2002 United States Open Brittany Championship
By Mary Karbiner
The 39th annual running of the United States Open Brittany Championship and the 28th Victoire Nationale Derby Classic were held March 16-22 at the Lake Murray State Park. Ardmore, Okla.. home of this prestigious event since its incorporation in September 1962 and the inaugural running in the spring of 1963.
When one reviews the stats of this Championship you can recognize names that have gone on to be notables in the Brittany world, Hall-of-Famers, National Championship winners and producers with multiple generations of dogs leaving their names in the history of this uniquely designed event. This Championship was patterned along the lines of the Free-for-All for breed improvement and intended to glorify the determined Brittany with the bird-finding desire and physical attributes essential for a winning performance in an hour qualifying heat, then returning for another rigorous hour in the finals. The companion Derby stake is the first and only one hour heat for Brittanys. Judges for the Open Championship were Larry Cox, the returning arbiter, of Alvord. Tex., and Jim Pratt of Wagoner. Okla. Both judges are familiar with this venue, having competed their bird dogs here for many years.
Last year's runner-up in this Championship has been '“kicking some butt" all year long. Shambo’s Dark Shadow has an impressive list of credentials for a five-year-old. This stately male made headlines in December when he won the American Brittany Club's National Open All-Age Championship. He displayed the attitude that exemplifies this stake and was named this year's champion. His proud owner. Philip Dangerfield of Brooksville. Fla., has been in attendance at this event for a number of years and was again on hand to watch the competition. Shadow was handled by Jim John and scouted by Ed Tillson.
Runner-up was Locar's Double or Nothing, owned by Russell Handy of Glen Allen. Va.. and handled by Tom Tracy. Jr. "Clark" is a white and orange six-year-old male. He flies across the country with ease.
Leave it to a single male to find a home cooked meal and entertainment. Global Outreach is a nonprofit trail riders group based in northern Texas and southern Oklahoma. Ken Baxter is the area coordinator. With their roster of interested persons and word of mouth they can form a get-together to travel to interesting places to camp and trail ride. They schedule two rides per year at the Ardmore location, headquartering at youth camp No. 2. Most of these people are members of a more structured group, TETRA, which is Texas Equestrian Trail Riders Association.
Saturday evening they held a potluck dinner and dance with a live band. It was related to this reporter that the conversation led to a discussion of buying a canine field trial prospect and gaited horses. The invitation was made to ride with the gallery on Sunday morning. Those who were interested met us at breakaway with their own gaited horses.
Cindy Morris rode the dog wagon for a personal description of what their group had only observed from a distance. One of the highlights for them was the mid-morning coffee break where coffee, juice and snacks were served in the field. Cindy was asked if she wanted to ride horseback the rest of the morning. “I’ve got coffee and snacks right here. No thanks!” We enjoyed our morning of visiting with these folks; everyone appeared to have a good time.
The crew was headed by President Dr. Robert Rankin who marshalled along with Loyd Budd as coordinator. We thank Jim Hearne for birds and special dog wagon duties, also the Milams and the Prides. Donna is the official "coffee lady." Longtime members of this Championship were on hand again to assist with the running.
Qualifying Series
Frisca's Little Abbigail (Carrington) and Pride and Joy’s Bunch of Annie (Pride) were away under overcast skies, a flash flood watch. 100% showers and thunderstorms forecast. Temperature was in the upper 50s. the wind out of the east. "Abby" was running the edge of the woods at Rosco's hilltop pond. Annie crossed Lem Roberts Road. Handler raised his hat and deer jumped out from the large mott. She gave a brief chase and returned to the front in the youth camp area. Abby was not returned to judgment after her venture into the woods below the oil well. Annie continued her search for game. making some nice moves. At 45 point was called as she stood at the edge of a mott just before bird alley, styling up as handler approached. A bird lifted from the far side of a deadfall. She was fired over and taken on. She finished forward into the lcky finger.
