1980 United States Open Brittany Championship
By Dr. John Webb
Bayou's Lonesome Sue, exciting white and liver Brittany Spaniel female, just two years old, owned by J. C. McConnell, Jr. and handled by Marc Appleton, won the eighteenth running of the United States Open Brittany Championship held March 17-19 at the Lake Murray grounds near Ardmore, Okla. The following day, this magnificent dog won the companion Victoire Nationale Brittany Derby for the second time in as many years.
This prestigious titular stake, the oldest Brittany championship, is unique in that it features a one-hour qualifying run followed by a second series of another hour, and requiring an outstanding performance throughout. Judges have the freedom to call back as many from the first series as desired. Further, they have the authority to arrange the second series braces providing for the best judicial evaluation and allowing the dog to be shown over different terrain and conditions.
This stake has always been run on the Ardmore grounds, which this year were in better condition than average for this season. Ample birds were found on all courses. The weather varied from strong north winds to almost balmy 50° still days. Rain would have been welcome.
The judicial duties were more than ably filled by respected E. C. (Bill) West of Mesa, Ariz., and Charley Chalk of Madill, Okla. Mr. Chalk graciously replaced John Rabidou, who had last-minute business complications.
This running saw perhaps the largest attendance in recent years. Out-of-state visitors included Corky and Rita Kay Holhoff and son of Dumas, Ark., who were present to see their dogs, with Corky riding most of the braces. A special delight to this reporter was the presence of Bill Tiedeman of Omaha, Neb., who graciously assisted as always. The late Shelton Jourdan of Louisiana, breeder and former owner of Bayou’s Lonesome Sue, gloried in her winning placements. Luther Bell of Houston, Tex., rode the entire Championship. Barbara Wade and Dr. C. T. Young were in attendance and were invaluable to the success of the trial. Enough could not be said of Dub Ernde’s work.
Conspicuous by their first absence were the beloved John and Ann Doak, he president emeritus and honored lifetime member of the Board of Directors and donor of the beautiful Victoire Nationale Derby revolving trophy. They were much missed.
The Champion And Others
Bayou’s Lonesome Sue is unique in U.S. Open Brittany history. She is the first to win the Derby Victoire Nationale twice and we believe the first to win the Championship as a Derby. Sue was whelped March 3, 1978. Her breeder, Shelton Jourdan, brought her to prominence in 1979 by winning the Victoire Nationale. The dog was subsequently acquired by John McConnell of Oklahoma City, and placed with Marc Appleton, who has trained and handled her to numerous wins, including ten Derby firsts in eighteen outings with six seconds.
Sue’s dominance of these two stakes left no question of her greatness. Considering her youth, she could re-write the records.
Runner-up Ran Bo’s Royal Rebecca is well-known about the circuit and repeats in 1980 as the runner-up. She is owned by Lester and Marie May of Terrell, Tex., and has been in the string of Lewey McCrea since a young dog. Her wide run and bird-finding ability is well known.
The Running
Monday, March 17, the temperature was about 40° with south winds gusting up to 25 mph, and overcast.
The Real Thing— Goldtone’s Doc.— The course was run clockwise from the barn running to the left. “Coke” and Doc were off well and using the large fields which are bordered by timber with each working the objectives well. By ten “Coke” had shortened with Doc running more aggressively. At twenty Doc went into the woods and was lost. “Coke” continued steady productive casts but had no bird contact in the remainder of the hour.
Sandra Dee V— Dan O’Dee Brett.— Both started with moderate and purposeful casts. At 25 we reached the bear trap and started back. By 35 Sandy’s casts had shortened. The gallery rode up a covey but neither dog was involved in the flush. At fifty Sandy came on point in heavy brambles in a deep ravine. On relocation she was working the running birds and a bird was produced by Appleton, all in good order. At 55 Dan was going forward and at 58 stopped. Handler Roscoe Staton dismounted, observed the dog which corrected on.
