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Region Championships All Age Championship 2005 Report
Region Championships All Age Championship 2005 Report | 2005 Report |
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Combined Region 14 and National Amateur Chicken Championship Report 2005 by Sheldon Rogers and Louis Qualtiere The Region 14 All Age and National Amateur Chicken Championships(NACC) were held on September the 5th through the 9th at Mortlach Saskatchewan. These two championships have been conjointly held at Mortlach at the end of the August beginning of September for over 20 years. These grounds are the jewel of the Northern prairies and offer one of the strongest tests of a true all-age dog. Only those dogs which reach out to the limit and still handle and find birds will be counted in the end. Brad Harter,the reporter for the NACC last year gave a remarkably accurate description of these ground and for those who missed his commentary last year here it is. “Put together more than 16,000 acres of gently rolling prairie terrain, more than ample numbers of Sharptail grouse and Hungarian partridge, perfect weather, great dogs and the best people you could ever meet and you have every single ingredient for a successful field trial. The National Amateur Chicken Championship, held in early September at Mortlach, Sask., was exactly that type of field trial. A portion of the grounds are owned by a half dozen local ranchers. The largest section is called “Crown Land”. It is owned by the Canadian government and is leased to the local ranchers. The trial headquarters is a modern clubhouse that sits on the site of Leon Covington’s old training camp. This clubhouse was built in recent years by the Sask. Field Trial Club, a group of hard working, field trial infected Canadians. It is a great facility that is appreciated by all that attend these prairie trials.With nearly 16,000 acres available for four one hour courses, there is more than ample room for a bird dog to show heels and perform the true prairie, all-age race. Each course is about five miles in length. Each course offers plenty of objectives and a perfect cover mix with massive hay fields intermixed with rotational crop land. There are bluffs (tree-covered islands) and long sandy ridges covered with chokecherry and other indigenous shrubs. Mix in a few rough pastures, home to large herds of beef cattle, and you have Mortlach, a field trial paradise. Somewhere on about every 160 acres you will find the remains of abandoned home sites. These old farm sites are often home to the Sharptail grouse and Huns, just like they are favorite haunts to the Bobwhite quail of the south. Put this all together and it completes a mosaic pattern that is just about perfect as far as bird dogs and field trials are concerned. With this mix of cover conditions, birds can be anywhere and everywhere on any given day. The locals say these birds are where you find them; they don’t attempt to predict their location. They like to say: “that’s the reason for the dog.” There is absolutely no question that it takes a good dog to figure this all out. Throw into this mix the prairie wind. It almost always plays a big factor in a dog’s performance and it seems to blow most all the time. The days can also be sunny and hot and these conditions may push the birds into the brush covered bluffs. On the cloudy days, there is no real predicting were the birds will be. Your best bet may just be to turn your dog loose and trust his judgment. The good ones just seem to go to birds. That’s why the old timer’s like John Gardner always said the prairie does the separating, making all the great ones stand out over the rest. The truly great prairie dogs experiment. they try every form of cover that exist until something starts to work. In short, this is what really makes these grounds are a bird dog trainer’s paradise. For a dog to have success up here, the nose and brains must be connected all the time. The massive size of the country can’t intimidate the dog; instead it must be the lure that pulls him forward to each distant horizon. If someone assigned you to draw plans for the perfect venue for an all-age dog; you would want to use Mortlach as your prototype. It’s just that simple!” These two amateur championships mark one of the earliest tests of the 2005-2006 trial season. Many handlers leave their training grounds in Montana or the Dakota’s to test the summers’ training on these challenging grounds. In addition it is certain Mike Shears current president of AFTCA and trustees Mike Peretto and Doug Vaughn have convinced a large cadre of Southern trialers particularly from Region 6 to support the NACC and Region 14 Championships. The results were seen in the large quality entry with 40 dogs pulled for both the Region14 and the NACC. This was the largest entry in recent memory with multiple champions in each event. A certain strong test with unqualified laurels earned by the champions. The