Ainsworth Training Report - July 28 - Aug 3

Monday, June 28 – warm even at sunrise – going to be a hot one. We're starting to road but Linda is hurting with the hamstring/groin pull – not fun. We're going to start roading and run some pups then back to chores – still need to work on the bird house – it slid to one side and is very unstable with the main support beam cracked. We're working on it.

Meadows:

• Neely & Trixie - Neely came back to camp twice and that was her day Trixie showed some talent and ran pretty well. 12 min.

• Bart & Baby – Bart's 1st time around a horse or out in the field – not bad – Baby just not getting with the program yet. . 15 min.

• Brenna & Blitz – Just down for the exercise – Blitz ran a forward hard hunting race – Brenna big and going front – just a nice job for both dogs. 17 min.

Roading:

• Lea, Mariah, Hank & Katie - 20 min. plus waterstops

• Erin, Midge, Ritha ( had Tess there too but she kept slipping – need some work) – 20 min.

• Shauna & Dolly – 16 min. ( Clint started but he is too stressed with Joy in heat and the heat – 2 min).

Warming right up but we went to town and got some supplies for the bird pen. Decided to mount it on concrete blocks – more support on the bottom structure. We got it done and at least functional – where's Alex!!!! Birds coming tomorrow.

Got back to camp and started to cook – rain clouds come rolling in and Bob and I based on our vast experience with sandhill rainstorms told everyone it would pass us by. It poured – Roger got 1.5 " at his place. A little damp making dinner but we can't complain. Had a good dinner --- inside ( rain lasted much longer then expected) and told camp stories. A nice night – Mary headed back to her room in town and called it a night. Got a good nights sleep until we lost some power for awhile but not long – around 5:30.

Tuesday, July 29 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY PHIL!!!!!!!! My brother's B-Day -

Cooler this morning – everyone survived the rain – got up very early and loading horses and dogs by 6:45 – Sent Ed out with a brace to road while we finished loading dogs & horses and stuff. More roading later – heading south end of Triple gates.

Roading:

• Ernie, Midge, Brenna & Annie -- Annie slowed group down – Midge darted aftertweetie birds. 20 min. – just to acclimate – Ernie in good shape.

• Suzie & Tess – had to double hook Tess – Suzie pulled hard-10 min.

• Inde & Lea – 10 min.

Hills:

• Karma & Erin – fast and furious – that's Karma – Erin a bit slower ( no conditioning) but both hunted and ranged front. Erin at 28 worked nicely into a good spot – stopped loosely – moved up and styled up. A slow approach from the front produced 3 flushes of 3 or 4 birds each and 2 pistol shots – a gentle, acceptable mark and good manners to the end. Lots of praise – sent these 2 on and got a decent finish considering we were down 45 min. & warming. Karma flat won on the ground but Erin was acceptable – Erin showed me good sense. 10 young chickens. This brace really put us into a good move and we were anxious for more work. We were in the 1st south pasture from triple gates.

• Gloria & Brie – Glory the stronger course – Brie much improved from the other day. 2 flushes of wild chickens – 1 had 9 or 10 and 1 had 4 but couldn't get
dogs to find them. Warming on this brace but plenty of water to cool them. Brie
had some turtle work but not bad – worked through or went on so we have had
a positive attitude. 32 min.

• Mariah & Amos - Mariah hunting nicely and moving with good style, Amos fast and attractive and I think a significant improvement – Mariah chased a duck and I let it go but Bob caught up with her and made the correction. Both dogs made game in an area with Chicken – some caution but wild flush and both chased – Amos caught 1st and brought back – let him go and he pointed 3 birds w/great style and manners. Both dogs got a bit lateral but still hunting as it warmed. A rather ugly encounter with a nesting duck for both dogs were not what we wanted to finish but we called it a day. 28 min. About a dozen chickens!

Meadows:

• Clifford & Patsy – Ed and Mary took a walking brace with Patsy showing a desire to hit the cover and Clifford got a good swimming lesson and cover hunting. Clifford a solid Turkey point at about 16 and this lit his fire for a strong finish. Good for both dogs. 20 min.

• Inde pups – 2 young pups took a walk in tall cover – they were very Inquisitive – the little girl more independent. Boy found a dead turtle.

The Hungarian Partridge arrived about 11:30 am so we got our birds all set up in their new home. Came back to camp and went out to the other Johnnie houses. Ed checked the two at home and then we went to the Steele place. We've got some work to do on them but nothing too major. We have quail coming Friday AM and we should be up to speed shortly thereafter.

