Saturday, April 30, 2011 and Sunday, May 1, 2011
By Bonnie Hidalgo, AKC Executive Field Representative
Saturday April 30
The Running was postponed until Sunday due to wet and dangerous riding conditions.
Sunday May 1
FC/AFC MNL Rimrock’s Desert Sand (Mac) GSP M Casten Pigman owner & handler
DC/AFC Megasmoke Limited Edition (Ted) B M Tom White & Margaret Horstmeyer owners, Tom White handler
This brace finally got to run on Sunday! It was a sunny day and the temperature was comfortable at starting time. The ground was soggy with bogs on the hillsides making the going hard on the horses but it was deemed safe to ride. Ted had a stop to flush at 4. Mac scored a find at 7. Ted pointed intently at 8; his birds were flushed while he stood motionless. He scored a second find at 10, again all was in order. Ted notched a third mannerly find at 12. Mac carded his second find at 13, moving slightly at the flush. Both dogs were forward at the creek crossing. Mac pointed again at 15, he needed to relocate and did so admirably. Ted was on a mission and pointed at 23 on the hill above the saddle. He showed good manners and intensity through flush and shot but delayed chase upon release. Mac connected with a third find at 25. The judges notified the handler that he wasn’t changing the standings and Mac was picked up.
Chukarhill Soo Smooth (Arnie) ES M Larry & Shelley Schwerdt owners, Trena Cardwell handler
FC/AFC Oakridge’s Duke of Golden West (Duke) GSP M Steve Passas owner & handler
Duke went out the front shortly after his release and the tracker was out at 14. Arnie ran a beautiful forward pattern at excellent range until approaching the saddle at 23. He slowed and became distracted from his duty; he was picked up at 26.
True Grit’s Hey Sailor (Sailor) B M Sandra Becker owner, Wayne Down handler
FC/AFC Cedar Creek Surgeon (Cutter) B M Joe Waitman owner & handler
Both dogs were forward from the start. Surgeon had an altercation on a bird at 13 to end his chances. Sailor continued forward; he pointed on the hilltop at 25 and everything was in good order. Sailor’s ground race was not making him money and he was up at 30.
FC/AFC Cedar Creek Zeb (Zeb) B M Joe Waitman owner & handler
FC Quest Top of the Marc (Marc) GSP M Kathleen Boyd owner, Randy Berry handler
Marc had a barren stand at 7; Zeb had one at 9. Marc carded a find at 17 on the left hilltop with all in good fashion. Zeb pointed on the right at 20 with all in order. Zeb pointed at 25, on the far left where the course makes its right turn across the saddle. His quarry was a nest of rabbits and Joe opted to pick up. Marc’s overall performance was good but was not challenging the standings and he was up at 43.
NFC/ DC/ AFC VHK’s Leapin Lizzie (Lizzie) GSP F Judy Hewett owner, Randy Berry handler
KC Moen’s Miah’s Rising Sun (Miah) GSP F Gary Moen owner & handler
This brace released at the cattle guard above mile post 7. Lizzie pointed with high style and intensity at 10. She scored another quality find at 12. Miah was out of sight soon after the breakaway and the tracker was pulled at 14. Lizzie was pointing again at 15 and her birds were flushed with all in order. Lizzie’s fourth find occurred just past the pond at 21; again it was nicely done. Her fifth good find was scored at 32. In between her finds Lizzie ran forward at pleasing range with plenty of speed. At 37 she had not been seen for a bit when she was spotted on a hilltop at 12 o’clock, pointing staunchly. This was impressive. Her seventh find came at 46; once again she performed good clean work with intensity. She ran a strong and consistently forward race; she handled kindly. She was forward before time was called but was not in view. She was found on point to complete her fine effort.
FC Say Hey’s Georgia Peach (Ty) GSP F John Derespini owner, Leroy Merrell handler
FC Stirling’s 5Star General JH (Ike) ES M George & Amy Lutz owners, George Lutz handler
The day had turned warm by the time the afternoon running commenced. Both dogs were away nicely. Ike went to the left but was quickly gathered up. Ty stayed forward. At 6, Ike pointed stylishly on a side hill; relocation was required and culminated in a find at 10. At 20 the tracker was out for Ty. Ike slowed with the warmth of the afternoon sun but continued to hunt. He pointed again at 21 but even with relocation nothing was produced. At 25 Ike pointed again but it was a second nonproductive and his bid was ended.
FC JMA’s Sweet Kute D (Kaydee) GSP F John Absmeier owner, Leroy Merrell handler
AFC DCR’s Rough Justice (Jake) GSP M Don Pool owner & handler
At 8, Kaydee showed interest in a whistle pig. At 10, Kaydee and Jake pointed side by side but each took a nonproductive here. Near a large rock outcropping at 18, Kaydee showed nice style on point but was picked up when no bird was found. Jake hunted mostly forward and scored a stylish well mannered find at 24. The judges indicated at 29 that he was not changing the status of the leaders and Jake was taken up.
FC MB’s Make Mine a Double (Mac) B M Robert Miller & Christine Landerholm-Miller owners, Paul Doiron handler
FC Someday’s On the Edge (Rhett) GS M George & Amy Lutz owners, George Lutz handler
This brace left from the edge of camp, heading down hill to the creek. Both dogs were forward from the start. At 16 Mac had an error on a wild flush and was picked up. Rhett pointed stylishly at 18 but came up empty after an attempt at relocation. Rhett’s handler was advised by the Judges at 28 that Rhett was not giving the performance they were looking for.
Hideaway’s Outback Jack (Jack) B M Roger & Debra Borine owners, Joe Waitman handler
28B FC Paige VI (Paige) B F William Lin owner, Paul Doiron handler
At the bottom of the breakaway hill both dogs went left but came around to make the turn to the south. At 13, on the left side Paige pointed then corrected on. Both dogs were hunting but not at great range. Jack’s handler opted to pick up at 23. Paige pointed at 25, her bird lifted while she stood with perfect manners. At 31, the judges pulled the plug on her and the day’s running concluded.
