Norcal Tracking Test 2003

There were two TD entries and four TDX entries at this years test. We had an overall 50% pass rate as 1 TD entry passed and two TDX entries passed. The judges were Barbara Adcock and Bob Rollins. This was a particularly exciting (and stressful) test for Terry and me because we had not one dog but two dogs entered in the TDX portion. What were we thinking?? Still, they managed to seize the day as both Dixie and Spirit passed with flying colors.

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Everyone gathered in the parking lot before 8 in the morning for the draw. It had rained during the prior week and then cleared up, so conditions were finel with a bright blue sky and crisp morning air.		Pat Steed, who had the only non-Golden TDX entry, shows off her PAFTA sweatshirt. Trust Your Dog! She and her Kelpie drew the number 4 TDX track, which was the track that I laid. Unfortunately, her dog got sucked in by a nearby trail and missed the first article. That was heartbreaking.
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Dimity Mueller was not only entered in the TDX portion of the test, drawing track 2, but was also our lunch chef. Dimity, you are a certified glutton for punishment.	Terry Southard drawing one of her two TDX tracks. She ended up with tracks 1 and 3.	Judge Bob Rollins observes the draw.
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Barbara Adcock, our other judge, looks on as well.	Here are True and Joy. They were two of our drivers for the day. Well, OK, their mother, Louise Bryan, was a driver but they got to come along for the ride. They paid me with wet kisses to say that. Thanks to Louise and also to Nancy Kelly for providing such expert and safe transportation!	Now believe me, I'm only giving such good coverage of Terry's tracks because the judges were kind enough to let me follow along with them. I was able to get some really nice shots. I didn't get to see much of the other tracks, unfortunately. Too many hills in the way! Terry and Dixie had to rest after walking quite a way to the start of TDX Track 1.
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Look at the concentration in those eyes. Uh, well imagine the concentration in those eyes. I think Terry was trying to get her gloves on her shaking hands.	And away they went down a hill and through a large section of coyote brush.	Here they are at the second article.
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And at the third article. Lots of sitting on this track!	The final glove was on the other side of a ridge so we didn't get to see the finish, but we did hear the "Wahoo!". Bob pronounced Dixie had finished when he saw the glove arc through the air as Terry joyfully tossed it up for the judges to see.	Dixie presenting proof of the find to one of the judges.
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Here is Dimity with almost-9-year-old Trouble preparing to start TDX Track 2. Trouble did a very nice job but got hung up in a heavily wooded area and got the dreaded whistle. Next time!	Dimity was wetting Trouble down before they started and I thought it made a cute picture.	Here is Spirit waiting to begin TDX Track 3. There is Terry trying to get those gloves on again! Sheesh!
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A short walk up to the flag.	And they are gone.	Yes, they are gone.
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Wow, they are really gone!!	We caught up with them as Terry approached Spirit after she indicated the final article.	Yes! The glove!!!
Let There Be Lunch!!
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Burrito fixings were on the menu that day. Awesome stuff!	Salad Fixings	Gosh, that track looks good enough to eat!! Thanks to Carole Steding for supplying this wonderful carrot cake!!
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Hail to the chef, Dimity Mueller!	I get the best pictures of Mary Ann Graziano. I've got a ton of them. Email me if you want to buy a copy of this one. ;>	Here is our our Chief Tracklayer, hard working Eileen Oshiro. Eileen baked peanut butter cookies as part of her gift to her tracklayers. Awesome cookies, Eileen! I loved them!
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Betsy Sumner was our all-around head honcho, otherwise known as the Test Secretary. Betsy, you did a great job on this test! Here she is announcing the passing teams and passing out really cool title pins to those that finished.	I believe Terry is saying, "Really cool title pins, Betsy!"
And The New Title Holders Are.....
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This is Harrie Baker with Tanbark's Jack Frost TD. Harrie and Jack were our first pass of the day and earned their TD. Dee Dee Anderson was the tracklayer.	Terry Southard with Coppertop Celebration TDX JH. Mary Ann Graziano, tracklayer	Terry Southard with Coppertop Lil' Red Waggin' TDX JH. Janet Langford Gray, tracklayer. Note that the flag matches Terry's top. Spooky, huh?
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How often do you pass two TDX tracks on the same day on the first try? This deserved a picture!		And finally, the group shot. Congratulations to all the qualifiers.