2009 GSCA Championships Results

2009 GSCA National Championships

National Champion: NFC/NAFC/FC/AFC Milomix Roy

National Championship

31 starters

National Champion: NFC/NAFC/FC/AFC Milomix Roy "Roy"

R-U: FC Cobb's Golden Kernal "Kernal"

3rd: FC Shadowfax Fraser MacFarland "Fraser"

4th: FC Wynd Dancer Tenasscity "Pudgey"

2009 GSCA National Championship

October 16-18, 2009

Scribed by Robert Larsen

Judges: Gene Mosely & Stan Truksa

Day one weather—overcast skies, light NW wind, temperature at breakaway was 41°.

Brace 1: Shadowfax Fraser MacFarlane (Fraser) Ow: L. Barnett; H: J. Rabidou

NFC/FC/AFC Sierra-Nevada Hot Wheels (Jack) Ow: A. Boyd/J. Grunbok; H: J. Grunbok

Fraser and Jack cast off at 7:52 a.m. and promptly went to work. Both dogs were found standing at 10 minutes with Fraserpointing and Jack honoring. A bird was moved by handler Rabidou. Both dogs were sent on to find more birds. At 18 minutes out Fraser was found standing with intensity and style. Once more, Jack moved in, honoring Fraser’s point. Again a bird was found. Everything was judged in order and the dogs were sent on once again. At 28 minutes Fraser was found standing once more. Jack came in for a third time, again honoring Fraser’s point. Again a bird was produced in front of the brace. A few minutes later handler Grunbok elected to pick up Jack. Fraser was found standing for a fourth time. Unfortunately a bird was never produced and Fraser was moved on. At 38 minutes Fraser had another non-productive point. At 55 minutes Fraser was found standing for a 6th time. This time birds were produced. Fraser finished with four well-mannered finds and two nonproductive points.

Brace 2: DC AFC Indian Sky Gordon Hill Scout (Scout) Ow: S. DeSilver; H: M. Basilone

CH Tartana Pollyanna (Polly) Ow: S./C. Clock; H: J. Chapman

For a dog raised near the east coast, Scout seemed at home on this rolling prairie course. Scout had 5 well spaced finds and sought out objectives well. Scout was found several times half buried in thick cover and showed good manners on bird work. Polly had breach of manners on an early bird and was picked up.

Brace 3: NFC/FC Tomars Renegade Crackerjack (Crackers) Ow: A. Boyd/D. Garrett; H: T. Cardwell

FC Shadowfax Field Agent (007) Ow: B./J. Holloway; H: J. Chapman

After castoff, both dogs went hard to work. 007 was found standing intensely near the 10 minute mark. However, no bird was found. A few minutes later 007 was found again standing. Again, no bird was moved. 007 was released to carry on and eventually we caught up to Crackers standing with handler Cardwell diligently working to produce a bird. No bird was produced for Crackers. 007’s handler elected to pick up 007. Late in the hour Crackers did have a successful piece of bird work after crossing the bridge to the east course.

Brace 4: FC Rice Creek’s Jesse James (Rigby) Ow: A. Bailey; H: J. Chapman

Tomars Winged Victory JH (Katie) Ow: J. Grunbok/C. Bury; H: J. Grunbok

At the break, Rigby made a long wide cast to the left edge of the course. He managed to find the wooden bridge over the creek. This unusual move separated the brace mates early on. I stayed with Katie following the better traveled path. When Rigby was able to rejoin his brace mate, I was informed he had performed well during his excursion, finding one bird to that point. Katie worked to find birds throughout the allotted time, but her modest range on this broad prairie course produced only one bird near the 40 minute mark.

Brace 5: FC Tomar’s Locust Hill Surprise (Jill) Ow: A. Boyd/D. Walker; H: T. Cardwell

FC Milomix Roy (Roy) Ow: J. D’Amico; H: J. Chapman

Both dogs were found standing at around 11 minutes. No birds were produced. The judges ruled this non-productive divided. At 15 minutes out, Roy has a very stylish find forward and left of the trail near a small grove of trees. Handler Chapman moved a small covey and everything was nicely in order. At 22 minutes, both dogs were rejoined and were seen moving together well to the front. Both dogs were later found standing together in very heavy cover. A bird was produced. The judges ruled another divided find. At this point these brace mates had covered course impressively. Near the halfway point of the brace, Jill entered a heavily wooded area. Handler Cardwell and her scout had difficulty finding Jill in this thick cover. Unfortunately, a while later Jill emerged on the far side of the woods and the judges noted a breach in manners. Jill was promptly picked up by handler Cardwell. Now alone, Roy was found standing at 40 minutes deep in cover. A final bird was produced and Roy continued strong until the conclusion of the hour.

