2007 United States Brittany Championship and Victoire Nationale Derby Championship
By Mary Karbiner
The 45th running of the United States Open Brittany Championship commenced March 12 over the Lake Murray State Park, Ardmore, Okla. Tequila Jack, owned by Dr. Robert Rankin and Ed Tillson, was named the winner and top qualifier under the whistle of Jim John. The five-year-old Brittany is a stoutly built running machine that shows savvy and intensity around birds.
“Winning begets winning.” Tequila Jack was sired by Tequilas Joker ex Smarteye’s Microbeans. Jack’s sire has been winner, runner-up twice, and sire of a different winner of the Open. Ten of the 39 starters were sired by “TJ”, as well as four of the eight callback dogs in the finals.
Runner-up was Gunrunner’s Lady’s Man, han dled by Jim Berneathy and owned by Norm Ahl. “Lootie” is an eight-year-old white and orange male sired by Shotshell’s Flyer ex Gunrunner’s Whetstone Lady. Loot had a snappy race with a good finish, iced with classy bird work. Lootie also was a day dog in the first series.
Our judges were Stan Truksa of Firth, Neb., and Charlie Barbaree of Pryor, Okla. Each gentleman has years of experience training and handling their own dogs, having an eye for performance. During the sunshine hours Claudia Truksa enjoyed warmer temperatures than at home.
This Championship is the second oldest continu ously run event on these grounds. In 1962 the idea was developed to run a stake that showed endurance, intelligence and bird-finding ability.
Being patterned after the Free-for-All, the first event was held in the spring of 1963. It has been said, “it’s a trial you have to win twice” — one hour heats in the qualifying series and then come back and do it again in the finals. Being named top qualifier after the initial series has been termed “the kiss of death” by veteran han dlers. Winning both the top qualifier honors and the final championship series has only been accom plished three other times: in 2003, 1998 and 1980.
Longtime directors and supporters of this event — Dr. John and Judy Webb, Bill and Rheta Cartmell and Loyd Budd — were on hand to men tor the “newbies.” Rick Smith called from his new home in Virginia to offer his good wishes for a successful event.
Our current slate of directors is thanked for their helping hands. Everyone stepped up and the event ran smoothly. Thanks to President Robert Rankin for marshalling all the braces along with other var ied jobs, and dog wagon drivers Dr. John Webb (he hasn’t lost his touch), Dick Mantler and David Downing for being “unlost” and timely.
Amateurs Tom Milam, Texas, and Terry Maxwell, Arizona, competed with pros Jim Berneathy, Vic Carrington, David Downing, Al Gorrow and Ed Wild. Our newest pros on the circuit are Brandon Jones and Ed Tillson.
We are proud to be one of the “grandfathered” recipients of Purina’s sponsorship to bird dog events. Purina is one of the world’s largest pet food manufacturers. Their research and promotion is ongoing. Field rep Roy Pelton was on hand for several days to answer questions and provide additional hats for participants. We were glad to see him moving more ably after his recent horse wreck in lateJanuary.
Light sprinkles during the night didn’t do much except make dust pocks in the dirt, but the humidity stayed in the air. With daylight savings time’ starting three weeks earlier than usual, the darkness was with us when we started morning chores.
United States Brittany Championship
Pancha’s Prince Edward (Wild) and Bella’s Beau Max (Carrington). At 6 Max stood buried under a large cedar tree at Rosco’s pond. Birds left, shot was fired and dog taken on. In the scout camp Max scored again in the low grass. Birds were flushed, shot fired and he spun to mark the flight. “Eddie” had taken the woods edge on our left and stood pointing at the edge of the tall grass. Handler was flushing, dog released himself, bird popped and he was leashed. Max was hitting the cover searching for game. Out of the tent pad woods he stood at the edge of the draw ahead. Flushing didn’t produce and he was relocated, searched the draw and pointed again. Judge saw the bird leave through the brush with all in order. Max continued to check the cover, slowing near time.
