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2018 United States Brittany Championship and Victoire Nationale Derby Championship
By Jan Kilpatrick
The 56th renewal of the United States Open Brittany Championship was held at the Lake Murray Field Trial Grounds in Ardmore, Okla. Thirty-four dogs from around the country were drawn and competed for this prestigious title. Weather for the four-day event included cold mornings, mild to warm afternoons and strong, gusty and variable winds.
We thank Purina for again sponsoring this event and the Victoire Nationale Derby Championship that followed. Purina's donation of dog food, hats and monetary support were well received by all participants and we look forward to a continued partnership with Purina for many years to come.
Also thanks to everyone who lent their support before, during and after the actual running.
This year we especially want to thank Dr. Bob Rankin who made his horse trailer available for transporting weary handlers, judges, the reporter and their trusty steeds back to camp after long mornings and afternoons in the saddle. Also thanks to everyone who drove the transport truck and trailer. It truly was an appreciated gesture.
Judges were Dr. Alex Jacocks of Edmond, Okla., and Stan Noble of Santa Fe, Tenn., both of whom are well respected for their knowledge of bird dogs and field trialing. We thank them for their many hours in the saddle and the positive learned consideration they afforded each and every dog. Though there were many strong performances the following two rose to the top.
The Winners and Others
Named champion was Sparky's Prairie Wind Gypsy, female handled by Scott Johnson for owners Barry Koepke and Karen Fujikawa of Castle Rock, Colo. Runner-up was Piney Run Jake, male owned and handled by Kent Patterson of Franklin, Tenn.
First day, Monday, March 5, was partly sunny, temperature 37°-68°, gusty north winds 15-26 mph.
Maxwell's Prickly Pete (Tom Tracy, Jr) and Touch of Bourbon Little Chug (Carson/Scott Johnson). The strong cold north wind did not hamper Pete and Carson as they broke away from camp. Pete took a wrong turn and at 16 and Toro called for the retrieval device. Carson went right to work pointing at 5 into a small cedar mott directly up the horseback trail from breakaway. This year these cedars held a small covey that got the early attention of many of the dogs that broke away from camp. Carson handled his find with style andmanners. His second find at little pond point did not bode as well when Carson self released while Scott was trying to locate the birds so up he went at 18.
Roustabouts Eustace (T/Tracy) and Tequila Scorcher (Lincoln/Ed Tillson) were released into the Girl Scout camp. T had on his running shoes and disappeared into the tall cover and was only seen occasionally throughout the hour. Lincoln went right to work moving to all likely objectives in a fast forward manner carding finds at 10, 37 and 58 which were all handled with style and manners. He also had two unproductives at 40 and 53. T backed Lincoln at 58 which was a notable incident since Ed flushed a hawk with the quail in its talons but both dogs remained staunch and steady throughout this drama.
CVK's Spartan King (Leo/Tracy) and MK's Magnificent Bandito (Chico/Johnson) left quickly from the double motts. Chico scored the first at 21 with all in order. At 44 it came apart when Chico started creeping in as Scott was trying to flush his birds. Leo's first point came at 40. After a long relocation, birds were put to flight, a very nice piece of bird work. Unfortunately, Leo could not contain himself on his next find at 50 which turned into a merry chase...
Ocaje (Grace/Gowin) and Crescent City Girl (Nola/Tillson). After breaking away from camp Grace was found pointing into the infamous cedar mott at 4. All was in order through the flush and fire. Nola made her way down course No. l rapidly and pointed in the long mott right before Manck's Crossing. However, Nola grew impatient and self released while Ed was trying to locate the birds and was picked up at 11. Grace pointed in this same area but logged an unproductive when no birds could be located. Grace continued her forward run at a moderate pace to all likely objectives and was rewarded with another find at 40 which was handled with style and manners. Grace finished her hour in a pleasing forward manner.
