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2009 United States Brittany Championship and Victoire Nationale Derby Championship
Lincoln pilots Jo-Lockapex Dark Roux Gumbo to Open Title
By Mary Karbiner
The forty-seventh running of the United States Open Brittany Championship commenced March 9, 2009 with thirty seven entrants going to the line.
Lake Murray State park near Ardmore, Oklahoma is home to this event since its inaugural running in 1963. It is the second longest running championship on these grounds. The visionaries in the 60’s certainly have put to the test that owner and handlers who want to compete in one of the most demanding and prestigious championships on the major Brittany circuit. The qualifying series of one hour heats then the best are called back for another one hour heat in the final series.
Owner Dave Lincoln of Colorado handled Jo-Lockapex Dark Roux Gumbo to the championship title. Rue is a four and a half year old male bred by David Lincoln Jr. He is out of Jamar Reno and The Sooner Shadow. A white and liver well built male with intensity on his game and independence in his application.
Veteran handlers have said that being the “top qualifier” is the kiss of death to winning the open championship. It has been accomplished six times; 1977, 80, 98, 2003, 07 and now in 2009. Rue was named top qualifier after besting 36 other contestants in the qualifying series.
Runner-up was TJ’s Thunder owned by Dr Robert Rankin of Oklahoma and handled by Jim John of Kansas. Thunder is a seven year old male who has hour wins to his credit. He glides across the ground with purpose. Thunder also had a strong credible hour in the qualifying series.
Beginning in 2007 there has been extensive cedar tree cutting, prescribed burns and work days to restore these fine grounds to their potential. Work and support by members of Arbuckle Mtn Area Chapter of Quail Unlimited. Chris Cowlbeck, an Ardmore native, spearheads the efforts and has established the Lake Murray Field Trial Grounds project to restore well over 2,000 acres. Other organizations promoting the venture are Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, the Samuel Roberts Nobel Foundation, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Oklahoma Field Trial Clubs Assn. whose membership are regional clubs that hold events on these grounds and provide the man power for work days.
Our judges for this year were Tim Hidalgo of Hardesty, OK. Tim has campaigned numerous pointing breeds for many years and has judged this event in the past. His partner was Tom Hudson of Houston, TX. Tom has campaigned German Shorthaired Pointers and shows Tennessee Walking Horses. Both gentlemen were attentive to the details that made their decisions well received.
Nestle Purina has been a grandfathered sponsor of this event since their support of bird dog competitions. Nestle Purina is one of the world’s largest dog food manufacturers. Their product research and development is ongoing. We are grateful for their continued support of the events that we enjoy.
President Dr Robert Rankin again marshaled the open stake as well as judged the derby championship. Under his direction and routine the event ran smoothly with help from volunteers. Dr. John Webb drove the dog wagon for both events. On Monday after chores the committee held a winners party for all to enjoy. Many stories were related about happenings from past events. Thanks to those who assisted when the reporter became ill.
The Qualifying Series
Monday morning was already warm when we left camp. The area is dry and has been. The smaller ponds are dry and the lake is low.
Tsunami, Johnson and Belle’s Beau Max, Carrington. This pair was slow to start, gaining momentum as we crossed Lem Roberts road. Su headed forward as point is called at 14’ for Max. He stood at the edge of a mott to our right in the gas well meadow. Game was flushed with all in order. Across pond dam one point is called for Su at the end of the finger. Extensive flushing and relocation could not produce game. Max had finds at 24’ and 37’. Past bird alley Max scored again at 45’. Su has run a wide race and at 48’ she had a find atop the ridge with all in order. Max rounded bear trap meadow and pointed staunchly near a large cedar again game was flushed with all in order. Su was past the bed spring meadow as the hour ended.
Sovereign’s Git-R-Done, Tillson and Wimberley Jimdandy, Johnson. We left the bed springs meadow headed toward the Icky Finger. Larry was a bit erratic in application. Dandy had a nice find at 7’ handled well. At 9’ he pointed at the edge of a small mott in the meadow having game flushed. A single popped in front of him and he went with it. Larry not getting untracked was leashed shortly after.
Two Rivers Skyhawk, John and TC’s Match Boks Racer, Downing. Sky made wide moves into the country early in the hour. Rob worked the terrain. At 33’ he had a find on our right as we went down the chute. Sky had no game contact in the hour slowing at the end.
