2005 United States Open Brittany Championship
By Mary Karbiner
The 43rd renewal of the United States Open Brittany Championship was held on Lake Murray State Park south of Ardmore, Okla. This is the second longest running championship on these grounds, incorporated in the fall of 1962, and its inaugural stake held in February, 1963.
Many dogs have entered this prestigious stake bringing impressive credentials or going on to amass titles and hour placements in the Brittany world. This year the association’s directors were proud to announce the status of championship to the Victoire Nationale Derby.
Tejas Iron Mike, seasoned veteran handled by Vic Carrington, owned by Tom Graves and Bunny Brown of Texas, won the Open Championship in a field of 45 starters. Mike, a white and liver male, has been a past winner and top qualifier in this event and also runner-up ABC National Champion. He shows his bird savvy in his application.
Runner-up was Shambo’s Dark Shadow, white and liver male owned by Bernie Crain of Missouri. His credentials are a past ABC National Champion and also winner and runner-up in this stake. Shadow also shows smarts in the way that he attacks the course. Both winners exhibit intensity and style around game.
Our returning judge for the Open Championship was Tim Hidalgo of Hardesty, Okla. Tim trains and competes several different pointing breeds and has done so for many years. His knowledge of the grounds was helpful in spotting dogs. His lovely wife, Mary, is always a pleasure to have in attendance. Garvin Collins of Liberty, Mo., was the “new kid on the block”. Garvin has worked dogs for a lot of years and is a very active trialer and worker. This was his first visit to these grounds but was observed early pointing out dogs like he had run the terrain for years. This pair worked well together; their attention and years of experience aided in making some of the tough calls. Their placements were well received.
This association is one of the original “grandfathered” recipients of Purina’s sponsorship and support. Purina is the world’s largest manufacturer of pet foods. They do extensive research on their products, having one of the largest facilities for testing. We are very proud to have available their contribution of dog food, performance bars and informative brochures. Field representative Roy Pelton was on hand for two days to ride and answer questions about Purina products and services.
First-time visitors came from afar. Steve Ralph, Minnesota; Brooke Nicholson, Alabama; Mike Kershaw, Houston; Ed and Lois Mayhew and John and Nick Powers, California. Most were here to watch their Derby dogs then travel on to the Central Futurity in Colorado. Jessica Carlson of Arizona and Margaret Horstmeyer and Tom White of California were also repeat participants.
Our dog wagon driver and co-pilot were Dr. John and Judy Webb. They kept things moving by being at the right place on time. Dr. Bob Rankin, president, marshalled all the braces including the first two days of the Derby Championship, missing the last three braces when duty called. Loyd Budd drove the dog wagon for the Derby Championship putting the “white nightmare” through its paces.
Qualifying Series
Clyde’s Micro Breeze (Kline) and Just Call Me Roy (Tracy) were away under sunny skies, a light breeze with temperature in the 40s. Both dogs were energetic, wide and forward. “Mike” required some scouting as he dug into the cover through the scout camp and beyond. Out of the woods on tent pad finger point was called at 36 for Roy. He stood high and tight in the scrub brush. Game was flushed, all in order. Mike continued to work the cover, lateral at times. Roy maintained a forward pattern handling kindly. At 53 scout called point near Lem Roberts Road. Mike stood staunchly in tall grass, relocated but nothing was produced. At 58 Roy pointed as he headed into the bear trap meadow, another nice find credited, his manners sparkled. Mike had no bird contact during his bid.
Lobo’s Legend (Johnson) and Maxwell’s Blew By You (Maxwell) didn’t miss many likely places looking for birds. “Raleigh” was credited with a nice stop to flush just past the fireworks display area. He was using the edge near the lake when the covey lifted. Later he had a covey well pinned at the lower end of bird valley. “Chuck” continued hitting the cover. At 19 the judges saw a large covey lift from the draw before the airport meadow. Chuck returned from nearby. Through Manck’s crossing he had bird contact and was leashed. Raleigh had slowed and was also leashed.