Britthaven Simpatico— Jipa’s Ornery Henry.— By fifteen the dogs had cleared heavy cover with both breaking into a large field, making nice long casts. Sam came on point shortly with a bird being produced by Staton. Henry backed. At twenty Sam made a spectacular cast to the far left ridge and then both hunted a ravine. By 33 Sam made a big cast down a treeline and then a sweep across a field. Both dogs, however, had appreciably shortened at the end of the hour. No additional bird contact.
Tall Oaks Bandolero— Radar’s Buckshot de Ran Bo.—Both started with long fine casts and continued these throughout the hour, the No. 4 course with heavy cover and timber caused anxious moments for both handlers with extensive scouting; however, both dogs looked good. As the course opened both dogs showed to the front. Neither dog had bird contact.
Jack Flash O’Dolly— Charley de Brett.— After lunch we were away at 1:02 p.m. The sky was crystal clear, slightly warmer with winds gusting. Jack and Charley started with nice powerful running style. By fifteen their casts had lengthened with Charley going over far hill and then returned forward at nineteen. Fine running continued throughout the hour, but with no bird contact by either dog.
Dr. Scott’s Tough Enough— Tucker of York.— This pair broke away with enthusiasm and drive and by five both were far forward. At eight the gallery flushed wild covey, no dog involved. Tuffy ran well with flashy gait. Tucker was bothered by the wind and did not handle well. No bird contact by either dog.
Hopper’s Robber— Tex’s Air Man.— Released into high wind off the lake, both dogs were bothered by it and both chose to hunt at the expense of ground race. At fifteen Man seemed to point as birds got up. McCrea could not produce sleeper; Man was scored with stop to flush. At 34 in a wide open field Rob came on point with head and tail high. Appleton produced a large wild covey with dog steady. This was probably the class bird work of the Championship. At 47 Man again found on point with birds flying and credited with another stop to flush At 51 Rob was on point. Appleton worked birds with dogs steady. Both dogs finished short.
Way Kan Feelin Free— Jeneal’s Julip.— Both dogs ran well the first five minutes when they shortened with a flat period during the middle, this on a tight course and heavy cover. At 45 Trish quickened her pace and extended her race. Neither dog had birds.
Choc Talk— Brentwood’s Lady Marinda.— Off at 7:02 on Tuesday, March 18. The temperature was 30°, the sky blue and crystal clear, and there was little or no wind. Choc began with fine, forward casts and continued far up the timberlinc. Mindy did equally well. At twelve Choc Talk disappeared over a long hill and a scout went out. At 25 Mindy continued forward with intelligent casts. McCrea returned at 27 without Choc while Mindy continued her forward race but going birdless.
Fritz de Bretagne— Reed’s Bonnie Max.— This brace went down with the blue lake covered by ducks. It took a few minutes for both to get lined out. By twenty both were ninning well, Max somewhat better. In the bear trap next to the cut, Max came on point and Gorrow produced a wild covey with Max having perfect manners. Judge West rode up a bird at 45. Max was strong to the end while Fritz shortened.
Senator T J— Cool Hand Luke.— They began with wide, determined runs, Senator slightly wider but controlled. At seventeen both Smith and scout went to search for Senator and did not return. Senator was seen regularly by judge, returning to gallery at forty when he was handled by a substitute handler until pickup. Luke ran well until the last ten minutes when he shortened. Neither dog had bird work.
Gypsy’s Leapin Lena— La Pitt Buck.—At eight Buck came on point in brambles near the lake. Staton relocated but produced no birds. As course opened Lena made some fine long casts. By fifty in an open field Buck began to lengthen while Lena shortened. Both finished the hour, but neither had birds.
Way Kan Striker— Rebel’s Holiday Bob.— The afternoon was clear, warmer, about 50° and a variable 15 mph wind from the south. Bob made several nice casts. Striker was somewhat shorter. Both dogs continued busily hunting their objectives. At 25 Striker had an extremely long cast and had to be returned by a scout, all in full view of the judge and gallery. At 47 Bob was picked up. Striker shortened considerably the last ten minutes.
