Funseeker’s Rebel Named 2007 Champion, House’s Snake Bite, Runner-Up, Chickasaw Bud, Top Qualifier
On the sandy hills of Chinquapin
A bird dog casts into the wind
With each breath he seines for scent
Of Bobwhite quail–that southern gent
He seines the wiregrass with his nose
As ridge to ridge he swiftly goes
While his handler rides the course
And sings his song as guiding force
Then suddenly the pointer stops
Becomes a statute as of rock
The handler sees him standing tall
And lifts his cap to signal all
We canter up to see the flush
Bobwhites fly in furious rush
A pistol crack salutes the find
A picture’s fixed in the judge’s mind
Twice more the lofty pointer freezes
On scent of quail borne on the breezes
Twice more the handler stomps in the grass
Puts quail to flight –Ty’s all class
When Ty reaches Swallow ‘Em Bottom
Fred is thankful he’s still got him
Heads him west toward the Big House ridges
Hits the whistle–burns all bridges
Tyson takes his handler’s signal
Sprints ahead like a cruise missile
At time he’s crossed distant hills
Frank and Mercy share the thrills
When all ten called have had their shots
There’s little doubt which earns top spot
Gillmore and Fischer judge one top level
2007’s Florida Champion Funseeker’s Rebel
2007 Florida Open All-Age Report
Funseeker’s Rebel, six-year-old son of Double Rebel Sonny and Funseeker’s Gem, won the 2007 Florida Open All-Age Championship at Chinquapin Farm for handler Fred Dileo and owners Mercy and Frank Fonseca of Miami, Florida, with a convincing three-find effort in the one-hour finals. Runner-up honors went to House’s Snake Bite, who also scored three for Andy Daugherty and owner Tom Faller. Bite, five years old, is by Cypress Gunpowder out of House’s Peggy Sue. Joe Hicks scouted Rebel, Fuz Smith scouted Bite.
Rebel’s dam was a prairie champion for the Fonseca-Dileo team and always a threat, known for big races, but often a handful. Rebel seems to have inherited the best of both his parents’ traits—Gem’s fire and Sonny’s level headedness. He is a large, handsome dog with good style, conformation, speed, and gait. His previous wins include the 2005 Tarheel Championship and the 2005 Masters Open Quail Championship.
Snake Bite has been a consistent winner for the Faller-Daugherty team. He is a handsome sensible dog that works well with his handler and a good bird finder.
Chickasaw Bud’s top qualifier race was the highlight of the week. He sparkled from start to finish, scored three dug-up finds, and finished with a huge cast west up the power line. A thrilling forty minutes for handler Lee Phillips, owner Dr. Ron Deal, and the gallery. Bud, just turned four, is by Frontline Mick out of Davis Okapilco Bobbe.
Many owners and fans came to enjoy this special trial. Among them were Jim Goza and Don Price, who have come here regularly to compete and watch since the 1960s. Their memory banks hold many thrilling performances, many good stories. Denver and Lucy Kellborn make the Florida a part of their winters. Gene Brown was over from Tallahassee. Others are noted in the running. The Florida championship is the greatest spectator event in field trials, and it’s never muddy.
Judges were Harry Gillmore of Murphysboro, Illinois, returning for a third year, and Leland Fischer of Jefferson City, Missouri. They teamed well and rode attentively (both are good horsemen, not afraid to canter hard to the action). They are knowledgeable breeding, training, and handling their own dogs and campaigning with pros. Harry is retired as an engineer in electric-power production. Leland is a builder and farmer of fertile lands on the Missouri River and good company. He will return to Chinquapin next year.
A record one hundred nine dogs were entered, all but one of which came to the line for the forty-minute qualifying series, which consumed Sunday through Friday. Ten were called to go in the one-hour finals. There were a remarkable number of outstanding performances in the qualifying series. Perhaps twenty of the qualifying races could have yielded a championship on a given day. This was truly a great field trial, one to be long remembered.
