1985 United States Open Brittany Championship
Home Acres Risk Annexes Title
by Rick Smith
Home Acres Risk, powerful orange and white roan Brittany male owned by Bob and Barbara Youngs of Mechanicsburg, Pa., with two impressive, strong hours of running and hunting coupled with a covey find in each hour, is the 1985 U. S. Open Champion. The veteran Loyd Budd was the winning handler.
Moore’s Country Sunshine, Two-year-old female, owned by Don Moore of Florissant, Mo., was named runner-up. She was handled by Al Gorrow.
The 23rd annual U. S. Open Championship was contested over the Lake Murray field trial grounds at Ardmore, Okla:, where 42 of the best all-age dogs competed in the one-hour qualifying series that started Monday, March 18. Seven braces a day were run for three days, when ten were called back for another hour for the Championship series. The Championship finds were run on Thursday, ending mid-afternoon. The champion and runner-up were announced, pictures were taken and the day was finished with two braces of Derbies being run. The remainder were run on Friday, both stakes requiring five full days of running to finish.
The events started with the drawing at the Best Western Motel north of Ardmore. At this time it is annually announced that the judges would be looking for all-age running dogs that finish the hour strong and dogs with good multiple finds. Shooting dog races would not be used.
The U.S. Open Brittany Championship Association sponsors the two endurance stakes, with the Open Championship being the oldest one for Brittanys. If it were not for the foresight of Delmar Smith there may not have been any American Field Championships for Brittanys. Through his staying power and the help of a few others like John Doak, Claude Young, Jim Leverich and recently John Webb, the U.S. Open prospers today. The last several years the association has been under the expert leadership of Dr. John Webb, and under his guidance the association has enjoyed its best years. It is a smooth running operation, the best, without question. Barbara Wade serves as vice-president, Judy Webb as secretary-treasurer.
The board of directors for the U.S. Open Championship reads like a who’s who of Brittany field trialers—Marc Appleton, Jim Askins, D.W. and Ethel Dawson, John Doak, Joe Epperly, Al Gorrow, Paul Hinch, Jerry and Julie Hoffman, Dan Huddleston, Ken Jacobson, Mary Linda Johnson, Jim Leverich, Lloyd Manck, M.E. and John Mercer, Bill Norvell, Wayne Oliver, Bob Rankin, Debbi and Rick Smith, Delmar Smith, Barbara Wade, John and Judy Webb, Leon York, Claude Young, and Ike Zamrzla. These people are working for the betterment of the breed.
This Championship is the only one that a Brittany has to run two hours for the title, and the Derby Classic is the only juvenile stake that requires a Brittany Derby to run an hour. Also important is the fact that an all-age race with a strong finish is first and foremost in both stakes.
In the Championship a slight bobble can be overlooked in the qualifying series with race and a\superior finish. The qualifying series has no bearing on the Championship series, only a means to get there. In the Championship series requirements for the title are more demanding, but still the running dog with staying power is favored. Bird work is not required in the qualifing series, nor is bird work required for winning the Derby Classic. Only in the Championship series is bird work demanded, then they had better be high and tight. There is no mandatory backing rule, but if the opportunity is there, a back is required. Many an owner will tell you, with great pride, that his dog made the championship series of the U.S. Open and the highlight in their dog’s career is to have won the Championship title. The program here wilknever have large entries because these events are only for the strongest of heart an ablest of Brittanys, handlers only bring their best.
The Lake Murray grounds have been the home every spring since 1962 for the U.S. Open program. Many changes have taken place since then, most notably since Fred Oliver and the Oklahoma Field Trial Clubs Association have taken over the grounds from the state. What seems like a high fee by many is really very cheap when you consider what you get in return—plenty of wild quail (we averaged seeing 12-15 coveys per day) and this in a year when Oklahoma experienced one of its worst years.
The grounds are also recognized as quite possibly one of the top five field trial grounds in the United States for running dogs on wild birds, with plenty of kennels and horse stalls. When you compare Lake Murray to any other place in the U. S. there is none better. The OFTCA grounds committee is doing a fine job planting feed plots, tree trimming, bull dozing, haying where needed, maintaining quail feeders, kennels and horse stalls. Also repairing crossings and road grading.
