It’s along time til next season. Thought I’d share a couple pics from a NSTRA trial I attended in December in Montgomery

Thanks a bunch. Brings back some memories. I posted a photo essay on a NSTRA trial several years ago. The photos have been deleted. Here is all that remains


November 14th – 15th, 2009
Three Oaks Ranch D/D Open
Floresville, TX
Chairman: Scott Thomas
Co-chairman: Marilyn Thomas

I was the guest of Scott Thomas, and his lovely wife Marilyn, at their Three Oaks ranch near Floresville. The ranch abounds with deer, turkey, and dove.

Marilyn and Scott fed a minimum of 120 people over the weekend. Everything was great. They brought it all off with grace and panache. A photo essay follows.

Scott has a really nice place in Floresville.

Good looking mutts.

Here is a picture of Cookie and me in the blind at the national Endurance trial up in Kansas. She got braced up with her mother which was the winningest female of any breed in NSTRA. She got waxed 4/2.



They had open trials before the Endurance. I got to Judge one day.

She won our region.





She was a two time champion. They gave out plaques.

Good job 68! Love the pics. Lots of memories made Bill.

Looks like a good time! NSTRA trials are a blast!

Was that trial on jimmys place west of Montgomery on 105?

Yes.

Belle had two placements this past weekend, in both of her braces on Sunday. Need to work with her some more in the fall, but she has figured out the game a lot better than her handler.



Pic below was a gallery bird point about 10 seconds into the run (taken on a phone, so bad quality - sorry).

So Belle has started honoring the short tailed dogs?

No on honoring short hairs and brittanies, I just call her off. Way the ball has bounced, she has never wild bird hunted with a docked tailed dog, its strange for sure.

Congratulations on your two placements. It's a great feeling.

Also, anyone who is near a trial should show up at Saturday's lunch with your dog. The fields are full of birds after the trial ad you are welcome to hunt the leftover birds.

Rust...I also need to work on her heeling, she is definitely not walking gently by my side as we walk up to the take off line - that's for sure. Little unmannered girl sure 'nuff will throw rocks in your face when she takes off of the line though

I can get mine to heel at home, it’s a different story at a trail w/shotgun in hand.

Things must have changed since my last trial. Everyone kept the lead on until breakaway back then.

We still keep the lead on Bill, the trick is getting up to the line with a bird crazy dog and keeping your shoulder socket intact

That is what i remember

Congrats on your placements.

I was there also and Judee placed 1st and 2nd on Saturday. Got beat by Tex, Sunday on the B field. Judee found 3 birds on the A field and I missed one bird and got a zero on the retrieve, didn't know you could release your dog to retrieve anyways. She is steady to wing and shot, so didn't send her. Next time.

It's a game, I need to know how to play it better.

I have the brown fuzzy dog, a Pudelpointer, hollar at me at the next trial. I don't remimber if we met or not.

Congrats again.

The judges should keep the newer trialers informed.

I am sure they probably told me at one point, my fault, it was a whirl wind for me and the first time for us to hunt with another dog.

We will run again.

Congratulations too all, thanks for sharing . Forrest