quality of the judges Jim and Jake Waddell chosen by Mike Shears and their familiarity with many of the Southern certainly convinced many to make the journey north. Jim is a long time Secretary of Region 6 and he and son Jake have had multiple championship wins in the tough West Tennessee Region 6 competition. The judges for the Region 14 Championship were John Maddell(Montana) and Louis Qualtiere( Saskatchewan) both experienced trialers from Region 14 familiar with the country and the birds and shared a passion for the prairie All-age dog. Among participants coming up from the U. S. were, from the Midwest: Starr and Don Wiggins of Illinois, Linda and Larry Smith of Iowa, Marion Brown of Ohio.From the East: Mike Peretto of Pennsylvania; from the West: John Mandell and Tom and Shannon Nygard of Montana, Mike Stephens of California, Joe Brinster of Washington ; Torben Hansen and Lori Steinshouer,Nevenda;and from the South: Mike Furney and Laura Epp of Georgia;Dave Williams, Mike Shears and Dave Taylor Tennessee;Ben Adams,Don Mullins, Kentucky;Ruthann and Lester Littel of Alabama. Canadians competing in the stake were Doug Vaughn and Ron Bender of Saskatchewan and Sean Kelly from Alberta. Responsibility of the running of the two trials has rested with the Region 14 executive and Saskatchewan Field Trial members who supplied the labor to make sure the trials ran smoothly. Ron Bender as usual marshaled the majority of the braces spelled at times by Bill Preston and Doug Vaughn. The dog wagon was manned by Dawn Feist and Linda Hunt. Jeanette Heise,Region 14 Secretary handled all the financials and provided lunches for the judges,reporters and guests for the five days of the trial. Maureen Preston handled the details for the banquet Wednesday night generously sponsored by Purina for the landowners and the trialers. It was catered by Wagons West, the restaurant opened a few years ago in Mortlach, and serves as the place to eat breakfast and dinner for the trialers. Linda Hunt handled the draw and the financials for the NACC and drove the dog wagon as she has many times in the past. A special thanks to Roy and Laura Epp and Ruthann Littell who supplied horses for the two judges in the NACC and for those unable to bring horses from Montana because of the VSV quarantine. The majority of the trialers reported no or little trouble crossing the border having the proper papers for dogs and the horses. Mortlach is a special place for field trialers and should not be missed. Above all, we thank the great cast of landowners led by Donna and Les Eastland (who also supply hay and oats each evening), and including the Wards, Ellingsons, Campbells, Crosbies, Goslings, Adamses and other landowners. The Winners Region 14 Championship With a strong field of 40, S.F. Accelerateher handled by Larry Smith of Altoona, Iowa rose to the top and was named champion of the 2005 Region 14 All Age Championship. Accelerateher, a young white and orange pointer female, has an impressive track record that includes numerous derby placements, a win at the Southern Championship at the beginning of 2005 helping her qualify for the 2005 National Championship. S.F Accelerateher was given an opportunity to shine as she drew the course better known as Chicken Alley. Most dogs have a hard time taking full advantage of this course but she ran the edges and showed only after taking the far to the front tree lines all the way down to the water’s edge. After collecting at 35 Larry sent her on past the dug out heading back towards camp. At 39’ Accelerateher was last seen taking in a wide patch of heavy cover where birds were seen the day before. Larry, continuing on course, employed his scout to ride out far to the south to try and locate her. At 44’ she showed herself running strong and to the front coming across as the course swings north to the rough pasture. At 48’ point was called with Accelerateher standing tall in the open only to have her previously lost bracemate show up to make things interesting. As Juke Box (Mike Peretto) approached from the side and up wind, the birds lifted 15 yards in front of Accelerateher causing Jukebox to spin around and honor the flush. Accelerateher remained stanch the whole time. With Peretto now the one out of pocket Ben Adams emerged from the gallery to lend a hand. More birds lifted at shot with both dogs standing tall. Accelerateher would be sent on and seen at time far to the front still going strong. Runner up went to Drama Queen handled by Torben Hansen of Reno Nevada. Queeny, a pointer female, also has a record of success with a recent win in Washington at the National Chukar Championship. Queeny was up for the challenges of the 1st course which has spots for your dog to show well but also demands that they check in from time to time. Starting off a little tentative at first but by 10, after crossing the double gates west of camp, Queeny began to pick up the pace taking a wide cast off to the left and was not seen again until