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Western
Open Championships
by Mazie Davis
WHEN
it comes to putting on a field trial, the Bay Area Bird Dog
Club gets two thumbs up! The club hosts the Western Open
Championships and Open Derby Classic, which will be known
henceforth as the Lorene Brock Open Derby Classic.
The folks who make up this club have a goal: to put on the type
field trial that promotes keen com petition and good sportsmanship.
Paul Brock has been the driving force behind this club for years;
he worked at making these trials the best and he did it all year
long. Mr. Paul started at the conclusion of the events each year
lining up things for the next year. He gives so much to field
trials and his love of the sport is visible. Mr. Paul handled
the dog wagon during the running, besides a million other things.
His wife, Lorene, prepared lunches for the trials for years, no
easy feat when you consider that there is no electricity or running
water. Miss Lorene always man aged to have some grand lunches
ready by noon.
Paul and Lorene held offices in the club also, vice-president
and secretary-treasurer, respectively. At the trial's conclusion
last year the couple retired from their posts in the club, leaving
some big shoes to be filled. The longtime members who worked so
well with the Brocks came to the call and the shoes were filled.
Mr. Paul was still on hand for the running and rode shotgun in
the dog wagon most days. He helped in any way needed. Miss Lorene
was also out for the running. Torben Hansen, who has served as
president of this club for years, handled the affairs with an
even hand. His wife, Debbie, scored an A+ with some delicious
noontime meals and wonderful late afternoon treats that included
a Mexican get-together one evening. She also organized the banquet
that was catered by a local establishment.
Wanda Wells, who has been a part of this club for a long time,
stepped up and handled the secretary-treasurer duties with expertise.
Her husband, Paul, Steven Grundmeyer, Ray Baldes, Ben Dixon, Sean
Kelly, Art Harris and Jarry Walton all worked harmoniously to
make for a smooth running trial.
Torben's father, Neils, added so much to the trial with his winning
personality. He drove the dug wagon and did a swell job.
The picture for the winning field trial organization is completed
by the strong support they receive from Ralston Purina, which
co-sponsored the banquet with the club for a crowd of over 60.
The barbequed ribs and chicken were complemented with all the
trimmings to make for a superb meal. Purina presented the winners
in each event with a good supply of Pro Plan Performance product.
Purina rep Pat Lamantia came from Ohio and Purina presented the
judges for each event with Purina logo wind shirts. This sponsorship
is such a boost to field trials; it not only adds extra class
to events but also lightens the financial burden on a club.
Sam Madamba from California, who founded www.uplandbirddog.com,
was on hand for the running. Sam took pictures of the dogs, people
and terrain to display on the Web site along with a synopsis of
the running. He also donated pinch training aid collars for the
winners.
The Virginia, Mount Rose, Andrew and Tahrah mountain ranges encompass
the grounds. Hungry Valley, northeast of Reno, is nestled among
these snow-topped mountain ranges and it is here that the high
desert courses of the Western Open Championships are situated.
This is unforgiving country for the contender that won't go that
extra distance. It is mostly flat ground with some roll to it.
The long flats offer the best views for a dog that wants to show
what he has got. The junipers on the rolling hilltops and slopes
with some sitting out in the bottoms are great spots to find chukar.
The birds were plentiful.
The air is brisk out here most mornings, with the temperatures
rising as the day goes on. From freezing temperatures to high
80s was normal most days.
The elements also included light rain, wind and sleet during the
week. The dryness of the desert with the warm wind would probably
be the main factor entering in the performance of the dogs. However,
winners in the three events came from all different times of day
so to some the weather made no difference.
As mentioned, the Western Open Derby Classic will be known after
this running as the Lorene
Brock Open Derby Classic. The club presented an exquisite crystal
tureen size bowl with crystal ladle for the winner of the event.
This is emblematic of Lorene Brock's wonderful homemade soup she
served with daily lunches for years during these trials. She was
presented with the renaming of the event along with the viewing
of the gorgeous trophy. She was visibly touched by the gesture.
