2004 Sunflower Open All Age Championship

The 2004 Sunflower Open All Age Championship was an outstanding success on all accounts. We had beautiful weather, great camaraderie, great dog’s, friendly handlers, lots of wild birds, and best of all the greater prairie chicken is on the rebound. We saw chickens in great numbers in every pasture. The Ed Kimbell family is to be congratulated on their taking care of the pastures such that the chicken is coming back in great numbers. We all know that they need second year growth to nest in, and an undisturbed nesting season. On a ranch that brings in 40,000 head of steers to feed every season, that is no mean task. We also say thanks to the family for opening the ranch to us to run the championship, and for making us a new gate to open up course number two and make it more useful.

Bob Enke, and Gordon Shaw again came and gave of their time, talent, and their smiling personalities to help. They do anything you ask and volunteer for more. Everett Davis jr. again was here to help in any way needed.

Our judges were Gary Jones of Clarksville,Tenn., and Don Lloyd of Olathe, Kansas. Don has judged for us twice before, and stepped in to substitute for Randy Anderson at the last minute, when Randy was unable to fulfill his commitment. Your scribe helped to judge the derby, along with Gary.

We always start with the Derby to give the young dogs a fresh shot at wild spooky birds. This year the early head start on the “Big” dogs was unnecessary as we had a group of very mature youngsters that pointed and held their birds like old seasoned veterans. We drew 16 entries, first was awarded to Mississippi Hotrod, owned by Ed and Dee Stevens who were riding to watch their precocious youngster. Hotrod was handled by Mike Johnson. Andy Daugherty handled Twice the Man to second for R.S.Blyth. Third was Rockwood Chief, owned by Bruce Chambers and handled by Ray Warren. Ray also had “Patch” in the next slot, but running a fever of 106 that evening showed why his race lacked his usual sparkle in places. He did, however, have a good race and a “broke” piece of work on chickens. All the placed derbies had “broke dog” bird work. We had many “all age” races, but these four had mature bird work to go with the races, and races they had. All three of the placed dogs were out of sight on the prairies much of the time, and were in the “zone” when seen.

The championship started Tuesday morning with 27 entries. The judges, Gary Jones, and Don Lloyd, named Mr. Powerpack, pointer male owned by Don and Carol Fox, of Licking, Mo., and handled by Andy Daugherty, Champion. With Don in the saddle to watch, Powerpack was turned loose the last brace Wednesday evening on the last course. His opening cast took him through the first pasture and into the west pasture down a natural draw leading away from the front. Daugherty however was able to call him off his westward course , and swing him across the front. Both dogs made it through the “honey hole” sans birds, and into the big (1 ½ by 2mile) southwest pasture. Powerpack took the eastern edge while his brace mate went west. The pasture is bisected by a natural draw that runs west southwest, leading to a mile long creek that runs east and west. Both dogs made the creek and went east into the huge silver tank battery pasture. (2x3 miles). Again Powerpack went east and the brace mate went down the middle. Powerpack sent behind the 1/2mile long mott on the east side and took the creek bottoms going south. At 55 minutes the cry of ”point” rang out and Powerpack had his birds located perfectly using the wind and objectives. At pickup time all knew He was the dog to beat. He hunted intelligently, used his objectives, wind, and ran to the front, hunting at huge range.

Runner-up was Kodak Moment, pointer male, owned by Ed and Dee Stevens of Decatur, Ohio and handled by Mike Johnson. Moment drew the tough Number two course going west through the old oil field draws. This pasture 50 years ago was the scene of the early days oil boom. At one time there were more oil wells than space on the hills of this mile square area. Over the years erosion has taken its toll on the soil, and many deep gully’s run up, down, and sideways across this piece of ground. The breakaway is going north down a mile long canyon, but the course breaks away and goes west at the ½ mile mark. Moment went the full mile, and when we reached the top of the canyon was seen going west on the mile fence line. We made the new gate crossing, and both dogs took the draw going southwest toward the creek bottoms. Through the “honey hole”; a natural twenty-acre bowl surrounded by motts and many coveys of quail, the creek bottom goes west a mile to the old corrals. Moment was out of pocket at the “honey hole”, and scout found him pointing, on the southwest most mott, a large covey perfectly located. After shot, he was sent west down the creek, and was seen sparingly. When time was called Moment was nowhere in sight. Scout called point deep in the bottoms behind the old corral, And when Judges and handler arrived no dog, scout having to ride back to direct them to the spot. Search was on, and the dog came back to them on his own. An exciting far-flung race with bird work, and good hunting of the objectives. It is not always easy to hunt the objectives and run a handling race on these grounds as they are huge in proportion, and many times call a dog to far flung objectives way off course. An example is the last brace before lunch on Wednesday, a handler, scout, and judge were lost for three hours when they went over one hill too many looking for the dog on point, and lost their bearings in the gray overcast weather. It took several people and the ranch foreman to find them.

Lest you the reader think this was a two dog championship, read on. Ray Warren came with the idea of winning it all. His Blue Steel Addition in the first brace had a far flung race and good bird work . Medicine Cloud did the same, but maybe hunted the motts too conservatively. Harpeth Valley Joe looked good for 50 minutes, but had a 10 minute spell where he hunted a little close. No shame for a hunting dog. Harpeth Valley Hawk looked very good around his game and flew through the prairies. Gary Hill the personable pro from western Oklahoma brought his contingency, Rodney Aldridge, and Lisa Gordon and a string of scorpions. His dogs flew through the country and hunted hard for birds. Had one or two of his had bird work, the trial might have come out differently.

Our judges Gary Jones and Don Lloyd definitely had their work cut out for them. They were personable, fair, set a good pace, and looked hard at every entry. Each dog had a chance to win. That’s all any owner or handler wants.

When the names of the winners were announced, there were no looks or sounds of disagreement. I’m sure that Ray Warren was disappointed, but that’s what makes him a good competitor. If he didn’t want to win, he wouldn’t be where he is now. But even Ray smiled, and congratulated both winners. Rodney Shoemaker had his two challengers ready, and no trial is over until he has run. Joe Worsham brought his prairie winner to the line and knocked heads with the pros. Joe is always competitive. Jay Lewis came from Saint Louis with his scout, and ran his winner, Bad Lands Flint. It’s too bad they had to get lost and spend so much time having a trail ride over the back 40.

Patty Moore had her Tuesday night tail gate party ready, and all enjoyed smoked sausage and cheese with cold beer and spirits. Wednesday night Patty and her mother had the steak dinner ready and a good time was had by all in attendence.

Thanks also to the Crumrine family for use of their land for “headquarters and parking, and to Perry Rhea for allowing us to cross his land on the way home each night. I want to thank all who attended especially Jake Kirkland and Don Powell. I would not have anyone to rag if they did not attend. If I missed any one, my apologies. We always have a wonderful time, that’s why we do it.

Maybe as Dave Pearson says, it is the land of make believe-but come ride with us and you’ll be saying as we do- I believe! The Kimbell ranch, with a sweep of 20,000 acres is the real thing.
C.W. Bud Moore