Result: American Derby Invitational Championship

Location: Grovespring, Missouri

Post Date: May 6, 2024

Submitted By: Bonnie Hidalgo

American Derby Invitational Championship (front, l-r): Korry Rinehart with Bandit's Hill Avenger, Miles Jaeger, and Ike Todd with Game Star. (Behind): Dave Capstick, Ann Forrester, Keith Wright (judge), George Hill, Kipp Linard (judge), Bonnie Hidalgo, and Chris Jaeger.

Bandit's Hill Avenger ran away with the 2024 American Derby Invitational Championship title. An extremely impressive first series performance earned him top dog honors; his incredibly flawless second series shut the door on the rest of the contestants. The 2-year-old pointer male belongs to Ann Forrester of South Fulton, Tennessee, who also bred him. Avenger was skillfully guided through both series by his trainer and handler, Ike Todd.

Game Star grabbed the runner-up honors for owner Fred Corder, Corinth, Mississippi. The classy pointer female was expertly handled by Ike Todd. With a terrific first-series performance, Game Star was brought back in the second series as the number two seed. She came back with sore feet, but she ran on heart. She was beautiful on her birds--truly a game star!
In addition to the winners, three dogs were announced as stand-bys: Haney's Last Call, owned by Chris Cagle and handled by Ike Todd; Lester's Front Porch, owned by Gary Lester and handled by Korry Rinehart; and Rampage, owned by S. Tucker Johnson and handled by Luke Eisenhart. The stand-bys were not called upon to run in the second series.

This was the 31st renewal of the American Derby Invitational Championship. It moved to the Field Trial Sportsmen's Grounds at Grovespring, Missouri, in the spring of 2018. It is hosted by the Southwest Missouri Sportsmen's Club and follows the Missouri Open Championship. When it first moved to Missouri, Kendall Schmidt was its chairman; he passed that dubious honor on to Kipp Linard, beginning with the 2022 renewal. This year, the American Derby Invitational commenced on Thursday, March 28. The drawing was held at the Grovespring clubhouse on the eve of the running. George Hill, Kipp Linard, and Dave Capstick conducted it. Dennis and Bonnie Hidalgo filled out judges' books.

The Invitational Championship consists of two series; dogs are invited to the first series according to their points ranking among the season's best derby dogs. Ideally, the top 12 dogs are invited and compete, but a provision allows for the next dog or dogs on the list to be invited. If any of the top 12 refuse the invitation, no dog ranked lower than 20 may compete. In this renewal, two dogs declined the invitation, and two others entered but scratched since females in season may not compete. This year's rankings, in descending order, were:
1. Rampage, S. Tucker Johnson, owner; Luke Eisenhart, handler.
2. Full Ride, Kevin Dixon, owner; Randy Anderson, handler.
3. Erin's Happy Hour, Mike Sweet, owner; Judd Carlton, handler.
4. Comanche, S. Tucker Johnson; owner, Luke Eisenhart, handler.
5. Haney's Easy Money (this dog was not entered), Chris Cagle, owner; Ike Todd, handler.
6. Haney's Last Call, Chris Cagle, owner; Ike Todd, handler.
7. Game Star, Fred Corder, owner; Ike Todd, handler.
8. Lester's War Bird, Gary Lester, owner; Korry Rinehart, handler.
9. Bandit's Hill Avenger, Ann Forrester, owner; Ike Todd, handler.
10. Moss Hill Conference Call (not entered), Brian and Emily Spear and Buck and Lynn Heard, owners; Mark McLean, handler.
11. Lester's Front Porch, Gary Lester, owner; Korry Rinehart, handler.
12. Quail Woods Pine, Dr. Greg Adams, owner; Randy Anderson, handler.
13. Shaws Money Mabel (scratched before draw), Gary Shaw, Owner; Matt Cochran, handler.
14. Wynona's All Business (scratched before draw), Bruce Sooter, owner; Allen Vincent, handler.
15. Blackhawk Lucky Charm, Jim Mills, owner; Allen Vincent, handler.
16. Wild Covey Sundial, Tony King, Owner; Andy Daugherty, handler.

The first series must run in its entirety on a single day since dogs must have a similar rest period between series. The initial series is a one-hour heat that is drawn for running order. The rules allow them to continue in the first series even if they make errors on game. The dogs do not have to be seen at the end of the first series to be called back. In the final series normal field trial rules apply in regard to the performances. The judges select the final series dogs based on their performance and may call any number back; they also arrange the order of running for this series. The second series is a 90-minute heat. Typically, four dogs are brought back for the finals. The judges may place others on standby in case their top choices fail to suit in the final round.

As you may have guessed, this year's final series was anything but typical. It is not possible to brace the top two dogs together when they are handled by the same man, a man who also handled the third-ranked dog from the first series. The judges chose the only option that made sense and called back the top two dogs as byes. They braced their number three dog with their fourth dog and placed them on standby. Furthermore, they placed a fifth dog on standby in the event the other four failed at their tasks.