Bayou’s Lonesome Sue— Ran Bo’s Royal Rebecca.—They were off with long casts, running to their objectives hard. At seven both came on point nearly simultaneously but not seeing each other. On a relocation Becky had a nice back. Appleton was unable to produce; however, when the horses moved the birds came up. Both dogs continued to run wide with Sue having the more intelligent race. This was an exciting brace with both dogs working to the outer limits throughout.
Jake’s Celtic Briell— Benjamin Robb.— Off well, they immediately went to heavy timber and required scouting. The wind seemed to distract both dogs this day. Jake was lost at 55. Robb shortened aporeciably near the end.
Perry’s Rustic Prince— Chip’s Ransom.— Both opened well. They went into heavy cover and handling was difficult. Prince immediately required scouting. Upon clearing the timber and into the open fields “Rusty” began to tire. By forty he was slowing down considerably but the desire and heart was there as always but the great drive gear that on earlier occasions has thrilled us all would not respond. With great effort he continued to the end. Ransom shortened and was picked up at ten. It was learned that Ransom had a nose infection that probably interfered with his breathing and affected his race.
Sequani’s Cin Ban de Mar Ed— Pepper’s Prince.— Wednesday morning. Off at 7:30 a.m. Temperature about 40°; wind at 15 mph. Humidity was relatively high. Both dogs started slow. “Bear” quickly shortened and was picked up a fifteen. As the hour progressed Prince’s casts steadily lengthened. At fifty near the old dry pond at the hilltop he came on point. Budd produced a wild covey, all in good order.
L’n M’s Rustic Jill— Red River Ladv.— Jill was in season. Both dogs were running well, Babe with an occasional long, fine cast. At 46 Jill came on point with Babe immediately backing. The judge dismissed Babe, which went on. Johnson worked bird with good manners. Both dogs finished strong. On return to the barn, the judges announced their top qualifying dog, Bayou’s Lonesome Sue. She and nine other callback dogs were braced.
Championship Finals
Radar’s Buckshot de Ran-Bo— Jack Flash O’Dolly.—This series began at 10:30 a.m.: the wind cool and brisk at about 15 mph. They showed their heels. At 35 Tack came on point. Appleton produced two birds, Jack with perfect manners. Both dogs continued to run well when at 59 Tack pointed. Buckshot backed. Appleton produced birds. Jack was steady, Buckshot chased.
Bayou’s Lonesome Sue— LaPitt Buck— This brace began near the bear trap. The first fifteen minutes both had good, wide, meaningful casts, hunting their objectives, with Sue slightly longer than Buck. After about fifteen the casts became spectacular. At 38 Buck came on point. Staton was unable to Droduce a bird. At 58 both dogs were far out with Buck on second hill running a woods edge and Sue on the edge of a draw, both running at top speed full out. At 59 Sue slammed on point in a bushy plum thicket. Appleton worked hard to produce birds. Sue had an animated mark of the birds as they rose. This performance had the gallery talking.
Charley de Brett— Brentwood Lady Marinda.— By early afternoon the wind had picked up but it was still cool. At ten Charley came on point with Staton producing a wild covey, all in good order. At thirteen both dogs were wide with Charley longer than Mindy. At fifteen Charley came on point when Mindy interfered. Judge rode up the birds. Staton fired. Mindy was put on a check cord. Charley hunted well until 35 when he chased a wild bird.
Tall Oaks Bandolero— Reed’s Bonine Max.— Away at 2:00 p.m.. both dogs made moderate casts. At ten Bandolero was found pointing with good style. Appleton worked wild covey while Bandolero stood high and steady. Both dogs ran and continued to hunt well. At thirty Max came on point. Gorrow produced birds, Max showing good style. At 31 Bandolero had another find near the lake, all in good order. At 39 Max was on the next hill across a woody draw running wide open when the eagleeyed judge saw him run over a bird. At 45 Bandolero was going strong but shortened near the end.
