Result: United States Open Brittany and Victoire National Derby Championships

Location: Ardmore, Oklahoma

Post Date: Apr 1, 2019

Submitted By: Bonnie Hidalgo

United States Open Brittany Championship Winners. From left: Dennis Hidalgo, judge; Tom Tracy, Jr. with Ru Jem's Last Penny, Tom Milam, Dr. Robert Rankin, Kent Patterson with Piney Run Jake and Bonnie Hidalgo, judge.
ARDMORE, OKLA. -- Ru Jem's Last Penny captured the title of 2019 United States Open Brittany Champion with two outstanding one-hour heats. Penny was handled by Tom Tracy, Jr., for owners Jerry and Ruth McGee of Steward, Ill. This was Penny's eighth championship title.

Piney Run Jake was named runner-up with good forward ground efforts and flawless bird work in both series. Jake handily won Top Qualifier honors of the first series. Kent Patterson of Franklin, Tenn., owns and handles this consistent performer.

The Victoire National Derby Champion for 2019 is Quanah, handled by Tom Milam for owners Dr. Robert Rankin of Edmond, Okla., and Tom and Linda Milam of Ross, Tex. Quanah showed impressive all-age range and scored two finds.

Runner-up honors went to W W's Gin and Tonic, handled by Tom Tracy, Jr., and owned and bred by Burton Wice of Creve Coeur, Mo. She ran a big, predominantly forward race with one find.

These prestigious Brittany Championships were held at Lake Murray State Park field trial area in Ardmore, Okla., the week of March 4. The three one-hour courses have a good flow. The grounds were wet from plenty of recent rains and more that fell during the trial. The courses varied in cover from extremely heavy to light. It gives a good test to a dog's adaptability and to its desire to handle. The club planted lots of birds but there was evidence that the local hawks were taking a toll.

The drawing for the two Championships was held at the field trial area's clubhouse on March 3. A field of 36 was drawn for the U. S. Open Brittany Championship's initial one-hour series. Thirty-five of those were starters. The first series ran for three days with the final series being held on the fourth day. The Victoire National Derby Championship (21 entries) commenced on Friday, March 8.

Eight all-age contenders were called back for the one-hour finals. In addition to the winners, they were: Sparky's Prairie Wind Gypsy, S K F Miss Cheap Bourbon Whisky, Tequila Scorcher, Crossed the Line, Crescent City Girl and Touch of Bourbon Little Chug.

This event was proud to be sponsored by Purina and Garmin. Purina's support of the sport and this event, in particular, has been consistently generous. Their great dog food was awarded to the winners of each Championship and was gratefully received. Purina provides nutrition that performs. The club and everyone present at this trial appreciates both Purina and Garmin for their unwavering support of this great sport.

Directors of the championship club include Dr. Robert Rankin, president; Mary Karbiner, secretary; Scott Johnson, Ed Tillson, Claude Kilpatrick, Jan Kilpatrick, Dr. John Webb, Judy Webb, Delmar Smith, Rick Smith, Rheta Cartmell, and Kay Davis. The event is held in the memory of Dub Emde, Barbara Wade, Loyd Budd and Bill Cartmell who dutifully served this Championship and the Brittany breed during their lifetimes.

Every great trial has its faithful stalwarts and this one is no exception. Hard workings Secretary Mary Karbiner handled all the secretarial and financial details. Mary drove the dog wagon for the duration of the event.

Club President Robert Rankin planted birds early every morning and marshalled every brace of both stakes. Tom Milam assisted with the bird planting. Kent Patterson drove the horse trailer around, ferrying handlers in and out between braces and bringing the grateful judges and marshal in at the end of the morning and afternoon running. Ed Tillson graciously filled in for Kent on the final day of the Derby Championship.

Scott Johnson and Ed Tillson pitched in the trial wherever they could help. Claude and Jan Kilpatrick are usually present to help run this event but were forced to miss this year due to an illness in the family; they were missed.