The advertised judges for the Championship were Joe Don House of Clinton, Kentucky, and Mike Matney of Big Sandy, Tennessee, but they were unable to attend due to illness in their families. On short notice, chairman Kipp Linard secured the services of Keith Wright, who agreed to stay over after having judged the Missouri Open Championship. Failing to find another replacement judge, Kipp stepped up to judge and left the running of the event to his excellent committee. Keith has had dogs that have competed and won this stake in previous years; this Championship has special meaning to him. Both judges are very knowledgeable bird dog men. They were discerning in their choices; they watched carefully and set an excellent pace. Keith and Kipp did not take this assignment lightly.

Purina sponsors this Championship and provides Pro Plan Sport 30/20 to the winners. Everyone in attendance, from club officials to the winners, appreciates this support! Our sincere thanks to Purina and its representatives, Greg Blair and Terry Trzcinski.
Following the first series, the Invitational Championship pork chop dinner was held. A hungry crowd was in attendance. Kipp Linard, Dave Capstick, George Hill, and Tim Self helped prepare the dinner. The announcement of the second series' dogs followed dinner.
As mentioned previously, Kipp Linnard chaired this event. Tim Self drove the dog wagon during the first series; George Hill drove it in the second. Dave Capstick planted birds before each morning's running; Tim assisted on the first morning. William Smith replaced birds that were moved during the morning braces of the first series. These men are a hard-working team, and due to their efforts, this trial ran smoothly.

The First Series
Wild Covey Sundial (Daugherty) and Rampage (Eisenhart) were released into Breakaway field on Thursday morning. After a move that took him to Sycamore and back, Sundial carded a find in the Double Gates field at 14. His style and manners were very good. He pointed again before the road crossing to Davis bottom at 18, but it was not productive. Rampage pointed stylishly at 40, on the left edge before Horse Killer hill; Sundial came up and backed beside him. Rampage behaved perfectly; Sundial dove in and was removed from the situation. Sundial had a second unproductive at 53 and was picked up. Rampage ran a huge race with a couple of absences. He finished forward into Little Vine. He was placed on the standby list for the second series.

Erin's Happy Hour (Carlton) and Game Star (Todd) turned loose up Little Vine hill. Game Star's performance is related below with her second series work. Happy made a strong move through Sycamore bottom and pointed along the road edge at 24. He had a minor indiscretion on the birds. Happy made good moves on Daugherty Ridge and into the bull pasture. He finished his hour taking the line in Horse Corral valley.

Haney's Last Call (Todd) and Full Ride (Anderson) had owners on hand for their brace, Chris Cagle, Jr. for Last Call and Kevin Dixon for Full Ride. They were released on the hillside just into the Clubhouse loop. Full Ride got out of pocket and into private ground on the backside of the loop; he came on of his own accord. While catching the front, he pointed at 13, but it was unproductive. Last Call was big and forward through the loop and up to the barns; he pointed just south of them at 18. Full Ride having just caught the front, pointed on the opposite side of the line for a true divided find. Both dogs were mannerly; next, the two young pointers were forward down the alley. Last Call pointed along the road at Sycamore with high style and intensity at 31; he stood steady for flush and shot. Full Ride was forward through the Ridge loop. Last Call was absent briefly but showed on the right as the course doubled back through the valley. Ride was forward out of the loop but disappeared up the hill just before Breakaway bottom. Last Call showed on the right in Breakaway field and finished his hour with a strong, forward edge running move. Ride was recovered at the hour's end. Haney's Last Call became the top standby dog for the final series.

Bandit's Hill Avenger (Todd) and Blackhawk Lucky Charm (Vincent) were first up after lunch. Avenger's hour is described later under "Total Performances." Charm was forward from breakaway all the way into Davis bottom, where he scored a very nice find at 27. In the Island field, Charm made some erratic moves and was picked up.

Lester's War Bird (Rinehart) and Quail Woods Pine (Anderson) were released in Little Vine. At 23, in the end of Sycamore bottom, Pine scored a very nice find. He showed good style and manners through the shot. War Bird came on the scene and backed naturally. War Bird had a find on Daugherty Ridge at 33 and another at 36 near the barns; these were very attractive. War Bird scored his third find at 40, near the former site of the blue house. All of his birdwork was flawless in both style and manners. Pine backed nicely at 40. These were classy dogs that just didn't have their best day on the ground.

Lester's Front Porch (Rinehart) and Comanche (Eisenhart) were released into Clubhouse loop. Porch pointed stylishly at 7, a fine piece of birdwork. On the west end of the loop, he scored a second find at 11; all was well. Comanche pointed in the alley at 25; Porch honored nicely. On relocation, Comanche left the scene and was picked up. Front Porch was forward for much of his hour. He scored a third find at 57. Lester's Front Porch looks good on point and is well-mannered; this performance put him on standby for the callback.