When the two-series format was introduced, there were concerns whether it would work fairly and efficiently. Experience has now shown that it does work, thanks to the good grounds, the plentiful birds, and the efficient team at Chinquapin. A week is the most Chinquapin can be made available at the peak of the quail-hunting season, and the format has made it possible to accommodate a huge entry, Ted Baker’s goal. The format has also introduced added excitement, with the called-back dogs seen an hour and forty minutes (though only the final hour is judged for the championship award). The purse of $35,000 is the highest in the game and appreciated.
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The handlers came to win. They came from as near as South Georgia and as far as Idaho, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina. They brought their best in long trailers pulled by rumbling diesel duallys. Some brought their scouts, and some planned to trade off or enlist the home team of Hicks or Sikes for scouting help. All had a plan. Only three would win, but when the week ended, all knew they’d had a fair chance.
Purina provided much appreciated sponsorship and dog food for the winners.
In the early 1990s, Frank Fonseca had been competing in amateur stakes and reading in the Field about a young professional handler’s exploits. He had four pups from a litter that seemed to want to run. He called the handler and made arrangements to send the pups north. Then he and Mercy drove to Georgia to deliver the pups. On the turnpike, they stopped at a rest stop and got the pups out on ropes for relief. Tying the first and going back for a second, the first got free and ran up the highway! Frank solicited the help of another driver for the pursuit and finally convinced the runaway pup to stop before it was hit by the buzzing traffic, a near thing. Thus begin the Fonseca’s memories of their dealings with Fred Dileo. They sent pups north regularly with Fred, visited him in South Dakota, their first prairie experiences, and frank continued to compete in amateur stakes. Then they allowed Fred to run promising prospects in open stakes, and the rest is history. They now own a farm in Southwest Georgia, which the family enjoys with their dogs and are regularly on the scene when Fred runs Fonseca’s Rebel, call name Typon or Ty. Frank has him qualified for the National Amateur Quail Championship. Last fall he won the Sunshine Open All Age and the Forhell(?) Championship on consecutive days. He followed his Florida win with runner-up honors at the Continental.
The Qualifying Series
Fog delayed the start until 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 7, 2007.
Ice-A-Matic (Moreland) was handy early, then stretched through the southern leg (now run through the center of the block of piney woods lying east of the gas line). He scored handsomely at 36 just south of the power line (the covey Chinquapin’s Millinneum finished with in his winning bid in 2003). Bost ‘N Cut (Robertson) found no birds in a moderate race. Eddie Sholar rode for his Ice-A-Matic.
Appaloose (Hilliard) backed True Blood (McLane) at 10. This proved unproductive, but Appaloose scored at 13 on the way back to the front. When we reached Buck’s Hill, Blood scored a dandy on left at 27. Appaloose had an unproductive at 34. Their races were moderate, Blood’s the wider. Mark’s cute young daughter Katie rode to watch her father handle.
Leaves U Smiling (McDonald) was AWOL at breakaway. The Agency (Dileo) stood at 3, and Dileo showed feathers from a dead bird and took him on. He scored on right at 18, good work, and kept the front for the rest of his time at good range.
Gallo Creek Lady (Smith) had an unproductive at 14 and a moderate race. Rocky Creek Outcast (Moreland) disappeared into Swallow ‘Em Bottom.
Brick Church Avalanch (Robertson) scored handsomely at 33 and 37 after suffering an unproductive at 16, and covered lots of country, not all of it forward. Jeekson’s Slate Line (Williams) scored at 39, all in order, and was seen infrequently. Nasty Attitude (Daugherty) found no birds on “27” and was picked up at 37. Southern Action (Dileo) had a find at 6 and another at 9 where his manners failed him, and he went back on the truck. Dr. Tom Kennard was riding for his Action.
Redemption’s Rewarding Star (Moreland) scored at 17, ran and hunted well, and had a dandy at 39, sealed with a good relocation. Pepsi Sunami (Daugherty) was lost.