Brace 6: DC Shadowmere Spellbound Hiflyer (Amelia) Ow: C. Gold; H: T. Cardwell

NFC/NAFC/FC/AFC Par’s Falcon On The Prowl (Tiger) Ow: G./S. Churton; H: R. Smith

The last brace of the day was released at 3:25 p.m. At around the 12 minute mark, Tiger was found on point near the same grove where Roy had found a small covey. Tiger stood well even when the bird flushed back towards him. At 25 minutes Tiger was found standing again, but no bird was produced on this occasion. At 34 minutes, Tiger was found pointing, and handler Smith produced a bird from heavy cover. Meanwhile, Ameliastood a bird nicely at 36 minutes. While Trena was gathering up Amelia, the main group went forward. I was later informed that Amelia had another find at 39 minutes. The dogs remained separated through the remainder of the brace. Tiger was found standing near 38 minutes. However, no bird was produced. At near the 50 minute mark, Tiger emerged from woods far to the front. Tiger was out of judgment for several minutes and handler Smith eventually elected to pick up Tiger. Amelia finished the brace with two bird finds.

Day two weather: Overcast skies; 43° at breakaway, light WNW winds.

Brace 7: ChukarHill Buck Nekkid (Buck) Ow: D./B. Voss; H: T. Cardwell

FC Prairie Star Mint Condition (Minnie) Ow: M. Morf/S. Chapman; H: J. Chapman

Buck and Minnie were off at 7:46 a.m. Both dogs showed lots of youthful enthusiasm as they raced through the first field. Buck continued on a very bold cast. Eventually both dogs worked to the front. At 15 minutes, Buck was seen pursuing some early morning pheasants. Handler Cardwell picked up Buck. At 18 minutes Minnie was found standing stylish and intense. A bird was moved and Minnie was sent on. This was Minnie’s only find.

Brace 8: NAFC/FC Cobb’s Golden Kernal (Kernal) Ow: L. Sanders/P. Jaeger; H: G. Dixon

FC Tomars Renegade Says Who (Sophie) Ow: S./C. Farnham; H: T. Cardwell

Five minutes into the brace Kernal was found standing stylishly near thick cover. After a re-location and lengthy attempt to flush, handler Dixon elected to move on with no bird produced. At 13 minutes in, both brace mates were found standing near separate areas of cover. Handler Cardwell elected to pick up Sophie. Greg Dixon was unable to flush a bird. The judge indicated quail feathers were found. Kernal moved on. At 22 minutes Kernal had a bird flushed in front of his stylish point. At 37 minutes, Kernal displayed his high-on-both-ends style once more. A bird was produced and Kernal moved on. Once more, at 41 minutes, Kernal had a complete piece of bird work. Kernal finished with 3 stylish finds, and a non-productive.

Brace 9: DC/AFC Carolinas All Hat, No Cattle MH (Stetson) Ow: B./J. Holloway; H: B. Holloway

NAFC Tomars Renegade Hot Attitude (Addy) Ow/H: J. Grunbok

Addy and Stetson showed an interesting contrast in styles. Addy covered ground at great speed hitting many objectives. Stetson covered less ground but searched his objectives more thoroughly. At 35 minutes Addy stood a bird while Stetson honored from a nice distance. A bird was produced. Addy had a breach in manners but was left down by the judges. At 55 minutes handler Bill Holloway decided to gracefully retire his veteran dog from the 2009 championship. At 58 minutes Addy pointed a bird and handled it nicely.

Brace 10: Rocins Maggie McTinker JH (Tinker) w: R./C. Voyles; H: R. Voyles

DC Indian Sky Spelbnds Superman (Flyer) Ow: C. Gold; H: T. Cardwell

With the start of the 10th brace the sun began to peek though our overcast skies. Tinker failed to put together a consistentpattern and checked back frequently. Flyer showed a modest but consistent range. At 30 minutes, both dogs were found together near a small but thick piece of cover. Handler Cardwell was able to produce a bird. However, both dogs were lacking in manners and were ordered up by the judges.

Brace 11: Chukarhill Sharp Dressed Man (Z.Z.) Ow/H: T. Cardwell

FC Gunsmoke Highplains Drifter (Drifter) Ow: S. Chapman/R. Trimmer; H: J. Chapman

At 5 minutes, handler Cardwell elected to pick up Z.Z. Drifter continued on alone with deliberate pace. Drifter found three birds—always showing exceptional style on each bird. Drifter had one non productive.

Brace 12: Deja Of The Clan Buchanan JH (Deja) Ow: M./G. Gibb; H: M. Gibb

FC Falcons Blind Sided (Strider) Ow/H: P. Sanborn

This unfortunate brace lasted only a few minutes. Both dogs were ordered up after a breach of manners.

Brace 13: FC Tomars Whistling Dixie (Dixie) Ow: C. Roberts; H: T. Cardwell

Gunsmoke Dust A Flyin (Dusty) Ow: S./C. Clock; H: J. Chapman

The last brace of day two started out promising with both dogs working hard. Dixie was found standing intently at 14 minutes. Dusty approached but was ordered up for not honoring properly. At 30 minutes, handler Cardwell elected to pick up Dixie.