crossing the north/south road at 22. Again Queeny showed well hunting the contours of the ridge all the way to Choke Cherry Lane. Torben piloted her around the tight turn at Choke Cherry Lane and at 43’ sent her down with a superb cast to the big bluff left of the start of the second course. Having previously competed at the Mortlach trials, Torben knew to let Queeny run deeper off to the right after making the last turn knowing it would be his best chance for birds and was rewarded with a find at time. Torben used his scout to locate Queeny on point with a covey of Sharptail holding tight in front of her. One dog that the judges felt could have made a run for the title had birds been pointed came from the 6th brace. Chief’s Honcho Samuel (Ben Adams), a 3 year old pointer male, was given the chance to run on half of the 1st and 2nd courses. Sam put on a good show with an always to the front style run. Not only did Sam run big but many spectators felt that his application to the cover was the best of the stake. These are two traits that are needed to compete on the wide open prairies and many have a hard time to be constant for the full hour but Sam had it all together on this day but came up empty on birds. The Running 1st Brace: With a slight breeze out of the northeast and a temperature of 620 F. Chief’s Honcho Buck (Adams) was braced with the previously reported runner up Drama Queen (Hansen). Buck had a good performance and hunted hard but could not produce any birds on this opening day. The 2nd brace saw Wiggins River King (Don Wiggins) and Mystic Fire (Joe Brinster) come to the line at the big bluff just over the road. Both dogs reached for the country with Bud (Wiggins) digging in a little deeper with an impressive 1st cast. Both dogs made the turn, headed toward the Eastman’s farm site and got to the water trough at 18’. For the remainder of the hour Bud needed a little help to negotiate all the turn but showed just enough to keep him in judgment. Mystic Fire had a hard time holding the front and finished with no birds. S.F. Cornstalk (Larry Smith) and Canadian Pete (Joe Brinster) were sent off at the traditional 3rd course heading towards camp and then swinging east down the ridge to Chicken Alley. Cornstalk never made the turn and Pete could not find his running shoes until 46’ when he made his escape and was not seen at time. Wiggins River Boss (Don Wiggins) and Just Buckle Up (Laura Epp) were sent on straight north down Chicken Alley. Both handlers road hard trying to keep in touch with their dogs. Laura not satisfied with the performance picked up at 37’ with River Boss getting collared soon after at 42 ‘. With the large entry 4 braces would go out in the dog wagon rather than the traditional 3 and would run on the same courses used in the morning. The wind was picking up out of the north with partly cloudy skies and a temp of 73°F. Way Going Nick (Mike Stephens) and Clower’s Thunder Strike (Torben Hansen) would start out with both stretching out of the breakaway. Bully (Hansen) would not be seen again with the tracker being called at 23’. Nick did make the turn and at 22’ had a hard time handling a covey of Sharptails sitting out in the open alfalfa just across the road west of camp. Chief’s Honchos Samuel (Ben Adams) was reported earlier. Windsong’s B (Marion Brown) could not put it all together on this day and finished with no birds. Tip the Cap (Laura Epp) and Buckeye Gem (Marion Brown) were sent off just south of the Eastman’s ranch. Both dogs found the country to be a little hard to handle and finished their hour birdless. The 3rd brace of the afternoon and 8th of the championship saw Just Colorado (Ruthann Littell) and Blue Reissue (Don Mullins) on the line. Rod was going to start out making Ruthann work as he scored a nice find at 2’ just off the break away on the ridge east of camp. He would be found on point again at 35’ but this time would suffer an unproductive. By the end of his hour, Rod was finding it difficult to fill out the country at the end of Chicken Alley. Blue Reissue had a moderate hunting race and would have an unproductive just before the water trough at 42’. The second day saw the wind out of the southwest and a temp of 62°F. The 9th brace brought a veteran to the line as Lone Mountain Opus (Sean Kelly), a 9 year old setter male, braced with Clower’s Silver Rain (Torben Hansen). Both dogs hit the ground running hard and to the front. Opus would go on to show well to the front for his full hour but not have any birds with an unproductive at 53’. Liz (Hansen) would be found on point at 15’ but after a wide flush and relocate no birds could be produced. Liz had a good race the rest of the hour but finished birdless. With the country wide open at the start of the second course both Hawks Rebel Heir (Harry Gilmore) and High Country (Lori Steinshouer) would take it all in. High Country went wide to the left never making the turn to the water trough and out of judgment at 25’. Dan (Gilmore) would be sent off at the water trough with a wide swing to the left to be found pointing at 34’. The flush would turn up a porcupine. At 39’ Dan was credited with a stop to flush with birds lifting in the open and on the wrong side of the wind. He would go on to finish with a strong race. Just Denver (Ruthann Littell) and Light Rail (Tom Nygard) would be let go at Miller’s Hole. Both dogs would require a little horse power to keep them on course for the first 10’. After crossing the road both dogs would be collected and sent up to the ridge. Point was called by Ruthann at 36’ with birds seen taking flight before the judges were able to view any dogs. As the judges approached Just Denver was seen standing in the open 15 feet from the bluffs on the ridge with Liza deep in the cover were the covey of Huns were seen coming out . Both handlers shot and moved their dogs on. Just Denver would go on to run big and wide but be counted out at time. Liza would shorten and finish with no more bird contact. The last brace of the morning would see Wiggins River Knot (Don Wiggins) and High Powered Gasoline (Ron Bender). The first half would keep the judges alert as they showed a very strong forward race. As we made the turn past the dugout both dogs could only be credited with a stop to flush as birds would be seen in the air with dogs found standing. Suzie’s (Bender) had birds at 35’ and Knot’s at 37’ in the same area in heavy cover. Suzie would card an unproductive at time and Knot would also have to take one with the judge reporting that no birds were seen on his stand at 58’ although a bird was seen by the galley in the area before the judge and handler arrived. As the 13th brace was set to cast off for the start of the afternoon, a strong wind was picking up out of the west with temp in the mid seventies. Chief’s Honcho Jake (Ben Adams) and Whippoorwill’s Shug (Doug Vaughn) were sent off directly into the wind. Shug would find this particularly hard and after one too many casts off to the side Doug called it at 32’. Jake had a stand at the far end of Choke Cherry Lane towards the old windmill in Ward’s home pasture but birds could not be produced. He would go on to finish birdless. Rebel Magic (Dave Williams) and Bear Wallow Tico (Don Mullins) were set off at the start of the second course. Both ran the open start well with Tico hunting the far ridge while Magic was a little more conservative by taking the inside. Both would make the turn but neither could repeat their initial enthusiasm finishing with no contact on game. Miller’s Southern Pride (Mike Furney) and Bitterroot’s Return (Mike Peretto) would show power through the first 10 minutes as they ran to the ridge east of camp. Birds would be seen in the air at 16’ with Peretto lifting his hat at 18’ on the top of the ridge. At the flush, a pair of Huns would fly over Jake’s head. Not satisfied with the result Peretto elected to pick up. Southern Pride would run wide and to the front with an unproductive at 40’ and would be lost at time. S.F. Accelerateher (Larry Smith) was reported earlier. Juke Box (Mike Peretto) would run a moderate race. His only bird contact was with his bracemate at 42’. On the final day the last 4 braces would be loaded and set to start again with a beautiful clear day. A light breeze out of the south west and a temperature of 55°F. First up for the day was Miller’s Online (Mike Furney) and Network B (Marion Brown). Both dogs would start with a barren stand. Network B’s at 6’ and Online’s at 13’. After crossing the road Online was found pointing to the front at 19’. As Mike approached Online tightened up with birds eventually being flushed down the edge of an oat field as they were attempting to make a get away on foot. Network B would run back and point the same covey with a lone chicken put in the air at flush after a long relocation. Brown elected to pick up after the shot as the dog had pressured the bird into flight. Online opened up after his find and his next two casts were off to the side. He would finish with no more bird contacts. The 18th brace would be abbreviated with After Mona (Marion Brown) never really finding her running shoes and White Hawk (Torbin Hansen) never coming back after the initial cast. Starting at Miller’s Hole, Touch Star B (Marion Brown) ran a shooting dog race with bird contact at 58’ just before Ira’s pasture. Bling Bling (Mike Shears) never applied himself well and was up at 38’. The final brace saw Rebel Bess (Dave Williams) and Ringafire’s Rhythm (Dave Taylor) start after a dead head through Ira’s pasture. Both dogs started out slow but picked up the pace as the course opened up through Chicken Alley. No birds would be pointed and each finished with a strong final cast to the front. The Winners National Amateur Chicken Championship Miller’s On Line the 2004 National Champion captured the NACC title following the winning of the Region 14 Championship last year. Mike Furney and Chip McEwen are the owners with