1963 United States Open Brittany Championship
Way Kan Jill Captures Inaugural Event
By Leroy Faulkner, Secretary
A bright new milestone in Brittany Spaniel history was reached with the running of the inaugural United States Open Brittany Championship over the excellent Lake Murray State Park grounds at Ardmore, Okla. The event began on February 23 with a representative entry of 26 qualified dogs in competition.
Way Kan Jill, four-year-old white and orange bitch, owned by R. B. Leverich of Pampa, Tex., handled by Delmar Smith, was declared the first United States Open Brittany Champion. Runner-up honors went to Jeffrey D'Or, white and orange male, coming eight, owned by Ted Kellogg of Arvada, Colo., and handled by Ralph Hesseltine.
Ardent Brittany fans hailed this running as a significant step in the advancement of the Brittany as a class pointing dog. A great deal of intelligent planning, vigorous promotion and experienced management went into feature, and the results were highly gratifying.
To be eligible, a contender had to have a prior placement in recognized trials, starters registered in the FDSB, and the conditions called for one-hour qualifying heats with a minimum of eight dogs called back for the one-hour finals. A munificent cash purse was offered, plus attractive trophies, including a leg on the 33-inch rotating trophy donated by Dan Huddlestone in memory of his champion Buddington Prince.
The starters were recruited from widely separated areas, principally Texas, Colorado, Kansas, Illinois, Arkansas, Ohio, Oklahoma, Nebraska, New York, South Dakota and Missouri, so it may safely be taken for granted that this was a real crosssection of Brittany performers.
Even the weatherman cooperated. The weather was in the 50s and 60s during the running. The gallery was able to witness the running from horseback, cars and the dog wagon. The facilities at Lake Murray are perfect and need not be extolled here. Suffice to say, kennels are available, stabling convenient, a beautiful up-to-date lodge for headquarters, and' of paramount importance, quail proved plentiful. To say that first-time visitors were impressed is to put it mildly. For example, Dr. Dean M. Grewell of Billings, Mont., who judged the event capably with experienced Earl Jackson of Lawton, Okla., remarked that Lake Murray afforded the best facilities for a high-class trial of any place in the country. "There's lots of room for the dogs to go, suitable objectives to test a dog's intelligence, pattern and hunting ability, and above all there is a good crop of birds" said Judge Grewell.
It must have been gratifying to the aforenamed judges that all participants and attendants commented on the fine job done in selecting the eight finalists, as also in the ultimate decision naming the new champion and the runner-up.
The titleholder is worthy of wearing the crown. She has placed four times previously in recognized trials, principally in Oklahoma events, and when she earned the opportunity in the finals, made the most of it.
The breeding of both champion and runner-up reveals distinguished Brittany lineage. Jeffrey has also won previously in Open All-Age and Shooting Dog competition in Brittany trials.
The eight dogs recalled to run for the Championship title were Biffer Boy, owned by Ralph Whitted of Wichita, Kansas, handled by Delmar Smith; Jeffrey O'Or; Alamo's Tic Tock Freckles, owned by Dr. Howard Brown of Vernon, Tex., and handled by Harvey Butler; Tom's Zipper King, owned and handled by Tom Atkinson of Lampe, Mo.; Pacolet's Doc Mac, owned by John Doak of Champaign, Ill., handled by Delmar Smith; Hellou's Yankee Timber, owned by Dr. Adolph Utzinger of Lakewood, Colo., handled by Ralph Hesseltine; Teakwood Valley Dingo, owned by C. H. Young of Fort Smith, Ark., handled by Delmar Smith, and Way Kan Jill.
The running of the Championship was a successful event due to the help of many. Al Pillow and Ricky Smith were the wagon drivers who always had the truck there when needed. Ricky Smith and Tommy Smith were a great help to the gallery, judges ,and the handlers with their horses. Mike McCarty and Don Norris contributed also. The Chamber of Commerce of Ardmore held a social for all on Saturday night at the lodge before the banquet. Vernon Snell, outdoor editor for the Daily Oklahoman and the Oklahoma City Times, was the master of ceremonies at the banquet. The field trial people of Oklahoma are blessed to have Vernon Snell as he is the one who keeps all informed on field trials and we have been told there are very few places which have the newspaper coverage that Oklahoma gets. Last but not least there was always lots of work for the president, Dan Huddleston, and the secretary, Delmar Smith.
Way Kan Jill and Jeffrey D'Or were braced for the recall. After a fast breakaway by both dogs Jill made a cast down a long draw. She was found pointing in the draw. A large covey was produced and Jill's manners were good. At 25 minutes Jeffrey D'Or was pointing and at command to relocate the covey flushed; Jill backed. Both dogs continued to run wide and good patterns. At 55 minutes Jeffrey pointed in front of gallery on a pond dam. Jill, coming in on other side of the pond and because of high grass unable to see Jeffrey, was stopped on command to back. Hesseltine flushed a large covey, both dogs had good manners. Jill cast away going down the timberline and at 58 minutes pointed again. Smith flushed birds with Jill having good manners.
Other starters were Epper of Sioux Land, Ginger Lou's Rusty, Bill's Buddy Boy, Val Yvo, Edandot Buzzer, Pierre Le Chasseur, Lady Traubel, Sussie's Warpath Demalibeau, Chief of Minnehaha, Kadykill's Gun Moll. Holliday Britt's Ed, Britt's Bazooka. Due Du La Bretagne, Towsey's Bub, Topper, Way Kan Boy, Major of Valley Forge, Holliday Doc.
Ardmore, Okla., February 23
Judges: Dr. Dean M. Grewell and Earl Jackson
UNITED STATES OPEN BRITTANY CHAMPIONSHIP
[One-Hour Heats]—26 Brittany Spaniels
Winner— WAY KAN JILL. 596832. bitch, by Ferdinand of Leeway—Price's Sunflower Gal. R. B. Leverich, owner; Delmar Smith, handler.
Runner-Up— JEFFREY D'OR. 688384. dog. by Jeffery of Argard—Royalee Jet's Sue. Ted Kellogg, owner; Ralph Hesseltine, handler.
Way-Kan Jill