2000 United States Open Brittany Championship
By Tom Milam
Spring in southern Oklahoma: mid-March can bring late blizzards to the southern plains, but we were blessed with moderate temperatures and much needed rain. The redbud trees were beautiful and the sand plums were starting to bloom at Lake Murray State Park, near Ardmore, Okla.
The grounds consist of approximately 3,500 acres of rolling wooded hills and hay meadows along the north shore of blue water Lake Murray. Through the efforts of the Oklahoma Field Trial Clubs Association quail has been re-established.
We gathered for the 38th renewal of the United States Open Brittany Championship and the Victoire National Derby Classic.
The Derby Classic is the only one-hour Brittany Derby stake and the Championship format is unique: all contestants perform in a one-hour initial series and the cream of the crop are called back to lay it on the line for another hour in the championship finals.
The Championship Association was formed in 1963. Dr. Robert Rankin is the current president and keeps a watchful eye on the overall operation. Dr. John and Judy Webb along with their helpful sidekick, Donna Pride, handle the dog wagon duties and coffee breaks. Loyd Budd and Mary Karbiner are the backbone, real workers. Tommy Emde and Dub Emde prepared the owners’/handlers’ dinner.
We would like to thank Purina for its sponsorship. Purina supplied product for winners and handlers. Their financial support is most appreciated.
Innotek, a new sponsor for the Championship, graciously donated an electric collar. For their participation we are grateful.
The judges were Harold Ellis of McKinney, Tex., and James Doherty of Mobile. Ala. Harold is an avid hunter. He attended his first trial in 1959 and is a very highly respected and sought after judge. James is the past 1st vice president of the American Brittany Club. He has owned and campaigned several exceptional dogs. The most notable of these was Hi Proof Rum Runner, the 1991 National Brittany Champion. These two gentlemen endured intermittent rain, mud and a lightning storm. Their judicial comportment was above reproach; they were attentive to each contender's performance.
The Winners
This year’s champion is Poki Dot, white and liver, five-year-old bitch owned by Jim and Meam Floyd, and handled by Lyle Johnson. This was her second major title in as many months, having also won the Texas Open Brittany Championship. She was one of eight dogs called back for the second series. Her performance in the second series closely mirrored her initial effort. Her race was forward and fast. She tallied finds at 5, 18, and 44. She pointed with style and on her one back disposed great intensity. She was going away at time.
Runner-up was Tequila’s Joker, orange and white ten-year-old male, owned by Ed and Judy Tillson of Belen. N. M.. and handled by Jim John. TJ was the 1997 champion. There were several similarities in his two performances. In each stake TJ had one find and both came in the last minute of the brace. This sear's find came at 59:15. He was high and tight during the flushing. His race was typified by sojourns through the woods, showing at appropriate times and places. A solid performance by this proud veteran.
The “top qualifier" from the first series was Lea’s Running Jayhawk, owned by Bo and Renae Ackerman of Gainesville, Ga. Jake is a five-year-old white and orange male that was strong on the ground with stylish finds.
Qualifying Series
Make My Day Dude (John) and Mischief Dust In the Wind (Gorrow) were loosed at 1:00 Sunday afternoon. It was sunny, 54°, a light wind from the north. Dusty scored at 16 at the feeder along the woodsedge east of the oil well and at 41 on Cedar Point. Dude was birdless. Both dogs had adequate application; their range was conservative.
Mokan Bimbo (Gorrow) and Lobo’s Kodiac Cody (Maxwell) traded nice moves during the first half. The pair seemed to tire after 40 minutes but summoned the energy for good final casts. Cody was found standing in the oak mote half way up gun dog Hill. He had been out of pocket several minutes. Cody exhibited good manners as birds were flushed.
Jim De Bob’s Miss T’s A Dan Dee (John) Rebel JJ's Wishful Thinking (Rohner). Hope was a handful and soon was out of judgment. Misty had two finds during which she displayed good posture. However on this day she ran at shooting dog range.
Monday morning, bright and sunny, 39°, the wind was from the south at 10 mph.
Molly’s Bar None Meg (Johnson) pointed a large covey west of Rosco’s pond at 6. The birds lift as Woods Edge Dream (Milam) arrived. Meg self released and both dogs were leashed.
Tee Bone (Lincoln) had a covey pinned at 19 in the valley before the youth camp and a pair on the west side of slender mote on Lem Roberts Road at 49. He tired near the end. Mokan Razzle Dazzle (Rohner) hit the ground in all-age form but was lost off the front after pond No. 2.
