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2003 Free-For-All Championship

By Kent D. Patterson

The blue sky of late afternoon was laced with orange as I traveled west out of Selma, AL toward Tara Hill Plantation. Bogue Chitto creek was up and unpicked cotton hung like tears in the vast bottoms along Hwy 22, speaking silently of a wet winter. Dogs and horses began shifting in the gooseneck behind me as they sensed country they needed to explore. Those senses relegated to the animal world that allows them to know things we don't .....scents and sounds we can't smell or hear but you know they are there…..telepathed from great dogs, men and hallmark coveys that roamed this ground as they wrote their story in the history of the field trial sport. Stories of Man Rand, Clyde Morton, Luminary, Palamonium and the well covey.


The call of point, the hoof beats of favorite horses, and the late afternoon whistle from "Mr. Bob" to a scattered covey. This land excites the senses of field trialers like no other place I visit. Beginning with the immortal A.G. C. Sage, it continues to produce some of the highest quality dogs campaigned on the major pointer/setter circuit today and thanks to the generosity of Alva Caine, the American Brittany now has a showcase event by which to measure itself in this cradle of history.

"Build it and they will come" aptly describes the Deep South Brittany Free-For-All Championship. In four short years, it has become the premiere, private ground, Brittany championship in the United States. Swelling entries, better dogs, larger purses, and exquisite but challenging grounds culminates in the naming of a champion. I have ridden and written every brace of this championship for the past 4 years. I've watched and listened to the skillful men and women that have handled and judged

the dogs and I can say without hesitance, this is the most difficult brittany championship in the country to master. Top-flight competition, challenging terrain, multiple covey contacts per brace tends to separate hopefuls in quick fashion. To win here, a dog and handler have to win twice. The top qualifier along with the other 9 dogs called back would likely have won any major Brittany championship with their first round effort, but in this case, it only gets you an invitation back.

Proprietors, Alva Caine and Kenny Bramlett provided ample opportunity for dogs to display their skills as the released coveys of late summer survived the winter well, flying like wild birds when disturbed by a handler with a smoking shotgun. The hospitality was familiar, all guests treated as family, what is mine is yours. With a full compliment of amenities, Tara Hill provides a barn, corrals, electrical hookup and plenty of space to stake out the dogs. Dan and Clarence handle the dog wagon, open gates, and any other chore that makes for running a smooth trial. The Caine home place becomes the hub for all activities as the brace drawing fills the house with laughter, good food and beverage for those getting reacquainted since the Nationals. Ms Johnson always brings a true southern meal selection each day as weary participants enjoy good food under a warming noon sun.

Judges Bob Bonner of Atmore, AL and Doug Vinzant of Jackson, MS have seen plenty of top quality bird dogs in their lifetime and were excellent choices to sort out the largest pool of dogs in the history of this event…72 in the qualifying rounds. They were attentive, courteous and highly complimentary of the field. Both conveyed their observations of the breed in naming the winners and had everyone smiling by indicating there was no need to believe or accept the Brittany plays second fiddle to the long tails. Professionals Bob Burchett, Scott Johnson, Jimmy Berneathy, Rob Rohner, Chad Holman, Tom Tracy, Ben Lorenson, Dave Walker, John Kline and Dave King brought their talented strings south with amateur's Chuck Angus, Kevin Stonehouse, Kent Patterson, and Frank Pride rounding out the list of handlers releasing dogs.

James Doherty, Dick Krause, Vance/Leah Schlenker, Bo/Renea Ackerman are the stalwarts and driving force behind the Free-For-All. They cover all the duties to make an event of this magnitude an enjoyable week. Sponsorship from Tucker Saddlery, Haggis Saddlery, Tri-Tronics, Nutro, Trail Blazin Innovations and the Deep South Championship Association create a purse and prize package that tops all other championships in the country. Please consider these fine companies when making your next purchase, as championships of this caliber are not possible without their support.

THE WINNERS

The judges were given the ability to brace dogs called back for the championship round and there was a reason they braced Keystone's Double Shot, owned by Dr. Ken Cherry of Warriors Mark, PA and The Time Machine, owned by Tony Vescoso of South Lyons, MI. Professional trainers Ben Lorenson and Chad Holman had showcased their charges with confidence as both dogs did exceptional work in the qualifying round. The judges and gallery wanted to see them head to head. Trip took the 1st round as he was named Top Qualifier. On Sunday, Shooter turned the tables with a reaching, flowing, front-end hour. Trip was right there and at the conclusion of the hour everyone was wondering which way the judges saw it. Here is an accounting of their battle.