Weather for the five days could not have been better; it rained four inches that week but only at night. The five days were a combination of sunny and mild temperatures to cloudy and cool, just right for bird dogs.
John Webb, the general of the work force, also marshal and reporter, for the last five years, was unable to attend this year except for the Monday night dinner because of his father’s illness. He was truly missed. In his absence, your scribe, usually the dog wagon driver, was pressed into duty as reporter and marshal. Lloyd Manck handled the dog wagon chores with great ease, unbelievably easy considering the muddy conditions. Not once did we have to wait for the dog wagon. Judy Webb and Barbara Wade handled both the noon meals and break-time goodies along with the traditional home-cooked Monday night dinner for all. Driving down from the City with additional good food was Debbi and Christine Smith and Evelyn and Leon York.
We thank those who came to the trial for their support. Dr. Steve Rudd flew in from Idaho and brought two dogs. Mrs. Mary Ellen Mercer from Miami, Fla., Dave and Joyce Lincoln of Aurora, Colo., Kaye and Sharon Ruske of Manitou Springs, Colo.; Texas was represented by Jim and Linda Harper, Bill and Sharon Young.
It is always a pleasure to visit with our Ardmore friends Dub Emde, Ernestine Taylor and Jud Little. D.W. and Ethel Dawson left early after Dee had an accident on his horse. Doug Groxton stepped in and marshalled the Derby one afternoon for which my horse and I are very thankful! Sue and Jim Deyell of Calgary, Canada got the trophy for greatest distance traveled to see their young Derby compete.
Many thanks go out to the amateur and professional handlers who support our Championship. The Association awarded almost $3,500 in prize money to these gentlemen. Last but most assuredly and most important my sidekick Craig Smith, who rode all but three braces, thanks for running errands, getting equipment, taking care of the horses, relaying messages, and keeping me straight.
The judging can destroy a good trial, but with the gentlemen we had, all was in good hands. When you ask a person to judge all you can ask for is his opinion. If you can get a fair, honest and knowledgeable effort, you have a good judge. That’s what we asked for and that is what we got. Judge for the Championship were Gary Purdy of Terrelton, Okla. He manages Wild Wings Hunting Preserve and owner-trainer of Rocky Top Kennels. His partner was Jerry Fugitt of McAlester, Okla., who judges and campaigns his dogs on a wide scale.
The Derby Classic judges were Dr. Nick Knutson of Oklahoma City, well known owner of Sooner Squire Kennels and his dogs Ch. Sweep All and Sooner Squire Rip, both winners of Oklahoma Amateur Dog of Year Awards. Nick’s companion judge was Tom Wilson of Tuttle, Okla., who had an amateur all-age Derby pressing for Dog of Year honors. To all four we give our sincere thanks.
The Winners And Others
Home Acres Risk will forever be listed alongside such former U.S. Open Champions as Gringo de Britt, Ban Dee, Perry’s Rustic Prince, Pacolet Cheyenne Sam, Bazooka’s Brandy, Way Kan Jill. All these are either in the Hall of fame or National Champions. Also two time U.S. Open Champion Tall Oaks Bandolero and the record holder 3x U.S. Open Champion Jacolet Wandering Star.
Risk ran two strong hour races with strong finishes. He also had bird work in both heats. The new champion’s bird work was not as clearly defined as you would like but both times Risk looked classy around his game. In the qualifying hour birds were seen leaving one of the fingers into the lake with Risk standing with head and tail high. The find that won the title was again on one of the fingers, point was called by the handler, Risk looking excellent on point throughout a prolonged flushing. At flush and shot manners good, only very poor location of birds could Risk be faulted. The winning performance will not be remembered as a great one or one of the best, but Home Acres Risk is the type dog that will carry the crown properly.