Mike Furney present and unfortunately because of a lost voice had to turn handling to his scout Don Wiggins. The judges were impressed with his strong race in the absence of his normal handler and had a good fine to the front, all on his own, with clean bird work. Online has a strong start to the 2006 season winning the Border International the week following the Mortlach trials handled by Rich Furney. Online was in the 7th brace started in the middle of the second course just south of the Eastman farm. After deadheading up the trail to avoid several fences Online was set loose heading south across the Alfalfa fields toward the alkali slough. Mike still having problems with his voice turned handling duties over to Don Wiggins with Larry Smith scouting. Online headed Southeast and catching the ridge past the alkali slough headed due east. At 11’ Online was found on course half way down the center hedgerow tight to the cover. Don flushed two grouse right in front of the dog with him standing high and tight. Online finished hunting the hedgerows and turned north by Scout Smith. He made a monster cast hitting the road south of Miller’s Hole and working his way through that cover and began hunting the bluffs north in the Cmapbell’s alfalfa field. He made another large cast ending a quarter mile east of the Eastman farm and pointed for a minute but moved on as Larry approached.Larry brought him to the crossroads the normal start of the third course . Watered there, Online next cast headed north, hitting the far ridge east of camp. He could be seen heading north as we crested the ridge and the Scout and handler brought him back where he hunted west in the alfalfa fields 500 yards north of the ridge and was not seen at time. Scout Smith found him in a depression standing on a porcupine 10’ minutes after time. While to the side at times Online had a truly powerful prairie all-age race. Drama Queen the RU Champion in the just completed Region 14 trial also garnered RU honors in the NACC. The judges liked the way she handled herself in the country with a consistent all-age race with good application to the cover moving quickly from objective to objective. The RU ran in the 14th brace ( see 14th brace write up for a description of her race.) The Running NACC 1st Brace: The first brace of the National began after lunch on the first course having finished the Region 14 Championship just before lunch. The wind was strong out of the southwest which meant the dogs would have to push against the wind the majority of the brace. Chief Honcho Mac( Ben Adams) and Red Rock High Country(Lori Steinshouer) pushed to the front with Mac going on point in a low hollow at 8’ with High Country coming up and backing with style. No birds were produced and both dogs continued to front across the sand road and proceeding to Choke Cherry lane at 30’. At 40’ Ben put a rope on his dog unhappy with his performance on the ground. High Country continued south, crossing the grid road and took a hedge row to the south. As the course turned to the north High Country continued south and wasn’t seen at time. Fifteen minutes later the dog was seen by the judges returning to the front accompanied by the Lori. 2nd Brace: Waygoing Nick ( Mike Stevens) and Honcho Buck ( Ben Adams) both took off to the ridge to the north with the wind at their back and were seen going over and were lost from sight until we reached the ridge. Both dogs could be seen hunting the green oats fields and cover 400 yards to the northeast. Both dogs were collected, watered and headed towards the Eastman farm along the hedge rows. At 15’ Ben crossing the grid road west of the normal crossing put his dog into the willows on the edge of Gunningham’s farm stead where Huns flushed wild a few minutes before away from the dogs were seen to light. The dog found the birds and was steady to wing and shot. Both dogs continued down the road hunting the cover crossing the alkali slough and pushed down the hedge rows to the south uneventfully. The dogs were collected and directed northeast towards Miller’s Hole pushed by the strong southeast wind. The brace finished with both dogs hunting strong to the north. Time was called in the alfalfa fields about 3/4 mile south of the normal start of Third course. 3rd Brace: Mystic Fire (Joe Brinster) and Lone Mountain Reliant (John Mandell) both headed to the ridge north of the breakaway. The dogs hunted east along the ridge east of camp and at 30’ Reliant was seen standing with Mystic Fire backing. The stand was unproductive and both handlers elected to end the brace. 4rd Brace: Light Rail ( Tom Nygard) and Clower’s Thunder Strike ( Torben Hansen) Broke away heading east along the ridge with Light Rail getting lost for awhile in the heavy cover north of the Ellingston pasture. Torben called point at 36’ for his dog in the northeast corner of the pasture but the dog moved on as the handler and judge approached. Both dogs hunted the hedgerows heading south with Light Rail showing difficulty keeping to the front. Both dogs hunted the remainder of the brace with good all-age races. At time both dogs could be seen hunting in the heavy grass along the lake shore north of Chicken Alley. 