T and W’s Diamond Jim (Wild) and Dogwood's Gem Nicole (Johnson) were fast and furious early. “Nikki” was out of pocket before pond dam No. 4, returned, headed toward the fickle finger area. At 21 point was called by scout for Jim; we had to ride a distance and point was waved off as we approached. Out of the woods Nikki made game, pointed at 28; extensive flushing and relocation failed to produce anything. Jim took the rock ridge to the right and pointed; birds flushed. He released himself and was taken to the truck. Out of the little creek crossing toward gun dog hill, Nikki took to the wooded area on our right and was rewarded with a nice find in the tall grass. She continued to reach, was out of pocket briefly, returning from Manck’s Crossing area. Across Lem Roberts Road and down into the draw near time handler waited for her to appear from the draw then rode to the last sighting. She stood staunchly in a large thicket. Handler flushed a large covey, all in order.
Temperatures had warmed under sunny skies. Both Shady’s Tia Maria (Berneathy) and T J’s Thunder (John) were slow to start, building momentum into the hour. Through the scout camp at 20, Tia honored the flight of a single from a mowed strip at woodsedge. Thunder had bird contact as we headed into the woods on tent pad finger at 30. Both dogs were out of pocket from time to time showing when needed. Both finished strong.
Keystone’s Double Shot (Tracy) and Gunrunner’s Lady’s Man (Berneathy) left from the bed springs comer, “Shooter” the wider of the pair. As we rode out of Manck’s Crossing, “Lute” had a single flushed from a narrow grassy strip atop the hill. Shooter was wide and absent causing handler to call for the tracker. Lute was out of pocket as we headed into the fickle finger area. Nearing the ridge crossing, handler called point at 50. Lute stood in the path pointing into the tall cover. Birds were flushed with only the turn of his head to mark the flight. His hour ended toward gun dog mil.
Traveler’s Reign of Terra (White) and Suka’s Win Mini (Johnson) headed toward the chute. Terra was called off deer as we headed to the oil well. Mini was out of pocket and returned as we crossed Lem Roberts Road. Terra continued to work the terrain and Mini dug deeper into the wooded area causing an absence but showing in timely fashion. We headed into the bear trap meadow where Mini’s handler called point near the feeder. As he approached Terra came from the woods and eased in for a back, cautioned, standing nicely. Designated handler Roy Pelton was dispatched to handle Terra in her handler’s absence; as he moved toward her he flushed the covey. All manners were in order. Terra’s handler found the front and the hour ended at the bed springs corner.
Day dog on Monday (each 6 braces) was Dogwood's Gem Nicole.
Day No. 2 broke under cloudy skies and temperatures in the upper 40s. Both Dakota Luke (Wild) and Tejas Iron Mike (Carrington) were slow to start, each building as we reached the oil well. In the scout camp, point was called by the gallery for Luke at 23. He was intense as a large covey flew from the tall grass, his manners stylish. Over pond dam Luke headed toward the woods, pointing again at 32. Mike came along the edge of the draw and backed from a distance. Luke had gained momentum and Mike was reaching in his application. At 41 Mike stood high and tight near a feeder before brushy point with all in order. One of the birds landed about 20 feet out on the bare ground just as Luke came around the outside edge of the cover. He put on the brakes and handled this well for a young dog. (Handler exhaled loudly). At 53 coming out of cedar point, Luke had a nice covey pinned in the scrub brush. Mike backed nicely through flush and shot. Both dogs ran strong and with zest to end their hour.
Shambo’s Dark Shadow (John) and PJ’s Red Sun A Risin (Berneathy) headed toward the bear trap from bird alley. At 17 Shadow had a barren stand along the lake edge. The brush was thick making it possible for birds to escape along the lake unnoticed. PJ was out of pocket from time to time. Shadow was running a smart ground race using the terrain. PJ was not returned to judgment as we neared Rosco’s Pond. Shadow finished strongly, using the grounds in his search of game.