Trip started with a monster cast deep to the east then swung to the front as Shooter stayed on the eastern edge of the course, took the woods cut and was last seen headed on an extended cast toward the saw-tooth oaks. Trip returned from his original cast 10 minutes into the brace near the Tower of Power as the faint cry of "Point" was heard for Shooter far to the south. His original cast took him deep into course 3 where he was found standing statuesque on a feeding covey. Trip made a cast toward the lost pasture with Chad calling point at 25. No birds were produced and we had both handlers back together as we headed toward the limestone gully. Both were showing their wheels with Shooter probing a pocket of cover to the north and Trip flashing on a hill near the lake as the gallery continued to whisper. Both dogs were strong along the Sedgefield fence and punched through the Hamilton Gate as everyone prepared for the final 15 minutes. Trip went up to Hamilton Road and nailed the ever-present covey at 40 as Shooter had the hammer down going long on a north-south tree line. Released from Hamilton Road, Trip circled behind the new Bramlett house and pinned a large group of birds at 48. Both dogs still had plenty of jump as we went over the hill toward the well pasture with Shooter finishing up a line toward the equipment shed as Chad worked to get Trip out of cover along the well pasture fence.

QUALIFYING ROUND
DAY 1

Overnight a front moved through with high winds and rain. There was plenty of water in the ditches but clear blue skies and 43 degrees as the crowd gathered down Safford Road.

Brace 1:
Hybrittin Slick Fifty (Boozer)-Kline
Chancey Jackpot Lotto (Chance) -Tracy

Both shot straight down the course and hooked back toward Hwy 21. Chance was seen briefly at the hog pen and the last we saw of him. Boozer moved nicely toward the lake and was found standing in broom sedge near a tree line gap at 38. All manners were in order as he finished at moderate range below the lake.

Brace 2:
Pineyrun Sam (Sam)-Lorenson
Brandy's Blaz'n Gem Candy (Brandy) -Walker

We were away from the Bramlett place with both dogs headed toward the piney knob to the south. Both went over the hill with Brandy headed east and Sam showing down a line toward the Well Pasture. At 25, Sam was standing a big covey that Ben kicked up along Hamilton Road. Brandy was not been recovered from her cast at 16. Sam flew down the hill below the lake and did not return before the brace ended.

Brace 3:
Simply Irresistible (Kandy)-Burchett
Suka's Win Mini (Mini) - Johnson

Away from Safford Road at the west end of the well pasture, Kandy was found standing in sparse cover near Camp No Sleep. Bob flushed a single that went back over her head and she went with it to end her bid. Mini had her running shoes on and was seen up front a couple of times to the 20-minute mark where she vanished for good.

Brace 4:
Locar's Double or Nothing (Clark)-Tracy
Hi Proof Whizki (Whizki) -Walker

Whizki is a high-powered derby age dog that was seen for about 60 seconds as he powered across the Suttle 40 to parts unknown. Clark's hour was a nice big forward session with big moves toward the lake and around the saw-tooth oaks. Unfortunately, he had no birdwork however the gallery had a couple of nice finds.

Brace 5:
Mokan Razzle Dazzle (Razzie)-Rohner
PokiDot (Poki) - Johnson

Razzie and Poki are veteran performers and both showed their stuff with Poki standing a big covey below the pine thicket on course 1 with all manners in order. Both were rimming the large spaces leading toward the lake. At 43 below Hamilton Road, Razzie was standing with excellent style on a small group of birds caught lounging in broom sedge. Both finished below the equipment shed with a solid, forward effort.

Brace 6:
Dot's Trademark Dejavue (Millie)-Stonehouse
Shady's Koala T (Misty)-Lorenson

Millie and Misty were released on course 2 and were at moderate range over the first 30 minutes where Millie scored on a covey near Hamilton Road. Misty was beginning to stretch the course and had a limb find on the eastern tree line below the lake. Both finished in the Suttle 40.