Glade Run Irish (Tracy) and Remchester's Premium White Lighting (Hooch/Johnson) were away through the fireworks area. Irish bad an unproductive at 15. At 26 point was called for Irish which stood tall and tight while Tom whoaed Hooch into a back until Scott arrived. It was a clean find. Irish maintained a well directed race at moderate range and pace. He had another find at 59 just before pond dam No. 4, with all in order through the flush and shot. Hooch hunted in earnest from start to finish and made some nice moves but failed to connect with birds.
Arrow's Tequila Rustler (Rusty/Milam) and Carpe Diem (Johnson) were loosed in the meadow after pond dam No. 4 where Carpe made a big move into the netherworld and was counted out at 20. Rusty was forward with a slightly lateral in and out pattern. At 48 he Jocked up tight but no birds could be located. By 55 Rusty's pace had slowed down and Tom elected to pick him up.
Day dog: Tequila Scorcher (Tillson).
Tuesday was sunny, temperature 32°- 62°, gusty northeast winds 14-29 mph, a glorious morning.
Sparky's Prairie Wind Gypsy (Johnson) and TL M Tall Tale (Sam/Tracy) took off briskly at 8:00 a.m. Sam was the 3-minute bird-finder in the little cedar mott housing the homesteading covey. All was in order through the shot. He then suffered two quick unproductives at 12 and 15 which ended his race. As we rode through Manck's Crossing the call of point was heard in the distance and a fast gallop found Gypsy standing tall and tight at little pond point. Birds were milling around in the briars so handler was directed to fire with all in order. Sent ahead, Gypsy's ground pattern and choice of objectives were impressive and at 46 she was found standing again head and tail high. With all in order through the flush and shot, Gypsy finished the hour with the same snappy forward race she started with.
Almaden's Under Lock and Key (Oudi/Tillson) and MK's My Lil Ammo (BB/Johnson) were amped from the breakaway and gave quite an action packed show as they bunted in close proximity all over and through course No. 2. They shared finds at 10 and 22 with all in order. Oudi had an unproductive at 16. BB had a clean find at 19. BB was pointing again at 34 with Oudi backing but no birds were produced. Both dogs had a stop to flush at 40 on the same small group of flighty birds. Oudi had another unproductive at 45. Both finished their hour hunting hard in forward animated fashion.
Both Kashmir (Tracy) and Kinwashkly Tempo (Tillson) canvassed the country, staying mostly forward at a moderate pace probably due to a strong north headwind. They tried valiantly to find some birds but both finished.
Alar's Dirty Dancer (Tillson) logged the 3-minute bird in the cedar mott but went missing shortly thereafter and was not returned to judgment. Lambach's Blew By You (Luke/Tracy) had a pleasing intelligent way of moving around the course logging finds at 16 and 24 which he handled with style and manners. Luke finished his hour hunting consistently forward.
Driving Miss Daisy (Tracy) logged the first bird contact at 10 standing tall and tight through the flush and shot with Just Call Me Lucky Ned Pepper (Campbell) backing with appropriate manners. Daisy continued forward, hunting at moderate pace but encountered no more birds during the hour. Ned had stylish mannerly finds at 16 and 42 and finished his hour moving to the front at a steady pace.
Ru-Jem's Last Penny (Tracy) and Piney Run Jake (Patterson) went right to work with Jake pointing at 4 and Penny backing. All was in order through the flush and shot. At 10 both dogs were found standing in close proximity but handlers flushed separate birds with all in order. Penny was thorough in her search and logged additional finds at 26, 40 and 50, all of which were handled with impeccable style and manners. At 55 point was called for Jake. About this same time the judge had a horse incident which took about five minutes to resolve so Jake stood patiently until we all arrived. Then Kent got to spend a couple more minutes relocating the "not gonna flush" running birds. Through it all Jake stood staunchly with impeccable style and manners. Finally the hunkered down bird was spotted, shot fired and Jake finally got to move on. Both dogs joined up after Manck's Crossing finishing their hour with strong forward moves.
