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2011 United States Brittany Championship and Victoire Nationale Derby Championship
By Mary Karbiner
Grand Junction Jake, a classy eight year old male, captured the 49th running of the United States Open Championship at Ardmore, Oklahoma. Jake was handled by Chad Holman of Illinois and owned by Dick and Carol Pulliam of Tennessee. He ran an intelligent race using the country, carding two stylish finds in the final series. Jake was sired by Gambler’s Ace In The Hole, a multi-hour winner and Auten’s Meg-netic Field. As of this running Jake has amassed one amateur and four open hour placements in the current spring season.
Runner-up is no stranger to hour list. TJ’s Prairie Blizzard owned by Vickie Rankin of Oklahoma and run under the whistle of Ed Tillson of New Mexico also carding two finds in the final series with consistent application. He is sired by Tequila’s Joker, a dog that did well in this event during his competitive years and The Prairie Tornado.
The Top Qualifier in the first series was Tsunami. She is owned by Jim and Meam Floyd of Kansas and developed by Scott Johnson also of Kansas. Sue was always forward and on point when the judges arrived. She had six finds with a ground eating race in between. Sue was sired by Lea’s Running Jayhawk X Poki-Dot. They were national winners and multi hour placing dogs during their careers. A field of 49 entrants was drawn on Sunday evening at the grounds. In the day of electronics this drawing is done with names on slips of paper and somebody’s hat. The order of running and special requirements of the stake are laid out to the entrants.
Created as a breeders stake the United States Open Championship offers Brittany’s their toughest challenge in field trialing. This prestigious championship has the format of one-hour qualifying series and then, at the discretion of the judges the best of the best are called back to run for another hour in the championship finals. Of the 49 entrants the judges chose eight dogs that best exemplify the criteria to run in the final series. The standards of the stake are rigorous and designed to glorify the true all age dog. A dog that hunts with courage and despite fatigue can muster energy to finish strongly.
This event is the second longest running championship on the grounds of Lake Murray State Park. The Oklahoma Field Trial Clubs Assn. has stepped up the grounds improvement with the assistance of Quail Unlimited-Arbuckle Chapter and the Sam Noble Foundation. The program has released quail, mowed prairie grass, trimmed and cut trees and has established a continuous burning schedule all for the reclamation of quail habitat.
The judges for the open championship were Keith Hickam of Waco, Texas. Keith trains and handles professionally, has a keen eye for a running dog. Wes Felt of Kaufman, Texas was the replacement judge when the advertised judge could not officiate. Wes has been a longtime competitor in the Brittany world. We appreciate their attention to the standards for which this stake has come to be one of the premier events on the Brittany circuit.
We wish to thank the folks that are the work force of this event. Dr Bob Rankin, President and head marshal, Dr John Webb dog wagon master and Mary Felt for lunches and general “go-for” work. There are always folks behind the scenes that pick up the pieces that make an event come together….we greatly appreciate their help and dedication.
Our thanks goes out to Nestle-Purina who have been supporters of bird dog competitions for many years. Their research and dedication to the nutrition for the performance animal has been ongoing. They donate product and monies which help to support many events held for bird dogs.
We will be celebrating our 50th Anniversary next year. Hope you can join us then.
The Qualifying Series
Adios Shaq Attack, Tracy and Wild Mtn Shake Ya Tailfeather, Riggle. Temperatures in the 50’s with a strong wind that would blow all day. Shaq was the wider of the pair. Feather was slow and methodical hunting the cover. At 12’ Shaq carded a stylish find. His race was wide and he usually showed to the front. Feather was out of pocket at the entrance to the scout camp and not returned to judgment.
Jay Hawk’s Georgia Girl, Tracy and Jo Lockapex Dark Roux Gumbo, Lincoln. We broke away from the Bear Trap Meadow. Gigi had her track shoes on and was out of pocket from time to time. At 20’ Roux had a find at the little pond finger with all in order. At 45’ he had a stop to flush along a brush line. Gigi was not returned to judgment. Roux continued to reach forward to end the hour.
Joker’s Jackpot, John and Ace’s Di, Holman. The wind had stayed gusty. Both dogs were a handful from the start. Jack wanted to work the wind and Di would be out of pocket from time to time. Near the end of the hour Di had not been seen and the tracker was called for. At 56’ Jack had a nice find at the end of the draw just before the airport. He finished the hour going forward.
