Deep South Brittany Championship Association

Free-For-All Championship

By Kent D. Patterson

It was a clear, cool February afternoon as I turned southwest out of downtown Selma toward the communities of Alberta and Safford, Alabama. Towering oaks with hanging spanish moss, confederate cemeteries, and low-land swamps take field trial visitors back in time to a land that is rich in bird dog history. The cab of the truck was warm and the drone of the powerstroke diesel allowed my mind to wander………….to the dogs, owners, trainers, and spectators having made this same trek for so many years. For many trialers, this part of the country is the holy grail of field trialing and as I drew closer and closer to the area around Tara Hill Plantation, the images of those competitors, both canine and human, flashed through my mind like a black and white slide show. I struggle to imagine how many triumphs, how many hopes failed have been chronicled over the fields and edges that frame this country. A white wooden sign in front of Tara Hill reads, "The Land of Milk and Honey" and it is that and more. One could argue it is also "The Land of Champions", as the famed Clyde Morton, Billy Morton, and Billy Wayne Morton have produced dozens of National Champions and National Free-For-All Champions in this small farming community. Consider the legendary pointers trained out of this area…..Superlette, Luminary, Ariel, Saturn, Palamonium, Canon, Wrapup, and Allure along with modern day greats, Lehar's Main Tech, Lehar's Perfect Tech, and the Peacemaker.

The English Pointer and Setter rule this domain as no other breeds but thanks to the generosity of Alva and Catherine Caine, the patrons of the brittany arrive at Tara Hill Plantation for the second running of the Deep South Brittany Free-For-All Championship.

Quite fittingly, the free-for-all format was born in nearby Letohatcheee, AL by Mr. A. G. C. Sage in his original charter of the National Field Trial Club. The inaugural event was held on December 15, 1913 and changed the future of field trialing as we know it. The National Field Trial Club was born out of disagreement with the policy and management of the United States Field Trial Club as there had been a marked tendency during those years to place "class" dogs. Those being dogs that hunted linearly through the country to such an extent that intelligence and true bird finding ability were becoming a thing of the past. It is an endurance template whereby canine and master must demonstrate excellence in two sessions to be named champion. In the case of the Deep South Brittany Free-For-All, a 45 minute preliminary round to select the qualifiers eligible for the 1 hr championship final. This format is one of only two all-brittany endurance events, the other being the U.S. Open held later this spring at Ardmore, OK. As expected, the trial's pro-forma has drawn some of the best dogs in the country. Handlers and owners from Kansas, New Mexico, Missouri, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Ohio, Kentucky, South Carolina, Wisconsin, and Virginia were in-saddle to participate and enjoy this year's event.

The Free-For-All format is an excellent report card for breeding and training programs. It certainly provides a yardstick, in successive sessions, by which to measure progress within the breed and the Brittany is making progress from an endurance perspective. It also displays how far a breed has to go in reaching a consistent, total package, capable of performing at the highest levels. In watching both the qualifying and championship rounds, it is clear the brittany has improved in dimension, speed, style, intelligence, etc. Unfortunately, all those characteristics reside in only a few select dogs and I would encourage all field trial breeders to attend events of this type, ride every brace, watch every dog, in order to better understand where we are today. The 45-minute, R.D. Hinson Derby Classic is a companion stake to this event and provides an excellent opportunity to see derby prospects on the same grounds. Pleasingly enough, there were multiple performances from these youngsters indicating there are some good ones on the way. To get better dogs, one needs better grounds, tougher tests, and the Deep South Brittany Free-For-All format at Tara Hill Plantation fits the bill.. Three one-hour courses that traverse the plantation with all types of terrain and obstacles…..tight, open, edges, sedgefields, piney woods, hills, gates, draws, and swamps. If you didn't bring a bird dog mentally and physically conditioned, the Tara Hill courses chew'em up and spit'em out.