Monday began with rain, which came steadily through the first brace.
Solid Hilltopper (Russell), last year’s top qualifier, scored at 4, 8, 11, 25, and 28, all with style and good location. In his last twelve minutes, he was seen little, but when seen, he was reaching at the front. A case of too many birds, but, “How do you teach them not to point?” Swampfox Ted (Hilliard) was lifted on a miscue at 22. Owner Richard Whiting was present.
Murray’s Rustler (Robertson) used the second course to advantage and scored handsomely at 17 and 40. Taylor’s Custom Made (Smith) was lost.
House’s Patriot (Morton) scored at 11 and at 34 where he relocated effectively. His race was forward with some good swings through the ideal country. Another Reward (Sessions) reached impressively and scored at 13 and 22, all in order. He suffered an unproductive at 39. This first-year dog impressed favorably with his way of going and his pattern.
Loneoak Vegas (Moreland) was lost in Swallow `Em Bottom. Elhew Wild Wind (Mark Henley) scored at 3, then again with a limb find at 21, and ate up the country impressively through a consistent race. He had some absences but always showed up at the front from them. Co-owner Rasby Mathis rode for Wind.
Southern Prodigy (Morton) was lost. House’s Snake Bite (Daugherty) scored at 9 and ran a handling forward race. Tom Faller rode in support.
Barn Owl Chance (Winter) had an unproductive at 34 and a moderate race. Southern Parlay (Morton) was lost.
Hano Eslacado Magic (Robertson) scored at 2, a divided find with Frontline Sam (Dileo). They toured the rest without contact. rode for his Magic.
Lester’s Dollar Bill (Morton) and Bobby Hugh B (Robertson) were erratic. Bill scored at 22 on a relocation, having suffered an unproductive at 5 where Bobby backed.
Crouch’s Resolution (Gates) and Big Bopper (Hilliard) were short, Resolution scoring at 16 at judge’s trailer place and at 21. Bopper miscued at 21 on relocation, to be lifted.
Rester’s Copper Penny (Furney) impressed with her groundwork, scored well at 13, and at 39 had a stop to flush (viewed most charitably) on a single. Loneoak Cadillac Mack (Moreland) was picked up, not pleasing handler.
Tuesday morning dawned cool and clear.
Broadway Drifter (Gates) scored at 4 left of pipeline, scored again at 18, and used the course well with reaching casts. Chinquapin Bisco Cash (Sikes) a derby, scored handsomely at 7, and laid down an impressive forward race. Jerry Sikes, Slade’s father, rode the wagon with your scribe. He’d had Cash as a pup.
Barn Owl Lulu (Winter) went big and where she pleased. Broadway Silver Belle (Gates) laid down a forward reaching race with finds at 3, 27, and 32, all on the course.
Last Call (Robertson) ran enough, but sometimes laterally, and found no birds. Double Rebel Legacy (Dileo) stood at 8, and birds lifted during relocation away from the dog. He scored nicely at 30 and suffered an unproductive at 37 as time expired, after which Ted Baker released his Brittany, Florida Rock, to put the running single to flight. Fred fired in his honor. It took a while to round up Rock.
Mr. Mac’s Gus (Winter) was lost. Miller’s Southern Pride was close early, then reached, and scored at 19 on a relocation. Mike Furney rode.
Chickasaw Butterfly (Phillips) was lost. Shake’s Tag (Dileo) scored a dandy at 19 on hilltop, a second at 24 in bottom, and at 31, was confounded and bumped on a relocation where he’d winded birds at a great distance, gone straight to them, then had them run by him down wind. John Hicks was on hand for the ecstasy and the agony.
Highnoon Gamble (Furney) and Broadway Drifter (Gates) laid down a dog race on “27,” both impressive, with Gamble scorning at 13, 16 (divided), and 30, and Drifter scoring at 16 and 23. Gary Futch rode for his Gamble.