A rather quiet afternoon – met a semi on the road to Steele's place and it turned out to be our dog food delivery. Back to camp for a quick unloading at the new building. Then back to finishing our chores. Still trying to breed Joy/Sorell but no luck yet. Getting close! Went to the Golden Steer restaurant in town for dinner - had a good meal and enjoyed the pleasant evening. Waitress was fun and even enjoyed our opinion of Mr. G ordering his salad with 'Dorthy Lynch' on the side. Just hit our he/haw bone last night.

Back to camp and calling it a night. Seems to be milder and less humid tonight. Hopefully this weather will break.

Wednesday, July 30 – nice this morning but the forecast is not good – heat is building and we're looking at 100's on the weekend. Andy ( Stan's Horse) broke out in hives again and I was just thinking he was over it. Got him on the med's and talked to the Vet – more coming out. He's such an outstanding horse but he has no luck with his skin. He doesn't act up at all, we just try to keep him clear of it.

Busy morning planned – trying to beat the heat.

Roading:

• Suzie, Inde, Katie & Ritha - 24 min group – need to keep Ritha & Katie on the outside.

Hills:

• Lea & Hank – set these two down @7:15 am – a better morning but not what I would call cool. Big moves and lots of hunt with both dogs hanging out together Lea her 1st time on the ground since January – having puppies and everything and she was amazing. Good speed and great stamina. Couldn't get them into birds – close but the race was fun. Lea was strong – hit the windmill at 24 and right back at it – Hank flowed with us better – not quite as big as Lea or her pop but still a nice time on the ground for both dogs. 38 min. Lea didn't want to get picked up and went self hunting for 7 or 8 min. 6+ chickens plus covey of baby sharptails – maybe 3-4 weeks old. Kept the dogs out of that spot.

• Bart & Trixie – Trixie the more experienced and conditioned – both hunted w/Bart into cactus – shut him down a bit but got into chickens and picked right up giving excellent chase – Trixie into chickens as well.

• Neely & Baby – Kinda of a messed up brace – Baby back to the truck Neely with then got them going – drove on and they got Baby going front – Neely went everywhere but with us – leaving and going a full mile back to the break away even though we didn't leave anything there – she's kinda off her game so far but Search and Rescue Team (Bob, Ed L. & Ed. M) got her rounded up and back to camp.

Roading: Ed continued the days list

• Sorrel, Midge, Tess & Shauna - taking it slow with Sorrel – he has lyme's and is on the treatment. Midge – good –but crazy with birds flying on the rig. Shauna a pro – Tess bit of a flake but learning. 17 min.

• Blitz, Annie & Dolly – Blitz should be an A-Team roader – Annie not real sure of the rig and Dolly a pro – just taking it easy with her. 15 min.

Mary takes Patsy and Clifford for walks in the meadow and he hunts a storm. Looking for birds.

The crew went to town and got lots of parts, pvc black pipe for a mist set up for the dogs.
Also picked up a refrigerator that we bought from Heather's grand parents. Did some grain shopping in Long Pine and checked out the local market. Made sure the Huns were well settled in and will release some tomorrow.

Back to camp and time for dinner. Still warm and humid. Problems doing much with the dogs but more progress everyday. Had a good meal and some conversation but stereo not yet working – have to get if rewired!

Thursday, July 31 – warm but a breeze. Off to the hills with our crew being ready to go early.

Roading:

• Erin, Mariah, Suzie & Ritha - 22 min. solid

Hills:

• Ernie & Karma – Karma the better of the two but neither one had their head on and we had a missed gate so we were totally disorientated – had them down for quite awhile but not their best. 45 min. ( 2 birds seen but none with the dogs)

• Kate & Gloria – both dogs hunted well with Gloria in better condition. NP for Kate ( not a turtle) and a few turtle pick ups but she readily dropped as long as stayed quiet--- interesting. Gloria into birds that took some correction. Kate was pretty big and went with us – a decent performance. 1 chicken – 39 min.

Meadow:

• Brenna & Amos – Heating up already so we cut these two loose headed up the meadow as I drove back to camp. Brenna had a NP next to the corn circle – probably a running pheasant. Both ran well in the heat – 35 min. no birds.

• Clifford - a nice run in the meadow with one bird contact. Showing a lot of hunt and good stamina at this point.

