Result: Arizona Open Shooting Dog Championship

Location: California City, California

Post Date: Feb 9, 2026

Submitted By: John Beauchamp

Arizona Open Shooting Dog Championship (standing from left): John Beauchamp, Gregg Knight (judge), and Jeff Rhine (judge). (Kneeling): Tom Griffin with Battle Born Bette and Bruce Hale with Man O War.

Our trial series followed several rounds of heavy rain in Southern California. The California City area received what felt like a couple of years' worth of rain in just a few weeks. The sand and gravel soils shift dramatically with that kind of runoff--washes deepen, edges become sharp, and footing turns unstable under horses. Roads into our normal courses were washed out, and in some sections, completely gone. At some point, the off-roaders will beat new trails into the area, but not in time for this year's event.

Ed Mayhew and Terry Erickson pivoted nicely and secured a solid, accessible course east of Camp H. Thanks to the rains, the cover was in excellent shape, with plenty of fresh green growth for the birds. The course ran through a couple of wide drainages flanked by rocky hills. A few spots tended to draw dogs off course, but for the most part, we were able to keep the braces moving forward and in touch.

Every dog entered in the Arizona Open Shooting Dog Championship had bird contact--and for some, perhaps a bit too much. Still, it's always more enjoyable when every dog has the opportunity to show well on birds.

The Championship followed the 30-minute Open Shooting Dog stake run by the Antelope Valley Bird Dog Club and the California Bird Dog Championship. A warming trend continued through all three stakes. For the Arizona Open Shooting Dog Championship, we started in light jackets and gloves and finished the day in long-sleeve shirts and sunscreen (estimated high of 72 F). California City is known for wind, but we had very little--just a pleasant afternoon breeze that helped the dogs make very nice finds.

I want to recognize Mr. Mayhew and Mr. Erickson not only for securing the course but also for bird planting. As noted, every dog had birds. Bruce Hale handled trial logistics, and Patti Beauchamp handled lunches and a dinner on the grounds. The local Vizsla club once again allowed us to use their tent and water wagon. Thank you all--these events take tremendous effort, and sharing the work makes them possible.

We also could not do this without the support of our sponsors. Purina's generous support in the form of AFTCA store credit and product for the winners is critical. We recognize the planning required to coordinate deliveries and lead times with event schedules. We also awarded silver bowls to the winner and thank you gifts to the judges.

SportDOG supplied training collars and bark collars for the winners, which were very much appreciated.

Our judges, Mr. Gregg Knight and Mr. Jeff Rhine, gave every dog their full attention and stayed the course throughout. Thank you, gentlemen, for your support.

The Running
Brace 1: Hale's Honey Badger (Hale) and Pride N Joy (Griffin). Both dogs had strong races in the cool morning conditions. Divided find at approximately 35.

Brace 2: DCR's Swift Justice ("Jet"/Pool) and Man O War ("Jack"/Hale). Jet ran big and hard but was a bit difficult on the handle. Jack had a forward race with a pair of finds, all in order.

Brace 3: Battle Born Bette (Griffin) and Almosta's Bart Simpson (John). Bette brought her A-game and did a very nice job for Mr. Griffin, carding a pair of clean finds. Bart had a breach of manners and was picked up.

Brace 4: DCR's Busted Mojo ("Cruz"/Pool) and Horizon's Sage (Erickson). Cruz had a find at 24 and finished the hour. Sage also had a find at 24, about 100 yards away, and was picked up late in the brace.

Brace 5: Wildcatter Riden High-Way 17 ("Ticket"/Pool) and Horizon's Bea (Erickson). Ticket got caught up in the big draw and kept going; the tracker was pulled. Bea did a very nice job for Terry, scoring multiple finds and finishing the hour.

Brace 6: Love Train (Griffin) and Almosta's Fred Flintstone (Beauchamp). Love got off course early and required help to be gathered up. Fred ran a solid shooting dog brace and looked good through three finds, but unfortunately, he had a fourth that did not go well.

California City, Cal., January 13
Judges: Gregg Knight and Jeff Rhine
ARIZONA OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 12 Entries
Winner-BATTLE BORN BETTE, F1698151, setter female, by Sunrise's Final Chapter-Lying Eyes. Tom Griffin, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-MAN O WAR, F1692033, pointer male, by Dunn's Tried'n True-Fly In the Sky. Bruce Hale, owner and handler.