Distant Shadow (Gates) went birdless. Co-owner Jed Dempsey was riding. Funseeker’s Rebel (Dileo) scored at 11 right of power line and at 38 on the faithful covey by judges’ trailer place. He hunted mostly forward and at good range. The Fonsecas, Frank and Mercy, were on hand to enjoy it.
Solid Reward (Robinson) and Cypress Gunpowder (Daugherty) dueled on Loncalla. Gunpower scored quickly at 3 and 6 and was seen little thereafter. Reward made some huge casts, one rewarded at 15 with a limb find dead at the front. He was a handful, impressive with his reach. After time, he was found pointing on the course.
Rester’s Private Eye (Gates) and Hellbound Jack (Hilliard) went birdless.
Mr. Man Zep (Winter) and Myakka Shadow (Furney) were lifted on handlers’ motion.
Wednesday morning dawned clear and cold with a moderate frost and no ground fog.
At 7:50, Rowan’s Gunsmoke, the 2005 Florida Champion (Moreland) and Mega Diamond (Daugherty) were released for a thrilling forty minutes. They both ate into the wiregrass left of pipeline and reached for the front, pointed out occasionally far ahead. At 14, as they reached the ridge before course turns 90° east back to the pipeline, Gunsmoke stood. As we rode toward him, Diamond cast to the same ridge from the opposite side and established point, neither dog visible to the other. Both had birds, all okay. Up the pipeline, both dogs hunted the piney woods on left, and Gunsmoke scored at 16, 25, and 32, the last in the far left corner of the course, a deep find of merit. Crossing the pipeline for the southward leg, Gunsmoke reached through the country in all-age fashion to challenge for top qualifier honors. Diamond also encountered birds three more times, but on the last had a bobble to be lifted. A brace to be long remembered by those who saw it. Mike Cheely, Luke Weaver and Luke’s daughter, Laura English, rode for Gunsmoke.
Afternoon High (Furney) and Wiggins River King (Gates) went birdless, King’s race abbreviated, High’s reaching.
Barshoe Busy (Daugherty) was gorgeous on game with finds at 17 (a sharp relocation), 20, 26, and 38, but today she lacked all-age reach. Anyone riding was tempted to steal her and take her home. Noon Delight (Moreland) was lifted at 18. Tom Faller had ridden for Busy, Cheely and Weaver for Delight.
Sandhill Dix (Rayl) had an unproductive at 26 with a long relocation effort on pipeline beside Big House. Riverton’s Blackeye Pea (Robertson) scored at 26 and ran a race of all-age proportions.
Little Hope Nick (Dileo) scored at 15 and 26 in a pleasing race, including some good forward casts. Rebel Recap (Moreland) was lost.
Deception’s Hero (Robertson) went birdless on “27.” Chickasaw Pride (Phillips) scored at 22 and reached appropriately.
Soggy Bottom Reward (Robinson), a first-year dog, scored at 33 in a pleasing race of modest proportions. Little Hope Chunky (Dileo) scored at 30 then succumbed to two unproductives. Co-owner Stan Howton, a recent transplant to Georgia from Missouri, rode.
King Cotton (Gates), fresh from his runner-up placement at the Georgia, scored at 24 where birds lifted far ahead during relocation. Briercrest (Furney) went birdless.
Just Wait (Dileo) scored at 12 and 16 and showed his reaching power at times. Red Water Warrior (Robertson) had an unproductive at 17 in a reaching race.
Chickasaw Bud (Phillips) had a thrilling limb find at 3 where he was high and tight in a firebreak with birds perfectly located. He scored next beyond Lookout Ridge at 14, another limb find where his style and manners were flawless. Then he filled the country toward the Club House and beyond back up power line, scoring another sterling find at 27. At call of “Pick `em up,” scout Joe Hicks called point far away. Judge Fischer rode to see Bud, but the find did not count under the rules. A truly thrilling performance to earn top qualifier honors. Rester’s Perfect Storm (Gates) had been lifted early. A great day of field trialing ended.
