1988 United States Open Brittany Championship
By Dr. Robert A. Rankin
Country Cousin's Contender was named champion of the 26th running of the U.S. Open Brittany Championship. Contender had a snappy, forward race and a limb find handled with style and intensity for handler Jim Holman.
This six-year-old orange and white male came to his owners Gary and Lou Ann Holland from Cliff Boggs Kennels in California as a puppy. Style and intensity on point and stamina arc the best words to describe this champion. With previous wins in the Illinois Derby Classic and the Mo-Kan Brittany Classic and runnerup wins in the Chicken Classic and the Lee Holman Classic, this championship win gave him a new title.
Runner-up was Markar’s Jac’s A Dan D, owned by Bob Weisz and handled by Jim Holman. Jac garnered this same honor in 1986 and then in 1987 won the National Championship and the Brittany All-Age Award.
This year’s trial was of excellent quality with 44 dogs in the qualifying series and sixteen dogs in the championship series. Noticably absent this year was the winner of the last two U.S. Opens, Minnehaha’s Tammy which was two weeks from whelping at the start of the trial.
The weather was cool throughout the five day trial with rain at the start of the championship series. This only seemed to bring the dogs up another notch and made for a fine Championship.
Our judges were Bill Klenner from Michigan and Fred Smith who heads up the Camp Robinson grounds at Conway, Ark. Both are veteran trialers with a knowledge of dogs founded on hunting, training, and trialing, and both have spent many hours in the saddle. When running their own dogs they only ask for a fair decision, and that’s the attitude they brought with them this stake.
Dr. Webb and Dub Emde ably handled the dog wagon chores. Judy Webb and Scott along with Bobbi Wade handled all the details that make a trial run smoothly and put on the Monday night banquet with more food than even the hungry trialers could devour. The Fifes, the Greens, Daine Kubitz, Bob Rhoner, Dick Culbert, Bob Ice, and Don Young all came to enjoy the trial and help out when needed. Dan Mar came in for the Derby Classic.
Qualifying Series
Sir Jones Corkance (Budd)—Lavender and Lace (R. Staton).—Daisy was lost at 10. Corky was somewhat short in spots and went birdless for his effort.
Viking Yankee Dandy (R. Staton)—Bracemate scratched. Dandy hunted hard and showed the necessary range his first half hour but had an nonproductive his last half.
Radar Riceasak (Budd)—Amigo of Aztlan (J. Holman).—Ric got caught up in the heavy cover and never got it going. Amigo was a hard running young dog that covered the third course without difficulty, hunted the edges and showed energy to spare. A nice covey find at 58 complemented his ability as good manners were shown throughout.
Jug (C. Holman)—Danaris Malloy’s Mischief (Johnson).—Clarence was lost on his breakaway cast. Jug was in and out for his hour down and finished without birds.
Tumbleweed’s Texas Return (Carrington)—Countess Ruffian (Appleton).—Both wanted to hunt together for the first 20 minutes until Ruffian tired and was picked up. Sam continued alone with good stamina but an unproductive.
Ginger’s Gentle Ben (Lincoln)—Blue Valley’s Pasquiel (Johns).—Both negotiated the third course well but Ben got hung up near the barn after a stop to flush. Pasquiel showed good stamina but was lost at 50 and was not returned.
Far Out Scarlett Angelina (C. Holman)—Jake’s Magic Moment (Budd).—Angie found our first armadillo, ran a consistent race but never got lined out. Jake showed more range and a better pattern and was still going hard at 60.
Foot (Budd)—Scatman (J. Holman).—Scattman was misplaced early and not returned. Foot went on, staying to the front with a covey find in sparse cover at 40. All in order, he was taken on and finished well, hunting hard all the way.
After the first day’s running, Amigo was named top dog of the day.
Charger (Budd)—Markar’s Jac’s A Dan D (J. Holman).—Charger looked good early but tired in the last 15 minutes. Jac started well, hunted the edges, and was rewarded at 35 with a well located covey find. Following a stop to flush at 42 he found a single at 47 and finished on a long cast to the front.
Brewington’s Brinie (Budd)—Far Out Bandit (C. Holman).—Both dogs did well for the hour, Bandit a little wider and swifter. Neither came up with birds, but Bandit ran an impressive race.
Cheyenne Bow (Appleton)—Reed’s Bonnie Max Skipper (R. Staton).—Bow was sick and picked up early. Skipper handled the course in good fashion with stamina to spare but couldn’t come up with birds.
Sir Duke Mustachio (R. Staton)—Timberline Teddy Bear (Budd).—Mustachio started with a covey find at 4, then continued around, bullish at times but with a strong finish. Teddy left no doubt regarding all-age casts and stamina, doing a good job throughout but not having bird contact.
Hazzard County Jed (J. Holman)—Scout Hunters Rusty (Johnson).—Jed was sick and was relieved early. Rusty had finds at 45 and 52 but his range and stamina weren’t what they usually are for him as the cover took its toll.
Maximum Express (R. Staton)—Sir Alex Wilbanks (Budd).—Alex was doing a good job, but tired early. Express hunted the edges well and to the front, finishing strong and wide but without finds.