For this scribe, it is an opportunity of a lifetime. Riding with experienced arbiters Ken Ruff and Sherry Ebert equates to getting a sideline pass to a Super Bowl or dugout privileges in a World Series. Their years of knowledge, service, and dedication to the sport are unquestioned. Sherry and Kyle Ebert train for the public out of their Mott, ND home with an abundance of space and birds. Sherry's years of experience training and trialing the Smith Setters, allows her to see, know, and anticipate most any field trial situation. Ken Ruff has to be considered one of the most successful Irish Setter breeders and trainers. He has bred or owned 8 National Amateur Champions (NAFC), 8 National Field Champions (NFC), 15 Amateur Field Champions (AFC), and 20 Field Champions (FC). He and wife Linda leave their northern Illinois home each summer for the rolling sandhills of northern Nebraska where they train their "Brophy" line of Irish Setters. Both judges are to be commended for pointing out dogs to handlers, positive judging and riding hard to standing dogs when the cap was raised.

The story of Alva Caine and Tara Hill Plantation is one of hard work. Growing up as one of four children of John and Elizabeth Caine, Alva's childhood was spent learning the family's beef cattle operation. Ask anyone who makes a living raising beef cattle, it is a tough and dangerous endeavor that involves everyone. Having later attended The University of Alabama, Harvard Law School, practiced law as a trial attorney, and presided over the Alabama Bar Association, he is giving back to the community, field trialers, and bird dogs. For bird dogs are his first love. As a youngster he could walk out the back door, whistle his dogs out from under the house, and have them standing wild birds across Safford Road before he got out of the backyard. Those were the days when mother nature's wild birds trained dogs….no shock collars, pinch collars, etc. As with the rest of the deep south, wild birds began to decline dramatically in the 70's and Alva was an early pioneer in releasing coveys of birds in early fall and providing food, water, and shelter to assure their survival. By late winter and early spring, the birds are well conditioned to handle weather, predators, and bird dogs that might get a little too close. This model would soon become one that was copied on other notable venues in the area. This plantation is managed specifically for testing bird dogs, every burn, mowing, feed strip planting etc. is designed to create a habitat conducive to survival of quail and showcasing bird dogs. The Deep South Brittany Championship Committee can not thank the Caine family enough for making these magnificent grounds available to our members and visitors for what has become, in a short two years, one of the premier brittany championships in the United States. The Deep South Brittany Championship Association presented Mr. and Mrs. Caine a beautifully framed piece of sporting art for their home as a small token of appreciation for making everyone feel so welcomed on this wonderful venue. In addition to the Tara Hill property, Dr. Kenny Bramlett graciously allows trialers to use his lease on "The Hamilton Place" to provide a natural course flow through both properties.

Tara Hill has all the amenities that make a championship special….superb grounds, horse stalls, corrals, wash stations, judges quarters, main house and oh….the food. Ms. Johnson delivers real southern style chicken, pork chops, rice, potatoes, turnip greens, collard greens, cornbread and the best sweet tea you will ever sample. Alva along with Dan Lowry and Arthur Coleman do it all, drive the dog wagon, trailer fresh horses for judges and guests, and provide great entertainment with their stories. David Justice, a long-time friend, and field trial enthusiast was invaluable as a marshal and judge in the derby stake.. Alva's cousin, John Henry Kitchens, also assisted over the week.

The Deep South Brittany Championship Association directors Richard Krause, James and Betty Doherty, Bo and Renea Ackerman, Scott Ackerman, Mike Dowd, Jerry Kendrick, Ed Palmer, Kent Patterson, Alan Powell, Vance Schlenker, Tim Stewart and Ron Zook put on a 1st class trial that was enjoyed by everyone in attendance. Leah Schlenker, lovely wife of Vance Schlenker, is the "go to" person for all the daily activities that can't be anticipated. It is a trial where participants help each other, handlers, scouts, owners, and visitors. A championship performance is appreciated and enjoyed by all. The championship series on Sunday drew some local dog celebrities in Billy Morton, David Grubb, Kirsten Givhan, and Dr. Kenny Bramlett.

