hesitation that they are a great group of people! I arrived at the Wye Island Clubhouse just before 5pm on Thursday,
Nov. 4th in time for the drawing of braces...... I didn't know they were going to put me to work!
After the braces for the Derby Classic were drawn (the Stake that Katy was entered in), Greg Nicholson looked at
me and told me "we all have to chip in here", and instructed me to start drawing numbers for dogs in the ASD. I met
Greg, Bill Wengart, Tom Davis (who was nice enough to scout for me on Friday), John Steger, Bob Pressman & Jerry Albanese
at the drawing and was invited out to dinner with them on Thursday night at the Fisherman's Inn. A bowl of Cream of Crab soup
and an entre' of Seafood Alfredo later- and I was ready for bed!
Friday morning arrived & we were greeted with dry weather & by the time the Derby Classic's first brace broke away we had
sunny skies! Katy & I were in the first brace along with Jerry Albanese and his female, "Rachael". Both dogs broke away clean
and headed for the edge. Racheal had the first bird contact- I took Katy to the front and she continued to work well. At about 15 minutes, Katy spun around and was standing a bird just to the front of Judge Eldon Hongo. I rode up to her, dismounted & as I approached- a hen pheasant exploded from the switchgrass. I fired my blank pistol & Katy broke on the shot....... which is allowable in a Derby stake, but not something I've come to expect from Katy at this point in her training. I called her back to heel, set her up, got back on my horse & whistled Katy on.
Jerry's dog had one more find- both Rachael & Katy finished to the front when time was called. There were 3 pros running dogs in the Derby Classic along with a handful of amateurs like myself. The competition was exceptionally stiff with national caliber dogs. It was a very good learning experience for both myself & Katy and we had a very good time. Katy didn't place, but she didn't embarass me & hopefully I held up my end of the deal. I was also fortunate enough to be parked next to Jim Yates on Friday- what a nice guy....... we talked for a while. Also met pro Dan DiMambro who I spoke with for a bit. It was nice to meet Matt Basilone finally after corresponding with him via phone & email a few times. I met Brian Smith from this board as well- thanks for the beer Brian!
All in all, it was a great 3 day trip. Thanks again to Tom Davis who took this greenhorn under his wing and scouted for me on Friday. Tom is a helluva guy who is a straight shooter & doesn't mince his words. We got along great!
I highly recommend anyone with a GSP who field trials to try and make it out to this event sometime in the future. Wye Island Management Area is absolutely GORGEOUS and you can see dogs very well. The ASD is just finishing up today with the Open Shooting Dog & Open All-Age to follow. This work thing (along with a wedding yesterday) interrupted my stay this year- but next year, I'm going to try & stay much longer.
Rob