Risk comes from half fact and half opinion, the fact is Hall-of-Famer Ban Dee (possibly the greatest Brittany of all time), the opinion is Copper Creek Bob. Bob won the ABC National Quail Classic several years ago but was not considered as a great stud dog. The truth is, Bob was just too much dog for most Brittany fanciers. Bob had what the Brittanys needed most—endurance. The new champion has wins from New York to North Carolina from Nebraska to Oklahoma against brittanys, pointers and setters. He was also the 1981 New Jersey All Age Dog of Year. Already a proven producer of several winning Derbies and puppies.
Moore’s County Sunshine, the runner-up, was going for all the glory until the last seven minutes as she had a good ground heat, outstanding bird work but got to taking too much time with ground scent at the end of her hour. Still she is a good runner-up champion.
The top qualifier was Touch Of Class, owned by Don Stillwell of Texas and handled by Lyle Johnson. In the qualifying hour TC put down the flashiest hour of the week with a good find on his own. While running at full steam around the lake edge he hit on the brakes and a few seconds later the covey left on its own, all in order with good style and manners. His second find was not one to write home about but technically clean. Touch of Class shows the potential for the big stakes with a little more maturing needed.
Championship Running
Milbergers Ringo McYork—Clockwork Orange.—Away at 7:30, running counter clockwise. At 25 scout called point for Ringo, style is good, no birds can be flushed. Point was called for Babe at 32 on the first finger. As we rode up she exhibited good intensity, standing in a feed patch; in the process of flushing Budd caught up with Ringo and sent him on down the lakeside. He went straight out in front of Babe about 25 yards and pointed. Ringo was credited with bird work, no find; Babe got credit for a find. Both steady to wing and shot. Budd went deep on the lakeside and flushed a covey of quail and they flew out along the lake edge. Both dogs ran an acceptable race. Babe’s pattern was very good; she has a good sound race. On the second finger at 45 handlers sent their dogs down on the skinny finger and point was called for Ringo. Budd could not flush the birds and the dog was relocated. Gallery horses rode them up. At pickup both dogs were out of sight, going away.
Brought Mars Jazz de Campo—Mickey XXVIII.—Breakaway at 8:35. At 47 Jazz was along the lake edge; point called for him. Standing next to a feed plot he pointed into plum bushes, style okay. During the flushing attempt Jazz moved on up to the feed plot, checking the country off to the right of it toward the lake edge. Jazz was charged with an unproductive. Mickey finished the hour birdless.
Birch Hill’s Teddy—Overland’s High Card.—Away at 9:47. At 30 Teddy has been putting down the type of race the judges are looking for, wide, with good speed, handling pretty well, hitting his objectives nicely, a little immature at times, but showing good potential. Ace had some real good casts also. At 37 Ace was on point by the concrete slabs, intensity good, no birds. Both dogs finished the hour without any birds. Teddy ran the type of race we were looking for and had a good
strong finish. Ace also had a good race, not as forward as Teddy, but acceptable.
Charlie—Markar’s Bet I M Magic.— Both were lost.
Brookie Lynn—Far Out Scarlet Angelina.—Off at 1:25. At 30 Angelina had a good find reported by Judge Fugitt on the lake edge, the same covey that Clockwork Orange had in the morning. Angelina continued to put down a good race. Lynn was doing an acceptable job. At 48 point was called for Lynn; standing loose, handler flushed but could raise no birds. Brookie Lynn finished with no birds. Angelina had one creditable find. Both dogs finished going away, not with exactly the speed you would like but with the temperature as it is in the spring, acceptable.
Jones Bonine Zacharia—J B Super Chubbs.—Away at 2:30. At 34 point was called for Zach; intensity was real good. A single quail flushed the dog steady to wing and shot. Running an acceptable race, at times he was getting a little fussy on ground scent. At 42 Zach whirled and pointed and the birds lifted on their own; Gorrow dismounted, shot and sent him on.