Thursday dawned clear and cool with the promise of warming.
Pride’s Alibi (Rayl), last year’s champion, swung deep left and then to the front, and at 15, found a covey just before the turn right toward the pipeline, all in order. At 16 Bocefus (Daugherty) found the ridge-top covey before the turn toward the gas pipeline. Alibi came in and backed. Bocefus was seen little thereafter. Alibi reached through the piney woods to the turn east and then on to the south, scoring again at 30 with good style and manners, and finished with casts to the front. Owner John Lee rode.
Buzzsaw Stormy Maggie (Moreland) scored on the right side of Buck’s Hill at 21, then again at 23. At 30 she suffered an unproductive; just as Bubba remounted, she pointed again a hundred yards ahead. Here she worked out a difficult relocation on a single beneath a big oak, good work. She went on to a good finish. Short Skirt (Gates) backed Maggie’s stand at 21, then scored at 30 with a nice relocation, and again at 40. Skirt had also hunted a good forward pattern at fair range.
Broadway Weapon (Gates) and Welsh’s Turbo (Furney) found no birds. Eddie Sholar rode.
Tommy B (Robertson) ran a forward, searching race, but found no birds. Solid Power (Rayl) had two limb finds and another at the front in a big, well-directed race.
Phantom ‘s Last Dime (Dileo) was lost. Law and Order (Gates) had a miscue to be lifted.
On “27,” Quail Acres Bob (Hilliard) scored at 23 and 29 with good style and manners. Caddo’s Freeboy (Bush) scored at 28, all in order. Their races were well directed at fair range. Bob Napier scouted for his Freeboy, Nan Hilliard for Bob.
BJ’s Highball (Smith) stood at 2, all in order, and was lost soon after. On Line Rebel (Dileo) ran a forward, powerful race and scored at 25 and 34 with good style. It was warm now.
Broadway Blackhawk (H. Gates) scored at 14. He was seen little thereafter. House’s Smoke Signal (Martin) found no birds.
Fury View Rick (Hilliard) and Miller’s On Line (Furney) had bad luck. On Line snapped at a bird that flew in his face at 7, and Rick bumped a bird at 18 after a good find at 2. Mike Furney rode.
Friday dawned warmer, but still clear.
Flatwood Silver (Gates) took the left side of pipeline and scored an all-age find at 12 on the faithful covey at ridgetop just before turn 90° east to the pipeline. At 27 Hunter called point and then flight as judges rode to the dog just after course turns south. At 32 Silver scored again, all in order, and at 39 he executed a good relocation in piney woods to cap his bid. Gerry and Dr. Everett Crouch were riding to watch. Erin’s Unbridled (Bush), with owner Bob Napier scouting, hunted a forward and reaching hour, but found no birds.
Bal’s Dancer (Rayl) scored at 20 and hunted a forward pattern at fair depth. Blind Date (Furney) found no birds in a similar race.
Quail Acres Sally (Hilliard) and Hydro’s Chickalak Fats (Smith) were lifted by their handlers early when they failed to reach.
Phantom’s Evaluation (Dileo) had a find at 12, all in order, after suffering an unproductive at 3. Her race was reaching. Just after call of “Pick `em up,” she stood, but it was too late. Jim’s Diamond Streak (Furney) had a bobble at 4.
BJ’s Rock’n Billy (Smith) went in the heat. He scored at 6 and succumbed to two quick unproductives at palmettos at 30 and 32 after a medium forward race. Flatwood Earl (Gates) hunted a forward, reaching all-age race, but found no birds. Dr. Robert Kelley and his grandson Chris rode to watch.
South’s Late Night (Furney) went on “27” in very warm conditions and reached well through his forty minutes, scoring at 27 where a single got up under gallery horse some distance from him as Rick flushed. His finish was spectacular and distant. Home Boy (Hilliard) scored at 36 in a race that was forward and well directed.