Blaze (C. Holman)—Silver Lake Red Boy (Budd).—Blaze hit all the likely cover for his hour, showing well, and leaving no doubt that birds were always on his mind. Red was last year’s Victoire Nationale Derby winner and started off well this year but tired towards the end.
Renegade’s Kansas Kid (Johnson)—Kentucky Tug (J. Holman).—Tug wasn’t feeling well and was relieved early. Kid started well and had a covev at 35 entering the back course. He then had some trouble with the cover, but went on for a good finish.
Far Out Bandit was named top dog of the day based on his strong hour and forward race.
Bay Arbor Jay Flash (C. Holman)—Trackview’s Ramblin Gypsy (Lincoln).—Both started well, but Jay tired after getting on deer. Gypsy put down an exciting hour with her fast paced, forward race. Carrying each objective to its end, she was rewarded with a find at 55 showing good style and intensity. Truly a fine hour.
Batche’s Bonine Rockie (C. Staton)—Royal Britt Starbuck of Auten (Johnson).—Buck had two unproductives and hunted hard but was somewhat short Rockie used his long stride to carry him around in good fashion, following the edges to a somewhat tired, but forward finish.
F and S County Geoffery (Appleton)—Max’s Bozo Lightning (C. Staton).—Bozo put down an exciting 35 minutes until he had trouble getting stopped on a covey. Geoffery showed in the heavy cover of the third course and was relieved early.
Drifter’s Dusty Dude (Carrington)—Country Cousin’s Contender (J. Holman).—Dusty suffered from two nonproductives and handled somewhat hard. Jay put down a fine hour, following edges to completion and finishing strong and forward but without birds.
Rimarda’s Trademark (J. Holman)—Ridona’s Rebel Sadie (John).—Sadie chased at 2 and T M wasn’t living up to expectations and was relieved early.
O’Cal’s Damion (Budd)—The Magic Moment (J. Holman).—Damion was somewhat slow today and tired. Jenny covered the ground with a fast, snappy gait. She covered the territory well and was found on point after a long absence, but the birds had left. Her finish was strong.
Unique (Johnson), a bye.—Running in heat, she hunted hard and handled in a kindly manner through out her hour. Though birdless, she put down a good hour.
The top dog today was Trackview’s Ramblin Gypsy, which was also named the Top Qualifer for the initial series. The Championship series started on Thursday morning and was held up for two hours due to heavy rain. Temperatures remained in the 30s and low 40s throughout the day as the heavy rain changed to spring skies and then stopped in the afternoon.
The dogs called back for the Championship finals had all shown all-age range, stamina, and keen hunting instinct.
Championship Finals
Amigo of Aztlan (J. Holman)—Foot (Budd).—Both were away well though Foot suffered with an early 15-minute absence. Amigo continued in a forward, fast-paced style until being joined by Foot at the fish ponds. Both stayed forward around the next woodline. Amigo was gone temporarily at the airport while Foot continued to the next peninsula and scored a covey find at 50, good intensity with all in order. Both finished strong but Amigo went birdless.
Renegade’s Kansas Kid (Johnson)—Sir Duke Mustachio (R. Staton).—Both broke away well and came across the mouth of the Bear Trap without problems. Both had unproductives early but continued on together until Kid established point at 30. Duke missed his opportunity to back and was picked up. Kid stood well throughout the process and was taken on. His range shortened some and he was hurt by another unproductive at 45. He finished strong.
Markar’s Jac’s A Dan D (J. Holman)—Timberline Teddy Bear (Budd).—Jac started somewhat slow for his first 10, but made up for it the rest of his brace. Down the chute and past the oil well, both covered the edges down to the fish pond. Up through the next treeline, Jac was gone for a few minutes while Teddy Bear pointed at 40 but went with the bird. Coming out to the road Jack was spotted near the airport and stayed one field ahead of us for his next 20 minutes. Running out of time, he was sent on to the next ridge where he pointed at 59, showing good style and intensity throughout the flush and shot. He had put down a truly fine last 50 minutes showing stamina, range, and intensity on point.
Reed’s Bonine Max Skipper (R. Staton)—Jake’s Magic Moment (Budd).—Both began well but Jake missed the cut at the mouth of the Bear Trap and took it to the end. Skipper continued on with his forward race until he chased at 27. Jake had a find at 47 with good style and intensity, then continued on with his hard-running style. Though the range wasn’t always there, his desire to find birds was again rewarded at 30. Intensity remained as no birds were produced. When asked to relocate, he was reluctant to move, knowing there were running birds ahead. He re-established and this time the birds were put to flight, Jake standing well. He went on for a good finish.
Trackview’s Rambling Gypsy (Lincoln)—Far Out Bandit (C. Holman).—Both started well down the first course, but Gypsy was lost at 4 and not returned until 20. Bandit was lost at 10 and not returned. Back to the front, Gypsy was a real handful for Lincoln and the two had trouble negotiating the course together. No birds were found.