Multiple sponsors not only make this event possible, they make it extremely enticing to prospective participants. Jeff and Karen Haggis provide a saddle to the winning handler. Steve Tucker does the same for the winning owner. Fred Cohen with Trail Blazin Innovations provides the judges and reporter gifts. Nutro and Kasco's support allows for a $2500 purse while Tri-Tronics provides a training collar for the top qualifier. Vance Schlenker is to be commended for his hard work in working with these important sponsors and making this the largest prize/purse brittany event held in the U.S..

WINNERS & OTHERS

The field of 42 was full of familiar names. National Champions, National Amateur Champions, Field Champions, Amateur Field Champions, Dual Champions, and multiple American Field Champions. A strong contingent each looking to be named this years champion.

The winner was found in Pistol Pack'n Walker, owned by current ABC President Ron Zook and capably handled by Ben Lorenson. Gator was the top qualifier and went on to take the championship title just as Hi-Scor Jac D Ruffian did in the 2000 inaugural event held at Blackwater. Gator's qualifying and championship performance was a combination of consistency and excellent timing. Repeatedly, he was found to the front and standing game with classic style. The judges are looking for the best bird dog in a two series showcase and Gator fit the bill nicely. Congratulations to owner Ron Zook, as he was present to see both the qualifying and championship rounds and to Ben Lorenson who not only handled the champion but a dog in every brace of the championship round.

DAY 1

The Running We had a "Chamber of Commerce" morning with a nip in the air and a lowland fog hanging in layers.

Brace 1
Johnson II - Ben Lorenson
Linvel's Apple Dumplin (Dump) - John Kline

Johnson and Dump were away at 8:00 a.m. sharp in the field behind the Caine family home with both starting out across a plowed field. Both dogs decided it was to far to the other side and returned to the original line from breakaway. At 3, Johnson was standing to the right of the course in his usual high style. A flushing and relocation attempt came up empty and we continued north. Both dogs hunted the objectives well over the 1st half of the course with Dump looking like he had grown up on these grounds…wide and well forward. At 43, Johnson had a "Dozer" find as he was standing just behind a bulldozer along side Hamilton Road. There were birds in cover along the road edge and he did an excellent job as Ben flushed birds across the road. Johnson was standing again at 45 behind the Hamilton Road equipment shed with Ben sent a big covey to the east. Dump finished well ahead but unfortunately did not have birds in his time down.

Brace 2
Ruffians Gallant Corrival (Romeo) - Tom Tracy
Diamond Hill Dan (Dan) - John Kline

Romeo and Dan were away along the property line with Jimmy Hinton's Sedgefield Plantation. Romeo took a journey through the piney woods on the right while Dan took a field edge to the left. At 13, both dogs disappeared over a hill were out of pocket for some time with deer a likely culprit. We had both dogs back at 20 as we headed down the hill toward the well pasture. At 24, Romeo had a stop to flush on a single along a right edge of a feed strip with Dan standing a single nicely at 28. At 40, Romeo got the rope as he was being brought to the front and ran through a covey. Dan finished nicely across Safford Road.

Brace 3
Keystone's Part of the Plan - Ben Lorenson
Major Payne - James Doherty

Annie and BoBo broke away along side Safford Road as we headed toward the knoll known as Tara Hill. Annie made a nice move across the front with Bo headed up a fence line. Both dogs got behind the lake and had to be rounded up to head down toward the big CRP field. At 10, both dogs were standing on a finger of cover with birds scattered in front. Both handlers fired and we continued east. At 17, Bo was standing on the left of the course with James moving a single with all manners in order. At 36, Annie had been out of pocket for a while with the scout searching diligently. Finally, a faint "point" was heard and we rode to a pine thicket near the CRP field with Annie buried up on a single. Ben flushed with all manners in order. Bobo was standing again at 40 with James electing to relocate him. He did pin a bird just at time with excellent style. Annie finished her time with a strong cast along the well pasture edge.