High Noon Bob (Furney) was lifted at 23, not pleasing handler. Owner Gary Futch rode. Bo’s War Honor (Bush) had a searching, forward race and suffered an unproductive at 35. Bob Napier scouted.
Specter (Robertson) scored at 18 in a reaching race. Chinquapin’s Andy (Hicks), who reminds of his grandsire, Chinquapin’s Slam, went big and scored the find of the stake at 35 where distant call of point required Judge Fischer to ride way in yonder and make a hard canter back to the front so Andy could finish at the front before time. As time expired, Robertson was flushing for Specter, but no birds were produced.
Bisco Big Tim (Furney), the bye dog, was lifted early to end the qualifying series.
The Finals
House’s Snake Bite and Buzzsaw’s Stormy Maggie were released at 7:50 in clear, warming conditions. Tom Faller and John Thompson were riding. They took the left side after brief sprints up the pipeline. Snake Bite scored at 8, all in order. They made the turn to the pipeline without difficulty, and at 18, Maggie stood on left opposite gas line regulators. She was stylish on the well-located birds. At 21 Snake Bite countered on right side of pipeline, and these birds too were well-located, and Bite stylish. At 24 Maggie suffered an unproductive, but redeemed herself with a good find at 31. Meanwhile, Snake Bite was out of sight and being called for by Andy. At 34 call of point came from scout, and Snake Bite was standing in deep to the left just before power line. He relocated on his own and pinned the birds for his best find. He finished back across the pipeline on the usual second course. Meanwhile, Maggie was out of pocket. When her grace period ended, the tracker showed she was on point dead on course in a low spot, bad luck for Bubba and not his last of the day. (At lunch John Thompson thanked Ted Baker and said, “It’s a good trial when you can have bad luck and still have a good time, and I have.”)
Rowan’s Gunsmoke and Pride’s Alibi were released just beyond Buck’s Hill and reached into the inviting country. Cheely, Weaver, and Lee were on hand. At 17 Eddie Rayl, riding front for Fred, spotted Alibi standing just right of course path and borrowed a pistol to do the honors. Gunsmoke at 24 stood on left, and a stop to flush during a difficult relocation on a single followed. Alibi was making some deep swings, but more lateral than ideal. At 39 he stood, and birds lifted during relocation away from the dog. Fred stopped him and fired. From here he made a big cut to the front, crossing distant ridge tops and then swinging on course toward the highway. At time scout called point for a limb find, all in order. Had his earlier groundwork been a bit more forward, he might have been in the money, for his final twenty minutes were true all age and forward. Gunsmoke was lost after the turn away from the highway.
Funseeker’s Rebel and Chickasaw Bud were released for their duel south of the highway and made it into and out of Swallow ’Em Bottom without being lost. At 18 Rebel stood below Big House and had birds well located with style. At 22 Bud answered just left of course path, and at 23 Rebel counterpunched 150 yards to the right on another covey, all in order. Both kept the front, and soon scout called point for Bud deep right where course turns 90° left. When Judge Fischer arrived, the birds had left Bud, judicially unobserved. Meanwhile, Rebel scored again handsomely at 30. Bud made it back to the front in short order, and both dogs made good forward casts toward and beyond the Club House to finish in the hills west of Swallow ‘Em Bottom. Rebel’s effort earned the Championship, a consistent forward race at good range with no lengthy absences, punctuated by three good pieces of birdwork. The Fonsecas and Dr. Ron Deal were on hand to enjoy it.
After lunch, South’s Late Night and Broadway Silver Belle made their bids on “27” in hot, dusty conditions. Both showed good effort with forward groundwork, Belle rewarded at 14 in left corner. Late Night scored at 26 and again at 49. Their finish was to be east up the pipeline where Belle was shown, but Late Night was not. After call of time, Night was brought out from the left by scout.
