Result: Western Open Shooting Dog Championship

Location: Reno, Nevada

Post Date: Apr 20, 2021

Submitted By: Kim Sampson

The 2021 Western Open Shooting Dog Championship commenced on the afternoon of April 20, directly following the Pacific Coast Derby Championship.

The weather was hot, dry and the afternoon winds were ever present. As in the previous stake, bird finding was at a premium. fourteen dogs were drawn.

Judging the shooting dogs for this running were two very qualified judges. Jason Staley, from Murtaugh, Ida., and Talmadge Smedley (aka The Cherry on top of every beautiful horse), from Farr West, Utah. Both of these gentlemen have judging experience and success in field trials. Thank you, Jason and Talmadge, for your time and attention in the saddle.

Purina and SportDog were our sponsors and we greatly appreciate their support with dog food and collars for the winners. In addition, Purina sponsored a delicious Tri-tip dinner on the grounds Wednesday night. Jim Morehouse was in attendance at the dinner and stayed for the next few days, lending his unique brand of in-person support to all of us. Thanks, Jim, we loved having you and appreciate the effort you made to join us!

THE WINNERS

The champion came from the second brace. Knight's White Lady, pointer female, owned and handled by Bill Owen of Santa Barbara, Cal., made the most of her time on the ground. Attractive going, Lady ran the terrain like she was on a mission. Her range, speed and endurance were that of a class shooting dog. It was hot, dry and dusty when Lady ran but none of those things deterred her. Her first find came at just 6 minutes, all in order at flush and shot. 31 minutes later, at 37, she was found stylishly standing to the front with a single chukar in front of her, again all in order. Lady finished strong and forward.

The runner-up ran in the 4th brace and was awarded to Lone Tree Splish Splash, pointer female, also owned and handled by Bill Owen. Congratulations on The Sweep, Bill!

Splash ran under less than ideal conditions but kept at it for the entirety of her hour. She had several impressive casts and needed minimal scouting. Splash's only find came late in her hour. Point was called at 50, but the handler's first attempt at flushing yielded no results so the dog was asked to relocate, her body language indicated that she'd lost scent. After being released, Splash moved up several feet and locked up again. This time a single Valley quail squirted out of a bush, manners in check at flush and shot. At time, the dog was forward at good range.

THE OTHERS

In brace No. 1, Skydancer Gold Rush (Griffin) had a conservative race, a find at 15 and an unproductive at 39. Painted Owyhee Toad (B. Leddington) had a nice run going but a breach of manners at 58 ended his bid.

Touch's California Dream (Griffin) had an unproductive at 4, a back at 6, a find at 19 and a second unproductive at 39, ending the effort. Knight's White Lady (Owen) was covered previously.

Empire Storm Warning (Middleton) and Neely's Standing Ovation (Anderson) were both up early. A mishap on birds for Storm and Ovation not pleasing the handler resulted in two early pickups.

Lone Tree Splish Splash (Owen), in No. 4, was covered previously. M H Rockford Peach (Sampson) had a nice hour on the ground but failed to dig up a find.

S B Always Dreamin (Owen) had a good start with point called at 13, but started moving after establishing point, finally coming to a stop again right before the bird flushed. She finished her hour at medium range. Far West Builder's Ace (Wilkin) was scratched.

Northwoods Charles (Owen) had finds at 6 and 49, with a somewhat inconsistent ground effort. Elhew See Me Charm'm (Schaff) had a good run but went birdless.

In No. 7, Gotta Little Project (Schaff) ran well but didn't find any birds. Painted Owyhee Breeze (B. Leddington) did a great job on the ground but couldn't come up with a find.

Reno, Nev., April 20

Judges: Talmage Smedley and Jason Staley

WESTERN OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP

[One-Hour Heats] -- 14 Entries

Winner--KNIGHT'S WHITE LADY, 1653758, pointer female, by Touch's Knight Rider--Henson's Snowhite. William Owen, owner and handler.

Runner-Up--LONE TREE SPLISH SPLASH, 1672171, pointer female, by Frontline Shack Attack--Whippoorwill Wild Spark. Bill Owen, owner and handler.