Blueridge Major Adventure (Downing) and T J’s Prairie Blizzard (Tillson) made reaching casts from breakaway. Major carded finds at 2 and 18, each with grand style. At 22 he pointed again but could not produce any game. Just before the airport Major had a stop to flush on a relocation. Blizzard was last seen in the bird valley area. We passed through Manck’s crossing and up on the meadow when the tracker was called for Blizzard. Major had traveled along the draw on our right. In a brushy outcropping he had another nice find at 50, finishing to the front toward the fickle finger.
Sting (Gorrow) and T J’s Apache (Tillson). After a break we headed toward the little rocky crossing and gun dog hill. “Bandit” had come through the cover on our right, stopped to point, corrected and went into the tall grass, then pointed with purpose.
A small covey was flushed, all in order. At 10 both dogs crossed the top of the ridge at Rosco’s pond. Bandit pointed; Sting backed. Flushing failed to produce game; he was relocated and sent on. Sting was taken on at the time of the relocation but couldn’t get untracked and was soon leashed. Bandit made some nice moves. At 46 we came out of the tent pad finger and Bandit had worked the cover in the draw in front of us. Point was called. After a lengthy flushing attempt he was relocated, covering a wide area. He pointed solidly again. As handler approached a bird left from high in a tree, the dog mannerly throughout. The hour ended as Bandit headed toward cedar point.
Overcast, sun trying to peek through, breeze increasing, the temperature in the upper 60s. Hi Proof Whizki (Gorrow) and K B’s Shadow Dancer (John). After lunch we were away from the barn. Both dogs were wide and forward. Whiz’s first find was at 14 in a mott across Lem Roberts road. He stood through flush and shot, turning back to mark the flight. At 32 Dancer carded a find. He had run the woods edge across from pond dam No. 1, turned and pointed into a thicket, standing like a rock through flush and shot. Whiz carded finds at 39 and 51, plenty of run in between. Dancer was still making plenty of wide casts. At 55 Whiz had a staunch find at the south end of bird alley. Both dogs ran strong to the front, finishing the hour.
Windtuck Rocket’s Red Glare (Milam) and Bourbon (Gorrow). At 14 “Al” stood at the edge of the narrow finger of brush just before the airport. A single took flight as he stood intensely through flush and shot. Rocket had maneuvered the course readily. At 33 Al stood to our right in a brushy finger. Handler stepped down and flushed a small covey with all in order. Rocket had apparently stretched the string. We passed through the little rocky crossing where we had last seen him. Al continued to Rosco’s pond where time was called. Rocket was not returned at the end of the hour.
Day dog: Blueridge Major Adventure.
Smarteye’s Joker (John) and Kolicko’s Cuervo Joker (Berneathy). “CJ” was out of pocket at the gas well. “Jordan” knowingly using the terrain had run the far edges. We traveled out of the scout camp where CJ was retrieved from the upper meadow on our right. It was a push/pull with CJ as Jordan continued to navigate the course. At 38 point was called for CJ as he stood in a thicket at the first turn in cedar point. Birds were flushed with all in order. We turned loose as point was called to our front for Jordan at 39. He stood at the edge of a thicket to the right as we moved out of cedar point. He was intense as CJ backed. Birds were flushed and dog fired over. Jordan carded a find with intensity at 45 at the end of bird alley. Gallery stated that the birds appeared to be Tennessee reds that were released here several years ago. CJ joined the group and both dogs passed the bedsprings corner heading for the icky finger. A dog was sighted standing near the feeder at the top of the ridge. On our approach both dogs stood indicating game. Birds were flushed and both dogs shot over to end the hour.
As the morning dawned we were socked in by fog. Weather forecasts said it would last until 10:00 a. m. The committee made a decision to break away at 1:00 p. m.