Brace 7:
Sniksoh Corky (Corky)-Burchett
Sadie Fair Lady (Sadie)-Johnson

From the well pasture, both dogs came across the front and hit the gap that leads to Camp No Sleep. Corky shot to the far corner and was seen under a covey. Sadie was under the pine canopy of Camp No Sleep standing birds with all manners in order. At 20, Sadie stood a covey on the knoll near Sedgefields and was forward the remainder of the brace that ended along Safford Road.


DAY 2

Clear blue skies and temps in the mid 40's.

Brace 8:
Sparky's Runaround Sue (Sue)-Berneathy
The Time Machine (Trip)-Holman

Sue and Trip shot to cover across the large breakaway field with Sue headed west and Trip through the gap toward the hog pen. At 17, Trip was standing a covey on a finger of cover with all manners in order. Both dogs were forward and moving well toward the Lost Pasture with Sue coming across to the large broom sedge field as Trip continued his cast out of sight and was not seen for over 10 minutes until he appeared well forward at the gap to the lake. He made a big swing to the top of hill and both dogs finished down a line of cover below Hamilton Road.

Brace 9:
Rumor Too (Rumor)-Berneathy
G and M Hi-Spirit Rowdee Radar (Radar)-Angus

From the Bramlett Place, both dogs stayed in the mowed cut and were seen on the far knob and down the hill to the well pasture gap. Both were in and out of pocket over the hour and showed the effects of grounds that were wet and muddy. Neither was credited with bird work as we finished just short of Safford Road.

Brace 10:
Dixie's Kids Ultimate ATV (H) -Tracy
T Bone (T) - Johnson

Both spent some time in the first two pastures trying to get lined out as we head up to Camp No Sleep. H flashed across the top of the hill as T was out of pocket. Through the Sedgefield alley both moved at nice range as we turn back toward Hamilton Road. H showed on the left edge as we went down the hill toward the Well Pasture. Scott asked for the receiver at 40 as T had disappeared back near Hamilton Road.

Brace 11:
Hi Point's On The Fly (Fly)-Holman
Rowdy Mt. Rio Blanco (Rio)-Burchett

Both dogs left the Suttle 40 in a hurry and went to the far right corner where a covey was seen lifting. Neither was charged with a misdemeanor but Rio must have tracked a single and was seen chasing at 5. Fly was standing in Egyptian Wheat at 6 but nothing was moved. Fly had a small covey at 7 with all manners in order and was standing another group at 10 near Safford Road. She was released up the hill to the lake and had shortened as we neared the saw tooth oaks with Chad electing to pick up.

Brace 12:
Ricoche-T (Rico)-Walker
Clyde's Micro-Breeze( Mike)-Kline

Mike was a handful from the start and was seen at brief intervals over the first 15 minutes. By the time we had reached the Tower of Power the scout was earning her pay. Rico made a big move over to the saw tooth oaks and was found standing in broom sedge near the deer stand. No birds were moved. At 25, Mike came from behind and John elected to pick up. Rico began to stretch the course and made a big move down the west side of the course and then crossed to a tree line along the south where he stylishly stood a covey near a feeder with all manners in order. We finished at the lake.

Brace 13:
Gray's Last Chance (Chance)-Walker
Ed's McKissick of Possum Trot (Mac) -King

From the Bramlett Place, both dogs started slow but began to get lined out as we came over the hill and through the well pasture gate. We had both dogs and handlers as we crossed Safford Road and down the hill. At 40, Chance stood a hard flying covey with excellent manners beneath the pine canopy. Mac had to be turned as we went toward the Suttle 40 where we ended along Safford Road.

Brace 14:
Ajax VII (Ajax)-Holman
Blaze Dakota Trucker (Trucker)-Rohner

Ajax and Trucker were a handful for the first 10 minutes as we crossed the west end of the well pasture. Trucker came in from a line far to the east as Ajax stood a covey at 10 with all manners in order. Both were wide as we headed toward the Sedgefield Alley where Ajax had a non-productive at 20. Through the alley, Ajax hunted the Sedgefield fence line and popped out front with Trucker coming in from the east. Trucker was standing with excellent style at 35 in a gap below Hamilton Road. All manners in order. Ajax was out of pocket on top of the hill as we paralleled Safford Road with both dogs showing at the bottom of the chute to finish the brace.

