Event Coverage
Friday, March 27, 2009 – Danville, Virginia
Non-Retrieving Stake: Day 7
The threat of fog and rain welcomed us today. The fog lifted early, only delaying the start time marginally, and the rain would wait until shortly after the final brace was concluded. There had been about a quarter inch of rain over night leaving the ground soft and the trails muddy. The temperature was again moderate, in the low 50’s for most of the remaining five braces. As had been the case most every day, the wind was quite calm.
Brace 41) CH Up N’Adam Margarita U.P. "Margret" GSP, handler Matthew Bazilone
Broad Run’s Blazing Delight "Greta" Vizsla, handler Bob Seelye
The first brace of the day was away at 8:40 AM, Margret never was on today and after giving her plenty of time, her handler stopped her effort. Greta ran around well, hunting as she went. At eighteen minutes, in the far north corn field, she was found on point. After an unsuccessful flushing attempt, and a relocation, only a dead bird could be found. Sent on she mishandled a bird at thirty three minutes to end her day.
Brace 42) Rovans Rock Ridge Rt Ascend "Cender" Brittany, handler Phil Bogdanovitch
Harrises WMF Double Princess Leia "Leia" Brittany, handler Ben Lorenson
Leia was not on her game today and was leashed at 35 minutes. Cender was hunting nicely, handling well. She had a good find on the left tree line, in the big field before entering the river loop area. She was pretty on her game and well mannered. She recorded two non productives, one at seventeen minutes and the other at thirty eight minutes, causing her handler to throw in the towel.
Brace 43) Shake’s Timmy "Timmy" English Setter, handler Jim Heckart
Braod Run’s Trail Blazin’ Boone "Boone" Vizsla, handler Bob Seelye
Timmy used his time wisely, hunting boldly, running hard, and pointing with great style. He had a good find at twelve minutes, going into the river loop, and another good find at thirty two minutes, in the chute going into the long cornfield. His demeanor on his game is unquestionable and his good training readily apparent. He finished his hour strongly. Boone also hunted hard but could only card a back of his brace mate at 12 minutes. He also would finish the hour.
Brace 44) DC AFC Up N’ Adams Super Sioux "Sioux" GSP, handler Matthew Basilone
Rovans Rock Ridge Winjammer "Jammer" Brittany, handler Phil Bogdanovitch
The birds must have been moving in preparation for the rain that was forecast. This was a nice pair of dogs that went right to hunting at the first whistle. Sioux would card finds at twelve and 16 minutes, each time Jammer backed mannerly. They would share a find at 18 minutes, in the corner that has been so popular, before the river loop. Again at twenty nine minutes, Sioux was pointing, with Jammer backing. This was a nice find as she had disappeared to the front, and had not been seen for several minutes, she was found by her brace mate as he completed a showy cast and saw her before we did, at which time he honored mannerly. Sioux would again score a good find at thirty five, displaying great manners and style which she has shown on all her finds. This pair would share another find at forty minutes. Jammer would add a feather find and a very nice find along the edge of the big corn field at fifty eight minutes. He was stylish and well mannered on his bird work. Both dogs would finish the hour with Sioux missing at time and returned within a minute of the hour’s end.
Brace 45) HyBrittans BJ Betty "Betty" Brittany, handler Ben Lorenson
Northlakes Dixie "Dixie" GSP, handler Justin Wiseman
Although both dogs appeared to be using the edges well in their quest for game, the only action was Dixie with a dead bird find at thirty minutes, where he was backed politely by Betty. Neither dog gave up or slowed in their pursuit of game, but neither was able to challenge the leaders on this day.
POST SCRIPT:
It was an honor to be able to set up front and observe the very fine bird dogs that were shown in these two events. The judges for both of these Championships watched dogs, evaluated performances thoroughly, were positive in their assessment, and in my mind anyway did it right. We all owe them a big thank you for their efforts.
Along the lines of thank yous, the work of the trial leadership needs to be recognized. Co-Chairpersons Tim Carwile and Bonnie Hildago and trial secretary Trish James, did a remarkable job seeing to the details that are involved in the holding of an event of this caliber. Attention to detail would be an understatement as this group has set the bar high for any committee that follows. The rest of us were just players in the game that this group had arranged. Everything went quite smoothly and their efforts make this truly a Championship event.
I have been remiss in not saying more about the facility where this event was run. Fred Leggett opened up his Cloverdale Farm for us, allowing us to taste the good life, as the event progressed. Fred and his family went to great effort to make all in attendance feel welcome. As was stated at the opening dinner, anyone that does not enjoy themselves, it is their own fault. The courses used for this trial were well manicured with edges and areas of birdy cover that are maintained to allow for the showing of our canine athletes. If there is anywhere that is more people and dog friendly, I have yet to experience it. I have the feeling that bird dog heaven looks a lot like Cloverdale Farms.
Our friends at Purina and Tri-Tronics once again stepped up to the plate as corporate sponsors of this event. Each company is committed to the support of this and many other Championship events. Without their support this event could not be the high quality event it is. Alan Davidson of Dogs Unlimited was also on hand, supporting the event with products and his insight into products that are designed and manufactured to ease the training of our good dogs. We should all support these great companies with our patronage.
One final note, I would like to apologize for the typo’s and misspellings that have been included in this report. In the desire to make daily updates, I was unable to do the proofreading and re-proofreading that I would normally do. Many of the reports were completed late at night and proofed one time at between four and five in the morning, before being sent to be posted.
I apologize for any mistakes herein and thank you for your indulgence. After eleven days in the saddle and seventy nine braces of dogs under judgment, I am feeling that I am one of the luckiest men alive, along with some other feelings that anti-inflammatories and baby powder seem to ease. I hope to see you next year in the mid-west to do this all over again!
1st Place: Archers Black Powder (Pointer)
Handler: Jim Heckert
Owner: Elizabeth Archer
2nd Place: Shake's Timmy (English Setter)
Handler: Jim Heckert
Owner: William Anderson
3rd Place: Just a Puff of Smoke (Brittany)
Handler: Ben Lorenson
Owner: Tom Ettinger
4th Place: DC AFC Up N' Adam's Super Sioux CDX SH (German Shorthaired Pointer)
Handler: Matthew Basilone
Owner: Katrin and Tom Tazza
Honorable Mention: FC Marjo's Here For The Party (Brittany)
Handler: Joe Luisi
Owner: Marsha Luisi
Honorable Mention: FC AFC Palm Glades Lee's Madeline (German Shorthaired Pointer)
Handler: Dave Walker
Owner: Bradley and Kate Taylor
Best of Breed (not including dogs that placed)
Weimaraner – Axel’s Bleu Bayou of Reiteralm
Mike Mullineaux, Handler
S. Tsantes & F. Parkowski, Owners
Gordon Setter – Milomix Roy
James C. D’Amico, Handler
James C. D’Amico, Owner
Vizsla - DC/AFC Bitteroot Semper Fi Cutter
Clint Sails, Handler
Clinton and Valerie Sails, Owners
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