Day dog: Ru-Jem's Last Penny (Tracy).
Wednesday was again sunny; temperature ranged from 32° to 55°, with gusty north-northeast winds.
SS Rig's Colorado Gun Runner (Milam) was the 3-minute bird-finder this morning working that little cedar covey with style and manners through the flush and shot. Hoochie Coochie Man (Karl/Tillson) pointed at 13 but no birds could be produced. Both these dogs had excellent ground races and for their efforts were rewarded with a clean divided find at 48. Shortly after this find Rigs went missing and was not returned to judgment. Karl finished the hour ahead.
Jagoub's Buzz' n Bayou (Skeeter/Tracy) was a one-man show, logging finds at 2, 7, 18, 39 and 48. His race, range and application were impressive, his points stylish and mannerly, earning "Top Qualifier" of the first series. Treasure State Toby MacDaddy (Tillson) preferred to pursue a non bird species and was not returned to judgment.
Castaway Wilson (Tracy) said "bye, bye" from the breakaway, not returned to judgment. Sniksoh Little Diamond (Johnson) ran a conservative race with clean bird work at 2 and 38 and an unproductive at 23. She finished the hour in a forward manner hunting hard.
FireStarter's Crossed the Line (Ty/Tillson) and Kinwashkly Fat Bastard (Fatz/Tracy). These seasoned bird dogs applied themselves at an easygoing effective gait across course No. 1. Going to all known objectives Ty had clean bird work at 3, 10 and 50. He also had an unproductive at 15. Fatz backed at 10 and had finds at 50 and 55. Both finished to the front.
Shady Way Jokers Hill Country Xpress (Tracy) got hung up at the fish ponds (now renamed the hog hole) and after the third failed extraction Tom said "no more" and leashed him at 25. JR's Cool Hand Luke (Johnson) put on a farflung bird-finding extravaganza, logging clean stylish finds at 20, 29, 46 and 56. Luke maintained his well directed race to the finish.
Day dog and top qualifier: Jagoub's Buzz'n Bayou (Tracy).
Final Series
Thursday morning was sunny, temperature 30°-64°, with south-southwest winds at 3-17 mph. Ten dogs were selected for the championship finals.
Tequila Scorcher and Ru-Jem's Last Penny started the final series down the hill running hard. Penny pointed at 9 with "Lincoln" backing. Nice style and manners from both dogs through the flush and shot. Both were through Manck's Crossing in short order but Tom and Penny lost one another for a long while shortly after clearing the Girl Scout camp. Lincoln hit the heavy cover in earnest and hunted at medium range taking the edges to completion down both sides of the course. Penny found the front shortly after pond dam No. 2 and Tom caught up in time to work Penny on a divided find with Lincoln at 55. With all in order through the flush and fire Penny finished the hour well ahead. Lincoln continued hunting hard but his weariness was showing.
Jagoub's Buzz'n Bayou could not find his directional gyro this day so the retrieval unit came out at 41. MK's My Lil Ammo hunted in earnest from start to finish but found no birds.
Sparky's Prairie Wind Gypsy was in championship form with a hard hunting, eye-catching ground effort combined with two clean finds at 3 and 29. Both were handled with intense style and impeccable manners. Gypsy maintained her well directed far-flung race all the way to the finish to earn the championship title. Almaden's Under Lock and Key (Oudi) had backs at 3 and 29, clean finds at 18 and 55 and an unproductive at 24. He continued hunting hard but suffered a breach of manners on a long relocation at time.
Just Call Me Lucky Ned Pepper and Piney Run Jake were the first afternoon brace of this final series. First bird encounter went to Ned at 8 at the corner mott before Manck's Crossing but when Jake pointed on the off side of the mott Ned unexpectedly left the area. Jake remained staunch and a bird was flushed with all in order. Ned had clean bird work at 18 and 53 and settled into a medium range pattern hunting hard. Jake pointed at 46 but only feathers were found. At 54 Jake pointed again and this time birds were located and flushed with all in order. Sent ahead, Jake finished going away in classy fashion. For his strong, intelligent application, pattern, style and manners on birds and a strong finish Jake was declared runner-up.
