REGION 14 AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP

By: I.M. Stuck

A different perception is what one comes to the Canadian Prairies to enjoy. To look across the long open pastures at the Tecumseh Meadow just east of Stoughton, Sask, and gaze down between the aspen bluffs and wolf willow patches, visualizing your dog taking those distant edges until he becomes a single point as does a set of railroad tracks in an artist’s portrayal. Hopefully, before that juncture, he stands magnificently indicating the presence of sharp tails or huns.
This vision came to fruition for Lone Mountain Magique, a tricolor setter female, owned and handled by Sean Kelly of Cardston, AB. She had a three find and one stop to flush performance. This was enough to outdistance the field of 32 entrants to claim the title in this Championship event. Sean had acquired Meg from John Mandell, who breeds, raises, and trains many fine setters. This was her first major win at the age of four. Ten Oaks Will, also astute in finding and handling sharp tails in this country, showed the needed abilities to be ranked in the top tier. This 5 year old, liver headed, pointer male, had three finds and showed great sustainability on point. He had strength in the end, and only some of his lateral proclivities made a difference. He was named Runner Up.

Others who had they found birds or did something a little different might have risen to the top. Both, Charlie Hjerpe’s, Sand Creek Ringo, and John Neeley’s, Jane Mansfield, had great ground heats but lacked game contact. John Mandell’s, Lone Mountain Reliant with two game contacts and a strong searching desire, lacked strength in the end. Greg Sands’, Traveler’s Prairie Girl, with a find and a stop to flush, covered a wealth of country, but had to be gathered up to much. Waygoing Hoot applied himself to the country well but had a slow period.
Adjudicating this event were Steve Short of Airdrie, AB. and Joe McCarl from Guys Mills, PA. These gentlemen come with a keen eye, an attention to the job at hand, and a strong conviction as to how things should be conducted. They were most congenial, helpful to the handlers, and never rode off leaving an entrant with the feeling he was unimportant. Steve has been heavily involved in the GSP trials and in breeding with Dan Hoke of Washington State. Joe’s expertise evolved from the grouse woods and trains in N. Dak. in the summer months. Fellows you should come back again.

THE RUNNING
Ruby Hill George (Nygard) – Magic City Sunrise (Noell) It was a mid morning start following the conclusion of the Club derby stakes.
It was overcast with a cool northwest wind, and they departed from the water tub to the southeast. Both dogs worked ahead in the open pasture. George broke off to the left edge hooking in the wrong direction. Summoned, he returned. Approaching the corner gate each dog worked through the heavy wolf willows. At 20, around the corner fence and past the cattle the action started. George pointed in the tight grass. He was moved up after an unsuccessful search by Shannon. He re-established point near some wolf willows, and he was steady for the departure of two chickens. At the same time and just up ahead Sunny also was standing, and as the handler approached several chickens left from in front of the stylish setter. At 30, just down wind of a small bluff, Sunny stood head up, tail erect, and feathers shimmering in the breeze. It proved unproductive after an extended search. At 40, at the windmill tank, both dogs were in for water. Then at 46, Sunny pointed past the narrow gap. Noell didn’t like what he saw and moved him out of there. Up ahead over a small rise, birds were seen flying, and Sunny was found standing there. George was moving along the fence line apparently not involved. At 56, in the wolf willows, Sunny again indicates birds. At the flush and gun he took a small hop. But when other birds left he couldn’t contain himself.
High Noon Sport (Nygard) – Our Rowdy Friend – (Noell) At 06, at a good distance near a linear bluff, Sport is seen standing. He appeared to change position, and birds departed. From the distance it was unclear as to the nature of the timing of the events, but he was steady for the gun and allowed to continue. Just ahead at 09, Sport pointed again, and chickens left before the handler arrived. As the course turned north into the willows and the wind, their efforts became more circumspect. Out of the heavy cover their range increased again. At 27, Rowdy was slow in responding to a wild flush and was taken up. Sport finished the northern loop and was through the gate at 54 finishing ahead.
