With the shock of reading Bubba Moreland’s notification of death today on Facebook came a flood of memories of being with him and his mutual best friend Luke Weaver. For those who did not know them, Bubba handled Luke’s bird dogs in open competitions, and they were brothers in all ways but blood.
My favorite of many warm memories of that friendship is the Florida Championship of 2005, won by Rowan’s Gunsmoke handled by Bubba for owners Luke Weaver and Mike Cheely on the second course, the same course on which Silverwood had won in 2002 handled by Bubba’s next best friend Robin Gates Continental Open All-Age Championship with Robin’s son Hunter scouting.
Luke had been judging when Silverwood won. Rowan’s Gunsmoke ran a near carbon copy of Silverwood’s epic winning race, with their finds in places close to one another’s. When Gunsmoke ran, Luke and I were riding the top of the dog truck together (I was reporting). Judging was Freddy Epp. Bubba was very, very happy with the win, and so was Luke, mostly happy for Bubba.
Bubba had a kindness, a gentleness, about him few men, especially pro bird dog handlers, exhibit. It was especially evident at the Lee County trial which the Morelands hosted so many years, with Luke helping.
Bubba’s father, Mr. George, won the first Open All-Age stake sponsored by Ted Baker at Chinquapin in 1969 with Pineland Kate, with which he also won the Continental Open All-Age Championship the same year. Hunter Gates is now head dog trainer at Chinquapin. The Bird Dog Fraternity is close, tied generation to generation.
Bubba flushing for Cavalryman in the 2014 Florida Championship callback.