2007 National Field Trial

FRENCH BRITTANY GUN DOG ASSOCIATION, INC.
2007 National Field Trial

UKC SANCTIONED 2007 U.S. NATIONAL EPAGNEUL FIELD TRIALS
March 7-10, 2007
Casa Grande, Arizona

The lush green alfalfa fields at Desert Pheasant Recreation near Casa Grande, Arizona gave the two judges from abroad a familiar feel to their own spring field trials in Europe, as this year's 2007 FBGDA National Level Field trials were conducted March 7-9. Judges Jacques Francois Bordet of France and Pieter Rooijakkers of the Netherlands interacted enthusiastically with the participants over the three days of field events. Each judge served as head judge for a day of the solo trials, and the two jointly judged this year's first braces competition, which preceded the TAN on Wednesday of the meeting.

When the time came to judge the first barrage in a UKC field trial in the United States, in a gesture of sportsmanship and respect for his judicial colleague's decades of work with the Epagneul Breton, Judge Pieter Rooijakkers deferred to Mr. Jacques Bordet, an esteemed Epagneul Breton breed specialist who has judged the Epagneul Breton in the field and show ring for many years in his native France. Mr. Rooijakkers insisted that Mr. Bordet serve as the head of the jury for the first ever barrage for the Epagneul Breton breed run in the United States. Judge Bordet thanked his friend and judicial colleague for the honor, and clearly enjoyed the task.

In the first day's Open Braces competition on Wednesday, CHF CH Vernon de L'Escarbot performed perfectly pointing a bobwhite quail in the late stages of his heat, as his brace mate Cliathan Kerryman backed. After the honoring brace mate was leashed and led away, the bird was flushed and Vernon held solid for the flush and shot. After being authorized, Vernon then methodically delivered the shot bird to hand, heeling upon command of handler/owner Mark Dinsmore. Both judges nodded approval and noted the classification on their scoring pads as the heat ended. Also in the Open Braces Competition, Levi Des Par Dessus Par earned a Pass, while being handled by Dudley Horton scoring a beautiful staunch point, and then demonstrating the retrieve on a set up retrieve at the end of the competition. Rooijakkers called Levi's point, the best point of the day on Wednesday, although his overall performance and manners did not equal Vernon's stellar bird work and overall performance.

The first day of the solo competition on Thursday provided the most excitement of the competitions as CHF CH Vernon de L'Escarbot turned in one of his finer performances with five finds and three perfect retrieves on the birds which made it into the game bags during his solo heat. In the separate heats run under Judge Rooijakkers, Topperlyn D'Artagnan also turned in a solid performance, with stylish bird work and great manners. His bird was missed by the gunners, and at the end of the heat D'Art, demonstrated the retrieve on a callback on a bird thrown by Judge Pieter Rooijakkers who promptly classified the orange and white roan dog for placement as best dog in his heat. When the results of the respective group heats were announced by each judge, the gallery gathered around as the excited handlers of these two fine dogs prepared for the first ever Open Class barrage - or runoff heat.

The barrage was quickly arranged and conducted in a nearby field where no game had been planted. Both Vernon and D'Art turned in fine performances. Judge Bordet declared Vernon the clear winner as he cast off at the breakaway without hesitation, hunting with head high and covering the ground beautifully. D'Art hesitated briefly to check out some ground scent when the dogs were ordered released by the head judge, but quickly recovered and raced away enthusiastically as the judges let the barrage go on for a couple of minutes to let the gallery view and enjoy it. Judge Bordet emphasized that both dogs in the barrage exhibited proper head carriage and the proper method of Breton movement/gait in the field. Judge Rooijakkers later described via lecture and showed a DVD illustrating the proper gait of the Breton at his Saturday lecture. He described and demonstrated via a DVD the classic "roll" or fluid galloping gait unique to the Breton, which gives the viewer the impression that the dog is effortlessly rolling across the terrain in search of game.

