Result: Arizona Open Shooting Dog Championship

Location: California City, California

Post Date: Mar 13, 2024

Submitted By: John Beauchamp

Arizona Open Shooting Dog Championship Winners (l-r): Ed Mayhew, Brian Smith (judge), Bill Stapleton with Ramblin Rivers Natural, Brian Gingrich with C V Redheaded Flying Dutchman, and Greg Knight (judge).

The Arizona Open Shooting Dog Championship was cast off on the morning of Thursday, January 11, following the conclusion of the Wally Wallace Derby Classic. By comparison, the earlier stakes had cold temps made even colder by high winds. The Arizona Open Shooting Dog Championship fared much better; the high winds lacked off early Thursday morning. We had clear skies, cool temps, and just enough breeze. Rain early in the week helped the scenting conditions. That, coupled with a really strong bunch of birds, made for multiple finds in every brace. I think the judges enjoyed this one; there were a number of solid performances they could have used. That is until the winners ran. Running the championship over two days, we balanced the braces between the two days, which worked well for man and beast.

Ramblin Rivers Natural ("Natural") was up in the 8th brace, handled by owner Bill Stapleton, with Scorch handled by Patrick Clark. Both Dogs started well coming out of the canyon from the east and made the corner into the main drainage. Natural ran a strong shooting dog race, covering the objectives intelligently and staying forward with little scouting. The Judges commented on the quality of Natural's bird work.

Runner-Up Champion - C V Redheaded Flying Dutchman ("Mick"), handled by Brian Gingrich, was up in the 4th brace with Almosta's Wilma Flintstone, handled by John Beauchamp. Mick ran a solid forward brace, requiring minimal scouting, and carded two clean finds with all in order. It was getting warm by this brace, but Mick put down a very good performance for the full hour.

Thank You All
We had help from Mr. Warren Esserman and the California AKC clubs, which allowed us to share the expenses for the tent, water trailer, and porta potties. In times of ever-increasing costs, this kind of help allows us to keep going without digging into everyone's pockets (too deeply). Using Camp H as base camp meant a pretty long ride to cast-off. To compensate for the long ride, Mr. Ed Mayhew brought out a second trailer (meaning two trips to the grounds) so we could load all the morning dogs in the trailer, and he even pulled it around to cast-off. Then, Mr. Glenn Johnson handled dog truck duties from there, and it ran smoothly.

Our judges, Mr. Brian Smith and Mr. Greg Knight, were on time and attentive for every brace. Thank you so much, gentlemen!

And, of course, thank you to Purina! Greg Blair supported us again this year. Having worked with Greg for several years, he is always responsive, timely, and accurate. With all the challenges and changes one encounters in planning and executing these trials, Greg is the person you can count on; FedEx, not so much.

We were pleased to have the support of SportDOG, allowing us to have collars for both the champion and runner-up champion.

Terry Erickson stuck around and helped plant birds in the dark each day. Let me tell you, 23 and 25 mph on an ATV is COLD. Thank you, Terry. I can't sign off without thanking my wife, Patti, for pulling the hot lunches together.

Hope to see you all down the road. Safe Travels.

California City, Cal., January 10
Judges: Gregg Knight and Brian Smith
ARIZONA OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 5 Pointers, 1 Setter, 4 German Shorthairs and 6 Vizslas
Winner-RAMBLIN RIVERS NATURAL, 1688693, pointer male, by Chelsea's Thunder Bolt-Upfront's Southern Star. William Stapleton, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-C V REDHEADED FLYING DUTCHMAN, 1680729, Vizsla male, by C K Touchdown Guy-Twenty Gauge Over N Under. Matthew Roesner, owner; Brian Gingrich, handler.