The Western Open All-Age Championship kicked off the trial, starting
April 22 and concluding on April 27. Judging this Championship
were Roy Epp of Albany, Ga., and David Taylor of Neola, Ia. This
pair knows the ropes. Roy was raised in this business; his father
is Flall-of-Famer Freddie Epp. Roy trains and handles dogs along
with working for an Albany-based plantation. Mr. Taylor comes
from the amateur ranks where he has had much success with dogs
that he trains and handles himself.
Joining Roy in the Derby Classic was professional handler Rick
Furney of Dawson, Ga., near Albany. Rick won both the National
Championship and the Purina Award with Law's High Noon.
He was scheduled to judge the Western Open Shooting Dog Championship
with well-known Alabama professional trainer-handler Colvin Davis
but Rick's return plane ticket was scheduled before the Championship
started.
Colvin, a proven trainer-handler who has achieved much success
on the open all-age circuit, has judged this event many times
for the club. The club enlisted the services of this scribe to
ride with Davis. Being married to him, working with him and learning
from watching him for nearly 30 years this scribe felt qualified
to ride with him to watch the contenders.
The three judging teams maintained a good even riding pace, gave
undivided attention to the dogs, conducted themselves with class
and gave their decisions to the club secretary, Wanda Wells, promptly.
WESTERN
OPEN ALL-AGE CHAMPIONSHIP
Just N Time
went across the desert like the brisk wind from the Sierras and
he did it for an hour. He had a forward pattern throughout. "Justin"
was smooth, moved with class, pointed with class and ran the country
with a near flawless effort. He was still reaching strong at the
end of his hour.
He stood twice and each time the chukar was right where they should
be. His style and manners were above reproach. His handler, Mike
McGinnis, sat back and let Justin do his thing to reel in his
eighth championship title for owners Bruce and Carol Hummel of
Snohomish, Wash., over this field of 22 contenders. The white
and black pointer male, months shy of his fifth birthday, has
that special touch: those that can consistently change the trial
status each time they run - consistent sums it up. He set the
standard in this stake, appearing in the first brace.
Spectre Sam was braced with the winner and earned runner-up laurels
with a ground effort that took him across the desert impressively.
He was fast and for the most part forward. His bird work was a
divided find with the winner where he exhibited good style and
manners.
Herb Anderson of Dayton, Ore., owns the seven- year-old white
and liver pointer male. Sam stretched in the flats and showed
well as he searched the high places. He came around for handler
Rich Robertson without hassle. At the finish he was still jumping
and going for the long shot.
The winners were in the first brace and they separated themselves
with their overall performances. The standard was set early.
WESTERN OPEN ALL-AGE RUNNING
Just N Time
(M. McGinnis) reached for the beyond to start, spotted far ahead
up on the right. Spectre Sam (R. Robertson) made a line-drive
cast up, crossing over just past the first rise. Just N Time was
spotted deep front as he crossed heading left. A bit later Sam
was seen heading that way. This direction would take them toward
a wash in some small hills where junipers stood. McGinnis was
the first to reach the spot and his hat was in the air, "Justin"
standing with excellent style at 3. Both dogs were there, Sam
standing with good style also, the pair a good distance apart
in a parallel position. Handlers flushed and the chukar took flight.
Justin headed for the long fiat that bordered the far left side
of the course. A few minutes later he was spotted at the far end
crossing over the hill at twelve o'clock before the water tank.
Sam headed up the right side a good distance out. He shot past
the turn but was soon back on course. Justin was just a dot when
last seen ahead on the right in the high country. Sam had been
spotted higher, not as far, but took up the slack going over the
highest peak. McGinnis rode at a steady pace straight ahead but
Justin was nowhere in sight. At 30, at least 8 minutes after he
had last been seen reaching in the high country, McGinnis saw
in the distance what he thought to be a dog standing. He raised
his hat and after a long ride there was Justin; he looked great.
McGinnis flushed the chukar; the dog was perfect. Just as this
was happening Sam was seen parallel but farther up. From here
the sandy rolling country dotted with junipers lay ahead and the
dogs negotiated it in good fashion. Upon exiting this they were
seen far ahead, Sam in the front left and Justin the front right.
