1979 United States Open Brittany Championship
Jacolet's Wandering Star Wins Title for Third Time; Charley De Brett is Runner-Up
By Ken Jacobson
The brilliant bird-finding record-holder for Brittany Spaniels, Jacolet's Wandering Star, won an unprecedented third United States Open Brittany Champion-ship title at Ardmore, Okla. Star, white and orange female, nine years old, owned by Paul D. Hinch of Tulsa, Okla.. and handled by Rick Smith, was sired by former U.S. Open Champion, Pacolet Cheyenne Sam, which also sired the 1977 U.S. Open Champion, Red River Lady.
Runner-up was Charley de Brett, owned by Ralph L. Tiedeman of Omaha, Neb., and handled by Rosco Staton.
Created some years ago as a breeders’ stake, the U.S. Open offers Brittanies their toughest test in field trialing. This premier Championship has a format of one-hour qualifying heats and one-hour championship finals. Twenty-five of the nation’s finest conditioned Brittanies answered the starting call. A true United States event ensued as representatives from every corner of the land were on hand to witness this prestigious event. Championships of this quality are the result of owners, handlers, trial officials and judges dedicated to creating the best. The ingredients for gaining the coveted title are bird-finding ability, stamina, movement, character, style and intensity. These were the criteria necessary for each of the fourteen dogs called back to compete for the title. To be among those in the callback series should be considered by serious breeders and Brittany enthusiasts an indication that these individuals have the essentials to further the breed and the potential to win the “big one” on his or her day.
Rick Smith, who handled the winner, made it U. S. Open win No. 7, an enviable record. Jacolet’s Wandering Star’s name is added to the Brittany greats developed and handled by Smith, notably Ch. Pacolet Cheyenne Sam, Ch. S'No Fun Mack, Ch. Ringo de Britt, and Ch. Perry’s Rustic Prince.
Handler of runner-up Charley de Brett, Rosco Staton, has emerged as one to watch with an excellent string of competitive young dogs. Three of the fourteen callback dogs were Staton charges.
The format of the Championship calls for each series to be judged independently. The criteria for the first series allowed for minor mistakes and it was determined by the judges that this stake would be judged on a positive note. The Championship series would require a demonstration of all the qualities necessary to be named champion. Jacolet’s Wandering Star’s industrious and enthusiastic hunting race, topped by six finds in the qualifying series and coupled with two finds and two voluntary backs in the Championship finals, proved her to be a true champion. Charley de Brett combined a find in both the qualifying and championship series with a thorough and far-reaching race.
An outstanding race and an excellent find by Ran Bo’s Royal Rebecca, owned by Lester and Marie May of Terrell, Tex., and handled by Lewey McCrea, earned “Becky” the top-qualifying position.
The Lake Murray grounds of Ardmore, Okla., are among the finest field trial venues in the United States. The deer, often annoyingly present, did not enter into the picture during this stake as often as this reporter has seen in times past. Only seven individual wild coveys were identified in this stake. The field trial committee decided to release some 200 birds, sprinkled around the courses, to provide ample opportunity for each brace.
The running occurred March 19-22. President Doyle Bradford and his wife Elta of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Secretary Dr. John Webb and his wife Judy of Iowa Park, Tex., combined to give this event the leadership and dedication to make this Championship one of the most enjoyable this judge-reporter\has attended. American Brittany Club President Dr. Claude Young of Okarache, Okla., with his knowledge of the Ardmore grounds, navigated the 4-wheel Army truck to the precise pickup points at the end of each brace. Marred by heavy rains that cancelled half of the first day’s running, most of the roads were left impassable.
In attendance at the drawing was the legendary Star Taylor, a long-time field trial enthusiast of the Ardmore area. John Doak, past U.S. Open president and his wife Ann of Weatherford, Tex., were also on hand. Professionals vying for the title included Bo Norris and his two sons, David and Randy; Marc Appleton and Mark Wright; the aforementioned Lewey McCrea, Rick Smith and Rosco Staton.