Home Acres Risk—Ace Duece.— Breakaway at 3:36. At 12 birds were in the air. Handler after a while, he called point, more birds in the air, he fired. At 55 point was called for Ace along the lakeside; a nice find. Risk finished going away with lots of snap, going along a treeline just as we crossed Lem Roberts Road. With Risk’s solid hour and his piece of bird work, and strong, snappy finish he was named dog of the day.
Sholdebrand Ban Dee Baronet—Sir Jones Corky.—At 20 point was called for Timmy, high headed, no birds flushed, relocated. No birds; possibly a rabbit. At 37 at the far end of the skinny finger, point was called again for Timmy. Dog was standing loosely; no birds raised. On relocation Timmy goes down by the lakeside, goes on point again, flushes more, doesn’t get the bird up, releases the dog, he moves and bumps up a single right on the lake edge. Meanwhile, on the first finger point called for Corky. Good style and intensity, just before handler goes to get off his horse, the dog releases himself, relocates in real good fashion, establishes a covey, nice piece of work. At 58 point is again called for Corky right on the lake edge, good style and intensity, birds come right off the lake edge, good piece of work.
Rocky of Connie—Ridona’s Rex.—Away at 8:32. Both dogs tried with Rex credited with an unproductive near bear trap. Both had creditable races.
Squire Wheels—Drifter’s Dusty Dude.—At 21 scout found Wheels on point on top of a knoll, pointing toward the lake. Handler reported that a rabbit went out the far end. Dusty started wide and handled rough. Both dogs were lost and were not picked up until some time later.
Markar's Jac’s A Dan D—Jim De Bob’s Chenango.—Away at 11:04. At 29 Nango had a good find on the skinny finger, eight or nine birds, just off the lakeside, good style, good intensity. The singles pitched to one side and Jac’s about 3 or 4 minutes later, worked some of the singles nicely. At 42 Jac’s road in and pointed in a thicket next to the lake; Nango comes in and was cautioned into a back. Both dogs exhibited pretty good style. Handier was given permission to take Nango on. Jac’s took an unproductive. Nango finished his hour acceptably. Jac’s was lost at time, gone for about 7 or 8 minutes, appearing on a treeline right on course. Good finish.
Lajean’s Johnnie of Connie.—Radar’s Bucshot De Ran Bo.—Off at 1:30. Johnnie, the returning champion, made a bid for his second championship. At 43 scout called point for Johnnie; a couple of birds flushed, steady to wing and shot. Point was called again for Johnnie with a unproductive being taken. Bucshot finished the hour without bird contact.
Charlie’s O’Cal Rocket—Orange Krush.— Breakaway at 2:35. At 3:24 Rocket went into a ravine and pointed with good intensity; birds flushed and he had a nice piece of work, steady to wing and shot. Krush ran a forward, snappy race, finished strong but birdless.
Digger—Touch of Class.—Point is called for TC at 46. A liberated quail flushed. These birds had been put out for an amateur stake several weeks earlier. Both dogs finished with strong, strong hours, good ground speed, good range. Touch of Class was named top day dog for the second day’s running.
F and S Count Geoffrey—Country Cousin’s Contender.—Away at 7:35. A two-inch rain had fallen during the night; a lot muddier, a heavy overcast, temperature around 50°. At 10 flight of birds was called for Geoffrey which was on top of the ridge, standing in a feed plot. A shot was fired; no birds were seen by the gallery. Geoffrey moved on. Just before going out onto the skinny finger, the gallery rode up a covey. Another covey lifted on the first nook and after a while the dogs came in and pointed in the general vicinity. Handler flushes but cannot lift any more. As the gallery moved on, about fifty yards, the gallery flushed more birds. The dog was not credited with a good find but he is not given an unproductive, either. After we leave the fingers both dogs showed good bounce, good ground speed. Contender and handler were separated for a time. Then he suffered an unproductive and finished hunting the nooks.