Grand Junction Jake, Holman and Belle’s Beau Max, Carrington. Jake was the wider of the pair. He maintained a forward ground race. Max had a find at 34’ after pond dam # one. He handled the flush and shot nicely. This set him into a hunting mode and he searched all the cover that was in front of him. Jake continued to run a nice race for the hour without game contact. (Finding birds in the qualifying series is not required in order to be called back for the final series.) Max hunted being lateral at times with Jake finishing the hour going away.
Shady Way Red Tail Hawk, John and Trademarks Iceman, Holman. Hawk was a handful, wanting to do his thing. Timmie had a find at 33’ in the big motte over the rock ledge. He continued to work the terrain. Hawk was not pleasing the handler and leashed at 43’. Timmie continued to make some moves. At 52’ just out of the little rocky crossing he had an unproductive. The hour ended at the new gravel road.
Tsunami, Johnson ran as a bye. Sue started slow running into the wind. At 20’ she had a find in the scout camp. On our left, she stood staunchly as birds were flushed in front of her. She then turned on the afterburners and began a wide reaching ground race that had finds at 23’, 30’, 41’ and 50’. Far to the front at the little pond finger she again scored at 57’. A lengthy relocation and birds were pointed with all in order. She was sent forward and the judges called time.
Day Dog: Tsunami
Carolina Sea Biscuit, Johnson and gunrunner’s Bookin & Cookin, Hancock. We left under misty skies with the threat of rain in the forecast. Biscuit was absent before the scout camp. Bookin was wide in the woods. At 31’ he came out from the pine trees under a bird and was leashed. Biscuit had an unproductive in the Tent Pad finger. At 44’ he knocked a bird to end his time on the ground.
Uncle Kracker, Tracy and Trademark’s ATM, Holman. Kracker had bird contact at 2 minutes into the brace. Again, at 8’ another find just before Cedar Point. At 15’ Cash knocked a covey at the end of bird alley. Kracker had an unproductive at 35’. He had slowed his race. At 42’ another find as he hunted all the cover. He was leashed early.
Odssey’s Ace Of Hearts, Holman and TLM Co Pilot, Gerardy. Ace had a find at 10’with a relocation near the little pond finger. He found a single with all in order. He had finds at 23’and 36‘. A nonproductive at 29’ in a burned area. He ran the hour at moderate range handling kindly. Hank was out of pocket from the breakaway and was not returned to judgment.
Sandy Pines Chase The Wind, Holman and Cedar Valley Asya, Tracy. Chavy was there at the breakaway and then gone. Asya was slow to start. Her application for the hour was erratic. She had no bird contact for her time on the ground. Chavy was not returned to judgment.
TJ’s Thunder, John and Me And You Alone Maverick, Carrington. Thunder had a find at 11’ just down from the Icky Finger feeder. He stood nicely through flush and shot. He was out of pocket shortly after. Mia was absent at the airport. Thunder had another find along the woods edge with all in order. Mia returned in the meadow near the little pond finger. On the rock ledge a bird went out of the thicket she was working in and she was leashed. Thunder caught the front and pointed again at 49’ just out of the pond dam # four crossing with all in order. He finished the hour going away.
Two Rivers Sky Hawk, John and Early Times, Tracy. Sky was a handful early on. Earl went to work searching the cover making some good moves. Sky was not pleasing the handler and was leashed at 23’. Point was called for Earl at the edge of the water just out of Cedar Point. The handler called a bird which the judges did not see. The handler relocated Earl a long way through the brushy cover but there was not a bird sighted for their efforts. He finished the hour near the airport.
Day Dog: TJ’s Thunder
Lafayette Kinmont Willie, Carrington and Cedar Valley Bandit, Tracy. We skirted the forecasted showers yesterday. With a low of 40 degrees and a brisk wind this morning we were away under overcast skies. Both dogs started strong. Willie was absent as we started into the scout camp. Bandit had an unproductive at 20’. Willie returned midway in the hour but was not up to running and was leashed. At 53’ Bandit pointed at the end of the long draw just before Cedar Point. He was relocated, working as the bird popped. His race was lateral as he hunted the cover.
Hal-Js Smarteyes Joker’s EZ Ace, John and Blueridge’s Hunter Gonna Fly, Downing. Ace had a find at the bed springs meadow as we headed toward the bear trap and another nice find at 29’. Hunter had an unproductive at 12’ in the bed springs meadow. At 37’ Ace pointed. He stood at the edge of a large brush pile. The handler flushed a single as Ace turned to mark the flight. He was released and returned to the same cover. Hunter has been covering the country making reaching casts. He had an unproductive at 51’ just across pond dam # four to end his hour.