JR's Cool Hand Luke and Glade Run Irish were the last brace of the finals. They were found standing together at 11 but only a pile of feathers could be found. They were released and Luke had a pretty find at 29 followed by a stop to flush at 34. Irish headed for parts unknown and was not returned to judgment. Luke continued hunting with determination but at a much closer range.
Ardmore, Okla., March 5, 2018
Judges: Dr. Alex Jacocks and Stan Noble
UNITED STATES OPEN BRITTANY CHAMPIONSHIP
[One-Hour Qualifying Heats; One-Hour Finals]—34 Brittanys
Winner—SPARKY'S PRAIRIE WIND GYPSY,1622811, female. by Jim De Bob's Sparks A Dan D-Two Rivers Skyhawk. Barry Koepke & Karen Fujikawa, owners; Scott Johnson, handler.
Runner-Up—PINEY RUN JAKE. 1659010, male, by Piney Run Art-Piney Run Gypsy. Kent Patterson, owner and handler.
VICTOIRE NATIONALE DERBY CHAMPIONSHIP
Judges were Dr. Robert Rankin of Edmond, Okla., and Tom Milam of Elm Mott, Tex., who evaluated nineteen promising juveniles that competed for this prestigious Derby title. Both gentlemen have judged all breeds of pointing dogs for decades and were looking for a juvenile with above average bird manners and a forward, course covering application with a willingness to handle.
Weather for the two-day event was mild mornings and warm afternoons with variable winds.
The dogs adjudicated as the two best exhibiting their criteria were: JWB Arctic Cat, handled by Tom Tracy, Jr. for owners Jack and Crystal Alexander of Vienna, Ohio; Tequila's Hot Tamale, owned and handled Ed Tillson.
The Running
First day, Friday, March 9, was partly sunny, temperature 50°-75°, southwest wind 8-24 mph.
SKF's JR's Straight Shooter (Colt/Foster) and Fuzz (Lincoln) showed a lot of enthusiasm at the breakaway and both pointed birds at 9 which were handled with acceptable Derby manners. Fuzzy was seldom seen after this, though there was a lot of hoop and hollering from the far distance at times. Colt continued moving in a forward manner but finished the hour very conservatively.
Sniksoh Patty Ann (Johnson) and JZ's Moose On The Loose (Tillson) were released from the double motts. Neither of these youngsters was pleasing handler. Patty Ann was up at 11, followed by Moose at 16.
Tequila's Hot Tamale (Tillson) had an excellent ground game, making nice moves throughout her hour. Glade Run Ruger (Tracy) was all over the place to begin but finally settled into a moderate race but had no bird contact. Tamale had her first bird at 37 pointing stylishly and exhibiting acceptable Derby manners through the flush and shot. Tamale continued sweeping through the course, running the edges witl1 purpose. At 51 Tamale was found standing to the front in heavy cover. The bird was flushed, shot fired and Tamale finished her hour moving forward with energy to spare. A very nice performance well deserving of the runner-up champion declaration.
Hideaway's Cool Beans (Tillson) and Wayside's Mt. Orion's Moon (Johnson). Though Beans and Moon took off like heat-seeking missiles they soon broke into a leisurely romp that continued throughout the hour. Beans had birds at 10 and 42 which he handled with Derby manners. Moon had birds at 12 and 42 exhibiting Derby manners. Both dogs finished the hour at a moderate rate and range.
