Looking back: 2011 Sunflower Open All Age Championship

Champion Chief Two Feathers with Nick Thompson and Runner-Up Connor's EZ Button with Steve Hurdle, back row: Judges, Terry Smith and Freddie Epp, Bud Moore, Steve Colman

Winners: Iron Stone Rolex for Steve Hurdle; Bill for Ike Todd; and Game Watch for Randy Downs

The Sunflower Open All Age Championship

November 7, 2011 to conclusion

Hell Creek WMA, Blue Mountain, MS

The Sunflower Open All Age Championship was invited to the beautiful All Age grounds of Hell Creek Wildlife Management Area at Blue Mountain, Mississippi. The grounds, facilities and the personnel were marvelous. Combine this with great judges and lot of birds and you have one heck of a trial.

The judges were Mr. Freddie Epp of Marion Junction, Alabama, an icon in the sport and a gentleman with impeccable integrity and Mr. Terry Smith of Sallisaw, Oklahoma. Mr. Smith is a professional trainer having won multiple Championships and Futurities, the latest being the American Field Quail Futurity held in Inola, Oklahoma. Because of his knowledge and integrity, a much sought after judge. Both gentlemen agreed on the pace, the handling manner and scouting. With this in mind, the braces were managed the same from start to finish. Both judges wanted the handlers to show them the dogs, with no “out front” scouting.

The winner, Chief Two Feathers, for handler Steve Hurdle, ran the fourth brace leaving on course number one. Braced with the aging, but still game and stylish, Erin’s Southern Pride handled by Justin Wiseman. Pride was soon out of pocket and “Chief” had the course to him self. At ten minutes, he was styled up in the pines with a huge covey out front. Taken on, he was always way, way out front, handling to Hurdle, and between 10 and 2 on an edge or coursing through the pines. At 45, he was found dead ahead again, with another huge covey pointed. He finished across the road taking in the long breakaway edge.

Each judge had a favorite for Runner Up, Dillenger C, for handler Randy Downs, with owner John Holland in attendance, from the sixth brace and Connor’s Easy Button, for handler Steve Hurdle, from the twelfth brace. Both dogs were put on standby and were on the wagon. When the last two braces Thursday morning did not change their minds, the judges called for them to be put down on the regular number three course, to be run until the judges could separate them, no time limit.

At breakaway, Dillenger went to the left edge and Button the right edge. Through the first two fields each held his own. As we traversed Rock Hill, Button had his first find. Dead ahead. When we crossed the road to the pine rows in the single silo fields, Dillenger went far right and was not seen for awhile. Button chose the middle pine rows and went straight to the front and over the hill out of sight. Hurdle rode confidently in front of the judges singing. At 25, point was called for Button standing in beans looking at cover. A second covey was flushed for him, all in order. He was turned loose and again went straight away.  The judges conferred and both dogs picked up. Button being named Runner Up Champion, two finds in each of his times on the ground.

Others with bird work but not displacing the winner this trial were:

            Poison, Randy Downs

            Game Maker, Dr. Fred Corder

            Game Time C, Randy Downs

            Cassique’s Boss, Steve Hurdle

            Sir Lancelot, Hoyle Eaton

There were others, but these threw down the challenge to win the title. All were good, but these were special one way or another.

The Derby drew twenty-three and we saw some great races. Game Watch in the eighth brace showed all how to do it on the ground but went birdless. Handler Randy Downs knew he had a good one when he picked up. However, in the tenth brace, Hurdle had Iron Stone Rolex and Ike Todd had Bill. Both put on a show on the ground, and each had a good find, and a divided find. Three coveys in thirty minutes. It’s hard to beat good ground races and multiple finds. Rolex, Bill and Game Watch were named.

A great trial with good dogs on great grounds. Thanks to Karen Hurdle who did it all. To Doug Arthur for marshalling every brace. To Jack Griffin and Steve Coleman who work the area. Thanks to Vera Courtney who came on Monday and took many pictures. She does a great job. Thanks to Bonnie and Jim Pullman who fixed wonderful lunches each day. Thanks again to our judges who gave of their time, wisdom and themselves to name the winners.