5th Brace: The next morning found Wiggins River Knot ( Don Wiggins) and Bitterroot’s Return ( Mike Peretto) at the first course with a light wind from the southwest with a clear sky and a temperature of about 65 degrees F. At 15’ both dogs crossed the sand road and headed across the alfalfa fields towards Choke Cherry Lane showing strong all-age races. Don pushed his dog towards the fence at Ward’s pasture and continued the remainder of the course with a strong race pushing him in the Gunningham rough cover at time hoping for a find. He returning him 10’ later. Bitterroot never made the turn at Choke Cherry lane and was timed out. 6th Brace: Miller’s Southern Pride ( Mike Furney) and Just Denver ( Ruthann Littell) broke off at the beginning of the second course with both dogs hugging the west part of the course. Southern Pride hit the far ridge and went over while Just Denver hit the ridge and took it all the way east to the Eastman farm returning to the ridge several minutes later. At 11’ Southern Pride returned from the west and Mike Furney losing his voice turned over handling to scout Larry Smith. At the corner of the Eastman farm at the water tank both handlers elected to call it quits. 7th Brace: see write up in winners section,top dog scratched 8th Brace: Temperature now 80 degrees F High Powered Gasoline ( Ron Bender) and Jukebox ( Mike Peretto) cast east along the ridge and entered Ellington’s Pasture with Bender’s dog leaving the pasture and headed north towards Pelican lake. Ron had to ride far and hard to turn her and returned her to the front as the course turned towards the West at the end of the hedgerows. Both dogs hunted and ran well for the remainder of the brace ending in the heavy cover along the lake. Either dog registered a find. 9th Brace: Begin in the morning of the next day, with the wind from southwest 15 miles/hr temperature about 60 degree F.Lone Mountain Opus( Sean Kelly) and After Mona(Marion Brown) both cast straight and crossed into the Eastman pasture. Opie cast all the way to the far sand road and hunted the cover along the road before returning to the galley. After Mona hunted the heavy cover in the pasture and likewise returned to the galley just before we reached the sand road at 12’.Shortly before both dogs reached Choke Cherry Lane Marion called it quits while Sean and Opie made the turn at Choke Cherry Lane but soon after also called it quits as the dog showed evidence of tiring. 10th Brace Canadian Pete ( Joe Brinster) and Wiggins River Boss ( Don Wiggins) cast off south from the bottom of Choke Cherry Lane. Pete headed to the northwest and joined the galley as we crossed through the first gate and immediately called point as the dog stopped in a depression along the east fence where Huns have been seen times in the past. The stand was unproductive and Joe took Pete to the grid road. Don was unhappy with his dog’s race and picked him up at 11’.Pete continued through the remainder of the first course short and into the second course finishing strong just short of the water tank on the Eastman site. 11th Brace Rebel Magic ( Dave Williams) and Chief Honcho’s Bill ( Ben Adams) Cast off just pass the Bull pasture in the alfalfa field and hugged the West cover up the dirt trail with both turning east as they cleared the alkali slough and pushed hard south. Rebel Magic took the center hedge row. Williams called point ( a bird had been seen leaving before the point was called by the judge). The handler shot and took his dog on towards Miller’s Hole. Ben’s dog took the hedge to the far grid road and was finally found and returned to the front as we reached Miller’s Hole. Rebel Magic race broke down and Williams had a time getting him the the front as we crossed the traditional start of the Third course with both dogs hitting the far ridge and went over. Both were returned to the front at time. 12th Brace: Windsone B (Marion Brown) and SF Cornstalk (Larry Smith) were cast off east on the ridge east of camp and at 13’ just as both dogs entered the Ellingsten pasture Windsone B had a unsatisfactory contact with a pair of Huns and was picked up. Larry hunted his dog through the pasture and the north-south hedgerows south of the pasture with no success. As the course turned to the east on the ridge road Cornstalk also had an unsatisfactory encounter with some Huns and was likewise picked up ending the second day of the championship. 13th Brace: Chief Honcho’s Jake( Ben Adams) and Bear Wallow Tico( Don Mullins) The next morning saw a light breeze,overcast skies and temperture about 60 deg F with the dogs on the first course a mile north of camp. Ben’s dog took the right side of the course eventually hunting to the pasture just north of Camp. Both dogs reached the sand road together with Tico showing a good handle and race. Both kept to the heavy cover to the left as they crossed the big alfalfa field heading towards Choke Cherry lane. Both dogs hunted well the remainder of the first course with moderate all-age races but went birdless. 