After Manck’s crossing Shambo’s Dark Shadow (John) became more moderate. He had a solid stop to flush on deer and a covey in the valley before big rockledge. He was named Day Dog for the first six braces. For twenty minutes Scarface (Budd) kept everyone occupied. Would he show after another large cast or not? Going through Manck’s crossing the rubber band snapped and he was not returned to judgment.
Monday afternoon, a south wind was gusting to 25 mph, the temperature is in the low 70s. Neither Blueridge’s Grandmaster B (John) nor Smoky Hill Peg (Gorrow) could overcome the head wind and were leashed early.
Sadie Fair Lady (Johnson) and Lea’s Running Jayhawk (Rohner) were fast and to the front, Jake the wider, but both were flowing through the country. At 6 Jake pointed on Brier Point. A small covey was produced. Jake scored again at 43, Sadie backing. Their manners were the best. In the meadow leading to Manck’s crossing, both took the right hand edge. Scout was dispatched and point called at 49. As Judge Ellis and your reporter rode to the point, a bird left. Rob was instructed to shoot and take his dog on. Both dogs finished ahead. Jake was named Day Dog for day No. 2.
The Prairie Tornado (John) and Jamar Reno (Lincoln) had a nice piece of bird work on a running covey, Twister working the game and Reno backing. Neither handler was satisfied with the run took up at the half. Suka’s Win Mini (Lincoln) and Blueridges's Flashdancer (Wild) were away well under an overcast sky with an easterly wind about 5-10 mph. Today neither dog was up to handlers’ expectations and were up early.
J and M Ace High Jax (Carrington) and Heldebrandt’s Diamond Jem (Budd) were off from from the oil well at Lem Roberts Road. Jax stood east of the feeder pointing into the underbrush. Two birds were flushed, shot fired. Jim and Mary Crawford’s young dog handled this find well. He was somewhat erratic early but improved as the hour progressed. The two dogs traded large, forward casts, and at 31 Jax scored again in the edge of the large plum thicket at the mouth of the point; a nice covey for a good piece of work. D J, the wiley vet, and Jax, the upstart, matched forward casts through the Bear Trap meadow, disappearing ahead. D J stood at bed springs comer. After a brief relocation, Budd produced a bird, all in order.
Chikamin’s Repeat (Budd) was lost early near Manck’s crossing. Tequila’s Joker (John) started slowly but seemed to gather energy. At Manck’s crossing he ran the woods north to the top of the chute. Jim rode hard to gather him. A nice cast was made on the back course in the west country. He was gone as we approached big rock ledge but showed half way up gun dog hill. He was gone again at the chute and appeared at Lem Roberts Road. (I think he carried his own map and time piece.) Although TJ went birdless his last cast carried him well forward. A solid performance by an experienced campaigner.
Rain was heavy during the lunch break. Water was standing in all low areas.
Pride and Joy’s Bunch of Annie (Pride) had a mishap at 16. Blaze Dakota Trucker (Rohner) had gone to the right of the chute and was a bit delayed in returning to the front at Lem Roberts road. From there he stayed forward and had a strong finish.
Joker’s Our Gang Alfalfa (John) had bad luck shortly after breakaway; the brace was interrupted by a heavy rain and lightning storm. After a 25-minute delay, Jim could not get him going again and the brace was over early. Rambling Rose VIII (Rohner) was scratched.
Lobo’s Boss Man (Maxwell) and Euchee Rocky (Budd) followed. Rocky is a former Victoire Derby winner and was last year’s runner-up. Boss is a solid performer capable of getting the job done. Rocky was lost in the woods at Manck’s crossing and Boss’ best cast put him across the crest of gun dog hill.
Wednesday morning was muddy and wet followed numeorus showers during the night. It was in the 50s with a mild southerly breeze.
Poki Dot (Johnson) was running the edges to the front and looking good doing it. She stood at 18, nailing a pair near the feeder east of Lem Roberts Road, at 29 on a large covey in the woods southwest of pond No. 1. Blueridge’s Ambren Express (Wild) had not been sighted by handler or scout. At 34 Poki had a single pointed in the treeline north of the trail in the tent pad finger. She was high and tight on all three. She had a big finish through the bear trap meadow.
Poki was named Day Dog for the third day’s running.
Cedar Hill’s Pierre (Baker) and Blaze Ramblin Mo Man (Rohner) were “pickin’ ’em up and puttin’ ’em down,” but both were out of pocket at Manck’s crossing and not returned to judgment. Due to extremely muddy conditions breakaway was at the chute headed west toward pond No. 4.