At 3 Blueridge Major Adventure (Downing) had an encounter with birds and was leashed. Le Grand Tank Du Fayette (Gorrow) had trouble maintaining the front and was up early.
Temperatures seemed cooler. More layers were donned as the forecast called for afternoon rain.
Wichita (Wild) and Tequila With A Twist (Tillson) were away from the barn after lunch under overcast skies with a moderate wind. “Jake” was the wider of the pair to start. “Taryn” became more settled and began to show intelligence and range in her application. We headed across pond dam No. 1 and out of the tent pad woods where she showed ahead. Jake was still absent and the tracker was requested. Taryn finished her hour with energy to spare, without bird contact.
Breton’s Castle Rocket (John) and Bourbon (Gorrow) took to the cover and beyond starting the hour strong. We came out of the icky finger and across the rock ledge when a deer popped out of a small thicket, Rocket in pursuit. “Al” was headed that way, didn’t become involved, then began to extend his casts. Out of Manck’s Crossing Rocket was returned to the front a bit slower. At the hairpin turn, we went over the rock ledge where Al was returned to the front. He proceeded to boogie across the meadow and hit the long draw. Rocket failed to recover from the deer encounter and was leashed. Scout called point two draws over at 40. A lengthy ride ensued; crossings were not easily accessible where judges needed to go. Al stood on the far side of the draw facing heavy brush. Relocated, a lengthy search failed to produce game. At 59 Al stood in tall grass just off the path. A nice covey was flushed, his manners sterling. Judges wished to see him released from the find. He was sent on with all in order.
After a coffee break in the Buddpuddle meadow, we headed toward the little creek crossing along the big rock ledge. Out of the opening, both Sadie Fair Lady (Johnson) and Sting (Gorrow) took the right side along the tall cover. Birds flushed from the tall grass, dogs hesitated and then released themselves. Both were leashed.
Tuesday’s day dog was Dakota Luke.
A misty rain fell on day No. 3, low 40s, a moderate wind. Chancey Jackpot Lotto (Tracy) and Apache (Maxwell) took the outside edges as we headed for Roscoe’s Pond and down the chute. At the oil well both dogs were out of pocket. At 17 Chancey stood at the edge of the cover. Handler flushed birds with all in order. Apache caught the front as we headed toward the woods on tent pad finger. He pointed near the feeder. Relocated, he moved on through the woods. He was out of pocket as we waited across the draw, returning from the woods. The forward dog was coming out of brushy point when Apache pointed at 49 on the low side of the dam crossing, Chancey backing nicely, each exhibiting good manners at flush and shot. Apache had moved on through cedar point, Chancey going deep taking the outside lake edge around. He pointed in a narrow brushy finger on the backside of the cedars. A small covey was flushed. Released, he took the lake edge working the cover; a single flushed and he failed to acknowledge it as the hour ended. Apache finished the hour at the end of bird alley.
T J’s Apache (John) and Terra’s Cabo Wabo (White). At 6 “Sam” pointed near the bear trap feeder, relocated, but nothing was produced. Sam pointed at 15. Birds were put to flight with all in order. Bandit pointed a ways down the hill; handler called birds as they approached. Unseen by the judge, he was relocated to no avail. As handler and judge returned to their horses, a single flew; no dog was involved. Bandit pointed at 20 with Sam backing. Relocated, no game was produced. Sam was taken on and as he took the edge birds flushed from the cover upon which he stopped nicely at 22. Bandit had moved into the brushy area on the opposite side and honored the flight of a bird at 23. On top of the rock ledge in a plum thicket, Sam again pointed at 25. A covey was put to flight as a rider moved closer to view the activity. Bandit had a find in bird valley at 27, excellent manners through flush and shot. Both dogs disappeared in the cover at the airport, and neither dog subsequently was returned to judgment.