TJ’s Thunder, John and Ru-Jem’s A Touch of Bourbon, McGee. After lunch we left under partly cloudy skies with a forecast of scattered showers. We had had a few sprinkles in the morning but not enough to put on rain gear. At the gas well meadow Thunder pointed at the base of the large copse, moved through and pointed on the other side. Birds were flushed as he stood staunchly at 12’. Chug was slow to start gaining ground as we crossed Lem Roberts’s road. Both dogs worked the country. As we crossed pond dam two, Thunder pointed at the end with Chug backing from the middle of the crossing. Thunder’s handler moved forward toward his dog. Chug released himself returning to the handler and was leashed. Birds were flushed for Thunder at 28’. He went over the rock ridge and pointed at 30’. An unproductive at 38’. He had finds at 46’, 51’. At 57’ he rounded the bed springs and pointed at the edge of a small copse. Game was flushed as he again stood staunchly to end the hour.
Ramblin Man, Gorrow and Tejas Iron Max, Carrington. This pair traveled the edges looking for game. At 15’ Randy scored at the end of the brushy draw with all in order. Max and his handler became separated and he was leashed at pond dam four. Randy had a find at 41’. He slowed near the end of the hour.
TJ’s Prairie Blizzard, Tillson and Pancha’s Prince Edward, Wild. Blizzard was making reaching casts into the country. At 25’ we observed him pushing a covey from the brush. Eddie was covering some country. At 45 he pointed atop the ridge of the Icky Finger. Birds were put to flight as he stood tightly. At 52’ point was called. A brief flushing attempt then a relocation. He searched the area and then moving farther up the brushy finger, pointing again where a single was flushed for him. He ended his hour headed toward the airport.
Day Dog: TJ’s Thunder
Already warm, 70’ degrees at daylight with heat forecast for the day. Bouncin Betty, Gorrow and Tequila With A Twist, Tillson. From camp and down the chute this pair had hit the low area and around to the pond. At the gas well meadow both dogs went into the brush at the big oak tree on the right. Birds were in the air and dogs in pursuit.
KD’s Slip and Slide, Tillson and Windtuck Rocket’s Red Glare, Milam. We left from above pond dam one. Across the dam both dogs went deep in the finger. Coming over the ridge Splash came around a cedar tree as a bird popped and he went with it. Rocket checked out the same tree and was taken on. At 10’ he pointed a large covey. Across the big rock ledge and along the draw Rocket neared the end and doubled back to point. Birds ran down the draw to the right. He had finds at 23’, 26’ and at 32’ working at moderate range. He finished the hour near Manck’s Crossing.
Brittmont the Hawk, Gorrow and Crossland’s Charlie, John. From Manck’s Crossing and into the meadow. Point was called for Hawk at 7’. He stood at the edge of tall grass. Game was flushed with all in order. We traveled over the rock ledge and forward. This pair was running the edge of the draw on the right when they jumped in the cover and had a problem with a wily covey.
Maxwell’s Blew By You, Maxwell and Jake Acres In Disquish, Gorrow. Slow to start, both dogs started to gain momentum. At 25’ Chuck was sighted under a bird and was leashed. At 31’ Jake carded a find at the end of the long ditch just over the rock crossing. His race was a bit erratic during the hour. He was out of sight at time when the handler called point with a find near the feeder at Icky Finger with all in order to end the hour.
TLM Comanche Chief, Milam and Wolf River’s Winning Ticket, Gorrow. Chief made some moves during the hour. He had a stop to flush at 14’. An unproductive at 30’. Cash had a find at 27’ with good style. At 32’ Chief pointed, the handler relocated immediately. A bird was flushed by the reporter from the far side of the thicket, handler shot and took Chief on. Another unproductive in the chute at 52’ ended his time on the ground. Cash was out of pocket briefly before the big rock crossing, finishing the hour forward.
Hanging Jaze Howlalewya Amen, Tillson and Carolina Sea Biscuit, Johnson. Temps had warmed under partly cloudy skies. We left the meadow at the gas well with both dogs starting strong. At 10’ Slick had an unproductive after a lengthy search. Biscuit was forward along the long ditch on our left. He pointed near a feeder with Slick coming in for a back. After flushing extensively the handler elected to take the dog on. Slick had continued to make reaching casts as Biscuit was covering the terrain on our left. At 27’ Slick pointed at the edge of a large thicket as Biscuit ran along the edge and around him failing to back. Slick was relocated and searched deeper into the thicket where he pointed and game was flushed with all in order. He continued to make reaching casts into the country and finished the hour strong.
