The 2005 Sunflower Open All Age Championship was a trial of to much prairie, dogs that ran to much, and as usual, good compet

SUNFLOWER OPEN ALL-AGE CHAMPIONSHIP
C. W. Bud Moore

Mother Nature wreaked terrible tragedy on the Great Plains the summer of 2006. Cattlemen were thinning herds, not for want of grass but a lack of water. No measurable rainfall had occurred for too many months. CRP land was mowed and hayed, pastures overgrazed where there was water and birds had been moved from their normal haunts.

Such was the scenario for field trialing on the prairies this year. Many trials were moved or cancelled. The Sunflower went on as usual. This writer has worked dogs on the Kimbell Ranch for nearly 25 years. Birds enough were found in workouts to hope for a good Championship

In conditions less than perfect, an excellent champion was found in Erin's Southern Pride, handler Randy Anderson. Pride drew the second hour on a Tuesday, leaving the old pumper's house going north up the one mile long ragged draw, spoiled by too many years of erosion from the oil industry's machinery. Pride took most of the draw before turning west across the top. The course goes west so handler let him ramble. As the gallery topped the hill we were greeted by the sight of Pride going west at the mile fence. Handler caught up with him and watered him judiciously. Sent on Pride was seen going down the west by southwest draw at nearly a mile. The draw is a mile and a half long and when we reached the western end handler raised his hat to show us Pride pointed in the draw below. It had been a long time since I had seen a dog that moves and points as pretty asthis dog does. Normally you get one or the other, but with this champion you get the whole package. Pride stood like his name for shot and wing and was sent on to go through the honey hole and turn west up the mile long creek bed. He ranged far to the front and at pickup was reaching for more country.

As you might surmise from the write-up of the winner, this is big country. We have the availability to use some 23 sections of prairie ground with no roads to intersect. It is no easy task to put on a championship this far from town without good help. Handlers who come know that it takes a prairie all-age to look good here and that good scouting is part of winning here.

Andy Daugherty and Mike Johnson are the deans here, not having missed a single running. Jerry Lewis has been coming since his move to Kansas. Allen Vincent has been here every year except one since turning pro. Randy Anderson has been here most years and has won his share. Larry "Fuzzy" Smith comes prepared to win. All pitch in to help each other and the organization put on the trial.

The trial could not go on without other help also, such as Gordon Shaw and Bob Enke coming from Kansas City to drive the dog wagon. Evert Davis, Jr., came for the road gallery and drove the dog wagon on Friday in the rain and mud.

Ralph Short came to help and ride. Drew and Donna Zink were the jack of all trades this year, doing such chores as picking up lost dogs to driving Andy Daughert's truck to town for more water. (Water in a 1,000 gallon tank has to be hauled to the grounds to water dogs and horses.)

And most important, my wife Patty did a little bit of everything, especially putting on the winners' steak dinner on Tuesday night.

The Sunflower is gaining in popularity with the truck gallery every year. The vistas are so huge and the country such that much of the running can be viewed from trucks using the ranch trails. Dan Bloom was here again to do just this. Jake Kirkland did both, riding and driving. Dr. Bob Cook was here again to watch his dogs perform, along with Don Stroble for Randy. Bill Strothkamp was here to watch his B J dogs and Beau run. Bill Coddington along with Jake livened up the Daugherty camp. It is always a pleasure having these people come to enjoy Kansas at its best.

Judges for this renewal were Steve Butler of Somerville, Tenn., and Bill Hoover of Felicity, Ohio. They came, had a good time and did a great service to the trial fraternity. They rode at a good pace and gave every dog a chance to win. Above all they are men of integrity, and fun to be around. Steve being a Democrat and myself being a "Goldwater" Republican, we had a good time discussing the upcoming elections.

OPEN DERBY
The Derby drew 21 starters and was an exceptional stake. The judges placed Mega Touch, owned by Bob and Sarina Craig and John Sayre and handled by Andy Daugherty, first on the basis of an extremely strong race.

Bracemates Texas Black Man, handler Allen Vincent, and Westfall's Maximus for owner-handler Ryan Westfall were placed second and third, respectively. Several dogs ran races that could have placed most places most times. The Derby, like most of the Championship, was a birdless stake. Hot dry weather precluded any bird work.

Derby 1st Place - Mega Touch, pointer male, by Mega Trouble - Whippoorwill Silver. Bob & Sarina Craig & John Sayre, owners; Andy Daugherty, handler
2nd Place - Texas Black Man, pointer male, by Black Range - Rail Link Express. D. T. O'Connor,m owner; Allen Vincent, handler.
3rd Place - Westfall's Maximus, pointer male, by Westfall's Front Line - Westfall's Excel Line. R. J. Westfall, owner and handler.

SUNFLOWER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
In the Championship, many dogs ran spectacular races such as Johnny's Jewel for Jerry Lewis in the first brace on a Tuesday morning. She hunted the cover, went to the right places and hunted at extreme range.