Country Cousin’s Contender (J. Holman)—Maximum Express (R. Staton).—This was a strong running brace. Both down the first peninsula and on out in fine order. On the next sharp cover Jadejnade it halfway, then continued on across the edge of an open field. The scout was dispatched at 15 and Jake was found standing two fields on, locked up on quail. Anyone who has seen this dog knows the intensity with which he points, this find being no different. Express went on down and out the evergreen peninsula where Jade joined her. Both continued towards the bear trap with the lead changing hands as they hunted the edges with thoroughness. Down and across the Bear Trap and heading back towards the airport, Express pointed at 35 with good intensity and all in order. Taken on Jade established point on what ended up an unproductive. Express missed her opportunity to back and had to be whoaed. Thus ended her exciting time down as Jade was taken on for a strong, forward finish.
Batche’s Bonine Rockie (C. Staton)—Blaze (C. Holman).—Both broke down the right side of the first course with Rockie to the front. Both were brought back by their handlers, Blaze with a fast, snappy gait and Rockie with long, ground-covering strides. Both handled kindly with Rockie a little wider but Blaze never leaving birdy cover. Blaze pointed at 40, good intensity. Rockie established at 42 with Blaze stopping 15 feet away. Blaze was taken on and established point 30 yards away. The bird flushed back towards Rockie which handled it well as his birds were finally flushed. Both went down across the airport and into the next peninsula for a strong finish with Blaze having another find at 50. Blaze was just a little short and Rockie tired slightly at the end.
The Magic Moment (J. Holman)—Unique (Johnson).—Both hunted diligently for the first 30 minutes until Unique established point but chased at the flush. Jenny had trouble getting it together from here on out and suffered two unproductives before slowing near the end.
Ardmore, Okla., March 14
Judges: Bill Klenner and Fred Smith
UNITED STATES OPEN BRITTANY CHAMPIONSHIP
[One-Hour Qualifying Heats; One-Hour Finals]—44 Brittanys
Winner—COUNTRY COUSIN’S CONTENDER, 213791, male, by JD Of Lost River—Del Oro Sue Ellen. Gary & Lou Ann Holland, owners; Jim Holman, handler.
Runner-Up—MARKAR’S JAC’S A DAN D, 137740, male, by Jacque of Connie—Smokestone Dan Dee. Bob Weisz, owner; Jim Holman, handler.
VICTOIRE NATIONALE DERBY CLASSIC
By Barbara Wade
This event has become the premier Derby stake for Brittanys. Ruffwood Jack of Bay Arbor, fourteen-month-old white and orange male topped a field of thirty Brittanys to be named winner in the hour-long heats. He is owned by Mike and Donna Wilshire of Belwood, Ontario and was ably handled by Chad Holman. Jack joins his mother, Bay Arbor’s Barba Lou, the 1983 runner-up. His pedigree shows Jack Flash O’Dolly (1976 U.S. Open Ch. Perry’s Rustic Prince) and (1973 U.S. Open Ch. Ban Dee) through Twin Oaks Foolish Pleasure and Rimarda's Trademark. Jack had a strong, wide race consistently forward. His first find was at the end of a treeline. On the second find the handler found him standing in heavy cover and the birds flushed as he dismounted. His final cast was to the front going away strong.
Shannon Far Out, owned by C. T. Tilley of Ft. Worth, Tex., and handled by Vic Carrington, had good application the first half of the brace. He broke off his casts some as he tired. He pointed birds twice and regained some of his run at the end.
The Derby was fortunate to have Bob Weisz of Keota, Okla., returning as judge. He was assisted by David Ayres of Winston, Mo.
The remaining dogs and their handlers included: Jill’s Bonine Nellie, (Mar), Sophie Butts of Evergreen (John), Sparks’LL’Fly (Mar), Top Gun Annie (Staton), O’Cals Mac Attack (Budd), Rimarda’s Marksman (Holman), Silver Lakes Wished Blaze (Budd), C. J.’s Royal Flush (John), Big Wheels Ranbo (Mar), Hi Scor Red Net (Mar), Jac’s Rambling Duke (Holman), Tallassee Southern Sky (Holman), Deal O Dan, (Mar), C J’s Katydid (John), Tomar’s Hi Plains Drifter (Mar), Sturm’s Wild Bill (Staton), Bernie of the Briar Patch (Staton), Blue Chips Repeater (Holman), Make em Blush (Mar), C J’s Savanah Deelite (John), Bay Meadows Trucker (Mar), Allair’s Skipper’s Chip, (Staton), Sooner Stardust, (Mar), Aux-Arc’s Mark, (Staton), Whetstone’s Going Jessee (Mar), Spy’De Campo (Staton), Valley View Jessie (Staton), Blaze and Lobos Roy (Carrington).
VICTOIRE NATIONALE DERBY CLASSIC
judges: Bob Weisz and David Ayres
[One-Hour Heats]—30 Brittanys
Winner—RUFFWOOD JACK OF BAY ARBOR, unreg., Brittany male, by Rimarda’s Trademark—Bay Arbor’s Barba Lou. Mike & Donna Wilshire, owners; Chad Holman, handler.
Runner-Up—SHANNON FAR OUT, unreg., Brittany male, by Gun Runner’s Far Out— Faison’s Puff The Magic Dragon. C. W. Tilley, owner; Vic Carrington, handler.
