COVID19. There it has been said. Now not another word of it.

Now that’s out of the way; let us talk about something good, a trial that wasn’t canceled. For the first time in months, we were allowed to gather for an NSTRA trial, and the beautiful Royal Creek Ranch was the perfect place to have such an awakening. The camping trailers were lined up in the valley below the trial grounds Saturday morning. Other rigs crawled passed them, turning up the dust created by one of the driest springs in memory. That dust combined with heat and wind, to set up one the toughest Cinco De Mayo trials in memory.

Saturday shook out like this.

In A Field, Jim Wall's Bullet went 5/3, scoring 740 and earning third place. Alan Higham's TC's I'm Frankie Too had a 4/4 run scoring 749 for second place. Joe Bennett handled Barrett Gorshe' Brittany to 4/4 and a back run to score 846 and win the field. Sherlock is having one heck of a year. Barrett’s hard work is paying off.

In B Field, Jim Gravers handled Jasmine to a 4/3 run scoring 694.5 and placing third. Jared Haddock and Boone had a terrific 4/4 run scoring 759 to finish second. But the run of the day would belong to Cade Allen and Bo. He went 5/4, scoring 882 to shatter the competition. Keep an eye on this dog! Bo is creeping up on that champion mark.

If Saturday was tough, Sunday was impossible. Wind gusts picked up and covered everything in dust. Never the less, the trial moved on.

In A Field, Allen Higham handled Russell to a beautiful 3/3 run for a score of 642 to come in third place. Lance Hansen's Nelli had a 4/3 run scoring 651 to get back on the podium in second place. Angie Wonnacott's Sunnie scored 3/3 and a back scoring 672 for first place.

In B field times were tough, but Jim Wall's Annie scraped out 2/2 and a back scoring 530 to find a third place. Brett Ure and Cash had a 3/2 run scoring 533 for second place. Bret Wonnacott's Tic went 4/2 for 656 for the win.

There is always a unique twist at Cinco de Mayo, the highest scored find of the weekend wins The Top Dog award. This year a beautiful buckle from Montana Silversmiths was the award. Layne Peterson and Kid earned the honor this year. According to the judge, Kid was in a hot search when he suddenly spun and hit point kicking up a dramatic cloud of dust. When the dust settled, the brilliant dog was standing staunch and proud, having earned a 96 for the find. Congratulations to Layne and Kid, on a find to remember.

Thank you, Ryan Taylor, Josh Morris, and the guys! They did a fantastic job of putting our annual Cinco De Mayo trial together despite the circumstances. As always, thanks to all of the trial workers that set fields, judge, marshal, plant birds, and every other thing that needs to be done. And thanks to Royal Creek Ranch for having us.

You might have noticed the pictures of winners have a little more sparkle than usual. Lance Hansen built this beautiful new podium for us. It is first-rate, and we can't thank him enough. You are awesome, Lance!

More good news! The last chance trial is next weekend. See you then.