Ortho Acres Booker T (Tracy) was drawn as a bye. Traveling along the woodsedge toward the fickle finger area Booker whirled and pointed near a scrub thicket at 16. As birds flushed he stood staunchly through flush arid shot. Booker ran a forward race. He had a fluid ground eating gait that kept your attention. Atop the hill headed down the chute, Booker took the woods on pur right. We waited briefly at the oil well for him to appear. Into the scout camp, he went deep on the left through the cabin area. He appeared from the woods at the lake edge. Coming through the cover before the brooder ponds, he pointed a covey that had been a regular sighting in this area. He stood high and tight through flush and shot.
Midday the sun was trying to peek through. A moderate wind with temperatures in the upper 40s.
Smarteyes Joker (John) and Dakota's Copper Nickel (Carrington) started strongly, making some nice moves across the terrain. “Duke” had brief absences but returned with appropriate timing. At 41 Duke pointed in a likely place. We were about to make the turn in brushy point when he pointed stylishly near a brush pile. Extensive flushing could not produce any game. At 43 “Jordan” had a stylish and mannerly find near a feeder as we made the swing on cedar point. Both dogs used the country throughout the hour. At 53 Jordan pointed in the mott before bird alley. A single was sighted by the scout but could not be produced by handler, who took the dog on. Both dogs finished well in the bear trap meadow.
From the bear trap meadow, Tequila Jack II (John) and Rumor Too (Berneathy) were lined out early, Jack the wider of the pair. Rumor dug into the cover searching for game. He pointed briefly across the ditch in bird valley; handler elected to send him on. Out of Manck’s Crossing and up on the meadow both dogs headed for the cover on the left. Jack appeared before the left turn in the course. Rumor was out of pocket. Jack pointed in the cover at 45, relocated, no game was produced. Rumor had been absent and was not returned to judgment. Jack was out of pocket coming out of the icky finger, returned in the grace period.
Day dog on Wednesday: Ortho Acres Booker T.
Pilot Pecoso Prieto (Downing) and T J’s Single Shot of Scipio (White) worked hard to find game; “Pec” was the wider of the pair. He had a forward searching race with an unproductive after extensive searching. “Emmy” made nice moves putting her out of pocket briefly. She pointed into a large briar thicket at 55. Pec came around the corner but didn’t stop in time. After extensive flushing Emmy was taken on as time was called.
We were delayed 30 minutes for heavy frost and thick fog which cleared quickly.
Make My Day Dude (Tillson) and Diamond Hill Dan (Kline) started under sunny skies on a crisp morning. Off with gusto Dude continued to build into the hour, making some wide swings. At 34 he had a brief encounter with deer but was soon back in front. Dan had slowed and at 45 pointed near a feeder on cedar point, corrected and went on. His application seemed distracted. Neither had birds.
We left the bear trap meadow with Dakota Alley Cat (Tracy) and Maxwell’s Charismatic (Maxwell). “Jack” pointed in a plum thicket below the feeder. He stood high and tight throughout flush and shot. Both dogs were fast and forward. “Tiger” was in pursuit of deer, returning on his own to be out of pocket a short time later and not returned to judgment. Jack maintained a strong forward race the entire hour. He was out of pocket when time was called. We moved to a better vantage point at the woodsedge to await the dog’s return. Point was called in the grace period. Jack was buried in a deep ditch in tall grass. Game was flushed with fine manners.
T J’s Prairie Blizzard (Tillson) and Tee Bone (Johnson) left from the Buddpuddle meadow running parallel to the big rock ledge. Through the little creek and on to the meadow before gun dog hill, the dogs turned to the cover on the right. Tee was making game, trying to establish point when the bracemate interfered and was collared. Tee corrected and intensely pointed a small covey. He stepped to mark the flight. As we headed to the scout camp, Tee was absent and upon return was leashed.
After lunch we were away under sunny skies and a moderate wind.
Near the oil well on our right Tequila Joker’s Jose Cuervo (Berneathy) was credited with a stop to flush. Ramblin Man (Gorrow) interfered with the bird work and was leashed. Jose had an unproductive in the scout camp, slowed his application and was leashed shortly thereafter.
