Event: Mayfield Storm Chaser for Allen-Vincent captures the Kansas Prairie Open All-Age
Result: Gyp Hills Field Trial Club
Location: Medicine Lodge, Kansas
Post Date: Jan 3, 2025
Submitted By: Doug Meyer
The Kansas Prairie Open All-Age Classic had an exciting renewal on the quail-laden courses of the beautiful Z Bar Ranch in South Central Kansas. This National Qualifier held on the native prairie of the 43,000-acre Z Bar enjoyed a record upland game year with big coveys of bobwhite quail, and pheasants moved in every brace. The trial also experienced about every type of weather that can be found in the Gypsum or Red Hills of Kansas along the Oklahoma line southwest of Medicine Lodge, Kansas.
Our three All-Age Classic winners had driving prairie all-age races and nice birdwork to please judges Mark Livingston and Tim Penn, who presided. Mayfield Storm Charger, handled by Allen Vincent for veteran Kentucky owner Roger Watson, ran with stormy conditions approaching, which finally caught us with a cold rain and thunderstorm halfway through the brace. Chaser had an excellent find in the driving rain on a nice covey before exiting the wetland on course two the first afternoon. He showed deep on the prairie throughout but kept his handler in mind as he finished the hour well to the front. Andy Daugherty handled second place Westfall's Mandalay for owner Jim Santarelli of Springfield, Illinois, after an excellent race and sharp birdwork on course one. Daugherty expertly kept a handle on Mandalay in the tighter finish of course one to be named second. Veteran Westfall's True Grit for owner Ryan Westfall took third for Daugherty with another solid effort in the trial's first brace on course one to annex third place. The hard luck dog of the trial was Big And Wild, run by Matt Cochran, who seemingly was on a mission to reach out and point birds after every cast he made.
Unfortunately, Big was lost after scoring three beautiful finds on both quail and pheasants. It was a fine show until Big was lost late in the brace in heavy cover along the expansive Cottage Creek bottom.
The Derby stake was light on entries, but just about every youngster had quail contacts on the multiple courses. Wynona's Rebel ran an aggressive and impressive race throughout to get the nod for first. Allen Vincent handled for owner Bruce Scoter. You could definitely see the all-age credentials of Rebel as he was spied on several deep moves with everyone straining to keep track from the high ground near the remains of Aetna. Worsham's Sampson for Joe Worsham did a nice job on a covey of quail, showing good manners and a solid race.
Raymonds Patsy, handled by Vincent, scored a beautiful relocation on a running covey under trees east of Dry Creek to be named third. All of these derbies look to have a good future, and we wish their owners the best with them.
The Gyp Hills Field Trial Club would like to thank Z Bar management for their support and ownership in allowing the field trial community access to this beautiful swath of native wildlife heaven. Special thanks to ranch managers Keith and Eva Yearout and Thane Yunker for dog wagon duties and for hosting us all. The Club acquired a new, solid dog wagon thanks to Club Secretary Paul Roederer, who spied it on Marketplace and then mounted a toolbox on the front with a water tank added as well. Really a major addition and very much needed when we had a dog overheated during the running. Thanks to Grace Meyer for keeping us fed and to Allen Vincent's owner for sponsoring the winners' steak dinner. It was excellent, and we're so lucky to have our clubhouse with a full kitchen, shower, and sleeping space. We look forward to seeing everyone for our amateur stakes at the end of February. Unbelievable bird numbers this year!
Tally Ho to you all.
Medicine Lodge, Kan., October 21
Judges: Mark Livingston and Tim Penn
KANSAS PRAIRIE OPEN ALL-AGE CLASSIC [One-Hour Heats] - 18 Pointers and 1 Setter
1st-MAYFIELD STORM CHARGER, F1701588, pointer male, by Lester's Storm Surge-R W Susie Q. Roger Watson, owner; Allen Vincent, handler.
2d-WESTFALL'S MANDALAY, F1682881, pointer male, by Strut Nation-Erin's Amazing Grace. Jim Santarelli, owner; Andy Daugherty, handler.
3d-WESTFALL'S TRUE GRIT, F1663635, pointer male, by Erin's Brave Heart-Westfall's Irish Bell. Ryan Westfall, owner; Andy Daugherty, handler.
OPEN DERBY - 6 Pointers
1st-WYNONA'S REBEL, F1717783, pointer male, by Dominator's Rebel Heir-White Smoke's Angel. Bruce Sooter, owner; Allen Vincent, handler.
2d-WORSHAM'S SAMPSON, F1717675, pointer male, by Haney's Silver Dollar-Haney's Black Widow. Joe Worsham, owner and handler.
3d-RAYMONDS PATSY, F1712582, pointer female, by Raymond's Double Rebel Jess-Raymond's White Out. William Raymond, owner; Allen Vincent, handler.