The Crash Scene, Tracy and Kinwashkly Dirty Ned Pepper, Johnson. From pond dam # four we headed toward the little rocky crossing. At 13’ Ned pointed staunchly in a brushy motte near Rosco’s Pond. Birds were flushed with all in order. Crash was absent just after breakaway and not returned to judgment. Ned had slowed his race and was leashed at 45’.
Windtuck Rocket’s Red Glare, Milam and Ru-Jem’s A Touch of Bourbon. Rocket had a find at 11’ in a thicket. At 21’ he pointed at the bed springs corner with Chug backing. Rocket was relocated and Chug taken on. Rocket and handler found the single. At 30’ Chug pointed in bird valley with Rocket on a whoaed back. Bird work was in order. Rocket was out of pocket at the airport. Chug had a find at the little pond finger and again at 51’. Rocket had not been returned to judgment. Chug ran the last half of the hour at moderate range.
Roustabout’s Sniksoh Sadie, Tracy and Kinwashkly Dakota Molester, John. Sadie had an erratic application, making some positive moves then returning to the handler. Lester had the ground race for the stake. He had unproductive at 41’ and 51’ when the handler elected to pick up. Sadie had bird contact in the cover at 53’.
Boudreaux’s Poki JJ Johnson, Johnson and Shambo’s Midnight Shadow, Carrington. Conditions this afternoon were sunny, windy and very dusty. Sara pointed in a large tangled motte. Handler elected to take her on after extensive flushing. Jay had a find across pond dam # four with all in order as Sara backed nicely. Sara pointed at 45’ with Jay backing kindly. She was relocated and Jay taken on. Sara worked, pinning the bird in the tangled cover. Jay had slowed and was taken to the wagon. Sara finished the hour at moderate range.
Jacks Tequila Jake, John and Wimberley Jimdandy, Johnson. Both dogs were off with gusto. We left Rosco’s Pond going toward Manck’s Crossing. Dandy was forward with Jake hitting the cover. At 14’ just in the scout camp Dandy pointed near some cedars. Birds were flushed with good manners. Jake had been out of pocket at this time. We went across the pond dam # one and Dandy was credited with a stop to flush near the cedar clump at 25’. The tracker was called for Jake at 30’. Dandy continued to roll across the country. Far to the front of us we sighted Dandy standing at 40’. He stood high and tight through the flush and shot. His race finished forward in the meadow out of Manck’s Crossing.
Day Dog: Wimberley Jimdandy
Sovereign’s Git-R-Done, Tillson and Hi Points Bet’n He’ll Rock, Holman. Lows in the 30’s with light winds were the forecast for Thursday. We broke away under sunny skies and a breeze. Both dogs were slow to start. Their run ended out of Manck’s Crossing at Lem Roberts Road at 20’.
Starlight’s Blazing Sirius, Thomas and KD’s Slip and Slide, Tillson. We traveled from the gravel road and into the scout camp. Point was called for Sy at 8’. He stood near a small knob in the draw on our right. Handler approached and a single was flushed with all in order. He reached for the dog and the rest of the large covey literally “boiled” out of the cover - as depicted in paintings of hunting scenes. Out of the tent pad finger Splash ran through a covey and was leashed. Sy had been out of pocket returning through the ditch. Taken forward he had an unproductive at 23’. At 53’ he pointed at the bed springs corner. Game was flushed with good manners. He ran the hour at moderate range.
Lane’s End Frozen Asset, Holman and Ru-Jem’s Fist Full of Dollars, McGee. Turk was absent shortly after breakaway. Dollar was out of pocket at Manck’s Crossing. His handler sighted him standing in tall grass in the draw to the west toward the big woods at 29‘. Nothing could be produced and he was taken on. The tracker was called for Turk. Dollar was absent at pond dam # four and returned to the front at the tractors. At 55’ Dollar had a find near Rosco’s Pond. Game was flushed with good manners. He was forward as the hour ended.