Brace 4
Make My Day Dude (Dude) - Jim John
Eye of the Tiger (Ty) - Tom Tracy

Dude and Ty were away southwest from Safford Road. Ty went out of sight on the right edge with Dude headed down the course on the left. At 16, Dude was standing under a big cedar tree with Jim flushing birds down the line, everything in order. At 22, Ty was found standing by the scout on the backside of tree line running northeast. Tom flushed birds and we rejoined the party in the big CRP field. At 35, Dude had birds well located in cover on a small knoll with Jim kicking birds in all directions. Both dogs finished well down a line near the morning breakaway location.

Brace 5
Chancey Jackpot Lotto (Chance) - Tom Tracy
Hi Scor Jac D Ruffian (Hank) - Ben Lorenson

Hank, the 2000 Deep South Brittany Free-For-All Champion and Chance, a youngster owned by Vic and Joyce Roberts were away after a wonderful lunch. They were both a handful early and were not seen much over the early going. At 23, Hank was standing with birds leaving as Ben and the judge arrived. Like a veteran, he handled it well and we continued up toward the lake. As Hank was being watered at 36, Chance remained out of pocket with Tom and scout working hard to round him up. At 44, Tom asked for the tracking receiver as Hank and Ben had a big finish down a line near Hamilton Road.

Brace 6
Hot Roddin Howie (Howie) - Ben Lorenson
Lea's Running Jay Hawk (Jake) - Bo Ackerman

Jake and Howie were away below the Hamilton Road Equipment Shed with Jake standing at 2 in a cut of the creek-line. Bo stepped in, moved a single and regained the front as the course turns southwest along Sedgefield.. Both dogs handled the course along this section of piney woods until it opens backup as we head east back toward the well pasture. At 10, Jake was sailing up an edge and swapped ends. As Bo was flushing, a hawk took flight as well as several quail with Jake handling it all with style. Howie was making a big move as we approached the well pasture and both dogs were found side by side along a small creek. Both handlers fired and headed toward Safford Road. Upon release Jake went down the line and stood again. An extended flushing and relocation effort was barren. Howie crossed Safford Road and was standing at 41 in Egyptian wheat with Ben scattering birds back to the North Meanwhile, Jake had been out of pocket from 38 until 44 when the scout found him standing in cover between Safford Road and the well pasture creek. A single was seen running the ditch below.

Brace 7
CoChief (Chief) - Kent Patterson
Ed's McKissac of Possum Trot (Mac) - Dave King

Chief and Mac were released alongside Safford Road toward Tara Hill. Chief took the left edge with Mack heading across the field to cover on the far side. Both dogs took a line of Egyptian wheat to the lake as the gallery turned down Tara Hill toward a large sedgefield. Mac found a couple of deer that took him northwest while Chief was seen sparingly through this portion of the course. We had both dogs as the course turned back toward Safford Road with Chief taking a left edge that brought him to the front where he crossed and went on point in a small stand of saplings. Kent pointed out a fresh hawk kill and elected to take him on. Both dogs were bullish as we paralleled Safford Road with Chief coming across the front and found standing at 35 with birds hiding in Egyptian wheat. Kent flushed a covey with all manners in order. Mac had mannerly covey finds at 37 and 42 on either side of Safford Road. Chief finished strong up a line at the well pasture with Mac along the left edge of the same area.

Brace 8
Blaze's Ramblin Mo Man (Mo) - Rob Rohner
Pistol Pack'n Walker (Gator) - Ben Lorenson

Mo and Gator blasted away southwest from Safford Road with each taking their own edges. Mo was taking a line toward Hamilton Road as he shot through a cut in the tree line and went on point. As we were riding to him, he was seen under a single thus ending his bid early. Gator returned from an extended cast as we headed up the hill and was found standing at 17 in a small depression of cover near Hamilton Road. Ben flushed birds with all manners in order. Upon release, he took a tree line around a point and was found standing some 100 yards down the backside of the cover with Ben flushing a small covey. We crossed Safford Road and came across Tara Hill toward the large CRP field. Ben had his cap in the air at 31 with Gator having game well located along a strip of cover. Birds were scattered back to the west. Gator finished his brace well to the front rimming small fields that ended near a knoll of pine trees.