Tu Tu II—Charlie’s Angel IV.—At 25 point was called for Angel. While handler rode to the dog he called the flight of the birds through the trees. Neither the judge nor reporter saw the birds. Handler fired and took her on. Point was again called for Angel; she stood for wing and shot, whirling with the flight of one bird—a good piece of work. At 42 Angel was out about 100 yards. Point is called, as we rode to her a single flew then two or three more left; the dog whirled to its left and took a little crow hop. As we get to her the rest of the covey flew; handler fired. Time had already been called when Angel went on point again; she was not given credit for the find, but she had three bird contacts in the hour and 4 minutes she was down. Angel finished with a lot of spunk and sparkle. Tu Tu was lost on deer.
Sir Brandy K—Way Kan Duke.—At 17 point was called down on finger for Brandy. A single was flushed. Duke was brought in for a back but wanted to share the point. At 22 Duke pointed; Brandy was brought in for a natural back. While Duke is stopped his handler leashed him for his lack of manners on his chance to back. Brandy was also soon in the truck when seen behind birds in the air.
Minnehaha’s Tammy—Jug.—Away at 10:25. At 23 point was called for Jug; good style, out in the open, he swung on it hard and had a good find but was lost and did not return to contention. Tammy ran a strong race for 35-40 minutes, then got into two nooks and went bird hunting.
Royal Britt Starbuck of Auten—BanDee Britt’s Red Jinx.—At 231, coming around the first nook, covey lifted right off the lakeside, Buck was found standing in tall cover; handler dismounted and shot, all in order. Jinx was picked up early; he had been flown in especially for this trial from Idaho and found these grounds confusing. Buck, at 48, had a find on the lakeside, all in order, style good.
Moore’s County Sunshine—Mudds Little Tessy.—Off at 2:27. Point was called at 53 for Sunshine on the lakeside coming out of the bear trap. All was in good order. She ran a strong race, a little rough on edges as far as the handling, but she showed good speed. Tessie’s race was bold but hard-headed at times. Sunshine had sparkle. drive and ground speed but spent too much time by the cat tails.
Duke of Brittmont—Bullet’s Iron Mike.—At 10 point was called for Duke right on the edge of the lake. Duke relocated and had an unproductive. At 35 point was called for Mike, standing in water, right on the lake edge; unproductive. Mike has a find at 42, all in order, good style. At 43, about 100 yards from his last find, Mike pointed again. At the same time Duke ran over a bird back off to our left about 200 yards, wrecks on it and was picked up. A covey ridden up at 46.
At the end of the third day Charlie's Angel IV was named “day dog” and Touch of Class was named Top Qualifier. Ten dogs were called back from the qualifying series and paired for the finals.
Championship Finals
Birch Hill’s Teddy—Home Acres Risk.—It was overcast and cool as the first brace went away at 7:37. At breakaway for the first 10 minutes, going down the shoot toward Lem Roberts Road, running parallel to the blacktop, both dogs broke away extremely well, excellent ground speed and wide, hitting their objectives. Teddy went into the woods near the black top; that is flirting with disaster because of the deer. Risk came from the left, crossed over into the right side of the shoot, immediately took a treeline on out of sight. At 23 scout brought Risk to the front. Teddy failed to show. Scout handled Risk for a time until Budd returned. At 28 Johnson came to the front with Teddy and Budd returned to Risk. Both dogs moved away with good fire and desire. As we passed the pond dam after going past the fish ponds. Risk hit the treeline at the far end and took it all the way across, an outstanding cast, just flying. Teddy at the same time almost was in a different direction over in the far end in another treeline...both of them doing an extremely good job. At 41 both dogs were on deer but were stopped promptly, handlers on them hard. Down on a far point at 51, near the end of the first hour, Budd calls point. Risk standing high headed, good intensity, and looked good. Birds flushed about thirty feet behind him, Risk steady to flush, wing and shot. At 58 scout, back off to our right, calls point for Risk, before we arrive he calls it off and we arrive on the scene he is moving and we catch up. At time Risk showed plenty of jump. Teddy ended the hour bird hunting.