The Judges requested that the gallery and other handlers come over to join in the photographs with the barrage Winner and Reserve winner. Judge Bordet explained in his native language and Judge Rooijakkers translated his judicial comrade's remarks and observations into English. Bordet explained to the gallery that in a barrage, the judge can decide the winner in the first few seconds, or the heat can extend for a period of minutes. He explained that the judges in the jury for a barrage are looking carefully at the style, method of movement and handling in this phase of the field trial - which does not involve bird work. In judging the Epagneul Breton, Bordet explained that to win a barrage the dog must cast off when released to hunt without hesitation. He must demonstrate great enthusiasm to find game and must quarter and cover the ground properly with head held high in the classic rolling gallop of the Epagneul Breton. Bordet stressed that to win a significant field trial stake in Europe, the dog must demonstrate the proper gait and classic fluid gallop or rolling motion unique to the

Epagneul Breton. Bordet explained that this is one reason why correct conformation plays such an important role in evaluating field work. The dog must also be obedient and return at the first call of the handler when the judge requests the handlers to heel the dogs at the conclusion of the barrage.

CHF CH Vernon de L'Escarbot was declared the First Place Winner of the braces competition with Judge Bordet declaring to handler/owner Mark Dinsmore that the orange roan three year old male Breton was an outstanding representative of the breed and joking that he would be happy to take him back home to France! D'Art and handler/co-owner Chris Kieres were also praised for a fine showing in the morning field trial heat and afternoon barrage as D'Art was awarded the Reserve Placement on Thursday's solo competition. This particular placement also culminated in D'ART achieving his Trialer "TR" UKC title.

The Gun Dog Class produced no placements on Thursday. However, Ta Levi Des Par Dessus Par handled by Dudley Horton, TAN Vetessa De La Savane Rouge Undulante handled by Don Rice, Antar Du Bois Courcol handled by Chip Hidinger, TAN Utanne De La Savane Rouge handled by Tony Bua and TAN Tregor de la Vallee du Duris handled by R.L Dalrymple earned Passes in the Gun Dog class. As the heat rose by the start of the Gun Dog Class each day, the dogs in that class seemed to have difficulty scenting and then holding the birds which were wandering through the alfalfa as the desert heat rose to the high 70's by nine a.m. each day. Both the chukar and quail frequently moved through the ankle high alfalfa before being pinned for the flush. A number were caught by ambitious dogs before they could be flushed. Of the Gun Dog Class, Utanne and Levi won particular praise by the judges for their stylish performances on point on Thursday.

Friday was a very warm day for field trialing, but TR TAN Topperlyn D'Artagnan rose to the occasion turning in another stellar performance for owners Chris and Lynda Kieres which earned him First Place in the Friday Open Solo competition. D'Art was the only open dog classified for a placement that day, so there was not a barrage. During his heat, the orange roan male Breton quartered nicely and exhibited stellar bird work, remaining steady as some of the birds he pointed were not able to be shot for his retrieve. He performed his retrieve on his shot bird perfectly and heeled at the command of handler Christopher Kieres. TAN Topperlyn Gallant Bodacious a/k/a "Leo" also earned a Pass in the Open Class on Friday, performing nicely for handler Glen Gunderson of Minnesota.

In the Gun Dog Class on Friday, there were no placements awarded. TAN Tahdaste Des Pignettes handled by R.L. Dalrymple, Rose Clair De Vista Ciscda handled by Richard Hall, Ta Levi Des Par Dessus Par, handled by Dudley Horton, TAN Smiths Squire De Chasseur handled by Ed Smith and TAN Violette Des Renfro handled by Fred Overby were awarded Passes. Judges Rooijakkers and Border respectively, remarked that they especially liked the style and enthusiasm of Tahdaste and Violette a/k/a "Shug" and encouraged their owners to continue the dogs' training, but withheld Placements and Passes with Honor. At the awards, Levi also was given honorable mention as the compact white and orange dog won Passes in the Open Braces (Wednesday) and Solo Gun Dog (Thursday and Friday) competition pointing multiple birds in each heat and retrieving them perfectly in the process of earning his UKC HUNT title. (As a point of human interest, Levi's handler Dudley Horton did not own and had never handled a dog in a field trial until a couple of weeks before the Nationals. (He handled Levi only in the field trials for his friend, FBGDA member John Barge who had worked Levi to prepare for the competition, but was back in Georgia recuperating from surgery.)