Waygoing Ripster (Stephens) – Rocky Knoll Rose (Lockhart) They started after lunch and across the road from camp. The temperature had moderated, and there were breaks in the overcast. Rip went straight away to the front. Rosie took the left edge. Both were wide. Prior to the windmill and to the far left point was called for the female. On arrival, Rip was found backing. He was taken on during the secondary search which proved unfruitful. Now, well up ahead, Rip was testing the extremes of the course. Rosie regained the front at the gate, and just beyond Rip halted on a rising bird. It subsequently over flew Rosie, who gave it an unrequisited inspection. Rip continued his wide ways but failed to find birds.
Waygoing Hoot (Stephens) – Boomer (Lundgren) Lundgren had scratched his entrant leaving the course to Hoot. He made some interesting forays to the south and emerged from the bluff as the course turned west. He worked both sides of the front methodically in to the wind and the heavy willow cover. He pointed sharply, tail up, neck stretched out. Two chickens were flushed from directly in front, and he was steady for the gun. Up ahead a covey of birds was seen leaving well ahead of our approach. Hoot came on and pointed that location. An attempt to find a straggler was unsuccessful and he was taken on. He labored on in the remaining thick cover, pointed unsuccessfully at 55, and searched wider in the open pasture.
Sounding Creek Annie (Hjerpe – Canadian Pete (Brinster) They were released in the open pasture toward camp. Annie was the wider of the two, but, at 12, her enthusiasm overcame her, when she redistributed a covey of chickens. Across the road, at 27, Pete pointed, tail up, head cocked to the left. Brinster flushed without success, and sent Pete to delineate the quarry without results. As we moved on a bird departed not three feet from where the dog had stood. Then, at 55, Pete pointed just past the gate home. Brinster started in to flush, and Pete decided to have a closer look. A bird made an untimely exit.
Classie (Arnold) – Lone Mountain Magique (Kelly) Meg was wide to the left and returned along the edge of the marsh. Classie had trouble getting through the fence at the first gate. Just beyond there point is called for Meg. As we rode to her a bird rose. Then as Kelly walked in two more departed in front of the lofty female. At 23, near the fence, a bird is seen lifting. On arrival, Meg is found standing there. Classie was taking a liking to the sides of the course. Meg joined her there, but came on past the big bluff returning on the fence line at the 2nd gate. Each dog was checking the southern edge when Kelly called point for Meg in the willows.
He was off his horse pronto and into the brush to flush several chickens. She was tight throughout. At 50, several birds flushed along the right side. Classie was over there but not involved. Arnold elected to pick up shortly thereafter. At 58, Meg was seen standing just out from the willow edge. She had two well located birds directly to her front. She had elevated character and was steady though out the action.
Sage (Arnold) – South Street Joker (Vincette) They were released just under the hi wires the course heading south. The temperature was now beginning to rise. They both broke left into the heavy bluff line. They came on, and at 13 in a small depression Arnold called point for Sage. Joker was there backing. At the flush, a pair of birds departed. As the dogs were being taken out, more birds left. When they were release still more chickens got airborne, and Joker could not resist the temptation. Sage was brought to a cautionary stop. At 25, along the right edge, point is called for Sage, and Arnold is able to find several birds in the nearby tree area. His head and tail were up nicely. Warmer temperature and the turn in to the wind at the horseshoe marsh were requiring more stops for water. At 49, in a shallow swale, Sage indicated game again. Arnold flushed several chickens for him. He was a bit to the west at the large bluff, but is back at time at the corner gate.
Dixie’s Northbound (Rogers) – Drake Creek Lacey (Jarvis) The two pointer females were set loose from the oil pump gate and scoured the wide expanse of the open pasture. They were wide to the east at the scrub willow country. Jarvis had Lacey back first, but Dixie was more strong willed. At 18, they were together and watered at the Left Open Gate having negotiated the heavy willows. Dixie continued to will herself away from the course. At 42, just prior to John’s Windmill, Lacey stopped abruptly on a rising chicken. Guided through the narrow bluffs they finished going east in the willow cover.
Welch’s Playtime (Welch) – Hemaruka Phoebe (Kelly) The course was east, but Phoebe took the fence line west. Sean had her back by 06. Both worked ahead to the big bluff for the turn north. They’re adventurism kept the handlers busy maintaining the course on the loop north. Sean finally asked for the tracker at 48.