Advertised judges Dennis and Bonnie Hidalgo of Brighton, Colo., presided for both Championships and enjoyed watching some great performances.

UNITED STATES BRITTANY CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS AND OTHERS

Ru Jem's Last Penny (Tracy) annexed the title with a strong, forward, reaching race and three very nice finds in the final series. Penny ran in brace No. 13 of the first series on Wednesday morning. She came back in the second hour of Thursday's finals.

Penny now has eight championship and nine runner-up titles to her name. Her impressive record includes winning the ABC National Amateur Championship, Michigan, Kansas (twice), and Nebraska Brittany Championships and both the Prairie State Open and Amateur Championships.

Piney Run Jake (Kent Patterson) did an awesome job in the first series to handily win Top Qualifier. Another creditable performance in the finals gained him the runner-up honors. He appeared in brace No. 18 of the first series and came back the next morning to run the third hour of the finals. Jake's turn-around time was the shortest of all final series dogs.

Jake's career as an all-age dog is quite impressive. In 2018 he was named the American Brittany Club's Purina All-Age Dog of the Year. Jake currently holds ten championship titles and five runner-up titles. His championship titles include the Southern and Dixieland Brittany Championships, Prairie State Open and Amateur Championship, Region 19 Amateur All- Age Championships, Texas Amateur Championship (twice), and Region 3 Amateur All-Age Championship (three times).

Piney Run Jake's runner-up placements came twice in the United States Open Brittany Championship; his remaining runner-up titles were the 2017 ABC National Amateur Championship, the 2017 ABC Pheasant Championship, and the 2018 ABC National Championship.

Sparky's Prairie Wind Gypsy, owned by Barry Koepke and Karen Fujikawa of Castle Rock, Colo., and handled by Scott Johnson, was the defending champion. She was named Dog of the Day on Monday and was closely considered in the finals. Although this fleet-footed female will turn ten in September, she showed no signs of aging in her performances. She appeared in brace No. 4 and then in brace No. 3 of the finals.

S K F Miss Cheap Bourbon Whisky, owned by Steven and Kelly Foster and Herb Rea of Emporia, Kan., was handled by Scott Johnson. She earned Day Dog honors on Tuesday when she ran in the seventh brace of the stake. She came back in the first brace of the finals.

Tequila Scorcher, owned by Charles Crain of Raymore, Mo., and handled by Ed Tillson, was braced with Tuesday's top dog in the seventh and only minute details separated the two. Scorcher appeared in the second brace of the finals.

Crossed the Line, owned by Andrea Christensen of Wheatridge, Colo., and Vicki Rankin of Edmond, Okla., was handled by Ed Tillson. He drew brace No. 9, and in the finals brace No. 4.

Crescent City Girl, owned by Barry and Petra Steinmetz of Naperville, Ill., appeared in the first brace of both series. She was handled by Ed Tillson.

Touch of Bourbon Little Chug, owned by Tom and Jane Wonderling of Pulaski, Wis., handled by Scott Johnson, appeared in brace No. 11 of the initial series and brace No. 4 of the finals.

QUALIFYING SERIES

Crescent City Girl (Tillson) pointed at 19 with Sundance Kid's Rulebreaker (Campbell) backing. All was in order through flush and shot for both dogs. Girl scored a second find at 32; she ran a good race. Rulebreaker was up at 45.

Hoochie Coochie Man (Tillson) had an unproductive at 17. Kashmir (Tracy) failed to back. Beyond the scout camp, Man became hard to handle and was picked up at the gas well at 35.

Maxwell's Prickly Pete (Tracy) was big and strong on the ground and was eventually lost. Ocaja (Gowin) scored a good find at 32. He did a nice job on the ground early but slowed late and handler opted to pick up at 45.

Jagoub's Buzz'n Bayou (Tracy) was lost early. Sparky's Prairie Wind Gypsy (Johnson) had an extremely nice, forward find at 12. She was absent from 20 to 34. At 38 she pointed but no birds were produced. Her second find came at 45 and it was flawless. Gypsy ran a huge race that was forward for the majority of her hour.

