Event Coverage
Thursday, March 19, 2009 – Danville, Virginia
Fair weather greeted all present this morning. The skies were clear and there was just a light breeze. Once again the morning temperature was in the mid-forty’s. The temperature warmed nicely by noon with the wind picking up to ten to fifteen miles per hour out of the north west. The pleasant breeze kept the “feel like” temperature more tolerable than that of the day before. Participants were on the line in time that the first brace was released three minutes early.
Brace 22) Eshod’s Revolution “Mason”, Ray Douse, FC JJ’s Wandering Star “Star”, John Chokran. At the breakaway, both dogs went to the left edge, heading forward. At two minutes, Star swapped ends pointing into a large group of trees. Unable to flush, her handler relocated her. She was unable to pin any birds, although she searched the area diligently. Sent on, she was just starting to begin to roll when she encountered a sluggish bird as she crossed the horse path. This proved to be her undoing as she saw fit to bring the bird back to her handler. Mason was spending his time rimming the numerous fields. In one field after another he displayed his ability to hunt the likely cover. Point was called at thirteen minutes along the tree line, as you enter the “turn around field”. Birds were flushed directly in front of the proudly standing dog, with all in order. He completed his retrieve cleanly. Going forward, continuing the same useful pattern, he would again establish point at nineteen minutes. His style on this find was very high on both ends. His demeanor was that of extreme confidence. His manners were impeccable. The remainder of his time was spent displaying the powerful stride that certainly was appealing. Near time, Mason again settled into a stylish point in the far corner one of the last corn field. No birds were produced and time was called.
Brace 23) NAFC CH Ariel’s Justa Gotta Go Now “Louie”, Dave Pomfret, High Roll-N’s Proposition, “Sonny”, Dave Walker. This brace was off with enthusiasm. They went to the left hand tree line in the opening field, Louie deeper in the cover, and both dogs took this line into the next field and faded from sight. As we entered the second field after the breakaway field, the dogs were found pointing along the line they were last seen on. As we approached the find, a bird flushed wild and the temptation proved too great for both dogs ending their bid.
Brace 24)American Baron Zum Ziel SH SDX NRD “Baron”, Paula Gross, DC AFC Bitteroot Semper Fi Cutter “Cutter”, Clint Sails. This brace featured different styles in hunting. Baron settled into a searching, gundog pattern that took him to the places that were likely bird haunts. Cutter’s pattern was more of an edge running style. Both dogs moved easily over the ground and were attractive to watch. Cutter would strike first with a find at eight minutes, in a group of small trees, to the left of the course. His stance on this find was eye catching and his good training was demonstrated. At ten minutes Baron was solidly pointing into the left tree line. As Baron’s handler approached, Cutter came in and backed this stand with style that was a repeat of that on his find. Baron’s handler was unable to flush birds; he was relocated without success and taken on. Cutter would strike next along the right of the field before entering the “turn around field”. The birds were positively located by his intense stance. He performed a quality retrieve and was sent on. Cutter began to really open up, using the cover available to him, and putting on an impressive show. Baron was staying busy as he hunted for his handler. He nicely pointed again at twenty six minutes. This would be his second nonproductive and he was put in the harness. Cutter carded an additional find near time. He again was high on both ends and was impeccable in his manners.
Brace 25) 2XNAFC Aztec’s American Pie “Chevy”, Nikolaus Scharpf, Eshod’s Family Tradition “Hank”, Ray Douse. Hank had on his running shoes. At the breakaway he went to the right side tree line and faded away to the front. Unfortunately this would be the last he was seen under judgment. Chevy put down a pleasing, gun dog pattern. He moved with good speed and a ground covering gait. He was credited with a good find at twenty minutes. He was pointing into a drainage ditch that was lined with heavy grass cover. When flushed the bird went back over his head and was shot. Although it looked like the bird should fall, it flew on for close to one hundred yards and fell in an area that did not allow him to mark the bird falling. His desire to find the game that he had been sent for was very apparent and he was able to complete this retrieve. Chevy finished his time much as he had begun.
Brace 26) DC Barben’s Absolut Martini “Luke”, Jamie Fountain, FC AFC Palm Glades Jennie Belle “Belle”, Tim Smecher. Away smartly, Luke went deep in the trees to the left, with Belle hunting the field edge with purpose. Belle was soon pointing in the corner of the second small field after the breakaway. She stood with style and intensity that said, “my birds are here”. At this juncture Luke returned. Luke did not get stopped to back in time to honor his brace mate, and his day ended here. As Belle’s handler went in front of his dog to flush, a pair of birds came up, one going to the right and one to the left. The gunners connected with the left bird. Belle appeared to have marked the bird on the right. She was unable to complete the retrieve and we all headed to the lodge for lunch.
Brace 27) Axel’s Bayou of Reitraim JH “Bleu”, Mike Millineaux, FC Scattergun’s Maggie “Maggie”, Ray Douse. Released at 12:57, both dogs quickly went about their task. Bleu would find game first, at seven minutes. While powering up the right side of the last big field before the course turns back, Blue styled up nicely, pointing with sure style. His training proved good and he completed a good retrieve. Maggie in the mean time was pointing in the corner of the last field before the turn. Her style was what you would hope for, manners good, and her retrieve was sure. Bleu next was found pointing at fourteen minutes. He was standing along a tree line, along the edge of a cut corn field. His style was nice and all was in order and he was taken on. Maggie would add an additional find. She was pointing intensely into a line of moderately heavy cover in the first corn fields after the turn. Maggie was pointing with her head and tail reaching for the sky. Her demeanor was that of a Champion. Bleu would card a nonproductive at sixteen minutes. Both dogs went on to finish the time, hunting hard, intelligently using the cover.
Brace 27) FC Ike’s Eshod’s Delight “Dee”, Ray Douse, Bye. Dee had distant objectives on her mind. She went forward disappearing to the front. At 15 minutes, her handler asked for the tracker.
After a short deliberation the judges announced the dogs they would like to see again. The following is the bracing for the second series.
1A) NFC/FC Frank N Stein “Franky” Steve Bailey
1B) Northlakes Dixie “Dixie” Justin Wiseman
2A) FC/AFC Palm Glades Shameless Sally “Sally” Dave Walker
2B) DC/AFC Up N’ Adam’s Super Sioux CDX SH, “Sioux” Matthew Basilone
3A) FC/AFC Palm Glades White Litnin “Litnin” Dave Walker
3B) Lady Easy Brraveheart “Easy” Mike Mullineaux
4A) FC Harley’s Dream Saddle “Harley” Mike Mullineaux
4B) FC/AFC Palm Glades Lee’s Madeline “Maddie” Dave Walker
5A) DC/AFC Bitteroot Semper Fi Cutter “Cutter” Clint Sails
5B) FC Scattergun’s Maggie “Maggie” Ray Douse
6A) Eshod’s Revolution “Mason” Ray Douse
6B) Vogelmeister’s Out On Bail JH “Bailey” Dave Walker