The Prairie Tornado (John) and Apache (Maxwell). Across the little rocky ledge "Twister" took the right hand edge heading south. Apache moved through bird valley where point was called at 5. He moved up. birds popped and he was leashed. Twister was not returned to judgment.
Linvel's Blazen Sunspot (Kline) and Blaze's Rambling Mo Man (Rohner) were wide and out of pocket from time to time requiring scouting. "Mo" was gone at the big rocky ledge crossing and not returned to judgment. "Spot" finished the hour near the tent pad finger.
The next brace was away in the rain that began during the lunch break and fell all afternoon. Trixi was a fast snappy female and attacked the terrain. Clark showed purpose in his application, always forward, using the edges. At 41 Clark pointed near the feeder at cedar point. During the extensive flushing scout and reporter saw a bird hot foot it across bare ground to the next cover. He was tired over and taken on. Trixi came on the scene from the other side and pointed in the cover. She had a breach of manners and was leashed. At 48 scout called point as Clark stood at the edge of a large mott; game was produced with all in order. He finished the hour forward using the country well.
Chancey Jackpot Lotto (Tracy) and Kahlua II (Carrington) were away in a flourish, eating up the real estate. Scout called point for "Chance" as he stood in the brush in bird valley: however, no game could be produced. As we headed through Manck's Crossing both dogs were to our right going through the woods. "Jessie” popped out well forward heading across the meadow. Chance was out of pocket. The course made a hard left, both dogs were absent and the search was on. Neither was found in time.
As the rain continued the roads became very slick. We rode back to hilltop pond and the dog wagon. Hanging Jaze Howlalewya (Rohner) was unable to come to the line. Milam ran Woods Edge Dream as a bye. "Bud" started fast, used the country and hit the cover. At 8 he pointed and moved on. searching down the brushy draw where he found a nice covey and put them to flight.
Day dog: Locar's Double or Nothing
Cedar Hills (Baker) and J and M Lightning's Magnum Max (Carrington). The rain continued to fall throughout the night and well into the morning breakaway. Both dogs were flying across the top of the hill, headed into the woods. We proceeded down the chute, across the road and into the youth camp area where both were decidedly out of judgment.
Chikamin's Repeat (Budd) and Joker's Our Gang Alfalfa (John) were off from the meadow above pond dam No. 1 . Both dogs headed for the woods. "Pete" was out of pocket at 6 and was returned to the front. “Alf" was sighted behind deer just up from pond dam No. 2 and regained the front at 27. Alt' pointed birds, suffered a breach of manners and was leashed. Pete returned but not within the grace period.
Shambo's Dark Shadow (John) and Smoke's Hungry Heart (Tracy) went across the meadow parallel to bird alley and flew to the bear trap. "Boss" returned first and made the swing around the meadow. In the brushy ditch to our right, he pointed. Extensive flushing could not produce game. Shadow gained the front and Boss was taken on. At 23 point was called for both dogs in bird alley. Boss was seen behind a bird. Shadow stood nicely through it all. He was fired over and taken on. With his ground eating gait he covers a lot of terrain and makes use of the edges. At 41 in the meadow out of Manck's Crossing point was called. Shadow stood in a mott: a single was put to flight with ail in order. He finished the hour forward, handling well.
Blaze Dakota Trucker (Rohner) and Blueridge Major Adventure (Carrington) were slow to start but gained momentum. At 27 we watched Trucker take the woodsedge toward tent pad finger into the newly graded area. Shortly scout called point as he stood at the edge of the woods. As we rode to him Major moved in, momentarily stopped, then flushed the birds. Trucker maintained his stylish composure throughout. He has an easy way of flowing across the ground. At 45 he was taking an edge toward cedar point when he pointed high and tight. Game was flushed with all in order. He finished the hour well forward headed toward the bear trap.
T J's Apache (John) and Julry's Gem Dealer (Tracy) put down a wide reaching brace. Dealer has tremendous ground speed. Point A to point B, zero to sixty, which caused him to be out of pocket frequently. He was not returned to judgment as we neared the backside of the airport. "Bandit" covered a lot of ground this hour without bird contact.
