Result: West Coast Open Shooting Dog Championship

Location: Cathey's Valley, California

Post Date: Nov 27, 2024

Submitted By: Tom Griffin

The West Coast Open Shooting Dog Championship went off as scheduled on October 27. The trial followed the Northern California Bird Dog Club's multi-stake event at J. Ichord's Hornitos Ranch. San Joaquin Valley English Setter Club, with a major assist from the NCBDC's stalwarts, hosted the trial. The limited entry was a disappointment as in years past, this was a top-shelf trial in Region 11.

The Ichord family has generously made their ranch in the Central California foothills available to a number of the Region's clubs and ranks as a top venue. At this time of the year, the cover has been grazed down, and the spring-fed creeks are just a trickle. The released quail find cover in ample deadwood and rock outcroppings. The multiple courses traversed most of the ranch including the wide open that spreads out below the high pass above the second breakaway.

The Club was fortunate to secure the services of two well-respected and experienced judges, Jim Rose from Clayton, California, and Mike Wilkin from Reno, Nevada. These gentlemen set a consistent pace throughout the running. The Club thanks them for their time in the saddle and careful consideration of each dog.

The running commenced on a sunny day with temperatures in the 50s and warmed to the mid-70s. Tian Butterball, a 6-year-old Pointer male handled by owner Cliff Mesnard, was named champion. Bo had a very strong forward race. At 14, he was found on a picturesque stand on the lip of an abandoned dugout at the top of one of the hills that define the back side of the ranch. Cliff flushed birds that were in the grass 6 feet below with all in order. Bo continued to search fast and forward and was rewarded with a second find in the rocks before the cowboy gate. At 53, Bo stood again where the course turns down the hill toward the creek, but no birds were produced. When turned loose, there was no let up for the balance of the hour.

Rocking J's Pearl, Jaryr Walton's young Pointer female, was named runner-up. Peal ran in the second brace and had solid front-running hour. Her single find at 50 exhibited her excellent style and hour. The judges advised this reporter that they had two other contenders. Terry Erickson's Setter female Horizon's Bea and Cliff Mesnard's German Shorthair G R B's Gestapo. Bea had three well-spaced finds but was missing the finish the judges saw in the winning performances. Gus, the Shorthair, had four finds, but his application was not consistent.

The trial came together with the encouragement and boundless help of Sean and Dr. Julie Kelly. Sean helped release birds prior to the running and drove the dog truck that he and Paul Wells had recently reengineered. Dr. Julie Kelly helped with the drawing and lunches. The Club also wants to acknowledge and thank Purina and Greg Blair for their support of the trial and field trialing generally.

Cathey's Valley, Cal., October 26
Judges: Jim Rose and Mike Wilkin
WEST COAST OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 6 Pointers, 3 Setters, and 1 German Shorthair
Winner-TIAN BUTTERBALL, unreg., pointer male, by Gotta Little Project-Tian Elhew Verbena. Clifford Mesnard, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-ROCKING J'S PEARL, F1702191, pointer female, by Kelly's Rebel Louie-Saddle Up Reba. Jarry Walton, owner and handler.

Tian Butterball Winner of the West Coast Open Shooting Dog Championship