Day three weather: Sunny skies and 39° with freshening south winds at breakaway.

Brace 14: FC Wynd Dancer Tenasscity (Pudgey) Ow: B./D. Voss; H: T. Cardwell

FC Prairie Star Highplainsman (Bart) Ow: M./D. Morf; H: J. Chapman

The last day began shortly after dawn with a brilliant fall sun greeting the first brace. The two dogs proceeded to entertain everyone with an entire hour of non-stop action. Before ten minutes were complete, both dogs were found standing intently on opposite sides of the course. Both handlers flushed birds and from there the action never let up. Bart ended the hour with 3 nice finds and a stylish honor. Pudgey was a veritable whirlwind with 7 finds over intense points.

Brace 15: FC Falcons Wingspan (Solo) Ow: P. Sanborn; H: J. Chapman

FC/AFC Countdowns Duncan MacFarlane JH (Duncan) Ow: L. Barnett; H: J. Rabidou

Both dogs cast off nicely. Duncan had a find early, but Solo failed to back and was picked up. Duncan was moved forward and was to the front along the south pine tree edge where he stopped on point, but after not being able to produce a bird, the handler took a non-productive and moved on. After making the water barrels and starting up the hill, Duncan had a stop to flush.

Brace 16: Philadelphia Freedom (Rocky) Ow: K. Kohles; H: J. Chapman

Bye

Rocky’s day ended quickly before 10 minutes when handler Chapman elected to pick him up.

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National Amateur Champion: NFC/FC/AFC Milomix Roy "Roy"

National Amateur Championship

32 starters

National Amateur Champion: NFC/FC/AFC Milomix Roy "Roy"

R-U: NFC/NAFC/FC/AFC Par's Falcon On The Prowl "Tiger"

3rd: FC/AFC Countdown's Duncan MacFarlane JH "Duncan"

4th: FC Gunsmoke Highplains Drifter "Drifter"

The Gordon Setter Club of America’s Annual National Amateur Championship

October 19-21, 2009

Judges: Jack Higgins & Dr. Roger Boser

Day one weather conditions—clear to partly cloudy, winds light and variable, temperature at start 70°.

Brace 1: NFC/FC Tomars Renegade Crackerjack (Crackers) Ow: A. Boyd/D. Garrett; H: A. Boyd

FC Falcons Blind Sided (Strider). Ow/H: P. Sanborn

Casting off at 1:30 p.m., both dogs make a wide cast to the east to the end of the field and reached the keyhole together. They crossed to the south going over the hill with Strider making a large lateral cast. Dogs together at the rock crossing. Strider goes on point to the right on the hedge at 12 minutes, looking very stylish. Shots fired, all in order. Crackers is found standing on point at 13 minutes, at the top of the hill in the short hedge. Bird was produced, all in order. Both dogs begin to shorten their runs just a little bit as the heat of the day begins to affect them. Both dogs showing to the front at the southeast corner along the pines at 21 minutes. Temps now up to 73°. At 23:29, Ms. Boyd suspects that her dog is showing stress and elects to pick Crackers up. At the water barrels at 25 minutes, and Strider has a stop to flush at 26 minutes with nice style. At 36 minutes pointing a small covey in a bush off the side of the path, with a bit less style and intensity. Reached the backside of the course and the dam crossing at 45 minutes. Going up the hill, Strider is found standing on point and a dead bird is found by the handler at 46 minutes. The dog continues to move forward with a shorter motion and is found on point at 49 minutes. Two birds were produced, shots were fired in order. At the very top of the hill above the clubhouse Strider goes on point again at 52 minutes, in order, and as we cross over the top of the ridge the dog has another point at 54 minutes. Shots fired—all in order.

Brace 2: NFC/NAFC/FC/AFC Par’s Falcon On The Prowl (Tiger). Ow: G./S. Churton; H: J. Grunbok

