Event: California Bird Dog Championship(Jan 8, 2024)
Result: California Bird Dog Championship
Location: California City, California
Post Date: Feb 17, 2025
Submitted By: John Beauchamp
California Bird Dog Championship (l-r): Bruce Hale (owner/handler), John Beauchamp, Terry Erickson with Hale's Honey Badger, Ed Mayhew, Tom Griffin with Battle Born Bette, Brian Smith (judge), and Jeff Rhine (judge).
The California Dog Championship cast off the morning of Monday, January 13. The morning was cold (22 degrees at cast off) and dry, not a cloud in sight--just a haze from the fires burning in Los Angeles. The fires cut into our turn-out and support. But nothing compared to the thousands of lives turned upside down by this disaster. Cancelations from those impacted or under warnings meant plenty of changes, we were on about Plan D to make everything come together, and it worked.
Monday's running was cut short by high winds. We were able to get four braces run before we suspended running. Once the wind locks in in that vast basin, it isn't going to stop for hours. Handling dogs is almost impossible, so stopping is the only way to keep the playing field level and give all the dogs a fair shot at the trophies.
Several dogs had strong performances in the stake, giving the judges plenty to talk about. But when it was over, Hale's Honey Badger, handled by Bruce Hale, was the champion, and Tom Griffin's Battle Born Bette was the runner-up champion. Badger had a pair of finds with all in order and a solid forward race. Badger's application was right on the money selecting prime objectives and working a shifting breeze quite well. Bette carded two clean finds with all in order. It was getting warm by this brace, but a very good performance for the full hour.
Thank You All
Our judges, Mr. Brian Smith and Mr. Jeff Rhine, were on time and attentive for every brace. Thank you so much, gentlemen!
And, of course, thank you, 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.
We were pleased to have had the support of SportDOG allowing us to have collars for both the champion and runner-up champion.
Terry Erickson and Bruce Hale handled bird planting in the dark each day. Let me tell you, 23 and 25 MPH winds on an ATV are COLD. Thank you, Terry. I can't sign off without thanking my wife, Patti, for pulling the hot lunches together.
It was a good trial and a good time in the desert.
California City, Cal., January 13
Judges: Jeff Rhyne and Brian Smith
CALIFORNIA BIRD DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 7 Pointers and 5 Setters
Winner-HALE'S HONEY BADGER, F1691840, pointer female, by Touch's Grey Street-Hainline's Silver Star. Bruce Hale, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-BATTLE BORN BETTE, F1698151, setter female, by Sunrise's Final Chapter-Lying Eyes. Tom Griffin, owner and handler.
Wally Wallace Open Derby
The Wally Wallace Open Derby kicked off after the championship. We took a break to refresh, get judges saddled, and plant a small set of courses. Basically, we shortened the courses used for the championship to accommodate 30-minute derby braces.
The conditions were less than optimal for the young dogs. The soils were very dry, and we had a stiff breeze in our faces on the way out and then at our backs coming back. But the youngsters sorted themselves out, and our judges, Mr. Bruce Hale and Mr. Terry Erickson, took note. They had three stronger efforts/performances to use. And some of the others decided to spend time chasing chippy birds. All three of the named derbies are now qualified, and they earned it.
Judges: Terry Erickson and Bruce Hale
WALLY WALLACE OPEN DERBY - 6 Pointers
1st-TUCA'S FOX ON THE RUN, F1712984, pointer male, by Montana Buck-Tucalota's Rebel Touch. Ed Mayhew, owner and handler.
2d-SMITH'S SHINING TRUTH, F1706310, pointer female, by Man O War-Hale's Honey Badger. Brian Smith, owner and handler.
3d-TUCALOTAS DAX, F1711952, pointer male, by Tucalota's Rebel Rush-Paladela's Shadow Rose. Ed Mayhew, owner and handler.
Wally Wallace Open Derby (l-r): Ed Mayhew with Tuca's Fox On The Run, Brian Smith with Smith's Shining Truth, and Terry Erickson with Tucalota's Dax.
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