AFTCA Region
12 Trials
Wintersburg,
Arizona
January 6 -7, 2001
Held by the: ARIZONA POINTING DOG CLUB
Reported by: Curt Granthen
This series of field trials was a resounding success due to
the efforts of many hard working club members. Mark Danner hauled the
trailer out to the grounds Friday morning along with 230 gallons of precious
water for horses and handlers alike. Ted Parvu arrived shortly thereafter,
bringing along his fantastic Carry-All II Plus. Club Car® off road golf cart.
Those members in attendance can testify what an effort saving device this
is! Mark and Ted prepared the bird cage in time for Victor Funk, trial chairman,
to unload the bobwhites straight away. We had fat, mature flight ready
quail for this event. Not long after, the handlers started to arrive and
we conducted the draw of braces for Saturday¹s events. We had a total of
thirty dogs entered in the four stakes scheduled.
Saturday morning light
rain showers improved conditions for everyone and Mike Jones was there bright
and early with piping hot coffee and donuts to help jump start our handlers.
Larry Dubel took advantage of Ted and his four-wheeled workhorse and
planted birds, set out water barrels and generally made this event a resounding
success. Larry’s efforts made certain each dog had the opportunity to find
birds. Our wrangler had the horses ready and the first brace of the Open
Shooting Dog stake was cast off at 8:30 a.m.
THE RUNNING AND
RESULTS
Magma¹s Bisco Big, pointer male, was the winner of the Open
Shooting Dog stake, handled by Bill Gibbons for owner Jeff Jackson of Yuma,
Arizona. “Pete”s’ superior efforts excelled over a field of ten, highlighted by
a far reaching and classy race with two mannerly finds. Second was Montego
Barshooter “Monty”, pointer male, owned and handled by our chairman, Victor
Funk. Third was awarded to Magma’s Ramblin’ Man “Ramsey”, pointer male,
delivering for owner / handler Mark Pennington. Of interest is the fact
that Ramsey was sired by Pete and Monty was sired by Magma¹s EC, who was also
sired by Pete! A Pete and double Re-Pete event! By the time judges and
handlers returned to camp after completion of the OSD, Eric Laukonen and Larry
Dubel had cheeseburgers sizzling on the grill and a treasure trove of pot-luck
goodies were spread out on table for everyone to enjoy.
It was hard to
push away from the table for the Amateur Walking Derby but the handlers and
their six charges provided the perfect “dessert”. Grand Funk’s Rail Rosie,
shorthair female, took the winners laurels for owner / handler Victor Funk.
Placing Second, for owner / handler Victor Funk, was Grand Funk’s Rocky,
shorthair male. Gus Macrides found the winner¹s circle on his first ever field
trial with his pup, Guard Rail Elite, pointer male. If you haven¹t figured it
out by now, Victor was on a roll! Once again Larry Dubel, Mike Blake and
Ted Parvu completed their course maintenance and put out call back birds,
checked grain and water to provide us the best conditions for a successful
trial.
Sunday morning dawned cold and crisp and once again Mike Jones’
efforts warmed our spirits and gave a reason to be waiting out the dark to begin
our chores. The Amateur Walking Shooting Dog stake had and entry of ten and was
cast off at 8:00 a.m. Top honors were awarded to Budd von Rowekamp,
shorthair male, for owner / handler Bill Rowekamp of Sonoita, Arizona. Second
was, once again, Grand Funk’s Pearl, shorthair male, for Victor Funk.
Third place went to another of Bill Rowekamp¹s powerful shorthair pointers,
Sonoita Straight Shootin Samm. A sweep by those German dogs. Interestingly
enough, Grand Funk’s Pearl is the sire of Rocky and “Budd” is the sire of
“Samm”! Keeping it in the family once again.
The Open Derby cast
off shortly after our delicious Sunday potluck dinner; a field of five entrants
permitted the award of only two placements. Rounding out the weekend for
Victor Funk was his hard charging bird finder Grand Funk’s Rocky, shorthair
male, taking First Place. Wells Fargo Spud, pointer male, was awarded second for
handler / owner Paul Wells of Wilton, California. Paul had come to Arizona
to train and entered “Spud” shortly after arriving Saturday afternoon.
Congratulations to all our winners!
By the time our judges and
handlers returned to camp, everyone had gathered up all the assorted pieces of
equipment and packed it into the trailer. Ken Hart had planted birds and
maintained the course all day and still came forward to haul the trailer out.
Be aware that many members had come just to help out, not even running
their dogs in these events. Ken Hart, Ted Parvu, Mike Blake and others
demonstrated the true meaning of - PARTICIPATION.
Many thanks to all our
judges - Club member Richard Anderson judged both Saturday events when our
scheduled Derby judge was unable to honor his commitment. Dr. James
Sellett rode to judgment of our Open Shooting Dog and Amateur Walking Derby on
Saturday. Both Dick Anderson and “Doc” Sellett are long-time trialers and
bird dog enthusiasts; you can always count on these gentlemen to deliver
insightful and colorful descriptions of our winners.
Bill Gibbons
judged the Amateur Walking Shooting Dog stake along with Dick Anderson.
Once again Bill judged the Open Derby and Curt Granthen filled in for our
scheduled judge, Matt Sutter, who was unable to attend. Our trial marshals
were Curt Granthen and Mark Pennington. Thank you gentlemen, for all your
efforts making our field trial an enjoyable and successful event.
"Ted" at the AZ field trials vs.
former AZ Cardinals coach "Buddy" Ryan
Suspicious? Very.
Methinks I smell a rat. Don't back it.