DC Indian Sky Spelbnds Superman (Flyer) Ow: C. Gold/H: D. Walker

The castoff was clean and through the keyhole at 5:15. Tiger takes the low side of the first field after the keyhole, and Flyer takes the high side along the hedge. Tiger looks to be aggressively looking for game along the low side near the big sunflower patch. Flyer has moved ahead and gone down through the rock crossing at 10:15. Tiger is found standing at the base ofthe big tree by the old water tank before the rock crossing. Standing quite nicely—birds were produced, shots fired, all in order. Flyer has moved on up the hill toward Bird Island at a slightly slower pace. Tiger is through the rock crossing at 15 minutes. Tiger shows a bit of independence after the rock crossing and aggressively hunts the bushes and draw leading up to Bird Island. Flyer had a breach of manners on a bird and was picked up at 16 minutes. Tiger comes around the west edge of Bird Island and has a stop to flush on three birds—all in order. Tiger moves smartly ahead and is found standing at the top edge of the small draw along the far south side of the course across from the south pine trees at 28 minutes. Tiger pointing with a bit less intensity at this point following this long cast. The handler produces a rooster pheasant and Tiger stands nicely. Following an extended water break, we reached the water barrels at 36 minutes. Winds are calm, skies partly cloudy temperature about 72°. We continue up toward Cottonwood Hill with Tiger leading the way with a kindly attitude, going about his work. The handler rolls the dog around over the top of the hill and the dog sprints to the front. Is found standing on point in a small bush clump at 41 minutes. As a judge approaches, a rabbit flushes and the dog stays staunch. The handler elects to move the dog forward, taking a nonproductive and while moving the dog forward, three birds flush. Dog is watered and released to continue at 44. Dog goes about 50 yards and slams on point again. Birds produced—all in order. Tiger takes the two-track path to the west along the hedge looking for game all along the way. At 49 minutes Tiger is still moving to the front with a cracking tail although his range has shortened a bit. He is hunting hard. At 55 minutes, we reached the top of the clubhouse hill with the dog still moving with animated style. Coming to the crest of the hill, Tiger swings around and establishes point in an open grassy area at 57 minutes. Handler toots the dog on. We crest the hill at 58 minutes and Tiger elects to take the right edge east toward the keyhole. Dog is making game along the edge at 59:30, but continues forward, and time is called with the dog showing to the front.

Brace 3: Chukarhill Sharp Dressed Man (Z.Z.) Ow: T. Cardwell; H: D. Walker

Gunsmoke Dust A Flyin (Dusty) Ow: C./S. Clock; H: C. Clock

Casting off at 3:56 p.m., Z.Z. begins in a workmanlike way down the field, while Dusty has decided to go up the hill to thesouth and disappears behind the hedge. At the keyhole at 5:40, Z.Z. continues working his way forward with lateral casts. We have not seen Dusty at this point. Z.Z. goes up to the high side of the hill field, running along the hedge with snappy tail. At 10:00 Dusty shows coming from the rear, bringing along a fresh bird in his mouth. Mr. Clock rounds up his dog at 10:45. Z.Z. makes the rock crossing at 12 minutes, actively hunting the draw toward Bird Island with animated style. Checking in periodically with his handler, he makes it to Bird Island. However he quickly leaves Bird Island and moves ahead. At 24 minutes, Z.Z. goes on point along the south pine tree row, but a dead bird is discovered. He moves on and we reached the water barrels at 31:30. We make the bend and Z.Z. advances up the Cottonwood Hill. He appears to be making game and goes on point at 36 minutes. Dog stands staunch with 11 o'clock tail and high nose. Several birds flush and the dog turns to mark on a running bird. A difficult flush for the handler as the bird runs about 25 feet away. Z.Z. holds temporarily, but temptation becomes too much and he decides to chase.

Brace 4: FC Gunsmoke Highplains Drifter (Drifter) Ow: S. Chapman/R. Trimmer; H: D. Morf

ChukarHill Buck Nekkid (Buck). Ow: D./B. Voss; H: D. Voss

Casting off at 4:54 p.m. as the day begins to cool markedly, Buck heads right up the hill off the line, and Drifter casts straight down the field. Just before the keyhole, Drifter goes on point in open grassland, with nice style. Unable to produce a bird, handler relocates the dog who quickly establishes point again. At that moment, Buck comes from the west along the two-track, and continues past the standing dog. Handler takes a non-productive, and both dogs move through the hill field, with Buck on the high edge and Drifter to the front hedge. Just prior to the rock crossing at 12 minutes, the judges conferred and ordered Buck up for a fail to back. Drifter moves through the crossing and into the field and is found standing on point at the top. At 16 minutes, pointing with high style, a bird is produced—all is in order. Drifter goes across the field and starts moving south along the fence line parallel to the pine trees. At 25 minutes, he is standing on point in the bushes at the corner. Birds produced, dog stands staunchly, all in order. At the water barrels at 33 minutes. As Drifter turns into the open field after the water barrels, he smartly hits an open field point with good style and intensity. Handler flushes a lovely covey of about a dozen birds and the dog stands very nicely. At the top of the hill at 40 minutes, the dog has another fine point, with birds produced, shots fired, all in order. The dog takes the two track to the west, hunting with animated style. At 54 minutes, cresting over the top of the clubhouse hill, the dog is still moving with a pleasing style and gait. He moves across the open field toward the bridge and the judges have asked the handler to turn the dog around the north edge of the field. Dog takes a water break in the river, and continues to move toward the clubhouse at time. A very pleasurable dog to watch. This completed the running for the day.

Tuesday morning, 46°, light winds. Cast-off time is 8:04 am.