Roading: Ed back at it.

• Sorrel & Inde - 22min. solid job ( Sorrel had a tie w/Joy this morning)

• Tess & Annie – 18 min. Tess learning with Ed's patience – roading not her strong suit to this point. She needed a front hook up so she couldn't slide out and that worked – took it off at the halfway mark.

Thursday afternoon was a trip to town trying to fine Phil a phone we could be assured working or an amplifier which we had to order some of the parts. Still trying to get the sprinkler head repaired – they're just real busy around town this year.

Friday, August 1 – no roading list today – just trying to get up to speed with some birdwork. Quail coming today. Cool morning but the promise of heat this afternoon. We're out early & ready to go on the meadows.

Meadows:

• Brenna & Gloria – I went and put out some Huns just ahead of the group. The girls did fine until the middle of the field when a Skunk had to say hello to Gloria – she got hit but not real bad. A very nice find for Gloria – until the flush – she needed a bit of correction. Brenna got one pointed and had good style and manners. The huns are flying great. 25 min

• Sorrel & Karma – Sorrel has the ladies on his mine but was all business when he was set down – good hunting race –not quite on the edges enough but ok & Karma reaching nicely. Sorrel an opportunity to handle a legit STF which he didn't and was corrected. No birds for Karma and as we swung back – the skunk was back.

We decided to bird work a bunch but 1st did a sneak attack on our striped back menace. I don't think he'll be back to harass us.

Birdwork:

• Shauna – worked her on the point and had a good stylish point with good manners.

• Amos – nice stylish fine with good manners.

• Midge- nice point – gone w/bird – got her attention and put a cord on her she handled it great.

Meadows: now some more running for young dogs.
• Bart & Baby (baby didn't want to go so he switched to Trixie – nice lap but no birds.
• Neely & Clifford – Clifford shows lots of hunt and pattern with good range – Neely not getting it yet – maybe won't!
• Karma – Ed took Karma back out and worked her on a bird – good job. – camp was over for Ed – he's heading out.

Went to town and got the rest of the parts for Phil's phone upgrade along with the
our first batch of quail. Did the chores and got Ed to help put birds out. We drove
down the lane to the west going to the Sidell loop and as we left camp we flushed a big
bunch of birds – all chickens – 3-4 almost full grown and another bunch ½ grown.

Meadows:

• Annie – Ed took Annie on a lead and got a good ST on them with no problem small steps for her but a good piece of work.

Ed and Gloria were squeaky clean for their trip home. Ed had changed clothes and loading up when he got a whiff of Gloria. Whoops – our skunk buddy had left his mark. Ed had to change again and give her a serious bath – then load up and head out. Ed's 1st trip to camp was a success and he had fun and learned about summer camp on the hills.
His dogs are fast with tons of eye appeal and honest bird dogs. He's developing a very good string.

We had a good dinner with Heather & Jason stopping by and Devin after they finished working. A long hard day but they had put a big hit in mowing – with good weather they should be done in a few days. The crew was haying late and all came by at dark for a cold one and little time to cool down. Clear night with lots of stars. Got woke up about 4 am with the dogs going ballistic – couldn't see anything but Ed heard a crash about that time – could've been the bulls were acting up and taking it out on each other. Go figure but the clarity of the stars and quantity was unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday, August 2 – no rain in the forecast but a cloudy start to the day. Devin had to work but Jason & Heather made the trip. Jason working a horse for someone – bit of a brat but he's making progress.

This is Mary's last day for a few weeks – going to come back for a long weekend – she's been a great help and loves the game!

Roading: Ed got the 1st one off as we got ready.

• Blitz, Inde, Kate & Suzie - the old pro's just get the job done – 26 min.

Hills: Went to Richardson's school section – water back up some but not as much as other spots I've been.

• Ritha & Brie – I handled Ritha and she was quite short and handy as we punched a strong headwind – just had to let her take it easy – Brie about the same but a little more sticky around turtles – got Bob's dander up a bit and I don't blame him but a nice point with good manners on a single and as Bob went to her the rest of the covey left – 4-5 more – nice piece of work. Crossing the water Jason's horse really tried to be a brat but he stayed with it. Got them going with the wind and they opened up some. Overall a more consistent forward GD race from Ritha w/no birdwork – Brie a good bird but cactus and turtles did her in. 39 min. 6-7 chickens.