14th Brace: Drama Queen ( Torben Hansen) and Network B ( Marion Brown) Casted off at the beginning of the second course both taking the cover on the left to the high ridge,1/2 mile to the front. Both dogs took the ridge to the east,hunting the hedgerows west of Eastman’s farm site. Marion called point at 11’ along the center hedgerow but the find and relocation were unsuccessful. The dogs were gathered up and watered as we crossed the road and quickly disappeared south into the high alfalfa in the bull pasture at 20’. Both dogs were found pointing and large flock of Huns exploded as the handlers approached. A divided find was awarded by the judges as either dog was capable of seeing each other and both were pointing into the wind at the flock of Huns. Both handlers fired and both dogs were steady. The dogs continued across the alfalfa field and hit the hedgerows going south with both dogs taking the cover to the far grid road and were out of sight. The dogs were returned to the front at 42’. At 57’ Network B was found standing in the opening north of Miller’s Hole but no birds could be located. Drama Queen finished strong to the front hunting the bluffs on the far left of the alfalfa field heading towards the crossroads and the start of the third course. 15th Brace:Rebel Bess (Dave Williams) and Just Buckle Up( Laura Epp) The dogs casted to far ridge east of camp and went over with Rebel Bess not returning. At 8’ Just Buckle Up had a nice fine on eight grouse with everything in order. At 24’ Laura unhappy about her dog’s race picked him up. 16th Brace: Touchstar B ( Marion Brown) and Ringafire’s Rhythm ( Dave Taylor)casted off half way down the ridge towards Ellingsten’s pasture. Both dogs hunting the cover and hedgerows and finally finishing at the bottom of Chicken Alley at time. While several flocks of Huns were ridden up by the galley both dogs went birdless. 17th Brace: Chief Honcho’s Samuel( Ben Adams) and Buckeye Gem ( Marion Brown) After lunch the trial continued on the first course with a light breeze from the west temperature 80 deg F. Both dogs started strong with big casts reaching the sand road in quick time and hunting the cover appropriately. The dogs reached Choke Cherry lane again ahead of time, maintaining strong forward races and both made the turn and headed toward’s Campbell’s pasture. Passed the first gate Samuel pointed along the east fence but went with the birds as they flushed. At 46’, the setter tiring, Marion called it quits. 18th Brace: Bling Bling ( Micheal Shears) and Just Denver ( Ruthann Little) Started at the south end of Campbell’s pasture with Bling Bling holding the front and crossing the grid road in good order. At the road Just Denver back cast north into Ward’s pasture and handler and Scout were not able to bring him back in time. Bling Bling finished the first course and crossed the road onto the second course and made a classic all-age cast to the far east-west ridge. Mike pointed out his dog standing in the oat field north of the ridge with birds in the air. Upon relocation, another bird was put up, the dog this time in close pursuit. 19th Brace: Wiggins River King (Don Wiggins) and Whippoorwill Shug( Doug Vaughn) Started in the alfalfa field south of the Bull pasture. Both hit the ridge pass the alkali slough in a single cast with River King hunting east towards the large bluffs one mile distant. The dog not returning Don went for him returning at 20’ with him in harness. Shug hunted the hedgerows and was turned northeast back towards Miller’s Hole all in good order. Shug cast far to the east and while hunting north went on point at 28’ in the middle of a cut alfalfa field 400 yards to the south of Miller’s Hole. As Doug rode to point and was about 50 yards from the dog a single grouse lifted and the dog followed. 20th Brace: Tip the Cap ( Laura Epp)( 2005 Region 14 Shooting dog Champion) and Clower’s Silver Rain( Torben Hansen) The cast off was just north of Miller’s Hole with Silver Rain hitting the center bluffs with a pretty all-age cast and continued to hunt towards the Eastman farm to never return. Tip the Cap at first wanted to run south but was brought to front by Ruthann pushing him north. He came to a sudden stop at a small bluff in the west center of the alfalfa field. Birds were produced with all in order. Laura took her dog to the crossroads and cast him towards the far ridge which he and reached and went over. He was found standing on the edge of one of the center bluffs but no birds could be produced even after a thorough relocation. The dog continued to hunt the ridge east but eventually cast off the ridge far to the South and after a difficult time bring him back to the front Laura called it quits. |