Brace 5: Rocins Maggie McTinker JH (Tinker) Ow: R./C. Voyles; H: R. Voyles

CH Tartana Pollyanna (Polly). Ow: C./S. Clock; H: C. Clock

The dogs start by making a sweeping cast down the end of the field. Both dogs go through the keyhole and proceed south up the hill and advance along the hedge line. Both dogs maintaining slightly shorter ranges, but quite animated and make the rock crossing at 8:45. Tinker running with a snappy tail and quickstepgait. Polly is a bit shorter but is actively pursuing game in bushes and hedgerows. Polly is standing at 12:50 along the two-track hedge north of Bird Island Hill. The bird flushes early, but the dog remains staunch. The handler relocates the dog. It is unclear whether the handler realizes that the bird flushed early at this point. Tinker is found standing on the top of the hill near Bird Island exhibiting a little looser style. The handler takes a nonproductive and moves on. Mr. Clock has advanced his dog toward the crest of the hill. Meanwhile, Tinker circles around and re-establishes point in the same hedge as before. A bird is finally produced for Tinker, shots fired and all was in order. Polly is found standing in Bird Island and as the handler approaches, is a little loose in her point but does hold. A bird is produced, shots are fired and all is in order. At 25:25 Tinker is found standing on the far west edge under the pines. Bird is produced, shots fired and the dog stands looking intently. Both dogs are moving together along the two-track at the southwest corner of the course at 31 minutes, and reach the water barrels at 35 minutes. Polly is found standing immediately after the cut. Mr. Clock moves in to relocate, but Polly moves forward on her own. Tinker has advanced with a quickstep through the field and has a successful stop to flush. Polly goes on point near the base of the Cottonwood tree and then self-relocates a couple of times. Handler has a little trouble finding the bird and the judge asks handler to fire. The dog is a bit loose at the shot and takes a step. Further ahead Tinker has had a point and a shot was fired—all in order. Both dogs are moving forward at 45 minutes. Polly goes on point just north of the Cottonwood Hill in the same location where Tinker just had a point. Polly looks a bit loose on the point and unfortunately commits a breach of manners and is picked up at 48 minutes. At 50 minutes Tinker is found standing along the hedge just west of the rock crossing. Bird produced; shots were fired. At 54 Tinker is on point close to the dam. Mr. Voyles is unable to produce a bird and elects to take a non-productive moving the dog across the dam. At time, the dog is moving ahead with animated style and a lively gait.

Brace 6: FC/AFC Countdowns Duncan MacFarlane JH (Duncan). Ow/H: L. Barnett

Setanta Tahosa Kayleigh JH (Kayleigh). Ow/H: M. Keegan

At the 9:17 a.m. cast-off Duncan takes the right grassy slope while Kayleigh moves ahead down toward the end of the field. Both dogs show at the keyhole, and Duncan makes a wide, far reaching cast to the next tree line. At 8 minutes, Duncan is found standing along the hedge line. Birds produced, handler shoots, the dog takes a step, but all is in order and moving on. The dogs become separated following the rock crossing, with Duncan taking the tree line to the right and Kayleigh heading to Bird Island. At 16 minutes, Duncan is found by the scout standing quite far along the hedgerow, where birds are produced and shots fired. Kayleigh has moved beyond Bird Island, heading southwest up the draw, and is seen standing at 17 minutes. Duncan found standing again, and following a very tough flushing attempt on a steep slope, Ms. Barnett was able to produce birds and fire a shot successfully at 19 minutes. It should be noted that Duncan’s scout has done a good job of locating the dog in dense cover. At 25 minutes, Duncan has another point along the north-south pine edge. Bird in the air, all in order. At 27 minutes, a shot in the distance was heard possibly indicating a find by Kayleigh. At 29 minutes, Kayleigh is seen actively hunting along the East-West long sloping draw. Making game in heavy cover along the pines, Duncan begins to self-relocate a bitbefore point is called. The handler attempts to move the dog out of the heavy brush. Duncan moves forward a bit, but locks on point with nice style at 30 minutes. Kayleigh moves by, and is ordered up for a failure to back. Duncan remains staunch while the bird is produced. At 38 minutes Duncan is at the water barrels. This brace is moving a bit more slowly due to the number of birds being found, but the dog is stretching out a bit, and hunting appropriate objectives. At 40 minutes Ms. Barnett signals point on top of Cottonwood Hill. The dog shows strong intensity, but no bird is produced and handler elects to take a nonproductive. At 53 minutes the dog is pointing in the brush clump right at the dam. Ms. Barnett attempts to flush the birds as they were running up and down the steep slope. Following repeated efforts at flushing and multiple trips up and down the slope, the judge asks the handler to fire. With three minutes remaining the dog is heading across the dam. With 46 seconds remaining in the brace Duncan is found standing again in open grass on the slope just north of the dam. The handler identifies a recent hawk kill as time expires. An impressive number of birds pointed by this dog.