Condesa Bigote (Wild) and Dakota's Copper Nickel (Rohner) were a handful off the breakaway. Both
were a little erratic, unable to establish and maintain forward casts; the handlers elected to leash them.
Bar None’s Rockin Robin (Johnson) and Go Man (Maxwell) were off after lunch with a light breeze, 60°. At 9 Robin pointed; she stood in a large plum thicket on the left of the chute. One bird flushed as handler enters the thicket. Both dogs crossed Lem Roberts Road to the front. Robin pointed at 16. She pinned a feeding seven-bird covey in the middle mott east of Lem Roberts Road, a good piece of work. Both dogs continued to work the course in a forward manner, Robin the wider of the two. Zack was picked up at 50. Robin took the left edge of bear trap meadow, disappearing to the front. She was found standing in the bed springs corner. Two birds were flushed, all in order. A solid hour.
Bar None’s Texas Ranger (Wild) started with promise, crossing the front and hunting objectives. He had a stop to flush on a feeding covey above bird valley. He tallied two more competent finds and had an unproductive. He slowed some toward the end but was forward and solid for the hour. J and E Bayou Bengal couldn’t quite put it together. John leashed him at the half.
Rebel’s Tough Is Tyrone (John) and Jocin Mister Micro Tye (Johnson) followed. At 3 scout called point for Tyrone. He stood in tall grass in the woods to the right of the chute. A long, extensive flushing attempt finally produced a single. Tyrone never let down, maintaining his composure through. He regained the front and the dogs matched forward casts to Cedar Point and the following meadow. Tyrone’s next cast carried him to the west side of the skinny mote on Lem Roberts Road. At 46 scout found him standing. Two birds were produced. Tyrone again displaying perfect manners. Both dogs made large, forward casts through the bear trap meadow. At time point was again called by Tyrone’s scout on the ridge above bird valley. Three birds were flushed, all in order.
Thursday morning a light rain fell with a south breeze, and temperature at 60°.
Tequila’s TJ Max (John) was a handful and was soon lost. Johnson did not like Lobo’s Legend and picked up early.
A Bunch of Butch (Murphy) and Miss Business (Budd) were quite a brace for the first twenty minutes. Each dog was seeking the forward limits of the course. At 28 Butch had a small covey well located north of the bed springs corner. He was high on both ends, standing in heavy cover. Butch was forward but not up to handler’s expectations and was taken up at 49. Lacy’s effort never slackened. Some of her casts were huge, working handler and scout. She finished the well to the front. Although she went birdless, she was rewarded for her great race, named Day Dog.
Both Hill’s Just Judd (Johnson) and Pride and Joy’s Bushman (Pride) were gone for several minutes and showed to the front at pond No. 4. They showed well on the back course. Butch had a nice find on a covey at 57, and both finished well. Kahlua II (Carrington) and TM’s Lady Abagail of DMR (Smith) were fast and forward off the breakaway. At 25 Kahlua was lost in the bear trap. Abby continued her forward race, but tired.
Championship Finals
Eight dogs were called back. A large gallery was present at breakaway—33 riders looking forward with anticipation. Many owners were present including Marvin Nelson, Annette Overlease, Jim and Meam Floyd and Jim and Mary Crawford.
Lea’s Running Jayhawk (Rohner) and Poki Dot (Johnson). Action was fast and furious. Point was called by both handlers at 5. The dogs were standing in the cover at Roscoe’s pond. One bird was produced. At the east end of the chute Jake ran the meadow to the left while Poki had taken the right line showing to the front at Lem Roberts Road. Point was called by Johnson at 18. Poki was on the left in the edge of the woods. Again one bird was flown with all in order. Headed toward the fish ponds, Jake took the right edge in the valley forward out of sight. Jake was standing at the end of this cast. Time was 25. Poki arrived and backed on first sight. Rohner was unable to produce birds. Approaching Briar point and pond No. 2, Jake ran the left hand edge into the point. Poki was on the right and her forward cast carried her across the pond dam toward Cedar Point. Jake suffered his second unproductive and was leashed. In 38 runnings, only three top qualifiers have gone on to win the Championship. It has been coined “the kiss of death”. Poki was found on point by the scout on Cedar point. Several birds were flushed. She incurred an unproductive on Cedar Point. Continuing her forward, animated race through the bear trap meadow, a fourth find was carded at 56. She finished out of sight around bed springs corner.