Canadians Jack Young of Edmonton, Alberta, and Byran McGarvey of Sherwood Park, Alberta journeyed to watch Byran’s Sharptail Sheila vie for the title. The East Coast was represented bv Thomas Martin of Leverett, Mass.; the West Coast by the writer. Riding every brace was Sheldon Jordan of Louisiana whose great young dog. Bayou’s Lonesome Sue, was fresh from her Sooner Brittany Club Puppy and Derby wins and who would win the companion Victoire Nationale Derby later in the week. Bill Norvell of Richardson, Tex., commuted back and forth, taking what time he could steal from a busy work load. Jerry Hoffman was on hand from Houston, as was M.F. (Bo) Guest and his wife of Hollis, Okla., and Gary and Norma Chestnut of Lewisville, Tex. Professional Lyle Johnson arrived to compete in the Derby. Leon and Evelyn York of Oklahoma City were present to watch their Tall Oaks Bandolero compete, as was Barbara Wade of Yukon, Okla., to see her handsome Jack Flash O’Dolly.
Marc Appleton led the qualifiers with four of the fourteen dogs called back with Dr. Scott’s Tough Enough, Jack Flash O’Dolly, Brought Mar’s Jiver de Campo and Goldtone’s Doc. Staton’s three qualifiers included Charley de Brett, Britthaven Simpatico, and Benjamin Robb. Lewey McCrea also had three chances at the title with Surshot’s Pistol Flash, Tex’s Airman, and Ran Bo’s Royal Rebecca. Smith’s three qualifiers were Senator T J, Perry’s Rustic Prince, and Jacolet’s Wandering Star. Bo Norris whistled Cool Hand Luke into the finals to round out the field.
Judges for both the Championship and the companion Victoire Nationale Derby were Francis J. Clasen of Gardner Plaines, Kan., and the writer. Francis Clasen is noted .as an avid Brittany enthusiast who has bred, handled and judged leading Brittany Spaniels. Secretary Dr. John Webb had been slated to report but was called away to Washington, D. C., during the trial and the writer, in addition to judging, also donned The reporter’s hat.
Qualifying Series
Tucker of York— Surshot’s Pistol Flash.— Staton had traveled all night from a regional event and was not on the line with Tucker. Flash incorrectly moved to the end of the stake to run with the bye dog. The skies were heavily overcast and a heavy humidity filled the air. Forecasts of an impending storm coupled with tornado watches in Texas and predictions of lightning and thunder storms appeared to be accurate.
Freckles Of Big Country Cowboy— Jack Flash O’Dolly.—The course ran clockwise, starting south from the barn and gave the dogs ample room to show their heels. Both had trouble getting untracked and shortly Cowboy was involved with birds, taking several jumps to get stopped. Neither judge witnessed the error, but handler Norris elected to pickup. As the course opened, Flash hit the cover, continuing to get stronger as the hour progressed. At 23, the gallery rode a feeding covey out in the fields. Flash had been in the cover and missed his chance. Jack continued with pleasing, attractive, strong diving gait, head and tail carriage, and made a long cast the last ten minutes.
Sandra Dee V— Jacolet’s Wandering Star.— They were loosed following the lake edge. At four, Smith called point for Star at the edge of trees, Sandra backing. No birds were found. Sandra was asked to move on, Smith electing to relocate. Star made a large cast forward through the trees, came around, crossed the road and went on point near a feeder, standing tight and indicating the presence of birds. On further relocation, Star stopped quickly as a liberated quail jumped in the air. At ten Star again was found standing near a feeder just past a dammed pond, an excellent find. Sandra continued a thorough hunting effort and impressed with her aggressive, snappy manner and at twenty was involved with birds and scored with a stop to flush. At thirty just entering the bear trap, Star swelled up in an open field. A covey was produced, handled perfectly. The bear trap is a long peninsula of trees where handlers only get a glimpse of their dogs. Anticipation is high of either losing a dog or finding it standing on point. Coming out of the bear trap, Star had not been seen for some time and scouts were sent along the edge to search for Star. Sandra became gamey and headed towards water edge where she was sighted pointing. Noticing her on point, Star was found standing parallel, a rather suspicious situation for Sandra, but since the action had not actually been seen, the judges called it a divided find. Leaving the bear trap, the course heads north and becomes chopped with finger-like extensions, requiring considerable handling to keep the dogs to the front. At 43 point was called for Star, another perfect find. At fifty point was called again for Star, and again a perfect find. Of Star’s six finds, five were handled to perfection. Her diligent hunting effort had restricted her range somewhat and would ultimately cost her the top qualifying spot. Sandra’s effort was aggressive, though spotty, and that this was not to be her day was evidenced by a find on a single just seconds after time was called.