Make My Day Dude (John) and Lobo's Micro Dash (Rohner) had their running shoes on. Lots of riding to keep up with both of them. Dude was off on deer as we came out of brushy point. Dash had turned right going up the draw, was also returned to the front at pond dam No. 2. At 44 in the mott just before bird alley both dogs stood. Handlers put game to flight and fired. Dude turned to mark the flight. Dash was more biddable as the hour ended. At 56 Dude pinned game at the bed springs corner with all in order to finish his hour.
Day dog: Blaze Dakota Trucker.
Ortho Acres Goldberg (Tracy) and Smarteyes Joker (John). This morning we were under cloudy skies, temperature in the low 50s and the wind at 10-15 mph and gusty. Heavy storms moved east during the night leaving the ground very muddy . Goldberg was down the chute and "Jordan" to the right in the draw. These dogs motored around the course, Jordan wider. As we rode to the lop of the knob at 44 we sighted both dogs standing on different sides of a mott. Handlers flushed and fired over the dogs with acceptable manners. Jordan continued wide and forward. At 56 Goldberg pointed near a deadfall with Jordan backing nicely from a distance. Goldberg moved up, checking the area. Jordan was taken on. A lengthy relocation could not produce any game. Both dogs finished the hour headed toward the icky finger.
Dakota Copper Nickle (Kuykendall) and Lobo's Legend (Johnson). Away across the meadow we crested the rock crossing, sighting "Duke" headed south. "Raleigh" was headed north across bird alley when he pointed at 4. He had a small covey nicely located. Handler flushed as he maintained his style He made some nice moves as he hunted the cover Duke was out of pocket at Manck's Crossing. Raleigh took the left edge coming out of the crossing and was rewarded with a find at 17. He was stylish throughout flush and shot. He continued the hour using the edges in his application. Duke was not returned to judgment.
Tejas Iron Mike (Carrington) and Breeze County Clyde (Kline). Down the chute from hilltop pond these dogs meant business. At 6 "Point" could be faintly heard. We headed into and through the woods on our right, to the next ridge and there in a small clearing Mike stood. He had a covey pinned. His manners remained staunch throughout flush and shot. Both dogs were wide and covered a lot of country. At 26 Clyde was sighted standing atop the rock ledge at the edge of a thicket. Game was flushed as he stood high and tight throughout. At 41 point was called for Clyde coming out of cedar point. He stood just off the lake edge, buried in the cover. A small covey was put to flight as he maintained his intensity. At 42 Mike was rewarded with a find at the mott before bird alley Both dogs finished the hour forward.
We welcomed sunny skies late in the morning and the ground was firming up. Comanche (Maxwell) and Tee Bone (Lincoln). At the chute "T“ went forward and Commanche went low to the right. Tee ran the edges, handling kindly. Through the youth camp he maintained his forward pattern. Comanche was sighted as we came to pond dam No. 1. Tee continued to make some nice moves but had no game contact in his hour.
Brittany females Dogwood's Gem Nicole (Johnson) and Mokan Razzle Dazzle (Rohner) were in season. "Niki" was slow to start, lateral in her application. At 21 she pointed in a brushy finger but no game could be produced. She was leashed at 40. "Razzi” was also slow to start but gained momentum with each cast. At Manck's Crossing she was out of pocket and was not returned to judgment.
Poki Dot (Johnson), also in season, ran as a bye. We headed toward the chute where we watched her cut a lick down an edge and turn forward through a cut at 10. She was not returned to judgment.
Day dog: Smarteyes Joker
We were greeted by sunny skies and 37° with frost in places. The wind was calm as we left the camp.