Under cloudy skies and mid 70s we left the barn. Desert Rose (Berneathy) worked close for most of the hour. Chief’s Gunner (Jones) hit the cover and hunted for game. At 55 point was called for Rose at the south end of bird alley. Gunner approached on her broadside. He was cautioned to back. Game was flushed from under a cedar tree with both dogs standing nicely. T’n W’s Diamond Jim (Wild) and Shady’s Tia Maria (Berneathy) were wide from the get-go. Tia showed more readily, checking with the handler. At 12 both headed up the ridge before the icky finger to the area of the feeder. As handlers approached point was called by each. Tia stood in a small thicket. Jim was pointed twenty feet from her on the outside edge of another mott. Birds were flushed; both dogs were shot over and sent on. Jim’s casts put him out of pocket from time to time. Tia would make a nice move and check to the handler. We made a right turn up the hill at Lem Roberts camp and through the woods when time was called. Jim was out of pocket at the end. Tia traveled with us.
Maxwell’s Blew By You (Maxwell) and Scar’s Little Bear (Gorrow) headed up gun dog hill. Bear went left into the woods and “Chuck” worked the cover on our right. Bear was out of pocket as we started down the chute. Chuck was directed to the cover looking for game, handling kindly. Bear was not returned to judgment. Chuck passed through cedar point as we observed lightning around us. More lightning and the decision was made at 50 to call the brace and head for the trailer on the road. The storm approached quickly, with wet shirts, but safely out of the weather. With people and animals back at camp, most were glad for the amount of moisture that fell. Looking for tomorrow to be a better day.
Tar’s Rising Star of Desire (Gorrow) and Gunrunner’s Lady’s Man (Berneathy). After a thunder storm the previous afternoon the day began with another fog delay. At 9:40 a. m. we left with a light breeze, overcast skies and slick mud. Both dogs maintained a forward race, using the country. “Lootie” reached out across the ridge as we rode the scout camp. Through the tent pad woods Lootie had disappeared. Handler rode forward and called point as the dog stood in the scrub brush in the ditch. Birds lifted from behind the dog at 32. Tar had continued methodically maintaining a forward race. Lootie’s handler rode into bird alley behind the dog, shortly calling point. Birds were flushed with all in order. Through the bear trap meadow and beyond these dogs covered some country. Both dogs headed up the hill to the feeder area before icky finger when time was called. The handlers rode ahead, each raising their hats. Game was flushed and both dogs fired over.
Day dog: Gunrunner’s Lady’s Man.
Shady’s Beanstalk (Berneathy) and T L M Comanche Chief (Milam). At 2 point was called for “Jack” as he stood at the edge of brushy cover in bird valley. During this activity Chief turned back to investigate and was cautioned to back. Handler called bird and fired. He was asked to produce the bird. Chief was collared out to the meadow. Jack was relocated. He moved through the cover about 75 feet and pointed again. Birds were seen, dog was fired over and collared to the meadow. Both dogs were released and headed forward. Scout called point for Chief at 32 as he stood at the end of a brushy draw. At the same time point was called for Jack farther up the draw. Judges rode across the meadow to the finds. Chief was solid but during the lengthy flushing attempt began to relax. Gallery saw a single bird run across the grass and disappear. Handler had a difficult time crashing through the brush to get the bird up when the dog released himself. Chief was encouraged to relocate but could not find any game and was sent on. At the same time Jack had a nicely handled find 75 yards up the draw. Jack was a push/pull after the bird contact. Chief ran Lem Roberts camp and both dogs ended the hour at Rosco’s pond.
Maxwell’s Charismatic (Maxwell) and Tequila Jack (John) used the cover, each looking to find game with reaching casts. At 19 Jack had an unproductive near a feeder just before pond dam No. 1. Both dogs were making nice moves and covering the country. Leaving cedar point, crossing the meadow, we headed toward bird alley. Both dogs went into the cover. Point was called as both dogs stood staunchly. Each was fired over with all in order. They finished the hour as strong as they started.