Tex’s Air Man— Cool Hand Luke.— The third course presented much tougher terrain to show an all-age dog and required considerable handling. Both dogs broke sharply, taking huge casts out of the available open country. Man exhibited class in his movement. His driving ability and his training proved him to be a true hour dog. As the course became tighter toward the last of the hour, Man was lost, but was returned within time. Luke, an attractive moving smaller dog, was scouted frequently. Neither dog was seen on birds, but each was impressive enough to add these two to the list of callbacks. Officials elected to break for lunch. Within minutes, thunder and lightning rumbled overhead, eventually erupting into a tremendous rainstorm lasting through the night. Throughout the afternoon everyone stood in readiness, hopeful of running one or two more braces, but at 4:00 p.m. the day’s running was called.
Brought Mar’s Jiver De Campo— Mr. Lucifer.— Jiver impressed with his strong, hard-driving movement. Lucifer was forward, thorough and diligent and was rewarded at twenty with a back on a unproductive by Jiver, which was stopped hard in the middle of the field with every indication of birds, though none could be produced. Lucifer had a short involvement with deer and at the end of the hour had not come up with any birds. At 50 Jiver was seen entering a ditch and did not reappear. Handler found him standing somewhat uncertain. A long flushing effort and relocation attempt were unrewarded. Even with the two unproductives, Jiver’s all-age race earned him a callback.
Perry’s Rustic Prince— Benjamin Robb.— This brace pitted one of the all-time great Brittanies against one of
the outstanding young contenders. Anyone who has seen Prince has to marvel at the speed, the reach, the collection, the effortless motion of a great athlete with head and tail held high. Robb is a shorter coupled dog, again with excellent head and tail carriage, not as fast as Prince, but pleasing to watch. His forward race, total completion of casts and maturity impressed. Age appears to be creeping up on Prince. The tremendous speed of the first part of his hour was not matched in the latter part. At 45 Robb suffered an unproductive. This pair offered a true all-age race, but no bird contact on the same course that Star and Sandra had eight contacts the previous day left the judges puzzled. Both would have another chance in the callback.
Rebeck’s Holiday Bob— Je Neal’s Julip.— Both offered forward, hunting races. Julip had a nice find on liberated
quail at fifteen, everything in order. At 23 Bob took a covey that flew a short distance and Julip could not resist the temptation and joined the chase. Both were picked up.
Red River Lady— Sharptail Sheila.— Lady was scratched due to an infection and was at the vet’s for surgery, an unfortunate occurrence for owner Doyle Bradford who had been hoping for a repeat win. Sheila seemed unfamiliar with the terrain and cover and hunted at restricted range. She was rewarded at 43 with a liberated single. Her high head and lofty pose allowed her owner a silhouetted picture. Toward the lake she again indicated the presence of game with a stop to flush. The covey had been feeding from the lake. Sheila continued birdy and was still moving as additional birds left the area. We broke for lunch.
Ran Bo’s Royal Rebecca— Senator T J.— T J hit the hill and headed west, Becky to the front over the hill heading south. T J made huge two-field casts. As Smith searched the front for T J, he spied Becky standing tight 300 yards ahead. A liberated covey was produced directly in front on hilltop, her stand tall and intense. T J’s effort was wide throughout and required considerable scouting. At 22 Becky was charged with an unproductive, but continued to impress with large all-age casts. Everything about Becky was pleasing, her snap, gait, her strong, but effortless way of going. She completed casts, always turning toward the front, obviously with birds on her mind. The last fifteen minutes proved her conditioning. She was ready to win. Her total package would win her the top qualifier spot. T J was a handful. His roan color made it difficult to keep track of this huge running Brittany. You know he’s hunting, but wonder if he’s hunting as much for himself as he is for you. Both dogs would return in the finals.
Sergeant Mike’s Dakota Rebel— Bi Mar’s Cheyenne Kit.—Both displayed aggressive hunting races, but never reached to the extent needed to make the callbacks. Reb made several nice casts but detracted by looping over previously hunted ground. Kit also impressed on occasion with a true all-age cast, but when the opportunity presented itself to carry out, she cut it short.
La Pitt Buck— Goldtone’s Doc.— Buck’s efforts were not to be rewarded this day. Buck is a good-looking Brittany with a strong athletic way of going. His race showed his immaturity, ranging from brilliant to spotty. Doc, a veteran, looked good from the start. He shifts into an easy ground-eating gait that never seems to vary. He appeared as strong at the end of the hour as at the beginning. He didn’t produce birds this hour, but would get a second opportunity.