Both Poki Dot (Johnson) and Bouncin Betty (Gorrow) were slow to start. Around the bear trap meadow, Betty pointed at 7 just at the edge of the path that goes to another finger. She Stood high and tight through flush and shot. Poki rounded the bed springs corner and pointed staunchly into a dead cedar. Extensive flushing failed to produce game. She was out of pocket at the airport at 25. Betty continued her methodical search. At 47 she worked a briar thicket and pointed, again standing nicely through flush and shot. Poki had not returned after we had traveled through Manck’s Crossing. Betty continued hunting, handling kindly. The hour ended in the fickle finger area.
Thursday’s day dog was Maxwell’s Charismatic. Named Top Qualifier was Dakota Luke.
The Final Series
The judges called back ten dogs for the finals series. They were not to be braced with the same dog from the first series.
Dakota Luke and Maxwell’s Charismatic were eager off the breakaway. Luke was fast and snappy in his application. “Jack” skirted the edges, handling the terrain effectively. At 12 just at the oil well Luke was making game in the draw. He pushed the birds and was leashed. Jack worked through the woods on the right, crossed Lem Roberts Road to the scout camp where he went into the left woods. In the motte before brushy finger, Jack made game, pointed, moved on, established point again. Birds left and his posture suffered. He was shot over and taken on. Not pleasing the handler, he was leashed before the hour.
Dogwood’s Gem Nichole (Johnson) and Tejas Iron Mike (Carrington) headed toward cedar point. “Nikki” was the faster of the pair. Mike ran smartly using the wind and terrain to his advantage. At 15 as he came around the bear trap meadow on the woodsedge he swapped ends and pointed staunchly. After an extensive flushing attempt, he was asked to relocate, didn’t move and handler flushed a single buried in the grass. The gallery had spotted birds leave before the dog arrived. Nikki was last seen heading deep into the bear trap finger. Mike had a mannerly find at the bed springs corner. Nikki had slipped unseen out of the bear trap and was ahead where she found a covey. A substitute handler was deputized to handle the find. Birds were flushed and dog released from the site. At 45 we rode over the double cement crossing. Point was called for Mike as he stood intensely with polished manners through flush and shot. Nikki was still out of pocket and would not be returned to judgment. At 51 in a briar thicket Mike stood rock solid through flush and shot. He continued his strong and attractive application. Time was called just before pond dam No. 4. During the grace period the scout called point for Mike. He stood a long ways up the draw buried in the cover. The dog wagon driver aided in signaling the judges. His handler was absent; scout was sent to flush. Birds came up from scattered locations, one flying over his head. He marked the flight with style.
Bourbon (Gorrow) and Ortho Acres Booker T (Tracy) were hard to keep track of in the heavy cover. At 16 “Al” attempted to point, corrected and moved on. Both were wide on the turns requiring some scouting. We headed toward cedar point. Al was taking the draw on the right and Booker worked the left side near the lake. At 59 birds were seen in the air. We rode toward a thicket where Booker was standing on the downwind side. More birds were flushed and he maintained very nice style. Al ran a bold race but had no bird contact.
Just Call Me Roy (Tracy) and Shambo’s Dark Shadow (John) were strong and attractive, showing purpose with every jump. Roy stood at 36. After intensive flushing, a single was put to flight. He showed proper manners. Shadow maintained his fluid stride and went deep into the brushy finger pinning a covey handsomely. Coming out of cedar point, Roy pointed at thicket edge. Shadow’s scout called flight of a bird, not seen officially. Extensive flushing and relocation produced a single on the other side of the trees. Shadow maintained his drive and intelligent use of the grounds. At 52 he paused near the bear trap feeder, corrected and went on. At time both dogs were ahead.
Both Bouncin Betty (Gorrow) and Suka’s Win Mini (Johnson) were stretching the string, out of pocket from time to time. We waited behind the airport for Betty to return. While her handler searched the previous cover, she appeared from the front. Mini was out of pocket behind the airport also and never returned. Betty had a find at 45. She stood in a draw over the rock crossing maintaining very nice posture through flush and shot. Betty finished the hour working the cover.