DAY 2

We had blue skies, no clouds and temperature in the low 40's.

Brace 9
Far Out Apple Bee (Abby) - John Kline
Shambo's Dark Shadow (Shadow) - Jim John

Abby and Shadow shot straight down the line at breakaway and showed well over the first 10 minutes. At 12, Abby was standing in a point of cover with John flushing a small covey back east. Both dogs were making wide moves from 15 to 27. As Shadow came through a cut in Egyptian wheat, he spun right in front of the judges and gallery. Jim flushed a well-located covey with Shadow maintaining nice style. Both dogs continued strong and forward for the remainder of the brace finishing parallel to Hamilton Road.

Brace 10
Walker's Gunner (Kid) - Ben Lorenson
Gator's Chili Bean (Chili) - Jim John

Kid and Chili were loosed south of Hamilton Road with Chili providing the early gallery entertainment. He blasted down the left edge, found a deer carcass, and proudly paraded a big rib bone as he came across the front. Jim convinced him to drop the bone but it must have whetted his appetite for the real thing as he disappeared into the deer-laden piney woods of Sedgefields. Jim asked for the tracking receiver at 25. Kid was almost lost to the same fate but scout Jerry Kendrick got him back on course. He began to stretch the course and was found stylishly standing beneath a huge pine tree at 25. A big covey blasted away and we headed toward the well pasture, where he took the right edge. The remaining 15 minutes was a forward, flowing application that finished nicely up a line toward Tara Hill.

Brace 11
Lobo's Microdash (Dash) - Ben Lorenson
Winchester of Hanging Jaze (Chester) - Bo Ackerman

Dash and Chester were released on the north side of Safford Road as we headed toward Tara Hill. Dash took a hard right and had to be rounded up while Chester went straight away into an island of cover. Both dogs were watered at the lake on Tara Hill and that was the last we saw of Dash with Ben leaving at 20 to locate him. Chester was wide through the big CRP field and a bit bullish as we headed toward Safford Road. As we crossed the road, Chester was one of the few dogs that ran the well pasture edge from right to left showing nicely down a line in front of the field trial party. Unfortunately, his hour was birdless.

Brace 12
Joker's Our Gang Alfalfa (Alf) - Jim John
Hybrittin's Flatwood Floozie (Floozie) - Ben Lorenson

Alf and Floozie shot away to the southwest with Alf being the wider down a line to the right of the course. At 8, Floozie spun on point going up a line toward Hamilton Road. Alf came out of the cover and backed nicely as Ben moved a small covey. At 13, Floozie was standing with birds scattered in front near Hamilton Road handling the flush and shot with excellent manners. Alf was out of pocket with scout working to get him back as we crossed the road at Tara Hill. We had both dogs at 21 headed down the hill from the lake. At 41, both handlers had their hats with the dogs standing 15 yards apart. Ben kicked a bird from in front of Floozie and took her on. Jim chose to relocate Alf and had a stop to flush at time.

Brace 13
The Prodigy (Jim) - Kent Patterson
Tequila's Joker (TJ) - Jim John

Jim and TJ were away at 1:30 behind the Caine's family home with winds in excess of 15-20 mph and threatening skies. Both dogs went straight away to the first line of cover and were forward to the 15-minute mark where TJ had a nonproductive in cover to the left of a crossing. At 20, Jim made a big move to the right of the course as we headed up toward Tara Hill. At 23, the scout found TJ standing in a pine thicket with Jim flushing a single with all manners in order. At 35, both dogs went through the Sedgefield gate and were out of pocket for the remainder of the brace.