Brace 7: FC Tomar’s Locust Hill Surprise (Jill) Ow: A. Boyd/D. Walker; H: D. Walker

Prairie Star Limited Edition (Jett) Ow: D./M. Morf; H: M. Morf

Casting off at 10:35 a.m., Jill makes a long, speedy cast straight to the end of the field while Jett takes the upper edge with exuberance. Both dogs showing great animation and energized ground coverage. They make the rock crossing at 9 minutes. Both dogs proceed toward Bird Island with happy tails and lively gaits. Jill is found standing on the hedge just north of Bird Island at 12:30, while Jett continues to move forward toward the southwest. Ms. Walker relocates Jill who takes two steps and locks back into point. The dog stands very nicely with great intensity during an extended flushing attempt. Handler attempts a second relocation but the dog refuses to move. In the distance a shot is heard from the southern pine tree edge. Jill’s handler elects to take a nonproductive and advances Jill forward. When we reach the west pine tree edge, Jett has been picked up for a breach of manners on the point. On the backside of the hedgerow, Jill goes on point. In extraordinarily dense cover, and following an exhaustive attempt to flush, the handler attempts are-location of Jill and still is unable to produce a bird. The judge indicates he sees a bird running under the brush and asks the handler to shoot. Dog is next found standing at 35 minutes in a very dense clump in a shallow draw. With very nice style, the bird is produced, shots fired—all in order. On the release there was a near disaster as the dog began to circle back in what appeared to be a delayed chase maneuver. However, the handler was able to re-direct the dog forward. The dog moves snappily up toward Cottonwood Hill and on the downward slope the dog makes a “stop on a dime” point in the dead tree clump. Very intense on the point. The dog loses a bit of style following an extended flushing attempt. A bird is produced, the dog holds, shots fired—all in order. With just a few minutes remaining in the brace Jill returns to the location of her first find of the day on the hedge just north of Bird Island, where this time a bird was produced.

Brace 8: FC Tomars Renegade Says Who (Sophie) Ow: S./C. Farnham; H: A. Boyd

FC Falcons Wingspan (Solo). Ow/H: P. Sanborn

Casting off, both dogs energetically cover the field, with Sophie disappearing along the right edge, and Solo going along the far edge. Lost Sophie for a few minutes, but she shows along the second field high edge, and is found on point. Sophie is a bit loose at the flush, and handler verbally whoa’ed her. Sophie had other ideas and moved again, and handler collected the dog. Solo moves forward in large casts with great zip, and is seen coursing across Bird Island Hill. She is found on point with a lovely intensity, and after the shot is moved on. On her second find in the hedgerow, Solo loses some intensity, but still stands. After a quick dip in the creek, Solo comes up at the same time as a pheasant, but the dog apparently did not see it, and was moving in the opposite direction. Solo had one more find during the brace.

Brace 9: FC Prairie Star Mint Condition (Minnie) Ow: M. Morf/S. Chapman; H: D. Morf

NFC/FC/AFC Sierra-Nevada Hot Wheels (Jack) Ow: A. Boyd/J. Grunbok; H: J. Grunbok

The dogs explode off the cast-off, showing great determination and independence. Through the keyhole they are both actively hunting the hedges, with Minnie making wide lateral casts. Jack moves forward nicely across the rock crossing with handlers and judges. Minnie comes from the side and goes down to hunt under the big tree by the old water tank. She goes on point, and thehandler and judge must return across the crossing to work the bird. Shot fired, dog stands with strong intensity and high tail. Jack moves forward into Bird Island and has a successful point. Minnie has advanced to the south pine tree edge and slows a bit while actively hunting. Jack is close behind and is seen mucking about in the dense cover. At the southwest corner, Minnie finally pins down a bird, and while Mr. Morf points it out to the judge, it flushes and Minnie goes along. Jack moves easterly along the pine tree edge and is ordered up for bumping up a bird.

