Yesterday Chauncey was entered in a tracking test by Orlando Dog Training Club. The time for the draw to see what running order we would have was set for 7am, so we were up and running by 4:30am. I have never enjoyed getting up in the dark. We arrived at the area for the draw at 6:40, so I had time for a potty break and to say "Hi" to everyone. Once everyone arrived, we did the draw. I was the last person to draw, of 7 entries, and picked track #2. After the draw we waited a few more minutes before heading to the area for the first 3 tracks. The dog to run track #1 was called and I watched the beginning which was very strong. I headed back to my truck to walk Chauncey around and take deep breaths to relax. I heard the spectators cheering and clapping, so I knew the dog found the glove. The judges walked back and had me follow them in my truck to the starting point for my track. It was in the back of the field area and much taller grass than the front area, very wet, and I could see an outline of the tracklayers path.
I took Chauncey to the start flag, had her down at the sock, changed her lead from the collar to harness, and to her to "Find it". She started out pretty well, but when she got to the first turn Chauncey indicated to the right and then circled around to double check. She then kept going back and forth and never committing to the track. After doing that for a few minutes, I called her to me and let her sniff the sock again. She then went out and headed down the second leg. she was strong down the second leg and picked up the second turn, circled to check and the headed to the left down the third leg. This is where we made a couple mistakes. We hadn't gone very far when Chauncey veered off to the right at an angle and I just followed right along. I knew we hadn't gone fifty yards and I knew it was too early for a turn as we had just made a turn. I didn't stop and question her I just followed right along, so it wasn't surprising to hear the judges whistle. Once I looked at the map, I saw where she cut the turn and instead of picking up the next leg, just kept on heading out into the field. They started us back at the turn and Chauncey found the last turn and the glove with no problems.
We always know what we should have done when we look back. I should have held my ground and questioned her early turn. I don't know if that would have stopped her, but at least I would not have blindly followed her along. We made it much further down the track and she kept working an didn't do too much sight seeing along the way, which is her usual problem. She also did pretty good considering she hasn't tracked all summer and I just did some fun tracks the week before.
So, I will need to re-certify both Chauncey and Blueberry before March. The lady I have tracked with in the past, Joyce, had entered one of her dogs, Micah, and he had the track right after me. I didn't get to watch him as we were busy hiking back to our truck. Micah was whistled off on the first leg, he just was not focusing and looking at everything else. He finished up the track fine and found his glove. I did get a picture of Micah returning with his glove. Joyce and I are going to get back out and track together after the Christmas holidays.
I will add the track maps once I get them scanned in and loaded.

Micah returning with his glove!!
Chauncey wet and ready for breakfast