Second Series
The announcement of the Second Series' dogs and bracing followed Thursday night's dinner. Judges Keith Wright and Kipp Linard had a dilemma; their top three dogs were handled by the same person, Ike Todd. Bandit's Hill Avenger and Game Star were called back for the hour-and-a-half final series. They were to run in that order, as bye dogs. A standby brace was named; that pair was Haney's Last Call, handled by Ike Todd, and Lester's Front Porch, handled by Korry Rinehart. Additionally, Rampage was placed on standby. The standby dogs were never called upon.

The Winners' Total
Performances
In the first series, Bandit's Hill Avenger, handled by Ike Todd, appeared in the first brace after lunch. Ann Forrester was in the gallery to watch Avenger; he did not disappoint. He was nicely forward through Breakaway field. He crossed the creek bed and went wide to the right front beyond Daugherty's house. Avenger was found pointing, out on a limb, in Sycamore bottom at 15. In Davis bottom, Avenger backed his bracemate nicely at 27, in the far-right corner. On Apple Tree hill, he scored a find on the south line at 48, all in order. This dog was fast and forward; he never let up during the hour. Bandits Hill Avenger was textbook on running edges.

In the second series, Bandit's Hill Avenger was again handled by Ike Todd. Avenger was forward down the first meadow and then went quickly out of sight. Minutes ticked by, and everyone, including Ann Forrester, was thinking that the top qualifier was lost. At 14, a cry of point was heard in the distance. Scout Korry Rinehart had found the young dog on point on the west side of Parks Creek road, in Sycamore bottom. Avenger showed fine style. Todd flushed thoroughly with no luck; playing it cautiously, he opted not to relocate and took the unproductive. Avenger was released on the east side of the road. He took to the edge and swapped ends at 20, very impressive! Again, Todd didn't find the quarry, but this time, he sent Avenger for the relocation. The young pointer did it so exceptionally that the gallery was enthralled. It was a perfect piece of birdwork! At 25, he pointed in the last cross row before Davis bottom. Again, the young pointer was flawless in style and demeanor. Avenger ran the Davis bottom edges the way they were meant to be hunted; he did it with speed, range, and style. At 34, in the far end, he was rewarded for his intelligent moves with another perfect find. Avenger continued his great race through Island field and up Horse Killer. He showed going across Apple Tree hill and then into Little Vine loop's bottoms. Todd called point and rode to the end of the field near Little Vine road; Avenger stood there with head and tail held high and his birds well located for the flush. Nice job! He was sent up Little Vine hill and showed a couple of times as he traversed it. In the bottom again, Avenger scored his fourth find at 115. He showed class and mature manners. Avenger finished his hour with a fast and forward trip through Sycamore bottom. This was a performance that will long be remembered by those who were lucky enough to witness it.

Game Star, under the guidance of Ike Todd, turned loose up Little Vine hill for her first series run. She ran a strong forward race from start to finish. She took the left side into Clubhouse loop and pointed nicely at 59. Her style and manners on game were exceptional.
In the final series, Game Star was released by 8-year-old Miles Jaeger, who headed her toward Daugherty Ridge for handler Ike Todd. Star's feet were wrapped to avoid further abrasion from the hard, rough ground. She was nicely forward and fast on the ridge and past the twin barns. At 13, Korry called point for her. Star was alongside the fence, just beyond the big pond. She was high and tight on both ends; her manners were perfect. Star ran through the bull pasture, showing forward from time to time. In the clubhouse loop, on the west end, she carded her second find at 56. She needed to relocate several times before pinning the elusive quail. Her manners were good on this one, too. After the hour mark, she slowed but still made the effort to cover the country.

There was no doubt in the judges' minds that Avenger's two superb performances were unequaled. The judges felt that the combination of Game Star's two performances could also not be challenged by the standby dogs. Further running was canceled, and Bandit's Hill Avenger was announced as the 2024 American Derby Invitational Champion for owner Ann Forrester and trainer Ike Todd. Game Star was named the runner-up for owner Dr. Fred Corder and handler Ike Todd.

Grovespring, Mo., March 28
Judges: Kipp Linard and Keith Wright
AMERICAN DERBY INVITATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP - [One-Hour Qualifying Heats; Ninety-Minute Finals] - 12 Pointers
Winner-BANDIT'S HILL AVENGER, 1702642, pointer male, by Touch's Smooth Rider-Bandit's Hill Daisy. Ann Forrester, owner; Ike Todd, handler.
Runner-Up-GAME STAR, 1704929, pointer female, by Lester's Storm Surge-Game Belle. Dr. Fred Corder, owner and handler.

Breakaway in the Derby Invitational finals, showing Ike Todd, Ann Forrester (owner), and Korry Rinhart with Bandit's Hill Avenger.