approach but good thing we're not rated on grace.

Wow, so much splash!

He smoothed out once he reached the duck.

Sawyer returning with his prize.

But he must bring it to me in the circle.

Success!!  And a new title!!

We were already entered in the afternoon ratings test so we would still take our turn since we paid our entry and it would be good practice for Sawyer.

Prada was on point several times during her afternoon run for her NSD but unfortunately didn't get her title this time.  The tall grass and my distance kept me from getting a good shot but you can still see she's on point.

Momma's boy Sawyer with me before our afternoon land retrieve.

Watching the bird drop.

Sending Sawyer for the retrieve. 

I think his back legs are trying to go faster than his front legs.

Looking for the bird.

Found it!

Wait, aren't there more birds in those bags??  That seems easier.

He's a bit zig zaggy on his returns so we'll have to work on that.

Finally, the return and release.  Two paws and a bird in the circle...success!

After all that work and now I'm going to take the bird away from him...sorry!

 On to the water retrieve. I was hoping the second time around Sawyer would take less time to get into the water and he was much faster this time and needed less coaxing. 

Although he was not less splashy.

Oops, that's a leaf, keep going.

There's the bird!

Sawyer's swimming is so much smoother on the way back in.

 Another successful return for Sawyer.

 But I was unsuccessful in blocking the water shake, and with those ears there's quite a trajectory.

It was a successful day and we reached our goal of earning Sawyer's Novice Retrieving Dog title and along with that title we also earned a Versatile (V) rating from the WCA since Sawyer has earned enough points from at least 3 different sports. Guess it's on to VX next!

I'm so proud of Sawyer the accomplishments we've acheived together.

AKC/CKC/UKC CH Ashbrooke Quantrels Tom Sawyer Islnd, RLP, CGC, RL1, CD-H, JH, NSD, RN, RL2, RA, NRD,V...wow, that's a mouthful!

That's my man!