Ardmore, Okla., March 14
Judges: Garvin Collins and Tim Hidalgo
UNITED STATES OPEN BRITTANY CHAMPIONSHIP
[One-Hour Qualifying Heats; One-Hour Finals]—45 Brittanys
Winner— TEJAS IRON MIKE, 1457159, male, by Shasta’s Spike—Highpoint Sill O Ette. T. W. Graves & A. B. Green, owners; Vic Carrington, handler.
Runner-Up— SHAMBO’S DARK SHADOW, 1522513, male, by Camsham’s Shambozo—Starr’s Aapricot Lulu. C. B. Crain, owner; Jim John, handler.
Inaugural Victoire Nationale Derby Championship
This inaugural running attracted 30 starters, the largest entry since the 1988 event, tying its record.
As written in the April 20, 1974 issue of The American Field report, "The program was added with the intention, most surely, as to glorify the Derby prospect most likely to theoretically win the U. S. Open Brittany Championship."
When one views the statistics of the event it is evident that those with “vision” initiated a positive thing. Winning dogs have gone on to do many great things in the Brittany world. Entrants today have a lot of the winners in their pedigree; fourth, fifth generations and farther back.
The Derby winner was T M’s Tennessee Twister, owned by Brooke Nicholson of Alabama and handled by Tom Tracy. This year’s winner is a product of frozen semen. Rimarda’s Trademark is the sire and Lane’s End Bowtie Annie the dam. Trademark, aka “TM”, was Top Qualifier in the Open in 1991, amassing over 20 hour wins in his career, siring many hour and national championship winners. Annie is third generation Franklin County Bandit which won this Derby in 1984 and was Top Qualifier in the U. S. Open in 1987.
The runner-up was Desert Rose, owned by Norman Ahl of Arizona and handled by Jim Berneathy. Rosie is by Chubasco ex Shady’s Tia Maria. Tia, which set her own record as a juvenile, is sired by Tequilas Joker, which in his career was ABC National Champion in 1997, and in the Open Championship was winner in 1997, runner-up in 1996 and 2000, and Top Qualifier in 1995.
The Running
KK Masque Dezorro (Wild) and Shady’s Drambuie (Berneathy) dug into the cover, working hard to find game. Several nice casts by “Zorro” would have him pop to the front, then he would dig back into the cover and slow his application. “Buie” also hunted the cover, having a snappy way of going. He had an unproductive near a feeder on brushy point. Both finished hunting but birdless.
Duke Dynamite A Dan D (Gorrow) had several unproductives during the hour. Maxwell’s Blew By You (Maxwell) worked hard, handling kindly. Both dogs made some nice moves reaching to the objectives. Dan D slowed at 50.
T C’s Match Boks Racer (Downing) and Dot Tres (Johnson). The more settled of the pair was “Rob”, showing some mature moves using the country. “Tracy” tried hard to find game. We came through the scout camp where Rob was out of pocket. Tracy began to moderate in her application. Rob was still absent and not returned to judgment. Tracy was leashed before the hour.
T M’s Tennessee Twister (Tracy) and Charlotte’s Rocketman (Gorrow) were bold and energetic and worked independently. Absences were limited, each showing at the right times. Both showed stamina early. At 49 on the left side going into cedar point “Sway” pointed in a scrub thicket just off the track, steady to wing and shot, nice style throughout. Her hour ended with energy to spare. “Rocky” did not have any bird contact.
Chesterfield’s Signature (Berneathy) and Speargrass Farm Boss (Petrony) were away in the bear trap meadow. “Mark” went deep into the wooded area, while Boss hit the tall grass. As the hour progressed, Boss methodically hunted the likely places for birds. Mark dug in causing him to be hung up in the cover from time to time. Both dogs finished without game contact.
Shady’s Jack Daniel (Berneathy) and T J’s Prairie Star (John). Through the little rock crossing “Boozer” had bird contact in the cover on the right. Star was slow to start. Down the chute heading toward the oil well, Star was still not on track and was leashed. Boozer had a covey at 19 near the feeder just before the scout camp. This find seemed to put him in a different mode causing him to dig more, being lateral and soon after leashed.