Sam was absent in the bend to the right past the trail but Justin
was reaching far ahead to the junipers. With just a minute or
so remaining he impressed as he toured freely to the far front
where the junipers reach up the hills. He had just secured his
position in this Championship. Just past time Sam's handler found
him; he had not been seen going up the junipers.
Proof's Secret Service (Twer) and Mister Buffett (Robertson) rendered
good efforts. Mister Buffett had an unproductive at 24. Magma's
Shining Nickel (Hjerpe) flew to the far front, was spotted once
but when seen next he was out of time. Tekoa Mountain Outrage
(E. Mauck) gave it a good try for the first half then shortened
and was taken up.
Silverado Pete (Twer) turned in a swell race, with an unproductive.
Luck Then Glory (McGinnis) reached far ahead and was gone. Mona's
Delight (Robertson) left in much the same fashion, while Bullett's
Ricochet had two stylish, mannerly finds but faltered in his ground
performance and Hansen had him up.
Ceefour Hank (Twer) never seemed to fire off and was up early.
Wells Fargo Patty (Wells) was forward and fast, running the country
in good fashion. She scored a picture-pretty find at 19 on which
she was mannerly for the flush and shot. On her next find at 45
she moved too much and was up.
Pinekone Max Jr. (Sullivan) seemed to gain in range as he went
but had only an unproductive. Murray's Magnum (Robertson) took
the high side of the course and looking good but slipped away.
White Hawk (Hansen) was not suiting handler and was up early.
T's Gunrunner (Robertson) was showing on some good casts but vanished
around 35 for the remainder. Bullett's Super Express (Twer) and
Cool Stream Charger (Robertson) clicked across the desert at good
paces but nothing was added in the bird department. Express had
an unproductive.
Typhoon (Lewis) showed nicely through the country keeping a forward
position. He had an unproductive at 41. Ceefour Argent Bullett
(Twer) carded some impressive casts throughout his hour. He also
had an unproductive at 41. Tommy B took to the country well at
times but gave Robertson the slip near the end but was recovered
a little after time. Next Chapter (McGinnis) was doing the kind
of job on the ground that could have challenged but after one
of his "in yonder" drives he didn't return.
Sparks. Nev., April 22, 2002
Judges Roy Epp and David Taylor
WESTERN OPEN ALL-AGE CHAMPIONSHIP
One-Hour Heat - 14 Pointers and 8 Setters
Winner-JUST N TIME, 1480239, pointer male, by Michael Charles-Glorified.
Bruce & Carol Hummel, owners; Mike McGinnis, handler.
Runner-Up-SPECTRE SAM, 1452900, pointer male, by Idaho's Spec
Addition-Louisiana Hussey. Herb Anderson, owner; Rich Robertson,
handler.
WESTERN OPEN DERBY CLASSIC
Twenty youngsters
showed their wares in the Derby Classic. Waupaca's Diamond Hoss,
owned by Tom Carroll and Lara Janda of Waupaca, Wis., claimed
the top prize. Rich Robertson handled the white and orange setter
male that reached strongly across the high desert to the extreme.
He was forward throughout and seen to stop and look for his handler
when in doubt. Hoss was exciting to watch; he was happy and it
showed.
Taking second was Just Unforgettable, owned by Mike and Nicky
McGinnis, and handled by Mike. This puppy-age youngster impressed.
The rambunctious pointer male seemed to be bursting at the seams
with enthusiasm. He showed his age but he also showed that next
year, if kept going as he was here, will be in there with those
Derbies reaching for the top spots. Interestingly, his sire, Just
N Time, placed second in this Derby as a pup.
Andrew Finney celebrated his 18th birthday the day he ran his
dad's Paladelas Shadow and the handsome white and black pointer
male gave Andrew a neat gift when he delivered a dandy race to
claim third. Andrew's dad, James Finney, rode to watch as his
son handled this youngster with a natural touch. Shadow was fast
and full of desire. Both Shadow and his young handler had a good
time.