Brace 15:
Keystone's Double Shot (Shooter)-Lorenson
High Hopes Tar's Soot (Soot)-Burchett

Shooter zipped up the Suttle 40 in fine fashion and shot over to a long line that he took toward the lake. Soot was not cooperating early but got lined out near the bottleneck and showed nicely along the edge toward Safford Road. Shooter traversed the lake hill, shot north down the hill and then west to rim the far edge of the course. Soot got off course back at the lake with Bob regaining the front at 25. Shooter came across the front near the judges and the reporter handled him briefly as Ben and scout were north looking for him. He was standing at 30 in the saw-tooth oaks with all manners in order. Soot went deep into course 1 with scout working hard to get her back. Both finished strong and forward down a line toward Safford Road.


DAY 3

Overcast skies, light drizzle and temperatures in the mid 40's

Brace 16:
Dakota Alley-Cat (Tiger)-Rohner
Buddy Jac (Buddy)-Holman

Tiger and Buddy sailed to front and through the hog pen chute. Buddy scored first on a covey near a feeder, as the course turns west. Both rimmed the Tower of Power field at a high rate of speed and shot toward the Lost Pasture. At 25, Tiger was standing near the limestone gully on a single with all manners in order. Buddy maintained the front as the gallery rode behind the lake and was collected up at the Hamilton gate awaiting the judges. He was released down the line below the equipment shed and showed to the far front at time. Tiger was lost in the pocket of space north of the lake.

Brace 17:
Wyngold's Katahdin (Baxter)-Kline
Q-Ball (Cubes)-Johnson

Cubes and Baxter handled the early portions of course 2 intelligently with only a short deer chase detracting from the effort. Cubes was out of pocket briefly at the Well Pasture gate as Baxter was glued to the northern edge as we head back up the hill. At 25, Baxter pinned the Hamilton Road covey and with cautioning from his handler at flush. Cubes regained the front as we headed down the hill below the lake and had a couple of non-productive stands along eastern edge. Both finished in the Suttle 40.

Brace 18:
Dogwood's Gem Nicole (Niki)-Johnson
Diamond Hill Dan (Dan)-Kline

Dan got through the fence at breakaway and headed west as everyone else headed south. Niki was on course and wide up to Camp No Sleep where she stood a covey with all manners in order. Dan returned during her stand and was taken forward. She was released and had a non-productive on the western edge of the Camp No Sleep where Dan returned and was taken forward to his handler. Niki was lost deep in the pocket along Sedgefield with Dan being out of pocket to 35, where he returned and went on point near Hamilton Road. He finished down the hill to the well pasture.

Brace 19:
Sunrise.com (Bill)-Tracy
Kid's Kid Lone River Moose (Moose)-Burchett

From the Suttle 40, both made eye-catching moves all the way to the lake. Moose made an extreme move down the hill to the far edge of course 1 where he was found standing a covey. Bill had a non-productive at 30 behind pine thicket as we headed toward Safford Road. At time, Moose was out of pocket but found by the scout on a line back along the Suttle 40 standing a covey, with all manners in order.

Brace 20:
Billy's Random Task (Billy)-Holman
Ortho Acres Booker T (Booker)-Tracy

Both took the right edge to the hog pen chute. Booker was standing loosely on birds near a feeder with all manners in order. Billy was out of pocket as the course turns west but regained the front at the deer stand and both dogs used the front-end well through large broom sedge field and behind the lake. At 43, Booker was standing intensely on birds he pinned in cover along Hamilton Road. Billy had a find at time on the Hamilton Road feeder. Both finished down the tree line behind the equipment shed.

Brace 21:
Pride and Joy's Bunch of Annie (Annie)-Pride
Sunquest Skooter Pie (Skooter) - Berneathy

Both cast away nicely toward the pine knob to the south where Skooter was rewarded with a stylish find on a nice covey in sparse cover. Both were forward and hunting logical objectives back to Hamilton Road where Skooter pinned the ever-present covey in fine fashion. Annie was standing at 23 in thick broom sedge across the road with Frank unable to move anything. Both dogs and handlers were together down the hill from the lake with Annie making a deep cast to the east. At 41, Annie was standing near a gap as she found birds trying to stay dry under a big cedar. Both dogs finished at moderate range in the Suttle 40.