Solid Power and Flatwood Silver made their bids up the highway toward judges’ trailer place. At 17 Silver was spotted standing on left just after gallery rider rode up birds. Gates was away, and Slade Sikes fired for Silver, but a judge did not see the birds. At 30 Fred got the tracker for Power who had been seen little. At 32 Silver found a bird on course (which had been modified to turned right before the trailer place). From here Silver reached admirably and at 52 stood in swale beyond Big House, fruit of a good swing through the country, a worthy find. From here he crossed Lookout Ridge and rambled on to Swallow `Em Bottom. His race had been large in the second half.
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Chinquapin Farm is an enchanted place, a magic place. For anyone who loves quail and bird dogs, it is heaven. Its broad acres are sandy, over a lime-rock base. For trials its topography is ideal, featuring hog-back ridges and long sloping side hills that make a dog visible at great distances, as on the prairie. The cover is wiregrass, with tall pines sparsely dotting the hills and valleys and patches of jack oaks. There is not a stream or a swamp on the place. The pond at the Big House has been augmented by a new, large lined one on the west side near the hay field.
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Slade Sikes grew up adjoining Chinquapin. His father, Jerry, who still lives there, has bred bird dogs and still does. A Vietnam veteran, Jerry is a big man with a military bearing, who is justifiably proud of Slade.
Slade has progressed well at Chinquapin, and last year, a new home was built for his growing family. On a hunt with Ted Baker last fall on “27,” Ted remarked that a particular hilltop had held a covey since he was a boy. Without thinking, Slade replied, “Yes sir, Mr. Ted. There’s been a covey here since I was a boy too.” (Slade’s grandmother lived adjoining the east side of “27,” and after school, he would walk with his bird dog and a .410 from his home to hers. Boys will be boys. Ted got a good laugh from this confirmation of his long-held suspicions. Little did the boy Slade know he was practicing for his future profession).
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At Friday night’s barbecued chicken dinner, after the callback dogs were announced, a veteran pro said, “This is the best field trial in America. Any dog that gets called back is a champion, and even some who didn’t get called back had championship performances. In fact, there were twenty championship performances in the first series, and in just forty minutes.”
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Chickasaw Bud’s top qualifying bid was true all-age excitement from start to finish. As Dr. Ron Deal said when it was over, “It’s hard for a dog to lay down two standout performances in a row, but the format is fair because all have an even chance to do it in the finals.”
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Two ominous threats hang over all-age field trials. First, the disappearance of wild quail. Second, loss of grounds. This season witnessed the loss of two of the great private grounds—the two Sedgefields in Alabama. The Master’s grounds will be lost for ’07 though there is hope they will be available again later. Alva Cain’s Tara Hill was lost several years ago.
The value of places like Chinquapin Farm to test our dogs cannot be measured. Like the Hope Diamond or the Mona Lisa, they are priceless. We would all be wise to express our thanks to their owners. As for the wild quail loss, Chinquapin and a few other places in the quail plantation belt demonstrate that with enough attention to habitat, wild quail can still thrive, at least in ideal conditions.
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The Chinquapin crew again provided unequaled hospitality to all that came, participants and gallery. Facilities for horses and dogs are ideal, with hay furnished to all. Morning coffee and delicious lunches are provided every day. Bottled water and soft drinks are always on the truck. Darrel (Cowboy) Summers drove and managed the dog trucks flawlessly, and even provided Rolaids, Advil, and aspirin from the glove box for those in need. Donald Sparrow, D. J. McKee, and Jason Hunter provided help with horses. (Leonard Craig has retired but still comes over to the barn to help at trial time without being asked.) With new hips, Joe Hicks is riding again comfortably and loving it, and he and Slade Sikes marshaled with help from John Hicks. Tee Hicks and Belinda Sikes served delicious meals with help on the oysters and barbecue chicken from Fred Dileo, who comes from a restaurateur family and others in the Chinquapin crew.
John Lee and Fred Rayl sponsored the Wednesday night dinner in honor of last year’s Champion Pride’s Alibi.