Brace 10: FC Tomars Whistling Dixie (Dixie) Ow: C. Roberts; H: D. Voss

Philadelphia Freedom (Rocky). Ow: K. Kohles; H: J. D’Amico

Mist is settling back in and the temperature has dropped to 50º. The dogs cast off with a spirited run down through the field. Mr. Voss makes the most of his voice by “encouraging” Dixie to go with him. Dogs continue to move ahead to the front with great animated style. Across the rock crossing at 10:30. At 12 minutes, Dixie shows to the front, moving over the crest of Bird Island hill, and Rocky shows on the lower edge of the hill going up along the hedgerow. Both dogs making bold moves over the top of the hill. Rocky shows a little more lateral movement in his pattern and Dixie continues to move ahead. Both dogs show to the front moving along the southern pine edge between the pines and the fence along the backside of the hedge. This brace is moving along very quickly. Both dogs make the corner at the southwest edge at 17 minutes. Dixie elects to follow the course to the east along the pine trees and Rocky decides to work out into the open field a bit more. Dixie then makes a nice move across the two track, and takes the field edge along the north side at 19:30. She's joined by Rocky and both dogs work up the draw. Rocky works a little bit closer and shows more interest in hunting the cover whereas Dixie extends her range and continually moves to the front. Approaching the water barrels, Rocky makes a lovely move along the wooded draw on the north edge. Dixie continues across the gravel road and up the slope slightly toward the parklands before being called back around by her handler to start the long cast up to Cottonwood Hill. At 24:30, both dogs moving smartly toward Cottonwood Hill, with nice animation and reasonable application. Both dogs spend some time hunting the bushes and hedges at the base of the cottonwood. At 28 minutes Rocky is standing in big patch of brush on the slope down from Cottonwood Hill. During the flush attempt, the dog takes several steps in a self-relocation and Mr. D’Amico elects to pick him up. Dixie leads toward Bird Island Hill and makes a bold cast up over the top of the hill with great animation and a cracking tail. At 31 minutes, Dixie is found standing on the hedge at the top of the hill. Birds are produced and the dog makes a turn to mark but does not advance her position on the bird. However the dog then sits down as approached by the handler and handler picks up the dog.

Brace 11: Shadowfax Fraser MacFarlane (Fraser) Ow/H: L. Barnett

FC Prairie Star Highplainsman (Bart) Ow: M./D. Morf; H: D. Morf

The dogs break away and head down the field—neither one with blazing speed but both with pleasing attitudes, going about their work. Immediately after the keyhole, Fraser appears to go on point and Bart comes in for a very stylish back. There is some confusion as to whether or not Fraser is actually pointing or both dogs are backing each other. Ms. Barnett elects to move on and both dogs are sent forward. Bart has a stylish find on the first hedgerow, head and tail up. Bird is produced, shots fired. Fraser also has a find a bit higher on the hedgerow, but self-relocates a couple of times and is picked up by his handler. Bart moves on with a shorter range and lateral application. Goes on point along the pine tree edge in thick cover on the south edge. Bird is produced—all is in order. Mr. Morf continually urges Bart to move forward, which he does with a happy-go-lucky gait. On the downward slope from Cottonwood Hill, Bart goes on point with lovely style at the location where previously chukars had been noted. Bird is produced, shots fired—all in order. Bart finishes with a moderate run, three nice points, and one nice back.

Brace 12: Tomars Winged Victory JH (Katie) Ow: J. Grunbok/C. Bury; H: J. Grunbok

DC/AFC Indian Sky Gordon Hill Scout (Scout)Ow/H: S. DeSilver

Both dogs break away cleanly, moving down through the long clubhouse field through the keyhole, and up through the hills along the hedgerows—neither dog finding game at this point. After the rock crossing, Katie is found standing very nicely at Bird Island. Bird flushed, shots fired, in order. Scout’s gait has shortened up considerably from a few days ago and she does not seem as intense as she had been previously. Ms. DeSilver reluctantly elects to pick Scout up, and discovers that the dog has blown a pad. Katie has a non-productive on the west pine treeedge line. Katie is found standing along the pine trees headed east along the two track at 36 minutes. Ms. Grunbok re-locates Katie and she re-establishes point and three birds are produced. Katie hunts nicely with a bit of a shorter run. Katie has a final point on the clubhouse hill and has very nice style.

Wednesday morning, cloudy skies, light winds, 55 degrees.

Brace 13: Deja Of The Clan Buchanan JH (Deja) Ow: M./G. Gibb; H: M. Gibb

DC Shadowmere Spellbound Hiflyer (Amelia) Ow: C. Gold; H: D. Voss

At the castoff, the two females tangle a bit with each other, then separate and play a little bump and run. They make the keyhole turn and both dogs are moving forward up the hill toward the far hedgerow. Amelia shows zippy animation and a sense of independence. Deja makes the rock crossing and continues up toward Bird Island forward toward the west pine tree edge. Amelia did not appear to make the rock crossing and has headed in her own direction. She is not seen for several minutes. Deja has a solid find on the east-west hedgerow and all was in order. At the top of Bird Island Hill, Mr. Voss pulls out his tracker and Amelia is done for the day. Deja has another find along the southern pine edge and handles it well. Amelia shows up, fails to back and is gathered up by the gallery. Deja goes on point near the road in a clump of bushes. The judges asked that the birds be flown and handler complies with some effort. Deja goes on point again about 20 yards further on. Two chukars are flushed. The dog remained steady. As the brace proceeds Deja’s run is opening up and she's running a little bit more broadly. Deja has one more find on the hill above the clubhouse. Shots fired—all in order. Deja concludes by moving another 100 yards and having another solid point. She has a nice go-round with multiple finds, and a moderate to close race, yet showing potential.