Brace 14
Boot's Miss Hanging Tough (Tuffy) - Tom Tracy
Lightning's Bismark (Biz) - Bo Ackerman

Tuffy and Biz headed south along the boundary with Sedgefields. Both dogs were a handful over the first 10 minutes as this part of the course seems to pull dogs deep into the piney woods. Bo got Biz back at 13 but Tom couldn't get Tuffy out and it would end her bid. Biz was standing at 20 near a gate going toward the well pasture with Bo kicking birds into pine thicket. Taken on, he spun some 30 yards down course with Bo moving a couple of stragglers. Biz showed well along the bottom side of the well pasture at 35 and ended his brace on the north side of Safford Road.

Brace 15
Piney Run Sam (Sam) - Ben Lorenson
Locar's Double or Nothing (Clarky) - Tracy

Sam and Clarky broke hard right from breakaway requiring both handlers to get them turned as we headed up toward Tara Hill. We crossed below the lake at 15 and found Sam was standing on a point of cover. Ben's flushing and subsequent relocation did not produce birds. As we entered the big CRP field, Clarky was making a huge, flashy cast off to the left with Sam coming in from the right. Sam was a handful in the CRP field while Clarky was rimming course 1 off to the left. This extended cast brought him up a line that put him dead to the front. At 38, Sam was standing in a tree line cut with birds scattered in front. Ben got a couple in the air and took him on. At 40, Clarky was staunch on the edge of Egyptian wheat with a nice covey leaving as Tom stepped in to the heavy cover. Both dogs finished nicely up an edge toward Hamilton Road.

Brace 16
Hank's Rebel Yell (Billy) - Ben Lorenson
Oak Run's God Dig N Blake (Blake) - John Kline

Billy and Blake were side by side as we headed south from Safford Road. Blake took a hard left and went over in the well pasture and was scouted hard over the first five minutes. Once he returned, he still wasn't listening to suit John, so he got the rope at 8. Meanwhile, Ben rode hard to keep Billy off deer and sent him up the hill toward Hamilton Road, where we found him standing at 13. Ben pushed 3 birds back to the south. After his find, Billy starting digging in and Ben elected to pick him up just across Safford Road.

Brace 17
Julry's Gem Dealer (Dealer) - Tom Tracy
Gilbert's Tiger Kat (Kat) - John Kline

Dealer and Kat were away under clear blues skies as a front had come through overnight. Kat made a nice move across the front and was standing a 5 on birds that were running under cover. John finally got one up and we rejoined the front where Dealer was standing stylishly on a point as the course turns southwest. Tom flushed a single and both dogs made nice moves over the next 15 minutes. At 28, both dogs were out of pocket. John cashed it in at 35 as Kat was found on a neighboring farm . Dealer returned at 35 from the left, was watered at Tara Hill Lake, and disappeared again near the Sedgefields gate. He wasn't returned to judgement in time.

Brace 18
Rebel's Tough is Tyrone (Tyrone) - Jim John
Oak Grove Patch Out (Patch) - Doug Reisner

Tyrone and Patch were released below Hamilton Road as the course runs along Sedgefield Plantation. This particular course has been trouble for a number of dogs and both handlers were keeping their charges in hand until the course opened back up at 15. Tyrone was the first to hit "turbo" as he took a line out of sight back toward the Hamilton Road equipment shed. Jim rounded him up and brought him over the hill toward the well pasture where he made a big move to the north. Meanwhile, Patch had settled into a nice forward hunting application. With every passing minute, you could see the momentum building as Tyrone was running bigger and bigger while the handler and scout getting busier and busier. It ended with Tyrone being counted out at 41 as Jim asked for the tracking receiver.. Patch made a nice move around the east end of the well pasture and was standing at 34 across Safford Road. Doug couldn't produce a bird and allowed him to relocate up the line where he pointed a nice covey on a ditch bank. Unfortunately, the covey rise was a bit too much excitement and he was called for steps.

