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Region Championships Shooting Dog 2008 Report
Region Championships Shooting Dog 2008 Report | 2008 Report |
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The Region 14 Shooting Dog Championship and the 4nd Annual Ken McLean Shooting Dog Classic & Stoughton Field Trial Stakes By Sean Kelly and Louis Qualtiere The 4nd Annual Ken McLean Shooting Dog Classic and two Derby Stakes were run under the banner of the Stoughton Field Trail Club August 20th – 23st, 2008 preceding the Region 14 Shooting Dog Championship August 23th to 25th. The trial grounds are a part of the Tucumseh PFRA pasture( 60,00 acres) located approximately ten miles northeast of Stoughton, Saskatchewan. These grounds have been the home of the Border Open All-age Championship for several decades and were long time training grounds of John and Ted Gardner. The weather was seasonable with temperatures in the 50-60’s in the morning reaching into the high 70’s for the braces in the afternoon with light rain in the final three braces Classic Friday morning. The grounds committee were Jeanette Heise, Lou Qualtiere Linda Henderson and John Raymond. Coffee, toast and fruit in the morning, lunches and suppers for most the days were supplied at no charge for those who wished with many bringing in pot luck items for all to enjoy. Jeanette and Linda carried the burden of the meal organization and preparation and deserves the credit of making this trial a wonderful experience for one and all. A dinner of turkey and trimmings was offered Thursday night at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall in Stoughton, Saskatchewan. The group met at Don’s restaurant outside of Stoughton Saturday night to a country style meal of roast beef with mash potatoes and trimmings. Although we were not all able to win we all ate well at the trial. The headquarters and camp grounds had excellent corrals and water with hay and oats supplied at a minimal charge by a local farmer. Also a large open tent supplied by the club was set up in the middle of the headquarters where the trialers could eat and meet free from the August sun and light rain, adding significantly to the camaraderie. It was not however adequate to protect us from the rain and strong wind Friday PM and the beef roast planned by Sean Kelly in honor of his last year’s winner of the Region 14 Championship( Lone Mt. Magique) had to be moved to Stoughton’s Legion Hall, with excellent culinary results. Ron Bender, Pat Lewis shared the marshalling duties with Lou Qualtiere. The participants included Saskatchewan members Ron Bender, John Raymond, Sheldon Rogers( judge) and Jeanette Heise. From afar we had Mike Stevens, Charlie Hjerpe( California) from their training grounds in Youngstown, Alberta. Don Arnold,Bill Wright( Missouri) came from their training grounds just south of Stoughton. Sean Kelly, Paul Falkowski and Steve Short came over from southern Alberta. Tom Nygard, and wife Shannon and John Mandell came up from southern Montana. Gregg Sand was up from Kansas. Rick Steen from British Columbia. A southern continent from Georgia of John Neely,Tim Moore and Neil Walker over from the training grounds of Robin Gates in Manitoba added their high quality dogs to the Classic and Region Championship. The judges for the one hour Open Shooting Dog Classic were Sheldon Rogers from Saskatoon Saskatchewan and Glen Conover of Great Falls Montana. The trial courses were set up with six continuous one hour courses with two to five known coveys of sharptail on each course. Weather conditions, as usual, greatly influenced the finding of these birds but everyone felt their dogs had a good opportunity to show their ability to find and hold these wild birds. The grounds consisted of large to small Aspen/Willow bluffs with a scattering of silver willow and native prairie grasses all covered by the vast prairie sky. The grass was shorter than in past years due to the very cool and dry Spring in Saskatchewan and the cattle had access to normally wet areas not usually grazed both conditions affecting the breeding on these grounds. The number of sharptail were down from last year and the covey’s much younger and smaller than in the past three years. The six one hour shooting dog courses were set up several years ago with the help of John Raymond and Pat Lewis, local trialers with many years of experience on these grounds both having worked with the Gardners who had trained on these grounds for thirty years. They were slighty modified again this year, to utilize all the cover containing birds optimally. Incidentally, these are not the same courses used routinely by the Border Open All-Age Championships, which in running all-age dogs, set up the courses quite differently. Finally, special thanks to our sponsors of the Region Championship, Purina who supplied dog food to the winners, and to DT systems who supplied a training collar to the winner . The Ken McLean Classic Running( winners) The Georgia group swept the McLean Classic with Neal Walkers’ Champion Calico’s Timepiece a 6 year old female pointer named the winner besting a field of 30 starters. She ran on the 6th course,the last brace in the PM of the first day. After a disappointing unproductive in the rough cover as we turned West along the fence line she recovered with a find at 20’ and stop to flush/find at 22’ as we entered the “ballfield”and a find at 30’ in the “Ballfield”. Manners were good on all contacts and she finished as she started with a solid forward race. Second was awarded to last’s years’ winner Erin’s Regret handled last year by the late Roy Epp. This year her owner John Neely piloted her. She