Overland’s High Card—Jim De Bob’s Chenango.—Both went niceiy, coming out of the bear trap, the pair started strong, to the right places. Ace was charged with an unproductive at 15. At 26 Nango threw up his head and roaded into the reeds, acting real birdy. Rennick had a hard time locating his dog, finally finding him standing in the reeds. Point was called; you had to be within five or six feet to see him. Out about 20 feet a covey flushed, a nice piece of work. On the flush the dog whirled to mark flight, but his hind feet stayed planted. Point was again called for Nango at 35 back behind us; he made a good cast getting to it. As we rode up he exhibited good intensity, a single bird flew and he marked flight with little inchy steps. At 45 Carrington elected to pick up after Ace’s second unproductive. At pick up time Nango was tired.
Ace Deuce—Orange Krush.— Both dogs started out very well, attractive moving, nicely gaited dogs, pleasing to the eye, with good ground speed. Both got tied up with gallery going back to the barn but both were lined out. Johnson called point for Ace at 14, good style. She was in a plum thicket in trees, high head, tail nice. Unproductive. At 38 some birds left on a skinny finger of the lake edge. Gorrow is cautioned about his dog, but apparently he was not involved. Ace Deuce was lost for 13 minutes; scout found her on point. As we rode to her on point we flushed a covey; she had the covey pinned right in front of her. Outstanding piece of work. She was charged with an unproductive at 50. We are separated but just before pickup time Krusher swung in front. Still had some jump but went birdless. Ace finished nicely—two unproductives and one jam-up find.
F and S Count Geoffrey—Touch of Class.—Away at 12:02. Sue Hansen, Geoffrey’s owner was in the gallery, having arrived from New Mexico. Both dogs shot straight away over the hill, hit the trees and then back up over and Geoff comes across the front, pointed out crossing over the first dirt road. TC came out of the draw; we were on top of the ridge starting to go down the shoot when TC appeared at the bottom a good quarter from us, headed straight toward the front quickly. Coming up to the oil well sight both of them were still doing an outstanding job. Both dogs finish without birds. Both were tired in the last 7-8 minutes. They both run a foot race, hitting the right spots.
Moore’s County Sunshine—Charlie’s Angel IV.—Breakaway 1:09. At 21 both were running good races, lots of ground speed, no birds, handling well just out of the bear trap. Three minutes after coming out of the bear trap, we crossed the pond dam, and scout called point for Angel; a nice find but too much movement on the flush. The judge asked Rennick to pick her up. At 31 the gallery rode up a nice covey. At 33 Gorrow found Sunshine standing along the lake edge, good intensity, high head. An armadillo. At 51 Sunshine again established point on the lakeside. Birds were flushed, all in order, good style, a good piece of work. At 53 point was called for Sunshine right out in the open. She took an unproductive.
Ardmore, Okla., March 18
Judges: Jerry Fugitt and Gary Purdy
UNITED STATES OPEN BRITTANY CHAMPIONSHIP
[One-Hour Qualifying Heats; One-Hour Finals]—42 Brittanys
Winner— HOMES ACRES RISK, unreg., Brittany male, by Copper Creek Bob—Homes Acres Allspice. Robert & Barbara Youngs, owners; Loyd Budd, handler.
Runner-Up— MOORE’S COUNTRY SUNSHINE, unreg., Brittany female, by Gun Runner's Far Out—American Beauty Macaroanie. Don Moore, owner; Al Gorrow, handler.
Home Acres Risk with Bob Youngs
VICTOIRE NATIONALE DERBY CLASSIC
For the last two years the Holman boys (father and son) have run away with the only hour stake for Brittany Derbies. This time around it was with The Magic Moment, owned by Don Young of Springfield, Mo., and sired by Kentucky White Lighting. It is interesting to note that her dam is Home Acres Allspice, also dam of the new open champion. Magic won with her sound, level race and almost “finished” manners on game.
Vic Carrington handled the runner-up winner, Rebecca’s Texas Rambler, owned by Suzanne Zipp of Seguin, Tex. His race was the equal of the winner but the bird work was not completely acceptable.
The Victoire Derby started at exactly 3:00, Thursday, March 21, with Dr. Nick Knutson of Oklahoma City and Tommy Wilson of Tuttle, Okla., judging. The courses were run clockwise.