Sadie Fair Lady (Johnson) was slow to start. Leas Running Jay Hawk (Rohner) took the bottom draw forward as we passed Rosco's hilltop pond. We crossed Lem Roberts Road and waited for "Jake". Point was called just up from Manck's Crossing at 15 with all in order for Jake. Both dogs continued their forward pattern. Jake being the wider of the pair. At 42 we reached the top of the knob and spotted Sadie on the near side of a large mott and Jake buried in a cedar stand on the far side. Sadie stood rigidly as a small covey was flushed for her. Extensive flushing could not produce birds in front of Jake and he was taken on. Around the bear trap meadow and across the culvert we spied Sadie standing in high grass on our right. Again a covey was Hushed with all in order. Both dogs finished the hour going away.
Suka's Win Mini (Lincoln) and Linvel's Apple Dumplin (Kline) were away fast and furious. "Dump" was out of pocket at the airport and came forward before Manck's Crossing. Mini was hunting the cover when just out of the crossing Dump came out from behind a thicket under a bird and Mini aggressively marked its flight to end the brace.
Day dog: Leas Running Jay Hawk.
Championship Finals
The judges have the freedom to call back as many dogs from the first series as desired. Further, they have the authority to arrange the braces providing for the best judicial evaluation and allowing the dog to be shown over different terrain and conditions.
During the lunch break the "top qualifier" was announced: Smarteyes Joker, handled by Jim John. Then the names and bracings of the ten dogs that were to run in the final series were read.
Skies were sunny with temperatures in the 50s . Wind was from the north and had increased to 20-25 with gusts much stronger. The ground had started to dry out after two days of rain.
Locar's Double or Nothing and Shambo's Dark Shadow were strong and forward in their casts reaching the end of the "string" and showing to the front. They glided along skirting the edges vvith ease. At 41 point was called In "Clark’s handler as he rounded the stand of dees and brush before bird alley. Shadow was sighted standing behind some low cedars on our approach; his handler was summoned for the flush. Clark's posture softened as handler was unable to flush game immediately. Shadow remained high and tight as birds were put to flight to Clark's left. Both dogs remained mannerly. Well into the hour it was evident that this brace had folks sitting up in their saddles. These dogs moved briskly along the edges and over ridgelines with determination. At 50 Shadow stood staunchly as we approached the wooded area of bed springs finger. A single that sat tight was finally put to flight going around and behind him. He pivoted to mark the flight of the bird. It was a strong finish to this hour by both dogs and the gallery was buzzing.
Blaze Dakota Trucker was paired with Smarteyes Joker. Trucker, last year's winner, and "Jordan", this year's top qualifier, were away through bird alley. The wind was still strong and gusty. Slow to start, this pair worked through the heavy cover on this part of the course. At 13 Trucker pointed in a small wooded tract just out of Manck's Crossing. Handler flushed wide, closing in on game buried in front of the dog. He stood impressively throughout. Trucker was forward as he attacked the terrain. "Jordan' dug into the cover, needing some scouting to put him forward. At 34 we made the S turn out of the woods when Trucker was sighted pointing at the edge of a brushy area. Jordan came through the head high cover and backed nicely. Extensive flushing and relocation could only produce an armadillo. At 42 Jordan spun as he raced along a grassy briar strip. Scanning the ground, armadillo was suspect. They finished the hour showing to the front. Jordan without game contact.
Lobo's Legend and Tejas Iron Mike were down on the meadow before pond dam No. 1. Away in a whirl Mike was the wider of the pair. We sighted Mike atop the rise out front as "Raleigh" was through the cut 50 yards to our right. At 20 point was called by the handlers as they crested the knob. Both dogs were pointing shoulder to shoulder. They showed excellent manners throughout flush and shot. Mike was gaining momentum as we progressed. At 43 scout called point for Mike as he stood in a plum thicket. Raleigh came in and backed on his own. Vic started to flush and the other handler moved to see better. Mike's posture changed, relocating. Raleigh moved with him, both dogs searching. Mike pointed again. Raleigh backed. Mike was released and Raleigh was taken on. The flushing attempt was futile. As time was called just out of Manck's Crossing both dogs were last seen to the right along the woodsedge. The other handler called point for Mike. He stood staunchly in the cover as game was flushed. Raleigh popped out of the woods far to the front during the grace period.