Just Call Me Lucky Ned Pepper (Campbell) had a promising start with a nice find at 50. His range shortened late in the hour. S S Rig's Colorado Gun Runner (Milam) ran a consistent race but went without bird contact.

Shady Way Joker's Hill Country Express (Tracy) was lost. M K's My Lil Ammo (Johnson) ran an attractive race except for a couple of absences. She scored one nice dug-up find.

S K F Miss Cheap Bourbon Whisky (Johnson) and Tequila Scorcher (Tillson). Whisky scored finds at 14 and 20. Scorcher had an unproductive at 22. These two had divided finds at 35 and 44. Scorcher scored another find at 48, all in good order. They ran predominantly forward races at good range.

Upland Trailblazer (Tracy) was lost at 18. Remchester's Premium White Lightning (Johnson) pointed unsuccessfully at 35. He scored a good find at 41 and another at 50. His handle was rough so his handler opted to pick up at 53.

Crossed the Line (Tillson) ran a nice forward race with a barren stand at 7 and a nice find at 58. Glade Run Irish (Tracy) did a beautiful job running the edges and hunting intelligently. He scored a good find at 6. His age was showing as his pace was consistent but not speedy. A trip through the water and cattails on Fuzzy Point adversely affected his finish.

Wyanna (Gowin) ran a fair race with an unproductive at 14. Rev'N Gunrunner's Tilly (Tracy) ran a consistent race. No birds were found this hour.

Castaway Wilson (Tracy) was doing a nice job on the ground but was lost at 43. Touch of Bourbon Little Chug (Johnson) ran a nice, forward race which got stronger as the hour progressed. He had one find at 34, all in order.

M K's Magnificent Bandito (Johnson) suffered a barren stand at 12, followed by a good find at 22 with Jazz Em Up Arrow (Hastings) backing. Arrow had an unproductive at 38 and scored a covey find on Fuzzy Point at 46. He handled rough and it affected his pattern. Bandito was up after a second unproductive late in the hour.

Ru Jem's Last Penny (Tracy) pointed at 13, with J R's Cool Hand Luke (Johnson) backing. It proved unproductive. She connected with a real nice find at 45 just prior to the bear trap. Penny ran a strong and forward race, capping it off with another find at 59. Luke scored a nice find at 20. He was running a very nice race until he came up lame midway through the brace and was picked up.

Almaden's Under Lock and Key (Tillson) was under a bird and up at 4. Arrow's Tequila Rustler (Beaver) scored a nice find at 7. He ran a good race for the first half but started hunting the cover hard and it caused him to get a bit lateral.

C V K Spartan King (Tracy) carded an exceptional limb find at 25. He was impressing with a big, predominantly forward race. He pointed again at 46 but self-relocated and was up. Campbell's Razz Ma Tazz (Campbell) scored a find with relocation at 26. Tazz suffered unproductives at 38 and 55 and was picked up.

Treasure States Toby Mac Daddy (Tillson) was scratched due to illness. J B W's Levi the Lionheart (Williams) scored a nice find at the pond dam at 35.

Roustabout All In (Tracy) pointed with J J's Diablo with Rusty Tears (Williams) backing in close proximity. Tracy opted to take his dog on. No birds were moved during this hour. Rusty tagged early but improved. She showed a good gait and plenty of speed but her pattern was immature.

A Touch Bourbon with Diamonds (Hastings) was under a bird at 6. Piney Run Jake (Patterson) scored impressive finds at 7 and 54. He ran a forward race with speed and intelligence. He was responsive to his handler even while at long range. An excellent performance.

CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS

S K F Miss Cheap Bourbon Whisky (Johnson) notched a good find at 5. Crescent City Girl (Tillson) pointed at 33, Whisky backed. No birds were produced. The pair pointed together at 44 but both moved on flush and were up.

