Deep South Brittany Championship Association

2001 Free-For-All Champion

By Kent D. Patterson

Pistol Pack'n Walker (Gator) - Ben Lorenson h.

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.

Gator and Shadow (Shambo's Dark Shadow - Jim John) 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.

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

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE FREE FOR ALL 2001 CHAMPIONSHIP WRITE UP