Let the Games Begin

Particpants have been arriving the past couple of days to the beautiful grounds in southern Virginia.  Getting everyone's rig parked and hooked up has been quite the challenge, but thanks to the coordination by Valerie Sails, I think we have everyone accommodated now. 

Today a large number mounted up or rode on the tractor pulled gallery wagon for the course familiarization ride-around.  A special tribute was paid to Lisa DeForrest, who passed away earlier this year.  At the breakaway, Stella Lang, a long time friend of Lisa's, spoke about Lisa's love for the sport and how she wanted to go make it to one last Nationals.  Bob Seelye led Lisa's horse in the front of the procession down the breakaway, and some of her ashes were sprinkled along the course.  Lisa will be missed, but not forgotten in our sport.

Tomorrow the National Championship commences with judges Ed Hart and Ed Kerr presiding.

All Star Review

Judges for the All Star Review on Thursday evening in Charlotte were Terry Lucas, Dave Pomfret, and Peggy Schmidt, pictured here:

Twenty-seven dogs competed for the title of Best in Review. This year's winner was CH Barben's Strong Coffee MH.

Schedule of Events

The schedule of event for the field trial is posted on the VCA website:

Schedule of Events

Don't miss "real time" updates

I realize that some people cannot make it out to Virginia this year, so I am going to try to twitter updates during the National field trial.  If you're interested, follow me at "ricochetviz" on Twitter.  I will also attempt to post daily updates on this blog.

Bracing Sheets

Of course, after the bracing sheets were first published, the FT secretary gets the dreaded phone call - "why didn't you draw my dog?"  Yes, one dog was inadvertently left out of the drawing for both the National Championship and the National Amateur Championship.  The updated entry counts are 54 in the open, 39 in the amateur, and 28 in the derby.  Links to the updated bracing sheets:

National Championship Bracing

National Derby Classic

National Amateur Championship Bracing

Nice entry!

The drawing is complete and we ended up with 54 entries in the National Championship, 39 in the National Amateur Championship, and 28 in the Derby Classic.  Running order to be posted soon on the VCA website.

Entries Close in One Week

Just a reminder to all those procrastinators... entries for the VCA National Field Trial close in one week.  Reservations for dinners, horses, etc., close on Wednesday - just two days away.