1981 United States Open Brittany Championship
By John and Judy Webb
The United States Open Brittany Championship was founded 19 years ago as a breeders' stake. Fulfillment was reached this year when six of the ten dogs in the championship finals and the U.S. Open champion were offspring of former winners. Four of these were out of the great Ban Dee.
Tall Oaks Bandolero was named the 1981 U.S. Open Champion over a field of 40 other of America’s best Brittanies. This seven-year-old orange and white male is having his finest season, coming off as runner up ABC National Champion last November. Bandolero has 25 juvenile placements. Altogether he has 23 first place wins, and has won the Quail Classic and other American Field recognized wins. This fine dog is owned by John McConnell of Oklahoma City and has been trained and handled since a puppy by Marc Appleton. Tinker’s Princess Jenny, a three-year-old daughter of Ban Dee was named runner-up. This fine young bitch placed fourth in the ABC National Championship. She is owned by Ray Walton of Flint Oak Ranch, Kan., and has been trained and handled by Lyle Johnson.
This titular event has always been run on the Lake Murray grounds. Much change is evident since the acquisition of these grounds by the Oklahoma Field Trial Clubs Association (OFTCA) acquired from the state of Oklahoma. Much burning, clearing and planting are evident. This is progressing well as money and time allow. The running of the Championship requires each dog to perform for one hour in the qualifying series, then, at the discretion of the judges, top contenders are called back to run another hour in the championship finals. The standards of stake are rigorous and are designed to glorify the true all-age dog, one that hunts with courage and despite fatigue can muster energy to finish strongly. The course must be run with intelligence, utilizing the objectives well. Bird work is not a requirement during the first series (scenting conditions may not be optimal); however, during the second series the dog must handle birds with style and perfect manners.
Highly qualified and respected Charlie Chalk of Madill, Okla., and Bill West of Mesa, Ariz., were invited to judge once again. Because of illness Bill West was unable to attend. Bill Bannister of Okema, Okla., graciously took West’s place. The judges’ decisions were well received.
The Champion And Others
To speak of the winners is to remember Ban Dee, which was inducted into the Brittany Hall of Fame in November of 1980. He was winner of the ABC National Championship twice and U.S. Open once.
The nick of Ban Dee—Princess de Sandra is likely the best in Brittany breeding, having produced five field champions. To date Ban Dee is the sire of 19 champions by numerous dams.
The winner, Tall Oaks Bandolero, was whelped in January, 1974. Throughout Bandolero’s career he has been known as an independent runner, always hunting for game and when he finds it is very intense on point and to the flush. His carriage is that of someone doing what he likes to do most.
Tinker’s Princess Jenny, as a young all-age, has acquired three placements in hour stakes in just five short months. She is an excellent bird finder with much style on point. She hunts well to the front and always with speed and intelligence.
Another of Ban Dee’s get deserving of mention is Jacks or Better. He was the top qualifier of the first series and had this been a one-series championship he would have won. He, too, is a Ban Dee-Princess de Sandra dog. Wayne Oliver owns Jack as he did Ban Dee and Princess de Sandra.
One other female the judges made special note of was TuTu. She carried her casts to the limit, running with heart (managing to hunt objectives not reached by other dogs). She is a daughter of Brandy’s Bullet and Pollyandra (a Ban Dee bitch), and is owned by Craig Cheatum of Houston, Tex. She, too, is in her first year of all-age and likely will be heard of in the future.
Ardmore, Okla., March 23
Judges: Bill Bannister and Charley Chalk
UNITED STATES OPEN BRITTANY CHAMPIONSHIP
[One-Hour Qualifying Heats; One-Hour Finals]—41 Brittany Spaniels
Winner—TALL OAKS BANDOLERO, 23101, male, by Ban Dee— Princess De Sandra. John McConnell, owner; Marc Appleton, handler.
Runner-Up— TINKER’S PRINCESS JENNY, unreg., female, by Ban Dee—Windy Knoll’s Tinker’s Pistol. R. E. Walton, owner; Lyle Johnson, handler.
VICTOIRE NATIONALE DERBY CLASSIC
Quatro, the winner, appeared near the end of the running. Both Quatro and bracemate hunted well for the initial half. Near the half Appleton signaled point and raised a big covey in front of bracemate’s stand, Quatro backing nicely. Just a minute later down near lake, Norris signaled point for his charge, and again birds were produced. At 50 both were still running well; subsequently bracemate shortened but Quatro continued the initial pace without letup.
The runner-up was Flint Oak’s Chigger, which appeared in the initial brace of the stake, on cool morning and when it had begun to rain. Chigger was away well; the dog was lost at 13 but returned at 35. He had been across the road. Point was called at 36; the dog relocated the birds which were flushed and shot fired. He finished well.
VICTOIRE NATIONALE DERBY CLASSIC
[One-Hour Heats]—13 Brittany Spaniels
Winner—QUATRO, 156583, male, by Tex’s Air Man—Surshot’s Pistol Flash. Craig Cheatum, owner; Bo Norris, handler.
Runner-Up— FLINT OAK’S CHIGGER, 143997, male, by Gun Runner’s Far Out— RJ’s Sadie Lady. R. E. Walton, owner; Lyle Johnson, handler.
