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.
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