B J's Rockin Bill, for Fuzzy Smith, ran the third morning course right. His range was extreme, his choice of objectives was impeccable, his handling was kindly and he was pretty moving. Alas, no birds.

House's Snake Bite for Andy Daugherty was a joy to watch. The rapport between the two is enviable. The hour went by quickly watching the two seine the country trying to come up with birds. This dog knows what prairie all-age is all about.

Friday was wet and misty after a night rain. Birds came out and were moving all over the place. S F Bootstrap and Prairieland Pride found and handled three coveys of quail in less than 30 minutes. The bye dog picked up Thursday in the fog early was loosed and made it to the 30-minute mark and was put on the wagon and another successful Sunflower was over.

The judges had been carrying three dogs in their minds for runner-up but after seeing birds in numbers Friday morning decided not to name a birdless runner-up. A good decision.

Champion - Erin's Southern Pride, pointer male by Erin's Southern Justice - Erin's Lacy J. Sage Creek Kennel, owner; Randy Anderson, handler.

2006 Running Order The Sunflower Open All Age Championship
The Kimbell Ranch, Yates Center, Kansas
October 23, 2006 until conclusion
Sponsored by: The IAMS Company, Eukanuba Dog Food

The DERBY
Judges: Steve Butler, Sommerville, TN
Bill Hoover, Zenith, Ohio

Brace 1
Iza Mountain Bell, PF, CW Bud Moore
Whippoorwill Hot Dame, PF, Allen Vincent

Brace 2
Mega Touch, PM, Andy Daugherty
Joe, PM, Rodney Shoemaker

Brace 3
Texas Black Man, PM, Allen Vincent
Westfall's Maximus, PM, Ryan Westfall

Brace 4
BJs Diamond Buck, SM, Fuz Smith
Westfalls Trojan Pete, PM, Ryan Westfall

Brace 5
Shinnin Times, PM, CW Bud Moore
Silver Beau Mountain, PM, Fuz Smith

Brace 6
Last Date Kate, PF, Allen Vincent
Hanna On Line, PF, Andy Daugherty

Brace 7
Mega Lovely Lady, PF, Andy Daugherty
Nemaha Tinkerbell, PF, Pat McInteer

Brace 8
Black Rain Man, PM, Fuz Smith
Brazos Jim, PM, Allen Vincent

Brace 9
Hub City Warrior, PM, Allen Vincent
Skyline Matrix, PM, Fuz Smith

Brace 10
Market Guru, PM, Allen Vincent
SF Country Song, PF, Larry Smith

Brace 11
Larry, PM, Rodney Shoemaker
Bye

The CHAMPIONSHIP
Judges: Steve Butler, Sommerville, TN
Bill Hoover, Zenith, Ohio

Brace 1
Jonny's jewl, ESF, Jerry Lewis
Barshoe Busy, PF, Andy Daugherty

Brace 2
Erin's Southern Pride, PM, Randy Anderson
Taylor's Custom Made, PM, Fuz Smith

Brace 3
Nemaha Freestyle, PM, Pat McInteer
Mohawk Mill Bullet, PM, Allen Vincent

Brace 4
Nasty Attitude, PM, Andy Daugherty
Open Range, PM, Allen Vincent

Brace 5
Typhoon, ESF, Jerry Lewis
Hydro's Chickalah Fats, PM, Fuz Smith

Brace 6
Mega Diamond, PM, Andy Daugherty
Black Range, PM, Allen Vincent

Brace 7
Galla Creek Lady, PF, Fuz Smith
Remedy, PF, Allen Vincent

Brace 8
Bocefus, PM, Andy Daugherty
Barshoe Osama Ben, PM, Jerry Lewis

Brace 9
Top Crude, PM, Allen Vincent
BJs Rockin Billy, PM, Fuz Smith

Brace 10
Cypress Gun Powder, PM, Andy Daugherty
Texas Nimrod, PM, Allen Vincent

Brace 11
Black Lash, PM, Fuz Smith
Ring a Fire Rhythm, PM, David Taylor

Brace 12
Nemaha Tonic, PM, Pat McInteer
Kodak Moment, PM, Mike Johnson

Brace 13
Market Maverick, PM, Allen Vincent
Houses Snake Bite, PM, Andy Daugherty

Brace 14
Mississippi Hot Rod, PM, Mike Johnson
Worshams Silver Ghost, PM, Joe Worsham

Brace 15
Houses Magic Rain, PM, Randy Anderson
Andon Extreme, PM, Drew Zink

Brace 16
SF Bootstrap, PM, Larry Smith
Prairie Land Pride, PM, Randy Anderson

Brace 17
Black Eyed Sue, PF, Mike Johnson
North Point, PM, Erick Parrsons

Brace 18
SF Country Song, PF, Larry Smith
Hey U Two Pete, PM, Allen Vincent

Brace 19
Reflections Image, PM, Mike Johnson
Millers Total Eclipse, PM, Randy Anderson

Brace 20
Jet Setter, SM, Allen Vincent
Pepsi Sunami, PF, Andy Daugherty