The remainder of the entry included: Wild Card's Megan, Jack's
Grandson Lee, Elhew Ripley, Sam, Just A Hellion, Johnny's Little
Sundrop, Fargo, Cash, Zoom, Redrock High Country, Bud, Old Glory,
Redrock Hot Rod, Boomer, Johnny's Rockin Ricky, Southern Bound
and Idaho Soul Sister.
Judges Roy Epp and Rick Furney
WESTERN OPEN DERBY CLASSIC - 14 Pointers and 6 Setters
lst-WAUPACA'S DIAMOND HOSS, l5i4566, setter male by Hamilton's
Blue Diamond-Waupaca's Lucy Belle. T. H. Carroll & Lara M.
Janda, owners; Rich Robertson, handler.
2d-JUST UNFORGETTABLE, 1534171, pointer male, by Just N Tirne-Cajun
Twister. Mike & Nicky McGinnis, owners; Mike McGinnis, handler.
3d-PALAOELAS SHADOW, 1516125, pointer female, by Thistle Town
Whiporwil-Jumping Beans. James Finney, owner; Andrew Finney, handler.
WESTERN OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP
To win a
championship at any age is a wonderful accomplishment for a dog
but for a youngster four months shy of her second birthday it
is a feat, especially among fast company in demanding desert country.
Californian Dr. Charlie Hjerpe and his Sand Creek Rita made it
look easy.
Rita is a fancy white and liver pointer female; she displayed
eye-catching brilliant sparkle. The front was hers and the country
didn't seem to offer any type of threat to her as she negotiated
it with ease. She was light on her feet, as quick as could be;
she never wasted a step. Rita hunted, no fooling around. She had
four finds and was all one would want to see on point and perfect
for the flush and shot on each. She always seemed to know where
her owner-handler was. Her future looks as bright as she did in
this Championship!
Biggs Special Chips, owned and handled by Torben Hansen from Reno
claimed the runner-up spot. Chips, a strongly built white and
orange pointer male, showed in the third brace and set a standard.
He was fast and seemed to never touch the ground as he ran a perfectly
charted race. Just when you thought he was gone he would pop up
ahead or was seen pointing. It was a thrill a minute with him.
Chips had three finds, each with top-of-the-line style and manners.
The front was his; he used it to make a definite statement. Hansen
rode right in front of the judges and showed confidence in Chips
and it paid off. He always came around on his own. He was strong
throughout his brace.
This stake was about two dogs; their performances were as close
as close could be. The slightest of differences had to be weighed
in the decision. Rita got the nod with her sparkle and jump that
stole the show. Other than that, they were neck and neck in every
way. This pair left the rest of the 'pack" in the dust. In
the South there is an old saying: "the cream will rise to
the top". It did so here.
THE RUNNING
Why Not John
(Lewis) handled two finds to per fection, one at 39 and the other
at 45. He was a picture on point. He was fast and busy as he traveled
across the desert. It was all over at 50 when the birds were in
the air and he was moving. Matrix Mountain Breeze (Robertson)
quickly went far ahead. He wasn't seen much throughout the hour.
Murray's Rustler (Robertson) was taken up near the half. Pinekone
Max Jr. (Sullivan) showed well at times on the ground, handing
in an unproductive and two good finds before checking out around
40.
Biggs Special Chips (Hansen) was out of the chute like a bullet
straight to the front. He was not seen for awhile, then was spotted
at twelve o'clock and off again. He kept that 10 to 2 pattern,
seen occasionally going over the high places and working the flats
in an attention holding way. At 32 Chips had been out of sight
for a few minutes when handler spotted him straight ahead. He
looked great facing a sparse stand of junipers. He was exact for
the work. No. 2 came at 42 when handler spotted him up ahead on
the right. He stood again with that handsome style under a juniper.
The chukar were flushed and the shot fired for the mannerly dog.
At 47 judge saw Chips standing near a lone juniper out on the
flat, a repeat of the earlier stand, manners exemplary. He used
the remainder of his time to establish the standard in this stake
with a series of strong drives and casts that he had exhibited
from the start. His bracemate, Sunrise's Gold Swansong (Robertson),
had a ground performance that was of the same caliber as Chips.
He held attention throughout but birds were not in the picture
for him this day.