Welch’s High Tech (Welch) – Erin’s Regret (Neeley) After lunch on the eastside of the road, the two male pointers took to the heavy cover, but came on to the first willow bluff. After the gate, both handlers were well out front guiding their dogs. Point was called and waved off several times before Neeley finally dismounted and attempted unsuccessfully to produce game. At 39, Welch called point for Tech in some strip aspens. On approached several birds left, and Tech maintained his composure. West of the water trough both pointers were wide. At 57, Welch called point, but waved it off.
Drake Creek Reward (Jarvis) – Traveler’s Prairie Run (Sands) Similar call names kept everyone alert. Rebe for Reward, and Ravi for Prairie Run. They headed for the south fence, and within the minute Ravi, the setter female, was on point in the short open pasture. Sands could produce no game. At 20, Rebe, the pointer, was motionless in a tight curled stance suggesting he might be astride a bird. Jarvis was unable to find a bird. At 25, Ravi is back from an extended fling to the right of course. At a small line of aspens her exuberance aids a covey of chickens in finding a new roost. Rebe in nearby but not involved, but obviously suffering from the high cover, headwind, and heat. Jarvis elected to pick up.
Jennie (Arnold) – Prairie Fire Peg (Guggenmoos) Heat of the afternoon was affecting the dogs early on as they were watered twice in the first ten minutes. This despite having White Lake nearby but unattainable due to a gateless fence. After the White Lake Hill, the willow brush ended, and Jennie made some long casts to the next succeeding bluffs. At 27, Peg was found on the edge of a bluff pointing with a high head and a well arched tail. Sig could not produce, and she could not find birds on a second attempt. However, as we left two small birds were ridden up from behind Peg’s stand. By the road crossing, Peg was taken up because of the heat. Across the road, Jennie continued her effort to no avail.
Ten Oaks Will (Heise) – Lone Mountain Tourist (Mandell) Thursday morning saw cool temperatures and light wind. Just before the gate, at 13, Jake, the setter, feathered in, but his ambitious desire to locate the birds caused them to fly before he could stop. At 20, just after the gate, Will points, adjusts, and then is apparently stopped when a bird leaves. Then up ahead, at 20, he points, tail up, and head stretched out. The birds are well located slightly to the left. More birds left as he was collared. At 32, Jeanette calls point, but Will moves on along the edge toward a big bluff. He can’t be located and scout Lou Qualtiere is sent to look. It takes a lengthy search, but he is found well hidden in that edge on point in a staunch pose. With little effort, a chicken is flushed from the dense undercover. Sent on across the open pasture, he carries all the way to the next bluff.
Sand Creek Ringo (Hjerpe) - Dogwood Meg (Neeley) Starting from the water tub, both pointers reach as far as the fence and circled to the large bluffs. Past the gate, Meg went right, and Ringo was left on course. They both made it through the 2nd gate to the next pasture. Each was making creditable flings along the edge of the willows. Meg pointed there, at 17, with a straight up tail, and Neeley flushed a sharptail from the scrub willows. It had warmed considerably since the first brace and lots of water was needed. The two were still carrying the country well, and at 58, Ringo pointed on the high ground at the south end of the horseshoe bog.
A bird rose, but alas, it was a non game species. They finished the hour with a wide fling to the east.
Lone Mountain Reliant (Mandell) – William Wild (Arnold) Released on the eastside of the horseshoe bog, Sam (Reliant) hit the first bluff and pointed there with high character. Mandell sent several birds on their way. Up ahead, Sam was in some high wolf willows, and a bird flushed. He was found standing there. At 27, Mandell called point, but returned to say he was mistaken that he had only seen a white log in the willows. Hot temperatures were requiring many water stops. Just beyond, Bill pointed with a high tail and neck stretched out, and after a short search, Arnold elected to pick up. Past the water tub, Sam took the left hand edge. In the short willows he pointed abruptly. Nothing could be found on relocation. He took an edge away from course, and it took time to get him back for the Left Open Gate. The heavy cover along the marsh past the corner fence proved inviting to him. He finished the hour there looking hard for game.