Wimberley Jimdandy (Johnson) and Kolicko’s Brush Buster Buck (John) were away under mostly sunny skies and a light breeze this morning. A deer chase early in the hour for Dandy changed his attitude. He went to self hunting and was leashed before time. Buck had two unproductives.
Both Tequila Talk’N (Berneathy) and Reno’s Return (Johnson) were slow to start. They hunted every inch of the cover during their time on the ground. Reno had become a handful and was leashed at the bed springs corner. Tequila continued to methodically hunt his way around. He was leashed early at Manck’s Crossing.
A break on the meadow just out of Manck’s Crossing. Jackets came off as the temperature rose.
Both Desert Rose (Berneathy) and Jimmie’s King Tuaca (Wild) moved with a snappy gait. Each made forward casts along the edges of the cover. Tuaca dug in, causing him to be lateral at times. Rosie maintained her fluid forward ground race. She showed intelligence in her application, looking for birds in likely places. They finished the hour with energy to spare but no bird contact.
Temperatures were warmer after lunch with low humidity; a moderate wind caused the dust to fly. T’ Kalis Feel The Wind (Downing) and Mega Chip (White) started strong and wild. “Kelly” hunted the cover. She was out of pocket briefly as we came through the tent pad woods. Her thorough search of the cover caused her to get hung up in places. “Lance” worked the cover causing him to be lateral at times. At midway an apparent injury caused him to slow and he was taken to the truck.
T J’s Prairie Blizzard (Tillson) was the wider of the pair. Chuy’s Texas Star (Carrington) hustled with a spritely way of going. At 21 she pointed with great style; Blizzard backed loosely. No birds were produced. Both maneuvered the heavy cover behind the aiiport. Star had shortened considerably in the heat and was taken to the truck. At 45 Blizzard stood at the edge a large mott with loose posture, relocated, then went on. At 48 he pointed in the draw well forward, stopped, checked ground scent. A long relocation did not produce game. At 54 Blizzard had bird contact, fired over, was sent on when the hour ended at pond dam No. 4.
Private Ryan (Tracy) had a find at 3, steady at the flush. This covey has been moved many times either by dogs or the horse gallery. Ryan went deep into the fickle finger area, caught the front just before the big rock crossing. We saw Fast Company (Wild) standing in the tall grass with a nice covey pinned, exhibiting great manners through the flush. We headed down the chute where Ryan had not lined out and was leashed. After “Annie’s” find she started to check the cover, not finishing her casts. She was taken to the truck.
Ace’s Di (Gorrow) was gone over the hill and returned at the chute. High Heels (Overlease) had bird contact in the big motte before we entered the scout camp. Di was wide and deep making it hard for her to maintain the front. She was out of pocket from time to time. “Lilly” finished the hour at moderate range, Di still showing plenty of energy.
Red Ragtop (Gorrow) was the wider of the pair. Chuy’s Chula Vista (Carrington) was steady in her application. At 18 “Reddi” had bird contact just before the icky finger. Nearby Chula had a find in a thicket, stylish at flush. Reddi scored again in another thicket shortly thereafter. At 30 Chula pointed again but only a rabbit was seen. Reddi had an absence out of the icky finger. Both finished the hour at moderate range.
Dani Kahlua (Carrington) and Tucalota’s Running Reva (Johnson) were in season and not themselves. They were leashed at the half.
Victoire Nationale Derby Championship
judges: Richard Brewington and Becky Brewington
[One-Hour Heats]—30 Brittanys
Winner—T M’S TENNESSEE TWISTER, 1557277, female, by Rimarda’s Trademark—Lane’s End Bowtie Annie. Brooke Nicholson, owner; Tom Tracy, handler.
Runner-Up—DESERT ROSE, 1554931, female, by Chubasco—Shady’s Tia Maria. Norman Ahl, owner; Jim Berneathy, handler.
TM's Tennessee Twister