Both Elhew Blue Chip (Twer) and Typhoon (Lewis) had unproductives
and both were picked up early.
Wells Fargo Bossman (Wells) had a good find that was divided with
Chinquapin's Black Jack (Grundmeyer) at 43. Bossman had several
absences but finished on a good note. Black Jack went on to have
another good find at 51. Both finds saw him with great style and
perfect manners. He also had an unproductive. His race was forward
and saw him hunting all the way. He had a good finish.
Sierra View's Molly (Twer) and Prime View (Lewis) started things
early when point was called at 7 straight ahead. Molly stood ahead
with Prime View backing. Birds were flushed in front of Molly
with both handlers firing. Prime View went on to have a nice race,
adding an unproductive and a stop to flight at 33. Molly also
had a nice race adding one more find and two unproductives.
Lady In Red (Hjerpe) scored classy finds at 17, 37 and 44. She
displayed great manners for the work. The last 30 minutes saw
her deliver a good ground performance coupled with a nice finish.
Deception's Bullett (Twer) suffered two unproductives and was
picked up early.
Sal's Ramona Pete (Satallante) ended up with two backs. Tekoa
Mountain Outrage (Mauck) showed on some good casts as he remained
forward throughout. He scored two finds where he was handsome
and mannerly. The first one came at 7 then one at 21. He also
pointed again at 35 with a large pile of chukar feathers noted.
He applied himself well at times across the desert and finished
in good shape.
Silver Spectacle (Schultz) had an unproductive at 22 and a nice
find at 47 where he was stylish and mannerly. He searched the
course thoroughly in a nice way. Jukebox Junkie (Lewis) pointed
at 31 with feathers being the only thing there.
Sand Creek Rita (Hjerpe) flew to the front, making a sweep up
on the left showing as she crossed the front then over the rise.
At 6 Hjerpe spotted her pointing out in the flat straight ahead
with brace mate backing. She was pretty and remained so for the
flush and shot. Rita delivered a swell drive to the front bending
left up to the high country showing along the ridge. She was over
the next hill making an impressive cast when seen out in the flat.
The turn left and the jog back to the right didn't stump her as
she jumped ahead. At 14 near the old mine she was spotted standing
ahead and again she was pretty and mannerly for the work. She
was ahead on the left seen going up a draw toward the mountain
and missed. She wasn't missing long for she showed ahead as she
jumped up looking for Hjerpe. The speedster was light on her feet
as she skimmed the high spots where she made a great showing.
Rita had taken a tour up on the front right being seen far out
the flats where most would have needed assistance to come around;
she did not. She turned from a great distance and crossed the
front heading left. Rita was missed as she neared a dense group
of jumpers but Hjerpe spotted her as he neared the place and raised
his hat. She stood amongst the jumpers and the chukar were flushed
from right in front of her. She was once again all class and manners.
Taken on she picked right back up on her fancy running way and
impressed with cast after cast. The bend to the right was made
to level out in the long flat and she had set sail far ahead having
already made the turn. When seen up there she was motionless.
Point was called and the ride there saw her standing at 54 on
a clean earthen floor looking like a million dollars. The chukar
were once again flushed right where they should have been for
the motionless contender. Rita used the few minutes remaining
in the hour to full advantage as she finished still running and
sparkling. Jump For Joy (Lewis) moved in an appealing way, keeping
to the front and hunting. She scored a nice find at 35, pretty
and mannerly. She also backed her bracemate at 6.
Paladela's California Jack (Satallante), Judge Roy Bean (Wilkins)
and Promise Land (Young) all showed on some good casts at times
but didn't change anything in the books.
Judges: Colt Davis and Mazie Davis
WESTERN OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP
One-Hour Heats - 14 Pointers and 9 Setters
Winner-SAND CREEK RITA, 1530029, pointer female, by Canadian Brute-Nemaha
Nicky. Dr. C. A. Hjerpe, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-BlGGS SPECIAL CHIPS, 1479555, pointer male, by Elhew
Special Delivery-Fearless Amedee Flier. Torhen Hansen, owner and
handler. |