Tall Oaks Bandolero— Jake’s Celtic Briell.— Bandolero impressed immediately as he hit the cover and Jake was on his way to birds. Both had forward races and at 29 handler called point for Bandolero near waters edge. As handler went to flush, Bandolero jumped a deer. After a short chase, both dogs were herded away from the deer. At fifty, Jake was sighted pointing a large deadfall and prolonged flushing coaxed a liberated covey into leaving. At hour’s end, neither dog had the all-age essentials necessary or the callbacks. Four dogs were yet to compete. It was determined the callback dogs from the two days of running would be announced and paired to run immediately following the conclusion of the qualifying series.
Charley De Brett— Dr. Scott’s Tough Enough.— Both had come to run. Toughy is always a contender and was being run under new ownership. He has an easy way of going and is an asset to the breed. Toughy was pointed out going through the far trees, Charley sky-lining and forward. From the word go, Charley looked like he had birds on his mind and was rewarded with a find near a watering hole at 45. Both dogs impressed throughout the hour. A nice find and good race earned Charley a callback, as did Toughy’s overall effort.
Britt Haven Simpatico— Surshot’s Pistol Flash.— Enthusiasm was written all over these two. Flash was fast, both at the beginning of the hour and at the end. Sam is a complete bird dog, showing an eagerness to please, hitting the cover when called for. and when the country opened, he took it all. This brace was a pleasure and we would be seeing them again in the finals.
Championship Finals
Benjamin Robb-—Tex’s Air Man—The breakaway required making an 800-1000 yard U-Turn. Both dogs hit the horizon going away. The emotion of the Championship series was evident as both dogs were scouted hard to bring them around. Robb finished the hour strong, but without birds. Man is near spectacular, fast, hard running, hitting the cover, the birdy spots. A true all-age Brittany with looks and conformation to improve the breed. At 55 point was called, but to no avail, and Man, like Robb, saw his chances dim. We broke for lunch.
Brought Mar’s Jiver De Campo—Cool Hand Luke.—Because the first brace was run over part of the first course, the judges elected to ride a half-mile to set down this pair. Both made large casts, hitting the timber and popping to the front, showing they had well earned their finals spot. At 55 Luke was involved with deer, but brought off them. At the end of this second hour the judges and gallery had now seen four fine dogs, but Jiver and Luke had suffered the same fate and were birdless.
Jack Flash O Dolly—Senator T J.—T J was again making huge casts. A half-mile ahead, entering the bear trap, he was found with an armadillo. Flash impressed with all-age casts throughout the first part; he, too, had contact with an armadillo. T J was lost in the bear trap, while Flash continued admirably through and beyond. T J was found fifteen minutes later coming out of the trap. At 39 Flash pointed intently, with style, head and tail high and rigid. A single liberated quail was sighted. T J continued the hour without birds. Flash finished the hour strong.
Perry’s Rustic Prince— Gold Tone’s Doc.— These veteran performers, both owned by Lester and Marie May, are
capable of winning on any day. Prince, the faster, harder running of the two, but Doc’s long, steady stride carries him over the country with effective speed. The two hours this stake asks from the dogs definitely showed on these two older competitors. Neither dog had birds.
Jacolet’s Wandering Star— Ran Bo’s Royal Rebecca.— Interest was running high for this brace. Last year Star was the winner, Becky, the runner-up. This year Becky was named top qualified with Star being strongly considered. Close to the breakaway was a known covey, which Star found immediately. Becky proceeded forward with a diligent hunting effort. Heading south to waters edge, Becky was to the front heading in the vicinity of another known covey. Star, playing catchup from her previous find, moved toward the same area, where scout called point. Upon arrival the judges observed Becky standing twenty yards in front of Star and to her right. Point was called for Becky and a flushing attempt ensued, with Becky standing loosely. A feeding wild covey was produced 40 to 50 feet in front of Becky. Star was credited with a back. Released, both showed nicely on the side hills, in the draws and on the edges. At 47 point was called for Star far to the front, her style intense. Handler pointed out two liberated birds on the ground in a rose thicket that could not be put in the air. Both continued to impress with their ground heats. At 55 Becky slammed on point with Star backing immediately. Again, Becky’s style showed uncertainty, and a prolonged flushing attempt could produce no birds. Both hunted the hour out, with Star replacing Jack Flash in the judges’ view.