Ru Jem's Last Penny (Tracy) ran a big, consistently forward race with three excellent finds, the first at 26 with Tequila Scorcher (Tillson) backing. A relocation here was successfully completed. At 31 near the scout camp she scored a good one on woodcock. Scorcher connected with a mannerly find at 34. At 54 Penny had her third perfectly mannered find. Scorcher again backed politely.

Sparky's Prairie Wind Gypsy (Johnson) ran a big strong race with one superb find at 44. She had two major absences; the second was late in the hour and lasted nearly 15 minutes. Piney Run Jake (Patterson) scored four perfect finds in his hour and handled well. His finds came at 24, 34, 44 and 48. The find at 44 was divided with Gypsy who had disappeared into that vicinity a few minutes ahead of Jake. While she may have been there first it was truly divided because she was hidden from Jake's view. His range was less extreme than in his qualifying hour but still very nice.

Crossed the Line (Tillson) drew blood early with a mannerly find at 1. Touch of Bourbon Little Chug (Johnson) backed. Chug scored a find at 13 and ran a medium race. "Tye" was lost.

Ardmore, Okla., March 4

Judges: Bonnie Hidalgo and Dennis Hidalgo

UNITED STATES OPEN BRITTANY CHAMPIONSHIP

[One-Hour Qualifying Heats; One Hour Finals] -- 36 Brittanys

Winner--RU JEM'S LAST PENNY, 1621183, female, by Trademark's A T M--Red Bud Zipper. Ruth & Jerry McGee, owners; Tom Tracy, Jr., handler.

Runner-Up--PINEY RUN JAKE, 1659010, male, by Piney Run Art--Piney Run Gypsy. Kent Patterson, owner and handler.

Victoire National Derby Championship

In addition to Champion Quanah and Runner-up W W's Gin and Tonic, three other Derbies made good impressions on the judges. All of these dogs are mentioned here along with a synopsis of each of their hours.

Quanah is owned by Dr. Robert Rankin and Tom and Linda Milam and was handled by Tom Milam. Quanah drew attention with his speed and range. He made the biggest moves of any dog in the stake, save one. He shortened late but continued to a good, forward conclusion. It was his display of extreme range coupled with two finds that earned him the championship title.

Runner-up W W's Gin and Tonic is owned by Burton Wice who was mounted to watch the entire stake. "Ginee" was handled by Tom Tracy, Jr. She ran an attractive, predominantly forward race. She scored a find beyond the fireworks station at 20. She slowed for a bit in the middle of the hour but hit her second wind for a strong forward finish.

Whizki on Diamonds, owned and handled by Cory Stokes of Pittsburg, Kan., was under serious consideration until the final brace of the stake when the runner-up appeared. He made some big early moves and was out of pocket for several minutes before settling into a pleasing, forward race. Just beyond pond dam No. 1, Whizki scored an attractive find. He went on to have a good forward finish.

B N T's Sonndance Kid, owned by Brian and Tracy Shinpoch of Cushing, Okla. and handled by Tracy, appeared in the second hour of the stake. He was braced with Whizki and was carried for runner-up until the eventual winners ran. Kid had two hawk kills and one nice find. He hunted hard and forward for the hour.

W W's Miss Wendy Peppercorn, owned by Burton Wice and handled by Tom Tracy, Jr., ran the race of the stake; she was fast, forward and attractive. Unfortunately, she went the hour without bird contact.

VICTORIE NATIONALE DERBY CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] --

21 Brittanys

Winner--QUANAH, 1674099, male, by Spanish Corral's Sundance Kid--Blew By Yet. Tom & Linda Milam & Dr. Robert Rankin, owners; Tom Milam, handler.

Runner-Up--W W'S GIN AND TONIC, 1676565, female, by Glade Run Irish--Driving Miss Daisy. Burton Wice, owners; Tom Tracy, handler.

Victoire National Derby Championship Winners. From left: Linda Milam, Dr. Robert Rankin, Bonnie Hidalgo, judge; Tom Milam with Quanah, Dennis Hidalgo, judge; Tom Tracy, Jr. with W W's Gin and Tonic and Burton Wice.