appeared in the 8th brace and had a nice find at 22’ and a back at 28’ on Shannon Nygard’s setter Ruby Hill George. Third place went to Cox’s Arc Fault owned by Brian Cox handled by Neil Walker with a good find at 7’ and a strong race although a little wide at times. Derby Running The Open All Age Derby began Friday morning following the last two braces of the Classic. The rain, which had started that morning, was now becoming stronger and the wind was picking up coming out of the Northwest. Since we were on a portion of the course which crossed the All-age course we reversed direction and headed North following the normal all-age course used in the Border Championship. First place was awarded to Sand Creek Billy a pointer male with a strong powerful forward all- age race. Second to John’s Nelly’s Pete and Third to Paul Falkowski ’s Duke, with both having a good all-age race the difference being Pete had a stronger finish. The Shooting Dog Derby scheduled to begin after lunch was cancelled until the next morning as the rain and wind continuing to build, made running dogs impossible for man and beast. The next morning, the rain and wind gone and the sun trying to show through the clouds the shooting dog derbies were cast off north of camp on the shooting dog courses with all placements showing multiple bird work and the placements made on handling, style on birds and race. First went to RJ’s Final Shot handled by Neil Walker,second to Lyon’s Buckwheat handled by Pat Lewis and Cindy a snappy young setter handled by Sean Kelly of Alberta breaking the pointer hold on the placements. The final club stake, the open All-Age was held three days later after the running of the Region 14 Championship,with John Raymonds’ Roadshow a large white and male pointer putting down a large powerful All-age race with a fine piece of bird work,including a excellent relocation, in one the bluffs North of the Windmill on the fourth course. The second place dog Sand Creek Annie,also had a single find but a less powerful race. Third went to Mike Stephens dog Waygoing Slick who ran well with no birds. Region 14 Amateur Shooting Dog Championship The Region 14 Amateur Shooting Dog Championship saw a field of 37 entries compete for the title. Bridges Lake Pat, a four and a half year old pointer female, owned and handled by Tim Moore of Blakely,Georgia took the title. At the outset the judges indicated that they wanted to see a strong prairie race. Pat delivered on this criteria hunting to the limits and showing excellent rapport with her handler. Her one find was stylish and mannerly. Runner -up honors went to Lone Mountain Tourist for owner John Mandel of Gallatin Gateway, Montana. Tourist/Jake is a three year old setter and the son of last years winner. He had one excellent find and a fine race, especially the last half in hot dry conditions. Others under consideration were High Noon Sport for Shannon Nygaard and last years winner Lone Mountain Magique for Sean Kelly. Many in the gallery felt that Sage and Jennifer the entries by Don Arnold of Rogersville,Missouri deserved recognition for their solid races, multiple finds and quality bird work. The judges for the event were Glen Conover of Great Falls, Montana and Sig Guggenmoos of Sherwood Park, Alberta. Both have long years of experience as participants, organizers and judges. Each entry got their undivided attention. They were in full agreement as to the performance they wanted to see in a championship stake and stuck to their guns. The Running Petra (Short)-High Noon Sport (Nygaard) The dogs were released on the first afternoon course. Sport started with a big cast to the east while Petra hunted the wolf willow to the south but as the brace continued she was feeling the effects of the heat and was picked up at 30. Sport continued to make large casts that were not always well directed and he had to be ridden for on several occasions. At 59 he styled up corrected about 10 feet and as handler approached chicken started lifting. Sports manners and style were excellent as the remaining birds were flushed. Lone Mountain Tourist (Mandell) Erins Regret (Neely) Released at the Windmill heading south, Regret made a big cast to the east that took him into the pasture south of the course. Jake covered the tree groves to the south. At 12 as we turned west both dogs were to the front. At 21 scout called point for Jake who was standing inside a mature popular stand as handler and gallery had ridden by him. He stood stylishly as a branch crashing leaf rattling covey of mature chicken was flushed. As the course turned north both dogs showed well making large purposeful casts. Neely called point at 58. Regret was mannerly and stylish for flush and shot. In the judges eyes Jake had a more consistent effort. Travelers Prairie Run(Sands)B-B(Short) Breakaway was on the first morning course. Ravi hit the two lines of cover to the west then continued on to the north west. As we past the 12 minute gate B-B pointed in a likely swale but no birds were produced. Ravi returned from the north at 20 and swooped to the southwest where she had an unproductive at 28.She continued making big casts, at 54 handler went for the tracker. B-B got stronger and more purposeful towards the end but had no birds. Ruby Hill George(Nygaard) Class Act Special (Walker) The dogs were released by the power line on the west side of the grounds, where both seemed to eschew the cover on the left in favour of the more open area on the right. At 20 Class Act was seen standing in cover after birds lifted, he loosened up as handler approached and was taken on. The course looped north where Walker called point were Class Act was backing