Day Dog: Hanging Jaze Howlalewya Amen.
A cold front came in after supper last night and the low was in the 40’s and windy this morning. Cheyenne Winddancer, Tillson and KB’s Shadow Dancer, John. Away from camp this pair started slow. At 14’ Dan had a find in the draw on the right with all in order. Dancer had not perked up any and was leashed. At 33’ Dan had another find. At 39’ and 55’ had unproductives to end the hour.
Breton’s Castle Rocket, John and Jo Lockapex Dark Roux Gumbo, Lincoln. Away from the bed springs corner this pair kicked up their heels. Rocket was out of pocket before the airport and not returned to judgment. Rue had a find in front of the airport at 20’. Asked to relocate he pointed staunchly through the flush and shot. He would zip away and show when called for. Another find at 26’ with all in order. His race was wide, out of sight but would show up when asked.
Boudreaux’s Poky JJ Johnson, Johnson and Dakota Luke, Wild. This pair took to the country. As we started into Cedar Point Luke pointed on our left at 27’. A flushing attempt produced nothing and he was relocated. He worked the area and a distance away a single flushed and he honored. At 33’ JJ pointed, was relocated having a bird pop as he stopped. At 42’ Luke had a find in the bear trap meadow under a cedar tree with nice manners. JJ had an unproductive at 50’ after extensive relocating.
Breton’s Gold Run Ruffian, Tillson and Smarteyes Joker, John. Both dogs worked at moderate range without bird contact. They were leashed at 45’.
Kinwashkly Dakota Molester, John and Shadow Attack, Tillson. Lester was out of pocket early and not returned to judgment. Tack ran a nice forward race with two game contacts.
Chief’s Gunner, Jones and The Far Sides Kid Amee, Gorrow. Gunner was out of pocket at the breakaway and not returned to judgment by the time we crossed pond dam one. Amee had no game contact and slowed her race. She was up at 45’.
Chuy’s Chula Vista, Carrington ran as a bye. Chula had an unproductive in the bear trap meadow. Later she pointed but went with the bird.
Day Dog: Jo-Lockapex Dark Roux Gumbo. Top Qualifier: Jo-Lockapex Dark Roux Gumbo
The Finals
The judges select the dogs to be called back, brace them and set the order of running. Performance notes by Dr. Robert Rankin.
Jo Lockapex Dark Roux Gumbo, Lincoln and Hanging Jaze Howlalewya Amen, Tillson. Rue started strong. He went to the bottom from gun dog hill showing at the gas well. Slick ran at a moderate range. Rue had a nice stylish find at 25’ with all in order. He had an unproductive in Cedar Point. Slick caught the front but was slow and was leashed before the end of the hour. Rue continued his strong forward ground race finishing the hour as he started.
TC’s Match Boks Racer, Downing and TJ’s Thunder, John. Rob had a find at 10’ with Thunder backing nicely. At the flush Rob took several steps and was leashed. Thunder had a find at the end of the tree line with all in order. Again, he scored near Manck’s crossing and on the right side of pond dam four with nice style. He ran the country using the terrain to his advantage. He had another find near a feeder just before the big rock crossing. He finished the hour forward up gun dog hill.
Wolf River’s Winning Ticket, Gorrow and TLM Rocket’s Red Glare, Milam. Rocket pointed near the cedar tree in the bear trap meadow. Handler asked the dog to relocate, he moved up and birds flushed. Cash had two unproductives during his time on the ground and was up early.
Jake Acres In Disquish, Gorrow and Two Rivers Skyhawk, John. Away after lunch this pair headed down the chute and across Lem Roberts road where they jumped deer and were not returned to judgment.
Ardmore, Okla., March 9
Judges: Tim Hidalgo and Tom Hudson
UNITED STATES OPEN BRITTANY CHAMPIONSHIP
[One-Hour Qualifying Heats; One-Hour Finals]—37 Brittanys
Winner—JO LOCKAPEX DARK ROUX GUMBO, 1582388, male, by Jamar Reno—The Sooner Shadow. Dave Lincoln, owner and handler.
