The Sunflower Open All Age Championship

The Sunflower Open All Age Championship
Kimbell Ranch, Yates Center, Kansas
October 2001

Mike Johnson is the only handler to ever win both ends of the Sunflower Championship,

This is Randy’s first full year as a professional, but you would have never known it from the way he and his dogs looked.

This was a trial where the judges had to do just that, judge, as every day we had new dogs that staked their claim as champion caliber contenders. Silver Hawk ran the first brace, and put his name in the hat with one find and a big finish across the open prairies.

Pink Angel for handler Colvin Davis ran the first brace on Tuesday, and started off with a find at 45 seconds into the brace. She added another find and a great finish to put her name in the hat.

Cowboy Up ran the last brace before lunch on Tuesday and put together a race of huge prairie proportions and had one find in the middle. Scout called point for him about 5 minutes after pickup, but the birds lifted before the judicial party could arrive, so he was harnessed and roaded in.

Bar W Kaki was turned loose after lunch, and had two finds, and an adequate race.

Kodak Moment, had a good find, a sticky unproductive, and a huge race to let the judges think about.

Updated Bulletin for Colvin Davis put together a good race, huge at times with a find on baby birds on the road, just before pickup to be considered.

Whipporwill Wheels for handler Allan Vincent had a find and ran all over the ranch literally before being lost.

When you have dogs of this caliber with the races we observed and all the birds we saw and saw pointed, it makes for an awfully good Championship. We saw Prairie Chickens in every pasture, but none were pointed under judgment, so did not play a part in the decisions for the first time since we started the Championship 10 years ago. Factor in the two judges we had, and you know it was the Best Sunflower ever.

Al Mueller from Wentzville, Missouri, and George Hill from New Melle, Missouri came and passed judgment for us. We enjoyed riding and talking to them for the short time they were here. Both brought a wealth of dog history to the trial, and their wisdom shown through in the placements they gave us. You will have to ask Pops (Al) about his Scooby Doo’s. I consider them both friends and have the greatest respect for their honesty, integrity, and ability to divide the wheat from the chaff. Thanks guys for coming and doing us the honor.

No trial of this caliber could be put on without spectacular grounds. For the use of the ranch, we thank the Ed Kimbell family. They went out of their way to empty pastures for us, and did many things to accommodate us.

Marsha Kimbell and son Kyle opened up the family B.B.Q. restaurant and fed 30 plus people on Monday night, sponsored by Eukanuba dog food products.

Their (Eukanuba) sponsorship of the trial helps us do many things that are required of a trial 20 miles from town, such as tailgate lunches every day, evening feeds, and judges and landowners gifts.

Wednesday’s steaks were cooked to perfection by Andy Daugherty, in honor of Bear Creek Bess, who won last year. There may never be another litter like the one that produced Bess and littermates.

Last but not least, I would like to thank those that helped put the trial on. It takes days literally to physically put this trial on and without help it would be impossible. First, my wife Patty who rides every day. Evert Davis Jr. helps with everything, and without his knowledge of the ranch, we would be at a loss, as the trial has never used the same courses the same way any two years yet.

Bob Enke and Gordon Shaw come from Kansas City to do what ever needs to be done. Mostly they always have the dog wagon in the right place with the right dogs on it. They always have hot coffee, donuts, cookies, water, pop, juice, and other vital necessities on the dog wagon. They always have the lunch materials and goodies ready for us when we get in, and help with the evening events. Jake Kirkland and Don Powell took care of the water wagon for us, a much appreciated job, as water has to be hauled some 35 miles round trip to take care of the dogs and horses. Bill Black was missed this year, as he always comes to help whenever he can (and can he cook steaks).

We had many friends and owners come to ride and watch.

Andy had Don Powell and Jake Kirkland as well as Harry Gillmore.

Allan Vincent had Dean Van Winkle helping him, and Bobby Davis came to watch his dogs.

Randy Anderson had George Langenberg, Bill Allford, Kevin Gorby, and Allen Sedivy to help and watch.

Doug Reisner came from Wisconsin to watch Mike Johnson handle his Oak Grove Dot Com.

Joe Bellnick came to ride and enjoy. We are grateful that Don Beauchamp brought his wife Linda, otherwise we don’t let him come. Thanks for coming guys, we always enjoy showing off the most beautiful grounds in the U.S. of A.

You will have to come see our grounds. Where else will you see someone drive a new Lexus across the prairies to watch the dogs? Seth Bell, a N.B.H.A. follower came with Dustin Oaks to watch the All Age dogs.

Roy Pelton and Galen Sears, of Iams products were also welcome visitors.

The Championship drew 34, and all ran. When it is hot and clear in Kansas, we don’t find many birds. About half the dogs went bird less, and several were picked up early. However it has been a long time since I have seen this many dogs show their conditioning and training as well as we saw here. Not one dog was shown that did not belong in a championship of this kind.

The Derby drew 26, and all ran.

The winner showed the first brace Monday morning, and ran to the limits of the course, and showed that he was bird hunting as he went through the oak motts. Ray Warren handled him to a very pleasing performance. He showed great potential to be back as an All Age.

Allen Vincent showed Barshoe Big Bucks to a big last half to place second.

Third was Hawk’s Rebel Heir for Andy Daugherty. He was braced with No Fences, Mike Johnson, and both tore up the big Pasture north on the Virgil Road. Joe Texas for Vincent had a huge finish, but started to slow in the heavy cover of the corral pasture. Omaha had the same course as Joe Texas and showed much the same, slow to start, but big to finish. Hyper Sport for Vincent, and Llano Estado Lou for Warren were the only two derbies to point birds.

All the winners were placed on their consistency, and their way of going. Derbies need to go somewhere, and then do something when they get there, and look good doing it. These did.