• Shauna & Erin –these 2 have the tools but Erin was just off his game early – with the young female just burying him – we worked east and Bob & Jason had to get her – back to the south it was pull and tug w/Shauna and while Erin was smooth and opened up as we turned back to camp – he really rolled the last 15+ minutes and was a pleasure to watch. Shauna has the youth and eye appeal. She couldn't be caught at pick up and they had to ride to get her. A fun brace. 30 min. 4 birds seen but none worked.

In order to move to the windmill, we through the horses in and tried to make the hill-
had to unload the horses and attack the sand – just a delay. Jason and Heather heading
to Norfolk so they're out of here. Jason made sure I could get moving before he left
us.

• Midge & Hank – unfortunately we hit the cactus right off the bit and I'm trying to keep Midge with me – I did too good of a job. Ed Meyer was on Hank when he almost handled a STF but Bob had to chase him down. Midge had a really good STF almost getting them pointed it – but clean for the shot and a lot of praise. Just taking baby steps with her. We kept them near water and Midge and Hank had some good minutes but more time spent on cactus overall. 30 min. 2 or 3 birds.

Roading: Back at camp – heat is rising.

• Ernie, Lea & Mariah – 22 min. – no problems. Ernie in the best shape but the others doing fine.

• Dolly, Annie & Tess – 17 min. Tess off the front lead and starting to get an idea – need her to get into it & she is.

Back in the house – Owen practicing his violin – boy he's making some great music. Just fun to listen to. 98+ today with strong humidity – got the sprinkler on the dogs and tomorrow we install the 'mister'.

Birds are doing fine so far – even in the heat – going through the water and feed.

After the morning run, Mary P. and I did snap tests on 7 dogs – all negative across the board but mainly interested in Lyme's disease after seeing 2 dogs have problems. All ours were fine so that's good news. Mary was a trooper all week – hard working and pitching in wherever needed. We got 2 good ties on Joy/Sorrel breeding so that made us positive. That could be a great litter. Mary packed up and hit the road leaving Clifford out dog out of the Norwegian bitch – he's a very nice dog – good looking and a real bird dog – having lots of fun with him(Clifford for those who are interested).

Afternoon was too hot for anything but we did some shopping – got birds all filled up and then Bob got Ed all set up with his MacBook Pro computer. Mac is the wave of the future – amazing what we can do with these units. Our camp might be the most tech orientated camp with wireless, boosters, 3-4 units online at any given time - allows us amateurs to compete and enjoy our time away.

Phil, Jenny and a cast of thousands will arrive later tonight. Actual time was almost 10:00 pm just as we were getting hit with a nice rain storm. More wind, thunder and lightning than rain. Great to have them all here in camp. They spent the night unhooked but got up early and started getting things together.

Sunday, August 3 – overcast this morning with a strong breeze. More heat in the forcast for today and tomorrow but 80's the rest of the week. That's good news.

We're giving the dogs Sunday off ( maybe it's us we're giving off)!!

Birdwork:

• Annie- Ed is leaving today so we worked Annie down at the Hun House and had a decent piece of work – she didn't see bird fly but I threw one and she stood mannerly. Not a bad Session.

• Sorrel- wanted to get his mind off Joy and he worked pretty good but couldn't solid piece –ended up with manners but he's all business when he's working birds.

We spent the morning hooking up all the pipe for the mist hook up. Got it going as it hit the mid 90's – really works well and we have a gentle mist falling over the entire string except for the California Cul de Sac which has an abundance of shade and never get's super hot.

Ed Meyer packed up and headed home – he'll be back at the tail end of camp. I think he had a fun time and he sure was a great help as were Mary & Ed Lierman. They sure made the start bearable in some very, very hot weather.
Thanks Team!!!!!!!!!

Jenny & Sue took the kids to Long Pine and they spent the afternoon in the very cool creek. Fun time! Back to camp as the Painter's arrived done haying for the day. We had plenty to eat but they had all just finished. Still had a great Pork Tenderloin with our 1st Sweet Corn. HUMMMMMMMM GoooooooD!!!!!!!!! Nice night as the kids went in and played Apples to Apples. A fun game.

On not so fun of a note. Our friend Lee Shoaf lost his dog Teama to Bone Cancer. She really lived very actively right up to the end –playing and running around with Lee's new pup. A very quick and painless end to a tough disease. She was a Clint/Patti daughter and really a fine young dog.

May the Shamrocks Fall Softly!!!!