Open & Am. Chamionships across the US

[gunner]

CALIFORNIA BIRD DOG CHAMPIONSHIP

Maricopa, CA—The California Bird Dog Championship concluded Tuesday evening, November 14. Twenty-six dogs were entered and the winner emerged in Spectre Pete, pointer male owned by Herb Anderson of Dayton, OR, and handled by Rich Robertson. Named runner-up was Super Express Boi, pointer male owned by Jim and Cami Wolthuis of Sacramento, CA, and handled by Sheldon Twer.

Judges were John Russell of Bowling Green, KY, and Ed Mayhew of Winchester, CA.

— Hal Meyer, Secy.

GRAND NATIONAL GROUSE CHAMPIONSHIP

Marienville, PA— The 64th running of the Grand National Grouse Championship was concluded November 12 in a light drizzle. The starting field consisted of 74 dogs (61 setters and 13 pointers). Hard Driving Bev, pointer female, was named champion for owner-handler Joe McCarl of Guys Mills, PA. Bev has won the Grand National previously. Runner-up was Springfield Orvis, setter male owned by Dave D’Hulster of North Street, MI, and handled by Dave Hughes. The winners had flawless bird work on native grouse and superb hunting efforts.

Weather was cool and damp most days with light rain appearing the final two days of the running. Grouse were plentiful on all eight one-hour courses and most of the contestants had grouse finds and some multiple finds.

Judging was in the experienced hands of Harold Ray of Waynesboro, GA, and Dr. Tim Perschke of Butler, PA.

— Dave Fletcher

OKLAHOMA OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Inola, OK—Judges Everett Brannan of Powderly, TX, and Bobby McAlexander of Holly Springs, MS, presided for the 2006 running of the Oklahoma Open Championship at the McFarlin-Ingersoll Ranch near Inola, OK. They found a winner in Whippoorwill Firebox, three-year-old pointer female owned by Earl J. Connolly of Memphis, TN, and handled by Larry Huffman. No runner-up was named.

Conditions in northeast Oklahoma were warm and dry for the 28 contenders entered in the stake. The running commenced after completion of the 102nd American Field Quail Futurity.

— Dr. D. E. Hawthorne

REGION 5 AMATEUR ALL-AGE CHAMPIONSHIP

Broughton, IL—The Region 5 Amateur All-Age Championship commenced November 13 and was completed after 32 pointers traversed the courses of the outstanding Outland Ranch owned by Mr. and Mrs. Jim Fornear, and managed by Mr. Kenny Robinson.

Sean Derrig is continuing his hot streak this fall, winning both placements. Erin’s Tin Soldier was declared champion and kennelmate Erin’s Southern Jewel was named runner-up. The judges commented that there were other dogs considered, but these two overshadowed all other contenders.

The advertised judges, Chad Holman of Whittington, IL, and Joe Vicari of Medinah, IL, rode attentively through all kinds of weather; their time and expertise were appreciated by Region 5.

— Bill Zeisset

REGION 17 AMATEUR ALL-AGE CHAMPIONSHIP

Cassoday, KS—The Region 17 All-Age Championship concluded November 12 over the multiple courses of the Highland Ranch at Cassoday, KS. Winds of forty miles an hour all day hindered Friday’s running but weather was good otherwise. Judges Gary Young and Paul Roederer named Erin’s Tin Soldier the winner, the pointer male handled by Sean Derrig. Tin Soldier had a large, front-running race and spectacular work on a wild covey near time along with an unproductive. Derrig also handled the runner-up, Erin’s Final Justice, which also had a large race and one find. There was very little difference in the two dogs’ performances.

The Highland Ranch provided a gorgeous multi-thousand acre Flint Hill venue that enabled the biggest going dogs a chance to show to their maximum range. Twenty-six dogs from at least seven states competed.

— Paul Roederer

REGION 17 AMATEUR WALKING SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP

Grand River, IA—The Region 17 Amateur Walking Shooting Dog Championship concluded November 11 over the multiple courses of the Hickman Ranch at Grand River, IA. Weather was tough at times with mixed light rain, strong winds and sleet on Friday but more reasonable conditions on Saturday. Bird-finding was at a premium throughout.

Judges Gailen Cooper and Tony King named Flatland’s Hot Pepper, pointer male handled by owner Donnie Watson of Eskridge, KS, the winner with a smooth shooting dog race and three nice finds. “Nate” ran in the first brace. Running in the final brace on Saturday, Gene McWhirter of Mount Pleasant, IA, handled his pointer male Pinehill Rocky Hunter to the runner-up spot also with three finds. Hunter had an absence or otherwise might have changed the order of finish.

— Doug Meyer

SOUTHLAND OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Booneville, AR—With the J. Perry Mikles field trial grounds near Booneville, AR, at their finest, the Southland Open Championship program saw its five winners shown on ten coveys, all at different locations around the courses.

In the Arlin Nolen hour Derby, Larry Smith handled the winner in S F Plywood, hunting forward with three finds. The second and third placed dogs were handled by Ray Warren. Lacy’s Icehouse, second, had two finds, Perry Lacy the owner, and Cross City Jake, third, owned by Vick Etheridge, had one crisp find. But for being gone near the end, the strong ground heat and one find of Mega Lovely Lady would have earned first for Andy Daugherty and Bob and Sarina Craig and John Sayre, the owners. There were 22 in the stake.

Andy Daugherty handled the champion, Bocefus, which twice pointed coveys after a long absence from the start. He has reportedly been acquired from Tommy Davis, in whose name he is registered. Runner-up was Rockwood Chief, which also found two coveys for Ray Warren, and handled them perfectly. He is owned by the well known sportsman Jim Fornear of Naples, FL.

Lester’s Absolute, in the next-to-last brace, set a pattern for ground pattern, but needed a find of more value than the divided location the judges credited him and bracemate. There were several other one-find dogs. There were 43 in the stake.

The judges were Bill Stubblefield of Paragould, AR, and Lynn Bennett of Balko, OK, whose pace and demeanor were ideal.

— John Criswell