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NATIONAL VIZSLA ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CLASSIC
The inaugural running of the National Vizsla Association’s
National Classic was held March 7 & 8, 1991 at the Silver Saddle
Ranch, California City, CA. The hospitality of thee Silver Saddle
Ranch & Club, as well as the city of California City, was
appreciated by all. The Silver Saddle Ranch & Club, located only ten
minutes from the grounds, not only offered us quality rooms at
attractive prices, but also offered a special opening of their
restaurant and club to satisfy the thirst and hunger of us trialers.
The newly formed National Vizsla Association, dedicated to promoting
the Vizsla as a high class bird dog, attracted 19 entries for this
initial Classic from as far away as Minnesota, with entries from
California, Utah, and Arizona as well. The event offered a
representation of some of the best one hour dogs the breed has to
offer. While several other interested owners and handlers from
around the country were unable to make this inaugural running, they
made it a point to convey their best wishes for the event and are
already making plans to compete next year.
The weather was near perfect with winds being a bit brisk the first
day. The temperatures in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s and crystal clear
skies both days made for good conditions for both man and dog.
The California desert does not off the type of venue found in most
other parts of the country, but the canyons, draws, rock
outcroppings and open spaces do test a dog, and require a dog to
reach to hit all that’s available to him. The rugged terrain, along
with the hill climbing required to cover the courses, tests the
mettle of every competitor. Those that finish an hour going strong
and going away deserve the respect of all who watch them perform.
Those of us who decided to form this Association were pleased to see
all but one entrant finish the hour. Another positive aspect of the
trial was the fact that not one dog had to be picked up for faulty
bird work. While there were a few individuals who went birdless,
there was only one birdless brace and several dogs scored multiple
finds. While this breed has long attracted the trialer interested in
half-hour stakes, the hunter and those who fancy the dog’s good
looks and temperament find it quite rewarding to see the caliber of
competitor performing in this one-hour Classic.
While a debt of gratitude must be paid tot eh Officers, Board of
Directors, and all who contributed their time and money it make this
event possible, a special thanks must go to Bruce Hale, our
President. He is without a doubt the primary catalyst and the
driving force that made this Association and this event happen.
The judges were also of the highest caliber. Jim Berneathy, a
pro-trainer from Hesperia, CA has campaigned dogs over a good
portion of the United States and has been fooling with dogs longer
than anyone can remember. Likewise, Ed Dixon, a dedicated amateur
handler and trainer from Long Beach, CA has owned and campaigned
Brittanies and Pointers over most of the West and knows a good dog
from any breed. Their decisions were right on the mark, and well
received.
THE WINNERS
The Vizsla World has been dominated for the last decade by the
offspring of two dominant individuals who were bred in 1982. This
event was no different. Rebel Rouser Bandieto, who was the product
of nearly twenty years of selective line breeding by Hank and Betty
Rozanek of Schuyler, NE, was a true All Age Vizsla who passed his
qualities on to his get. In the summer of 1982, he was bred to
Magma’s Samantha of Voros Tars, herself an outstanding female.
Samantha was the product of a breeding decision made by Bill Gibbons
of Phoenix, AZ and Bill and Linda Woodward, also of Phoenix, with
the Woodwards listed as the breeders of record. The litter whelped
in August of 1982 would prove to be the powerhouse of the 80’s, as
well as the seed for the future, with Samantha winning the 1984
Vizsla Club of America National Championship run under the auspices
of the AKC. Two of her daughters from this litter, Voros Tars Dolly
and Rebel Rouser Starr, would go on to win the same Championship
with Dolly winning twice in 1986 and 1987, then Starr in 1989.
In the spring of 1988, Rebel Rouser Starr was bred to a grandson of
Rebel Rouser Bandieto, Viesoo’s Prodigal Son to produce a litter
that was almost wiped out by Parvo, all but two pups. These two
pups, not yet three years of age, are the winners of this inaugural
running.
Rebel Rouser Bandieto
Rebel Rouser ET
Rebel Rouser Star
Viesoo’s Prodigal Son
Taunee’s Loki Santana
Viesoo’s Szidi V Penlee
Firebrand’s Constant Comment
Rebel Rouser Duke
Rebel Rouser Bandieto
Rebel Rouser Penny
Rebel Rouser Starr
Thor’s Thunderer
Magma’s Samantha of Voros Tars
Milehi Miss
Magma’s Mentowin, the winner, is a big strong male with dominant
features displayed both around birds and on the move. His gait is
fast and attractive. The boldness he exhibits in far reaching casts
is the type of quality one looks for in a true competitor. His hour
produced two finds, one at 12, the other at 24. Both were handled
with intensity and style. He would have had an opportunity to back
at 16 had his bracemate not been hidden from view while pointing in
heavy brush. Mentowin, as the name implies, went on to finish his
hour far to the front with plenty left at the end.
Magma’s Lone Survivor, the runner-up and the only littermate to the
winner, is slighter built but equally as easy to watch. Her fast,
snappy gait carries her quickly to the objectives. The brisk wind at
her back during her brace produced several lateral casts, but did
not prevent her from making numerous treks to the front. Her find at
40 was handled with style and when released by Gibbons, she finished
the hour to the front as though she had just started.