Brace 19
The Arctic Express (Katie) - Ben Lorenson
Ortho Acres Goldberg (Goldberg) - Tom Tracy

Katie and Goldberg were loosed along side Safford Road headed north. Goldberg got the trial's "quickest-up" award as he blasted down an edge and hit a covey at the 30 sec mark…..it was a little to early for that much excitement. Katie escaped the melee and was gone over the next 15 minutes until she returned on her own and Jerry Kendrick took over in Ben's absence. Ben returned at 20, just in time to find Katie standing down a line below Tara Hill. An extended flushing effort with relocation, produced a small covey. The remainder of the brace was a big forward flowing application that ended near Safford Road.

Brace 20
Breeze County Clyde (Clyde) - John Kline
Blaze Dakota Trucker (Trucker) - Rob Rohner

Clyde and Trucker had everyone sitting up as they took in lots of ground as we headed toward Hamilton Road. Trucker was styled-up at 8 under a cedar tree with Rob pushing a single out. Trucker had finds at 11, 13, and 18 with excellent manners. Clyde had been out of pocket early but both handlers and dogs were together as we headed down Tara Hill. Clyde went on point at 20 with Trucker standing around the corner. John moved a bird in front of Clyde and took him on while Rob had an extended flushing and relocation effort that was barren. At 30, Clyde was styled up in a tree line gap with John moving a small covey to the west. Trucker took in the big CRP field in a fast forward style with both dogs finishing down a creek edge near Safford Road.

Brace 21
Rambling Rose VIII (Rosie) - Rob Rohner
Linvel's Blazin Sunspot (Spot) - John Kline

Rosie and Spot were side by side as they blasted up an edge behind the Caine homeplace. Rosie was stretched out and styled-up at 10 with a covey nicely located. Rob flushed with all manners in order. Spot was keeping John and Sharon busy as he was wide and a bit bullish over the entire 45-minute brace. He finished birdless. Rosie, the 1995 National Open Champion, has a little grey in her muzzle but can still put on a show and had everyone in the gallery standing in their stirrups as she took in big chunks of real estate all the way to Safford Road. As Rosie finished parallel to Hamilton Road and Sedgefields…it happened again……the "tractor-beam" pull of Sedgefields took her deep into the piney woods and ended her bid as she was lost at time.

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

The Deep South Free-For-All Championship calls for a minimum of 6 dogs and a maximum of 10 to be called back for the championship round. Based on the calibre of dogs, judges Ebert and Ruff elected to bring back 10. The dogs were paired based on their order in the qualifying round.

We had a hazy, broken cloud morning with temperature in the mid-40's for the championship round.

Brace 1
Keystone's Part of the Plan - Ben Lorenson
Make My Day Dude - Jim John

Annie and Dude broke away from Safford Road headed north. Dude broke right and went toward the Caine barn where Jim rounded him up and back on course. Annie was out of pocket briefly and returned at 10 as the course swings west. Dude made a big move up toward the pine thicket. At 15, Annie was standing loosely near an island of cover. Birds had been seen leaving so Ben stepped off and fired. At 18, Dude was found standing by the scout, with Jim kicking a small covey out with all manners in order. As we crossed the big CRP field, the sun popped out and built a pyramid of light leading us up Tara Hill. Dude and Annie returned at 28 from opposite directions and were bit bullish over the next 15 minutes with both handlers working hard to keep them on course. At 50, we were alongside Sedgefields with Dude disappearing into the piney woods and Annie finishing at moderate range near Hamilton Road.

Brace 2
Hi Scor Jac D Ruffian - Ben Lorenson
Far Out Apple Bee -- John Kline

Hank and Abby were away from the lake at Tara Hill as the gallery began to swell with additional riders. We were joined by Billy Morton, Catherine Caine, David Grubb, and others as we headed down the hill to the north. Both dogs got hung up a bit in the big CRP field but were rounded up and taken toward the gap. At 23, Hank took a line to the right with John looking for Abby on the left. Ben came forward with what he thought was Hank but it turned out to be Abby as these dogs look very similar. At 26, Abby was standing on a tree line near Safford Road with John disturbing a large covey that was feeding. Taken on, Abby spun at 29 near a feeder with another covey pushed airborne. All manners were in order for Hank as he stood at 30 near Safford Road. Both dogs took the left edge crossing the well pasture with Abby going in deep and Hank being rewarded for coming around to the front as he pinned a single along a ditch at 41, with all manners in order. At 43 Abby had not returned and deer were seen leaving in front of Hank causing Ben and scout to ride hard in an effort to avoid any chase. At time, Hank finished with a nice showy cast down a line hear the Hamilton Road while Abby was counted out for time.