Tequila Joker’s Jose Cuervo (Berneathy) had an unproductive in the scout camp at 19. Both dogs were covering ground. At 42 point was called for Jose; handler paused then elected to wave it off. Just off to our left Make My Day Dude (Tillson) stood in a brushy mott; no birds were produced. Dude used the edges in his search for game. Jose could be sighted ahead in our line of travel. He moved to the right and at the north end of bird alley he pointed at 46. A single was flushed with all in order. Dude continued to maintain a forward race. Jose ended the hour being sent to the cover.
Tejas Iron Max (Carrington) and Woodsong’s Texas Tornado (Milam) left the ridge before the icky finger heading to bird valley. An association problem was evident. Both dogs went over the ridge, with Max returning first. Handler called and rode forward, scout rode hard but “Freddy” was not returned to judgment. Max had a hard time maintaining the front and was leashed just out of Manck’s crossing in the meadow.
Bouncin Betty (Gorrow) and Breton’s Castle Rocket (John) left the meadow above Manck’s crossing with both dogs fired up. After making the left turn at the rock ledge Betty went to the brushy draw on the right, moving up the finger where she pointed at 9. She was standing front-end down in a swale. Rocket passed her and was cautioned to a back. Birds were hard to flush with multiple attempts, finally accomplished. Rocket was leashed and Betty was sent on. At 32 she pointed in a brushy finger on our right, just after the little rocky crossing. She moved up and pointed again with intensity. A pair of birds was flushed with all in order. She went into a hunting mode and was leashed halfway down the chute to end this brace.
Day dog: Tequila Jack.
Hill Country Runaway Sarge (Wild) and T C’s Match Boks Racer (Downing). Another long fog delay this morning. Both dogs were wide off the breakaway, going over the ridge. “Rob” appeared first and was sent along the chute. Past the gas well Sarge had not returned to judgment. Rob continued over the pond dam No. 1 and through the woods. He had slowed and was leashed. Blueridge Sergeant At Arms (Wild) made wide casts from the start. Jake’s Acres In Disquish (Gorrow) traveled forward digging into the cover becoming lateral. Out of cedar point, heading to bird alley, Serg stood at the edge of the cover near the road. Extensive flushing and relocation could not produce game. Jake continued forward looking for birds. Serg was out of pocket through the thick cover and not returned to judgment. Jake finished the hour across the meadow toward Lem Roberts camp.
T J’s Thunder (John) and Ramblin Man (Gorrow). We headed south after crossing the rock ledge. These dogs used the edges along the draws. “Randy” wanted to dig into the cover and was encouraged to reach forward. We passed through the little rocky crossing and up gun dog hill. On our right Thunder stood intensely at the end of the brushy draw. Birds were flushed with all in order. Randy made casts taking him lateral into the cover requiring him to be ridden for at times. At 56 he pointed near a cedar tree at pond dam No. 1 but nothing could be produced. Thunder finished the hour as strong as he started.
Rumor Too (Berneathy) and Dakota Luke (Wild) were rolling along nicely. At 6 Rumor had an unproductive at Rosco’s pond. At 15 Luke carded a find in the mott across Lem Roberts road. At bird alley both had bird contact at 48. They both had slowed in their application and were leashed.
Farside’s Kid Amee (Gorrow) ran as a bye when it was in the low 80s with some wind. Amee is a snappy moving dog. She had a nicely handled find at the feeder before icky finger at 12. With moderate range she worked the terrain. At 22 just before the airport she stood smartly for the flush of a nice sized covey. At 48 she had an unproductive in a previously birdy area. Leaving that she traveled along the big ditch forward. Shortly point was called by the scout at 56. We rode across the meadow where she stood almost to pond dam No. 4. The cover was thick and nasty. No game was produced to end the hour.
Day dog: T J’s Thunder. Top Qualifier: Tequila Jack.
The Finals
In the finals the judges braced the dogs together as they wished to evaluate them, with different bracemates and terrain if possible. They chose to call back eight dogs from the qualifying series.