JWB Arctic Cat (Kim/Tracy) and Kinwashkly Rusty Ridge Justified (Reylyn/Claude Kilpatrick). Breaking from the double motts both these girls moved fast and forward hunting hard with purpose. Point was called for Kim at 14 along a tall grassy edge but no birds were located. Reylyn pointed in a cedar mott at 16 where a single bird was spotted but ran to the end of the mott before being flushed. Reylyn started tracking it just as Kim approached the area and pointed it with intensity. Reylyn established point again; the bird was flushed and shot fired by both handlers with Kim standing rock steady and Reylyn giving chase in acceptable Derby manner. At 35 both dogs pointed in separate areas of the long tree mott after Manck's Crossing. Birds were flushed and shots fired with Kim once again standing staunchly while Reylyn chased with a yip. Both continued their fast ground races hunting hard to the front. At 42 Reylyn slammed on point in a small mott with Kim arriving seconds later, and she also pointed intensely. A small covey was flushed, shots fired with both dogs chasing a short distance before heading on toward pond dam No. 4.Both continued hunting hard through the back course and after recrossing pond dam No. 4 Kim went on point at 58 in the tree mott adjacent to the pond. Reylyn joined the search but no birds could be located so both were moved forward just as time expired. It was an action packed brace to watch and for her smooth, strong, stylish, biddable performance Kim was awarded the well deserved championship title.
Wiyanna (Annie/Gowin) and Dynamitemakeit (Dyna/Kilpatrick). These two girls kicked up some dust as they broke away fast and forward toward rocky crossing. Their fast forward race continued to Manck's Crossing when Dyna got wind of something other than birds. The scout was able to round her up and get her through the crossing where she did an immediate double back and was gone for good at 23. Annie had a pleasing way of moving across the country searching hard but had no birds.
Tuesday was party sunny with south wind, 51°-78°.
In No. 7 were Spanish Corrals Wild Bill (Kilpatrick) and She's Outa Control (Jessie/Johnson). It took awhile for the fog to clear this morning and it was really warming up when the go button was finally pushed for these two turbo charged contenders. Jessie had a bird at 12 in the cedar strip right before Manck's Crossing but did a disappearing act shortly thereafter and was not returned to judgment. Billy decided to water up in Manck's Crossing and as he came out of the water a lone quail took flight with Billy standing statuesque for an impressive stop to flush at 13. As we rode forward point was called at 17 and we found Billy standing at little pond point. Birds were flushed with Billy standing steady through the flush and fire. Billy continued hunting hard to the front and finished his hour with a well executed sweep around the edges of the bear trap.
It was really heating up when Upland Trail Blazer (Scout/Tracy) and B and T's Hooch With A Twist (Johnson) were released. Hooch pointed first at 19, all in order through the flush and shot. At 24 they shared a find with all in order. At 34 Scout pointed staunchly and stood steady through the flush and shot. Scout slowed considerably after this and at 37 Tom picked him up. Hooch had another bird at 45 but got very hot so Scott picked him up at 56.
Treasure States Tooney's Tribute (Tillson), as a bye, was released toward the rocky crossing making some nice strong forward moves. Her application and pattern of running were impressive at the beginning but the heat took its toll so Ed picked her up at 50.
Willie Make It (Johnson) and Call N Dibbs (Patterson) were the last brace, released in the fireworks area. Willie went missing at 41 and was not returned to judgment. Dibbs had a smooth ground covering gait that carried him effortlessly across the course. He handled kindly and shortly after crossing Manck's he pointed a small covey and handled it with acceptable Derby manners. The heat had become intense so Kent ended young Dibbs' run at 45.
Victoire Nationale Derby Championship
judges: Dr. Robert Rankin and Tom Milam
[One-Hour Heats]—19 Brittanys
Winner—JWB ARCTIC CAT, 1671900, female, by Maxwell's Outer Limits-Chancey's Frozen Asset. Juck & Crystal Alexander, owners; Tom Tracy, Jr., handler.
Runner-Up—TEQUILA'S HOT TAMALE, unreg. female. by Crossed The LineSniksoh Tequila Caliente. Ed Tillson, owner and handler.