George from 50 yards. This was an unproductive and the brace concluded without further event My Mustang Sally( Moore ) Jennifer (Arnold) The dogs were released south towards the water tank and as the course turned west around the slough Jenny pointed in the open, one bird lifted as handler dismounted and another at shot(time 24).At 42 scout called point for Sally who was found to be backing Jenny. Both dogs were mannerly to flush and shot. Then at 51 the same scenario occurred with the same result. At 57 both dogs were found standing in a low willow patch. Young birds lifted on the arrival of the handlers who in the heat of the moment shot before calling point. Their race was considered moderate but well directed. Razor(Short)Class Action Buffy(Walker) Buffy was not pleasing handler and was leashed at 16. Razor ran a medium race but bumped birds at 33. Rambling Papa Joe (Steen) McLeans Multi-Mile(Walker) The first afternoon course goes southeast from camp. The dogs hunted at a moderate range and Walker seeing that he was not getting the job done picked up his dog. At 21 Joe did not stop in time on a wild flush. Waygoing Hoot(Stephens) Mattie(Falkowski) Scout called point for Hoot at 11 who was loose but tightened up as handler approached. Extensive relocations did not produce any thing. Hoot completed the hour with a good effort. Mattie had a nice find at 15 but 3 unproductive marred her good race. Hemaruka Phoebe (Kelly)-Bridges Lake Pat (Moore) Released north of camp both dogs showed heels hitting the cover to the west. The course turned southwest where at 19 point was called for Pat well to the front .Her manners and style was impeccable. At 20 Phoebe was found standing 100 yards east of Pat and she loosened up when handler arrived. She was sent on and as the gallery left birds lifted from behind her stand. Phoebe swung to the west as the course turned north where on her way to the front birds lifted from a willow patch where she was found standing. Age caught up with her and she was up at 32. Meanwhile Pat continued to hold the front with impressive but cooperative casts. At 45 she suffered an unproductive in an unlikely spot. She finished strong and to the front. Sand Creek Tawny(Hjerpe) Class Action Mark(Walker) Mark went on an extensive but fruitless jackrabbit chase and was up at 11.Tawny was also not pleasing his handler and was up at 21. Sage(Arnold) Calico’s Time Piece(Walker) Released along Roy’s bottom both had independent stops to flushes at 12 . At 22 judge Guggenmoos saw Sage standing and handler flushed a single chicken in front of his stylish female. Scout Tim Moore called point for Time Piece who was found to be backing Sage. Both dogs were mannerly and stylish for flush and shot. Time Piece was picked up at 45. At the same time Sage pointed again where she did an outstanding job relocating a covey that had moved in an arc 75 yards from the original stand. As the grounds opened up she extended her range finishing strong. Ten Oaks Will (Heise) Fibbers Mudslinger(Moore) Away from the broken blade windmill heading north, point was called for Will at 2 on a large covey of chicken where all was in order. Will pointed a porcupine at 20. As he was being brought to the front he had finds at 29 and 31 which were well handled. Mudslinger was running strong but had an unproductive at 22 and at 53 he got involved with a large covey and was leashed. Will was credited with a stop to flush on these birds. He then had an iffy stop to flush at 55.At 58 he stopped, after a flushing attempt handler elected not to try a relocate. His early number of finds affected Will’s race. Roadshow (Raymond) High Powered Diesel (Bender) Diesel did not get going and was up at 15. Roadshow ran a powerful race even though it was well directed was too much for the stake. Lone Mountain Magique (Kelly) Classiques Velocity (Moore) Released south from the windmill both dogs were initially harassed by a herd of horses. Velocity headed south and crossed into the pasture to the south of the course but was back in front at 10 as the course turned west. Meg was being ridden to the front after been watered when she pointed at a small bluff at 15. A covey took flight as handler alit. She was steady to wing and shot. The horses again interfered with the brace but this did cower their efforts. Despite the temperature being in the 80’s both dogs hunted intelligently and finished the hour strong to the front. Jake’s Paduka(Arnold) RJ Hardcopy(Walker) Away on the first morning course in cooler conditions both dogs showed well hitting the likely cover. Paduka came back from the north and went to the front as the course turned southwest where he had good find at 21. He was running a strong race until 40 and was picked up at 45. Hardcopy had a barren stand at 38 and another at 54. He had put in a good effort to that point. Waygoing Ripster(Stephens) Lone Mountain Reliant(Mandell) Released by the power line heading south the pair started well and at 25 Reliant pointed at the edge of a slough where birds were flushed from some low willows- all in order. As we rounded the slough, Reliant was found buried in thick willows where he took a jump when a single was flushed under his nose. His pace slackened and he was picked up at 54. Ripster hunted well but suffered some flat spots. He finished the hour without bird contact. Sis(Short) Traveler’s Prairie Girl(Sands) Both dogs ran a medium to short race. Sis pointed stylishly at 15 when the handler was unable to raise anything he tapped her up where she stood 10 feet from the original stand and a single was flushed where the handler had kicked before. Sis was up at 31. Girl bumped a chicken at 38. |