Tequila Jack and Shady’s Tia Maria had game contact at 13 in a mott across Lem Roberts road. Jack stood with solid form through flush and shot. Tia also handled her bird work with style. At 31 Jack stood in thick cover in the draw. At the handler approached the birds lifted. Jack again showed outstanding manners. This brace was hitting a lick with judges and gallery sitting tall in the saddle. Out of cedar point Tia took the edge on our right. Point was called for her as she stood at the edge of a regrowti briar tangle, a good place for birds to hide, a terrible place to flush. She was relocated twice without reward. Handler elected to send her on. She traveled about 75 feet to a mesquite tree where she stood with her nose high in the air. At the handler’s approach a single flushed from a limb as another left the ground cover. Jack continued to be strong and forward in his application, reaching to the edges. At 47 rounding the north end of bird alley he slammed on point. He stood through all with intensity. Making the turn in the bear trap meadow and beyond Jack moved along the lake into the icky finger as Tia was sent to the feeder area when time was called.
Hi Proof Whizki (Gorrow) and Blueridge Major Adventure (Downing) were away from the ridge at the icky finger. We crossed bird valley and beyond. Major carded a find at 4 with all in order. He had taken the cover on our right heading up a brushy draw just before the airport meadow. He stood high and tight with Whiz backing intently. Birds were flushed with dogs exhibiting excellent manners. Through Manck’s crossing and up on the meadow Major was out of pocket. Whiz continued on to Lem Roberts camp. He headed to the fickle finger and was out of pocket at time, returning in the grace period. Major was not returned to judgment.
Smarteyes Joker (John) and Gunrunner’s Lady’s Man (Bemeathy). Another fast and forward race, each dog covering the country with reaching casts. Out of the tent pad woods point was called for “Lootie” at 31. He stood in a thicket within the draw in front of us. “Jordan” was traveling down the same draw on the other side. He turned into the cover at the bird activity, not stopping or seeing the other dog quickly enough. He was leashed. Lootie continued fast and forward. At 40 he stood along a mowed edge near the rock ledge going into cedar point. Extensive flushing could not produce any game. He headed into the bear trap woods and it was a few minutes before he appeared along the lake edge to end the hour.
Windtuck Rocket’s Red Glare (Tillson) and T J’s Thunder (John) left the meadow above the bed springs. Rocket was having a hard time relating to a new handler. Thunder slowed his race about midway and both dogs went to the truck.
Ardmore, Okla., March 12
Judges: Charlie Barbaree and Stan Truksa
UNITED STATES OPEN BRITTANY CHAMPIONSHIP
[One-Hour Qualifying Heats; One-Hour Finals]—39 Brittanys
Winner— TEQUILA JACK, 1547474, male, by Tequilas Joker —Smarteyes Microbeans. Dr. Robert Rankin & Ed Tillson, owners; Jim John, handler.
Runner-Up— GUNRUNNER’S LADY’S MAN, 1581207, male, by Shotshell’s Flyer—Gunrunner’s Whetstone Lady. Norm Ahl, owner; Jim Berneathy, handler.
VICTOIRE NATIONALE DERBY CHAMPIONSHIP
The winner of the 34th running of the only hour for Brittany Derbies was Pancha’s Prince Edward, owned by Frances Cabaza of Dallas, Tex., and handled by Ed Wild. “Eddie” is a white and liver male not quite two years old. His race was consistently on the edges, having quality bird work, finishing the hour with steam left.
Runner-up was Shadow Attack, owned and handled by Ed Tillson. “Tack’s” race adapted to the terrain showing nicely. He scored with three finds, the latter showing Derby manners on his game. He finished the hour going away.
In 1974 the Derby was introduced. To quote John Doak: “Its intention, most surely, is to glorify the Derby prospect most likely to theoretically win the U. S. Open Championship.”