Brace 22:
Noble Neighbor (Pitch) -Patterson
Nuf Ced Herb Score (Herb)-Tracy

Pitch and Herb get the "Tough Luck" award as 10 minutes into the brace the skies opened up and a torrential downpour began. Both were at moderate range through Camp No Sleep with Herb found standing in water up to his belly on a line to the north. Tommy found a bird inside a log, fired, and took him on. Pitch was hunting the Sedgefield fence line and had to swim a normally dry creek to get back on course. The dogs were standing side by side as handlers arrive at Hamilton Road so both flushed and fired on a covey that didn't want to fly. Pitch was on point again at 40, with Herb coming through and moving the birds to end his effort. Taken on, Pitch ended the brace on a stop to flush along Safford Road.


DAY 4

The rains from the previous day made for muddy conditions making it tough on dogs and horses.

Brace 23:
Hot Roddin Howie (Howie)-Lorenson
Chubasco II (T)-Walker

Overnight rains had water standing behind the Caine home place as we broke away under blue skies. T went west with Howie going down the course north. Scout was dispatched immediately for T and was finally turned back across the big field where he sent Canadian Geese airborne that were lounging in the pooled water. Both hit the woods cut with Howie standing at the Hog Pen Feeder at 10 with all manners in order. Both dogs had non-productives near the Lost Pasture with T found standing on a small covey at the limestone gully. Howie was maintaining a nice forward pattern and at 30 pinned a covey on a point of cover near the lake gap. Excellent style and manners were displayed. Both finished behind the Hamilton Road equipment shed.

Brace 24:
Lea's Running Jay Hawk (Jake)-Rohner
True Blue Ltd. (Blue)-Holman

Jake and Blue were loosed behind the Bramlett place with Blue headed to knob and Jake along a line to the south. Jake had swung across the front and came back to an island of cover where Chad called point for Rob and relocation produced a bird. Released, Jake made a big swing down along the well pasture and was standing a single on the left margin of the course at 18 with all manners in order. Blue was checking all the likely places and staying well forward. At 25, both dogs were standing on different groups of birds near Hamilton Road. Both displayed style and manners as the shotguns sounded. At 35 and across Safford Road, Jake had a huge covey pinned below the lake. Both dogs stretched the course for the remainder of their time with Blue on a limb find at time.

Brace 25:
Keystone's Part of the Plan (Annie)-Lorenson
Streinge Magic (Cody)-Holman

Annie and Cody were handfuls over the first 15 minutes. Cody was standing with style at 20 on the knob near the Hamilton equipment shed with a nice covey moved. Release he went toward the Sedgefield fence and was not recovered. Annie was gathered up taken through the chute as she hunted along the Sedgefield fence. At 35, she had a non-productive near Hamilton Road. She was at moderate range near the well pasture at time.

Brace 26:
Hanging Jaze Power Stroke (Turbo) -Rohner
Windagail's Last Trade(Chip) -Holman

The Suttle 40 saw Turbo and Chip hit a line on the left that brought them to the big oak as we rounded the big tree and headed toward the lake. Both were well forward and flashy through the bottleneck to the lake. They continued to make wide swings and were standing together at the Hog Pen with all manners in order. Turbo was standing with style at a gap in the tree line as we headed back toward Safford Road. Chip had gone west from his previous find and had been wide but parallel to the course with a find at time.

Brace 27:
Gunnrunner's Lady's Man (Loot)-Berneathy
Lobo's Kodiak Cody (Cody)-Patterson

Both shot away strong with Cody seen on a distant hill standing. As Kent road to him, a large covey lifted and went right over the dog with the temptation being too great to end his hour early. Loot had mannerly finds at 9 and 16 but had shortened considerably by 30 with Jimmy electing to pickup near the limestone gully.

Brace 28:
Linvel's Apple Dumplin (Dump)-Kline
Lobo's Legend (Raleigh) - Johnson

Both dogs left the Bramlett place in a hurry with Dump seen briefly near the knob. Raleigh showed his great stride and groundspeed as he showcased his way down toward the well pasture. It took some time to get Dump back on course as Raleigh used the right side of the course back toward Hamilton Road. We had both dogs at heel as we crossed Safford Road where Dump shot toward the lake with Raleigh headed toward the pine thicket far to the north. At 35, Raleigh had not been seen for a while and was found having pinned a small covey in the pines with typical Microdot style. Dump was lost from his cast toward the lake. Raleigh finished in the Suttle 40.