TJ’s Prairie Blizzard, Tillson and Black Creek Deacon, Holman. Pleasant temperatures and sunny skies for the afternoon. Blizzard had a find at 6’ near Rosco’s Pond with good manners. At 36’ he pointed again in the brush out of tent pad finger with Dee on a whoaed back. Birds were flushed with all in order. At 42’ Dee had an unproductive. He had shortened his application through the end of the hour. Blizzard carded another find at 47’ near Cedar Point. Blizzard made consistent moves that used the terrain during the hour.
Waysides Blueridge Runner, Downing and TLM Frequent Flyer, Gerardy. Blue had a negative encounter with birds early in the brace and was leashed. Jack pointed at 16’ at the little pond finger. A serious flushing attempt and relocation ensued. Jack pointed again without gain. He was called out of the brush and went to the pond where a single flew and then another bird came out. He was credited with a stop to flush. Two unproductives at 24’ and 57’ followed. At 42’ he pointed again. A lengthy flushing and a long relocation up the brushy draw found the covey where they were put to flight. He ended to hour forward.
Shamrocks Sirius, Holman and Broadway Joe VI, Tracy. Sy did not start strong and was up midway in the hour. Joe was out of pocket before Manck’s Crossing and not returned to judgment.
Day Dog: TJ’s Prairie Blizzard. Top Qualifier: Tsunami
Scott Johnson flushing for Tsunami
Final Series
For the final series the judges brace the dogs and do the running order. Each dogs is to have a different bracemate and course from the qualifying series. Eight dogs were called back for the final series to run on Friday. We left camp under sunny skies.
Wimberley Jimdandy, Johnson and TJ’s Prairie Blizzard, Tillson. Dandy taking the low country and Blizzard headed toward Rosco’s Pond. He pointed near a tree. Game was flushed with all in order. Dandy was still wide on some of his moves. He was out of pocket as we headed toward the scout camp. At 35’ Blizzard had a nice find in the cedar thicket just over pond dam # one. Blizzard was methodical in his application. We went through Cedar Point and Dandy had not been returned to judgment. We headed toward the bear trap meadow with Blizzard working across the road on our right as the hour ended.
Ru-Jem’s A Touch of Bourbon, McGee and TJ’s Thunder, John. We left the bear trap meadow with gusty winds at our backs. At 20’ Chug had a find at the little pond finger with Thunder backing nicely. Released from that find both dogs headed past a brush pile. At 22’ a single flew and Thunder stopped nicely with Chug being whoaed. Thunder was inconsistent in his application as Chug ran at moderate range. At 37’ Thunder watered in the pond at dam # four, went to the brush on the left and pointed. Chug had crossed the dam and went to the right, swapping ends. Chug had a small covey flushed in front of him. Thunder’s covey sat tightly until being disturbed by the other shot and activity then flushed from the cover. Both dogs went forward with Thunder being the wider of the pair. At 50’ Chug pointed at the end of the finger out of little rocky crossing. In briars, handler flushed through the whole area. As he was going to get on his horse, Chug pointed at the outside edge of the tangle where birds were flushed with all in order. The hour ended in the second meadow before Manck’s Crossing.
Ru-Jem’s Fist Full Of Dollars, McGee and Grand Junction Jake, Holman. Through Manck’s Crossing and the turn at the road both dogs had gone to the right. Shortly, point was called by both scouts at 6’. The dogs stood 8-10 foot apart just in the cover at the little pond finger. Birds were flushed with both handlers firing. Chug was out of pocket at the scout camp. He returned before pond dam # two. At 36’ point was called for Chug. He released himself and was sent on. Coming out of Cedar Point he pointed again in the briars. Birds were flushed and he stood staunchly. Jake had been making some good casts using the country. He slowed briefly into the bear trap meadow. At 55’ Chug had an unproductive at the bed springs corner. Jake was well forward when he pointed at 56’ atop the ridge near the Icky Finger feeder. He stood rock solid as birds were flushed with all in order. At 59’ Chug pointed in the brush atop the ridge. Game was found and he was fired over to end the hour. Jake finished forward past bird valley.
Tsunami, Johnson and Shambo’s Midnight Shadow, Carrington. Both dogs were slow to start. Sue had a stop to flush at 24’ and an unproductive at 31’. Sara had a find in the large motte of briars at 24’. At 38’ she pointed again, at the flush turned turned to mark the birds. She slowed her application later in the hour. Sue was up at 50’ not pleasing the handler. We returned to camp to await the announcements.