Sadie Fair Lady (Johnson) and J and M Ace High Jax (Carrington). Jax had a food find on the ridge proceeding pond No. 4. However, neither dog was running up to their form in the qualifying series. Both handlers elected to leash early. Along the back course in the west country
Tequila’s Joker (John) was wider than Bar None’s Rockin Robin (Johnson). TJ was out of sight as we crossed big rockledge. He showed on the right. In the chute Robin took the entire edge on the left. TJ emerged from the apex on the right, crossed the road and continued into the woods above pond No. 1. As Robin approached pond No.1, Lyle elected to pick up. TJ appeared at the south end of the pond No. 1. TJ then searched one objective after another. He was rewarded with a find at 59. Several birds were flushed and the hour was over.
Rebel’s Tough Is Tyrone (John) and Miss Business (Budd) broke sharply, showing their heels. As we crossed Lem Roberts at the bear trap, Tyrone swapped ends displaying great intensity. Two quail are flushed with all in order at 6. Tyrone had another find at the big oak at 18. He again had great style. This was all of the bird work for the hour. Both dogs had solid effort, exhibiting great heart and conditioning in the high humidity and climbing heat. Miss Business was especially wide, showing to the front at opportune times. She may have dislodged one of the top two with a good find.
Ardmore, Okla., March 18
Judges: James Doherty and Harold Ellis
UNITED STATES OPEN BRITTANY CHAMPIONSHIP
[One-Hour Qualifying Heats; One-Hour Finals]—49 Brittanys
Winner—POKI DOT, 1478912, female, by Microdot—Wee Dee. Jim & Meam Floyd, owner; L. Johnson, handler.
Runner-Up—TEQUILA’S JOKER, 1402540, male, by Beaugarde's Golden Tequila—Ban Dandy. Ed Tillson, owner; J. John, handler.
VICTOIRE NATIONALE DERBY CLASSIC
The winner, Ringer’s Starr, handled by Loyd Budd, is a snappy female owned by George Allen of Dallas, Tex. Runner-up Wolf Creek Bandee Kate is owned by Dr. Jim Miles of Paris, Tex., and handled by Ed Wild.
Judges for the stake were Tom Milam of Elm Mott, Tex., and Pat Kammerlocher of Norman, Okla., who also reported the event.
Seventeen youngsters were entered in this esteemed Derby Classic. The weather was typical for early spring— unpredictable!
Brace No. 2 paired Ringer's Starr (Budd) with Blueridge Major Adventure (Downing). Starr showed winning potential all throughout the hour, staying forward most of the time and requiring little scouting. When it
seemed she had been out of sight a little too long, or in a tricky-to-negotiate bend in the course, she would pop up right where she needed to be. A nearly broke find at about the middle mark really put her in the hunting mood, but didn't alter her race any. Coming up on Manck’s crossing she dove into the trees to the right of the creek, and several tense moments later emerged far up the treeline, on the other side, to be turned by Budd for the dogleg in the course. Major was having an "adventure" here, and distracted Starr some, but it was an adventure with quail involved. The covey that uses the feeder was at home, and Major found several of them with enthusiasm, including one high on a tree branch. The rest of Major's hour had been trying for Downing, but fun to watch.
Wolf Creek Ban Dee Kale (Wild) and Comanche (Maxwell) were next. Kate had speed and stamina aplenty! Her race was big and usually to the front, although she did take a couple of wandering tangents, from which she brought herself back in plenty of time. After Manck’s crossing, deer were seen leaving to the side of us, and both dogs managed to slip their handlers and give chase. Kate was quickly rounded up and taken on, where towards the end of the hour she encountered part of the covey that lives by number two pond. This was strictly puppy fun, but when she came back for more, she pointed briefly, and in the chase that ensued this time, she went by the feeder and pointed again, holding for quite awhile, long enough for Wild to dismount (again) and shoot (again). Several birds had flown each time, and we were all surprised when she found still a few more, closer to the pond! Wild finally got her across the pond dam. and time was up. Comanche had a lot of run. too. but then ran out of steam, until the deer revitalized him.
VICTOIRE NATIONALE DERBY CLASSIC
judges: Pat Kammerlocher and Tom Milam
[One-Hour Heats]—16 Brittanys
Winner—RINGER’S STARR. 1507339. female, by Pyburn’s Ringer—Patent Pending II. G. W. Allen, owner; Lloyd Budd, handler.
Runner-Up—WOLF CREEK BANDEE KATE, unreg., Brittany female, by Blaz’n Texas Son—Sooner Starburst. Dr. J. W. Miles, owner; Ed Wild, handler.