Jane Mansfield (Neeley) – Traveler’s Prairie Girl (Sands) Cory, the setter, was well to the east of course. Jane was out and back, and the followed Sands to the east. At 16, all hands were back at John’s Mill, and both dogs knew what a water trough was for on a hot day. Past the Gap, the course turned east, but Cory went west. She pointed there, but it proved unproductive. Jane was showing good forward strength in the heavy cover. Cory regained the front, and at 38, immediately pointed on the right in a small bluff. With attractive style she maintained her position for several birds. Hurrying to catch up, she stopped smartly for a flushing chicken. At time, they made it just through the gate into the first pasture.
McLean’s Pretty Boy (McLean) – Scratched
SIDELIGHTS
The Championship started off the night prior with a banquet at Don’s Place where the judges were introduced to the participants, and a number of the local supporters and their families attended. To highlight a few; Peter Piper, who honchos the Border International Trial with his wife, Leona; Jim Harriman who breeds many fine walking horses and his wife, Betty; Lenny Wilcox who kept us in hay and grain with his wife, Sandy; Linda McClean McCannel and daughter, Ashley; Pat Lewis and son, Sam; John Raymond with son Curtis, horse trainer extraordinaire; Former pasture manager, Joe Colby, who had facilitated our use of the area for many years, and his wife, Marylyn. Wes Buddemeyer, and the Canadian Legion Post who had provided the funds for the new and improved dog boxes for the dog truck.
Participants were here from all points of the compass. John
Neeley from Georgia ran his dogs and helped Roy Epps in the open
stakes. Don Arnold along with Bill Wright and Steve Fader were up
from Missouri. Roger Shelswell came over from Ontario to ride and judge the Region All Age Championship. From Montana, came John Mandell, Pat and Marylyn Lockhart, Clark Londgren, Tom and Shannon Nygard, and Dave Noell, Joe Brinster represented Washington State. From Hill City, Kansas, came Greg Sands with some fleet footed setters. Out of California were Charlie Hjerpe, and Mike Stephens. Lonnie Welch and Jim Jarvis were up from Kentucky and ran several dogs. Jeff Vincette from Sylvan Lake, AB. ran his setter, and then there were the Region stalwarts who not only ran their dogs, but also made the entire event function. Tom Nygard, Region 14 President, and Jeanette Heise, Secretary are the twin dynamos that grease the skids and make things move. Jeanette does it all. Handles the drawing, collects the money, cooks and serves the meals, drives the dog truck, and ran a very capable dog. And that’s just what was visible to the causal observer. And surely, there is the before the trial, and the after the fact, items that are quietly done to make it a seamless operation. Lou Qualtiere, John Raymond, and Sean Kelly all took turns marshaling and driving the dog truck.
Then there was the “All Hands” job, raising the new tent that Lou had provided. Expertise was flowing from all sides. There was stake driving of questionable quality, and knot tying of every variety. But in the end it survived the test of the high winds, and provided a gathering point out of the sun for the sumptuous meals that were provided three times a day by a phalanx of cooks including Jeanette Heise, Linda Raymond, and Louise McLean. There were other cooks of distinction who on pot luck night brought forth creations far above the mundane diet of this poor minion. They must be saluted, but were far too many to identify by the offerings they brought forth. In the end, an abatement of the wind, allowed the tent to come down and be folded. Jim Harriman arrived in a 22 wheeler with several yards of fill to re-landscape the excavations of our canine participants.
The added incentives of the fine products of several of our sponsors had all the participants fine tuning their hopefuls. Purina of Canada provided dog food to the winners. DT Systems presented a tracking collar to the Champion, and Jack Haggis Saddles, a fine leather saddlebag to the Runner-Up.
Special thanks must go to Brian Honsted, the new pasture manager, who was most cooperative with our endeavors. He and his family enjoyed several of our off course events. It is a pleasure to be associated with a fine person of his character. And so, when the final curtain ran down, all one could say is, “come to the Canadian Prairies, enjoy being catered too, and watch your birddog taking an edge on some of the finest grounds anywhere.”