2008 SUNFLOWER OPEN ALL-AGE CHAMPIONSHIP
Kimbell Ranch, Yates Center, Kansas
October 20, 2008 to conclusion
Reporter: C. W. Bud Moore

Politics and economics did not seem to phase the 2008 edition of the Sunflower Open All Age Championship. On the eve of the presidential election, bird dog supporters cast their ballots for the new champion with 47 championship entries and 26 derby hopefuls.

Despite bad weather, hot Monday, windy and rainy Tuesday through Friday, we had several two find dogs and enough one find entries. The Championship was again run over 15 sections of the beautiful Kimbell Ranch outside Yates Center, Kansas. This year to accommodate deer hunting on the ranch, we ran the morning courses backward to keep away from the ranch house until noon. This arrangement gave a fresh look to the courses and many people asked more than once “where are we?” The camaraderie was high among the professional handlers and several ran “Fuzz” Smith’s dogs along with their own strings. “Fuzz” came and drove the dog wagon as he is not “horse back ready” yet. It was wonderful to see him in such good health and spirits.

Our judges were Andrew Zink, Turon, Kansas and Ralph Short, Merriden, Kansas for the Derby, with Dale Bush, College Station, Texas and Jim Crouse, Dixon, Kentucky for the Championship. The Derby, with 26 entries was hotly contested with several “way over the hill” entries. No bird work came under judicial observation, but most of the “in contention” dogs were way in the countrie and two hills and a hollar gone. Five dogs really put some yonder on us and from them, Drew and Ralph picked Heyu WW Dan, Allen Vincent first, Tony, Gary Hill second and High View Hank, Andy Daugherty third. They appeared to hunt their way through lots of country while the also ran’s were mostly showing their age and just ran the country.

In the Championship, Mrsser. Bush and Crouse picked The Texas Nimrod, Allen Vincent Champion. He ran Tuesday in a blustery, rainy hour that tried Man and Dog. He stayed mostly to the front, never at extreme range but honest. His one find came mid way through the hour hunting the draw in the water tower pasture. He was close, but was rewarded with game. When Allen went in to flush, his first flushing attempt going to the dog produced a magnificent, big white tail buck that literally ran over the pointing dog. Nimrod regained his composure and Allen produced a large covey of quail in front of the dog. His was a medium race to finish.

For Runner-up, the judges chose Thunder Snowy, pretty first year dog for handler Steve Hurdle and owner Doug Arthur in attendance. Snowy ran the same course as the winner. Snowy was large in the first pasture and was seen going into the “honey hole.” Handler and scout caught up here and Snowy was sent down the draw going to the rural water tower 1 ½ miles away. He had an unproductive in the vicinity of Nimrod’s find. Looked good, but no birds. Sent on, he went another ½ mile down the draw and pointed again. This time the birds were at home. All well and good, a pretty find. He had a 10 minute absence after this, but was shown going into the rough oil pasture. At the bottom of the long hill at the normal creek crossing, he produced a large covey of half grown birds. The only time these were seen in the trial. With the normal course used up with 5 minutes still to go, Snowy was sent up the hill east into the 2 mile Virgil Road pasture. He finished going down a fence line into a light wind.

An “also ran” this author liked was Texas Blackman, normally a Fuzzy Smith dog, handled by Steve Hurdle here to a strong hour race and a good find on chickens at pickup. Several others impressed but could not put it all together for the hour. An hour on these prairies is rough on man and dog. At the end of the day, both man and beast are tired and sore.

Thanks to the Kimbell family for their hospitality and to the Crumrine family for the “Gene Spires” parking lot. The trial could not go on without Patty Moore. She did all the chores, fixed lunch every day, went to the bank and opened up our home and fixed supper for all on Wednesday night.

A trial on the prairies, with no amenities, 20 miles to town is difficult to put on. Couple this with opening and closing gates, hauling water, food, dog wagon, etc. and it adds up to work. And this is fun? We think so!

Thanks to all who attended and persevered. Judge Jim Crouse’s niece Megan came from Colcord, Oklahoma to ride. Owners Dr. Cook and Joe Nowlin came with Randy Anderson to watch their dogs and got rained out. We enjoyed having them here to participate. To anyone I overlooked, my apologies. Bud