Result: Prairie Field Trial Club

Location: Mayflower, Arkansas

Post Date: Mar 11, 2024

Submitted By: Dr. Fred Corder

Whippoorwill Vette First in the Open All-Age Stake.

The calendar has turned into 2024, leading us into the new year and bringing the excitement of the upcoming trials and their potential for the following few months. This year brings a new beginning and change with the Hobart Ames being moved into January, coinciding with the annual running of the Prairie and Pelican Open All-Age Qualifiers at Camp Robinson.

The Prairie Open All-Age and derbies were held, while the Pelican had to be rescheduled for later in January due to a youth hunt held at Camp Robinson. This year brought a new level of excitement as the trial began with some positive changes at Camp Robinson Wildlife Management Area in Conway, Arkansas. The CRCA once manned the quail release and feeding program with locals such as Mike Lemons, Johnny Van Horn, and Harold Woodward. This year's judges for the All-Age were Ray Carter from Utah, who made the trip to run his dog in the derby stake, and Marty Moore from Missouri. Once again, Roger Martin managed the dog wagon to perfection, making everything run smoothly. It was refreshing to see some quail improvement at this venue compared to previous years.

The Winners
The winner of the Prairie Field Trial was Whippoorwill Vette, owned by Dale Bush and handled by Larry Huffman. Vette was released in the third brace of the first morning with Miller's Speed Dial handled by Randy Anderson. Whippoorwill Vette comes from a long line of Dr. Jack Huffman's breeding. Vette was initially owned by Earl Connoly and is now owned by Dale Bush. Both dogs were released headed toward Lake Conway. While being pointed out going down Seawright cut, a cut through to the afternoon course, Vette made the transition back to the morning course with ease. From the perspective of someone who has run on this course for more than 30 years, that is not an easy transition. This quality seems to be an inherited trait passed down in the breeding through the years, as I have witnessed many Whippoorwill dogs do in the past. Both dogs headed through Darnell crossing, with Vette being smooth and efficient while Speed Dial being the rougher of the duo. As we crossed over Rabbit Hill, Huffman called point for Vette as he was found standing on the hillside to the right. Judges and gallery arrived to witness Huffman put a large bevy to flight as a statuesque Vette was in order.
From there, Vette took the left edge to the Firehouse, being pointed out several times. During this time, Speed Dial was missing as we made the turn to head toward the Club House. Huffman kept Vette under control as we traversed the area behind the Club House and overlapping morning course. Point was called again to the right on Rock Hill. Huffman quickly put another large bevy to flight with all in order. From there, Vette went on to complete the morning course with a solid finish.
Como Rain, co-owned by David Russell and Billy Blackwell and handled by David Russell, secured a second-place finish. Como Rain is the pride and joy of Billy Blackwell, who bred and developed him. We are so fortunate to have Billy back in the sport while mentoring his son-in-law, David Russell, to carry on his legacy.

Como Rain was released with I'm Gallant (Anderson), south of the mountain. Como Rain was quick to get everyone's attention with a find at 4 minutes along the lake's edge. Both dogs were pointed out along the mountainside as we headed out of Horse Shoe turn. As we cross the mountain, the course takes a hard right towards Dead Horse curve, and Como Rain had to be ridden hard to be directed to the front. From there, he handled Dead Horse Curve with both dogs heading toward the Minnow Pond, Como Rain being the stronger of the two. Como Rain was ridden for at pickup headed towards the Minnow Pond with the second brace being completed and everyone knowing the initial morning of the field trial had begun with these attention-getting performances.

Third place was Game Heir, owned and handled by Dr. Fred Corder. Game Heir was turned loose with Lester's Stem Winder, handled by Randy Anderson in the 13th brace of the trial. This brace was moved forward, the last brace of the afternoon, due to dogs being picked up. Both dogs headed to Darnell's Crossing with caution by handlers, with Game Heir making a nice swing along the lake's edge as we crossed the creek headed to the front. Both dogs were forward and attractive over the Rock Hill on Rabbit Pen Road. Game Heir again made a nice being and was pointed out by the Fire House on Rabbit Pen Road. As we crossed Rock Hill, Anderson called point deep on the right of Rock Hill. Manners were breached, and he was picked up.
Meanwhile, Game Heir was forward and was seen standing at the base of Rock Hill pointed. A large copy was put in the air with the orange male pointer standing statuesque for the flush and shot. Game Heir was held onto behind the barn and kennels by the handler, then released for a forward bug finish and ridden for at pick up.

Other dogs that had notable and forward races were Touch's Cocaine Blue (Anderson); Bonner's Bulletproof, with a nice find, came from behind at Dead Horse Curve, which may have distracted from his performance; and Texas Wild Rex (Vincent), released on the last brace of the trial with everyone thinking birds would be holding tight, but Rex produced a large covey in the loop before you cross the Mountain in the morning with a possible two coveys lifting as handler shot. His finish was possibly distracting as he was found lateral on the lake's edge.
Mayflower, Ark., January 2
Judges: Ray Carter and Marty Moore
OPEN ALL-AGE [One-Hour Heats] - 30 Pointers and 1 Setter
1st-WHIPPOORWILL VETTE, 1682323, pointer male, by Whippoorwill Justified-S J Kentucky Sue. Dale Bush, owner; Larry Huffman, handler.
2d-COMO RAIN, 1687713, pointer male, by Skyfall-Catch Me Dot. B. K. & Rachel Blackwell, Doug Arthur & David Russell, owners; David Russell, handler.
3d-GAME HEIR, 1691409, pointer male, by Dominator's Rebel Heir-Game Snow. Dr. Fred Corder, owner and handler.

Judges: Jim P. Martin and Marty Moore
OPEN DERBY - 9 Pointers and 4 Setters
1st-FULL RIDE, 1702143, pointer male, by Dixon's Rolling Stone-Dixon's Girl's Got Rhythm. Kevin Dixon, owner; Randy Anderson, handler.
2d-MISS ARKANSAS, 1705667, pointer female, by Lester's Storm Surge-Game Snow. Mike Lemons, owner and handler.
3d-GAME STAR, 1704929, pointer female, by Lester's Storm Surge-Game Belle. Dr. Fred Corder, owner and handler.

Open Derby Winners (front, l-r): Stegan Smith with Game Star, Mike Lemons with Miss Arkansas, Bridget Ledington (Full Ride), and Randy Anderson. (Back, l-r): Ray Carter, Marty Moore (judge), Jim Martin (judge), and Dr. Fred Corder.