The Grand

Posted on December 26, 2003 by Shannon Nardi 

Oct 30, 2002 Crowley, LA
I arrived this day. I have been keeping tabs on Justin and Yella via internet and phone calls since last Thursday with their success. Steve Childress came and covered them on their first couple of days here.

The Grand had a large entry and it took some time to get thru the first two tests. It also rained and rained and rained from what I understand. It was so backed up we where lucky to get here before Justin and Yella ran 3rd series. I am sure Justin was wishing he was done but I was glad to catch the 3rd.

Justin came by our hotel and gave us the low down on what was going to happen the next morning. Bitch Check. This became my new favorite term for the next week. Bitch Check took place at 5:00am at the Wal-Mart parking lot. All the handlers and their dogs met there. The checker wore a head lamp and had a roll of toilet paper hanging around his neck. This was great. He made his rounds and checked all the females to make sure that they were not in heat. If so then they were automatically done. It seems sad but they must not drive the male dogs crazy. It was like a large male coffee clutch while the check was being done. It was fun. Justins group of friends huddled together and started early with the male harassment with each other. They seem to get a kick out of giving each other trouble about the previous day or what ever. I think it is just a way to relieve a little stress on long days. It is all in good fun.

The group split into 2 flights. Flights A and B. There are always 2 flights running a series. We followed our flight to the test area. We got lost trying to turn out of the parking lot and had to call Justin to get there. I hated calling him. He was so focused. I really had a problem even covering him in this event. It is much different from shooting a show in the duck woods. I didnt want to screw up he and Yellas chances with this. I did have him wear a mic during much of the time. He as a good sport about it. I know he mind was not on making a great show this time, it was on getting Yella thru the next test.

All the participants at the event were very helpful with us. I appreciated that very many beings that I knew how important each and every step was to each handler and his dog.

I watched the competitors move thru each holding blind. Deep thoughts seemed to take place and a very strong bond between handler and dog. All the handlers were very supportive of each other as they ask each other how they did. The test is a pass/fail outcome and each of them rooted for each other the whole way through.

I watched Justin and Yella closely as they went from holding blind to holding blind. He would kneel down and hold her close as the guns before her would go off. He would try and keep her steady and calm. I loved the bond between them.

The test proved difficult as many champion dogs did not make it through.

Justin came to the line, Yella was a little ahead of herself, but nailed the test. 3 marks and the blind. Justin had a little prob with depth perception on the blind but made it with very few whistles. We did great and passed the third and off now to the 4th series. Call backs were held this evening at this farm in a cool barn. This is the official word on who moves up and who does not. We got our ribbon and were all smiles this evening.

Nov 1,2002
Early to rise again for the bitch check and coffee. I stood back and just watched and thought a lot about what I had seen the last couple of days. I knew I could cover this event in a way that would be very entertaining to a viewing audience. It would make a great 1 hour show/documentary. So much is happening and there are so many great folks involved. Maybe one day. It is fun to dream.

The 2 flights were split and off to the 4th series. We stayed with the caravan closely this morning. It was a long day. I worked in the truck a lot today and made a lunch run for the crew and friends. The lunch spot was Cest Bon. It was incredible. My favorite the Crab Po Boy. Very yummy. When I returned with lunch it was getting close for Justin and Yella run. This test had it elements. Running water and winds are not a good combo and we had them both on the way to the Blind. It is hard to hear a whistle with these elements. This proved to be a crucial part of this test.

As Justin approached the holding blinds a new element came way. A large piece of farming equipment started to plow fields behind the test grounds. This was another bit of noise I am sure not wanted by anyone. I never asked Justin but I knew it would have to play on his mind a little. It was somewhat of a blessing because the plowing stopped right as they approached the line to the 4th series.

Yella did well. Some wind problems blowing the blind away from the blind pole but we made it and on to the 5th we go. We ate dinner at Cest Bon again. It is really good, you should go if you ever get the chance. The boys were really serious this evening. Tomorrow would be the final day. The Upland test. The 5th Series.

Nov 2, 2002
Well it is the last Bitch check, I am going to miss this. The usual group of guys were split this morning. Justin and Yella would not run for a while so we went and scanned tapes. JT gets a kick out of scanning tapes, so I hand him a pad and paper and have him log for me. Kill 2 birds with one stone. I think that is the right saying.

When we returned Justin and Yella were already in the zone for the 5th. I told Steve not to mic him on this one, it was to important. I watch Justin and Yella walk to the last holding blind. I had watched Larry and Star complete the test in front of him. He was all smiles. It was priceless. My stomach was quezzy and my heart began to pond. I was a nervous wreck and I wasnt even running this thing. Everything seemed to go in slow motion. Justin was paired with Linda Brewer on this final series. A small crowd of folks stuck around to see if Yella would do it. Justin and Yella made it thru the first part and proceeded around the corner while Linda and Liza ran. The bird flushed, the whistle blew, and Liza sat. Linda and Liza made it.

Justin and Yella rounded the corner and started quartering. She quartered well. She looked great. The bird was planted. I could hardly breathe much less shoot the camera. It was forever, I swear it was in slow motion. I was covering Justin and could not see Yella Justins gun went up, he shot, the whistle blew and he bowed his body. I knew. I knew she didnt sit on the whistle. The crowd sighed, and my heart sunk for them. I knew Justin was deeply disappointed but he kept his chin up. They went back to the truck, Yella never even realizing that any thing was really any different.

Steve said it best when he told Justin that when she broke she was all smiles as she chased that Chucker at full speed.

Call Backs were bitter sweet. All our friends passed the grand and got their ribbons. Justin and Yella, well they will be back I am sure of it.

Even though the outcome, the Grand was a grand experience for me, one to always remember.