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Ted Baker is unique. His generosity knows no bounds. He seems to love all of us, regardless of our warts (and warts we have in plenty). He especially loves the professionals. He appreciates the economic stresses they and their families endure so we have good broke dogs to watch. He pulls for the underdog, canine and human. He forgives the foolish (there are plenty of us). He laughs at many things, but he laughs loudest and longest at himself. He knows how to get his friends’ goats, which he demonstrated at Saturday night’s dinner at the Big House before Sunday’s start. It went something like this:
“Tom Kennard, you know we want to get you in the Hall of Fame. You are on your way — you got 32 votes last year.
“Now T. Jack and I are in the Hall of Fame. We want you to join us.
“The simplest way to assure this is if we can announce that you are going to make up the shortfall to cover the purse this year.”
A pregnant pause followed. Then Toasting Tom said,
“Ted, whatever you think I should do, I will.”
Then Ted laughed, indicating his proposal was in jest—or was it?
Directors at the Big House this year included chief cook, authorized drawer, designated driver, and quartermaster Howard Brooks, Toasting Tom Kennard, T. Jack Robinson, John Murphree, Skip Griffin, John Milton, and your scribe. Chester Stokes also came over to visit from his nearby farm.
We go to bed earlier every year, but the breakfasts and dinners are superb. John Baker, CEO of Florida Rock, joined us Friday night and rode to watch the finals. He told us marvelous stories of the growth of Florida Rock, which he joined after Princeton, University of Florida Law School, and the Marines. Florida’s bowl victory and the dedication of the Marine Museum at Quantico were added reasons for celebration by the Bakers this year.
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The Florida Open All-Age Championship began in 1969 as the Suwannee River Open All Age on the quail hunting grounds of Tom Baker and his sons. Ted had been introduced to field trials by his friend Dr. Tom Kennard, who sold him the derby Bill Possessed for $500 and predicted he would win next week the Continental Derby, which he did. Thus, Ted Baker was hooked on field trials. (That’s enough to warrant Tom Kennard’s election to the Hall of Fame.) Tom also introduced Ted to Bill Rayl, who in turn introduced Ted to his customer T. Jack Robinson. These four were the bedrock of the Suwannee River group, and three of them still are.
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For the second year, your scribe reported from atop the dog truck. For this I apologize to readers, owners, handlers, and judges, who are entitled to have a reporter on horseback close to the action. At the same time, readers who have been to Chinquapin will know that the dog truck here, unlike at many other trials, affords its top riders a remarkable view of the action. Its position right behind the horseback gallery affords a top rider a kaleidoscopic 360° view of the action. One can often see a mile or more in all directions. A top rider can see much the judges cannot, for better and worse, especially the scout work and the dogs’ conduct when not at the front.
A dog’s performance must be judged from the judges’ perspective. What the judges cannot see cannot be held against (or credited to) the dog. For this reason, your scribe did not discuss dogs’ performances with the judges until after their decisions were announced, except to inquire about (but never to comment on) a dog’s performance on game when the scribe was not close enough to personally observe it. In writing this report, I have tried to portray the performances as the judges saw them, omitting what I saw that a judge could not.
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Mike Cheely has a habit in conversation with friends of responding, “Yea, I knew that.” His friends have been kidding him about the habit and trying to break Mike of it. News comes that at the Continental the breaking may have been completed.
Mike was in his motel room after a day’s running, lying on the bed and watching on TV a basketball game between Texas and Oklahoma. Butch Winter dropped in and suggested they join others at the Huddle House for supper. Mike said, “Wait a minute, I want to see the end of this game.” Butch said, “Oklahoma is going to win.” Mike said, “Want to bet on that ?” Butch said, “Sure.”
Regulation time ended in a tie. Mike said, “Want to double the bet?” “Sure,” said Butch. Oklahoma won in overtime. They went to the Huddle House, and Mike related the story of the game and the bet to those assembled for supper. Fuz Smith, who referees basketball in another life, said, “That was a replay. That game was played two nights ago.” Butch Winter said, “Yea, I knew that.”