Runner-Up—T J’S THUNDER, 1547475, male, by Tequilas Joker—Smarteyes Microbeans. Dr. Robert Rankin, owner; Jim John, handler.
Roux on point; John Webb pulling the dog wagon with his new tractor
VICTOIRE NATIONALE DERBY CHAMPIONSHIP
performance notes by Joyce Miley
The thirty sixth running of the first and only hour stake for brittany juveniles commenced March 13,2009. This is the fifth year since being granted championship status and recognized by the Field Dog Stud Book as a titular stake.
Ugh Stumblin From The Shadow won the title handily with a strong driving race and bird work. He is a white and liver ticked male coming two years old. Bubba is sired by Shambo’s Dark Shadow who has won this open championship twice in 2002 and 2006 and was runner-up twice. His overall career hour credentials are impressive. Bubba is owned by Nick Blasi of Kansas and handled by Ed Tillson of New Mexico.
Runner-up was Tonk Valley Runaway Red owned by Don White of Texas and handled by Dave Jones. Rusty’s application was forward with broke manners on game.
There were several other performances that were impressive and added to the quality of this stake.
Checote, Wild and Tonk Valley Runaway Red, Jones. Away from camp Coco was last seen going into the chute. Rusty hunted the country. We rode across pond dam one and the tracker was called for Coco. Rusty pointed at 39’ before Cedar Point with broke manners. He ran a forward race. At 44’ he pointed at the tree line on the left again with broke manners. He finished the hour in the bear trap meadow with a forward hard working race.
Ugh Stumblin From The Shadow, Tillson and Dashin A Legend Immortalized, John. We left the bed springs meadow headed toward the Icky Finger. Both dogs cast wide to the right returning to the top of the ridge near the feeder where Bubba put a bird to flight at 8’. At 13’ he had game contact. He was out of pocket at Manck’s Crossing coming through the woods and showing on the meadow. Smarty was in and out of pocket not having bird contact under judgment. At 45’ the tracker was called for Smarty. Bubba ran hard having game contact at 47’, 48’ 55’ and 58’. He ended his hour atop gun dog hill.
TLM Frequent Flyer, Milam and Patch O Tee, Lincoln. From gun dog hill and down the chute this pair worked nearby. At 24’ Jack pointed just before Cedar point with derby manners. At 25’ he pointed the birds again. At 28’ Patch had a find near a feeder at Cedar Point with derby manners. Patch had another find at 40’ near the bear trap. Jack had disappeared. As we came across bird valley where Jack showed pointing in the same area as his previous finds. Patch finished his hour more lateral then he started. The hour ended near the airport.
Dakota Sun, Wild and Shambo’s Midnight Shadow, Carrington. Both dogs ran the hour at moderate range. Sunny did not have any game contact. Sara had two bird contacts during her hour.
Joker’s Jackpot, John and Wily Jim, Lincoln. Jack was out of pocket at 20’. Jim had bird contact at 5’. His race was erratic and not pleasing the handler. He was leashed early. Jack was brought back on a leash in the same area.
Tee’s Hurricane, Johnson and Cisco’s Ace Shooter, Carrington. Leaving from the airport meadow both dogs started forward with Hurry being the stronger of the pair. At 18’ Hurry had an unproductive. Shooter was up at 20’ not pleasing the handler. Hurry gained momentum as the hour went on but without game contact.
Power’s Amazin Zoe, Carrington and Ru-Jem’s Fistfull of Dollars, McGee. Zoe had a pleasing race with game contact at 45’ and 52’. Dollar ran a moderate race with game contact at 23’, 45’ and 53’ with a deer chase in between.
Red Bud Sammy, Chase ran as a bye. Sammy ran a moderate race handling kindly without bird work during the hour.
Victoire Nationale Derby Championship
judges: Dr. Robert Rankin and David Downing
[One-Hour Heats]—15 Brittanys
Winner—UGH STUMBLIN FROM THE SHADOW, 1609799, male, by Shambo’s Dark Shadow—T J’s Prairie Star. Nick Blasi, owner; Ed Tillson, handler.
Runner-Up—TONK VALLEY RUNAWAY RED, 1609797, male, by Don’s Fearless Max A Dan D—Chief’s Shot O’Nolans N Dot. Don White, owner; Dave Jones, handler.