Brace 14: FC Milomix Roy (Roy). Ow/H: J. D’Amico

NAFC/FC Cobb’s Golden Kernal (Kernal) Ow: L. Sanders/P. Jaeger; H: L. Sanders

Both dogs break away with great speed and snappy action. They both go through the keyhole and we lose sight of Kernal, as he disappears to the west. Roy keeps moving ahead with determination. Roy goes west after the rock crossing and is found standing on the hedgerow with lovely style and great intensity. Bird is produced and dog stands staunchly. At 17 minutes, Roy has moved past Bird Island Hill and is working the pine tree edge to the south with a minimum of handler direction. No sign of Kernal at this time. Roy makes the turn to the east along the pine trees, then crosses over the crop field and takes the lower edge in a beautiful, classic move along the objective. At the water barrels, Roy stops briefly and continues across the road and makes a snappy cast up to the top of the hill. Mr. D’Amico rides through the turnaround cut and “yips” to the dog, which brings Roy around the crest of the hill and back down to the handler in a beautiful, flowing move. With 26 minutes remaining, Kernel is timed out. Roy is seen standing in a patch of prairie grasses on the slope up to Cottonwood Hill. After an unsuccessful relocation, Mr. D’Amico moves the dog forward. At 35 minutes, Roy is found standing on the slope down from the Cottonwood Hill with high head and high tail. A couple of birds are produced and Roy stands staunchly—all in order. Roy makes a bold, lateral move into Bird Island and shows an intense point with good style. Birds flush, shots fired—all in order at 38 minutes. Following a water break, Roy is cast off toward the second set ofwater barrels. He holds another lofty point before reaching the barrels and is leaning into the point. With 13 minutes to go, Roy crosses the dam and makes a spirited run across the rock crossing before taking a right turn toward the deep ravine. As time expires, both the scout and handler are looking for the dog. After a couple of tense moments, Mr. D’Amico brings Roy to the front, finishing with exuberance and eager desire.

Brace 15: FC Wynd Dancer Tenasscity (Pudgey) Ow: D./B. Voss; H: B. Voss

FC Rice Creek’s Jesse James (Rigby) Ow: A. Bailey; H: L. Sanders

Both dogs show strong speed at the castoff, which they maintain through the keyhole. Rigby appears to be lacking focus in his application. Pudgey moves ahead with a lively step, and workmanlike attitude. Both dogs make the rock crossing at 11 minutes, and Pudgey moves straight forward into the brushy low area and establishes point. Ms. Sanders directs her dog forward toward Bird Island. Ms. Voss flushes a bird and shoots, but Pudgey turns to mark, takes a couple of steps and is ordered up. At 18 minutes, Rigby was seen on the trail of a deer. Rigby's scout Will Langley is in hot pursuit and is finally able to gather up the dog, which was watered and then cast off. Rigby raced ahead more toward the center of course in the heavier brush and disappeared for another extended period of time. He was located at 29 minutes, but is being picked up by his handler.

Brace 16: FC Shadowfax Field Agent (007) Ow: B./J. Holloway; H: B. Holloway

NAFC Tomars Renegade Hot Attitude (Addy) Ow/H: J. Grunbok

Both dogs break away with snappy excitement, but shorten up as they make the hill before the rock crossing. After the crossing, 007 is found standing along the hedgerow to the west. With very nice style, the bird is produced and shots fired. At 14 minutes, Addy has moved ahead quite far, and is working the pine tree lines. At 24 minutes, 007 moved well ahead to catch his brace mate, who was standing in the dense brush area adjacent to the southern pine tree edge. Since Mr. Holloway had not caught up, the gallery marshal was instructed to stand by 007 as he demonstrated a very pleasing honor. However, Addy had a breach of manners with a couple of hops on the flush and was ordered up. 007 moved on toward the water barrels. At 33 minutes, 007 is on point down the north slope of Cottonwood Hill. A bird was produced and all was in order. 007 was cast off and about 50 yards further went on point again. Several birds were seen running around the bush. One finally took flight, shot was fired, and all was in order. With 20 minutes remaining, 007is seen standing along the hedgerow to the west. He self relocates slightly before the handler arrives and calls point. The dog staunches up with lovely style. Bird is produced, shot fired, all is in order. 007 moves forward with a slightly slower, workman-like quality, and adjacent to the water barrels he locks on point where there had been birds earlier in the day. Mr. Holloway is able to flush one bird, and we moved across the dam. At 51 minutes, the dog is seen standing at the end of the draw in the field above the clubhouse. Bird was produced. The handler and scout exchange guns due to the quantity of birds which have been pointed. With four minutes remaining we crest over the top of the hill and the dog continues easterly along the high edge toward the keyhole. Deer are flushed out of the dense cover, but the dog is standing still. Mr. Holloway elects to take a non-productive, and concludes a very pleasant run.

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Open Puppy

Judges: David Taylor & Claudia Truksa

Par's El'Duderino "The Dude" O/H: Caleb Stroh

Open Derby

Judges: Jack Higgins & David Taylor