Brace 3
Pistol Pack'n Walker - Ben Lorenson
Shambo's Dark Shadow - Jim John

Gator and Shadow had their running shoes on as the scouts let them go near Safford Road. At 5, Gator was standing on a tree line with birds well located and all manners in order as Ben flushed. We had both handlers and dogs as we crossed below the lake at Tara Hill with Shadow making nice moves down the hill as we approach the big CRP field. Both dogs rimmed the course edges as we headed north. At 26, Shadow was flashing under a knoll of pine saplings when a bird lifted and he went with it to end his bid. Gator made a deep move around the left margin of the course as we turned back to the Caine homesite. He was rewarded as the scout, Vance Schlenker, found him buried on a small covey with excellent style and manners. Taken on, he stayed consistently forward and had another cover pinned along a ditch bank at 47. At 56, Gator was standing on the edge of a bamboo thicket. An extended relocation took the handler and judge Ebert deep into the cover resulting in a single bird being pinned with manners to end the brace.

Brace 4
Walker's Gunner - Ben Lorenson
Locar's Double or Nothing - Tom Tracy

Kid and Clarky were up after a nice noon meal with both dogs being forward and fast over the first 10 minutes as the course turns west. They continued to stay in touch but wide all the away course 1 until the big CRP field where Clarky got out of pocket. At 31, we were crossing behind the lake at Tara Hill with Vance Schlenker handling Clarky briefly until Tom returned from looking on a tree line to the east with Kid disappearing over the hill toward Hamilton Road. This was to be the last we saw of Kid until his recovery after time. At 40, Clarky was found standing loosely in Safford Road. Tom had an extended flushing and relocation effort up and down the road easement but couldn't produce a bird. At 52, Clarky stood a small covey below the Hamilton Road equipment shed and finished at moderate range down a tree line to the east.

Brace 5
The Arctic Express - Ben Lorenson
Blaze Dakota Trucker - Rob Rohner

Katie and Trucker were loosed from the top of Tara Hill as the gallery took in the wonderful vista afforded from this natural vantage point. Trucker went around the end of finger of cover and was standing at 1. Rob flushed over a wide area and relocated him a number of times but couldn't produce a bird. Upon release he shot to the front where both handlers and dogs crossed the big CRP in fine fashion. Both dogs were in and out of pocket over the next 20 minutes but gathered up and taken across Safford Road to the well pasture where Trucker made a showy cast around the left edge. Katie made the mistake of trying to cross in the muddy plowed section and quickly lost momentum. As we exited the well pasture, Katie swapped ends at a burn pile that had birds scattered out and feeding. Several lifted early and she picked one out and went with it to end her bid. At 50, Trucker made a huge move around an edge that leads back up to Hamilton Road. As he came through the end of a tree line, birds lifted, and he was seen moving to end the championship.

WINNER

Mr. and Mrs. Alva Caine have graciously extended an invitation to host the 2002 Deep South Brittany Free-For-All Championship. There are many wonderful venues available to brittany enthusiasts across this country and I would invariably leave out one if attempting to name them all but I can assure readers of this fact, if you haven't watched the American Brittany showcased at Tara Hill Plantation, consider your field trial life incomplete.

Safford AL., Feb 8-11,2001
Judges: Sherry Ebert and Ken Ruff
The Deep South Brittany Free-For-ALL
[45 Minute Qualifying Heats]
[1 Hour Championship Heats]
42 Entries

Winner
Pistol Pack'N Walker, Brittany Male
By Chikamin's Mr. Walker --- Rimini's Blaze'N Chick
Ron Zook, owner; Ben Lorenson, handle