Brace 29:
Walkers Gunner (Kid)-Lorenson
Shady's Tia Maria (Tia)-Walker

Kid and Tia left the well pasture with enthusiasm and were dotting the horizon as we headed toward Camp No Sleep. Kid was standing on a tree line to the west at 15 with excellent style and manners. Tia had been a bit erratic early but was standing with classic style on a knob near the equipment shed at 25. Kid came through moments later and had a find on the scattered birds. Both moved well through the Sedgefield alley with Kid standing at 35 on a single below Hamilton Road and Tia standing 50 yards up the hill on a tree-line. Kid was cast toward the well pasture and was being searched for at time. Tia finished at the well pasture.

Brace 30:
Johnson II (Johnson)-Lorenson
Farther Out Ace (Ace)-Holman

Johnson and Ace were away from the Suttle 40 with Ace taking the left and Johnson straightaway. At 9, Johnson was standing with his typical high style on a feeder near the bottleneck. Ben produced birds after a lengthy flushing effort with Johnson holding up throughout the effort. Meanwhile Ace had taken the left edge toward the lake and was standing at 12 near the Hamilton gate with all manners in order. Both dogs traversed the hill below the lake as we headed toward the pine thicket. Ace made an extended cast east with Johnson making a big move backup course 1. At 35, Johnson returned and soon standing birds at the saw-tooth oaks with excellent manners. Both dogs finished well along Safford Road.

Brace 31:
Pistol Pack'N Walker (Gator)-Lorenson
Ajax Or Better (Jax)-Holman

It was a blue-sky morning as Gator and Jax left the starting point with excitement. Both did a good job of using the front-end with Gator standing a covey near the Hog Pen in fine fashion. Jax had been getting sticky around cover to the right of the course and appeared to be "mousing" in Egyptian wheat near the Lost Pasture. Chad elected to pickup. Gator was at medium range as we hit the big field leading to the lake. He had successive non-productives to end his bid.

Brace 32:
Cochief (Chief)-Patterson
Gambler's Ace In The Hole (Rocky)-Holman

Chief and Rocky were loosed at the Bramlett house and the action took all of 60 seconds as Chief shot down the tree line to the east and was standing. As the gallery was riding to him a covey of 20 plus birds boiled out of the high cover on the south side of the road. Rocky was initially headed south but came back to where Chief was standing. He failed to back, took the bird out, Chief released himself, and brace 32 ended in an expensive minute.

Brace 33:
Pineyrun Dot (Dot)-Lorenson
Blaze's Ramblin Mo Man (Mo)-Rohner

The field trial party went back to the Bramlett House to release Dot and Mo. With both handlers staying clear of the previous brace crash site, both dogs were cast toward Sedgefields, were wide from breakaway and seen crossing the hill toward the well pasture. Dot was out of pocket at the bottom of the hill and was brought up as we had both dogs and handlers as we crossed Safford Road with Mo being the wider dog at this point. It was a seesaw event with one dog, then the other being out of pocket and scouted. Both shortened as we entered the Suttle 40 with Dot having a find right at time.

Brace 34:
KJ's Man O War Chief (Adam)-Burchett
The Prodigy (Jim) -Patterson

Adam and Jim were away from Safford Road into the well pasture. Adam started slow with Jim being out of pocket over the first 8 minutes and found standing with style below Camp No Sleep with several birds well located. Adam had not been pleasing Bob and was picked up at 25. Jim hunted the Sedgefield Alley in a forward fashion, crossed Hamilton Road, and was out of pocket for some time as we headed toward the well pasture. He came from behind near Safford Road and Kent elected to pickup.

Brace 35:
Gilbert's Tiger Kat (Kat)-Kline
Wild Irish Noble Chikamin (Jack)-Burchett

Kat and Jack were released after lunch with Kat getting a bit sticky early and Bob working to get Jack back on course from along Hwy 109. Both dogs got lined out and were moving well over the early half of the brace with Kat showing that Beans Blaze style on a find at the limestone gully. All manners were in order as we headed toward the lake. At 30, Jack had non-productive along a cover on the south side of the course with Bob electing to pick up behind the lake. Kat made wide moves toward Safford Road and finished below the Hamilton equipment shed.

Brace 36:
Spark It Up (Daz)-Berneathy
Julry's N Cahoots (Kate)-Burchett

Daz made a deep cast toward the Sedgefield property line as Kate took the line of cover to the east. Over the hill Daz went deep into Camp No Sleep with Kate on course toward the well pasture. Near the well pasture Bob elected to pickup. Daz hunted the course at moderate range back to Hamilton Road and was standing at 28 on a covey anchored to cover along the power line. Taken on, he finished at moderate range.


CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Layered clouds and temps in the 40

Brace 1
See Winners above

Brace 2:
Ortho Acres Booker T (Tracy)
Buddy Jac (Holman)

Booker and Buddy were broken away at Tara Hill Lake with both rocketing down the hill. Booker was the first to show down below on a finger leading to the gap with Buddy on the right. Booker got behind as we crossed the broom sedge field but caught the front and sailed into the pine thicket with Buddy going west and Chad working to get him turned. At 25, Booker was found standing by his scout deep on course 1 at the Hog Pen Covey. All manners were in order and Tommy had a long way to catch the front as Chad and Buddy were nearing the Suttle 40. Across Safford Road and in a bamboo thicket, Buddy was standing proudly. Booker came in and was cautioned as he backed. Chad flushed with Buddy showing excellent manners, but Booker had other ideas and was on the rope. Across the well pasture at 40 Buddy was standing again but no game was moved. Behind came No Sleep on a barb wire fence of low cover, Buddy pinned a big covey of some 20 birds warming in the midmorning sun and continued a forward flowing application for the remainder of the brace at moderate range.

Brace 3:
MoKan Razzle Dazzle (Rohner)
PokiDot (Johnson)

Released in the Suttle 40, these two prairie girls were showing their wheels as we rounded the big oak and could see them far to the front as they went through the bottleneck toward the lake. Poki got across Safford Road with Scott working hard to get her back on course with Rob waiting on the lake levee for Razzie deep in cover near Sedgefield. Poki was seen briefly by Judge Bonner in the big broom sedge field as the gallery waited. Rob had returned with Razzie as we watched her make a big forward move that brought her across the front behind the pine thicket. Razzie extended her cast and was rewarded with a find in the saw-tooth oaks with perfect style and manners. We are now 40 minutes into the hour and Poki had been missing since 20. Scott rode to 45 and asked for the receiver. Razzie continued her forward effort and showed well as we crossed back across Safford Road and finished her hour below the Well Pasture.

Brace 4:
Ricoche-T (Walker)
Ajax VIII (Holman)

Ajax and Rico broke away from the Caine fence after a nice southern lunch. Both dogs took some time to get lined out but moved well over the early portions of the course hunting the likely objectives. Rico came from behind at the limestone gully as we rode through the gap to the lake and again at 40, with Dave electing to pickup. Ajax continued in a workman-like manner, he showed well along the Sedgefield fence as we turned toward Hamilton Road. At 50, he was standing a small covey on the woods edge below the equipment shed with all manners in order. He finished on a line leading to the Sedgefield fence.

Brace 5:
Lea's Running JayHawk (Rohner)
Windagail's Last Trade (Holman)


Jake and Chip were pulled off the dog wagon at Tara Hill Lake and released by their scouts as handlers Rob Rohner and Chad Holman began singing to their charges. As we headed down the hill, deer began popping out of an island of cover with Jake the first to appear interested. He did stop and return to the chore at hand with Chip never really getting a good bead on them but circling several times drinking in the lingering scent. Both were gathered up and taken through the gap taking the right edge of the big broom sedge field with Chip crossing over toward the saw-tooth oaks. At 15, Jake was on point with only a turtle to show for the effort. An extended relocation resulted in a second stand that was barren to end his day. Meanwhile, Chip had been recovered from deep on course 1 and stayed wide and lateral as we arrived in the Suttle 40 where he had a non-productive on a north -south tree line near Safford Road. Across the well pasture, he was standing at Camp No Sleep on feeding birds below the pine canopy. He moved well to the knob and was charged with a non-productive in the broom sedge near the Bramlett House and a final non-productive at 50 to end his bid.

RESULTS




Alberta, Al., February 4-9, 2003
Judges: Bob Bonner and Doug Vinzant
Deep South Brittany Free-For-All Championship
[45 min qualifying heat] [1 hr championship heat]
72 Brittanys


Winner
Keystone's Double Shot
Brittany Male, by Tequila's Joker
X Shady's Chick-N-Little; o Dr. Ken Cherry, h Ben Lorenson

Runner-Up
The Time Machine
Brittany Male, by The County Lawyer
X Jerob's Magic Tradewind; o Tony Vescoso, h Chad Holman



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