FBGDA member Mark Dinsmore elected to forgo Friday's competition to serve as judicial apprentice with Judge Pieter Rooijakkers in order to further his application for qualification as a UKC Field Trial Judge. Likewise, FBGDA Secretary Bob Olson apprenticed with Judge Jacques Francois Bordet. The judges and apprentices enjoyed the interaction with the handlers. Judge Bordet took a great deal of time to enthusiastically educate his apprentice judge with the aid of Fred Deblois, who walked with the judicial entourage in order to assist with translation. At the end of their judicial duties in the field, the judges thanked FBGDA and their apprentices. "It is rewarding to have been given the opportunity through a student, to leave some of my training in America for the future of the Epagneul Breton," explained Jacques Francois Bordet.

Wednesday's TAN event (Natural Ability Test), which followed the braces competition proved very enjoyable for all, with a good gallery view. Judge Bordet and Judge Rooijakkers interacted with handlers to demonstrate the proper method to teach a dog to coulee. In order to help educate the handlers, they frequently let handlers and dogs find multiple birds, even though many satisfied the TAN requirements in a few moments when they pointed their first bird. Twelve TAN ribbons were awarded to the successful handlers listed below, with all TAN entrants receiving passing scores for the first time at the Nationals.

Results of Field Events at FBGDA 2007 Nationals
WEDNESDAY APRIL 7 - OPEN BRACES COMPETITION

French Brittany Gun Dog Association, Inc.
2007 U.S. National Epagneul Breton
Specialty Conformation Show

UKC Sanctioned 2007
March 7-10, 2007

This years 2007 National Specialty was conducted on the plush green grounds of Francisco Grande Resort in Casa Grande, Arizona. The dogs were exhibited on grass inside the show ring, with a canopy to provide refuge from the hot desert sun. The National Conformation exhibition was judged by esteemed breed specialist Jacques Francois Bordet of France, who has judged the Epagneul Breton in conformation in the breed's country of origin since 1981.

Mr. Bordet clearly enjoyed his work in the ring and was assisted by Show Chairman Bob Olson, who recorded in writing the conformation evaluation conducted by the meticulous judge who studied each dog carefully. The duo were further assisted by the translation of the judge's observations from French to English by Fred Deblois, a native Frenchman from a village not far from Mr. Bordet's home in France, who was sojourning in America at the resort where the event was held. Fred Deblois communicated the judge's observations about each class of participants to the gallery of spectators. The judge also spoke to each handler with the translator's aid, discussing their dog's conformation attributes, as well as any faults, which were noted. This was the first year that a formal written conformation evaluation was performed upon each dog at the FBGDA National Specialty Show, with the owner being supplied a copy of the written record of same. In addition to being a judge of conformation and field trials, Mr. Bordet has long been qualified as an expert confirmer in France. The participants and spectators were attentive to the remarks of Mr. Bordet, and enjoyed the educational aspect of the feedback about the finer points of conformation on the dogs entered in the show.

For the second year in a row, CH TAN Cliathan Mighty McSmith owned by Ed and Joyce Smith was declared the National Best of Breed winner for 2007. The orange and white male Epagneul Breton was born and bred in Ireland by David Hayes and imported into the United States by the Smith's of Indiana. "Dr Watson" is the orange and white dog's call name, and he performs beautifully in the ring-- standing regal and proud as the judge labored over the difficult decision of selecting this year's winner. The winning dog's ears perked up in the classic expression of the Breton, as Judge Bordet sought the dog's attention to review his facial expression.

The competition for 2007 National Best of Breed was stiff, as 2005's former NBOB winner, and winner of this year's Grand Champion Class NBOB GR CH TAN Beau de l'Hospitalier exhibited by Christopher Kieres was in the ring for the final round along with the Kieres' outstanding young male Bodo Von Hubertushöhe, who worked his way to the final judging as representative of the Best of Winners Class.

Best Male also went to Bodo von Hubertushöhe shown by Lynda Kieres and Reserve Best Male went to TR TAN Topperlyn D'Artagnan; exhibited by Christopher Kieres. Best Female went to Destinée de l'Hospitalier exhibited by Lynda Kieres with TAN Violette Des Renfroe exhibited by Fred Overby, being declared Reserve Best female. All of the above winners were shown in the orange and white variety, which variety Judge Bordet remarked at the awards ceremony produced better representatives of the breed during this year's National show. The winners of the various respective classes are as follows (with the country of origin listed for dogs not born in the United States):