THE RUNNING
Nicks Golden Bear (Cooper) – Magma’s Lone Survivor
(Gibbons) – The wind drew both dogs to the left at break
away with Survivor turning to the front as Bear turned into the wind
and got hung up behind for two to three minutes. Survivor took to
the ridge on the right while Bear, after returning to the scene,
went for a ridge to the front. Both dogs disappeared from time to
time working canyons and draws. Bear was found to the left by scout
at 36, standing on a covey. His location was at considerable
distance and he was relocated by handler to find his quarry. Bear
was watered and sent on to go a little flat at 50, but finished to
the front. Survivor’s remaining performance is outlined above.
Nitro’s Just For The Judge (Hale) – Coleto Cheyenne (Gibbons)
– Both dogs moved out quickly at the breakaway with Judge going to
the front at eleven o’clock while Cheyenne took to the one o’clock
position. Judge was seen far to the front at 10, working heavy
brush, when he pointed then relocated on his own. The birds had
apparently moved and when he reestablished point, the birds were in
view, perhaps causing Judge to tick slightly as Cheyenne came in to
back. All was in order at flush and shot with Cheyenne displaying
excellent style and manners throughout her back. Both dogs were
released and moved to the front with Judge burning up the country.
Cheyenne hunted the remainder of the hour with no birds of her own.
Rebel Rouser Starr (Gibbons) – Mandolin Wind (Knight) –
Both moved out with the wind to their backs. Starr, the proud dam of
the winner, showed her desire and ability despite her age and recent
cancer surgery. Her find at 26 showed the style that helped her win
the VCA Nationals in ’89. Maddy was eager and made some excellent
casts only to go birdless, but not for lack of effort. Both finished
the hour hunting to the front with Starr beginning to show her age,
but never quitting.
Oakleaf’s Whiskey Pete (Fisher) – Magma’s Mentowin (Gibbons)
– This brace produced our winner, doing it with grand style. He and
Pete broke away strong and eager to cover the country. Pete scored
at 14 and all was in order for flush and shot. Pete’s race was
better early than at the end, but adequate throughout. Gabe’s two
finds and outstanding race have been covered above.
Mehagian’s Firestorm (Gibbons) – Betty’s Hopeful Drifter
(Christensen) Breaking away at 2:30 the first day, both dogs
were quick out of the gate, taking the ridge to the right and
carrying it some distance to the front. Drifter had the greater
range while Firestorm was snappy, but working somewhat closer.
Drifter scored a find at 28 and showed good style at flush and shot.
A non-productive at 34 would not have detracted from his performance
had he finished the last 10 minutes a little stronger. Firestorm
hunted hard but to no avail when time was called.
Shotgun Danny Dude (Gibbons) – Nitro’s First Class Act (Hale)
– As the last brace of the first day, these two were cast. Danny
started quickly with some extreme casts to the front, being out of
sight at times. Classy was slower to start, which is not her usual
style and somewhat bewildered her handler. Danny’s find at 16 was
one to watch, with good location and poker tail throughout flush and
shot. Danny’s race was string and his finish to the front had to
please the judges and he could have been a contender had he checked
in a little less. Classy showed her usual spark at times, but never
quite put the whole program together. She finished with plenty of
energy, but no birds.
Shotgun Rust De Abbeyfield (Small) – Mehagian’s Firestarter
(Gibbons) – Friday morning brought clear skies, less wind
and cool temperatures. As these two left the line at 8:45, both were
off but were stopped almost immediately as Firestarter slammed on
point at under a minute with Rusty backing. All was well at flush
and shot and the two started again. Rusty scored finds at 16, 18, 29
and 30 with some excellent casts to ridges and draws. Though
sometimes lateral, he covered a lot of ground. Firestarter scored
three finds and showed lots of energy. She was found on point after
being gone for thirteen minutes and having been ridden past by
handler and gallery. These two show a lot of promise and will be
worth watching in the future.
Baker’s Darlin’ Sportin’ Ginny (Gibbons) –
Cherokee Ombre (Mortensen) – These two started with a bang
as they both disappeared to the front. Being spotted at great
distances only briefly these two were eating up the desert. Ginny
had a cut toe and was wearing a boot, but showed no favor in the
early going. Her two finds were handled with good manners but her
foot and the hour began to take its toll. She finished to the front
and hunting, however. Ombre scored one clean find but did not have
the finish that the winner showed.
Rusty Spike (Adamson) – My-T-Hi North Starr
(Gibbons) – These two showed the stuff hour dogs are made
of, ranging to every distant objective. Spike hit the front and
searched to find no birds, while North Starr hit the front and sides
with similar results. This was the only birdless brace in the trial
which could have been caused partially by the rising temperatures
and dry weather. None the less, these two were exciting to watch.
High Plains Drifter (Mortensen) – Run as the bye dog,
Drifter just wasn’t in the mood this day and was put on the rope at
12.
Reported by Ray Cooper.
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