In 2005 the stake was granted championship status and recognized by the Field Dog Stud Book as a titular stake. Such notables as The Real Thing, Franklin County Bandit, Minnehaha’s Tammy, The Magic Moment, Blaze and Lobo’s Evil Roy, Jim de Bob’s Sparks A Dan D, Tequilas Joker and Tequila Jack have been named winner or runner-up, sired by winners in the open competition. Now we are seeing their progeny on the ground.
The Running
Blueridge Hy Fly’n Adventure (Downing) was gone on deer early. Upon return he shortened his range. Shady Way’s Red Tail Hawk (John) was hard running and was a handful. “Amber” continued at moderate range using the objectives. There was no bird contact in the hour.
Shadow Attack (Tillson) had a find, a bird contact and another point with game flushed in front of him. Crossland’s Charlie (John) had been out of pocket and not returned to judgment as we went through Manck’s crossing. “Tack” used the terrain, a brief flat spot midway. He regained stamina and finished the hour well.
Dee Dee’s Ruff Cut Gem (Berneathy) had slowed her race and was up early. Wayside’s Blueridge Runner Downing) was out of pocket early and not returned to judgment.
Wolf River’s Winning Ticket (Gorrow) and T J L’s Tejas Thunder (Wild) had bird contact early in the hour. “Tic” went to a hunting mode and was leashed. Thunder was out of pocket at the gas well and not returned to judgment.
Tonk Valley Gin (Jones) runs with determination. Blueridge Grounds Keeper (Downing) was a handful to guide around the course. He was out of pocket through the scout camp and beyond. At 28 “Ginny” had birds at the south end of bird alley. Both dogs lost their punch and were leashed early.
Me And You Alone Maverick (Carrington) pointed in a likely spot but nothing was produced. Rusty Dee Oh Gee (Downing) had two game contacts early. They slowed and were leashed.
Barlo’s Hardy Perfection (Carrington) and Chiefs Iron Gunsight (Jones) headed up gun dog hill with “Shooter” out of pocket. “Brandi” hunted toward the chute. Both were out of pocket at the gas well with Shooter returning first. Brandi had slowed and was leashed before the scout camp. At 25 Shooter had bird contact in the scout camp. The brace ended at the meadow above pond dam No. 1.
Sham’s Diamond Smuggler (Berneathy) and Pancha’s Prince Edward (Wild) were through the tent pad woods and beyond pond dam No. 2 covering some ground. At 22 “Eddie” stood at the edge of brushy cover before bird alley. During the flushing attempt “Muggs” joined in. He pursued the bird while Eddie maintained good Derby manners. Muggs had game contact at 26 in bird alley. He had a hard time maintaining the front and was leashed. Eddie continued navigating the course running the edges. He had plenty of go left at time.
Blueridge Wind of Adventure (Downing) and Justas Will Be The Gunner (Kalina) started strong on the ground. “Rhett” was out of pocket as we headed down the chute. Gunner had a find at 32, standing until handler approached. Rhett returned at the gas well. At 46 Gunner had another bird contact at the woods edge. He crossed Lem Roberts road and pointed at the edge of a mott at 48. Rhett moved in and scooped the bird, both giving chase. They finished the hour at moderate range.
Blueridge’s Candy Swirl (Downing) was down as a bye. When Sunquest Leather N Lace (Berneathy) was scratched WW Million Dollar Mollie (Gorrow) and Candy were paired. Both started fast and snappy. At 9 Candy pointed and gave chase. Mollie was in a hunting mode and was leashed. Candy had slowed and was leashed early.
Victoire Nationale Derby Championship
judges: Terry Maxwell and Dr. Robert Rankin
[One-Hour Heats]—21 Brittanys
Winner —PANCHA’S PRINCE EDWARD, 1575484, male, by Blueridge Major Adventure—Jimmie’s Lady Bridgett. Frances Cabaza, owner; Ed Wild, handler.
Runner-Up—SHADOW ATTACK, unreg., male, by Shambo’s Dark Shadow —The Prairie Tornado. Ed Tillson, owner and handler
