American Brittany Club's National Amateur Gun Dog Championship
by Lyle Johnson, Executive Field Representative
The American Brittany Club's National Amateur Gun Dog Championship is held this year at the Ionia State Recreation area in Ionia, Michigan. The grounds are some of the finest you will find anywhere in the country. This time of year the rolling hills are glorious with color as the sugar maples and the red oaks are at the peak of their fall colors. The 4500 acres of the Ionia State Recreation area has been groomed to perfection by mowing and the planting of feed strips by local field trialers, who have donated countless hours in preparing the grounds. The fence rows and the timber edges offer a great place to show a dog's abilities to hit objectives and to find birds using the wind to the best advantage.
This prestigious event brings Brittany owners and handlers from all part of the country. They come for the competition and the camaraderie, to enjoy their breed and their friendships, and for the chance to win the National Amateur Gun Dog title for 2004.
As with all trials, without the help from the club members it would be impossible to hold a quality event. Trial Secretary, Cheryl Orange, and Field Trial Chair, Cindy Cropek, had everything planned and well organized. Judges James Doherty, Wayne Warners and Al Van Wieren were prepared to evaluate and select the best Gun Dog Brittanys.
The competition consists of a one hour long course for each brace of dogs. Being a Gun Dog stake, it is for foot handlers only, no horses, except for the judges. A Gun Dog must give a finished performance and must be under its handler's control at all times. It must handle kindly, with a minimum of noise and verbal handling by the handler. A Gun Dog must show a keen desire to hunt, must have a bold and attractive style of running, and must demonstrate not only intelligence in quartering and in seeking objectives but also the ability to find game. The dog must hunt for its handler at all times at a range suitable for a handler on foot. The dog should show or check in front of its handler frequently. It must cover adequate ground but never range out of sight for a length of time that would detract from its usefulness as a practical hunting dog. The dog must locate game, must point staunchly, and must be steady to wing and shot. Intelligent use of the wind and terrain in locating game, accurate nose, and style and intensity on point, are essential.
The first day began with heavy fog delaying the start until 10:00 am. The skies cleared enough to start the first brace. Soon, the sun was shining and it was a beautiful day for all. Only six braces were ran on Monday due to the fog delayed start. Tuesday morning, competition started at 8:15 and the judged saw some really good dogs. One of Tuesday's dogs had 5 well-handled finds, and the stake is proceeding smoothly.
The winners are...
1st - NAGDC DC AFC Calistar Del Prado
Owners: Les and Donna Casselberry, Handled by Les Casselberry
2nd - FC AFC High Hopes Fly By Nite
Owner: Cynthia and Al Cropek, Handled by Al Cropek
3rd - NGDC FC AFC Baby Jane's B.B."
Owner: Scott Blair, Handled by Scott Blair
4th - DC AFC Ammo's Uzi JH
Owners: Sandra and Gary Leavens, Handled by Sandra Leavens
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