Many folks have asked me, What sort of man was Ted Baker?
An incident during the 2015 Florida Championship answers the question eloquently.
At the end of the running, judges Cecil Rester and Gary Lester named Utah’s Red Rock Express Champion based on a big six-find finals race. They called for a run-off next morning between Just Irresistible, in the string of Jamie Daniels but handled by Rich Robertson because Jamie was managing a hunt for his part-time employer, and Lester’s Pretty Boy, handled by Lee Phillips.
Ted was upset by the callback. Why? Because it would cost the two handlers extra expenses and delay their move to Dixie Plantation for the Continental Championships, scheduled to start Monday.
How did Ted react? He announced immediately that the handler of the dog that did not win the callback would receive a conciliation prize of $3,000 (out of Ted’s pocket, which was not announced).
That was the kind of guy Ted Baker was, always aware of and concerned about the economic welfare of pro handlers.
Just Irresistible won the run-off for Runner-Up with five finds in 45 minutes. Pretty Boy did almost as well.