Countess Ruffian of DMR—Super Chief.— Both started well, up the ridge and showed nicely to the front. Both dogs were gone for a while and then showed well down the course. At 16 Chief made a nice cast down a draw. At 22 out on the point both dogs were in the cover to the left. At 26 handler called point for Chief and rode into a thicket but as he flushed the dog moved on and worked through the area. Ruffian pointed in front at 40; nothing was seen. The dog moved on. Deer was seen at 52 although it seemed that both dogs were going forward and the deer going to the rear along a draw. Apparently Ruffian got involved with the deer some and the scout was dispatched. At 56 both handlers worked down deep into a point along the lake trying for game. No birds were seen.
Scout Hunter’s Rusty—Franklin County Bandit.—At 5 Rusty went far to the left as we made a gentle bend to the right. Bandit showed well going across and worked on down the course. Handler called point for Bandit along the waters edge at 15; birds were claimed but not seen by the judges. Rusty started well, was hard to handle in the middle and finished the hour without birds.
Whestone Copper of Ban Dee—Bandolero’s Mackenzie Warrior.— Both went well up over the hill out of sight. At about 4 Mac crossed over to the other trecline to the left toward the black top road. Copper showed going down the treelinc to the right just before we hit the first dirt road. At 31 birds were seen lifting from lake edge, having flushed wild. Shortly, approximately where the birds had flushed, Mac came back and pointed where the birds originally had lifted. Both dogs required a lot of handling. At 46 dogs continued to work down the lake edge before we went into the trees where the picnic slabs are. Point was called for Mac; the dog moved up several times, re-established point,and a single flew out. Hechased, handler fired. Nice piece of Derby work. Sue and Jim Deyell of Calgary, Canada were in the gallery to see Mac.
Foot—The Magic Moment.— Away at 8:56. At 12 Magic emerged from the skinny finger, just past the bear trap, whirled and pointed; a bird flushed. She took a couple of jumps and stopped again. Handler flushed and shot. The dog stood. After the original bird lifted handler flushed the rest of the covey, dog steady to wing and shot. Outstanding piece of Derby work, good style and intensity. At 58 Magic pointed, stands a second, and handler whistled her on. She knocked a covey, handler1 is able to stop her, dismounts and shoots. Magic had two covey finds, two good pieces of derby work, one almost all-age, her finish was good, good sparkle.
Timberline Teddy Bear—Freckles.—Both dogs continued to reach at the half way mark. Fair ground speed. At about 50 Freckles got on deer and did not return. Ted finished hunting.
Rimada’s Rhapsody—Bay Arbor Jay.—As we came through the picnic slabs and toward Lem Roberts road, Rhapsody got across the road and did not return for some time. Jay, a very attractive moving dog, had good speed and will reach out.
Rebecca’s Texas Rambler—Dave O’Joshua Mark.—The first 10 minutes both dogs showed well. Tex had a find; he moved in, tried to punch it out several times, handler was calling point. Handler flushed hard and finally got the bird up and shot. Josh disappeared at 20 and did not return.
Jake—Max’s Lucky Strike.— Lucky put down a very nice race to about the 35-minute mark; had a nice Derby find; the dog broke at shot. Along the lake edge, he chased the birds into the reeds. Handler spent the next 10 minutes trying to get the dog out of reeds; judge ordered him up. Jake put down one of the better races, consistent, perhaps not the widest, possibly not the fastest, but in the right spots.
VICTOIRE NATIONALE DERBY CLASSIC
judges: Dr. Nick Knutson and Tommy Wilson
[One-Hour Heats]—17 Brittanys
Winner—THE MAGIC MOMENT, unreg., Brittany female, by Kentucky White Lightning—Home Acres Allspice. D. R.Young, owner; Jim Holman, handler.
Runner-Up— REBECCA’S TEXAS RAMBLER, unreg., Brittany male, by Cody II— Kelybob’s White Tip Sara. Suzanne Zipp, owner; Vic Carrington, handler.
