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2007 MIDWEST VIZSLA SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP The Mid-West Vizsla Shooting Dog Championship was held on September 26-27, 2007 at the Ionia Recreation Area, Ionia, Michigan. The accompanying Gary Jagoda Derby Classic followed the completion of the championship on September 28, 2007. The grounds at Ionia continue to improve each year. The hard work of the grounds committee made up from the different clubs that hold events at Ionia deserve praise for their continued hard work with mowing, cutting, clearing and making several improvements to the different courses. Of note is the addition of fencing along areas where a dog can get to a road. Ionia provides an ideal venue to showcase a competitive and challenging shooting dog Championship. Barry Peterson, Ken & Judy Fales and Greg Heiden helped where and when needed with always a smile. Purina and Tri-Tronics have generously supported and sponsored this Championship now for several years. We greatly appreciate the recognition and thoughtfulness that both of these companies have continued to show through their support and donations. Once again Purina provided Pro-Plan Performance formula dog food for the winners as well as financial support. Tri-Tronics donated a training collar to the winner. Judges this year were Jack Potter, Grand Rapids Michigan and Scott Chaffee, a genial cover-dog professional from Clare, MI. This was Jack’s second time judging this event. Both gentlemen seemed to enjoy their time, and their decisions were well received. Mark Johnson stepped in to help judge the Derby Classic. THE WINNERS
Even though the number of starters was the least since the inception of this event in 1998, the performance of the winner was comparable to the winners’ of the past. Berry’s Taking Chances (Lotto) was skillfully handled by professional Diane Vater in the fourth brace. Released with Homeagain Islandtime Hunter (Dan Long) from the course two parking lot, both dogs charged hard to the front. Lotto slammed into a find near the rifle range, with Hunter near and providing a beautiful back on his own. Lotto was relocated and Hunter continued on. Diane produced the bird with Lotto standing tall and firm for the work. Hunter went deep, heading towards course 3 with Long calling on him, Lotto and handler joining the front at the entry to the woods chute. At the exit of the chute, both dogs were out of sight. Both scouts were dispatched north towards the orchard. A couple minutes later, Lotto was spotted near the course 2 parking lot and Hunter was seen standing near the pond, looking good. Long attempted to flush, but after not rousing the bird, Long released Hunter at which point Hunter showed Dan exactly where that bird was sitting. Lotto continued to the front across Sessions Creek. She again was not seen until we reached the Christmas tree field where she was seen heading south along the east-most line. Again, as the quick and agile bitch was intensely searching, she caught scent and slammed into point, style high and tight. She would remain high and tight as Diane worked hard to produce the bird, maintaining her style and intensity throughout two lengthy relocations. Lotto’s finish was as her start, fast, flowing, and to all the right places still driving to the front at the end of the hour – the bar was set high. Although two other dogs finished the hour with bird work, a runner-up was not named as neither gave a sixty minute championship type performance. BRACE BY BRACE Homeagain Atta Girl Pearl (Dan Long) with Bravo Haulin’s Olympic Speed (Julie LaRue) started at 8:30am Wedsnesday under mostly sunny skies with heavy dew on the ground. We broke away by the big tree near the barn, and both dogs charged to the front, Pearl last seen heading north at the end of the stone wall. Dashin showed to the front near the woods and hit Hires field and took the line in the middle to the end. Continuing forward on course, in the middle of the field a bird popped and the temptation was a bit much for this youngster. Homeagain Little Red Dot (Long) was with Saginaw Diamond Dan (Mark Johnson). Again, both dogs charged to the front and point was called by scouts on the north side of the line across from the first pothole. It was an obvious divided find with Dot facing east and Dan facing west, both dogs intently looking to the south. Long was instructed to flush. The bird was sitting on the edge, and at flush proceeded to fly directly at Dot. Dot only had to move her jaws, upon which the bird flew directly into her mouth. Dan was brought on, handler calling point with Dan standing on the line near the two ponds. At the flush, Dan took a few steps. Dan was brought on, charged hard to the end of Hires line where again he established point. As the judges caught up to the waiting handler, the previous work was discussed and Dan’s bid was over. Sunny Crump (Barry Peterson) with Homeagain Town Talk (Long). Sunny started well, knocking out two nice, well mannered finds, but she shortened at 25 minutes and never really got going again. Oprah had a find at 10 by the two ponds, great style and intensity, well mannered. She handled nicely, Long calling on her near the equestrian parking lot for water. She had her second find on Danny’s line, and as Long was flushing she decided to self-relocate and handler picked-up. A very respectable performance by this young dog, and I think we are going to be hearing a lot of her in the future. Homeagain’s Islandtime Hunter (Long) with Berry’s Taking Chances (Stephanie Russo) are described in the winners’ section. Onpoint's Bravo Thunder Rolls (LaRue) with Point Blanc Rusty Miracle (Carrie Syczylo). Taren’s first 35 minutes had her challenging for the top spot - 3 finds handled with style and manners; however, with 25 minutes to go she lost steam and didn’t show that winning drive until the last 5 minutes. Duke started out hard to the front, seen briefly and then coming back with a bird to Carrie at eight. JK’s Sunny Delite (Vater) ran as a bye dog and was off like a shot. This young bitch is very appealing covering the course: speed, animation, and an eye-catching way of going. She broke away from the course 2 parking lot and was a bit immature in her application. Near the rifle range, she established point and Diane produced a covey of several birds which were handled nicely. She was gone as we came thru the chute, and shortly after came back with a bird. THE GARY JAGODA DERBY CLASSIC
It was the Laverne & Shirley show (though I think both were mostly “Laverney”) as Julie LaRue and Carrie Syczylo had most of the dogs in the Derby, many from the same litter and all three placements were theirs. In the second brace, Jetta caught the judges’ eye with a mature application coupled with nice style on her birds. Hoosier’s and Dashin’s race was similar to Jetta’s, but their application belied their young age. Greg Konan came to run his Allie bitch, and she was putting on quite the show until she slipped away at 15 minutes. Hudson (Dan Long) lacked the maturity of the winners, but showed a lot of potential with his way of going. --- Reported by, Dean Nelson |
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