Ardmore, Okla., March 7
Judges: Keith Hickam and Wes Felt
UNITED STATES OPEN BRITTANY CHAMPIONSHIP
[One-Hour Qualifying Heats; One-Hour Finals]—49 Brittanys
Winner—GRAND JUNCTION JAKE, 1547068, male, by Gambler’s Ace In The Hole—Auten’s Meg Netic Field. Richard & Carol Pulliam, owners; Chad Holman, handler.
Runner-Up— T J’S PRAIRIE BLIZZARD,1557567, male, by Tequilas Joker—The Prairie Tornado. Vicki Rankin, owner; Ed Tillson, handler.
VICTOIRE NATIONALE DERBY CHAMPIONSHIP
The Derby winner was August Rush, owned by Bo and Rene Ackerman of Clermont, Ga., handled by Tom Tracy. Rush had an aggressive race and handled his birds with spring Derby manners.
Runner-up was Wimberley Rowdy Bo Dandy, handled by Scott Johnson for owners Dr. John and Ginger Gay of Rockport,Tex. Rowdy had a strong race and two finds.
Interestingly, the sires of these dogs are owned and currently campaigned by each of the owners, respectively. Early Times is a multi-hour winner and Dandy was last year’s U. S. Open Champion.
Since its inaugural running in 1974 this event remains the only one-hour Derby stake for Brittanys. This stake seeks to exalt the class Brittany Derby dog— the dog bred, trained and campaigned to improve the breed. The insight of the founders of the United States Brittany Championship to add the Derby as a companion stake has held its merits and achieved the status of Derby Championship in 2005 through the efforts of the directors, by keeping the quality and ideals to the utmost.
Judges were Dr. Bob Rankin of Edmond, Okla.,, longtime supporter of the Open and Derby Championships. Serving with him was David Downing of Gatesville,Tex. David went from an amateur to professional trainer a number of years ago and has always supported this stake. Their attention to the details was appreciated.
Nestle-Purina has been gracious in donating product for our event. They have been a sponsor of bird dog competitions for years. They have extensive research and development studies for the performance animal. We appreciate thendonations to sporting dog world.
The Running
Wild Mtn All That (Riggie) and Sunnyvale Flint Hills Flyer (Tillson). The wind was a factor for both dogs. Each had bird contact early in the hour with both finishing at moderate range.
August Rush (Tracy) had the all-age race and a find at 41 with defined Derby manners. Both dogs had bird contact at 46. Augie finished the hour as strong as he started. M K’s Magnificent Bandito (Johnson) was aggressive early, running hard and requiring some scouting. He slowed his application near the end of the hour.
Firestarter’s Crossed The Line (Tillson) and Gambler’s Double Down (Holman) hunted the cover, lateral in application. Their hour ended early.
Wimberley Rowdy Bo Dandy (Johnson) and Black Creek Blaze (Holman) started strong on the ground. Rowdy used the terrain intelligently and carded finds at 20 and 50 with spring Derby manners. Blaze ran hard. He came out of the cover under a bird at 34 and had a find at 50 with early Derby manners. Both dogs finished with energy to spare.
Sparky’s Prairie Wind Gypsy (John) had a snappy way of going. She had a find at 15 with early Derby manners. Gypsy was out of pocket at bird valley and not returned to judgment. Almaden’s Timber Ridge Tess (Tillson) ran at moderate range for most of the hour with a few nice moves between finds. She carded three finds at 6, 40 and 51 with good Derby manners.
Glade Run Irish (Tracy) and Campbell’s Razz Ma Tazz (Campbell) hunted and found birds. Irish had a divided find at 22 and then at 38 a find with delayed chase. At 44 and 50 he had broke finds running at moderate range, slowing his application near the end of the hour with apparent foot problems. Razz had a divided find at 22 which put him into a “hunt on your own” mode. He had finds at 25 and 51 with early Derby manners. Razz was a challenge to his handler.
Suggs Royal Princess (Tracy), running as a bye, was slow to start, not wanting to work today. She was up early.
Victoire Nationale Derby Championship
judges: Dr. Robert Rankin and David Downing
[One-Hour Heats]—13 Brittanys
Winner—AUGUST RUSH, 1624124, male, by Early Times—Cedar Valley Sasha. Bo & Renae Ackerman, owners; Tom Tracy, handler.
Runner-Up—WIMBERLEY ROWDY BO DANDY, 1620852, male, by Wimberley Jimdandy—Countess Mon Petite Whiz. Dr. John & Ginger Gay, owners; Scott Johnson, handler.