Dr. Scott’s Tough Enough— Ran Bo’s Royal Rebecca.—These big running dogs started and finished strong with intelligent hunting of objective. At six Becky was on point. At the flush Becky was steady but not as intense as others in this stake. At fifty Tuffy pointed birds with intense style, head and tail high directly into a plum thicket. No birds were produced. At 58 Tuffy was in reeds on point. Again no birds were produced. After Becky’s find she ran wide looking good the entire time.
Ardmore, Okla., March 17
Judges: Charley Chalk and E. C. West
UNITED STATES OPEN BRITTANY CHAMPIONSHIP
[One-Hour Qualifying Heats; One-Hour Finals]—36 Brittany Spaniels
Winner—BAYOU'S LONESOME SUE. 129409. female, by Jake's Celtic Briell—Bayou's Disco Lady. J. C. McConnell, Jr., owner Marc Appleton, handler.
Runner-Up—RAN BO'S ROYAL REBECCA. 113392. female. by Country Joe A’Winnin—Janet's Love. L. & Marie May, owners; Lewey McCrea. handler.
VICTOIRE NATIONALE DERBY CLASSIC
This Derby was introduced by John Doak in 1974 to recognize fine Brittany Derbies capable of running an hour stake. Eric McMillen and his father, Bob, front Goddard, Kan., were present. Eric did a fine job scouting his young Towsey’s Taffy Kisses and was immensely proud when she was named runner-up.
Raggedy Andy— Oakenshield’s Flashback.— We were off at 7:45 a.m. The temperature was 60°, clear, humidity high and a light south wind. Both dogs went up woodsline. At twenty Andy had markedly shortened and was picked up at 25. Flashback continued to run well and at forty was running wide out to the front. At fifty he showed signs of fatigue but still far out.
Highland Timber Gypsy— Sir Teak of Excalibur.—Both had steady, moderate casts though not spectacular. At fifty Teak came on point but no birds were produced. Near the end both had shortened.
Mr. O’Dee Belle— Tu Tu II.— These young dogs broke away with a desire to hunt. At fifteen Belle came on point, quickly flushed birds and was fired over. The run of both dogs lengthened. At the half Tu Tu shortened appreciably. Both had shortened until at 45 they were picked up.
RKC TJ Bandit—Air Man’s Ace of Sebago.— Both dogs wanted to hunt but at 25 both had shortened appreciably. Ace was picked up at thirty, Bandit at fifty. The wind was up and disturbing these young dogs.
Red River Mudd— Flint Oak’s Chigger.— This pair had good distance until about twenty when Mudd shortened and was picked up. Chigger continued at a moderate range then shortened at 45, when she was also leashed.
Bayou’s Lonesome Sue— Towsey's Taffy Kisses.— Taffy was in season. They started well, driving to the front and hunting their objectives. Sue had an outstanding first thirty minutes. Taffy was slightly shorter. Taffy was bothered by the heavy cover in the middle of the course and shortened, but with open country both dogs went strongly to the fore. At forty Sue was being scouted far to the left while Taffy was ahead perhaps 400 yards. Both ran full out to the end, seeming to get stronger as the brace went on. It should be noted that the wind became much stronger but did not bother this brace as it had others. Near the end it seemed Sue’s every cast was longer. On the way to the barn it was obvious that the winners had appeared in the final brace.
VICTOIRE NATIONALE DERBY CLASSIC
[One-Hour Heats]—12 Brittany Spaniels
Winner— BAYOU'S LONESOME SUE. 129409. female, by Jake’s Celtic Briell—Bayou’s Disco Lady. J. C. McConnell, Jr., owner; Marc Appleton, handler.
Runner-Up—TOWSEY'S TAFFY KISSES. 120517, female, by Poor Charlie Brown—Towsey's Taffy Candy. Eric McMillen, owner; Al Gorrow. handler