Friday morning was sunny, light breeze and temperature about 30 . a pleasant change from yesterday's high wind.
Breeze County Clyde and Sadie Fair Lady. From the barn along the top of the hill and down the chute Clyde was wide and searching. Sadie began at moderate range hunting the cover. Clyde was out of pocket showing from the woods on the right at Lem Roberts Road. At 42 point was called for Clyde coming out of cedar point. He stood just off the lake edge. Extensive flushing and relocation could not produce game. At 50 Sadie had a find at the mott near bird alley w'ith impeccable manners. Heading to the front Clyde was sighted standing in the tall grass near the road as we rode over the ridge. A single was put to flight as he stood nicely. Sadie finished the hour on the short side but busy. Clyde was headed toward the bear trap as time was called.
Tee Bone and Leas Running Jay Hawk made some nice moves early in the brace. At 11 "Jake" pointed in bird alley. He stood high and tight throughout flush and shot. At 14 Tee found game, had a breach of manners and was taken to the wagon early. Jake was sighted moving into a brushy thicket just out of Manck's Crossing. Birds were sighted and as we approached he was standing, fired over and taken on. Out of pocket as the course turns left he was brought forward just before pond dam No. 4. He had a barren stand coming out of the fickle finger area. The hour ended heading to gun dog hill.
Ardmore, Okla., March 1168
Judges: Lary Cox and Jim Pratt
UNITED STATES OPEN BRITTANY CHAMPIONSHIP
[One-Hour Qualifying Heats; One-Hour Finals]—38 Brittanys
Winner SHAMBO'S DARK SHADOW. 1522513. male, by Camsham's Shambozo—Starr's Aapricot Lulu. Philip Dangerfield, owner; Jim John, handler
Runner-Up—LOCAR'S DOUBLE OR NOTHING. 1443024. male, by Allmac's Dark Smoko Di Na Mo—Eaglebritt's Double Entendre. Russell Handy, owner; Tom Tracy. Jr., handler.
VICTOIRE NATIONALE DERBY CLASSIC
By Dr. Robert Rankin
This year's Classic boasted a field of 26 starters. The weather was dry but cool enough to make it a good one-hour stake. These dogs were under the judgment of Harold Brown of Fort Worth. Tex.. and Dr. Robert Rankin of Oklahoma City.
Many vied for the ribbons but the winner and runner-up were exceptional dogs. Kinwashkly Jumpin Jack Flash, handled by Tom Tracy. Jr. in the third brace, ran a strong, forward race throughout the hour. He constantly showed on the hilltop to the front in the tough area behind the airport and down through Manck's Crossing. Point was called at 35 as he held well until the bird was flushed. From there he continued on with a hold front running pattern, hunting hard for the hour.
Runner-up was Obwon for owner-handled Daniel Hinskey. She was also a fast and forward moving dog. showing consistently to the front. She had a more open course than the winner and used the edges well, maintaining a forward application. She had two spaced finds in her hour and was up front going away as time was called.
There were other notable dogs. J and M Clark's Trademark (Carrington) vied strongly with speed and a find. Damn Yankee (Milam) was always forward and had bird contact. Sunnybank Rascal D’ Ruffian (Tracy) was strong with a good forward race but without bird contact. Rowdy Mountain Rio Blanco (Burchett) showed speed and stamina throughout the hour. K K Millenia (Wild) took every edge to completion. Simply Irresistible (Burchett) had a pleasing forward race.
VICTOIRE NATIONALE DERBY CLASSIC
judges: Harold Brown and Dr. Robert Rankin
[One-Hour Heats]—26 Brittanys
Winner KINWASHKLY JUMPING JACK FLASH, unreg.. male. by The Whiz Kid— Kinwashkly Sunshine Girl. Jodi Schmiski, owner. Tom Tracy. Jr., handler
Runner-Up OBWON. 1532786, female. by Trucker's Dakota Kidd—Tj's Dusty Rose. Daniel Hinskey. owner and handler.