Britthaven Simpatico—Dr. Scott’s Tough Enough.—Sam immediately scored after a relocation at five near the
feeder. This covey had been worked a number of times and was difficult to get to flight. Having the. necessary birds, Sam needed the race and through the first half it looked like he would do it. But during the last thirty Sam started looking for handler assistance, making large casts and then stopping, looking for direction. Toughy’s effort was adequate, but not spectacular. Again the two single hours appeared to have had their effect. At 43 he was charged with an unproductive.
Charley De Brett— Surshot's Pistol Flash.— At one both dogs were on point. Flash’s stand in a thinly clad bush,
tight and rigid, would ultimately be unproductive. Charley, with a high head and tail, pointed into a rose bush. Birds were located and produced properly. Both made large all-age casts, Flash the quicker of the two. Charley has an “all-day” gait that allowed him to endure. At the end of the hour both continued strongly to the front, though Flash had no bird contact. Charley’s strong finish gave him the edge over Jack Flash for runner-up.
Ardmore, Okla., March 19
Judges: Francis J. Clasen and Ken Jacobson
UNITED STATES OPEN BRITTANY CHAMPIONSHIP
[One-Hour Qualifying Heats; One-Hour Finals]—25 Brittany Spaniels
Winner— JACOLET’S WANDERING STAR. 982257. female. by Pacolet Cheyenne Sam—Jocko's Fordot. P. D. Hinch. owner; Rick Smith, handler.
Runner-Up— CHARLEY DeBRETT. 91105. male, by Char Lee O’Dee—Way Kan Ginger. R. L. Tiedeman. owner; Rosco Staton, handler.
Jacolet's Wandering Star
VICTOIRE NATIONALE DERBY CLASSIC
This stake is one of the few one-hour events for Brittany Spaniel Derbies. The seventeen entrants were L’n M Candyman (Smith), Running Good (Appleton), Bayou’s Lonesome Sue (Jourdan), TuTu (Norris), Scipio’s Bandy Rex (McCrea), Bulls Eve Bullet (Smith), Windfall’s Zacharin Z (Norris), Fat Boy (McCrea), -Beau DeLamonte (Norris), Champagne’s Good Time Charlie (Appleton), Tinker’s Princess Jennv (Appleton), Windfall’s Jerimiah J (Norris), Faison’s Flea Flicker (Johnson), Hunterlane Happy Jack (Smith), Hell’s Oklahoma Tuffy (Guest), Brandy’s Cyevyne Pepper (Norris), and Bon Amiee Brigrette (Smith).
The trophy for this stake was donated by John Doak. Written across this judge’s book is one word. OUTSTANDING! The winner. Bayou’s Lonesome Sue, had one find at the end of a cast a quarter of a mile ahead just before the hour’s end. She ran as big as the country would allow and she handled her birds. Owned, bred and handled by Shelton Jourdan of Mossville, La., this race came in the second brace, in which Sue was braced with Tu Tu. These two. both less than a year old, offered the most mature Derby race the first half hour this judge has ever seen. Tu Tu tired considerably the last ten minutes of the hour. But the first fifty minutes were spectacular. Sue literally ran away from her the final ten minutes. Sue’s race, coupled with her find, could have won many a major Brittany championship. Shelton Jourdan has gained a reputation as an excellent developer of puppies and Derbies.
Only one other dog impressed enough to be considered for runner-up. Fat Boy, owned by Lester May and handled by Lewey McCrea, gave a good account of himself and had one excellent find. The winner of this stake was in a class by herself.
Other dogs that impressed with their potential, but suffered in comparison to the winner were L’n M Candyman, Faisons Flea Flicker and Hell’s Oklahoma Tuffy.
VICTOIRE NATIONALE DERBY CLASSIC
[One-Hour Heats]—17 Brittany Spaniels
Winner— BAYOU'S LONESOME SUE. unreg., female. by Jake’s Celtic Briell—Bayou’s Disco Lady. Shelton Jourdan. owner and handler.
Runner-Up—FAT BOY. 98370. male, by Dr Scott’s Tough Enough—Ran Bo’s Royal Rebecca. L. May, owner; Lewey McCrea, handler.
